Watashi no Shiawase na Kekkon

This is an adaptation of a novel, not a light novel, not a manga, not a visual novel, a real novel and it is clear from the very first moment. As such this is bound to be different from the rest in more ways than one, as it is coming from a whole different tradition. Let's try to see in what ways it is different.

Plot: The synopsis does an excellent job at encapsulating the core premise of the Anime. It is exactly as it is observed there, and it takes off from there and goes places. The first two episodes would more or less give ... you that, and then it begins to unfold little by little to take it to where it wants to go. The journey though it seems to be riddled with dangers, will be a happy one, at least that's the vibe with this.

Case in point, as I mentioned it is a novel, as such there'll rarely be any cheap attempts at cracking jokes every few seconds unlike a typical manga or light novel. Also there is rarely any attempt at invoking bathos by the Anime either, if anything there is a strong sense of pathos followed by pure joy.

The mood is often dark and gloomy, which contrasts really well with the small windows of bright and cheery scenes. It may seem like sometimes things are taken too far, but that is due to it sticking to it's time more than what modern times would be. It is always a pleasure when the piece in question enacts well the time it is set in, as the difficulty of emulating history is indeed quite high.

As such it certainly merits our attention that much more.

Characters: The lesser I say about the characters the better, as I firmly believe it'd be better for everyone to make up their own minds about them. Having said that, there is something that must be said. Please don't expect your one note shallow characters prevalent in most of the run of the mill, typical Mangas and light novels. There are multiple layers to each one, and it really shows. Give them a chance to grow, and who knows you might grow to loathe somebody you initially liked, while like somebody you loathed.

Animation: The animation is a huge surprise. Usually these sort of shows don't have much to show for in terms of animation, and are generally average at best as the bulk of the lifting is done by the story and characters. Contrary to that, this particular Anime looks as good as almost anything airing this season. You can tell with a mere cursory look how much care and effort has been put into it. The flow and pacing of the animation is so seamless that at times even the still frames seem as good as the dynamic ones. Kudos to Kinema Citrus for this.

A special note of appreciation for both the Opening and the Ending credit. If anything, my vote for the best opening of the season goes to this one on animation alone. The way it tells a complete story with only the Opening is so, so rare these days. As almost every opening theme baring probably Mushoku Tensei(which is a case by itself) is more or less a jumble of bright, pretty images thrown together without much cohesion or plot or unity to begin with.

Music: The music stands out. It particularly does so not because of something outrageous in the OST, but because of how little it is used. And what little is used, is used so brilliantly well that it fits like a charm. Even silence can be good music, if used appropriately. The OST reminded me of what a good score can do to an already good production. It adds colour to the visuals, compliments the flow of the plot, and makes those points hit even more intensely that are supposed to hit.

Enjoyment: I've been nothing but singing praises of this Anime, and I hope the viewers can see for themselves why this is so. Enjoyment is probably the wrong word to use here, if anything I'm both intrigued and immersed in the Anime, as well as invested. So much so that I went out of my way and bought an actual paperback of the original novel. Hoping this lives up to the high praise offered to it, because it'd be sad to see such a nice gem drizzle away, especially since we hardly get anything like this too often.

Well this certainly is depressing.

I should give fair warning, that if you're coming into this series, without the right frame of mind, it's best to watch this when you can. As it's very feely in terms of really hitting you in the feels with it's good pacing, good writing, and overall atmosphere, that'll make you feel off and sad for a good time after watching such. You'll want to watch a more 'happy' anime after watching this, to make you feel better. Which can only be given as a credit to those behind this. Well done there.

Story and characters: 9
There is a lot to cover ... through it's story, but what highlights it best are the main characters, as we witness either their struggles, or what they go through. A pure example of this is Kiyoka. Showcasing that you don't have to be a usual nice guy, to be a well balanced, and good character. Sometimes being blunt, and honest can go along way. But again, you have that, and the depressing tale of Miyo's whole background, and the many dilemas the other characters face, mix that all in, with story of how the world works, and you've got a solid foundation for success.

Basically, while the story is good, I do feel the so well written characters will really drive the anime home, as it has for me, and it will do the same for you.

Art and sound: 9
I doubt many will pick up on this, but on detail that I really adore when it comes to this series, is how dark it all comes across. Not in the sense of it being night time, but more that it gives off the depressing vibe, thereis no hope, there is no bright future. It's as if we are seeing the world through Miyo's eyes. Eyes that have been beaten down, really destroyed in terms of it's beauty and charm. To which it's not just the art, it's the sound beind it too. It's so well presented, and really makes you feel for Miyo. More so when there were moments of happiness for her, that the scene feels more alive and fresh. Details like that shouldn't go unnoticed, and it's great to see.

Watashi is a good watch, and a very good anime of the season. One to watch for sure.

My Happy Marriage, at the outset, feels like the 1000th remake of Cinderella. It has the evil stepmother, the family abuses the MC, and she gets “saved” by a strong, powerful man. It’s a bit more than that though, as it’s a largely character driven story with the main female character, Saimori Miyo, trying to find her self worth after years and years of people telling how useless she was, as shallow as the reasons were, in that she supposedly lacked the abilities that her family members had. She is married off to a man named Kudou Kiyoka, who was known to be a cold-hearted, ... insensitive man who dismissed his previous fiancées, likely in an attempt to get rid of her and have her suffer more. Obviously, as you would expect, Kiyoka treats Miyo in a way she doesn’t expect, and the relationship builds from there.

