Maison Ikkoku: Theme Song Best Plus

MAISON IKKOKU
THEME SONG BEST PLUS
Copyright © Takahashi Rumiko / Shogakukan * Kitty * Fuji TV
Pony Canyon: PCCG-00492
Available Now in Japan
¥2600
Where to buy

—by Charles McCarter

14 tracks; 54:26

1. Kanashimi yo Konnichiwa (Hello Sadness) 3:59

Vocal: Yuki Saito

2. Ashita hareru ka (Will Tomorrow Be Sunny?) 4:31

Vocal: Kisugi Takao

3. CINEMA 3:54

Vocal: Picasso

4. Alone Again 3:38

Vocal: Gilbert O'Sullivan

5. Get Down 2:40

Vocal: Gilbert O'Sullivan

6. Sukisa 2:46

Vocal: Anzen Chitai (Safety Zone)

7. Fantasy 4:01

Vocal: Picasso

8. Sunny Shiny Morning 3:47

Vocal: Kiyonari Matsuo

9. Sayonara no Dessan (Rough Sketch of Goodbye) 4:19

Vocal: Picasso

10. Hidamari (Sunny Spot) 4:01

Vocal: Murashita Kouzou

11. Begin the Night 4:32

Vocal: Picasso

12. Garasu no Kisu (Kiss of Glass) 4:25

Vocal: Himenogi Rika

13. Yokan (Premonition) 3:51

Vocal: Shimamoto Sumi

14. Yume no Iriguchi e (Into the Entrance of a Dream) 4:02

Vocal: Shimamoto Sumi

It took nearly ten years after the show finished airing for this to happen, but the fans finally got their wish. MAISON IKKOKU: THEME SONG BEST PLUS is now the only album a fan of the music of MI need buy. In the dark ages, the opening and ending songs were spread across CDs such as MUSIC SHAKE, MUSIC SOUR, and the like. And while they did contain a good sampling of theme songs and BGM, even if you bought them all, you still wouldn't have all the theme songs!
In fact, the only two places one could truly go to acquire all the opening and ending theme songs are the rare MAISON IKKOKU CD SINGLE MEMORIAL FILE, the mammoth eight-CD MAISON IKKOKU PERFECT COLLECTION. Even the more recent MAISON IKKOKU BEST SELECTION is still missing several of the opening and ending themes (including "Hidamari," the final opening).
While the uninitiated may find some of these songs somewhat dated, they really do stand up to time. The atmosphere of the series was enhanced by the BGM and the vocals, and these are some of the best vocals ever done for an anime series. The songs range from joyful ("Hidamari"), to melancholy ("Kanashimi yo Konnichi wa" , to hopeful ("Fantasy") , to downright sad ("Sayonara no Dessan"). The search for love, after all, is something that is filled with ups and downs, risks and rewards, and a rollercoaster of emotions. These songs all contribute a different emotional tone to the show, and together paint a full musical picture of what it's like to be in love. But these songs are memorable because they are good, not just because they were attached to the show. And I know a fair number of people who can be reduced to tears by some of these songs (myself included!).
In addition to all the openings and ending songs from the TV series, the CD includes three additional tracks: the ending theme from the movie ("Garasu no Kiss"), and two image songs sung by Shimamoto Sumi, "Yokan" and "Yume no Irigiuchi e."
The art, too, is a return to actual MAISON IKKOKU art, and not the more recent "Ranma-ized" character designs. Unlike some of the more recent offerings where the characters look like RANMA people dressed in MI clothes, Kyoko looks like Kyoko, and Godai like Godai. In fact, the cover captures the essence of this show very well.
I'm a big fan of MAISON IKKOKU; it is, in fact, my favorite anime series. Nothing that has come along since has replaced its place in my heart. And even though I have the aforementioned CD SINGLE MEMORIAL FILE and the MI COMPLETE MUSIC COLLECTION, I didn't think twice about buying this CD. It's simply that worthwhile.
This CD was released at the same time as similar CDs for both URUSEI YATSURA and RANMA 1/2, and fans of those series should certainly look into those as well (although finding UY and RANMA songs are not nearly as difficult as MI tunes). It seems that the folks at Kitty are maybe worried that with the glut of newer stuff on the market, people will move on and the works of Takahashi Rumiko will be relegated to nostalgia value. But as this CD proves, that simply isn't going to happen.