History Manga / MaisonIkkoku

%%* IWantGrandkids: Kyoko's mother.

* MyBelovedSmother: Kyoko's mother Ritsuko Chigusa is a definite case of this at first but she does slightly mellow out later on in the series.

* AspectMontage
* BabiesEverAfter: [[spoiler:Haruka, Godai and Kyouko's baby daughter.]]
** As well as [[spoiler:Mitaka and Asuna's twins and a third baby on the way.]]

* BelligerentSexualTension: Godai and Kyoko.

* ButtMonkey: Godai

* CloseKnitCommunity

* ContrivedCoincidence: Quite a few occasions.

* EarnYourHappyEnding: Godai definitely earned his.

* EveryoneCallsHimBarkeep: Master
* TheFirstCutIsTheDeepest: Kyoko

* HotSpringsEpisode: Episode 41 and 62.

* IWantGrandkids: Kyoko's mother.

* MistakenForCheating: Akemi invokes this as she [[spoiler: uses this trope to get Kozue to dump Godai by tricking her into thinking that Godai and Akemi were at a Love Hotel.]]
** Happens earlier in this series when Kyoko once saw Mitaka with another woman, however this was just another misunderstanding.

* [[spoiler:TheReasonYouSuckSpeech: Akemi lays a brief but ''huge'' one on Kyoko after Kyoko's ultimate hissy-fit towards Godai.]]
-->[[spoiler:'''Akemi:''' I can't believe you. Crying and carrying on over a guy you won't even let hold your hand. What's wrong with you? You think I'm so desperate I'd bother to steal a man from a neurotic twit like you? Grow up!]]

* TheRival: Many.

* StalkerWithACrush: Ibuki Yagami.

* ThereAreNoTherapists: Rather, ''there is no Alcoholics Anonymous''.
** On a more traditional note, Mitaka could probably have used some professional help in getting over his fear of dogs, [[spoiler:although he eventually manages well enough on his own]].
* ThereWasADoor: Yotsuya. Log.

* UmbrellaOfTogetherness: featured prominently though episode 17.

* UnluckyEverydude: Godai

* {{Yandere}}: Ibuki.

* {{Keigo}}: Mildly subverted. Yotsuya speaks in a very polite, formal, and proper manner at all times, in addition to always dressing in either business or traditional clothes. This is in contrast to being possibly the most ''im''polite, ''in''formal, and ''im''proper character in the series.

** It also covers some characters who don't live there, such as Mitaka, Kozue, Ibuki, and Asuna. And Mitaka's name is arguably a bit of {{foreshadowing}} for the ultimate fate of his relationship with Kyoko. [[spoiler:Mitaka's name corresponds to the number 3. Guess which room in Maison Ikkoku remains unoccupied for the entire series.]]

* TheKanrinin: Kyoko.

* ShoutOut: The anime has several to Takahashi's earlier UruseiYatsura in just the first episode alone, including an image of Lum on a magazine cover and chibi versions of Ataru, Shinobu and Megane (among others) as kindergarteners. That's just one of many in both the manga and the anime.
Also, in the English manga, Sakamoto wears a jacket with RanmaOneHalf printed on the back.

* ShoutOut: The anime has several to Takahashi's earlier UruseiYatsura in just the first episode alone, including an image of Lum on a magazine cover and chibi versions of Ataru, Shinobu and Megane (among others) as kindergarteners. That's just one of many in both the manga and the anime. ** Also, in the English manga, Sakamoto wears a jacket with RanmaOneHalf printed on the back.

* ShoutOut: The anime has several to Takahashi's earlier UruseiYatsura in just the first episode alone, including an image of Lum on a magazine cover and chibi versions of Ataru, Shinobu and Megane (among others) as kindergarteners. And that just scratches the surface.

* SickEpisode: Episode 16 has Kyoko spraining her ankle. Godai is terribly worried, but, as happens so often in this series, constantly gets blocked by circumstances, neighbors, and Mitaka when he tries to take care of her. Kyoko doesn't have it so easy either, as a minor sprain soon turns into an upset stomach when Akemi and Yotsuya bring her food and then Godai prepares some ramen for her - all after she's eaten Mitaka's delicious gourmet cooking - and she's forced to eat it all out of politeness.