Then what makes this anime stand out, if it just feels like another Cinderella story? The first thing would definitely be the visual presentation. The animation overall is very fluid, while being rather simple in its designs. There are great looking action scenes, the character expressions are worthy of praise, and the soundtrack by Evan Call, who worked on Violet Evergarden, complimented it a lot. Virtually no issues from the production side of things. I dare say it might have been one of the best produced shows of the summer season. It has strong attempts at characterization, with directing and symbolism that I really enjoyed, as there was a level of nuance there to develop Miyo and Kiyoka’s relationship throughout the story.

What unfortunately holds it back from being in the upper echelon of shows from this season for me is the shallow writing, especially outside the main duo. In that way, it might feel more like Cinderella, in that the characters are very “fairy-tale” like. They’re evil for the sake of being evil, with malicious intent that goes over the top at times. Sure, there are a lot of political aspects in play especially in this setting, with families all thirsting for power, doing whatever it takes to gain reputation, but some of the actions that the Saimori family took early in the season just felt a bit much, perhaps a bit melodramatic at times.

The supernatural aspects were interesting for sure, and I’m sure will be developed in the future, with the upcoming OVA or perhaps in future instalments of this series if it ever happens, but I felt it somewhat took away from the more grounded relationship with Miyo and Kiyoka. The supernatural parts do give the series more flare and pizzazz, but I question whether all of it was necessary, as especially in the second half, where I felt the lore and the presence of Grotesqueries, besides being haphazardly implemented at points, also limited the time that could have otherwise been spent on developing the romance aspects a bit better, as well as Miyo’s character.

The cast of characters was fine, but besides a couple characters outside the main duo, the rest were forgettable. A lot of scummy characters for sure, and I do see that popping up a lot in shoujo series. Miyo’s character was frustrating at times to watch, but she had some very good developments as well at the climax of the first half, and the aforementioned symbolism really helped with that. Kiyoka I had more interest in, especially in his abilities. I liked how he treated Miyo, and how his attitudes changed towards her throughout. You can basically say that Miyo and Kiyoka bring the best out of each other, as Kiyoka helped Miyo break out of her self-deprecating nature and stand up for herself, while Miyo helped Kiyoka open up more as a person.

My attention was always there when the relationship was being developed, but like I said, outside of that, it was an up and down ride. The first half was very strong and at that point had the potential to be the best anime airing this season, but the second half was markedly weaker in that I felt the romance could have been prioritized a bit more, and the supernatural aspects executed in a more meaningful way. Overall, it was still a high quality anime, but just missed the mark a little bit for me to say it was truly incredible.

Man, I'm totally fall in love with this Anime! Though the story starts with some kinda Cinderella type but guess what. The story turns very unique when the spiritual abilities were showed.

If you are a fan of romantic stuffs then you will definitely like this Anime. Because this Anime is way too romantic. The story is very lovely and sweet.

If you are a fan of fantastical, magical stuffs, there is also a great possibility that you will like this Anime.

Story : 8/10
Art ... : 8/10
Music : 7/10
Characters : 9/10
Enjoyment : 8/10

Overall Rating : 8/10

I don't find any major problem in this Anime that can be mentioned but the first half of the series was better than the second half. Though it was quite good.

This anime is definitely one of best romance anime this season. After such a long time it is really nice to see a romance anime that isn't full of cliches. If you're looking for a romance anime that is isn't high school then this one can be a great option.

Plot
The story kinda feels 'Cinderella' but with Japanese style and super powers. The evil step-mother is a little cliche but it didn't bother me. I wonder how the story line will go especially about super abilities.

Characters
I enjoyed watching Miyo's characters and I can easily say that she is not 'annoying'.
It's true that ... she is very obedient but it's because of beacuse of the abuse she used to have. This anime shows how traumas can affect people in a great way. I don't wanna talk about other characters because it might be spoiler.

Artsyle/Music
The musics are absolutely wonderful not just the opening also the soundtracks are beautiful. Artstyle of this anime is perfect for this anime but the animation could have been a little better.

Overall
In my opinion, this anime really worths a shot especially if you are interested in the topics. I normally don't watch weekly animes right away but this one is different.

The show is placed in a historical time period I'd say is late Meiji/Early Taisho from aesthetics alone but with a bit of a supernatural twist to the time period. Replace daimyo with families that have special powers to represent political power and you got the setting for what's going on as the powers of both are whither away for reasons in both contexts.

Story: I'll be real here it's gonna be a rough ride for all 12 ep. Not in the writing is bad kind of sense but the "oh god we're watching some terrible shit happen to this poor girl" deal. ... Miyo is literally just a pawn in the power grab game and how families will try and get their hands on her no matter what during this transitional phase in an alternate history. The families with stoop to the lowest possible things to try to get her and do you ever feel the boiling hatred every step of the way as you see those short moments of happiness in-between.

Characters: I'll really only speak about Miyo here because the rest would be pretty spoiler. Reina Ueda and the staff directing her acting for this were 10/10. Miyo feels like a character beaten down to her lowest and would accept what she is told to do. It pains me to hear her to speak half the time its so bad.

Art: I really like the art direction but I'm also a sucker for this era of Japan in terms of aesthetics.


I really suggesting giving this show a watch even if it might be painful.

"My Happy Marriage" is one of the greatest gifts this summer season has given us. It's not all about romance or the emotional challenges the characters may face, but it also incorporates supernatural elements, mystery, and even action. While romances typically follow lighter themes, this one delivers an exceptional performance in addressing delicate subjects."My Happy Marriage" portrays and embraces the imperfections of its characters, especially those of Miyo.

