Season
overview:
After rearranging some episodes to introduce Yagami earlier in the story, and trying some original stories like Mitsukoshi's attempted razing of Maison Ikkoku, the producers begin to largely follow the manga chapter by chapter at this point. 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 61: 追いかけて五代さん響子失恋ひとり旅
Oikakete Godai-san Kyoko shitsuren hitoritabi (Come After Me, Godai! Kyoko Journeys Alone!)
Kyoko gets a letter from Mitaka about how he's ashamed at what happened in his apartment. He vows never to see her until he confronts and overcomes the source of his problems (namely his dog phobia). Now Kyoko seems to have been rejected by both the men in her life and is alone again. Since she seems depressed, Ichinose suggests she go on a trip to forget her troubles. Kyoko decides to do it, but Ichinose, Akemi and Yotsuya keep butting in and trying to plan her vacation for her. Kyoko begins to suspect that they plan to tag along. Meanwhile at college Godai discusses with Sakamoto what happened last night. He's confused that Kyoko cried over his rejection, even though she seemed to be with Mitaka now. Sakamoto comes to the conclusion that Kyoko cried because she loves Godai. Realizing he could be right Godai hurries back home to talk to Kyoko and clear things up. He gets back too late as Kyoko has already gone and left a schedule on her door of where she'll be going. Godai grabs the schedule and runs off to find her. Meanwhile Kyoko is still stuck at the train station with her tenants having caused her to miss her train. Kyoko knows they'll probably follow her so she sneaks off and jumps on the first train out. She doesn't notice that Godai's on the same train with her. The following day, having arrived in Kanazawa Godai searches all over the tourist areas for Kyoko, but even though they're continually crossing each other's paths, Godai never sees her. Kyoko on the other hand keeps hearing his voice or seeing glimpses of him, but she thinks her mind is playing tricks on her. Kyoko also manages to pick up a traveling companion who is also traveling on her own. She seems cheerful at first, but Kyoko finds out she's feeling suicidal deep down. This trip was apparently supposed to be with her and a co-worker she's been seeing but instead she was simultaneously dumped and lost her job right before. Kyoko starts feeling lonely too and wishing that Godai would chase after her, but thinks it'd never happen. While they're out, Godai keeps hanging around the inn Kyoko's staying at waiting for her to show up, but the innkeepers think he's suspicious and he's detained by the police. The next day he spots Kyoko getting on a bus to the next location, but the same policeman stops him for jay walking and he misses his chance once again.
“I’d recommend Hokkaido this time of year.” – The residents of Ikkoku recommend various tourist destinations including Hokkaido, Okinawa, and Shinshu based on the food and drink of the areas. Hairy crab in Hokkaido, Okinawa’s shochu, and buckwheat noodles in Shinshu.
Ueno station (上野駅) is a major transportation and commuter hub for long-distance trains heading to and from northern Japan. Akemi met her friends at Ueno Station back in episode 19.
Citizen, the brand of watches and clocks that so many of us have grown up with seeing in school on the walls and later offices as we become adults is actually a Japanese company. Citizen Watch Co. Ltd. (シチズン時計株式会社) has its headquarters in Nishitokyo, Tokyo, Japan. It has existed under the name Citizen since 1930, but before that existed under another name since 1913. The clocks in Ueno Station are clearly labeled as Citizen brand.
Kyoko begins her vacation by going to Kanazawa (金沢市) by train. Kanazawa lies in Ishikawa prefecture, and was spared air raids during World War II, which allowed many much of the architectural heritage of the Edo Period to remain intact.
“Other places tourists would visit are Edomura and Danfuen.” – Edomura refers to Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura (江戸ワンダーランド 日光江戸村) a theme park for life in the Edo Period. While the park in Kanazawa was sold in 2000, the Edomura in Nikko, Tochigi is still in operation.
There actually is a Muroya Inn, or rather a Muroya Minshuku in Ishikawa prefecture, which is where Kanazawa, Kyoko’s destination is.
While the girls hand Godai a pack of “Gabin” cigarettes, these are actually a play on the real Japanese brand of Cabin cigarettes.
Harumi, Kyoko’s travel companion in Kanazawa was never named in the manga. She is played by Sakiko Tamagawa.
Wajima (輪島市) is Kyoko’s next destination however, she will end up making a detour, leaving Godai to go there instead.
Episode 62: ヤッタ! 響子と混浴露天ぶろで二人きり
Yatta! Kyoko to konyoku roten burode futari kiri (All Right! Alone in the Bath with Kyoko!)
