Season
overview:
This set of episodes introduces the series only character who was specifically created for the anime, Zenzaburo Mitsukoshi. He has a similar naming convention to the other Maison Ikkoku cast, Mitsukoshi have the kanji for "three" in his name of course moves into Room 3. Of course Nikaido had made his debut in the manga three years earlier, so why the animation staff chose not to introduce him is a mystery to me. Naoyuki Yoshinaga began his work as Series Director for episodes 53 through 96. Series Composition was handled by Hideo Takayashiki for episodes 53 through 96. If you would like to see examples of the different styles of the various animation directors, please read our article on the animation directors of Maison Ikkoku.
Episode 49: 三鷹の猛特訓! 犬が恐くて恋ができるか
Mitaka no moutokkun! Inu ga kowakute koiga dekiruka (Mitaka Trains! Lover Boy Can't be Afraid of Dogs!)
As Mitaka sits with a nameless date watching a movie, he begins to become very bored with the entire situation. Suddenly, on the screen a dog appears, sending Mitaka running out into the lobby. Taking time to catch his breath, a woman notices him and walks over. It happens to be Akemi, and she notices how ill he looks. As the dog barks, Mitaka gets jumpy again, and Akemi finally learns his dreaded secret, that he is terrified of dogs. Akemi promises to help him overcome his fear. The next day, Akemi leaves Maison Ikkoku happier than anyone has seen her in a long time. She meets Mitaka at the Statue of Hachiko and they agree to go have lunch before they get started, but Akemi wants Shun to try and pet the statue, which he is unable to do. Seeing how traumatizing Mitaka's fear is, Akemi decides she'll need more help, and so she tells Yotsuya, Godai, and Mrs. Ichinose about the Coach's dilemma. When Yotsuya meets with Mitaka, he learns that as a boy Mitaka snuck into a large dog's doghouse to retrieve a tennis ball, when suddenly the dog returned and pinned him inside the house until dinner time. Ever since Shun has been scared to death of any dog. Yotsuya decides that in a week, they will reenact the event. Akemi meets with Mitaka again and gives him a few stuffed dog dolls to leave in his room as part of the training. Mitaka wakes up in the middle of the night, scared to open his eyes for fear of seeing the dreaded dolls. As Mitaka goes to work, Kyoko notices a huge differences in his appearance. He's lost his sparkle, due to all the stress of training. Ichinose begins visiting his apartment and quizzing him about how to react to dangerous dogs, and everyone is surprised at how much he already knows. Godai begins to worry what will happen if Mitaka does overcome his fear. Mitaka meets with Mrs. Ichinose, Yotsuya, and Akemi later that week to discuss the progress he has made with the dolls. He tells them he is now able to look at them without fear. The applaud his efforts, and tell him its time for the next step. He goes to a dog show, but when he hasn't returned in an hour, Akemi checks on him and finds him paralyzed with fear. He runs away, but Akemi follows and tries to calm him down. She forces him to put his head in her lap and strokes his hair, thinking how lucky Kyoko really is to have someone like Mitaka. He wakes up shortly thereafter and thanks her, helping her up and on her way. Suddenly Soichiro and Kentaro call out to the Coach and Kentaro leaves Shun to watch the dog while he goes and gets Kyoko and Godai. Godai runs ahead and saves Mitaka from Soichiro, giving Mitaka just enough time to run away before Kyoko walks over. Finally, a week has passed and Mitaka is ready to reenact the terrible event from his childhood. As he dives into a doghouse, Yotsuya tosses a small dog in behind him, a nervous Mitaka stares worriedly for a second, but realizes he can do it and takes the dog by the scruff of the neck, hauling himself out of the cramped house. Suddenly, Yotsuya unleashes a bulldog on Mitaka, scarring Mitaka once more. At the tennis club, Mitaka tells Kyoko he was in a car accident, but freaks out once more when he sees a picture of a dog on Kyoko's handkerchief.
The movie that Mitaka is watching on his date seems to be a reference to Anne of Green Gables (赤毛のアン). Based on the novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery, the television anime debuted in 1979 handled by many future Studio Ghibli personnel including Isao Takahata, Hayao Miyazaki and Yoshifumi Kondo.
“Pet him?” – As part of Akemi’s training, she asks Mitaka to pet the statue of Hachiko. This is a real statue at Shibuya station.
Godai can be seen reading a chapter of Maison Ikkoku in Big Comic Spirits in his room.
Akemi can be seen wearing a dotera (褞袍) in this episode. A dotera is also known as tanzen (丹前) is a long, gown-style padded kimono. It usually has a lower hemline than the hanten, though they are often mixed up. It is usually worn in colder months.
At the upscale restaurant that Mitaka, Ichinose, Akemi and Yotsuya visit, everyone is eating off cast iron plates nested in an iron charger. These are known as “sizzler plates” and are used to serve steaks and sometimes fajitas in Mexican restaurants.
