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My thoughts on Maison Ikkoku

A nostalgic and enjoyable romcom/drama. The show is dragged out in classic Rumiko style but in return the show sets up creative events which slowly draw the 2 main characters closer to each other.

Godai, a student who falls head over heels and decides to become a dependent adult worthy of Kyoko's love. Whereas Kyoko, a widow who lost her husband, chooses to spend her days taking care of Maison Ikkoku and grows a bond with the inhabitants, especially Godai. The Maison Ikkoku inhabitants are a jolly bunch who love to tease Godai but at heart have the best intentions (sometimes) ... and are sure to be favorites among viewers for playing the biggest role in setting up funny commotions. There's a downside to the countless comedic misunderstandings which cause the characters to come across as dim-witted, but often it does not fail to entertain. The other side characters like Mitaka, Yagami, Sakamoto, Grandma Godai and Kozue knew how to ruffle feathers as well and are memorable characters who helped develop the plot and main characters.

The conclusion of the series could've been better if Kyoko was more proactive in cementing her relationship with Godai during the final dramatic part. The show didn't need to have 96 episodes for all of this to be accomplished but it's a pattern when it comes to Rumiko it appears, looking at series like Urusei Yatsura, Ranma 1/2 and Inuyasha. On the other hand, long show durations tend to make the characters grow on you more if the plot & characters are entertaining enough and Maison Ikkoku executes that well. This is definitely a show I will not forget and I recommend it to people who are looking for an enjoyable but slow-burning retro romcom experience.

Verdict: 7.5/10