My Happy Marriage Season 1 Review – A fantastic romance anime with a lot of heart

Episode Guide

Episode 1: The Meeting -| Review Score – 4.5/5
Episode 2: About My Husband-to-Be   -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 3: Our First Date -| Review Score – 4.5/5
Episode 4: The Gift -| Review Score – 5/5
Episode 5: Ripples  -| Review Score – 4.5/5
Episode 6: Determination and Thunder -| Review Score – 4.5/5
Episode 7: Glamorous Lady of Summer -| Review Score – 4.5/5
Episode 8: Nightmares and Omnious Shadows -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 9: Drowning in Dreams -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 10: Summer Cherry Blossoms, and the Mistake -| Review Score – 4.5/5
Episode 11: My Mother’s Legacy -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 12: Light In The Darkness -| Review Score – 4.5/5

The Summer 2023 anime season dished out many romance, comedy, and action-heavy series for viewers to tune into. From the highly-regarded Jujutsu Kaisen to the out-of-nowhere hit Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead, many questioned if there’d be a series outside of the action spectrum that’d grasp viewers attention. Enter Netflix’s My Happy Marriage, a 12-episode supernatural romance series that left many anime fans in awe on a weekly basis. While it’s not a perfect series, it has the right ingredients to be declared a fantastic gem. 

My Happy Marriage is based on a Japanese light novel written by Akumi Agitogi and illustrated by Tsukiho Tsukioka. The story follows Miyo Saimori, a girl who doesn’t live the best life and is forced to obey her family’s every command. To make matters worse, her family forces her to marry Kiyoka Kudo, a person rumored to be strict and cruel. After seeing his true colors, Miyo learns she’s in for an everlasting marriage that’s more joyful than painful. 

My Happy Marriage can be summed up as an anime variant of the classic Cinderella folktale. With Miyo struggling to survive in an abusive household to the multiple hurdles she had to overcome to secure a nice outcome with her husband-to-be Kiyoka, viewers became more invested in her quest as time went on. Coupled with stimulating bits concerning some supporting cast members and My Happy Marriage’s political and supernatural aspects, the series had everything it needed to be successful.

While its drama, romance, wholesome content, and occasional action segments were fabulous, My Happy Marriage’s plot wasn’t entirely flawless. For instance, there were moments during the plot that were difficult to sit through due to the series’s shaky pacing. For example, in episode two, the staff hopped from one character’s outlook to the other. This technique made it difficult to digest the chapter’s important intel and the pleasing content shared on screen.

The pacing issues weren’t prominent much in follow-up chapters. However, more pacing issues cropped up toward the season’s conclusion, which was hard to overlook. Moreover, the story had some semblance of plot convenience and a retread of previous ideas instead of delivering something new. As for the former, it mainly had to do with how matters got resolved easily and out of the blue at times. For the latter, slight deviations in the villains’ goals and plans would’ve been stellar.

Additionally, some character outcomes weren’t all that satisfying. Many would’ve preferred if certain characters got harsher punishments for their actions toward Miyo or the village. Seeing these situations play out in real time would’ve made matters satisfying too. Kaya’s outcome is a great example of what fans wanted Kanoko, Shinichi, Mikado, and others to experience since she’s likely to undergo a splendid moral transformation. Overall, season one’s story was gripping and set fans up for exciting times ahead.

Although the plot had its share of stellar and debatable moments, the characters were a blast to observe in this series. Kiyoka and Miyo are the series’s best characters by a landslide. My Happy Marriage spent the majority of its plot on developing their relationship. Their bond left viewers worried, speculative and overjoyed the whole way through. On top of giving these two splendid personalities and memorable moments, fans can’t wait to see what the story has in store for them in season two.  

Unfortunately, where Kiyoka and Miyo rise, the others fall to the wayside. Although some served as great roadblocks for Miyo and Kiyoka’s romantic endeavors, many didn’t escape their stereotypical shackles. For instance, many characters felt like they were fulfilling roles and didn’t receive the proper development or screen time necessary to become something more. Hopefully, the next season’s supporting cast or ones that cropped up in this one will get the time in the spotlight they need.

My Happy Marriage’s animation was handled by the talented Japanese animation studio, Kinema Citrus. Considering how much praise they received from their work on Made In Abyss, many long-time My Happy Marriage fanatics had high hopes for this series’s cinematography. Fortunately, the studio exceeded expectations and delivered a marvelously stunning work of art with My Happy Marriage. Everything from the action-packed segments to its comforting scenarios looked pleasing to the eye.

Whether it was Kiyoka and his men fighting Grotesquerie or Miyo displaying sadness or joy toward Kiyoka or any other cast member, fans were greeted with beautiful visuals that captured this series’s beauty exceptionally. On that note, the soundtrack was equally soothing and gripping. From its opening theme to the background music and effects, it all spirals into a captivating experience for the ears. In conclusion, the animation, voice acting, and OST were top-notch and deserve fans’ appraisal.

While Netflix is known for sometimes greenlighting unpolished ideas and works, My Happy Marriage wasn’t one of them. It’s a series many people will enjoy for its riveting drama, romance, action, and slightly thought-provoking content. Although the first season wasn’t a solid home run, it did everything in its power to give fans a compelling anime to sit through on a weekly basis. Although Kiyoka and Miyo’s journey together had its harsh roadblocks, this is a must-watch tale of matrimony worth experiencing.

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