Episode 50: 響子が一目惚れ?! 一刻館にヘンな奴登場
Kyoko ga hitomebore?! Ikkoku-kan ni henna yatsu toujo (Kyoko in Love at First Sight?! A Strange Man Moves into Maison Ikkoku)
As Kyoko returns home from walking Soichiro, the phone begins to ring. She rushes inside to answer it and learns that a new tenant will be arriving the next day. But when she asks for details, the voice on the other end hangs up abruptly. Kyoko goes to work cleaning the floors of Room 3 when Mrs. Ichinose asks if they're getting a new arrival. When Kyoko tells her the news she becomes very excited and asks Godai to go to the store and buy some party supplies while she calls Akemi and gets the party set up. That night, it begins to rain, and the mysterious guests luggage arrives, but he never shows up. The next day a kind older-looking man shows up on the front porch and says that he is the new tenant, Zenzaburo Mitsukoshi. Everyone seems to take to him instantly, and that night during the party Kyoko notices that his yukata doesn't fit him right. Yotsuya jokingly asks if that's because his dead wife made it and he only wears it to remember her. When Mitsukoshi says yes, Yotsuya actually becomes embarrassed for the first time and apologizes. Ichinose begins her fan dance to ease some of the tension, but Mitsukoshi seems to be having a wonderful time anyway. Kyoko begins to look at him differently, as a familiar feeling wells up inside her. The next day at the tennis court Mitaka asks Ichinose about the new tenant, when she tells him he won't be a rival, he plays it cool, acting like he could care less. Kyoko says she doesn't think Mitsukoshi plays tennis, so Coach has nothing to worry about. Kozue is wondering about the new guy too, and asks Godai a few questions. When he asks why she's so curious she tells him that if they get married, Mitsukoshi will be her neighbor. Suddenly, they bump into Zenzaburo, who quickly says hello and continues on his way. Godai begins to wonder about the new tenant, but everyone else thinks he's great, especially Kyoko. She and Mitsukoshi visit on the porch and he offers her a sweet roll. She accepts and offers to fix a button on his coat in return. After he leaves, Mrs. Ichinose sits down and Kyoko tells her that Mitsukoshi reminds her a lot of Soichiro. Yotsuya and Mitsukoshi have Annother encounter in the park and Mitsukoshi surprises Yotsuya by offering him some candy and having a polite conversation. The end up going out to lunch together, and when Mitsukoshi leaves the restaurant he meets Kyoko. They end up chatting for a bit, and he asks her where he can get a pot and kettle for his room, so Kyoko leads the way. They rush to beat a train, and Godai walks past them in the other direction, wondering why they were together. He begins to tell Mrs. Ichinose about seeing them together and she decides to mention what Kyoko told her. Godai is shocked and becomes worried about what this could mean for his relationship with Kyoko. A few days later he goes out with Kozue, who asks if a certain rumor was true. At the tennis court Mitaka asks the same thing of Mrs. Ichinose, while at Chachamaru, Master says he's heard a rumor and was wondering if Akemi could confirm it. Suddenly everyone rushes back to Maison Ikkoku and shares their news. A rumor is floating around that Maison Ikkoku will be torn down. They all scramble to find Yotsuya, but he isn't home so Kyoko decides to find Mitsukoshi and tell him.
First appearance of the anime original character Zenzaburo Mitsukoshi. Mitsukoshi is played by Katsunosuke Hori, who is probably best known for his portrayal of Hans Axel von Fersen in Rose of Versailles and Johan Ibrahim Revil in Mobile Suit Gundam.
Another of Yotsuya’s many aliases is revealed in this episode as the card he presents to Mitsukoshi reveals his name to be written as “Kikuchiyo” but pronounced as “Tamezo.”
Chaka Poco Cha Dance is the song and dance that Ichinose can constantly be seen doing with her fans. It’s a 1982 song by Barracuda.
Mitaka carries his tennis racket in a HEAD cover, which is an sports company founded in 1950 by Howard Head. They manufacture tennis, squash, racquetball and skiing equipment.
Godai has had many posters of Madonna in his room, but the one in this episode is a reference to "Cabin" brand cigarettes. In the 1980s most of the company's ads featured actor Tomokazu Miura, but we have not been able to find the specific poster this illustration references. For a complete history of Cabin commericials and slogans see this website.
Episode 51: 四谷さんもびっくり一刻館が消える日!?