What I like most about this story is that, even though from the moment she reunites with Kiyoka, it could have completely ignored Miyo's past and portrayed her as a changed person since she already had her ... future husband's approval, it doesn't hesitate to remind the audience of the impact abuse can have on the victim and that it takes a considerable amount of time to heal. Physical wounds heal at some point, but emotional ones can leave much more painful scars capable of lasting over time.

Its animation, led by Kinema Citrus (Barakamon, Made in Abyss...), is a true marvel, and its soundtrack, composed by Evan Call (Violet Evergarden, Josee, The Tiger and the Fish...), is equally outstanding. I highly encourage you to give it a chance!

Watching *My Happy Marriage* surprised me from its first few minutes, though not quite because of any animation, action, or dialogue that it was uttering. Instead, I was struck by just how quiet the series was, as though it was somehow moving through a garden of gently falling petals and leaves. The show seemed to glide its way through its environment and its colors, almost like it had been residing in the fleeting space that lies between sleep and the moment just before you lose yourself in drowsiness. It’s hard to believe that a series that exudes such gentleness could have its central character be ... so broken, so knocked down by the people ostensibly supposed to love her, and yet still manage to decently pull it off without reading it as too artificial or put-upon as it easily could have been.

In keeping in harmony with the quietness of the surrounding space, Miyo is likewise quiet, though not for the sake of comfort or coziness. Her quiet stems from a neglect so awful that it could be called monstrous at best or beyond repugnant at worst, her self-esteem relentlessly stomped upon time and time again by an unloving sister and parents. They regard her as an undesirable chattel with no supernatural powers of her own, someone whose sense of worth is solely linked to whether she gets jobs done around the house. If she does manage to do so, they’ll find something wrong with what she did – to them, a ragged kimono is already enough of a charity for this Cinderella-esque person. Any small torch within Miyo is cradled by imagery of her mother and her friend Tatsuishi Kouji, and it’s rather clear that the torch he’s carrying for her isn’t so little.

Miyo, as both a product of her unloving home and the time period this material heavily borrows from, is thus framed as a character without a discernible exit. So, when it is announced that she will be married off to Kudo Kiyoka, leader of the supernatural anti-Grotesquerie unit and subject of many unflattering rumors about his past treatment of other fiancées, it seems like it will begin the dawning of another cycle of horrible treatment. Though as we, and Miyo herself, begin to discover, there are aspects of Kudo’s life and personality that the prevailing attitude others have towards him would never reflect. He is like Miyo in that sense, the real self that is whole and self-actualized within the realms of presumptions and forced antagonisms by others. The main difference is that Kudo is already largely assured of himself, while Miyo is not.

Because Miyo is not at that stage yet, every step on her personal journey is full of the mental collisions between her old family’s attitude and continuing presence in her life seeping into her self-perception and trying to be a good wife to not be rejected by her new family. *My Happy Marriage* avoids the pitfall of leaving Miyo’s headspace all tidy and fixed once “the man comes into her life.” Both in his actions and his words, Kudo makes it clear that he is not able to “fix Miyo” and absolve her of all her worries and apprehensions. Instead, he moves more as someone presenting opportunities rather than actively interfering, only stepping in at times which it is wholly warranted, and gently being there for her in listening to her and trying to make himself more presentable.

After all, one cannot expect to undo years upon years of abuse and not have some kind of lingering impact. It is not enough for Miyo to get herself away from the Saimori family, even though that undeniably helps. Miyo has to take those steps of her own volition and under her own willpower, and the journey to that, though long and slow in some not-so-obvious ways, allows us to witness a character transforming before our eyes. And likewise, the relationship between Miyo and Kudo transforms as well – while *My Happy Marriage* is ostensibly about Miyo, the heart of the story lies in both Miyo and Kudo, separately and together, each passively or actively helping the other become the better versions of themselves.

But as their relationship grows, the world they reside in as a couple also begins to grow outwards. As it does so, the mediation between the supernatural and the natural begins to reach a misbalance. Events transpire within the dramaturgy that, within the show’s universe, are undoubtedly significant with heavy gravity, but never seem to have the necessary finesse to land with the punching weight that the earlier drama managed to convey. The new characters and social dimension regrettably move away from Miyo and Kudo’s relationship and introduce several new threads that are meant to weave into a more-beautiful tapestry. The colors and stitching don’t quite rhyme with one another.

With only twelve episodes in its season, many of the ideas introduced through the series, both in its first arc and its later developments, never seem to coalesce into a properly-realized or integrated whole. Kudo’s involvement with the anti-Grotesquerie feels blasé, only becoming vaguely relevant as the need arises, all despite the text itself saying that their duty is too important to keep the city’s way of life secure. Some characterization matters also leave the expanded cast with a worthwhile characterization in theory, though not quite in practice. It moves too quickly, so the ambient warmth that clothed even the earliest episodes’ most-bleak and demoralizing moments can never cling to anything as solidly. In its effort to show how vast its world can be, *My Happy Marriage* had reoriented its emotional center to be less substantial than it was before. It is still present in its bits and pieces, with Hazuki and Yurie in their own dialogues and interactions providing some much-needed perspective, but it feels decidedly more unlyrical when taken in its entirety. It feels less about Miyo and Kudo’s relationship and more about a world in which these two people happen to be important. It lost its gemlike brilliance as it continued, turning its sparkle into something more markedly dulled.

