Maison Ikkoku, Vol. 4: Good Housekeeping [Paperback]

EMBRACED BY ILLNESS:
Godai's cold got worse, and now he's stuck in bed. He's not finding it easy to get better with ongoing parties, and an unwanted visit from Mitaka.
MY NOTES:
Funny. Nothing great though.

THE MAN WHO REACHED FOR THE STARS:
Godai can't make it to the annual Ikkoku Christmas party due to a job redecorating. But when he sees Kyoko's face after she finds out, he quickly changes his mind to not go. So not only will he show up, but with the gift Kyoko's always wanted in a bag.
MY NOTES:
Pretty good. A nice joke at the end.

CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR:
Godai's left in charge of Ikkoku while Kyoko and everyone else is gone.
MY NOTES:
OK. Pretty funny (although the drinking contest between Kozue's dad and Godai is hilarious!).

THE KISSING SCENE:
Akemi comes home drunk one night, after being dumped by her boyfriend, and kisses Godai and Kyoko! Kyoko then dreams that night of kissing Godai, while Godai wonders about the kiss.
MY NOTES:
This is a good chapter, with one great joke. And expect a certain... SOMETHING, to happen...

NO PEEKING!:
Kyoko buys a leotard, while Yotsuya desires to reopen a certain 'peephole.'
MY NOTES:
The first few pages might be boring, but the rest is great!

MIXED MESSAGES:
Kozue gives Yusaku pansies for Valentines Day that just might just mean more than what they appear to.
MY NOTES:
An OK chapter.

THE BETTER TO HEAR YOU WITH:
Rumors spread that Mitaka and Kozue are dating.
MY NOTES:
This chapter is funny enough, without the big plus of having my favorite Yotsuya line (so far)!

CLOTHES MAKE THE???:
Kyoko accidentally starts an Ikkoku Costume Party.
MY NOTES:
Funny.

JUST A LITTLE CARD:
A postcard in Soichiro's diary might cause confusion.
MY NOTES:
I think this would have made more sense if you could read everything Soichiro writes on the pages, and not have a little bit cut off.

This graphic novel will take a certain focus on comedy, with the exception of the fourth chapter.

Maison Ikkoku is a run down apartment building in Tokyo. Living there is struggling and wishy-washy college student Yusaku Godai, who has fallen head over heels in love with the beautiful, young manager of the building, Kyoko Otonashi. Kyoko has some feelings towards Godai, but she's a widow, and still is not over the death of her beloved husband, Soichiro.

Complicating matters between the two are rich, suave, hysterically dog-phobic, and handsome tennis coach Shun Mitaka, Godai's rival for Kyoko; and Kozue Nanao, a sweet, cute, and naive girl, who accidently has become Godai's platonic girlfriend. Kozue is clueless that Godai is in love with Kyoko.

But the crowning touch is the 3 other residents of the apartment building: hard drinking, hard partying and hard gossiping Mrs. Ichinose, who lives with her young son Kentaro; Akemi, a sexy party animal who is the bar hostess at local hangout ChaChaMaru, and who wears her see-through negligee around the building; and then there's the mysterious Yotsuya, who gets his kicks out of peeping, and breaking through Godai's wall so that he can mooch food from Godai. These characters would be at home in "A Confederacy of Dunces".

All 3 regard Godai as their personal toy, and they get their kicks from teasing him and holding their drinking parties in his room. They've also discovered that Kyoko is fun to tease as well.

With 9 chapters, Volume 4 picks up where Volume 3 ended: Godai is back home at Maison Ikkoku, but he's ill after the misadventures of the last volume. Too bad his nursemaids are Mrs. Ichinose, Akemi & Yotsuya. Christmas comes to Ikkoku once again. Godai's got his eye on the perfect present for Kyoko. Since this involves Godai & Kyoko, there has to be a string attached. New Year's results in two visits by Godai to the local shrine, first with Kyoko, then with Kozue. A drunken Akemi starts off a kissing chain reaction with Godai & Kyoko thinking about lips and the meeting thereof. Kyoko & Akemi buy leotards. Naturally, Yotsuya wants a peek. A trip home by Godai leaves Kyoko taking care of Godai's basket of flowers. Did anyone tell Kyoko that the flowers were a gift from Kozue? Speaking of Kozue, frustrated by Godai's lack of affection, she looks for some expert advice on the subject. The expert? Coach Mitaka! Welcome to misunderstanding city. Mrs. Ichinose's young son Kentaro has taken comfort that despite all the weirdos at Ikkoku, at least manager Kyoko's normal. This opinion might change after the results of an unplanned costume party, triggered by an innocent Kyoko. Finally, Kyoko's father-in-law gives Godai a package to give to Kyoko; Soichiro's diary. Can Kyoko get jealous of a dead man?

With no connecting story arc, this volume emphasizes humor and offers insights on both Japanese culture and the characters. The New Year's day chapter is especially rich in cultural references, showcasing the most important of Japanese holidays. Note that Kyoko & Kozue's kimono's have different length sleeves. Kyoko's sleeves are short, since she's been married. Kozue's sleeves are long, since she's stll young and single.

A good example of character insight is offered in this conversation between Kyoko & Mrs. Ichinose:

KYOKO: Do you think I'm the jealous type? MRS. ICHINOSE: You sure are. KYOKO: Couldn't you at least have hesitated a little? MRS. ICHINOSE: But it's true!

Better than "Oh! My Goddess!", with humor ranging from gentle to hysterical, this wonderful romantic comedy continues forward in "Good Housekeeping".