At some point last week, I sat down and started rewatching Maison Ikkoku, which, in case you didn’t already know, is my favorite anime series of all time, hands down, no competition, forever and ever, until death do us part. In years past, I made a habit of rewatching the show annually, but at a lengthy 96 episodes, finding the time was always difficult. Even if I made a point of watching a few episodes each day, it would take a month to finish the show… and since I’m the sort of person who likes to put everything else on hold when rewatching old favorites, that meant abstaining from all other anime for a full month. Long ago, such was possible. But not today.
So, I’ve resorted to marathoning. One week down, one week to go. I suppose I’ll take a break tonight and watch the latest episode of Kanon (it should be a testament to how much I adore Maison Ikkoku that I have to make time for freakin’ Kanon), but everything else will have to wait.
Anyway, you would think that, as many times as I’ve seen Maison Ikkoku, I’d have grown tired of it by now. In fact, every time I set out to rewatch the show, I ask myself, “Will it bore me this time around?” Hasn’t happened yet, thankfully, and I suspect the show’s length is the reason why. Regardless of how well I know the story and the characters, I can’t recall every little detail of every single episode, nor can I remember where certain story arcs take place in the grand scheme of things. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thought, “Oh, THAT scene is coming up,” only to find said scene doesn’t actually occur for another 62 episodes. I suppose I could question my credentials as a die-hard Maison Ikkoku fan as a result, but if that’s what it takes to keep the show fresh year after year, so be it.
Ignorance is bliss.
I do need to do something about my habit of watching a bunch of Patlabor in the intervening periods, however. Every time I hear Godai open his mouth for the first time in the first episode of Maison Ikkoku, I think, “What the hell is Shinshi doing here?”
Hm… First Ranma 1/2 in a blog and next Maison Ikkoku…
Are we having a retro theme blog entry or something?
If so, I demand someone do Patlabor… indepth!
Come on! Where are you hardcore Patlabor fans!
I just started working on watching Urusei Yatsura a week ago or so, and Maison Ikkoku is next on my list (of significantly older anime). Since you say it’s your all time favorite (and I trust your taste), I guess it will be worth it~
Maison Ikkoku is easily my favorite anime of all time too.
I have watched the series 3 times and read the manga 3 or 4 times as well. I basically know the story from cover to cover yet never get tired of it no matter how often I see it. I should watch it again sometime soon actually.
This is usually a series I pull out again when I get bored and have nothing else to watch, I always say to myself ill watch an episode or two maybe per day when I have nothing better to do then I end up marathoning it and going for 5 or 6 in a row. It just draws me in like no other show does.
Now if only I could get Touch on DVD…
Patlabor. You can never go wrong with Patlabor. Do a Patlabor!!
Yes! Maison Ikkoku is not only my favorite anime series of all time, but my favorite TV series of all time. While the anime series had a few slow points in the arc of episodes from 20 - 40, once Yagami shows up it’s a great drive to the finish. Sadly it is often overlooked because of it’s length, it’s strong ties to Japanese culture, and the fact that it is nearly (if not already) 20 years old.
I also agree with Patlabor, another great series overlooked for the same reasons. It would probably fit into my top 10 of all-time TV series, and only gets better with time. The scary thing is that the future the show was supposed to exist in, has already long passed us by…
-Ten
Maison Ikkoku is a great series that I hope I can grow old with myself. I’m still working on my first viewing of the anime (I need to order the final box from Right Stuf to get it completed), but while I haven’t found myself tired of the manga after about three reads to date, it’s good to know from numerous responses that the anime will go well for multiple viewings as well, at least once I complete it.
I haven’t blogged about Patlabor yet? It’s another one of my all time favorites, ranking up there with Maison Ikkoku. I suppose I was exaggerating with that “hands down, no competition” talk.
Anyway, I’m with you, Tensai… Yagami is my favorite Maison Ikkoku character, so I always look forward to her first appearance (which should come tonight, actually). Those last 43 episodes are incredible. The first time I watched the show, I think I plowed through that last stretch in two days, topped off by a 16 episode marathon run with no breaks.
The Power of Rumiko is still strong. More and more, I realize how much change her manga and anime series has brought to its respective industries.
I really need to watch it again too. I saw it fansubbed originally and have been buying the DVD box sets, but I wanted to wait until I buy them all to re-watch it. It truly is one of the better shows, for me it’s tied with Kimagure Orange Road which I find to be equally delightful.
Little Haruko Godai must be what, 17 or 18 now?
When I watched Maison Ikkoku I did about the same thing you did — I think I watched the last season in one long marathon. I feel sorry for people who were watching that season on TV, one episode per week. It’s one cliff-hanger after another.
I need to watch it again — I’ve been collecting the disks as they come out, and now that they’re out, it’s time.
Thanks for reminding that its been awhile since I last watched Patlabor. I guess I’ll hole up next weekend and marathon them all (except for the last film).
I havent heard about Maison Ikkoku until now. is it from the same creator of Ranma 1/2??? Well anyway its time to remember a little Patlabor stuff…. ^_^
Maison Ikkoku???
Im a relative n00b but ive never heard of it
maison Ikkoku…
Maison Ikkoku was the first major manga (and anime) series by Rumiko Takahashi, who went on to create Urusei Yatsura, Ranma, and Inu Yasha (as well as many shorter works).
I’m not sure that it’s my favourite anime, but it is very very good.
I still havent heard of any of them
Before your time, perhaps? Maison Ikkoku and Urusei Yatsura are both over 20 years old. Ranma 1/2 is around 15 years old. Inu Yasha is her most recent major work.
Don’t you think that the manga is funnier than the anime show? Sometimes, I find myself laughing like a lunatic while reading the manga.
Maison Ikkoku is my favorite anime ever!!
It’s funny how an old post can still haunt you… ne? I’ve been meaning to respond to this one for a long time. I just finished watching episode 94 and just got to the pay-off:
Kyoko: Can you make me… one promise?
Godai: Yes
Kyoko: Please. Even if it’s just…
There was not a dry tear in the house. This one has now got to be one of my all time favorites for shoujo anime.