Kyoko is on the bus headed towards the next stop on her trip. Godai on the other hand is stopped on the side of the road since his taxi broke down. When Godai finally catches up with the bus, he finds out Kyoko changed plans and got off earlier near the hot spring resorts. Godai gets a ride there and begins searching all the inns one by one. He just misses her right before she checks at an inn by the seaside. Kyoko phones Ikkoku-kan. Ichinose tells her that the plumbing is being fixed but everyone's fine, including Godai. Only after she hangs up do the tenants realize that Godai's not home. Kyoko is disappointed since she thinks all those glimpses of Godai she's seen and heard on the trip were just her imagination. As for Godai, by evening he's had no luck so he checks into an inn for the night. Feeling that he's failed, he goes to try out the open air hot spring bath. Shortly after Kyoko is in her room bored out of her mind. With nothing else to do she goes to soak in the hot springs. After she undresses and goes out, she discovers to her dismay that there's no wall between the male and female sides. Since no one seems to be around she decides to go for it. On the other side Godai is hidden away. He's spent too long in the hot springs and is beginning to pass out. As he lumbers back, he splashes the water and startles Kyoko and they see each other. After the initial surprise, they turn their backs to each other and Kyoko tries to make conversation. But then she notices Godai has passed out under the water. She rescues him and the inn staff bring him to her room to recover. Sometime later Godai wakes up and notices Kyoko is in the room with him. He loses his nerve and tries to run away, but Kyoko brings him back. They sit across from each other exchanging awkward pleasantries. Godai pretends they're meeting was a coincidence which disappoints Kyoko. Both of them want to speak clearly to one another but can't seem to. Kyoko manages to explain to Godai what really happened in Mitaka's apartment. Godai is relieved but feels like a fool for having hurt Kyoko. They talk well into the night and Godai falls asleep. Kyoko's relieved she met with him and goes to hug him, but the phone rings. It's Ichinose who tells her that the plumbing burst and is spraying water everywhere, so Kyoko has to return home right away. Godai wakes up the next morning to find her gone and wonders if he did anything to make her leave. Meanwhile Kyoko arrives back at Ikkoku-kan where everything is already fixed. But she finds out from the tenants that Godai really did follow her after all, which makes her gush with happiness.
As mentioned in the previous episode, Kyoko was planning to go to Wajima (輪島市), but stops off to visit an onsen instead, leaving Godai to travel to Wajima, and then double back.
The cities between Kanazawa and Wajima that border the ocean are: Uchinada (内灘町), Kahoku (かほく市), Hōdatsushimizu (宝達志水町), Hakui (羽咋市), and Shika (志賀町).
Heat syncope is fainting or dizziness as a result of overheating (syncope is the medical term for fainting). It is a type of heat illness. The basic symptom of heat syncope is fainting, with or without mental confusion. Heat syncope is caused by peripheral vessel dilation, resulting in diminished blood flow to the brain and dehydration. Heat syncope occurs in a warm environment when blood pressure is lowered as the body dilates (widens) arterioles (small blood vessels) in the skin to radiate heat. This condition occurs within five days of heat acclimatization, before the blood volume expands. The result is less blood to the brain, causing light-headedness and fainting when a person stands up quickly or stands for a long period of time.
Episode 63: パワフル八神が忘れた頃にやって来た!
Powafu Yagami ga wasureru goro ni yatte kitaru! (Yagami's Back! Just When You Least Expect Her!)
It's been many months since Yagami last saw Godai. Still she hasn't forgotten about him. She feels like seeing him again and locates him working at the day care. Godai however doesn't seem to happy to see her. Yagami apologizes and runs away, but Godai feels guilty and invites for a treat. Yagami had noticed the ad Godai posted to tutor young students. She suggests he use her since she'll need to study for upcoming entrance exams. Godai tells her that he is only looking to tutor younger kids and that she should forget about him. He walks away, but forgot his wallet and has to get Yagami to pay. Yagami can't think of any excuse to see Godai again, but gets an idea and asks her friend to borrow her little brother. Godai gets an offer over the phone to tutor a student, and sets the meeting for the next day. The following evening Yagami comes to their door with a little smart looking kid named Toru who turns out to be her friend's brother. They say they're here to meet about the tutoring. The kid seems to doubt Godai's credentials, but he agrees to the tutoring arrangement anyway. Godai gets his pay in advance but the tenants all take advantage of him and make him use his money to pay for their drinking bill at Chachamaru. At the day care Godai doesn't seem to have any other parents interested in having him tutor since they all are concerned about his educational background, and Godai's college is pretty low rate as it is. So it looks like he only has Toru to tutor. The next day Yagami shows up on her own for the first tutoring session. Godai wants the other kid, but apparently he was only being used as a "substitute mother", while Yagami was the student he actually agreed to teach. Godai is mad at being conned into such a low trick but since his neighbors already spent all the money Yagami paid him and he can't return it, he's forced to go through with the deal.
