Originally, Kyoko and Godai's romance wasn't going to be the main arc of the story. Rather, comic writer Rumiko Takahashi had planned to conclude the storyline early on and continue with a series of other storylines centering around the building's other occupants. However, the romance storyline proved so popular to fans and Takahashi herself that it became the basis for the entire series in both comic and television form.
The surnames of many of the characters are derived from Japanese numbers: Ichinose - "One/first rapids". Mitaka - "Three hawks", Mitaka is also the name of a wealthy area in Tokyo. Yotsuya = "Four valleys", shares a name with the Yotsuya district, name famous in a Japanese ghost story. Godai = "Five generations". Roppongi = "Six trees", Roppongi is also a famous nightclub district on Tokyo. Nanao = "Seven tails". Yagami = "Eight gods". Kujo = "Nine streets", Kujo may also a play on "Cujo", the Stephen King book.
Coach Mitaka's dog, McEnroe, is named for the tennis star John McEnroe.
In Japan, this TV series began airing at 7:30 PM on every Wednesday. It was combine with Dragon Ball which aired at 7:00 PM.
The English dub, produced by Viz Media and Ocean Studios, was put on hiatus after episode 36, but resumed several years later for the DVD release, resulting in many character recasts.