And it’s a shame. The show has a beautiful movement in its walk, creating lovely aesthetic pillows out of its sensitivity to color, light, environments, and the few times that it needs to pull off some semblances of action. When it all aligns, it manages to kindle a soft flame that glows slowly ever-brighter, passing through its sentimentality with warmth and delicate sweetness. With a flame that delicate however, the tiniest breeze can snuff it out. Much like Miyo’s mistaken ideas about how to be a proper wife, the show seemed to have a mistaken idea about how to best orient or prioritize its drama as it continued. It awoke from its dreamlike state and into something where the colder exterior world was intrusively let in.

It appears that, much like Miyo, *My Happy Marriage* wasn’t quite there yet.

Story:
I took my interest in the first episode, it was dramatic, my feelings moved and my tears fell, but after continuing to watch there were some simple problems with writing and narrative.

Music:
The music was beautiful, the opening was quiet and wonderful and the last was ordinary, and the internal music was one of the most beautiful elements that moved my emotions.

Drawing:
The drawing in this work was beautiful, in many respects of characters or environment and places, knowing that I didn't like some but as a whole it didn't have that annoying effect.

Animation:
The studio did an excellent job and I thank him for his efforts and ... good work and I hope they offer the best in the coming works.

Summary:
If you are looking for dramatic and romantic work that moves you some deep feelings of sadness and joy, this work is directed to you dear viewer.

I wish you met your requirements for some details of this work.

This anime is an emotional rollercoaster that keeps you hooked from start to finish, earning a solid 9/10 rating in my book! "Miyo Saimori's Loveless Destiny" tells the heartbreaking tale of a young girl, Miyo, trapped in the shackles of an arranged marriage and an unjust family dynamic.

The story unfolds with Miyo's tragic past, born from a loveless union and neglected in favor of her step-sister with psychic powers, Kaya. Miyo's life takes a sharp turn for the worse after her mother's death, as her father brings in his lover and Kaya, reducing Miyo to the status of a mere servant.

Despite her cruel circumstances, Miyo ... shows remarkable resilience, learning to conceal her pain and comply with every order. It's no surprise that she is forced into an arranged marriage with Kiyoka Kudou, a notorious military captain rumored to have scared away his previous potential wives.

As the story progresses, the anime beautifully explores Miyo's struggle and her fear of what the future might hold. However, what awaits her is a pleasant surprise that defies her expectations. Contrary to the rumors, her new husband, Kiyoka, turns out to be a kind-hearted and understanding individual.

The series masterfully portrays the development of their relationship, as Kiyoka's compassion slowly breaks down the walls around Miyo's heart. What follows is a heartwarming journey of love, understanding, and the joy of finding happiness in the most unexpected places.

The animation and art style complement the narrative, capturing both the emotional depth of the characters and the vivid world they inhabit. The voice acting adds another layer of authenticity, making the characters feel genuinely relatable.

Throughout the series, the themes of resilience, love, and the strength to rise above adversity are beautifully explored, leaving a profound impact on the audience.

While some might find the story's pace a bit slow at times, it ultimately contributes to the depth of character development and emotional connection. "Miyo Saimori's Loveless Destiny" manages to strike a perfect balance between heart-wrenching moments and heartwarming ones, leaving viewers with a sense of fulfillment and hope.

In conclusion, "Miyo Saimori's Loveless Destiny" is a captivating anime that navigates the depths of human emotions and showcases the power of love to heal even the deepest wounds. If you're a fan of heartwarming romance and touching character journeys, this anime is an absolute must-watch!

When trying to describe this series to others, I’d say it’s like a Brontë sister’s novel except set in turn of the century Japan and also there is magic.

To be completely honest I was thrown for a loop in episode 2 when it’s revealed that inherited magic powers are suddenly going to be a major plot point of the show. In a way, it’s a ballsy move to bury the lead so heavily: if you go in completely blind like me—I had the Netflix description to go off of and nothing else—the turn towards the supernatural feels out of left field. It also felt ... a little unnecessary, as I was interested and invested without the artifice of magic ability. I didn’t need some allegory around magical abilities to buy into how seriously matchmaking is taken in high society in this period.

Their decision to put that lore on the back burner, however, makes it clear where the story writer’s priorities are: with the characters and their relationships to each other. Instead of spending 3 minutes on a VO over B-roll explaining that this is early 20th century Japan and noble families have magic powers, they jumped straight into the story of our main character, who she is, and why she is the way she is—trusting that audience will learn about and understand the world through its understanding of the MC’s place in it.

That this series is based on a novel is evident from the introspective narration. Much of the story takes place in flashback and internal monologue. It’s also evident in the pacing. The plot moves quickly through major events and covers large periods of time in the blink of an eye.

Regardless of any critiques, this is a solid and above average show. The animation is beautiful, lush, and not overly reliant on CGI. This is a lovely melancholic romance that is satisfying even as it is chaste. The characters show growth and the story beats feel earned. Also, the opening song is very catchy and has a great key change.

I’d recommend it for fans of romance or slice of life genres. If you enjoy titles such as Fruits Basket, Violet Evergarden, or Emma, I’d recommend giving this show a try.

This is literally the only thing that I'm watching on Netflix right now. I quiet enjoy the story although Miyo is really meek, we can all understand why. I am just upset that I forgot to pay my Netflix subscription last week... lol

I really want to see if she will gain her powers, I'm thinking that she will probably be unstoppable if she does. Her father will regret the day that he treated her so poorly.
I do also love Kiyoka. I thought that he would really be a mean character in the beginning. I was super surprised that he treated Miyo better than ... I expected.
This is really a great story and I was hooked from the beginning.