* SickEpisode: Episode 16 has Kyoko spraining her ankle. Godai is terribly worried, but, as happens so often in this series, constantly gets blocked by circumstances, neighbors, and Mitaka when he tries to take care of her.

* {{Yandere}}: Ibuki.

* DemotedToExtra: Kozue. By the middle of the series when Ibuki came in, Kozue pretty much disappeared for the most part only making occasional appearances with BaseballEpisode being a remote exception. Kozue did start to have a bit more of a presence late in the series in which it even got {{Lampshaded}} [[spoiler:until she and Godai actually break up.]]

* CornerOfWoe: The puppeteer club's president does this after scaring a child he was trying to offer candy.

* CharacterDevelopment: What makes it so enjoyable

* DramaBomb: Chapter 7 of the manga/episode 6 of the anime, where it's revealed that Kyoko [[spoiler:is a widow]].

* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: Hanae Ichinose, out of the drunkard trio she is most likely to do a PetTheDog scene. Hanae's son Kentaro is like this. Mitaka can be like this as well since, despite on how he may seem like a smug, rich pretty boy, he does genuinely care for Kyoko.

* TricksterMentor: While Yotsuya, Akemi and Mrs. Ichinose all indulge in borderline (and in some cases way beyond borderline) cruelty mostly ForTheEvulz, some of their antics are meant to make Godai stronger or more honest about his feelings toward Kyoko.

* UnfortunateItemSwap: When a little girl from the preschool says she wants to marry Godai, he records a cheerful audio message for her, saying that he can't marry her because she's far too young. In the same episode, he records a message for Kyoko, in which he declares his love and swears he will do his best to become worthy of her hand. It's blatantly obvious he's going to get the tapes mixed up (especially since the child's name is ''also'' Kyoko), and sure enough, he does.

* WhatTheHellHero: Godai very often has fantasies of giving Kyoko a verbal beatdown for her blatant hypocrisy in condemning his relationship with Kozue while ''she'' dates Mitaka, but he never gathers the courage to do it. The closest thing is a very subtle reaction to Kyoko's violent verbal outburst [[spoiler:after she hears about Godai and Akemi leaving a Love Hotel together. This, being after several weeks that Godai goes to her parents apartment pleading to see her and speak with her and getting rebuffed each time. Not to mention Godai takes up ''her'' responsibilities as the manager of Maison Ikkoku in her absence. After all this, despite returning to ''finally'' listen to Godai's side of the story, Kyoko ''again'' assumes the worst of him. She violently insults both Godai and Akemi to the point that Godai temporarily loses his anger and raises a hand to slap her. He stops himself before swinging, but Kyoko continues to verbally abuse him and goads him to smack her. His final response to her insults? He ''lightly taps her on the cheek'', and says in a calm voice, "Please just listen to me."]]

* YankTheDogsChain: Any time Godai seems to come out ahead, he's practically guaranteed to lose it all within the next five minutes. One of the most prominent examples of this would be [[spoiler:when Yagami's father writes Godai a recommendation for a job, only for the company to go bankrupt the day after he's hired.]]

* YouNeedToGetLaid: After 149 chapters – containing [[BelligerentSexualTension dozens of fights and annoying misunderstandings]] – [[IdiotHero Yusaku]] and [[{{Tsundere}} Kyoko]] make love for first time. The next days the remainder residents of the boarding house notice that Kyoko is in an incredibly good mood, like if she had got something that she had spent a long time craving for. As they talk about it, they stare at Yusaku suspiciously before saying: "Nah, impossible," and "He wishes."

* YouNeedToGetLaid: After 149 chapters – containing [[BelligerentSexualTension dozens of fights and annoying misunderstandings]] – [[IdiotHero Yusaku]] and [[{{Tsundere}} Kyoko]] make love for first time. The next days the remainder residents of the boarding house notice that [[http://mangafox.me/manga/maison_ikkoku/c150/5.html Kyoko is in an incredibly good mood]], like if she had got something that she had spent a long time craving for. As they talk about it, they stare at Yusaku suspiciously before saying: "Nah, impossible," and "He wishes."