Toru is played by Tarako in the anime. Interstingly enough, here he is shown as Etsuko’s younger brother, but in the original manga Mami is his sister.
Yagami is seen eating a common anime snack in this episode. Senbei (煎餅) is a type of Japanese rice cracker, and the dark square wrapped around it is nori (海苔) or seaweed.
Godai’s “Santos” wallet is an actual brand, the Cartier Santos, made in Spain.
Episode 64: 五代くん負けそう! 女子高校生の甘い罠!!
Godai-kun makesou! Jyoshikousei no amai wana!! (Godai's on the Edge! Trapped by a High School Girl!)
Godai starts tutoring Yagami, but his neighbors keep interrupting the session. Eventually after dealing with them Godai and Yagami are able to get down to business. Godai is helpful to Yagami until Kyoko comes by and then he suddenly distances himself. Yagami starts to think that she'll never get into the right mood with Godai as long as Kyoko is around. At her home the subject of tutoring comes up with Yagami's parents. Apparently they don't know she's already got one. Her father who's a hard-nosed overprotective father points out that she doesn't want a man tutoring his daughter. Yagami wonders how long she can keep it a secret. We later catch up with Mitaka at his apartment. He's apparently been staying home with his new dog, a little pomeranian he named MacEnroe. Mitaka's been putting himself through rigorous training trying to warm up to the dog and get over his fear, but he's still controlled by his phobia and can't bring himself to spend more than a few seconds with it before running away. At the next tutoring session, Yagami and Godai try to study, but the tenants keep partying in the hall. Yagami suggests they hold a final tutoring session at her home. A week later Godai arrives and she brings him to her room. Now that Yagami has him where she wants him, she reveals that her parents are away at a wedding and they have the house to themselves. They try to study, but Godai is really jumpy whenever Yagami gets too close to him. Just then her parents come home early and Yagami hides Godai in her closet. Yagami's father comes to check on her and acts very suspicious of her going behind her back with a man. Apparently he was at the wedding of the daughter of his friend who was against the marriage. Yagami's father sympathized with him. Now he's totally drunk and mad at any guy who'd try to get close to his own daughter. Godai realizes he's dead meat if he's found. Yagami tries to get Godai's shoes so he can escape, but her father sits on them and won't budge. Yagami's mother finds out about Godai, but is a lot more understanding than her husband. She helps him out and gets his shoes. Even so Yagami's father almost finds out and Godai jumps out the window. Running through people's backyards he's mistaken for a burglar and pervert. By the time he gets home he looks all beaten up and he's not wearing shoes either. Back with Yagami, she still has his shoes he forgot. She cherishes them as if they were a gift.
“Oedpus Complex is going after…” – Godai’s English lesson is about the Oedipus Complex, a famous aspect of Sigmund Freud’s Psychosexual stages dealing with a childhood attraction to one’s opposite sex parent.
Mitaka’s new dog’s name is finally given as McEnroe in this episode. He is famously named after the legendary “bad boy” American tennis player, John McEnroe.
Episode 65: 八神絶叫! キケンな四谷の個人授業!!
Yagami zekkyou! Kiken na Yotsuya no kojin jyugyou!! (Yagami's Scream! The Dangers of Private Lessons with Yotsuya!)
Godai arrives at Maison Ikkoku sans shoes, and only realizes it after Kyoko asks what happened to him. The next day Ibuki is gift-wrapping the shoes in order to return them. Meanwhile, Kyoko runs into Godai while he's out buying a new pair and he fills her in on the previous night's activities. Kyoko laughs it off and tells Yusaku that she's sure he's glad to be free of his obligations to Yagami. That afternoon Yagami arrives at Maison Ikkoku only to find that Godai is still out. Instead she meets Yotsuya, who wastes no time in creeping her out, but does give her an idea. A few days later she returns to Ikkoku while Godai is home, but instead of being there to see him, she has come to see her new tutor. Godai and Kyoko are both shocked to learn that it is Yotsuya. When Ibuki and Yotsuya go to Room 4 to begin the "study" session, Kyoko and Yusaku dive through the hole in Room 5 to listen in. When they hear Yagami scream, they break into the room and find that Yotsuya is merely scaring her with a toy frog. After the incident, Godai relents and allows Yagami and Yotsuya to hold their sessions in his room so that he can make sure Ibuki isn't taken advantage of. Kyoko continues to visit the room, and Yagami becomes frustrated when she learns that Kamiogi has seen Kyoko and learned of her visits to Maison Ikkoku. When Kamiogi produces her latest test scores, Ibuki becomes enraged and blames Kyoko for interfering with she and Godai.
