Maison Ikkoku: Good Housekeeping 4 (Viz Graphic Novel) [Paperback]

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".