It's a great anime, surprising that it's from Netflix, the only annoying part is that the Netflix encoding is really bad, with that being said; it's awesome.

The first episode is pretty much a setup to justify the MC behavior through the series, which eventually changes as the characters grows and develop facing hardships that place her at risk of going back to square one.

The story is interesting and it never gets stale, it just progresses naturally as it should, when one of the problems/risks gets resolved, it just progresses to another one, there is no downtime and there is no "time wasted" for the story ... progression.

The protagonist backstory gradually grows more and more as the anime exponentially adds to both the MC backstory and the current "enemy" motives, which means that there is no never a moment when you say "oh look, more of that, great...".

There are definitely depressing that are a bit harder to watch at times, but the anime does reward you with nicer parts creating a good balance, still, it does this without ever getting boring or stale or by wasting time.

The drawing and animations are good, there are some fights scenes and they are well made.

The voice acting is also nice, the MC voice is fantastic.

I didn't really find something I don't enjoy about this anime, but it's definitely not for everyone, if you can't bear watching depressing stuff stay away from it, that's for sure.

Well, this is NOT at all as bad as people are talking about it although it doesn't have a really good plot i agree. But it is kinda healing to watch and lil happy feeling in heart while watching the MCs scene. It is just really relaxing!! Not in a moment i thought it was boring to watch, u may not see it for "super power" thing cause it is not really that intense but it has got some soul refreshing scenes.

Characters are BEAUTIFUL. The Sceneries are BEAUTIFUL. LOVE the voice of the mc girl. Opening and Ending are sooo GOOD!.

I don't think there ... is a reason to not watch it. It is indeed pretty slow but fast things do no good. Would love to see lil more romantic scenes and maybe few good fights for it to go above 8 rating.

Saying it again, DONT watch it for plot or superpower fights or something like that, if you wanna watch something to calm urself down and feel good. You are all set to watch a really beautiful piece of art.

Thankyou for reading! Enjoy <3 (❤️ ω ❤️)

The revitalisation of Shoujo in recent years has been a welcome surprise. Starting with Fruits Basket(2019), we’ve had solid female targeted stories for the past few years now. I think Watakon is easily the second best of the bunch, only behind Fruit’s Basket and is a beautiful and harrowing tale of overcoming abuse, trauma and finding true love.

“What is a family anyway”

At its core, Watakon is a juxtaposition of familial bonds. On one hand, Miyo’s toxic and abusive upbringing and on the other, the patient, accepting and healthy relationship she develops with Kiyoka. The story follows Miyo as she breaks free of the metaphorical ... chains that bind her and learns to live life on her own terms.

This isn’t easy and it takes time. We gradually see Miyo take strides episode after episode. Despite everyone seeing her as a defective product she eventually comes to realise that her worth isn’t tied to a magical ability or her family’s perception of her.

What I love most about the series is its realistic portrayal of PTSD. After years of abuse from her father, step mother and sister, Miyo is understandably extremely timid and introverted. Even speaking her mind and making eye contact are big tasks for her. Dealing with someone who’s suffering from PTSD and anxiety is a very delicate issue and requires a tremendous amount of reassuring, patience and compassion. Fortunately, Kiyoka has an abundance of all of these qualities. Seeing their relationship develop and Miyo begin to open up and accept that she herself has value, regardless of how her family treated her, was a heartwarming experience.

Speaking of her family, I have to give it to the author. Bravo, the Saimori family are easily one of the most dislikable families in fictional history. Kaya is the worst sister I’ve seen in the history of this medium and I could write a dissertation alone on the punishment she deserves. Alas, there are so many scenes in the first half of the show that made me legitimately angry at Miyo’s mistreatment. Seeing such a kind and innocent soul go through the things she does, purely out of vindictiveness and jealousy.. it’s rough. But it is a testament to the emotional connection the author is able to establish between the audience and Miyo. Every hit, every cruel word she endures, it resonates with you. I’ve always subscribed to the notion that if fiction makes you feel this way, it’s done its job. I’m very pleased with how their story arc ended in this show and believe justice was done.

I am a sucker for a well written realistic feeling romance and there aren’t many series that do it better than Watakon. It doesn’t feel rushed, contrived or cliche. In real life, relationships require a lot of work. It’s constantly compromising and trying to see where your partner is coming from. Very few anime ever really get that right. It’s easy to show off the honeymoon and emotional high of being all cutesy with your partner. But it’s a daily grind to build and sustain a “happy marriage” and the author does a great job of conveying it. Obviously, it’s a fantastical story, but I believe the magical elements are analogous to the real life struggles that couples face. Especially those that involves survivors of abuse.

While there’s an incredible romance, Watakon is more than that. There’s actually a really cool magical ability system in the story that acts as the driving force for the primary conflict. In the anime so far it’s not been explained at tremendous depth, but there is quite a bit of potential to the system and I’m looking forward to expanding upon what I know already by reading the books. There’s a main antagonist who looks like he’ll pose a tremendous challenge in terms of overcoming and some other really cool directions the story can go in if a season 2 is confirmed. While I love romance, I also like getting more than just a couple holding hands and being cute all the time. I like a central conflict that’s happening around the main cast while their love acts as a focal point of the story. Watakon has that making it an ideal experience for me.

You’ve probably seen clips talking about how good the animation is and for good reason, it is absolutely stunning in this show. It’s not Kyoani, but it’s very close to that quality. I was absolutely blown away when I first watched this show. Every single scene is screensaver worthy. The colours are all so bright and for lack of a better word, beautiful. There’s not a ton of action in the story, but when there is, the sakuga really delivers.

