Watashi no Shiawase na Kekkon

I actually liked this anime a lot more than I thought I would. It’s one of those 12-13 episode having series that plays with your heart and makes you feel empty because you finished it. I thought the art was really pretty and the gift having concepts was actually pretty cool. I thought it would be like a slice of life typical romance, however there was action in it as well. The main character has been through so much with her family and it’s really nice seeing her able to be rebuild as a human that can be allowed to feel more than just sadness. ... It was simply a beautiful anime that was very sweet.

I will start this analysis by highlighting the great audiovisual work done by Kinema Citrus and that was what guaranteed this anime's good rating.

Regarding the story, it suffers greatly from Manichaean exaggerations and poor dosage of time and focus on relevant events and that was basically what generated a certain dissatisfaction on my part with the anime. In the final episodes, in which the anime had its climax, I couldn't engage enough to be interested in what was happening because everything seemed so rushed and disconnected. And this gets worse when I remember that the anime spent some episodes with a completely beaten and Manichaean ... plot at the beginning. The episode construction, finally, became something very predictable.

On the other hand, the great potential this anime has is clear. An interesting worldbuilding, with a lot of things to discuss, good chemistry between the main couple (which is extremely important since the main focus here is romance) and, as I highlighted, great audiovisual quality.

If the script is right for the next season, we will have a great anime.

Finally, I recommend My Happy Marriage even though I have a lot of considerations, after all, nothing prevents what I didn't like from being a positive point in your perspective. And there is potential.

This anime has two things going for it, but it does those two things so well that anything that isn't done as well in the show is easily forgiven.

First, the production of this show is fantastic. The animation and soundtrack are both incredibly smooth. Obviously production isn't everything in a show, but having a show that is pleasant to watch is important so I feel it deserves fair recognition.

More importantly than that, is the key aspect of this shows writing. The romance in this show is not its strong point, rather, it's the character development of the main character Miyo. This show is a ... story of self acceptance, and it also happens to be a romance. For anyone who has suffered from depression and self loathing in their lives, Miyo is an extremely relatable character. Watching her suffer and then try to move on is not only very touching and emotional, it is also very cathartic. Miyo's journey of self love is where this show truly shines. The writing for the romance is fine, if a bit heavy on tropes. The side characters are very much one dimensional, but again, the way that Miyo's character was written, in my opinion, outweighs the shows faults and makes it very enjoyable to watch.

READING TIME
1.5 – 2 minutes

INTRODUCTION
My Happy Marriage is the only Summer 2023 anime that I am so hooked by that I am watching on a weekly basis. This show delivers strong, if not sentimental, character writing, beautiful production, a great OP, and plenty of plot depth to attract those who are not solely interested in the romance genre.

WHY YOU MAY ENJOY MY HAPPY MARRIAGE
The compositing and backgrounds are all excellent. Most people will point out the spectacular focus on main female character Miyo’s eyes, but the detail put into the towns, homes, workplaces, and dream sequences are all noteworthy. Quite unexpectedly from this series ... are some actions sequences that, frankly, are unexpectedly impressive and very relevant for the story overall. The OP is passionate, colorful, memorable, and sets a good sentimental tone for the series.

Story-wise, the romance between Miyo and the head of the Kudo family Kiyoka is very satisfying to watch. As of episode 6, Kiyoka is an excellent man and is easy to admire. For me personally, he is in my list of favorite male protagonists in anime. In addition to a great romance, My Happy Marriage also introduces a really unique alternative history world of Meiji era Japan and a tight plot hinting at large scale political intrigue. It certainly offers more than just a かわいい romance.

WHY YOU MAY NOT ENJOY MY HAPPY MARRIAGE
The tone of the show bridges authentic drama-romance and melodrama. Therefore, some people may be turned off by the premise because it could come off as “manufacturing” sympathy for Miyo rather than earning it. However, similar to how the exaggerated emotional tone of Violet Evergarden did not, in my opinion, hinder its overall presentation, I think this presentation works with My Happy Marriage as well. Further, anyone who is not a fan of romance will probably not like this show, though the action and mystery elements are very satisfying additions to offset this emphasis.

