Maison Ikkoku

Synopsis

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.

First Air Date: 1986-03-26

Last Air Date: 1988-03-02

Number of Seasons: 4

Number of Episodes: 96

Networks: Fuji TV

View Technical Specifications on IMDb

Top Cast

Issei Futamata as Yusaku Godai
Sumi Shimamoto as Kyoko Otonashi
Shigeru Chiba as Yotsuya / Soichiro(dog)
Yuko Mita as Akemi Roppongi
Kazuyo Aoki as Hanae Ichinose
Akira Kamiya as Shun Mitaka
Norio Wakamoto as Cyacyamaru's master
Toshio Furukawa as Sakamoto
Hiromi Tsuru as Asuna Kujo
Minori Matsushima as Kyoko's mother

Seasons

Specials (1988) - (3 Episodes)

Season 1 (1986) - (26 Episodes)

Season 2 (1986) - (26 Episodes)

Season 3 (1987) - (24 Episodes)

Season 4 (1987) - (20 Episodes)

Specials (1988)

No overview available for this season.

Episodes:

Ep. 1: Highlights: Through the Passing Seasons (1988-12-21)

This OVA is a recapitulation of the entire series, done with scenes taken from the series, mainly focused on Godai and Kyoko relatioship.
Ep. 2: Shipwrecked on Ikkoku Island (1991-05-21)

Released in 1990 this 30 minute special is the only 'true' OAV in the series. This is a completely original piece of animation. The story is based on the extra chapter of Maison Ikkoku where the tenants and Mitaka are all shipwrecked on a deserted island due to the usual insane partying by Ichinose, Akemi and Yotsuya. Once they are on the island Kyoko begins sweeping the sand to keep herself busy while Godai and Mitaka compete with one another to catch fish for Kyoko and make sure she doesn't starve. All the while Yotsuya wanders off by himself and finds a nearby resort, where he makes himself right at home, never telling his other castaways of course.
Ep. 3: Prelude, When the Cherry Blossoms in the Springtime Return (1992-06-25)

A special which pastes together all of Kyoko's flashbacks of Soichiro, with some dialogue along the scenes. Like a cherry flower in the spring talks about Soichiro, Kyoko's first love and husband, using a series of flashback, already seen in the TV episodes, making up a sort of "journey in the memories".