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Make love, not war. Spoilers (in case you had to know).

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GodaiMH	Make love, not war. Spoilers (in case you had to know).	Lead	[-]
Rhythmic Gymnast Posts: 770 (05/08/07 09:48 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Tags : None The first time I read Maison Ikkoku, I was surprised at Kyoko and Godai's love hotel encounter, the encounter that culminated finally at Kyoko's apartment. For one thing, that whole turn of the story surprised me. I did not initially get why it was that Kyoko thought it was so important to make love to Godai. She said it was necessary for her to trust him. I think maybe I have an inkling of why it was important to Kyoko, but am not sure I understand it fully. Was it was something she saw as a necessary experience to confirm to her what her heart felt, that she loved Godai and wanted to feel close to him? Was it necessary for her in the process of letting Soichiro go in her heart? I wonder if there isn't any thing else to it, any cultural or maybe feminine reasons behind Kyoko's reasoning. Insights, anyone? But I also have to admit that I was quite surprised the love scenes were depicted and was amazed at their depiction in the pages. I had never read anything of the sort in manga. And I have not read anything since that compares. Now, of course, the love scenes were depicted in the most tasteful and serene way, and I have to say communicated a communion of body and spirit that is the ideal of the word. Takahashi surprised me, is all. I'd never read anything by her so candid and real as actual lovemaking. I guess I knew at that point in the story something had to give, but when I got to those pages, I was thinking "and how"! It was quite satisfying to behold. I just was slightly astonished that Takahashi went there. Honestly, I wonder if it isn't that turn of the story that has endeared Maison Ikkoku to me as my all time favorite manga. A romantic at heart, I despise gratuitous use of sex as a plot tool. What took place in MI was the opposite of that. Even though I am not 100% sure of Kyoko's reasons (being a man, I think I'm hindered there), instinctively I felt that a flood of emotion was built up and needing to be released between Godai and Kyoko in those pages. Godai and Kyoko needed each other and needed to communicate that fact in the most basic and sublime way possible. That flood burst uninhibited finally at Kyoko's apartment (depicted quite craftily and lovingly by the artist and author). Perfect. That scene, and its aftermath, struck a romantic chord in me so deep I think it is still resonating. It comes just at the right time in the story. That it is not repeated in the pages following confirms just how important an event it was. Major breakthrough is an understatement. And it signaled to me that good things were definitely in store for Godai and Kyoko. And although there was still room for a bit of misunderstanding and comedy (my favorite was the Misou Soup incident) one trusted from then on that the two were coming together on the same wavelength and that there was no holding them back. Anyone else have any impressions or thoughts on these chapters? Regards, GodaiMH MH = Means Married Happily. Last Edited By: GodaiMH 05/26/08 12:18 PM. Edited 1 time.
frappo		#1	[-]
Joketsuzoku Villager Posts: 3 (05/26/08 04:02 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	well... "That scene, and its aftermath, struck a romantic chord in me so deep I think it is still resonating" that's amazing! Indeed it touched me too. Starting when Kyoko and Godai are in bed, looking each-others in the eyes, it's a flowing of rising emotions. Without this scene I think that MI would not be the totally perfect romance that, luckily, is. Something would lack. And this is one of the reason for I love the manga more than the anime Takahashi sensei is really a genius, She's been able to depict a scene where two person are really melted in one. A graphical sign of the word "love"
ryogasgirl		#2	[-]
Ucchan's Okonomiyaki Patron Posts: 70 (05/26/08 08:05 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Well, GodaiMH, it's no wonder you're ...well..MH . I can tell from your post that you're a hopeless romantic and that's something women find endearing. Darnit, why are all the good ones taken. Anyways, to the topic at hand, I think you kind of answered your own question in a way. Their relationship had been building throughout the series and the love scene near the end was a poignant, beautiful culmination for the feelings they've had for each other. Sex, by nature, is a very private and emotional thing. Since Kyoko is a widow, opening herself up to someone else by making love to them would be difficult and a huge step away from the memory of Soichiro. She had to know that if she did trust Godai enough to take this step, that he would be understanding and loving. Needless to say, Godai passed Kyoko's test. Like I said, girls love a romantic. For Kyoko, as well as Godai, it wasn't 'sex', it was 'lovemaking'. To me, at least, there's a big difference.
GodaiMH		#3	[-]
Rhythmic Gymnast Posts: 734 (05/26/08 12:43 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Frappo wrote: Takahashi sensei is really a genius, She's been able to depict a scene where two person are really melted in one. A graphical sign of the word "love" Thanks Frappo for replying to this topic! I couldn't have said it better myself. Ryogasgirl wrote: Well, GodaiMH, it's no wonder you're ...well..MH . I can tell from your post that you're a hopeless romantic and that's something women find endearing. Darnit, why are all the good ones taken. Blushes You are very kind to say so, Ryogasgirl. I am humbly grateful that you should say so. My wife HAS told me this in the past. Ten children later . . . Ryogasgirl continues: Since Kyoko is a widow, opening herself up to someone else by making love to them would be difficult and a huge step away from the memory of Soichiro. She had to know that if she did trust Godai enough to take this step, that he would be understanding and loving. So what you are saying is that it wasn't only the lovemaking that was important to Kyoko, but that she should find out from that experience if Godai had it in him to be gentle and considerate of her feelings? I think that is a good point, and something I didn't get the first time. Thank you! I just thought I would say that I like the name Ryogasgirl. I think Ryoga is the hopeless romantic in the story of Ranma 1/2. When first introduced to him, I think he annoyed me. But as I got to know him, and especially later in story, we find that Ryoga is the only one of Akane or Ranma's suitors who actually grows as a character, who actually figures something out. I am pleased for his sake he finds Akari and believe the two will do well with each other. The secret ingredient, I think, to Ryoga's growth lies in Akari. Like Kyoko to Godai in Maison Ikkoku, (and, I think, Akane to Ranma in Ranma 1/2), Akari blesses Ryoga with the assurance that he can accept who he truly is and yet be worthy of love. That Akari should glory in the pig, something Ryoga thinks of as an abominable curse, is like salvation to him. In this way Akari is to Ryoga what Kyoko is to Godai (and something I may add, my wife is to me), and that is salvation for the man she loves. And when I read Maison Ikkoku especially, and when I see in print and graphics the lovemaking scene which we are describing, I see two persons who are literally salvation for each other. And wow, that's amazing! Regards, GodaiMH MH = Means Married Happily. (Image kindly edited by Hoshi Shouri. Thanks Hoshi!)
ryogasgirl		#4	[-]
Ucchan's Okonomiyaki Patron Posts: 72 (05/26/08 08:12 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	You are very kind to say so, Ryogasgirl. I am humbly grateful that you should say so. My wife HAS told me this in the past. Ten children later . . . --I calls 'em as I sees 'em. I like the connection you made between Godai/Kyoko and Ryoga/Akari. You're right; for each couple, they complete each other in a perfect way. For Ryoga, it wasn't just the fact that Akari loves pigs, although that was what truly endeared her to him; it was her kindness and acceptance. She really is a sweet person and I really think the manga points towards a loving relationship between the two. In the same way, Godai was just what Kyoko needed, even if it took her a while to realize it. - And, of course, Kyoko was just what Godai needed as well. You know, maybe I would be 'Godaisgirl' if I had started reading that manga first.

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