The Maison Ikkoku Story
Maison Ikkoku is a love story from the famous anime/manga creator Rumiko Takahashi, who created the most successful anime here in the U.S., Ranma 1/2. The story revolves around two main characters: Yusaku Godai, commonly referred to by his last name, who is a "ronin". What's a ronin you ask? Someone in Japan who didn't pass the college entrance exams. Due to this slip-up, Godai is forced to live in a cheap boarding house called Maison Ikkoku, cramming to take his entrance exams once again, hopefully this time passing them, next year. Problem is, Godai can't get *any* studying done. Just look at Maison Ikkoku's tenants: Yotsuya, a very mysterious man who has a habit of breaking into Godai's room to watch our next tenant, Akemi Roppongi. Akemi is a sassy readhead who works at the local bar, Cha Cha Maru. Our final tenant (at least in the first forty or so episodes) is Mrs. Hanae Ichinose, a tough-talking gossiper who loves to mess with everyone's minds. Oh, and did I mention they're all basically alcoholics and *love* to party? Guess not. But just as Godai's about to leave the house, the new manager, Kyoko Otonashi, comes to save the day. It's love at first sight, for Godai, at least. Kyoko is a bit of a hothead and has a secret that we don't find out until later. Without revealing anything major, let's just say it has to do with marriage..