Yotsuya-san mo bikkuri! Ikkoku-kan ga kieru hi (Even Yotsuya's Shocked! The Day Maison Ikkoku Disappears)
Kyoko frantically decides to try and get in touch with her father-in-law, the owner of Maison Ikkoku. Instead, the get Ikuko, who tells her that he's in Hong Kong on a business trip for a few days. So they still have no answers about the rumor of Maison Ikkoku's destruction. Kyoko worries that Mitsukoshi will be affected the worst, and tells him so, but he feels sorry for the rest of the tenants who have lived there for so long. The group decides to track these rumors to the source, and get to the bottom of this. Akemi asks Master where he heard it from, and he said various customers told him. When Kyoko arrives, she tells them she got in touch with the Public Works, and found out that a similar building to Maison Ikkoku is going to be torn down, and that that must be where the confusion started. Yotsuya enters and discounts her theory, stating that his "co-workers" all told him that they were sure it was Maison Ikkoku that was scheduled for demolition. Godai goes in search of Coach Mitaka to see if he knows anything. He tells him he's only heard things from the tennis club, but is curious about Annother rumor he heard regarding Kyoko getting remarried. Godai discounts it, but decides to fill him in on her fondness for Mitsukoshi. With everyone hitting dead ends, the tenants begin to give up hope, until Godai meets with Kozue. She tells him that she's seen Mitsukoshi going into a realtors office every morning on her way to school. Everything finally begins to click and Godai rushes out of the cafe, telling Kozue he has to check on something. Godai and Mitaka stake out the office building and watch as Mitsukoshi enters, Mitaka insists that they tell Kyoko before confronting him. Godai agrees and so they meet with Kyoko, who refuses to believe them at first, and then tells them that she'll handle it. When she finally does confront Mitsukoshi, he tells her that the realtors office used to be a building he grew up in, and he continually visits it for nostalgias sake. Godai doesn't believe this and wants to interrogate him, himself, but Kyoko refuses. Overnight, Mitsukoshi dissapears. The next morning a telegram arrives for him from the realtors office telling him to report to work immediately. When the tenants try to see if he's home they discover he has moved all of his things out completely. Days later, everyone gathers at Maison Ikkoku and learns that Mitaka was able to piece together various parts of the story. Mitsukoshi worked for a company that investigated old properties where new buildings could be built. Apparently, after getting to know everyone at Maison Ikkoku, he felt so terrible about what he was doing he called his office and quit, causing them to send the fateful telegram. Kyoko is especially saddened by the fact that he felt he had to leave, but is relieved that everything turned out for the best regarding Maison Ikkoku.
Throughout the series many residents, but mainly Mrs. Ichinose are seen drinking sake in a small, clear glass. This is One Cup Ozeki, which was launched in 1964, when Tokyo had their first Olympic games. It’s 180 ml of sake for about 230 yen.
After Yotsuya asks Godai if he’s waiting on the tofu salesman, the man who passes by blowing his horn is said tofu salesman, playing his distinctive melody that lets people know he’s there to sell his product.
Mitsukoshi brings takoyaki (たこ焼き) to share with the residents of Ikkoku. The snack is made from wheat flour with minced octopus meat that is fried in a special pan that gives the dish its unique ball shape. The balls are then brushed with a special sauce or mayonnaise and sprinkled with bonito flakes. The dish is credited to a street vendor from Osaka named Tomekichi Endo who invented it in 1935.
Episode 52: 許して惣一郎さん! 響子涙の再婚宣言!!
Yurushite Soichiro-san! Kyoko namida no saikon sengen!! (Forgive me Soichiro! Kyoko's Tearful Decision to Remarry)
The fourth anniversary of Soichiro's death arrives and Kyoko invites her parents to attend, hoping that they will make an excuse not to come, since last year that used the opportunity to pressure her into remarriage. To her surprise they accept, and the entire time she is visiting the grave site, she waits for them to spring their trap on her. To her surprise, they never do, and the entire family ends up having a very pleasant day. When she arrives back at Maison Ikkoku, Mrs. Ichinose asks her what she talked about, and she tells her that her parents were well-behaved and didn't mention remarriage. Ichinose corrects herself and asks what Kyoko talked about to Soichiro. Kyoko panics when she realizes that she didn't visit with him at all during the trip, as she was too preoccupied with her parents. This event puts Kyoko into a deeply depressed state. She begins wondering why she wouldn't remember to visit with him, and begins to think that she's forgetting him. During a date with Mitaka she realizes she laughs more now than she ever has, and that various activities at Maison Ikkoku have kept her so busy that since moving in she's barely had time to be depressed about the loss of her husband. Still, she feels guilty about what happened, and decides to do something about it. The next day, Kyoko carrying a small, tightly-wrapped package, meets Yotsuya at the door, when he inquires what she has she tells him its not for him, so he shouldn't trouble himself about it, and when he asks where she's going she tells him "to where Soichiro is." When Yotsuya mentions this to Godai, he gets an idea that with Kyoko being so depressed lately, her carrying a small package and saying she's going to be with Soichiro, that she may be contemplating suicide. Godai rushes out of Maison Ikkoku, tells Mrs. Ichinose about his suspicions and begins his search for Kyoko. When he finally arrives at Soichiro's grave, Kyoko is nowhere to be found. Suddenly, he sees her approaching, and so he quickly hides behind the tombstone. Kyoko sits down and begins talking to Soichiro, offering him some uncut sushi (the small package) and some tea. Godai breathes a sigh of relief, but then hears Kyoko crying, asking Soichiro why he left her and how hard its been without him. Kyoko begins speaking to Soichiro in her thoughts and tells him that she doesn't hurt as much anymore, and that one day she will put him someplace deep in her heart, and forget all the pain, and that when she does, he hopes he can forgive her. All this time Godai has been thinking that she's crying and becoming more upset, so he leaps out to comfort her, only to find her gone and a monk standing in her place. Meanwhile, everyone has gathered a search party at Chachamaru, but no one has found Kyoko. As panic sets in, Kyoko walks by and everyone breathes a sigh of relief. That night, Kyoko learns about the trouble everyone went through, and thanks them for worrying so much.