The song Yotsuya sings when he runs into Yagami is a fairytale about Urashima Taro. The story is similar to Rip Van Winkle.
Yotsuya’s toy frog was a popular toy in the 70s and 80s. The frog has a small bulb which, when squeezed inflates the frog’s rubber legs and makes it hop.
Soichiro is nosing through a box of Marie Biscuits (マリー). While they originated in London, England, Morinaga manufactures them in Japan.
Another alias is given by Yotsuya in this episode, Chandler Yotsuya, and then Phillip Yotsuya Marlowe. These are references to Raymond Chandler and Phillip Marlowe. These are references to Raymond Chandler, the mystery writer, and his best known creation, Detective Phillip Marlowe.
Episode 66: 八神の挑戦! 未亡人なんかに負けないわ
Yagami no chyousen! Miboujin nanka ni makenaiwa (Yagami's Challenge: I Won't Lose to the Widow!)
Yagami blames Kyoko for Kamiogi learning of her visits to Maison Ikkoku to study with Godai. She is so angry in fact, that she begins studying non-stop in order to get her grades back up to where they once were. Ibuki succeeds and wastes no time in rushing to Ikkoku to brag about her grades to Kyoko. When she arrives, she begins to rub her triumph in Kyoko's face. The manager becomes annoyed but has no time to act out because Yagami quickly passes out from exhaustion due to all her studying. Kyoko and Godai let her rest up in the Manager's Room. Soon, things are back to normal, with Yagami studying with Yotsuya in Room 5, bothering Godai. Kyoko begins to get fed up with and sees that Ibuki is serious about pursing Yusaku. During one study session, the two exchange harsh looks and Kyoko leaves in tears when Yagami tells her that she knows Kyoko is in love with Yusaku in front of everyone. Godai rushes downstairs to reassure her that everything is okay, and the two almost kiss. A few days later, everyone visits Chachamaru to celebrate Yotsuya's first paycheck for tutoring Yagami. While there, Kyoko and Ibuki begin to argue again, only this time things become even more heated. Ibuki calls Kyoko a selfish coward for making Godai fall in love with her while she continues to be aloof with her feelings toward him. Eventually Godai shows up and takes Yagami home, while Kyoko walks back to Ikkoku with the other tenants. The next day, Yagami confides to Kamiogi that Kyoko is in love with Godai. Kamiogi is surprised but fills the young girl in on Kyoko's personality, and the fact that she probably feels as though if she admits her love for Godai, then her love for Soichiro must not have been real. Ibuki begins to feel that she may have gone to far in chastizing Kyoko and decides to go to Maison Ikkoku and apologize. When she arrives however, she takes one look at Kyoko and screams out that she is a coward, before running away, leaving Kyoko standing in the rain, stunned.
The poster on Godai’s wall in this episode is the “Hot Lips” logo that is owned and associated with the legendary British band, The Rolling Stones. The logo was designed by John Pasche and Craig Braun for the Stones 1970 European Tour.
Episode 67: 八神もア然! ゆかり婆ちゃん金歯で参上!!
Yagami mo a zen! Yukari baba-chan kin ha de sanjou!! (Even Yagami is Shocked! The Return of the Gold-Toothed Grandma!)
While having lunch with friends Godai learns that everyone has been having trouble on their job hunts as they prepare for graduation. Yusaku decides the best thing for him to do would be to quit his part-time work at the daycare and focus all his energy on finding a full time job in the corporate world. That very day, Yukari arrives from Niigata for a surprise visit with her grandson. On her train into the city, she overhears a group of schoolgirls talking about a "Mr. Godai". She focuses in on one girl, who just so happens to be Yagami. When the train pulls into the station, she flags Yagami down and gets her to haul her luggage up to Maison Ikkoku. Yagami is rude to her, but does as she asks, not knowing that she's Godai's grandmother until they finally arrive at Ikkoku. As soon as she learns this fact however, her disposition changes completely and she does all she can to kiss up to the old woman. Soon the tenants have begun to party, and strangely enough, Yagami decides to leave before Godai gets back. When he does get home, Yusaku is already drunk, having celebrated a little too long with Sakamoto and Kobayashi. He is surprised to see his grandmother, but not as surprised as he would normally be. He tells everyone that he's decided to focus on getting a great job, and is starting the search tomorrow. The next day however, reality hits him as he faces rejection and overwhelming odds at his interviews with the top firms. Godai begins to become dejected, but Kyoko manages to cheer him on, even as the other tenants knock him back down.
