Ronin
Japanese Living

Ronin was a term originally applied to free-roaming samurai warriors without a master and consequently without statusu. Today it refers to high-school graduates who have failed their university entrance exams. Ronin cram for a year or even two or three in an attempt to gain entrance at their next attempt.

Relevance to Maison Ikkoku

The hero of our story, Yusaku Godai, is of course, a ronin when our tale begins.