With volume 8, the gang at Maison Ikkoku is introduced to Nozomu Nikkaido, a young man who has come to the city to study for college. however, due to a mix-up in the paparwork, he gets a less then classy apartment house, aka Maison Ikkoku. After seeing how beautiful the manager is though, Nikkaido ocnvinces his distraught mother that all will be ok.

nikkaido seems like a nice guy, and many of the tenants(with the exception of the right-minded Kyoko and Yusaku) take to playing pranks on him. This just silently causes Nikkaido to think of how to exact his revenge on Yotsuya, Ichinose and Akemi.

Yusaku also does some heavy thinking, realizing his plight in life. feeling if he wants to marry Kyoko someday, he has to have a solid form of supporting her and a family. with this securely in mind, he heads home to try and convince his family to try and see if he can one day assume control of the family restaurant.

Yusaku also begins a stint as a studnet teacher, thanks to Kyoko's husband's father. There are some amazing coincidences: 1.The all-girls school is the same where Kyoko's husband taught at, and 2. It's also the place where Kyoko met him. After the first day, Yusaku realizes that he has more on his hands with the almost obsessive nature of student Ibuki Yagami. Yagami does everything from following Yusaku home, to also trying to convince Kyoko that she has company, vying for Yusaku's affections.

Yep. That is the main attraction to this graphic novel. The Love triangle of Godai, Mitaka, and Kyoko is not the main focus of this book. The main focus falls on two new characters: Nozomu Nikaido and Ibuki Yagami. Nozomu moves into room 2 of Maison Ikkoku, by pure accident his mother had someone else sign the lease and instead of living at the expensize Rikkoku, Nikaido ends up living in Maison Ikkoku. He is not really a bad guy, but just seems to be at the wrong place at the wrong time, and nearly drives Godai, and everyone else nuts. He and Yotsuya end up having a minor war between each other also. The other character Ibuki Yagami is a high school student at the school where Godai gets a student-teaching job. The school just happens to be the high school where Kyoko met Soichiro, so the obvious happens Ibuki falls in love with Godai, and now Godai has another pretty, young girl interested in him. Although his affections are for Kyoko only.

This is the first graphic novel of Maison Ikkoku I've read in a while and it reminded me of why I love this series. Takahashi has a very special way of looking at life's different situations and poking fun at them while at the same time being realistic. These graphic novels are more enjoyable than many of the "word only" novel I've read. I'm hooked and I must complete my collection of this series so far. A hard task for any poor, melancholic college student (ring any bells?).

Every time I read any of the Maison Ikkoku books I feel better. It's funny, but I just can't help it. When I've lost my faith in men, I turn to this volume. When I'm sad, or I'm angry, or I feel like I need a laugh, it almost seems like the whole gang from Maison Ikkoku is there, trying to cheer me up. Try this series; you might like it!

Another great graphic novel by Rumiko Takahashi. The wall that Kyoko built around her heart to protect the love of her deceased husband begins to crumble in this book. No, that does not of course mean that she is starting to care less for Soichiro, but it means that her love for Godai is starting to show. This happens on page 27. Kyoko feeling guilty for being the reason that Godai broke his leg takes care of him in the hospital, and on one of their walks, Godai drops a crutch and he falls into Kyoko's arms such a moving scene. Sadly, this scene is interupted when a Mitaka arrives at the hospital. He has broken his leg as well, so the love triangle moves into the hospital for a bit. A very good book with some very funny chapters, but I believe the chapters that will stick with the reader more are those that shows Kyoko's love for Godai begin to bloom. Man, I'm becoming sappy in my old age. hehe

Have you ever read one of those books that just makes you hug yourself and chirp with glee? Well, this is one of them! For those of you who have been going through the series, I can tell you that this book has one of the most wonderful moments thus far. It makes you smile and say to no one in particular "Yeah. Its all going to be all right now. I know it."

Still more bizarre adventures with the pretty young alien princess in those funky tiger stripes! And this time the whole gang goes off to spend a long, extragant holiday at the beach. Lots of crazy fun! However, there are quite a few things in this manga book that makes me sorry that the immensely talented creator happens to be a woman. For instance, there's this one scene where a mysterious binkini snatcher forcibly rips a swimming suit right off a female victim, leaving her in tears as the boys all laugh and gawk at her naked body. I truly understand that Rumiko Takahashi is living in a very male society, but this does border on gender problems. However, other than that, I say hats off to one of the greatest manga cartoonists ever lived for her very fertile imagination and her endless supply of the most fabulous characters and creatures ever to grace her pages!

Lum in the Sun is the third in the Urusei Yatsura series, and now that it's hit its stride the book tears along at break-neck pace. The stories are divided between school time and the gang's holiday at Mendo's private beach. It's as funny as ever, especially the bikini chase throughout Sportsworld, or the incredible "All you can eat" lunch for Sakura.

