lienad60's Anime List | lienad60's Manga List

lienad60's Profile

Maison Ikkoku, this is a classic, period.
Possibly one of the best, most sweet, and satisfying stories of love ever written in the world of manga and anime.

I hate to drop old cliched lines but here goes what I thought after watching the series: They just don't make them like this anymore do they?

Story/Character:
The best part about this anime is the long arduous path to love between Kyoko and Godai. 6 years, that's right SIX YEARS, the 96 episodes cover that long of a period for love to blossom. This isn't your any old quick and easy lovey dovey relationship making anime.
Maison Ikkoku covers the freaking s--- that happens between a man and a woman, the endless misunderstandings, jealousy, betrayal, etc.

I have to say few animes ever get close to what true love looks like. Maison Ikkoku concerns the death of a husband, the confused and struggling widow, the dropout loser, the drunkards, the good for nothing peoples of a trashy apartment and throws it into a marvelously spun tale of love.

Godai is the most pitiful dumbass loser yet lovable f---in bastard nice good guy. You just can't not be on his side. Dropout trying to make it in life
Kyoko-san has the incomprehensible burden as a widow between two courters, the emotional depth is inexpressible in words.

The lovable residents of Maison Ikkoku:
From the eavesdropping drunkard lady who can know your situation in a moment's look who will spread rumors and stories that causes havoc in everyone's lives yet means well.... Ichinose-san. I'm gonna miss her PPPAAAAATO- PAAAATTO yaaro! (let's party) and her raspy loud laughter to cheer up an otherwise miserable situation. With plenty of fan dances.
The freeloader mystery man Yotsuya who takes advantage of Godai for every yen and cup ramen he's got. He's got a nonsense haiku for every damn situation.
The half naked Akemi san who's always up to party like heck. Throwing a spin on Godai and Kyoko's relationship once in a while.

Just when you think things are getting overplayed out, Godai's granny comes along to spice things up with a kick (literally).

The only annoying people in the story can be Yagami and Kozue but hey what's a love story without struggles and jealousy eh?

Mitaka the obviously rich and well educated and handsome contender. He's on equal footing with Godai as far as relationships go with Kyoko but he get's impatient later and makes mistakes. You'll hate him later (a little)....

Basically if you've got the guts to watch Godai swim through the pile of shit in his life trying to get his beloved KANRININ SANNNNN! Go watch it.

warning: This is possibly the most enjoyable and satisfying anime series out there.
read more

I usually don't watch josei but I decided to give this one a shot. Got tired of all that shounen crap some time ago.

Well, what can I say, there is a certain beauty about this anime.

The story: Certainly the cliched motifs of love triangles and rectangles and all the overused dynamics are in there BUT I was shocked to find that I actually enjoyed everything quite well.
For one, the relationships have much verisimilitude and show a more inexplicable human aspect rather than the KISS THAT SOLVES IT ALL type stuff. The thing with Sentaro, Yurika, and Jun-ni is definitely a BIG PLUS to the Ritsuko Nishimi main plot. It's not just a side dish romance to make sure everyone's got their love life covered. It's a deep human experience full of inexplicable emotions and time that is needed for love to blossom.

(Ahhh.... I'm sounding like a josei fan now. Ok maybe I am becoming one.)

The characters: Ehhh Nishimi was one of those new student stereotypes played out in many other animes but he's still good. The true striker with this anime is that the character's backgrounds are revealed in a very subtle way... It's not full of lengthy flashbacks and background story time-wasters... Sakamichi really does well in that it delves into each character's past and background as the anime progresses in a not in your face manner. The inexplicable actions of Ritsuko, the Yurika Jun-ni sub-plot ahhh it's beautiful. Apart from the jazz of Ritsuko's basement, there is a quiet beauty that speaks to the heart in this anime.

Music: This is one anime where music speaks louder than words a lot of times. Jazz is such a freeform expression and I'm not a big fan of it but it is done so well. It's Nishimi's language of love, remorse, each clash on the cymbal is Sentaro's inner pain and struggles released. Jun-ni's trumpet arpeggios are too good. Not to mention Mukae san's upbeat bass.

Voice: It's solid and good work. Ritsuko's voice can get annoying but it has it's charm But the music overshadows it IMO.

Enjoyment: You'll be surprised. I'm a guy and I connected from the first episode. It's strangely good. I don't know exactly how to explain it. But aside from the jazzy improvisations and sounds there is a quiet beauty to this anime. go watch it now.
read more