Yusaku Godai (voiced by Jason Gray-Stanford) is a ronin (a post-high school student who has failed his college entrance exams) living in a run-down boarding house called MAISON IKKOKU. Godai attempts to study to retake his college entrance exams but his efforts are constantly thwarted by his eccentric neighbors who often throw parties in his room. Fed up with the lack of progress in his education and with his unhelpful neighbors, Godai attempts to move out only to change his mind once he sees his beautiful new building manager, Kyoko Otanashi (Ellen Kennedy). Godai falls instantly in love with Kyoko and stays at Maison Ikkoku where he attempts to study for his exams, deal with his neighbors, and tries to win Kyoko's heart.