This episode is the first appearance of the Principal of Acorn Daycare. He is voiced by Naoki Tatsuta. His best known role is likely Oolong from Dragonball and Nakano in Kinnikuman.
The pig that Yotsuya holds in front of Godai’s face is a katori buta (かとりぶた) which literally means mosquito removing pig. The ceramic pig houses a small, green spiral called katori senkou (mosquito killing incense).
Yagami’s conversation with Yukari reveals that Maison Ikkoku is on Second Street.
The red lantern outside the tavern that Sakamoto and Godai are drinking in identifies it as an izakaya (居酒屋). At an izakaya it is customary to serve alcoholic drinks with snacks called sakana (肴), shukō (酒肴), or otsumami (お摘み). These are usually quite salty and served in relatively small portions. The saltiness increases the need for a drink, which fuels alcohol sales. Izakaya are sometimes called akachōchin ('red lantern') in daily conversation, as such paper lanterns are traditionally found in front of them.
Banzai (万歳) is a traditional Japanese exclamation meaning "ten thousand years" of long life. It is usually chanted three times while one lifts their arms above their head.
The chirping/buzzing sound in this episode is a staple of many anime. It’s min min (ミーンミーン), better known in Japan as ‘the sound of summer’. It is the chirping sound made by the min-min-zemi (みんみんぜみ・ミンミン蝉) cicada species—one of the many species found in the trees in the heart of the summer season in Japan. Their classic almost deafening tune signifies the arrival of summer, without which the summer just isn’t summer in Japan.
Episode 68: 闘魂ゆかり婆ちゃんこれぞ熱血草野球!
Tokon Yukari baba-chan korezo nekketsu kusayakyuu! (Grandma Yukari's Fighting Spirit: The Baseball Battle!)
Visiting Chachamaru, Yukari overhears a bet between Toshizo, the local merchant, and Master. Toshizo has formed a baseball team of local store owners and wants Master to do the same. If Master can manage to get a team together, they will play and the winner will get as much free food and drinks at Chachamaru as they want with the loser picking up the tab. Yukari energetically accepts and agrees to be the manager of the team. She and Master recruit Akemi, Kyoko, Kentaro and his mother, Yotsuya, Mitaka, Yusaku and Sakamoto to face off against the aging store owners. Master is sure that victory will be his with Mitaka and so many young players on the team. Unfortunately the day of the game arrives and he finds himself down seven points in the first inning, mostly due to the lazy outfield work of Mrs. Ichinose and Akemi. Godai's pitching is hit and miss, but Kyoko, Kentaro and Mitaka are all natural atheletes and are able to keep the scores a bit more closely together. Godai's pitching improves when he gets to show off for Kyoko, but that comes to a quick end as Kozue and Yagami show up and he becomes distracted. Kyoko is unhappy to see them both their, and Yagami quickly realizes that Kozue is after Yusaku as well, deeming her an enemy, however the friendly Kozue seem not to notice Yagami's affection for Yusaku at all. After an injury to the opposing team by Mitaka, the suave tennis coach is forced to play for the merchant team, and Yagami substitutes for him. Mrs. Ichinose passes out drunk and Kozue happily plays in her place. The two girls are both talented, however Kozue seems to have luck on her side more than anything else. The downtrodden Chachamaru team manages to pull out a slim victory, however Toshizo's crew order only the cheapest beer and peanuts, which doesn't help Master to earn much money at all.
“Believe it or not, my goal was to get to Koshien.” – Kōshien (甲子園) is both the name of an event and a stadium. Kōshien generally refers to the two annual baseball tournaments played by high schools nationwide culminating at a final showdown at Hanshin Kōshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, Japan. It is a massively popular event each when when it takes place. Kōshien stadium also happens to be the home stadium for Rumiko Takahashi’s favorite team, the Hanshin Tigers.
All of the numbers on the Chachamaru team’s uniforms match their naming scheme and/or room numbers at Maison Ikkoku.
Episode 69: 水中大乱闘! 五代に疑惑のキスマーク!!
Tsuichuu tairantou ni giwaku no kisumaaku!! (Underwater Confusion! Godai's Suspicious Hickey!)