Takashi Anno’s final episode as Series Director. Kazunori Ito’s final episode as Series Compositor. Michio Yasuda’s final episode as Color Coordinator, he began at episode 27.
While the subtitles say that “Barbie” answers when you call the number on Yotsuya’s business card, what Mitaka actually says is that Licca-chan answers. Licca-chan (リカちゃん) is Japan’s equivalent of Barbie and has been in production since 1967. She was designed by Miyako Maki (牧 美也子), a well known shojo mangaka and wife to Leiji Matsumoto (松本零士) of Captain Harlock fame.
Godai suspects that the long wrapped object that Kyoko is carrying is a tanto (短刀) a knife like sword that is used in seppuku, or ritual suicide.
The kanji on the shopkeepers aprons reveal what kinds of shops they both run. Toshizo (the heavier of the two in glasses) runs a sake shop, while Mitsuo (the taller of the two) runs a flower shop.
Episode 53: 女子高生パワー爆発響子に恋の宣戦布告
Joshikousei power bakuhatsu! Kyoko ni koi no sensenfukokuDaigekitotsu! Ten vs Ataru (High-School Girl Power! A War Against Kyoko's Love)
This episode marks the first appearance of Ibuki Yagami. As a college co-op, Godai has entered a student teacher's program. For the next two weeks he'll be teaching at an all-girls high school which he discovers is the very same school that Kyoko attended and where she met her husband Soichiro. Godai has a rough start since he's so weak-willed that he has difficulty controlling the students. The class representative Yagami helps him out, but comes to think of him as just Annother wimp. During a break, Godai gets an idea to find the old yearbooks to finally discover what Soichiro looked like, but of course he has no luck. Yagami spies on him and in typical schoolgirl fashion, she romanticizes the situation and comes to believe that he's suffering over the death of an old girlfriend that attended this school. Now she's suddenly developed a crush on Godai. At the end of the day she paints her hand and slaps Godai on the back, imprinting a red heart on his shirt (an old schoolgirl prank). The next day Yagami gets her friends to accompany her with Godai so that she can visit his home without seeming too suspicious. There Yagami meets Kyoko and starts to realize her relationship to Godai. Kyoko mentions that she washed out the heart mark Yagami made on Godai's shirt, which makes Yagami even more jealous. Even in the face of this potential rival, Yagami swears not to give up. The next day she sets up a photograph of her clinging to Godai and mails it to Kyoko. Kyoko is rather amused to receive this declaration of war.
Naoyuki Yoshinaga’s first episode as Series Director, taking over from Takashi Anno. Hideo Takayashiki’s first episode as Series Compositor taking over from Kazunori Ito.
Additionally, this episode introduces three girls who are close friends with Yagami. Their names are Etsuko, Mami and Atsuko. Etsuko has short hair and freckles and is played by Miyuki Muroi. Mami has a ponytail and plump cheeks and is voiced by Tarako. Atsuko is Yagami’s third friend and has long straight hair. She is played by Megumi Hayashibara.
The name of the school that Kyoko attended and where Godai teaches Ibuki is Sakuragaoka Women’s High School.
When Soichiro worked at the high school he taught earth science/geology and Godai teaches literature.
“Why couldn’t he have asked the slide monitor?” – Slides are photographic transparencies that are loaded into a projector to display imagery. They had been completely replaced with digital photography by the early 21st century.
Natsume Sōseki (夏目 漱石) was a Japanese novelist known for Botchan (坊っちゃん), I Am a Cat(吾輩は猫である) and the work that Godai is teaching, Kokoro (こゝろ). Kokoro follows the relationship between a younger man and an older man who serves as a mentor to the young man and is set during the Meiji Era as Japan was beginning to modernize.
Episode 54: 裸でアタック! 五代タジタジ誘惑作戦!!
