Customer Reviews

Maison Ikkoku Vol 6 Bedside Manners

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The first edition of Maison Ikkoku from Viz reads left to right (flipped artwork from the original Japanese) in 14 volumes with each volume having a title printed on the cover. The second edition reads right to left (unflipped) in 15 volumes with NO title on the cover, just a volume number.

Contents of the Viz left to right edition (1997)
Bedside Manners (volume 6 of 14):
1. Well, Well, Well
2. Prune-Faced Cupid
3. Farewell on Platform 18
4. Mr Ichinose Gets Laid Off
5. Run, Ichinose, Run!
6. Falling For You
7. No Visitors, Please!
8. Mission Impossible: The Party Cracker Caper
9. The Lost Episode: Yusaku's Island

In the second edition series (right to left) these chapters are found in volume 6 [1,2,9] and volume 7 [3-8].

Takahashi-sensei I love you!! Takahashi-sensei in my humble opinion is one of the greatest manga writers/artists of all time. I know this isn't revolutionary information for the millions who have read her books, but wow! what stories she creates from such simple Ideas. In this volume we finally meet the ever elusive Mr. Ichinose, and let me say he might match his wife physically, but he is much more like our favorite wishy washy student than Godai would like him to be. The main attraction of this particular graphic novel is Kyoko's jealousy. Oh it has made itself evident in several earlier novels, but in this one it really boils over. It begins when Godai's platonic girlfriend Kozue knits Godai a sweater. Godai brings it home and Kyoko almost explodes with jealousy. Godai finally confronts Kyoko and demands that she tell him how she really feels about him, but before any answer can be had. Kyoko almost falls off of the roof of Maison Ikkoku, Godai saves her, but winds up breaking his own leg. This leads to Kyoko and Godai getting closer to each other in the hospital, but the goon squad keep anything from formulating. Also, we get to meet Godai's couin Akira!! Good stuff.

This is a GREAT graphic novel! It managed to almost make mecry the first time through, but there was also a good lot of humor init. Even if you haven't read the others before it, the book would still make sense, but familiarity with the series helps, because this book is all about its characters. And what characters! This book really cliches their personalities well! Rumiko Takahashi is great as always, and I would recommend it to anyone who likes humor, drama, graphic novels, or just good books in general!

Although it was Ranma 1/2 that got me started reading manga, it's Maison Ikkoku that keeps me at it! For a while, Takahashi's stuff was all I read. Now I like things like Evangelion and Rayearth as well, but I haven't liked any other series as much as Maison Ikkoku. That's funny, since I don't like TV soap operas, and this series IS a comedy/drama/soap opera. It's so great though! I'm completely wrapped up in it and totally care about the characters, and am always waiting impatiently for the next book to get translated. This is one is REALLY sweet; you can finally see that Kyoko almost knows who she likes better, and there are some very nice moments between her and Godai. If you've made it this far into the Maison Ikkoku series, keep going! The later books have less comedy than the first few, but tweak your emotions more. They make me cry and I can't help but read on! You should read on too!