Godai visits Sakamoto at his apartment. It seems that Sakamoto has been dumped by his girlfriend and has invited Godai over to console him. After a marathon drinking session, Godai spends the night and sleeps in his best friend's bed. During the night, Sakamoto rolls over and dreamily remembers his ex-girlfriend and begins to suck on Yusaku's neck. The next day Mitaka drops Kyoko and Mrs. Ichinose back at Maison Ikkoku after tennis practice. Shun and Yukari meet again and she manages to snag an invitation to a hotel swimming pool that was only meant for Kyoko. When Godai arrives home, his grandmother tells him the good news, but when he notices that Sakamoto's amorous encounter has left him with a hickey on his neck, he decides to pass. Unfortunately, Godai and Sakamoto are both working at the hotel in question, and when Kyoko, Mitaka, and Yukari arrive with the rest of the tenants in tow, Yusaku is forced into hiding for fear of being exposed for working a summer job rather than being out job hunting for a post college position. As Godai looks on he sees Mitaka cozying up to Kyoko with no problem, and so he decides to intervene. Slapping a bandaid over his hickey he walks up to the group while he's on a break from his waiter job. While taking a quick swim with Kyoko his bandaid falls off and Kyoko notices his hickey. When she swims away she gets a cramp in her leg and goes under, Yusaku saves her, but when Kyoko finds herself up close against his hickey, she bites him....hard. Godai is forced back to work, and begins hiding again so no one knows he's there. While he watches Kyoko from afar, he notices that she has lost her bathingsuit top and crawls across the cement to retrieve it for her without her seeing him. Later that day at Ikkoku, when Godai arrives home after everyone else, Kyoko notices the scrapes on his arms and realizes it was him who saved her when she was topless. While she doctors his arms, all is forgiven regarding the hickey, the bite, and the hidden job.
Grandma Yukari is seen eating somen (そうめん) which is a Japanese dish consisting of noodles served over ice. It’s the perfect dish for a hot summer days.
“We’re celebrating a boy’s transition into manhood.” – Yukari asks Sakamoto to bring sekihan (赤飯), which is red bean rice. It is traditionally eaten at celebrations, including when a young woman has her first period, or in this case, when Godai loses his virginity, or so Yukari assumes. Sekihan is so strongly connected with celebrations that the phrase "Let's have sekihan" has acquired the meaning "Let's celebrate.” It is believed that sekihan is used for celebrations because of its red color, symbolic of happiness in Japan.
Episode 70: さらば婆ちゃん! 上野駅は宴会パニック
Saraba baba-chan! Ueno eki wa enkai panniku! (Farewell Grandma! Party on Down at Ueno Station)
The time for Yukari's departure has finally arrived. Godai is busy job hunting and holding down his partime work at the hotel. The gang decides to throw Yukari a going-away party, but the festivities begin a bit early as Soichiro gets a few bowls full of grandma's plum wine. Godai and Kyoko are able to bond while Kyoko shops for a going away present for Yukari, but upon arriving at Maison Ikkoku, the drunken Soichiro begins pawing at Kyoko. Godai becomes so angry that he intervenes and ends up holding Kyoko's skirt in his hand, which gets him a quick slap from the manager. Kyoko apologizes later that night, as a storm rages outside, but by now Godai and Soichiro are both drunk and amusingly find themselves at odds throughout the night. The next day everyone else is feeling fine, but Yusaku is suffering from a massive hangover. Yukari insists that he walk her to the station, and he does the best he can as Kyoko and the others tag along. When Yukari's train is delayed, the gang begins partying again, causing her to miss her train altogether. Godai finally gets her back to Niigata, but is exhausted by the end of the day.
“I have to prepare for Bon festival.” – The Bon (盆) festival, also known as Obon (お盆) is a Japanese Buddhist custom to honor the spirits of one's ancestors. The festival of Obon lasts for three days; however, its starting date varies within different regions of Japan. When the lunar calendar was changed to the Gregorian calendar at the beginning of the Meiji era, the localities in Japan responded differently, which resulted in three different times of Obon. Shichigatsu Bon (Bon in July) is based on the solar calendar and is celebrated around the 15th of July in eastern Japan (Kantō region such as Tokyo, Yokohama and the Tōhoku region), coinciding with Chūgen. Hachigatsu Bon (Bon in August), based on the lunar calendar, is celebrated around the 15th of August and is the most commonly celebrated time. Kyū Bon (Old Bon) is celebrated on the 15th day of the ninth month of the lunar calendar, and so differs each year, which appears between August 8 and September 7.