Once again Rumiko Takahashi manages to turn the normal world inside-out and upside-down, and in doing so creates another hilarious set of adventures.

Wait, Ataru? Acting unselfishly to save a broken hearted woman from her own attempt at suicide? Well, not exactly. . . The first story in this book shows Ataru's noble side. . . briefly. It also features an interesting look at Mendo's darker side. Also in this book, is a story that any Phantom of the Opera fan (Like myself) should read. Who is the cloaked figure who lurks within Tomobiki High? Read on and find out! But wait, there's more! Sakura crying? Ataru and Lum go on a date? Surfing? Bathing suit thieves? An all you can eat challenge? The dangers of Yoga? Lum in a one piece outfit! yes, all that actually fits into one book, it's one of the best Uresei Yatsura books I've read. . .and I've read most of them! I reccomend this one to anyone who likes Rumiko Takahashi or Uresei Yatsura!

this was not one of my favorite urusei yatsura novels. it was still as funny as the others, but all the new characters kinda confused me. the one thing i really must warn you of in this book is ten and ran. they are so confusing. i did not quite understand ran's role in this book anyways. she's just sort of there and she's constantly happy contrary to "sweet revenge". ten is also very odd in that he seems a lot less intelligent in this book than in the last one. other than this, the book is very funny and if you enjoy the rest of urusei yatsura, than you will like this one. love ya all---^.^ ciao!!!

Creature Features is another excellent Urusei Yatsura book. This time about half the book is devoted to the story of a party to arrange Lum's marriage to someone other than Ataru, and Ataru's (slightly botched) attempt to crash it. The other half is a collection of shorter stories. And it's another great book. Ten, Lum's one year old flying cousin, really comes to the fore in this book, and he makes the stories his own.

Still fantastic. Still essential. So buy it already!

I highly recommend this book. It is well-drawn, comical, has great characters, whimsical, exiting, jocular, very hard to put down, and funny. To state one specific example, I was at a bookstore once and saw it on a shelf, I sat down and a little while later people stat=rted to stare at me for laughing out loud. (true!)

It's kinda funny. But Ranma 18 is veeery like to all the previous books. Pretty much all the plots are based on the old "Akane-getting-mad-for-no-reason" and "Ranma-getting-blamed-for-something-he-didn't-do" jokes. After 18 graphic novels they've pretty much lost all their effect. I got bored after reading about six Ranma, I can't imagine reading, let alone enjoying, eighteen of them...

Ranma 1/2 just keeps getting funnier and funnier when Ranma has to beat Ryoga by asking Cologne for help by using a cat magic. Too bad Ranma is scared of cats.. anyway I don't want to ruin the whole plot for you go buy the book you will not be dissapointed and you will laugh.

Ranma 1/2, vol. 18 is one of the best in the series. With lots of humor! Humor, that's something that I look for in a book, it's whacked out funny, with a small twist, raging hormones (e.g.: Jealousy), and action filled fun. Though some people may find it stupid, and character situations farfetched, and (I quote my friend) "It's about SEX-CHANGE! What's so funny about that!?" Ranma 1/2 isn't really all that interesting until you are explained about the characters, then once you get the characters, and read the story, you will find it funny.

In volume 18, Ranma's fear of cats is having him in a case scenerio of Shampoo's life, or running away. In the 16th book, Akane gets kidnapped, and what's Ranma supposed to do when his beloved fiancee gets kidnapped? Vol. 2, what does Ranma do when his first kiss is given by an unwanted person (Seriously, what would you do if you were kissed by... Ahem, back to the review). With all these new characters, and odd (Not to mention funny) twists, more fiancees, and more people after the fiancees, it's a great Manga for after a day of stress, and annoyances.

But also, be warned, if you're not into major obesessions, don't read it. But if you want more pleasure, in your life, and don't really care, then by all means, read it!

