Maison Ikkoku is an absolute masterpiece by the manga queen Yumiko Takahashi and undoubtedly one of the best romance anime ever created.
We understand that it hasn’t aged perfectly, being released in the 1980s, but we believe it’s one of those romantic series that you should at least be familiar with if you’re a fan of the genre.
And those who already know it understand that it’s one of those series that, after watching, leaves you with a desire to discover other similar ones.
That’s precisely why we’ve created a list for you of the best anime like Maison Ikkoku that you can’t miss.
Table of Contents
15. Suzuka
Suzuka is a good romance anime to watch after Maison Ikkoku due to several similarities between the two.
Both series are romance anime with a boarding house as part of their setting and revolve around the theme of losing a loved one, although approached in different ways.
Maison Ikkoku, as you know, handles it in a serious and adult manner, while Suzuka adopts a lighter and more enjoyable atmosphere.
This anime follows Yamato, a high school student who falls in love with the talented track and field athlete, Suzuka.
Despite her initial disapproval of him, Yamato joins the school’s track team to prove his worth to her and show her that he is serious about his feelings.
14. Ai Yori Aoshi
Ai Yori Aoshi has a different plot and premise from Maison Ikkoku, but some elements in its story might give you similar vibes.
First, the protagonists in Ai Yori Aoshi share some personality traits with those in Maison Ikkoku. Also both male main characters in the two series fall in love with their landlord, and both series feature a high level of supportive characters.
The story revolves around Kaoru, the illegitimate son of a powerful family who chooses to run away from home and attend college.
Unbeknownst to him, he was betrothed to Aoi, the daughter of another family, who has spent her life preparing to be the perfect wife for him. Determined not to let Kaoru slip away, Aoi sets out to win his heart.
13. Natsuyuki Rendezvous
Natsuyuki Rendezvous is a mature romance anime that addresses the theme of losing a loved one and overcoming this situation. It also features the trope of a male character falling in love with an older woman.
And these similarities make it perfect for fans of Maison Ikkoku.
Hazuki falls in love at first sight with an older woman who works as a flower girl. Her name is Rokka, and to get closer to her, he decides to get hired as a part-time employee in her store.
But the woman is by no means ready to enter into a relationship, as she is still suffering from the recent loss of her husband.
Also, still conditioned by the grief over the loss, the woman can see the ghost of the man, preventing her from moving on.
12. Rurouni Kenshin
Rurouni Kenshin has a plot and genres that are profoundly different from Maison Ikkoku, but it also shares some important similarities.
Despite being an action anime unlike Maison Ikkoku, we recommend it because both series have a mature love story in their plot and deal with the theme of losing a loved one.
And last but not least, they are both some of the best vintage anime you can find.
If you’re looking for elements similar to Maison Ikkoku in a completely different story for a refreshing change, it might be worth checking out.
Follow the journey of legendary warrior Kenshin Himura as he seeks to protect people from injustice and atone for his violent past actions.
Along the way, he meets his one true love interest, Kaoru Kamiya, and together they embark on thrilling adventures filled with love and conflict.
11. Yawara!
Yawara! is a fantastic vintage romance anime that you’ll surely enjoy if you’re a fan of Maison Ikkoku.
This is because both series share a very similar pacing and art style, and have a well-written love story at the center revolving around a love triangle.
This anime follows the journey of a high school student named Yawara Inokuma who dreams of living a simple life with a boyfriend, but her grandfather has other plans for her.
She wants her to become a famous Judo champion, and despite her attempts to hide her skills, she becomes a star with the help of a sports reporter.
10. Inuyasha
Yep, Inuyasha and Maison Ikkoku are different when it comes to genres, settings, and other aspects, but Inuyasha is still a must-have on this list.
This is because, as many already know, it’s another masterpiece by Rumiko Takahashi, the author of Maison Ikkoku, and for this reason, you simply shouldn’t miss it.
The story follows Kagome, an ordinary eighth-grade student who unexpectedly falls down a well in her home’s garden and is transported 500 years into the past, to the Sengoku era.
In this era, Kagome discovers that she is the reincarnation of Kikyo, a powerful priestess who had the responsibility of protecting the Shikon Jewel, a dangerous object coveted by villains.
Teaming up with Inuyasha, a half-demon with canine-like traits, Kagome embarks on a journey to safeguard the sacred jewel from falling into the wrong hands.
9. Urusei Yatsura
For Urusei Yatsura the same applies as just mentioned for Inuyasha: it’s another immortal masterpiece by Takahashi, so it’s a must-have on this list.
Urusei Yatsura is an even better fit, as it is primarily a romance anime compared to Inuyasha, which has a big focus on action.
It also features excellent Sci-Fi themes, so you definitely should add it to your watchlist.
The story takes place in the quiet town of Tomoboki, which is suddenly disrupted by the arrival of an alien spaceship filled with Oni with a very specific intention: to conquer the planet.
But there’s a way for humanity to save itself: if one person, chosen at random by a computer, can touch the horns of the Oni princess Lum, the planet will be spared. And this task falls to our protagonist, Ataru.