The Shinkansen (新幹線) colloquially known in English as the bullet train, is a network of high-speed railway lines in Japan. Initially, it was built to connect distant Japanese regions with Tokyo, the capital, to aid economic growth and development. Beyond long-distance travel, some sections around the largest metropolitan areas are used as a commuter rail network. It is operated by five Japan Railways Group companies.
Ueno station (上野駅) is a major transportation and commuter hub for long-distance trains heading to and from northern Japan. Akemi met her friends at Ueno Station back in episode 19 and Kyoko left for her solo vacation from Ueno Station in episode 61.
“Three months’ salary is generally considered a good guideline to spend on an engagement ring.” - The three-month rule stems from a marketing campaign the De Beers diamond company ran in the 1930s that sold the idea that true love and commitment could only be shown if a man spent a month's salary on his wife's ring and over time it evolved into two in the 80's and finally three months.
Episode 71: 真夏の夜の夢? 五代早くも就職決定か?!
Manatsu no yoru no yume? Godai hyaku mo shushoku ketti ka?! (A Midsummer Night's Dream! Godai Finds a Job!)
Yukari sends Godai and Kyoko matching kimonos in hopes that they'll wear them as a pair to the local festival. Kyoko is flattered and agrees while Mitaka meets with his uncle to show him the fruits of his training as he shows off his new love of dogs. Shun is planning on visiting Kyoko and putting his training to the ultimate test: Soichiro! At the festival, everyone has a good time, but are shocked at the sudden appearances of not only Mitaka, but Yotsuya and Yagami as well. When Soichiro goes missing, everyone seperates to find the missing pooch, and as fate would have it, Mitaka is the one to locate him. As he confidently pets him in front of Kyoko, she seems confused, but everyone else realizes that Shun has suddenly overcome his fear of dogs. At dinner, Yagami teases everyone by mentioning that her father is on the hiring commitee for Mitsutomo, an electronics firm that Godai is hoping to secure a job with. Later in the evening, Kyoko learns that Ibuki wasn't joking and encourages Godai to take her home in hopes of making a good impression with her father. Yusaku agrees and takes Ibuki home, upon meeting her father, he feels as though he's made a lasting impression, but Yagami later learns that her father was so intoxicated that he doesn't even remember when she came home, let alone that Godai was with her.
The Bon (盆) festival, also known as Obon (お盆) is a Japanese Buddhist custom to honor the spirits of one's ancestors. The festival of Obon lasts for three days; however, its starting date varies within different regions of Japan. When the lunar calendar was changed to the Gregorian calendar at the beginning of the Meiji era, the localities in Japan responded differently, which resulted in three different times of Obon. Shichigatsu Bon (Bon in July) is based on the solar calendar and is celebrated around the 15th of July in eastern Japan (Kantō region such as Tokyo, Yokohama and the Tōhoku region), coinciding with Chūgen. Hachigatsu Bon (Bon in August), based on the lunar calendar, is celebrated around the 15th of August and is the most commonly celebrated time. Kyū Bon (Old Bon) is celebrated on the 15th day of the ninth month of the lunar calendar, and so differs each year, which appears between August 8 and September 7.
The robes that Yukari sends to Godai and Kyoko are yukata. A yukata (浴衣) is an unlined cotton summer kimono, worn in casual settings such as summer festivals and to nearby bathhouses. Originally worn as bathrobes, their modern use is much broader, and are a common sight in Japan during summer. Though yukata are traditionally indigo and white in color, modern yukata commonly feature multicolored designs, and are designed to be machine washable. They are similar in appearance to the nemaki, a unisex short-sleeved kimono-like garment worn by guests at traditional inns.
The ninja training that Mitaka mentions is an actual legend about ninja. Training of a Ninja commences at an early age. These young disciples are first taught to plant and grow a personal bamboo shoot. Every day, the little boy has to jump over the little bamboo sapling. Over the months and years, the bamboo shoot grows, and for most they grow fast. The boy is pushed to jump a little higher every day. By the time he is an adult, he seems to possess the magical power to just ‘fly-over’ high obstacles. And it’s all attributed to his years of jumping over bamboo, daily.
The statue that Mitaka pets is a komainu (狛犬). often called lion-dogs in English, komainu are statue pairs of lion-like creatures either guarding the entrance or the honden, or inner shrine of many Japanese Shinto shrines or kept inside the inner shrine itself, where they are not visible to the public.
Episode 72: 赤ちゃん誕生? 五代の泣き笑い人生!