* YouNeedToGetLaid: After 149 chapters – containing [[BelligerentSexualTension dozens of fights and annoying misunderstandings]] – [[IdiotHero Yusaku]] and [[{{Tsundere}} Kyoko]] make love for first time. The next days the remainder residents of the boarding house notice that [[http://mangafox.me/manga/maison_ikkoku/c150/5.html Kyoko is in an incredibly good mood]], like if she had got something that she had spent a long time craving for. As they talk about it, they stare at Yusaku suspiciously before saying: "Nah, impossible", "He wishes".

* WhereAreTheyNowEpilogue

* MoodWhiplash

* SickEpisode: Episode 16 has Kyoko spraining her ankle. Godai is terribly worried, but, as happens so often in this series, constantly gets blocked by circumstances, neighbours, and Mitaka when he tries to take care of her.

* SlowMotionPassBy

* TheTell: You can tell Kyoko's angry because she becomes VERY enthusiastic while cleaning (moreso than usual). That, and her tendency to break broomhandles by squeezing them.

* ShrinkingViolet: Asuna

** Mitaka runs into a bit of this which spearheads his relationship with Azuna. [[spoiler: Upon realizing he had no chance with Kyoko, Mitaka utterly drowns his sorrows and winds up at Azuna's apartment. He wakes up the following morning not remembering a thing, but ''assuming'' the worst because he's sleeping in Azuna's bed and she's incredibly embarrassed. While he tries to mentally sort this all out, Azuna shows up at the tennis court with her beloved dog Salad with the revelation, "We're having a baby!!". Believing their apparent one-night stand produced a child and wanting to man-up, Mitaka immediately proposes to Azuna. However, it's at their engagement--after their engagement was ''completely officialized in front of their families''--that Azuna clarifies the "pregnancy" by revealing that it's ''Salad'' who's pregnant! And by the dog that ''Mitaka'' had adopted to help him get use to dogs!!]]

** Mitaka runs into a bit of this which spearheads his relationship with Azuna [[spoiler: upon realizing he had no chance with Kyoko, Mitaka utterly drowns his sorrows and winds up at Azuna's apartment. He wakes up the following morning not remembering a thing, but ''assuming'' the worst because he's sleeping in Azuna's bed and she's incredibly embarrassed. While he tries to mentally sort this all out, Azuna shows up at the tennis court with her beloved dog Salad with the revelation, "We're having a baby!!". Believing their apparent one-night stand produced a child and wanting to man-up, Mitaka immediately proposes to Azuna. However, it's at their engagement--after their engagement was ''completely officialized in front of their families''--that Azuna clarifies the "pregnancy" by revealing that it's ''Salad'' who's pregnant! And by the dog that ''Mitaka'' had adopted to help him get use to dogs!!]]

* PetTheDog: Many of the characters such as Yotsuya, Mrs. Ichinose, and Ibuki do this every now & then some more than others though.

* AfterActionPatchup: After thanking Godai for saving the day by returning her bikini top to her at the hotel pool earlier in the day (which Godai had thought he had accomplished anonymously, since he was supposed to be elsewhere other than working at the hotel), Kyoko treats Godai's arms, which he scraped in the process of trying to remain anonymous while returning it.

* IdealismVsCynicism: A good old fashioned case of a story that shows plenty of Cynicism but with Idealism winning out in the end.

* GrandFinale: Reputedly the first of the long-running animes from RumikoTakahashi that had a definitive ending. (Manga/InuYasha being the sole other, to this point)

…and in walks Kyoko Otonashi, a beautiful, sweet-tempered woman who announces herself as the new [[TheKanrinin manager]].

** Don't forget [[spoiler:Mitaka and Asuna's twins and a third baby on the way.]]

Yusaku Godai is a lovable, somewhat serious, but hopelessly inept ''[[{{Ronin}} ronin]]'' who is trying to study to pass college entrance exams while living at Maison Ikkoku, a somewhat run-down boarding house. His own disorganized, gormless lifestyle does not make this an easy task. Neither do the antics of his neighbours, including a party girl, an older mom fond of the bottle, and a surreal mooch, all of whom use his room for their frequent booze-ups. The manager has not been seen in some time. Godai finally has enough and is walking out the door, bags in hand....

... and in walks Kyoko Otonashi, a beautiful, sweet-tempered woman who announces herself as the new [[TheKanrinin manager]].

