Maison Ikkoku is a beloved classic from famed manga author Rumiko Takahashi. I doubt it is her most famous work with titles such as Inu-Yasha and Ranma 1/2 earning those distinctions. However, I believe it is the best of her longer works by a wide margin. It was written along side of Urusei Yatsura from 1980 to 1987 and spanned 15 tankoban. Comparitively speaking, it is also the shortest of her longer works.

Aimed at a more mature reader at the time, Maison Ikkoku focused on the budding relationship between a 20 year old ronin named Yusaku Godai and the new manager of his apartment complex (named Maison Ikkoku), the 22 year old Kyoko Otonashi. Yusaku not only must deal with his inability to express his feelings for Kyoko, but also the wacky group of meddling tenants, romantic rivals, situational misunderstandings, and finally the complicated nature of Kyoko's heart.

There is plenty of comedy, misunderstandings, romance, near misses, frustation, triumph and everything wrapped inbetween during this story's seven year run. However, it is much more down to earth than any of Takahashi's other works and retains a charm not found in any of the others as well. Not to mention an actual, honest to God ending!

When Studio Deen animated the series for its 1986-1988 run, the show features a great selection of opening and ending themes that continue to be recognizable today. This time, I will focus on the five opening themes while next week, I'll bring you the six ending themes.

Maison Ikkoku OP 1 - Kanashimi yo Konnichi wa - Yuki Saito

Yuki Saito is probably most famous for her work as Saki Asamiya on the Sukeban Deka TV drama series.

Maison Ikkoku OP 2 - Alone Again (Naturally) - Golbert O'Sullivan

Talk about random. This song was only used for episode 24. I'm not exactly sure why, but it does fit with the show's happenings up to that point. This song was an international hit in 1972 and was nominated for a Grammy for "Best Song" and "Record of the Year" in 1973.

Maison Ikkoku OP 3 - Suki Sa - Anzen Chitai

This is an amazing song. It is still wonderful to listen to as you have no doubt seen it on the site before. Anzen Chitai (Safety Zone) was a huge band in Japan during the 80s. Each member of the group was still active up until 2008 when the vocalist, Koji Tamaki retired from music. Just because I love this song, listen to the "unplugged version".

Maison Ikkoku OP 4 - Sunny Shining Morning - Kiyonori Matsuo

This just a cute, catchy tune.

Maison Ikkoku OP 5 - Hi Damari - Kozo Murashita

I hate to admit it, but this is my least favorite theme and it is kind of a bummer that it the final one. It's not a bad song really, but considering this was the opening for the final season, I would have thought something showing the ever growing relationship between Kyoko and Godai would have been the focus here.

The song is also the title track from Murashita's 1987 album as well. He had quite a career up until his premature death in 1999. Nineteen albums with five more after his death.

Next week, I'll put a spotlight on the ending themes of this wonderful show as I continue to track down the last couple of DVD box sets I need to complete it.