Maison Ikkoku

Godai is a ronin (someone who has failed university entrance exams) living in a run down apartment house called Maison Ikkoku. Among the other residents are the nosy Ichinose, the sexy Akemi Roppongi, and the mysterious Yotsuya. The others are given to having wild parties which makes it difficult for Godai to study. Into this mayhem comes the recently widowed Kyoko as the new live-in manager. Godai falls for her, but doesn't have the nerve to tell her. As time passes, their relationship slowly develops amid life at Maison Ikkoku, despite all sorts of romantic hurdles.

Maison Ikkoku (1986-1988) is a Japanese animated romantic comedy series created by Akemi Takada's manga tradition and produced by Studio Deen for Fuji Television Network. Yusaku Godai (voiced by Issei Futamata) is a ronin who failed his university entrance exams and lives in a rundown boarding house, where he is distracted by noisy parties from the other tenants. When the recently widowed Kyoko Otonashi (voiced by Sumi Shimamoto) becomes the new live-in manager, Godai falls for her but cannot summon the nerve to say so. The engine of the series is this stalled courtship, played out through everyday episodes of chores, rowdy neighbors and rival suitors among residents like Akemi Roppongi (voiced by Yuko Mita) and the mysterious Yotsuya (voiced by Shigeru Chiba). Across four seasons and 96 episodes, the story unfolds as one continuing thread in which small setbacks accumulate into real emotional stakes. The tone is wistful and gently comic, with an undercurrent of grief and hope. Set in late 1980s Japan, it sits in the tradition of shonen romantic comedy and will appeal to viewers who enjoy the slow, sincere romance of Urusei Yatsura and Ranma and the quiet longing of Your Lie in April.

• Urusei Yatsurashared slow burn romance between mismatched leads and boarding house ensemble comedy
• Ranma ½shared lovelorn romance with comedic apartment-life tone and gradual relationship development
• Your Lie in Aprilshared quiet romantic longing and everyday domestic setting with an unspoken attraction
• Kimi ni Todokeshared slice of life warmth and drawn-out romantic tension among housemates

Release Date

1986-03-26

Episode runtime

26 min

Rating

8.1 / 10 (39)

What is Maison Ikkoku about?

A failed university applicant falls hopelessly for the young widow managing his shabby boarding house.

What is Maison Ikkoku like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Maison Ikkoku as measured, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is Maison Ikkoku violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Maison Ikkoku.

Which shows are like Maison Ikkoku?

Shows with a similar feel include Urusei Yatsura, Ranma ½, Your Lie in April, and Kimi ni Todoke.

How long is Maison Ikkoku?

Maison Ikkoku: 4 seasons, 96 episodes.

Is Maison Ikkoku still running?

No, Maison Ikkoku has ended.