Aka-chan tanjyou? Godai no nakiwarai jinsei! (A Baby is Born: Godai's Tearfully Happy Life)
Godai shares his good news about getting an interview at Mitsutomo with Sakamoto. As soon as he hears about Yusaku's good fortune, he asks if perhaps Godai could use his connection to get Sakamoto an interview as well. Meanwhile, at the Yagami's house, Ibuki tries to remind her father of the promise he made to Godai, but the elder Yagami's feelings about Yusaku have changed considerably now that he has sobered up. He belives that Yusaku has been using his daughter just to get a job at Mitsutomo. Ibuki is unable to change his mind, and worries that her father is going to be especially hard on Godai when he shows up for the interview. That night, Yusaku celebrates with the other tenants even though Kyoko thinks he should be getting a good night's rest. The next morning while Yusaku is still fast asleep, Ibuki stops by and asks Kyoko to give Yusaku a charm she picked up for him at the local shrine. Ibuki worries about him for the entire day, and when Godai finally sets off for the interview, Kyoko gives him the charm Ibuki left for him. Yusaku is confused to see that the charm is for a "safe birth" and is usually given to pregnant women. As it happens, on his way to the interview, Godai runs into a woman who is going into labor and needs help. He calls for an ambulance which mistakes him for the woman's husband and rushes him into the ambulance along with her. Unfortunately he misses the interview, earning the scorn of an already angry Mr. Yagami.
“There will be times you have to take your clients out for drinks.” – Nomikai (飲み会) is what Ichinose is describing here, which is essentially an after work drinking party that most salarymen in Japan are compelled to do for clients, colleagues and bosses. A nomikai is a drinking party phenomenon particular to Japanese culture. Nomikai are a part of the culture of most places of employment, from schools to nightclubs. They are most often held in restaurants or izakaya, usually with everyone seated at one large table or occupying a separated section of the venue.
Employees are usually expected to participate to some extent in various nomikai, as it is considered a social aspect of work, although it is not expressly required. Such parties focus on the bond between coworkers as a group, and are not considered private or somehow non-work related. Attendance does not necessarily imply that a person will drink any alcohol, however, and attendees generally pay a set amount for the food, drink, and venue regardless of consumption. Any leftover money may be put toward organizing the next nomikai.
Yagami goes through a special series of rituals when she prays for Godai’s success at the Shinto shrine. First she approaches the haiden. The haiden is where you pay your respects to the kami-sama. Inside the hall, more complicated ceremonies are conducted by a Shinto priest, but you can pray from the outside. In front of the haiden is an offertory box called a saisen-bako. Approach the box, but avoid standing dead-center in front of it. This space is known as the ‘sei-chuu’, the passageway that the gods walk through. Then Yagami makes an offering of 1,000 yen. Gently drop or toss an offering into the saisen-bako. You should avoid throwing your offering, though this may be difficult during the busy new year season when large crowds come to make the first shrine visit of the year, and you may have to stand further away from the offertory box. In this case, toss the money ‘respectfully’.
While it’s less about the amount of the offering than the sincerity of your prayers, superstition dictates that certain yen amounts bring good or bad luck. The five-yen coin is considered a good choice because it sounds like ‘go-en’, the Japanese word for luck (ご縁). The ten-yen coin, however, is considered unlucky despite being worth twice as much because it sounds like 遠縁 (‘tou-en’), which means that your luck will be far away, or as a Magic 8 Ball would say, ‘outlook not so good.’ If there is a bell in front of the haiden, take hold of the rope with both hands and give it a firm shake to call the kami-sama. Traditionally, the ringing of the bell was believed to ward off evil spirits. So ringing also helps to purify the space for the kami-sama’s arrival. Some shrines may not have a bell, or the bell may be tied away, in which case you can skip this step and make your prayer.
Two-two-one（二礼二拍手一礼）or ‘ni-rei, ni-hakushu, ichi-rei’ is a phrase that Japanese people use to remember the proper order for praying at a shrine. It means ‘two bows, two claps, one bow.’
Yagami buys and amulet to wish Godai luck with his job interview. This is known as an omamori (御守 ) and are commonly sold at Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples.
The pregnant woman is played by Megumi Hayashibara.
A phrase that is repeated throughout the episode is, "案ずるより産むが易し" (anzuru yori umu ga yasui). This literally means "it is easier to give birth than to think about it" but the gist of it is "it is easier to do something than to worry about it" or "there is nothing to fear but fear itself". This is actually the title of the chapter that this episode is based on.
