Maison Ikkoku has its fair share of ups and downs in the development of Yusaku and Godai's characters, but let us focus on what the series does right. For the most part, the series does a pretty solid job with developing its major characters and exploring their developments throughout the span of the series. With Maison Ikkoku passing over a period of 4 years throughout its 96-episode run, the characters undergo varying degrees of growth and development with Godai eventually enrolling into college and determining his career path and Kyouko growing conflicted over her feelings for Godai as she is still melancholy over the loss of her husband. Life doesn't always go the way that others would like and this is reflected through the challenges that Godai and Kyouko face as they determine what both would like best for one another. Supporting characters also get their focus as we see the apartment tenants, Godai and Kyouko's family members, and the suitors for both have their likeable traits that the series takes time to exploring at points when the spotlight isn't on our main pairing.
This said, the series did have its issues for me. Outside of Godai and Kyouko, the remaining apartment tenants are mostly defined with their obsession to have drinking parties and tormenting Godai, which can make their characters seem selfish and obnoxious at a number of points in the series. A later character introduced in the series, schoolgirl Ibuki Yagami, also has her issues with her obsessive crush on Godai pushing her to commit to stalker-like behavior that made her actions seem more selfish and self-absorbed in spite of her concerns for him. Also, the series relies on creating misunderstandings for drama a wee bit much at points, especially in regards to Godai getting into enough predicaments that are misunderstood by Kyouko and the other apartment tenants.
Still in spite of the title's age, Maison Ikkoku is still one of Rumiko Takahashi's better works in exploring the developments of Godai and Kyouko's relationship, while overcoming the daily ordeals of their lives and the romantic shenanigans they face with their admirers. While I find it to be somewhat overhyped by old-school anime fans after finally seeing the full series in all its glory, it is still a solid recommendation if you are able to get your hands on the series.
