Two genius scientists, Enji Kamisato and Suzume Yobane, create an advanced autonomous android named Alma. Designed as a learning combat weapon, Alma immediately identifies her creators not as colleagues but as her parents. To solidify this new family unit, she uses her hacking abilities to illegally alter the Japanese marriage registry, officially binding the reluctant and bickering duo as husband and wife. The story follows the comedic and heartwarming forced cohabitation of this unconventional family as the socially awkward scientists must navigate sudden parenthood and their unresolved romantic tension while their robot daughter desperately tries to learn what it means to be human.

The main protagonist is Alma (model ALM-01P), a cheerful and literal-minded robot with immense destructive power who hides her robotic headpieces under a hat when attending elementary school. Enji Kamisato, the AI physics expert, is a competitive genius with a weak tolerance for women, while Suzume Yobane, the robotics prodigy, appears cool but is emotionally erratic and a terrible cook. They live in a standard Japanese town where they must keep Alma’s true nature a secret from neighbors. The supporting cast expands to include Enji’s airheaded sister Toki, Alma’s first human friend Hana Yashiki, a rival robot named Machina built by Suzume’s junior colleague Tokoyo Omoikane, and the wealthy heiress Neon Wozniak who seeks to weaponize Alma.

Notable narrative arcs include Alma’s integration into human society, such as her first disastrous day of school and attempts to help a lost foreigner using her translation skills. A significant arc involves the introduction of Machina, a clumsy rival unit who challenges Alma to a duel, leading to an absurd adventure where the two robots accidentally bike all the way to the moon. The sequel series, Alma-chan Wants to Be a Family! Z, continues the story following the original manga's conclusion in 2024.