Additionally, Miyo is a victim of domestic abuse, so some scenes depicting these circumstances could be disturbing to some viewers. Relatedly, Miyo is very soft spoken, submissive, and unnecessarily apologetic. I am on the fence regarding whether this presentation is brilliant or perhaps too exaggerated. Though her behavior is representative of some people growing up in these circumstances, some may find her character difficult to relate to because she, frankly, is so weak and discouraged. Either way, Miyo will challenge how you respond and relate to people from abusive families.

CONCLUSION
My Happy Marriage is undoubtedly the best romance anime of the Summer 2023 season and is certainly on track to be a contender for best romance anime of the year. I'd even go so far to say it should be in the best anime of the year discussion as of Episode 6. Additionally, it provides enough action, mystery, and political intrigue to stand above the average romance anime experience.

Agitogi Akumi's 'My Happy Marriage' begins as a beautifully animated series that effortlessly captivates as a historical period drama. However, the enchantment starts to fade as prominent characters abruptly reach their designated story arcs. Meanwhile, the introduction of an expanded cast feels hastily expedited, and as a result, struggles to maintain the emotional investment established by the previous characters. All of this unfolds against the backdrop of a world-ending supernatural fantasy, for which viewers receive an abridged exposé. Much like its main character, Miyo Saimori, the anime begins with modest origins, gradually gaining confidence over time and daring to dream for more. While this transformation ... is admirable, it's also tinged with sadness, as the series finds itself constrained by the limitations of a restrictive 12-episode cour.

I decided to write this review because after rewatching some of the episodes again, it made me remember how much I loved this anime. It such a beautiful romance/drama and I think its one of my favorites and its hard to beat it. I wasn't expecting much when I watched it, but I was completely wrong. Its a very beautiful story and the ending makes me warm inside. I'm super excited for season 2 which should be airing sometime in 2024! Can't wait.

Music- 10/10. Can't beat it, one of my favorite OPs and ending songs.
Animation- 8/10 only because I think a majority of the scenes ... are beautiful and it makes you admire the work the animators do.
Story- 10/10 because the story is well written in a way to where you want to binge the whole show in a sitting, which I did and I highly recommend it.

I think you will be surprised with this one if you decide to watch it!

A beautiful story of a woman who lost her happiness and purpose to live to a tragic childhood and home environment, slowly regaining the life in her eyes as the story progresses. It's set in the 19th-century Meiji Restoration era of Japan.

My initial anticipation of the series was that it was going to be another wholesome, light-hearted watch as you would find in many other romance anime. This belief was dismayed in the tragic introduction of female protagonist Miyo Saimori, and the pale sadness that continued all throughout the episodes. The balance between the heart-rending dynamics of the emotional repercussions of Miyo's upbringing and wholesome ... interactions between her and male protagonist Kiyoka Kudo felt bittersweet but made the show that much more interesting.

In the first few episodes, I didn't see the plot expanding from what it had initially presented itself as. However, the last episodes were very much based around plot, which was a bit surprising. I also want to mention the surprising amount of fantasy and supernatural elements. Compared to other plot-based anime series, you could say that the plot could have been more appealing had there been more twists and turns. However, for viewers looking for a more relaxed watch, the show has found a great balance between action, plot, and romance.

The animation was beautiful! It perfectly portrayed the feeling of each event of the show, whether it be pure sadness or light-hearted happiness. The detailed expressions of the character implore empathy from any viewer, as well as the intricately chosen colours for each scene. The action-packed scenes were also animated nicely, which was surprising, as a lot of romance anime I have watched fail to do this or don't have any at all.

Overall, a great anime for anyone who's looking for a romance anime with a somewhat deeper plot than your typical romance, with unexpected scenes of action and supernatural elements. The dynamic between Miyo and Kiyoka also adds an element of wholesomeness to the show, although Miyo's emotional journey calls for both happiness and sadness. I would recommend this to anyone who's looking for something different in the romance genre!