In order, Godai's suitcase, jaw, and heart hit the floor, and from then on, it's a roller coaster ride of strangeness, complications, botched courting, miscommunicated feelings, and every so often, achingly sweet, poignant moments.

''Maison Ikkoku'' clocks in at 15 volumes/96 episodes – lengthy, but actually the shortest of Takahashi's major works. Compared to her other series, it is very true-to-life… at least of the time period in which it's set (broadly, TheEighties), and rarely strays into fantastical scenarios – very little LoveDodecahedron, no supernatural hijinks, convoluted logic, or most of the standard trappings of Takahashi's [[Manga/UruseiYatsura better]]-[[Manga/RanmaOneHalf known]] [[Manga/InuYasha series]].

[[AcclaimedFlop The series has a history of struggling in North America.]] The English dub of the anime was originally cancelled after episode 36 due to low VHS sales, and the English-subtitled tapes were stopped after Episode 64 for the same reason. Creator/VizMedia later gave the series another chance after ''Manga/InuYasha'' exploded in popularity. They miraculously managed to complete the series on DVD, but the sales were never strong, and it got so bad that the only reason the final boxset was released at all is because [=RightStuf.com=] offered to buy the entire print run. The English dub was also completed, but many of the key cast members from the first 36 episodes didn't return. Notably Creator/BradSwaile replaced Jason Gray-Stanford as Godai. The manga was released to completion twice – once in "flipped" collections and then again a few years later in "unflipped" volumes matching the Japanese books… but quickly fell out of print afterwards. Nonetheless, the series received great reception among those who did see it, and it enjoys a passionate cult following in the States among anime fans, especially Rumiko Takahashi fans, who often claim it to be her masterpiece.

''Maison Ikkoku'' (pronounced "Mezon Ikkoku," for those of you used to thinking in Japanese phonemes) is a lengthy series, clocking in at 96 episodes. It is very true to life, at least the life of the time period in which it was set, and rarely departs heavily from real life scenarios, without the LoveDodecahedron, supernatural hijinks, convoluted logic or any of the trappings of Creator/{{Rumiko Takahashi}}'s [[Manga/RanmaOneHalf other]] [[Manga/InuYasha series]].

[[AcclaimedFlop The series has a history of struggling in North America.]] The English dub of the anime was originally canceled after episode 36 due to low VHS sales, and the official English subtitled tapes were canceled after Episode 64 for the same reason. VizMedia later gave the series another chance after Takahashi's ''Manga/InuYasha'' exploded in popularity. They miraculously managed to complete the series on DVD, but the sales were never strong, and it got so bad, the only reason the final volume was released at all is because [=RightStuf.com=] offered to buy the entire print run. The English dub was also completed, but many of the key cast members from the first 36 episodes didn't return. Notably BradSwaile replaced Jason Gray-Stanford as Godai. Nonetheless, the series received great reception among those who did see it, and it enjoys a passionate cult following in the States among anime fans, especially Rumiko Takahashi fans, who often claim it to be her masterpiece.

* BabiesEverAfter: [[spoiler: Haruka, Godai and Kyouko's baby daughter.]]
** Don't forget [[spoiler: Mitaka and Asuna's twins and other baby.]]

* BetterByADifferentName: Indirect TropeNamer; "it was better when it was called MaisonIkkoku" has reached MemeticMutation status when applied to romance anime.
* BrokeEpisode: Many... Godai was trying to balance study, work, and life on a regular basis.
* {{Buttmonkey}}: Godai
* CanNotSpitItOut: [[spoiler: Which makes it a CrowningMomentOfAwesome when Godai finally learns to spit it out in the final chapters, dumping Kozue and proposing to Kyoko. Kyoko as well, when she finally tells Godai not only that she loves him but that she has for a very long time.]]
* ChekhovsGun: [[spoiler: Godai buys a brooch for Kyoko as a Christmas present in Episode 2; but, through a series of pratfalls, never manages to give to her.]] Sixteen episodes later, a year has gone by in canon and Godai, [[spoiler: broke and desperate to get Kyoko a gift, manages to find the brooch behind his desk and give it to Kyoko.]]

* CloudCuckooLander: Yotsuya, easily one of the strangest characters created by RumikoTakahashi despite being in a "real-world" setting.

