Maison Ikkoku is a comedic Rumiko Takahashi manga about a slow burn romance between the serial entrance-test-failing ronin Yusaku Godai and the young widow Otonashi Kyoko, who happens to be the acting landlady of Godai’s apartment. Kyoko’s dog, Soichiro, shares a name with her deceased husband. The comedy is derived from the antics of the other eccentric residents of the apartment and misunder-standings between Kyoko and Godai about other potential rivals and suitors. Ikkoku was adapted into a 96-episode anime, an animated finale movie, 3 live-action movies, and several OVAs.

Maison Ikkoku’s setting is based on Higashi-Kurume, towards the outer edge of the Tokyo metro. Shun’s tennis court seems to be based on Cesame Tennis School. The apartment building itself has not been found, and if it was based on a specific real source, the original is likely no longer standing.