The BEST episodes of Maison Ikkoku
Every episode of Maison Ikkoku ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Maison Ikkoku!
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.
#1 - Way to Go, Godai! The First Date with Kyoko
Season 1 - Episode 14 - Aired 6/25/1986
Godai finally gets the courage to ask Kyoko on a date, but with this being the anniversary of her moving to Maison Ikkoku, Kyoko considers it as only a friendly gesture. But things quickly fall apart as Godai and Kyoko go to different restaurants to wait for each other. Godai ends up in the proper place waiting hours for Kyoko to finally realize her mistake. Once they meet up with each other, she's very apologetic, and Godai is only too happy to take advantage of her feeling sorry for him. And even though Kyoko is willing to let him go a bit further than usual, Godai's luck runs out when he tries to steal a kiss.
#2 - Kentaro's First Love! What's Age Got to Do With It?
Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired 6/4/1986
Kentaro's time with Ikuko at the beach has developed into a crush on his part. Now everytime Ikuko comes over to study with Godai, he finds a reason to study alongside them. When Kyoko realizes this, she decides to cook them a dinner in hopes of helping Kentaro get to know Ikuko better, but once Godai is invited, the sparks between he and Kyoko seem to overtake those of the children.
#3 - Godai's Panic! The Cat Who Came to Ikkoku.
Season 1 - Episode 21 - Aired 8/13/1986
Godai and Sakamoto go out drinking with friends and Sakamoto gets Godai completely drunk. While he's in his druken stupor Sakamoto asks Godai to take care of his new pet cat while he goes out of town, and when Godai learns its name is Kyoko he happily agrees. The next morning, Godai wakes up in Sakamoto's apartment and doesn't remember a thing. After some convincing, Godai reluctantly agrees to take care of Sakamoto's cat, but is worried because he thinks Ikkoku has a no-pets policy. He manages to sneak the kitten into Maison Ikkoku, but his troubles begin right away when the cat uses the bathroom on his futon. As he screams her name in anger, the manager runs to his room to see why he was calling her. Before long the other tenants find out about Kyoko-chan. The kitten and Godai quickly bond and the other tenants manage to keep it a secret from the Manager while its staying with Godai, but once the cat goes missing Kyoko finds out and has to help him find her.
#4 - Godai the Gigolo...? Are You Going to Get That, or Shall I?
Season 1 - Episode 13 - Aired 6/18/1986
As Godai attends his classes, he notices a mysterious dark-haired woman following him around campus. Letting his imagination run wild, he assumes she must be infatuated with him. Once she finally confronts him, Godai learns that her name is Sayoko Kuroki and that she wants him to join the Puppet Theater Club. When the (mostly female) club members start calling at all hours of the night asking for Godai, Kyoko gets the wrong idea about Godai's new female friends and has a payphone installed.
#5 - One Entangled Evening! I Thought You Said You Loved Me!?
Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired 6/11/1986
Godai decides its finally time to ask Kyoko out for a movie date, but when he arrives at Maison Ikkoku, he finds Kyoko heading out for a night at the opera with Mitaka. Feeling extremely put out, Godai runs into a former co-worker named Kozue Nanao, who he ends up taking out in Kyoko's place. Things really heat up when Mitaka's car breaks down and Godai and Kozue run into Mitaka and Kyoko. The rest of Kyoko's evening is spent angrily thinking about Godai's supposed two-timing, while Mitaka tries to let Kyoko know how he feels about her.