Among language learners and teachers there are those who are more interested in how language operates and those more interested in why it operates as it does. This book will be of more interest to the second group. This group is more apt to be interested in questions such as, "Is 'off' the opposite of 'on'?," "Why do people say 'in the morning' but 'at night'?," "Why 'up' north but 'down' south?," or, "Why do we say 'back east', but 'out west'?" Much of the book consists of answers to these and many other questions. To say that this book offers new perspectives in answering these questions as well as many other points of grammar is by no means an understatement. In fact readers should be prepared for a great many perspectives. Starting out with the basic concepts of point line, and plane of geometry, the author explains the meaning of "at", "to", and "on". He uses a three-dimensional body (a sphere or cube) to define the meaning of "in". These concepts from geometry are useful in describing the the static or stationary meanings of those prepositions, but to explain more advanced use of prepositions he uses the concepts of "reduction" and "extension" and perspectives from time, motion, thoughts, states, relating movements of the planets, magnetic field and even psychophysiological or gravitational forces, as well as many others. This book should be of special interest to those involved in teaching or learning English as a second language; and, to a lesser degree, teachers or learners of Japanese. Appendix A consists of an article on how postpositions function in Japanese. On the negative side, the book does not have an index which makes it difficult to look up precisely where descriptions of usage or contrasted pairs occur. Many of the prepositions are treated in more than one section of the book. For example "in front of" and "in back of" are described on both p. 93 and pp. 271-272. The book goes a long way toward answering those questions asked by both elementary and advanced learners of English as a second language. The numerous lists and a fair number of sketches give convincing illustrations of contrasts in the meanings of prepositions. Finally, as a long-time learner of Japanese and as a teacher of English in Japan at the university level for more than twenty years, I was solidly among that group that was more interested in HOW the languages functioned. This book moved me a considerable distance toward an understanding of the other group, those interested in WHY

George Takahashi has poured a life-time of linguistic experience into his book on English prepositions. Those of us who have grown up with English use prepositions without a second thought. For those learning the language, however, this book explains as much as you would ever want to know on prepositions. Linguists will find Takahashi's book a treasure of insights.

I'm a huge fan of Inuyasha, in fact it's because I'm a huge fan that this book gets 4 stars. Yeah, it's great to look at for someone who loves Inuyasha, and understands kind of the depth of the story and the characters. But, Takahashi Rumiko's art, even in color, though cute, is not the kind of thing that would instantly get the attention of someone who wasn't already a fan. Her stories are great and her art, cute, but not CLAMP-caliber, for example.

This book was amazing. The pictures were spectacular. Though some of the drawings would look better in color. But all in all a very very good book.

I have been a huge fan of Lum since I was in 3rd garde, so naturally I love this book! But I must say a lot of the jokes are inside and taken from other books. But it really is a lot of, but it's not as good as "the Return of Lum: Urusei Yatsura"

Lum and co. are back again with another collection of stories from the pen of Rumiko Takahashi. As ever everything here is gold, not a bad tale here, but the best is the wonderful Heian retelling of the Urusei Yatsura story, set in feudal Japan, this tale is (to say the least) utterly insane, and totally enthralling. Certain to have you laughing aloud almost immediately.

Another great set of stories you HAVE to own.

I found this cookbook to be easy to read, with plenty of photographs and easily understood. This is not a hardcover book, but I kept it since it has so much valuable information about a cooking forum that I haven't seen much in the midwest. I'm loving trying the new recipes! They are as good as in any Metro Detroit Japanese quality restaurant - even better. I consider myself lucky to have so many markets available to me!

I live in Japan. My wife is Japanese (but I do most of the cooking at home.) Our son-in-law is a well-known "ita-mae" - Japanese chef at a famous resort hotel. So, I am somewhat familiar with Japanese cuisine... and I get immeasurable pleasure surprising all of my family with delicious dishes prepared under the tutelage of Takahashi-sensei. Her recipes are easy to follow, produce delicious results, and are authentic. The family is still talking about the seafood casserole (nabe) I made for New Year's festivities using this book. My personal favorites are the simmered pork and daikon, the kinpira, the pickled lotus root, ...where do I stop? It's all good. No, it's delicious!

I have several English-language Japanese cookbooks - all quite good, but this is my favorite. It is quite simply "hors concours," the non plus ultra. The only thing you need to supplement this gem is a copy of Richard Hosking's "A Dictionary of Japanese Food, Ingredients and Culture" - and you really don't need it. Takahashi-sensei's glossary and explanations are enough.

If you love or are simply interested in Japanese cuisine and want the very best cookbook available to produce it at home, do whatever necessary - short of physical violence - to get your hands on a copy of Takahashi-sensei's "The Joy of Japanese Cooking." Then, enjoy... and enjoy... and enjoy!

Shinkichi Takahashi's stormy life and spiritual journey are documented in his poetry without a single reference to "I." In early life, he was infected with the spirit of the european dada movement, and his poems reflect that wild spontaneity with surprising images and anti-linear leaps. Some poems also reflect a self-conscious Zen, trying to hit with a Rinzai Zen Master's directness but ringing almost a little preachy. Fascinating poetry thanks to Lucien Stryk, his first translator.

If you get ahold of this book, and if it doesn't elude you like a slippery fish, and if the stars are aligned in your favor, and if you are ready to cross the line and fall happily into the abyss, read it. Then throw it back so that some other poor soul can take a look (like me--I lost my out of print copy).

This book has affected my life in the most profound yet subtle way-however cheesy that sounds, I don't care. Es muy verdad. Besides, what else do you have to do...play on the computer?