I could honestly go on and on about Watakon and in fact, I’m sure I will write and create videos on the story in more detail at some point, but the short of it is, this is one of the best written romances I’ve ever seen. One of the best anime of 2023 and a must watch. It combines gorgeous visuals with a compelling and authentic romantic relationship that you can’t help but root for.

Watakon gets the easiest 10 out of 10 of the year.

A good romance with a decent amount of growth shown in the characters.

Happy marriage was a good watch and another good anime produced through netflix again.
The things I liked in the anime was:

The setting, with the show being set in old Japan (can't say which period) from looking at it, it looks early 1900s although there is also the use of magic. And as off putting as that can sound it isn't touched on too much apart from when it comes to families statuses and Kudou's work, but apart from that it takes up about 30% of the anime.

The characters are very well made ... with plenty of depth to them with the focus being on Miyo and why she's extremely introverted and has no confidence at all but ultimately being a very loving person. And Kudou being quite stoic and more focused on being strong whilst making others strong.

The story otherwise starts off paced with a slow ish kind of feel which is fine as it gives you time to comprehend the characters you're introduced to and the setting with it picking up in the second half of the anime where it truly starts introducing the issues which the characters face for the dilemma of the story.

All in all it was a good romance with there being a greenlight for the second season to be made. For anyone who want's a good romance with plenty of character development this is a good one for you.
As it includes alot of traditional love and not what the fatherless women of today try and force down your throats on insta and so on.

Watashi no Shiawase na Kekkon or My Happy Marriage in short is basically the classic story of Cinderella with an anime touch. The story of a girl tormented by her family, who is then saved by her knight in shining Armor, then add in a pinch of Supernatural powers.

Overall the story isn't too complicated and filled with cute moments along with action that isn't at random but compliments the story very well. The main theme of the story is showing how our timid main character Saimori Miyo comes out of her cage for her fiance Kudo Kiyoka and how the latter protects and supports her ... in every way possible. Apart from the MC's, the role of Step mother and Step sister is also very well developed as you can definitely feel the urge to get into the show and take care of the matters yourself 😅.

The show stealer is definitely Ueda Reina, who did a brilliant job in giving voice to the timid soft spoken character of Miyo.

The OP by Riria is something that you definitely can't and shouldn't miss out in each and every episode. It just feels so soothing and gives a glimpse of the story in such a beautiful manner. The ED by Kashitarou Itou is also brilliant.

Kinema Citrus rarely disappoints in the animation dept (Shield Hero S2 doesn't exist) and did a fantastic job in bringing the story to life.

Overall, if you want a really good romance story , you will not be disappointed.

“Let’s just say I came for the story but I stayed for the characters.”

So I’ve wanted to write this review ever since the first episode aired but I thought it might be better to wait but here I am, ready to shed some light on why this anime is so beautiful. I’d have rated it a masterpiece but there are 1-2 small (minor) things which prevented me from doing so. However, it is among my favorite animes and might be my favorite of 2023. I will try to keep it spoiler-free so this review might help people who are wondering whether they should watch it ... or not (not to sound biased but please do – just kidding but maybe you will do anyway after reading my review ;).

Story 8.5/10
As someone who read the manga and is currently reading (up to this point) and having read the first volume of the light novel and part of the second, I went into this knowing a little more about the story and background (I’m going to write a review for the manga too, so I’ll try to keep this separated as good as possible). The anime is a little ahead of the manga but they adapted it very well in my opinion. Sure, there were some details I feel like are more understandable if you have the context from the manga but it’s not like you will be completely confused and they still kept the most important aspects, this was one small point. My only real criticism (and I don’t know if it should count as one, especially not for the anime since it’s just an adaptation) is the fact that I felt (especially towards the end) that the fantasy aspects were a little too heavy. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind that they are included and important to the story and that it exists aside from the romance plot but personally I feel it almost outbalanced the romance (at least to some extent) but like I said – this also goes for the manga and mostly for the light novel so when it comes to this I might be too critical with the anime in that aspect since it just stayed true to the source material and I respect that. The same goes for the political affairs/connections – which once again are important but shouldn’t overshadow other aspects of the story (which kind of happened).

Sorry that was more rant than I expected. But I actually love the setting as well as the plot. It’s a Cinderella story yet different. And I don’t think I’ve seen this a lot in anime, especially not in historical animes. Which is another aspect I really like, it’s taking place during the 19th century and I really like to see Japan during that era. In the anime you can really feel this thanks to the animation and music (but I will get to that a little later). The story/ interactions and maybe even the characters seem to be nothing that has not been done before but in a way that feels refreshing and is simply wholesome (at least during the times without angst and anticipation). There were scenes I really felt cozy and it really felt they brought this story to life in this anime. It never got boring or felt dragged. Actually I feel like I could have watched many more episodes of this (just for interactions with the characters, which leads me to the next point).