#6 - Godai's Out of It! Kyoko's on the Rampage
Season 1 - Episode 26 - Aired 9/17/1986
Kyoko visits an old high school friend and her new baby for lunch. The topic of conversation centers on how much Kyoko wishes she had had a baby with Soichiro before he died. Her friend tells her how much harder it would be for her to get remarried if that happened, and Kyoko says she isn't very interested in getting married. As she goes back to Ikkoku, Kyoko begins to weigh her options. She realizes that she would like to have a baby before she hits thirty, and that with Godai she would have to wait a few years, but Mitaka and she could get started right away. Ichinose visits her and tells her that Godai is cleaning his room for Kozue, who is making her first official visit today. Kyoko becomes jealous when she hears this, even though Mrs. Ichinose says Godai didn't brag about the visit, she just overheard him on the telephone. As Kozue arrives, Godai tries to sneak her in, but Mrs. Ichinose catches them, and makes sure she gets Godai to say how jealous Kyoko can be while Kyoko is lis
#7 - Kyoko's Ticking Time Bomb! Godai's Extended Absence
Season 1 - Episode 20 - Aired 8/6/1986
Godai takes a late vacation over Winter break to visit his family in Niigata. While he's there he plays rugby with his old high school team and gets a black eye. Since he's so embarrassed about his appearance, he delays coming back until his eye heals. Kyoko gets worried and starts wondering why Godai isn't coming home. While making a delivery for his parents restaurant, Godai crashes into a telephone poll and gets a second black eye. His family refuses to let him stay with them any longer and he heads back to Tokyo. Once he gets home, an angry Kyoko chastises him for not calling but can only laugh once she sees his face.
#8 - As Long as This Love Lasts! Ikkoku-kan is Forever...!!
Season 4 - Episode 20 - Aired 3/3/1988
With their wedding fast approaching Kyoko and Godai are both cleaning out their rooms in preparation for moving in together. Kyoko finds an old box of Soichiro's personal items and Akemi and Mrs. Ichinose share it with Godai. Kyoko is embarrassed but Godai smiles politely and admits he has never seen a picture of Kyoko's late husband before and that he looks like a very kind man. That night both Kyoko and he are thinking about Soichiro. Kyoko decides that she is going to return Soichiro's belongings to his father, and Godai begins to wonder if he can measure up to the memory of her beloved first husband. The next day, Kyoko visits Soichiro's grave to pay her final respects and finds Godai there, praying. Yusaku tells Soichiro that he hopes to have his blessing for their marriage. Kyoko is moved to tears, and the couple stand before Soichiro's graves holding hands, ready to move ahead with their new life together. No one can contain their excitement as Yusaku and Kyoko's wedding day has arrived. Everyone comes to pay their respects and to get a look at the happy couple. Kyoko is beautiful in her wedding dress, and both Mr. Chigusa and Mr. Otonashi are in tears just from looking at her. Ikuko and Kentaro meet again after not seeing each other for a long time, and Sakamoto even cuts out of work to attend. Later at the reception Mitaka and Asuna arrive after a visit to the hospital. Asuna is very pregnant, and she and Shun are extremely happy together. Godai gives a speech thanking everyone for taking care of him all these years and asks for their continued support. The story flashes forward as Yusaku reveals the fates of Kozue, Ibuki, Shun and Asuna, Master and Akemi. Finally everyone arrives back at Maison Ikkoku anxiously awaiting Yusaku and Kyoko's return from the hospital. As the taxi pulls up the happy couple steps out with their new baby, Haruka. Everyone welcomes her to her new home as the series ends.
#9 - The Play's the Thing, Not the Playing Around! The Show Must Go On!
Season 1 - Episode 15 - Aired 7/2/1986
A campus festival brings Kyoko to Godai's college, in tow are the rest of the tenants hoping to have a bit of fun at Godai's expense. When a sudden departure from Godai's Puppet Club brings Kyoko into a staring role, will Godai's feelings get the best of him and ruin the play?