8. Clannad
Clannad, despite having a completely different story from Maison Ikkoku, is recommended because it’s a mature and intense romantic series that might evoke similar vibes to Maison Ikkoku.
If you’re looking for a psychological romance series in this list that can give you chills and the same intense emotions that Maison Ikkoku provided, you should give it a chance.
The story centers around Tomoya Okazaki, a rebellious young man who prefers solitude, and Nagisa Furukawa, a kind-hearted girl who faces academic setbacks due to health issues and struggles to form meaningful connections.
Their encounter sets the stage for a beautiful love story, albeit one filled with numerous obstacles and challenges.
7. Marmalade Boy
Marmalade Boy couldn’t be left out of this list as it’s another icon of vintage romance anime, just like Maison Ikkoku.
It also features a character design and a love triangle that are quite similar, so rest assured that you’ll love it.
The story revolves around Miki, a normal high school girl who loves spending time with her friends and playing tennis.
One day, her parents shock her by announcing that they want to divorce because they fell in love with a couple they met on vacation in Hawaii.
To make matters worse, the couple has a son named Yuu, who Miki can’t get along with. This leads the girl to give him the nickname Marmalade Boy: sweet on the outside but bitter on the inside.
As time passes, Miki and Yuu develop a closer relationship, but when the boy Miki was in love with in the past appears, it throws a wrench into their developing romance.
6. Love Hina
Love Hina is Maison Ikkoku, but in a lighter and more teen-oriented version, without mature themes and with a lot of comedy.
This means it lacks the characteristic depth of Maison Ikkoku, but for that reason, it might be perfect if that’s what you’re looking for.
Keitaro Urashima is a 19-year-old boy desperately trying to get admitted to the prestigious Tokyo College. But not being an ace in his studies, he’s been rejected several times.
To continue pursuing his dream, Keitaro is forced to get a part-time job: he ends up as a janitor in a women’s college dormitory whose female tenants will give him a hard time, especially the beautiful Nasuregawa.
5. The Kawai Complex Guide to Manors and Hostel Behavior
The Kawai Complex Guide to Manors and Hostel Behavior is an anime clearly inspired by Maison Ikkoku, to the extent that, like Love Hina, it can almost be considered a modern version of it.
Romance in a boarding house, comedy, and some serious and even mature moments make it perfect for fans of Maison Ikkoku.
Meet Kazunari Usa, a handsome high school student who moves into the Kawai dormitory, hoping for a peaceful school life.
But things don’t go as planned when he finds himself surrounded by eccentric tenants, ranging from a jobless masochist to a college girl with a split personality.
The dorm is anything but tranquil, but amidst the chaos, Usa finds comfort in Ricchan, a shy, book-loving girl a year older than him.
4. Ranma 1/2
After including Inuyasha and Urusei Yatsura in this list as timeless masterpieces by Rumiko Takahashi like Maison Ikkoku, it was only a matter of time before Ranma 1/2 made an appearance.
We couldn’t be more sincere in recommending you to watch all three of these works after Maison Ikkoku, because they are simply masterpieces of the romance genre.
The story revolves around martial arts expert Ranma Saotome, a martial artist who, due to a curse, transforms into a girl when exposed to cold water.
His engagement with Akane Tendo sets the stage for a series of hilarious misunderstandings and mishaps as they are compelled to live together and navigate their unconventional predicament.
Ranma continues to be an incredible and unparalleled romance anime even today, after 30 years.
3. Honey and Clover
Honey and Clover is an incredibly underrated romance anime that we recommend to you in general, not just if you’re a fan of Maison Ikkoku.
And if you are a fan of the latter you’ll love it even more, as it deals with college love mixed with mature themes like the search for one’s place in the world.
The narrative takes place in a fine arts academy and follows the lives of five students, three girls, and two boys, as they navigate love and the challenges of life.
2. Touch
Touch is a fantastic vintage romance anime from the ’80s that will give you super similar vibes to Maison Ikkoku.
This is because, in addition to having very similar animation styles, Touch features a love triangle and slow pacing that are incredibly similar to those in Maison Ikkoku.
The story revolves around Uesugi Kazuya, a dedicated baseball player, his gifted twin brother Tatsuya, and their childhood friend, Asakura Minami.
The plot thickens when Tatsuya realizes that he’s in love with Minami, the same girl Kazuya has been eyeing since they were kids.
1. Kimagure Orange Road
It was not easy at all to decide which anime deserved the first place on this list, given the high-quality titles we have chosen.
But after some consideration, we realized that no one deserved it more than Kimagure Orange Road, one of the best romance anime ever created along with Maison Ikkoku.
Its slice-of-life mood, vintage vibes, perfect love triangle, and animations that are still enjoyable today make it simply the ultimate anime to watch after Maison Ikkoku, and we’re sure about this.
Kyosuke Kasuga is not an average 16-year-old boy, as he possesses unique ESP powers inherited from his family, which he has promised never to use in public.
Upon moving to a new town, he meets the beautiful Madoka Ayukawa, with whom he develops a special relationship.
But this relationship soon becomes complicated when Hikaru, Madoka’s best friend, falls in love with Kyosuke too.
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