Characters 10/10
It might not be a completely new set of characters but for me it worked perfectly (especially in this combination). First of all you have the protagonist Miyo, coming from a well-suited family but growing up like a servant and treated badly. She’s very timid, shy, not outgoing and even lacking self-esteem. But I personally disagree with the comments about her being boring and generic because I don’t think so. Because you can really tell her personality was shaped by her experiences and trauma and as a result she has become this kind of person. Which is clearly shown in her actions and even observed by Kiyoka. It’s not just very relatable but also very realistic. I’ve said this before and I’ll say this again: regardless of which Cinderella story you watch read; what makes this character so strong is the fact that she remains kind and even hopeful despite all her hardships. She is also the kind of person that could seem bland and boring at first but once you get to know her you can see the depth of her character and that she is always trying her best despite all these inner conflicts that remain. Because inner scars don’t heal easily and that takes a lot of strength and even support from others. While at the same time wanting to become a better person, improving, challenging yourself. I’ve felt the character development very strongly in this anime (not just with her). And maybe to some it seems like baby steps and you feel like she still has a long way to go but I think this kind of character is 100 times more relatable and has more depth than someone who’s outstanding at everything and outshines other characters in ways we don’t even ask for (I mean depending on the story it can be nice but given the atmosphere of this story it’s 100% fitting). On top of that you have her struggle of feeling inferior because she grew up thinking she was worthless because she has no power and people kept telling her (and if you hear it over and over again of course you start to believe it). Living in her younger sister’s shadow who treats her horribly. It’s very rare for me to connect so much with a fictional character. With every episode I wanted nothing more for her than happiness.

Then you have Kiyoka, the male main character with a reputation for chasing his former fiances away and having a cold personality but he’s actually different? Well, I won’t go into too much detail since I don’t want to spoil it but with him it’s pretty much similar to Miyo. He doesn’t feel one-dimensional and finally we have a male character who’s simply wholesome. But no, it doesn’t mean he doesn’t make mistakes or that he’s perfect. And that might be one thing I appreciate the most about this story. Because he’s a very talented and gifted character in many aspects but he has flaws too. And he also undergoes a character development that’s clear to see and it warmed my heart. It’s like Miyo and Kiyoka were written for each other. And yes, now you could think that’s for most of the characters involving a romance but unfortunately you might read it but you also have to FEEL it. And I could sense that even in this anime.

When it comes to the supporting characters they might not be as well-developed as the main characters but they still are to some point. I’ve read that some think the “villains” act like that because the story simply requires it but while it’s true that of course their actions are vital for the story to even exist I’d disagree with that statement. Because I don’t think they don’t have their (personal) reasons for acting this way, just that the reasons might not be that understandable, clear or even relatable and you might need to read between the lines. Let’s just take Kaya for example – Miyo’s younger half-sister. She basically grew up getting treated like a princess and like the special one while her mother never hid her contempt for Miyo. Everyone showed her it was alright to treat her sister like crap, that she should feel superior to her. I’m actually surprised it could seem unnatural and no one would act like this if this would have been a real life scenario. Just imagine what would happen if you constantly let someone think they are better than others while treating them like garbage. I wonder if they will treat the person better if no one around them is acting differently. It just proves that our background and the way we are raised does have an impact on our personality and actions. But I believe Kaya is not beyond hope if she could learn how to treat others better and not view herself as the center of the universe. And as much as I hated her actions and what she did to Miyo I kind of feel sorry for her because her parents screwed her up so much. It also shows a very sharp contrast between her and Miyo and I really like the fact Miyo got what Kaya might would have wanted but even without asking for it because Miyo is so humble and kind (she truly deserves it).

Even other characters have more potential for some more depth. That’s why I feel like it might be the best aspect of this story (whether it’s the anime or manga). Let’s just say I came for the story but I stayed for the characters.

Animation 9.5/10

This is yet another aspect I really appreciate, that the animation was so beautiful. You could really see the love for detail and capturing the atmosphere. Not just of the time but even of the story and its characters. I’m usually among those who would pick the manga design over the anime design but in this case I’d say both are equally good for their own reasons. Maybe I’m the only one but watching this I felt like you could dream you are in this place (well, not that it would be a good thing…).

Music 9.5/10

Am I really going to rate the music separately? Yes. Because it absolutely sets the atmosphere and was so perfectly chosen for this anime. From the opening, ending to the OST. Every tune of this anime screams perfection and made you feel the emotions even more strongly.

Voice Acting 10/10
This is something I almost never rate but with this anime I simply HAVE TO because their casting for voice actors is beyond perfect. Because of the anime I discovered Reina Ueda and she is perfect for the role of Miyo. Same with Kiyoka’s voice actor (makes me wonder if they were born to voice them :D). But also all the other characters were a perfect match. I’m not joking. Because I watched some of these episodes with my friend and she preferred English dub over Japanese dub (which is alright too) but I immediately noticed the different effect it had on the anime and the characters and promptly re-watched these episodes in Japanese as soon as possible. It’s perfect. And I highly doubt there will ever be an anime with a much better fitting voice cast (that’s why I have to rate it too this time around).

Overall 9.5/10
It’s hard to say if I could recommend this to just anyone because I feel like you must be into this kind of characters, story and setting in order to enjoy it as much as I did. And I highly doubt my review was objective enough. But if you are a hopeless romantic like me, if you love a beautiful (wholesome) love story where both main characters are a green flag (not because they are perfect but willing to work on their flaws and are willing to openly communicate with each other) I think you will love it. Despite the aspects I mind or think aren’t balanced enough I couldn’t help but set it as one of my favorite animes because this story (anime as well as manga) did something no other anime/manga did for me in a while and I really appreciate it. And I truly hope we will get the secoond season soon because I can't wait (or even more – and please with the same VA cast). It’s also a show you can re-watch many times and which would add to its value. It’s a gem of an anime (and this comes from a person who usually isn’t fond of everything that’s overly-hyped). Maybe you can see for yourself. I hope this review was at least a little helpful (and thank you for reading this far). Have a beautiful day, evening or whatever time it is <3

Cinderella Shonen.