#10 - In this Corner: Godai vs. Mitaka! The Clash of the Proposals
Season 1 - Episode 25 - Aired 9/9/1986
As Godai watches Kyoko play tennis, Mrs. Ichinose tells him that things won't always stay the same. She mentions that Kyoko quit being their Manager this year and almost quit being an Otonashi altogether. Mitaka walks over and asks what the two are talking about, saying that he can tell just by looking at Kyoko that something is wrong with her. Soon, the entire Tennis Club is over at the fence talking about Kyoko, who finishes her workout and goes over to see what all the comotion is about. As the group covers up their discussion Godai is invited to play tennis with Kyoko in a mixed-doubles match against Mitaka and Ichinose. During the course of the match Mrs. Ichinose tells Mitaka about the recent goings-on at Maison Ikkoku and how Kyoko's family is pressuring her to remarry. Mitaka immediately takes this chance to tell Kyoko that he agree's with her family and that he would like her to be his partner for life, which Kyoko takes to mean his professional tennis partner. The next day, K
#11 - Sympathy Scramble! If I Should Stumble
Season 1 - Episode 16 - Aired 7/9/1986
Kyoko twists her ankle while playing tennis and both Mitaka and Godai blame themselves. The other tenants can't help but feel sorry for their injured Manager, and everyone seems to think the only thing that will make her feel better is food! But how many courses will it take before the Kyoko makes herself sick?
#12 - Kyoko's Brush with Danger! Mother's Nefarious Plot
Season 1 - Episode 23 - Aired 8/27/1986
The tenants are shocked as Kyoko's mother tells them that Kyoko will no longer be the Manager of Maison Ikkoku. As soon as she walks out the door the movers rush in to pack up her room. Mrs. Ichinose goes into a rage after Yotsuya mentions that the previous manager also left this way. She doesn't believe that Kyoko could be anything like him, and that she always thought they were like an extended family. She continues screaming about how betrayed she feels when Godai collapses to the floor and begins crying uncontrollably. Ichinose hauls Godai down to ChaChaMaru so they can get drunk and tell Akemi what happened. Yotsuya stays behind in Kyoko's room to reflect on the recent events. A few minutes later, Kyoko arrives, running late from grocery shopping and is shocked to find her room completely empty and Yotsuya standing in the middle. Yotsuya tells her that her mother came and quit for her, then had her furniture moved to their house. Kyoko becomes furious and rushes to find her mother
#13 - The Mysterious Tennis Coach is the Rival of Love
Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 5/21/1986
Mrs. Ichinose decides that Kyoko's been much to glum lately with worrying about Godai's confession and her always looming regret over Soichiro's death, so she signs them both up for tennis lessons. The neighbors confide that the tennis coach is someone they'd have no problem leaving their husbands for. The tennis coach, Shun Mitaka, upon meeting Kyoko instantly becomes enamoured with her, and little does Kyoko know, but Mitaka will become the man she'll come to depend on quite a bit over the next few years, and after Godai's recent antics, she has no problem accepting his friendly overtones.
#14 - Underwater battle. Suspicious kiss mark on Godai
Season 3 - Episode 17 - Aired 8/5/1987
When the gang goes to a hotel resort, Godai must explain to everyone (including Kyoko) how he got a mysterious kiss mark on his shoulder.
#15 - Hearts on Fire in the Dark! All Alone with Kyoko
Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 4/9/1986
With his entrance exams bearing down on him, Godai just can't seem to focus. Kyoko decides its up to her to stop the other tenants from interrupting his studies, but what she doesn't know is that Godai's thoughts slip everytime she's in the room. And just as things are about to settle down...the power goes out. Kyoko's determined to fix the problem and Godai offers his help, but is he really trying to be a good tenant, or does he want Kyoko all alone in the attic?
#16 - Kyoko's Gift! What, You Mean it's For Me?
Season 1 - Episode 18 - Aired 7/23/1986
With Christmas just around the corner, Godai has to decide what he's going to get for Kyoko this year. He spends all his money on a set of earrings for her, but Kozue spots the present over lunch and assumes its for her. Godai has no choice but to give it to her as he had totally forgotten to buy anything for Kozue. Seeing Kozue so happy cheers Godai up a bit, and she did give him a hat that he really liked, so he tries not to think about the fact that he now has nothing to give to Kyoko. After laying on the floor for a bit, Godai remembers that he never gave Kyoko the present he bought her last year and goes on an all night search of his room trying to find it. The next day, Godai gives Kyoko her brooch, and she gives him a scarf. Godai is completely surprised and overjoyed at this, until he finds out Kyoko gave everyone a scarf (including Mitaka) to thank them for helping her when she was sick.