Hadaka de attack! Godai tajitaji yuwaku sakusen!! (Bare-Faced Attack! Operation Seduction)
Even in the middle of a lesson, Yagami is trying her best to corner Godai and get him to reveal his feelings towards Kyoko. His supervisor Kamiogi-sensei is wise to the situation and warns Godai not take Yagami's advances seriously. Godai of course has no intention to reciprocate. Under the guise of discussing the distribution of clean-up duties, Yagami gets Godai alone and tries to kiss him. She's almost caught, so instead Yagami gives Godai a journal supposedly outlining the classroom duties. On the way home he runs into Kozue who sets his mind at ease that these high school crushes are usually just a phase. When he gets back to Ikkoku-kan Kyoko nonchalantly brings up the subject of Yagami, but Godai gets defensive, which kind of stuns Kyoko. In his room he settles in and opens the notebook Yagami handed him. Inside the words "suki desu" (I love you) are written on every page. Of course Yotsuya, Ichinose and Akemi all find out and tease him about it. The three of them later set up a little scheme and allow the notebook to purposely finds its way into Kyoko's hands the next day. At the tennis club, Ichinose explains to Mitaka about Yagami and the notebook, which Mitaka tries to use to his advantage. He offers to drop Kyoko off at the high school so that she can return the notebook to Godai. Upon arriving, Kyoko wanders around her old school nostalgically and Yagami goes to face her ever so nervously. She sees Kyoko with the notebook and swipes it back. Kyoko on the other hand only acts sweet and almost motherly towards her which only infuriates Yagami more than ever. She decides to take drastic measures. Her friends lure Godai into the gym equipment room and lock the door. Inside is Yagami, wearing just her gym shorts and a bra, trying to make a move on Godai (or at least blackmail him). Meanwhile Kyoko who's talking with her former teacher Kamiogi-sensei comes across the room and they both spy upon Godai rejecting Yagami's advances. Yagami grabs him, they fall, and he lands with her hand upon her chest. Kamiogi-sensei intervenes and puts a stop to the whole mess. Godai and Kyoko later go home together with no misunderstandings between them. Yagami and her friends however are scolded by Kamiogi-sensei but Yagami swears to herself that she still won't give up.
Kyūdō (弓道) is the Japanese martial art of archery. All kyūdō archers hold the bow in their left hand and draw the string with their right. The string is drawn until it passes their ear. For the most practiced archers, when the string is released the bow will spin in their hand so that the string stops at the outer forearm. This is seen often with Kikyo and Kagome in Inuyasha.
The glove that Yagami wears while firing an arrow is known as a yugake (弽) and comes in three or four fingered variety. The thumb of the glove may be hard or soft depending on the archers preference.
Godai’s frequently changing wall poster is now an iconic image of Rocky Balboa draped in the American flag from the end of Rocky IV. Released in 1985, Rocky IV was the most financially successful sports film of all time for 24 years.
The song played by the school bell is known as the "Westminster Chime". This became a standard school bell chime in Japan after World War II. Prior to this the same alarm sound used to warn of bombing raids was used to denote the end of a class session, but the memories of bombings were now strongly associated with this alarm. Consequently, inventor Kunio Ishimoto (石本邦雄) invented a device that could play Westminster Chimes. He heard the sound because he was a frequent listener to BBC radio where the chimes were often used.
During their enclosure in the storage room a soccer/football falls to the floor with a FIFA marking on it. FIFA stands for Fédération Internationale de Football Association and is the international governing body of football.
Episode 55: 突撃パジャマ娘! 一刻館はラブパニック
Totsugeki pajama musume! Ikkoku-kan wa love panic (Pajama-Girl Charges In! Maison Ikkoku in a Love Panic!)
Ever since what happened last time, Yagami hasn't been able to get close to Godai with her homeroom teacher keeping an eye on her. With only two days left before Godai's student teaching stint ends, she's almost out of time. Yagami inquires to Kamiogi-sensei about Kyoko and learns that she too was in love with a student teacher at the school and ended up marrying him. This gives Yagami added impetus realizing that it is possible to make it work. She invites herself and her friends to Godai's place the next day as an informal good-bye. Kyoko wants to help but Yagami becomes really possessive. Kyoko starts catching on to how aggressive this girl is. In Godai's room, Yotsuya greets the high school girls wearing a white tuxedo. After a lively time, the Ikkoku-kan gang see the girls off. The realize a bit later that Yagami hasn't gone with them. Apparently she plans to sleep over. Godai tries to get her to leave but she isn't budging. She tries whatever tactic she can to stall until after the last train, including changing into her pajamas. Now it's after dinner and Yagami still hasn't left. Yotsuya, Ichinose and Akemi get Godai's bedding all ready and try to pressure Yagami to get into his futon. At first she's apprehensive, but not wanting to seem like a kid in front of her rival Kyoko, she gets right in. Godai decides he'll have to sleep elsewhere then, but no one's willing to help him out. Kyoko says that her room will have to do. Everyone thinks she's inviting Godai into her room, but apparently she was talking about letting Yagami stay with her. Yagami doesn't seem to mind since she wants to use the opportunity to talk to Kyoko alone about Godai and her being able to marrying her teacher. Yagami puts Kyoko on the spot about whether she loves Godai, but since Kyoko has trouble responding clearly she gives a vague "not really" answer. That may or may not be so, but judging from Kyoko's behavior the next day, it looks like she's starting to develop a jealous streak about Yagami and Godai.
