Maison Ikkoku

Overview

Maison Ikkoku began as a manga created by renowned manga artist Rumiko Takahashi, the creator of works including Urusei Yatsura, Ranma 1/2, and Inuyasha.  It was later adapted into an anime TV series and a number of video games.  The story focuses on Yusaku Godai, a twenty-year-old ronin living in the townhouse Maison Ikkoku while he studies for his college entrance exams.  Driven to the end of is rope by his lunatic neighbors, he is on the verge of moving out when he meets Kyoko Otonashi, the new landlady, and in his smitten state decides to stay.
 
The rest of the story focuses on Yusaku as he tries to win Kyoko's affections and overcome obstacles ranging from Kyoko's parents, to rival suitors, to his own hesitation in courting Kyoko, who is in fact a widow despite her young age.  Supposedly, Maison Ikkoku was originally conceived as an anthology piece; a collection of stories with each focusing on a different resident of the townhouse.  However, Yusaku and Kyoko's story proved to be so popular that it became the primary focus of the narrative and the anthology concept was left unused.