Maison Ikkoku Reviewed By: SMgirl2k (smgirl2k@hotmail.com)  Format: Manga # 1-14 [full series] (Official English translation)

Rating: (scale of 1-10, 1=poor, 10=awesome) Story: 10 Art: 8.5 Characters: 9.5 Overall: 9 *all names are in traditional Japanese format, meaning last name first* * * * Maison Ikkoku, a somewhat shoujo series revolving around Godai Yusaku and his quest to graduate from college, get a stable job, and win the love of his life, Otonashi Kyoko, and still have enough time to fend off his neighbors. The story focuses on Godai Yusaku-Room 5, a ronin of sorts who failed his college entrance exams first time around, and the manager of the apartment he lives in. His neighbors, Yotsuya-(nobody knows his first name except for Rumiko Takahashi and she won't tell) Room 4, Roppongi Akemi-Room 6, and Ichinose Hanae, her son, Kentaro, and her husband (name unknown) of room one, and the last and latest, Nikaido Nozumu of Room 2.  The neighbors keep Godai from confessing to Kyoko how he truly feels about her. They'll spread rumours, blab info about him (i.e.-gossip), distract him by getting drunk in his room while he's studying, and so on and so forth. Another hurdle in Godai's stuggle to "fess up" is his girlfriend, Nanao Kozue. Unfortunatley, this is an EXTREMLY one-sided and platonic relationship. They haven't even kissed (and they never do, by the way) and Godai doesn't love her the way she does him. He leads her on through the entire series, breaking up with her in book 12-13. She eventually is asked to get married by a business friend in book 14 and she lives a happy life, her job being an accountant. His rival in his race to win Kyoko's love is the handsome, rich tennis coach Mitaka Shun. A man who has everything (money, a car, steady job, good looks, fear of dogs….whoops, wasn't supposed to mention that) compared to a man who has nothing (Godai), the everything man is certainly better. However, what if the everything man is engaged, even if it is against his will? Well, that's what happens. Mitaka goes out with Kyoko every so often. However, somewhere near the end of the series, Kujo Asuna, a young, female, canine fanatic is discovered to be engaged to Mitaka due to Mitaka's uncle. Eventually, through miscommunication, he and Asuna get married and have a few lovely children, Mitaka never regretting it at all. Possibly the biggest hurdle in his road to "fessing up" (As I like to call it) is the fact that Kyoko is a recent widow, having married her high school geography teacher after finishing HS. Soichiro Otonashi, as the teacher's name was, died only six months into his marriage, and Kyoko wishes to ertain his memory for as long as she can. If you like comic hi-jinxes that actually could happen, a realistic manga, and a sweet story line with laughter, tears, and the occasional grope-and-slap combo, grab this manga series, a few tissues, a stress ball, and settle into a comfy chair, because this is the series for you. For more information, go to http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Temple/2144/. ~SM