Yagami’s friends are reading a magazine called July and seem scandalized by it. This is a parody of June (ジュネ) a yaoi (male homosexual relationships) magazine. June ran from 1978 to 2013.
Godai has a “Pinball 1982” book on his shelf. This does not seem to be an actual publication.
Episode 56: 八神の決心! あきらめないわ初恋だもの
Yagami no kesshin! Akiramenaiwa hatsukoi damono (Yagami is Determined: I Won't Give Up My First Love)
Yagami and Godai leave for school together, and arrive arm in arm, much to Godai's chagrin. The other students begin to quiz her on the previous night's activities, asking if she and Godai really slept together. But its actually Godai's last day of student teaching, and his nightmare is almost over. Yagami becomes flustered when she walks into her classroom to find a message for her and Godai on the blackboard. The constant teasing by her classmates is more than she can take, and so, while delivering the student evaluations to Godai, she tells him that she is over him. Meanwhile at the tennis club, Mitaka asks Mrs. Ichinose about Yagami and gets all the latest gossip about how angry Kyoko is with the whole situation. Suddenly, Mitaka's Uncle pulls up and begins telling him about a woman that he wants Mitaka to meet. Shun tries to quiet him down until they can have a bit more privacy, but at the nearby coffee shop, when his Uncle makes the offer again and Kyoko doesn't react, Mitaka decides to accept. Later, in the Coaches Locker Room, Mitaka asks Kyoko if she's already chosen Godai, if there really is any reason for him not to meet this woman. Kyoko becomes very embarassed and extremely nervous, but tells him that that isn't the case at all. Back at Ikkoku, Godai receives Yagami's evaluation saying "The Long Goodbye, Goodbye Forever." But what Godai doesn't know is that as he was leaving school Yagami cried over him, and felt that if he can make her cry, he's worth falling in love with. So Yagami runs to Maison Ikkoku and up to Room 5, changing her letter to read "So Long! Goodbye, See You Later." As Mitaka's car pulls up to a large house, he enters and is shocked to see the shy girl that wanted to meet him....Asuna Kujo.
The drawing of an umbrella with a pair of names beneath that shows up in this episode on the chalkboard and frequently occurs in many anime and manga is also known as aiaigasa (相合傘).
First mentioned in episode 4, a miai, or omiai (見合い) is an arranged marriage. As of 2005, about 6.2% of marriages in Japan are arranged via miai. Mitaka’s Uncle serves as what is known as a nakōdo (仲人) or go-between who serves as a matchmaker of sorts.
“Tomorrow is an auspicious day.” – Auspicious days are days in which it is lucky to get married or to become engaged. Across many different cultures the month of May is considered particularly lucky for weddings.
Episode 57: お嬢サマ登場! 三鷹コーチにひとめぼれ
Ojousama toujo! Mitaka coach ni hitomebore (The Princess Cometh! Mitaka is Her Prince Charming)
This episode introduces Asuna Kujo, daughter of an ex-noble family who are business partners with Mitaka's uncle. Mitaka meets with Asuna and her family for the omiai. Mitaka seems to like her, although is surprised to see such a meek and old-fashioned girl in this day and age. Asuna wants him to meet her "brothers and sisters" and so she goes to fetch them. The siblings she was referring to turn out to be her dogs. Apparently Asuna is an avid dog lover with six dogs of her own. Mitaka having a dog phobia, doesn't react well and goes into a seizure. He definitely decides to cancel the arranged marriage. He tells Kyoko that he's canceling for her sake. Around the same time Kozue calls up Godai and comes to visit. She offers Godai a part time job at a day care that opened up after her friend decided to leave. Godai seems happy to take it. Meanwhile Asuna's parents talk discuss Mitaka's sudden strange behavior during the omiai. They wonder if they should call it off, but Asuna has decided she wants to marry Mitaka. All of her dogs really liked him, and that's proof enough for her that he's the person she's destined to be with. Asuna's parents hire a private investigator to look into Mitaka's background, who starts asking questions around Ikkoku-kan about Kyoko. The tenants easily give him information, but in exchange for having him buy them all drinks. Needless to say they bleed the poor man dry. Through the P.I. Asuna winds up finding out about Kyoko and decides she'll ask her nicely to give up Mitaka. For the past while, Godai has been going to his new job at the day care. Kyoko's happy that he's found a job he likes, but seems a bit lonely since she never gets a chance to talk with him anymore. As Kyoko is taking Soichiro-san out for a walk, Asuna shows up with her dogs and starts chatting with her about dogs, but loses her nerve and runs off before she can talk to her about Mitaka. Still she eventually finds out the omiai wasn't canceled, despite what Mitaka told her. Feeling cornered, Mitaka proposes to Kyoko that he'll call of the omiai if she'll agree to marry him. If not, then he'll never see her again. He gives her one week to decide what her answer will be. Kyoko doesn't know what to do and looks to Godai for support, but he's rarely home anymore.
