Maison Ikkoku is your classical romantic-comedy in which there's too-many-sided relationship and yes, you are right, your usual not-so-special main character. Classic, Why? Because it's aired before 20th century. No, it's not the main reason i called it classic. It's so classic because it just made me remember how romantic-comedy series (anime or not) toying with its audience feeling like, cursing the MC because he is too coward, blaming the rival because he/she is so much annoying, the misunderstanding which annoyed us the most and the feeling when "The MC is probably gonna win that girl, better stop watching now" but you can't stop watching until the last of episode while cursing the MC (again). Those feelings/vibes are what romantic-comedy anime nowadays lacking of.
No, my review hasn't ended. Here comes the (probably) clear review from each point of this anime.
Story (10/10):
Simple. Maison Ikkou story is so simple, yet entertaining to watch. You only get a not-so special MC falls in love with the main heroine on the first sight then rival keeps popping out one after another. There's nothing special in this concept, just a standard romantic-comedy anime. So what's so special? The vibes/feelings which i have stated before. You don't need story complex enough to enjoy a series, what you need is how good/proper the story is delivered. That's what Maison Ikkoku story offers us.
Art (10/10):
Again, simple (standard) yet detailed and offers much support to give the same vibe to the story. The art clearly gives enough help to feel feelings of Maison Ikokku story. You can even see from its MAL page that it doesn't have special art, but that's not a problem. An anime doesn't need a Makoto Shinkai level of art or perhaps Kyo Ani level to get 10/10 (personally).
Sound (10/10):
Catchy. Maison Ikkoku is also full of catchy ost and ofc, the first op will always be the best ost in this series and the most important part is that the sound does offer the same vibe of the related story in which it was played. No misplaced. Even, the background music is great.
Character (10/10):
Maison Ikkoku features many characters with variative traits, but most of them share the same trait, annoying. Yes, this is totally needed for a story which toys its audience feeling. Almost all of the MC gang is somewhat annoying in their own way and even it may force you to quit watching the series (but, ofc you probably won't). But again, the main heroine does have what a proper romantic-comedy heroine should have, a lovable trait. I even personally fall in love with the main heroine because i have never seen such a realistic-yet-impossible-to-get kind of characters before. Moreover, this part (characters) offers so much help in developing Maison Ikkoku story so i give it 10/10.
Enjoyment (10/10):
I can't say that i totally enjoy this series because it toys my feeling that much, but i can say that i'm completely hooked up to it until its last episode. Even now i wish they would make another Maison Ikkoku story which almost impossible to be true.
Ps: I even hesitate to watch the last episode because i don't want it to end.
Overall:
This anime is what i called "masterpiece in its simplicity", because almost all of the aspect is somewhat simple, yet it can deliver that much. Giving an unforgettable feelings and completely hooked you up even you know what will happen next and you know that you'll be annoyed. 10/10
