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James Whittle

Maison Ikkoku (TV and DVD)

Rumiko Takeshi's beloved romantic comedy manga/anime Maison Ikkoku comes to life in a special live action  series  currently airing on TV Asahi.

The story  starts a few years before Yusaku and Kyoko finally get their happily ever after. Along the way is a bittersweet romance and comedy of errors that  Shakespeare would have  been proud of.

The wishy-washy Godai Yusaku lives in a boarding house managed by  Otonashi Kyoko, a recently widowed young woman.   It's love at first sight for Yusaku,  and so begins his long journey to win the heart of Kyoko.

But parents, school, work and the insane residents of Maison Ikkuko constantly  throw hurdles  at the pair.  But despite the obstacles, which would have made most people give up, Yusaku perseveres, encouraging the audience  to root for him.

The casting for the leads is perfect.  Otaku goddess Ito Misaki ( Train Man the TV series' Densha Otoko) as the beautiful Kyoko. Ken Ishiguro won the role of  Yusaka in an open casting call  and  is perfect as the not-too-handsome loser Yusaku. Even the white Labrador looks perfect as Soichiro-san, Kyoko's  faithful four-legged friend.

But as for the supporting characters, Akemi, the sexy bar hostess, and the creepy Yotsuya look 10 years older than they should.  The rowdy, middle-aged housewife Mrs Ichinose  is too tall and not portly enough.

However,  disappointing supporting  cast aside, the recreation of the boarding house  'Maison Ikkuko' looks exactly like its manga/anime counterpart down to the last roof  tile.  The costume designers have even included  the famous Piyo Piyo apron that Kyoko always wears while cleaning the boarding house and the green baseball jacket that Yusaku wears.  It's the little things that make us Otakus  happy -  and not straying too far  from the storyline doesn't hurt either.

The DVD  is due to be released on August 24 and will retail for around 4,700 yen (HK$300),  so mark it on your calendars.



Anime romance goes live