Asuna’s six dogs also make their first appearance in this episode. They are: Salade a Pomeranian, Pot-au-feu a Great Dane, Terrine a Cocker Spaniel, Stroganoff a Saint Bernard, Foie gras a Spitz and a Doberman Pinscher who goes unnamed.
The bamboo shoot that fills with water and makes a noise after emptying it is known as a sozu (添水) and belongs to a category of objects used to scare animals out of gardens known as shishi-odoshi (鹿威し). The Kujo’s have this common water feature installed on the grounds of their estate.
The detective hired by the Kujo’s is from Oginishi Investigation Services. His name is Yusaku Harada and he is played by Sukekiyo Kameyama. He was likely named after actor Yusaku Matsuda. Kameyama previous played the Kuroda the Wolfman in episode 29.
Episode 58: 五代か三鷹か! 女ごころは今夜が勝負!!
Godai ka Mitaka ka! Onna gokoro ha kon'ya ga shoubu!! (Godai or Mitaka? A Woman's Heart is on the Line)
Kyoko has three days left to decide whether she'll accept Mitaka's marriage proposal. Mitaka continues to remind her, but still gives her some distance. Asuna shows up and once tries to tell Kyoko not to go out with Mitaka anymore, but she's too reserved to say it. The following morning, as Godai is leaving early for work, Kyoko stops him and tells him to come home early. Godai agrees and heads off. Kyoko goes shopping to get food for their dinner later. On the way back she meets Asuna and her dogs yet Annother time, but Asuna still just chats about dogs. That evening Godai gets off work and is going to head home, but Sakamoto finds him and reminds him that they're supposed to be going to a mandatory class party that Godai can't afford to miss. Godai never gets the opportunity to cut out early. As for Kyoko she waits at home with a big meal and a bottle of wine for Godai, but he never shows up. The other tenants come to keep her company (and eat the dinner) and she finds out where Godai is, but she's still mad that he didn't call her. Soon it's morning and Kyoko realizes that she has to give her decision today. More than anything she wants Godai to come home and tell her not to get married, but she waits for nothing. After walking all the way from downtown Tokyo, Godai and Sakamoto show up at Ikkoku-kan around the crack of dawn. They find Kyoko outside sweeping the steps after having been up all night waiting for Godai, looking very tired and very disappointed in him. Godai drops a bunch of matchbooks and handouts from girlie bars and clubs that he accumulated walking around downtown. Kyoko calmly sweeps up the pieces, lights a match and sets them on fire before walking back inside. Later that day after Kyoko walks off to meet with Mitaka, the other tenants clue in Godai about what Kyoko has been going through lately while he hasn't been there for her. This comes as a complete surprise to Godai. Kyoko meanwhile is waiting for Mitaka but falls asleep. Asuna finds her sleeping so she and her dogs sit and wait. Mitaka sees this and can't go any further thanks to the dogs in his way. The dogs gang up on him and he goes into Annother seizure, missing his appointment with Kyoko. Kyoko wakes up many hours later to find that Mitaka never showed up.
Atsuko Nakajima serves as animation director for this episode. She would go on to be character designer for Ranma 1/2 and served as an artist for many official anime related Rumiko Takahashi products from Urusei Yatsura, Maison Ikkoku and Ranma 1/2 in the early 90s.
Among all the signs as Godai and Sakamoto go out drinking with their classmates, sharp eyed viewers may see an Asahi Beer sign. Asahi (アサヒグループホールディングス株式会社) was founded in 1889 and is the largest of the four major beer brewers in Japan.
“Discount soapland? Melon Cream.” – Soapland (ソープランド) came about in the 1950s after prostitution was made illegal in Japan. Soapland consists of a paid female worker soaping and rinsing a male client to prepare the for a bath, as she does this, she gets to know the customer and any sexual activity that takes place after is consensual and not specifically paid for, which circumvents the Anti-Prostitution Law (売春防止法).
Episode 59: ドキッ! 九条明日菜はじめての体験!!
