Yusaku Godai, a broke ronin studying for university entrance exams, is ready to flee the rowdy Maison Ikkoku boarding house and its meddling tenants when Kyoko Otonashi arrives as its new live-in manager. He falls for her on the spot and decides to stay, only to learn that the gentle Kyoko is a young widow still grieving her late husband. Around the two, residents like the voyeur Yotsuya, the brazen Akemi and the gossiping Mrs. Ichinose keep their slow-burn romance off balance.