#17 - Scandal at Ikkoku! Godai's...SHACKING UP!?
Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/22/1986
Kyoko learns that Godai is living with a woman, and thinks that this is the real reason he left. Godai comes back to the apartment and learns that the Yakuza has pawned all his belongings so that he can have money to gamble. After they refuse to move out, Godai hits the streets in hopes of finding a friend he can stay with. He calls Maison Ikkoku, but a dejected Kyoko lies and tells him all the rooms are full. After walking around all night and not finding a place to sleep, he begins to get really sick. Finally stumbling his way back to Maison Ikkoku, the other tenants see him and chance after him, Kyoko finally grabs him and tells him to come home.
#18 - Godai's Unspeakable Declaration! If You're Going to Do It,Do It!
Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 5/14/1986
Celebrating their arrival into college life, Godai and Sakamoto go out drinking. Feeling depressed about his situation with Kyoko, Godai confides in Sakamoto, who recommends a bit of liquid courage to help Godai tell Kyoko how he feels. Once they arrive back at Maison Ikkoku, Godai not only tells Kyoko how he feels, but the entire neighborhood as well. After his announcement, he marches off to his room with Kyoko in his arms, seemingly ready for a night of passion!
#19 - Sorry To Keep You Waiting! I'm Kyoko Otonashi!
Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 3/26/1986
Yusaku Godai is fed-up with life as a ronin and his horrible housemates, namely loud and brash Mrs. Ichinose, her bratty son Kentaro, sexy Akemi Roppongi, and the mysterious Yotsuya. As he finally packs his bags and heads for the door he meets Maison Ikkoku's new manager...Kyoko Otonashi. Its love at first sight for Godai, so he toughs it out in order to get to meet the gorgeous new manager a bit better.
#20 - Soichiro Gone!? Yakitori Memories
Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/24/1986
Kentaro offers to walk Soichiro for Kyoko, but ends up losing him. Kyoko tries her best to reassure Kentaro that Soichiro will find his way home, but in reality she is terrified of never seeing him again. She remembers the day that she and her husband first brought Soichiro home, and how he wouldn't answer to any other name. All the tenants do their best to find the missing dog, and after many false hopes, begin to give up. Finally, Godai finds him at the house of a family a few blocks away and returns him to a greatful and shocked Kyoko.
#21 - What!? Kyoko Married!? Godai's Tearful Goodbye
Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/15/1986
Rumors of a wedding between Mitaka and Kyoko are flying, leaving the tenants depressed that they've been kept in the dark. Godai finally decides to confront Kyoko, but a passing train leaves out a key detail, its Mitaka's Sister who is getting married, not Mitaka and Kyoko. A tearful Godai quickly packs up all his things and moves out of Maison Ikkoku before Kyoko can stop him. He finds a new apartment above Galaxy Pachinko and is shocked to find an incredibly sexy girl named Ayako already living there. He finally decides that it won't be too bad living with her until she can find a new place, that is until her Yakuza boyfriend shows up and makes this comfy couple into a terrible three-some. Kyoko is of course too proud to find Godai and tell him what's really going on, but even if she wanted to she couldn't, that is until the movers arrive for Godai's furniture. Getting the address from them, Kyoko visits Godai's new apartment to deliver a package, but instead finds only a half-dresse
#22 - Unrequited love! Godai and Kyoko, it's over today?