Doki! Kujo Asuna hajimete-no taiken!! (Be Still, My Beating Heart! Asuna Kujo's Very First Time)
Kyoko's fated meeting with Mitaka never happened. Kyoko thinks it was her fault for falling asleep. Mitaka thinks it was his fault since his dog phobia kept him from showing up. She feels guilty about Mitaka, but also is still mad with Godai. Ichinose finds out that she was supposed to decide whether to accept his marriage proposal and this news reaches Godai who now fully realizes the magnitude of his selfishness. At Mitaka's apartment his uncle is visiting and still persists in hounding Mitaka about the marriage to Asuna. Mitaka decides to reveal his dog phobia to his uncle to get him off his back, but his uncle thinks he's just making excuses. At the daycare Godai is wondering how to apologize to Kyoko since he she doesn't seem to be speaking to him. He gets a voice tape from a little girl named Kyoko who's got a crush on him asking him innocently to marry him. He gets an idea to do the same thing. Kyoko and Mitaka make up, but she finds out that the omiai is still going on with Asuna. Godai comes home to see Kyoko is talking to him again, however she still seems troubled about Mitaka. In his room Godai first records a voice tape for the little girl at his daycare. He then sits down to record his feelings on tape to Kyoko, but has trouble finding the right words. The other tenants show up and use his tape recorder for a karaoke party. The next day Godai sees Mitaka pledging to break up the omiai arrangement just for her. Godai feels inspired and records a heartfelt message for Kyoko. He hands the recorder to Kyoko and tells her that his true feelings are on the tape. Meanwhile Mitaka is on a date with Asuna where he plans to break up with her for good. However Asuna's dogs followed them all the way from her home. Mitaka tries to get away from the dogs but they catch up with him and in his terror, Mitaka hugs Asuna. She notes this is the first time a man has held her. At Ikkoku-kan Kyoko listens to Godai's tape, but it addresses her with cutsey baby talk. At the other Kyoko's house (the little girl from the daycare) she's listening to a tape of Godai sincerely affirming his commitment to her. The girl's parents are rightfully concerned. Yes, Godai got the tapes mixed up.
Mitaka pours himself a glass of Napoleon brandy. In order to be designated as “Napoleon” a brandy must be aged at least six years.
“That’s like marrying solely for political gain!” – The Kujo family could be thought of as kazoku (華族) or hereditary peers within the Empire of Japan. This system of aristocracy lasted from 1869 and the Meiji Restoration to 1947 and the constitution of Japan following World War II. Since the system of aristocracy was abolished in the 1940s no one in the Kujo family holds a distinct title, but many former Kazoku families play prominent roles in Japanese industry and society to this day. Needless to say, it would be very beneficial for the Mitaka family to have Shun marry Asuna.
The little girl named Kyoko or Kyon-Kyon at Godai’s day care is played by Akemi’s voice actress, Yuko Mita. The two teachers are identified as Teacher A and Teacher B. Teacher A has a ponytail and is played by Masako Katsuki. Teacher B has long hair and is played by Megumi Hayashibara.
Episode 60: 見ちゃった! 響子と三鷹がいきなりB?!
Michatta! Kyoko to Mitaka ga ikinari B?! (Caught in the Act! Kyoko and Mitaka, Hot and Heavy!)
After his run in with Asuna's dogs, Mitaka has been staying in bed for the past few days feeling ill. Most of all he regrets hugging Asuna since now she's more attached to him than ever. He calls Kyoko and feeling sorry for him she goes to pay him a visit. Godai's been feeling worried about her seemingly growing relationship with Mitaka. So much so that when he sees Kyoko going out he follows her right to Mitaka's apartment. He hesitates to follow her inside but meets Asuna who had come to see Mitaka. Her dog Salad-chan seems to have followed Kyoko inside, so Godai goes with her to find the dog. In Mitaka's apartment Kyoko tries to avoid Mitaka but he confronts her. He gets close to her when Salad-chan climbs on him. Mitaka faints at the sight of the dog and falls right no top of Kyoko. Right then Asuna hears Salad-chan react and opens Mitaka's door. Godai and Asuna see what appears to be Kyoko and Mitaka embracing. Godai and Asuna are shocked and hurt. They both turn away quietly leave. Kyoko runs out trying to find Godai and clear up the misunderstanding, but he's long gone. Godai stays over at Sakamoto's place, but remains sitting in a state of shock for the entire time. Kyoko is worried after he doesn't come back home and calls everywhere. She eventually calls up Sakamoto but Godai won't speak to her. Sakamoto eventually kicks him out and Godai spends the day at the day care trying to forget his troubles. He even has coffee with Kozue and comes to rationalize that he only had a silly infatuation with Kyoko. Later that night he finally goes home, but shuts himself in his room. Kyoko tries to explain that it's a misunderstanding, but Godai doesn't listen and tells her he doesn't mind that she's with Mitaka now. He tries to put on a brave face by lying to Kyoko that he doesn't really have any special feelings for her. Kyoko asks if he'll be fine without her and he tells her that he'll be okay. He catches Kyoko crying as she turns away. She wipes her tears and walks down the hall and out of sight. Godai's left stunned not knowing what this means.
The painting on Mitaka's wall may not be anything, but it looks suspiciously like a Matisse, specifically from his "blue nudes" period.
Mitaka’s doorbell has the Mitsubishi logo on it.
When Kyoko slips her shoe off viewers can see the label is Himiko. Himiko is a high‐class women's shoes brand which was founded in 1973. She wore these before in episode 48.
The voice in the distance as Asuna and Godai open Mitaka’s apartment door is a warabi mochi salesman. The voice is actually a recording of a standard man singing the song, and is not performed “live” by the truck driver themselves.
The car that Asuna is chauffeured in is a 1987 Mercedes Benz S Class 500 SEL.
The name of Godai’s pre-school is given for the first time in this episode as Shiinomi Preschool.