* ComedicSociopathy: If watching the entire cast make one man's life a living hell for 96 episodes is your idea of fun, this is the show for you. It doesn't help that Godai has no backbone. The tenants are so terrible that when [[spoiler: Godai and Kyoko finally get together, and the tenants congratulate them]], this simple act of kindness shocks Godai and Kyoko speechless.
* ComingOfAgeStory: Godai is very clearly a boy at the beginning of the series. As time goes on, he -- slowly but surely -- grows into a (somewhat) mature, responsible man.

* DramaBomb: Chapter 7 of the manga/episode 6 of the anime, where it's revealed that Kyoko [[spoiler: is a widow]].

* ForTheEvulz: In the beginning, this is pretty much the reason why Akemi, Hanae and Yotsuya torment Godai on a regular basis through their frequent binge drinking. Though, later on their motives seem to be more about "If you want us to stop then man up and talk to the Manager!" (not that this justifies it)

* HandsOnApproach: In a scene Mitaka is teaching Kyoko to improve her swing using this approach. When he notes Kyoko is reluctant to stay so close to him, he assures her that his behaviour in the court is downright professional and he would never try to hit on a woman while pretending training her. Kyoko is reassured by this, but [[DeadpanSnarker Mrs. Ichinose]] exceptically notes that he ''still'' is keeping his hand on Kyoko's waist.

* {{Honorifics}}: A strong element in setting the tone of relationships in the series. For example, in most of the series, Godai does not refer to Kyoko as anything but ''Kanrinin-san'', and she does not use his first name, thus keeping a certain distance between the two characters despite their closeness.

* {{Jerkass}}: ''Many'' characters. A huge portion of the supporting cast acts this way, including Yotsuya, Mrs. Ichinose and Akemi -- the three others at ''Ikkoku'', with Kyoko and Godai being among the rare exceptions. Yotsuya tops the list, though, almost treading over the line sometimes with his callousness. Most of the Jerkasses have a [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold few kind moments]], however, and some of them (like Mitaka's Uncle) are genuinely cheerful.

* LastMinuteHookUp: Averted with Mitaka. [[spoiler: Played straight with Kozue and Akemi though.]]

* LostInTranslation: [[spoiler:In the final manga chapter, during Godai and Kyoko's wedding reception, Godai is presenting a speech. He is about to say "Kyoko-san" but stops mid-name. He turns to his wife and says "Kyoko," dropping the honourific. This is omitted from the English translation.]]

** It also covers some characters who don't live there, such as Mitaka, Kozue, Ibuki and Asuna. And Mitaka's name is arguably a bit of {{foreshadowing}} for the ultimate fate of his relationship with Kyoko: [[spoiler: Mitaka's name corresponds to the number 3. Guess which room in Maison Ikkoku remains unoccupied for the entire series.]]

* {{OVA}}: There are three: ''Through the Passing Seasons'', ''Shipwrecked on Ikkoku Island'', and ''Prelude: When the Cherry Blossoms Return in the Spring.''

* PassiveAggressiveKombat: Pretty much how Mikata and Godai communicate. Especially visible in episode 10.
* PetTheDog: Many of the characters such as Yotsuya, Mrs. Ichinose and Ibuki do this every now & then some more than others though.
* PoorCommunicationKills: The source of many misunderstanding of the series. While not as bad as ''ThreesCompany'' or anything, horrible misunderstandings are common. Though at least it's played realistically enough that sometimes things ''are'' explained -- it's just that the situations Godai ends up in are so bizarre that Kyoko disbelieves it anyways.

** Mitaka has enough to go to an expensive resort for the weekend on a whim, whereas Godai barely manages to keep himself stocked with ramen, let alone buy gifts for Kyoko. [[spoiler: By the time Godai and Kyoko actually get together, though, he has a steady job as a preschool teacher.]]

* RomanticFalseLead: [[spoiler: Mitaka]] for Kyoko and [[spoiler: Kozue]] for Godai, both designed as appealing alternatives to the OfficialCouple (and for some, the attempt to make them appealing worked [[RelationshipWritingFumble a little]] [[FanPreferredCouple too well]]). [[spoiler: Ibuki]] is a less-appealing one, both to the audience and to Godai himself.
* RomanticRunnerUp: [[spoiler: Kozue]] is a definite and occasionally {{Lampshaded}} case while [[spoiler: Mitaka]] can be a case of this (but not always).
* {{Ronin}}
* RugbyIsSlaughter: Godai plays rugby with his old high school team- he ends up with two black eyes.