Season 4 - Episode 13 - Aired 1/13/1988
Kyoko is in shock after seeing Kozue kiss Godai. Goida returns to Ikkoku-kan after his exams are over. Before he leaves, the manager of the cabaret warns him that he's not good enough to handle two women at the same time. Godai has no idea why Kyoko seems to be mad at him. Kozue calls to ask Godai out for lunch. There, he finds out that another man proposed to her, but she doesn't know what Godai's feelings are. He tells her that when he graduates, he wants to propose to a lady (Kyoko) but Kozue misinterprets this to be her and decides to turn the other guy down. He walks home stunned. He explains what happened to Kyoko after she brings up the kiss and realizes how stupid he was. Surprising Godai, she kisses him. Godai tries to figure out how to tell Kozue the truth, but before he could, she barges into a New year's Party and cries out that Godai proposed to him. Kyoko's furious, slaps him, and then tells Godai to move out. He refuses. Kyoko decides to move out.
#23 - Alright! In the Bath with Kyoko! Just the Two in an Open Bath
Season 3 - Episode 10 - Aired 6/17/1987
Kyoko is on the bus headed towards the next stop on her trip. Godai on the other hand is stopped on the side of the road since his taxi broke down. When Godai finally catches up with the bus, he finds out Kyoko changed plans and got off earlier near the hot spring resorts. Godai gets a ride there and begins searching all the inns one by one. He just misses her right before she checks at an inn by the seaside. Kyoko phones Ikkoku-kan. Ichinose tells her that the plumbing is being fixed but everyone's fine, including Godai. Only after she hangs up do the tenants realize that Godai's not home. Kyoko is disappointed since she thinks all those glimpses of Godai she's seen and heard on the trip were just her imagination. As for Godai, by evening he's had no luck so he checks into an inn for the night. Feeling that he's failed, he goes to try out the open air hot spring bath. Shortly after Kyoko is in her room bored out of her mind. With nothing else to do she goes to soak in the hot springs.
#24 - Alright! Godai-kun's courageous proposal!
Season 4 - Episode 18 - Aired 2/17/1988
Kyoko goes to visit her sick father, and finds that he's very ill. At the Acorn Daycare Godai listen to his co-workers discussing marriage and decides he'd best begin to think about how he will propose to Kyoko. Kyoko has been wondering the same thing herself and keeps waiting and waiting for Godai to get around to asking. Her father is deadset against Kyoko getting married again and suddenly disappears from his sickbed in an attempt to do something about it. Kyoko calls Godai at the daycare to get him to look out for Mr. Chigusa should he show up, but later that night Godai is at the Bunny Cabaret and there is still no sign of him. That night just so happens to be Godai's last night at the cabaret and as he is giving the children presents that he's made for them, Mr. Chigusa arrives and promptly passes out. After waking up and having a few drinks with Godai's co-workers at his going-away party, Mr. Chigusa passes out drunk. As they walk back to Kyoko's parents house, Godai decides now is the time to propose to Kyoko. He asks her to marry him and she stops in her tracks and asks him to promise her just one thing; that he will outlive her. After losing Soichiro she knows she can't go through being alone again. Godai swears, and Mr. Chigusa wakes up and tells Kyoko that even if something happened she could always come back home, that she'll never be alone. Kyoko cries and hugs Godai and her father.
#25 - Overpowered by Love! The Grandma Yukari Gold Tooth Gauntlet!
Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/12/1986
Godai wakes up to rustling noise in his room, when he demands Yotsuya stop it, he opens his eyes to see his Grandmother. To his surprise, he was supposed to pick her up, but totally forgot. She wastes no time in scolding him, and embarassing him in front of Kyoko. When she learns from the Manager that Godai has a girlfriend, she insists upon meeting her. Godai takes her to meet Kozue the next day, and they all make a nice day out of it. Grandma pressures him into asking Kozue to marry, much to Godai's horror, but he gets out of it. When they arrive back at Maison Ikkoku, she demands that Godai choose between Kozue or Kyoko. Godai refuses to discuss it with her, until the other tenants arrive and begin to party. The next day, Grandma Yukari learns about Kyoko's friendship with Mitaka and insists upon meeting him. And so, Yukari attends Kyoko and Mrs. Ichinose's regular tennis class and meets Shun. At first he thinks she must be Kyoko's grandmother, and quickly realizes his charms have n