Rumiko Takahashi’s Maison Ikkoku Sips Up Official Whiskies

Rumiko Takahashi manga Maison Ikkoku, which kicked off way back in 1980, has aged like a fine whisky. Appropriate, then, that it’s now got a pair of official single malt scotch whiskies, available via lottery from August 8 to 13 from Japanese site Whisky Mew.

The two types on offer are the Kyoko Otonashi label, named after the manga’s heroine. Distilled at Glen Grant distillery, it was distilled back in 1998 and bottled in 2023, meaning it’s been aged 25 years. A bottle of Kyoko Otonashi goes for 55,000 yen, or $355.

Meanwhile, there’s the Kyoko Otonashi and Yusaku Godai version, named after the aforementioned Kyoko and her love interest and manga protagonist Yusaku. This whisky was made by Kildalton, distilled in 2009 and bottled in 2023. This 13-year whisky goes for 37,400 yen, or $241.

Here’s how Viz describes Maison Ikkoku:

Travel into Japan’s nuttiest apartment house and meet its volatile inhabitants: Kyoko, the beautiful and mysterious new apartment manager; Yusaku, the exam-addled college student; Mrs. Ichinose, the drunken gossip; Kentaro, her bratty son; Akemi, the boozy bar hostess; and the mooching and peeping Mr. Yotsuya.

Source: Natalie