* SickEpisode: Episode 16 has Kyoko spraining her ankle. Godai is terribly worried, but, as happens so often in this series, constantly gets blocked by circumstances, neighbours and Mitaka when he tries to take care of her.

* SilkHidingSteel: Though she's not as [[YamatoNadeshiko traditionally Japanese]] about it, Kyoko is much more independent-minded and tempermental than her sweet, proper demeanor suggests, as Godai soon discovers. Her resolve is probably the only thing that keeps Maison Ikkoku from descending into complete chaos.

* SingleWomanSeeksGoodMan
* SittingOnTheRoof

** On a more traditional note, Mitaka could probably have used some professional help in getting over his fear of dogs, [[spoiler: although he eventually manages well enough on his own]].

* {{Tsundere}}: Tybe B: Kyoko appears nice has a much quicker temper than you'd imagine.
* TwinkleSmile: Mitaka has it and it's seemingly hereditary, as his parents, his uncle, [[spoiler: and even his dog]] share the same trait. Godai's grandmother can pull this off as well.

* TheUnfairSex: While not as blatant as how other RumikoTakahashi shows can be, this show does show some of it. Both Kyoko and Godai have been rather indecisive about which love interest they want to go with -- the former is of course more sympathetically treated than the latter. (Granted the latter has some sympathy, but still)

** Pretty much spelled out in story the first time Mitaka and Godai get drunk together (things repeat in the this story, a LOT). They lay into Kyoko for her jealousy and stringing along and much else, in total agreement with each other. Then she comes to pick them up, and they shut up and take it (and give each other dirty looks for being spineless).

* WhatTheHellHero: Godai very often has fantasies of giving Kyoko a verbal beatdown for her blatant hypocrisy in condemning his relationship with Kozue while ''she'' dates Mitaka, but he never gathers the courage to do it. The closest thing is a very subtle reaction to Kyoko's violent verbal outburst [[spoiler: after she hears about Godai and Akemi leaving a Love Hotel together. This, being after several weeks that Godai goes to her parents apartment pleading to see her and speak with her and getting rebuffed each time. Not to mention Godai takes up ''her'' responsibilities as the manager of Maison Ikkoku in her absence. After all this, despite returning to ''finally'' listen to Godai's side of the story, Kyoko ''again'' assumes the worst of him. She violently insults both Godai and Akemi to the point that Godai temporarily loses his anger and raises a hand to slap her. He stops himself before swinging, but Kyoko continues to verbally abuse him and goads him to smack her. His final response to her insults? He ''lightly taps her on the cheek'', and says in a calm voice, "Please just listen to me."]]
* WhenSheSmiles: In a scene Yusaku reflects that Kyoko is [[{{Tsundere}} short-tempered, jealous, hard to deal with]]... but when she smiles, he feels that the world is his.

* WhyDidItHaveToBeSnakes: [[TheRival Shun Mitaka]] is deathly afraid of dogs, making it harder than it should be for him to make passes at dog owner Kyoko. It also makes things awkward when [[spoiler: it turns out his fiancee Asuna also has loads and loads of them. Later, when he undergoes "training" to overcome his fear, it results in some misunderstandings, and even results in him marrying Asuna, in a very roundabout sort of way.]]

* YankTheDogsChain: Any time Godai seems to come out ahead, he's practically guaranteed to lose it all within the next five minutes. One of the most prominent examples of this would be [[spoiler: when Yagami's father writes Godai a recommendation for a job, only for the company to go bankrupt the day after he's hired.]]

* YouNeedToGetLaid: After one-hundred-forty-nine chapters -containing [[BelligerentSexualTension dozens of fights and annoying misunderstandings]]- [[IdiotHero Yusaku]] and [[{{Tsundere}} Kyoko]] make love for first time. The next days the remainder residents of the boarding house notice that [[http://mangafox.me/manga/maison_ikkoku/c150/5.html Kyoko is in an incredibly good mood]], like if she had got something that she had spent a long time craving for. As they talk about it, they stare at Yusaku suspiciously before saying: "Nah, impossible", "He wishes".