At first glance, My Happy Marriage can be brushed away as another Cinderella old-timey-wimey romantic period drama about an abused young lady who escapes from a life of torture and servitude under her wicked stepmother and her cruel step-sister into an arranged marriage with a man with unsavoury rumours surrounding him and his past finances who turns out to be a much kinder and gentler partner than she feared. Hence the Happy Marriage part.
However, it’s a pretty good Cinderella story. Gorgeous background art and animation, melodramatic writing and direction performed excellently by the Japanese voice actors (I haven't watched the dub) that will ... tug on your old, jaded heartstrings with all the ways the show beats the Cinderella in question, Miyo down and memories of her mother of literally cut and stomped down by all of the assholes around her.

Of course, this wouldn’t be a Cinderella story without magic or in this scenario, superpowers. In this version of old Japan, people are sometimes born with supernatural abilities that could be used to fight evil spirits and ghosts. People born with “the sight” are highly valued which is why Miyo’s father starts doting on her step-sister and and keeps her around as a political marriage bargaining tool.

Honestly, I wish the show wasn’t about superpowers. As cool as it was to watch Miyo’s husband, Kiyoka single-handedly walk into enemy territory and destroy everything and anyone in his path with fire and lightning just so he could rescue Miyo, and as incredible as some of the combat scenes are, this anime is at its best when it's focusing on characters and their relationships rather than Shonen battles with generic evil ghosts that most of the population can't see anyway.

Miyo and Kiyoka’s relationship is slow and methodic. The way they both build their bond with the help of the supporting cast is the most beautiful part of this story. Even the villains get satisfying comeuppance for trying to get between them. Kaya’s cruelty has entered her into the special hall of infamy neckbeard weebs have for cartoon women such as Mami Nanami from Rent-a-Girlfriend and Matly Melromar from Rising of the Shield Hero.

My Happy Marriage is really good. It won’t be everyone's thing and it is a shame the story bogs itself down with cliches that feel like they belong in an average Shonen manga, but the way the show crushes your soul and builds you back up again with the power of love, the ultimate superpower, is truly good and I highly recommend it.

8/10 Great.

My Happy Marriage is a period piece romance set in the Meiji-eta in Japan. The show includes supernatural elements through the existence of “grotesqueries,” which we learn more about as you get further into the series, as well as “gifts” that take the form of various super powers, like control of fire or the ability to manipulate others. After watching the season, the scope of these powers feel as open-ended as other thinks like cursed energy from Jujutsu Kaisen and stand abilities in Jojo’s, so the sky’s the limit. The first episode has no trace of fantasy elements in it, so if you skip the ... synopsis, like I did, you’ll be surprised when they dive into the main cast’s own gifts.

The first episode gives you all the background you need on the story. Miyo is our protagonist who is treated like a servant by her own family and looked down upon by her stepmother and stepsister. One day she finds out her father has arranged a marriage for her and she’s to leave their home immediately to begin a new life. This creates an opportunity for her to live a better life.

Something that becomes apparent within the first couple episodes is that her fiancé, Kudo, is by no means “saving” her. Instead, Miyo has an opportunity to choose how to live her life in her new circumstances. Kudo is first introduced as cold and apathetic of Miyo. Miyo doesn’t necessarily feel empowered in her new life either. Instead, she is a character reconciling with the trauma of her upbringing and her own low self-esteem that her family instilled upon her while introduced to a man who has no prior opinion of her. What results is a beautiful character arc for the main character as we watch her first recognize her own autonomy and worth, then learning to stand up for what she wants and speak out to her family.

The show continues on by adding conflicts external to our couple, caused by her family’s own grievances when they find how happy Miyo is and other elements that develop as we learn more about the various gifts characters have and the power struggle to have clans hold the strongest gifts through political, arranged marriages. These challenges lead to issues that make Miyo second guess her own worth. Through and through, the show continues to challenge Miyo as these problems that felt like were hinted to develop from the beginning of the series get thrown upon her. Both her own growth and her growing intimacy with Kudo feel organic and earned.

Kudo is a wonderful love interest for our protagonist and the story. Kudo anchors us in the supernatural elements of the show and provides an unexpected amount of depth in this fictional world and some action sequences in his work to eliminate grotesqueries. Where as Miyo’s character growth is front and center for our observation, Kudo’s challenges felt subtle and harder to identify. This might be frustrating if you prefer things explained in clear monologues as some anime might use, but I found his own character struggles to be understandable after having some time to digest his role in the story.

The biggest flaw I found while watching this was the story’s turn of events in the last quarter of the season. Some new conflict arises and for me the actions of the main characters felt really difficult to understand. However, the show revisits the motivations of antagonists and adds some retrospective from the main characters that makes it easier to piece together why things escalated the way they did. As mentioned earlier, Kudo may have been the hardest to follow in all these events due to his lack of exposition, but looking back on the season if we confident saying he had a clear line of justifications as he went through this conflict.

For other elements of the show, the visuals and audio won’t disappoint anyone. The characters are drawn beautifully and their faces perfectly convey all the emotions that might come across in a subtle romance story. The soundtrack is subdued and is mainly used to guide the emotions and tensions of the drama and romance that ensues.

I feel confident giving this show a 10/10. As a romance, it delivers the slow burn and organic character development you would expect from the genre. The overarching conflicts and supernatural element keep other challenges in play for the cast and are good if you want to offset the romance with general drama. If you are a fan of the romance genre I think this is a must watch.