Kekkon suru tte, Hontou desu ka

Title: Kekkon suru tte, Hontou desu ka
Genre: Slice of Life, Comedy, Romance
Studio: C-Station
Episodes: 12
Aired: Fall 2024

So, what do you do when your company plans to ship someone off to Alaska for work? The answer is to marry a stranger. "Kekkon suru te, Hontou desu ka" takes this premise and runs with it, offering a quirky take on two extreme introverts who fake marriage to stay in Japan and avoid the icy tundra of the north.

The Setup:
Our protagonists are as socially awkward as it gets. The male lead is doing everything he can to stay in Japan for the sake of his beloved cat, who has ... one of those hilariously aloof feline attitudes that cat lovers will appreciate. Meanwhile, the female lead is desperate to avoid the freezing temperatures of Alaska. She’s often misunderstood at work thanks to her resting angry face, while the guy is practically invisible because he barely talks.

Their "marriage" is purely tactical—or so they think. As they navigate their pretend relationship, we see whether these two socially challenged characters can turn this arrangement into something real.

Art and Style:
The animation isn’t groundbreaking, but it perfectly suits the slice-of-life vibe. One thing I appreciate is that this anime focuses on adult characters and feels refreshingly mature without any ecchi elements. It’s suitable for all ages, yet it still offers a cozy, relatable storyline for anyone who has ever struggled with social interaction or office politics.

Final Thoughts:
The show has a simple and predictable formula, but sometimes, that’s exactly what you need. It’s charming in its own way, with some genuinely amusing moments (thanks in part to the cat, of course) and a wholesome progression of the relationship. If you’re in for a lighthearted and straightforward slice-of-life anime that won’t demand anything from you, this one’s worth watching. Let’s see if Let's pretend marriage blossoms into something real!

Adult workplace romance will always be near and dear to my heart because we just don’t get enough of it in modern anime. As I get older, it’s harder for me to sit through the, frankly, cringe gimmicks and tropes of high school romances. Not to say they’re ALL bad, but on the whole they usually have a lot of the same repetitive story beats and unrealistic character traits that becoming grating over time. So when something like Kekkon Surutte comes along, it immediately catches my interest. While it’s not immune from some common flaws of the genre which I’ll go into shortly, on the ... whole it’s a really sweet watch with two adorable knucklehead leads that we see grow quite a bit as the season goes on. The romance is nice and wholesome, the story is simple, but effective and it’s a relaxing watch.

So to clarify my earlier statement on the flaws this show has, I’ll specify. A lot of adult romance animanga fall into this habit of basically making adult characters with all the shortcomings of teenagers. So instead of acting like mature adults, they feel like big kids. Blushing at the slightest hint of intimacy, running away, being loud, walking in on someone showering and feinting, you get the drift. This show isn’t awful with that, like for the most part the leads do feel like adults, albeit with severe social anxiety, poor social skills, maybe a slight tinge of autism etc., but they do have a few moments where I’m like “ok come on now you’re pushing 30.” Regardless, Ohara and Rika might be cringe lords, but they’re MY cringe lords. I really enjoyed their relationship developing from one of necessity to one of choice and genuine affection. There’s a nice progression as the characters get to know one another and I found the conclusion to be satisfying.

I do have two issues narratively, with only one really being significant. First of all, the whole premise that led to them having to pretend to be married was honestly a bit dumb. The other which is a bit more significant, is that Ohara feels like a substantially weaker character than Rika here. I really didn’t care for him even as the series reached its climax. Not a bad character, just nothing impressive or that really stuck out to me. Rika on the other hand, is quite an interesting character because of her relationship with her mother and the impact that not having her mom around growing up had on her, etc. Like there’s some cool psychoanalysis you can do on her, that’s just not there with Ohara since he doesn’t warrant it. In fact, I felt like Ohara’s best friend was a way more interesting character than him and wish we would’ve got more of him and his relationship situation in the series. Maybe in the manga? Ohara’s not bad, but definitely needs some more seasoning and time in the oven. In fairness, though this is just 12 episodes and I believe the manga has more story, so I’m sure he gets fleshed out more there.

Character analysis aside, the romance is nice and fluffy here. I enjoyed every moment the two leads were together and how pure this show is. There’s no fanservice or cringe sexualisation of female characters, just good old fashioned vanilla workplace romance as two people come out their shells. I don’t think it’s in the top tier of adult romances, but it’s very solid and certainly the best complete romance this season.

If you’re someone shopping around for something cute to watch that doesn’t feature sexualised minors, fanservice or an overly complex plot, look no further you have a great option here. Sweet as pure sugar, but easy to digest. Even with its flaws I enjoyed this a lot and will miss it airing on Thursdays!

Kekkon surutte gets 8 rings out of 10.

This was so hard to enjoy. The premise had more potential than how it turned out.

The pacing is awful, at first I thought it was just a bad adaptation, but as it turns out it wasn't rushed, it adapted 50/110 chapters in a pretty normal way. Yet it feels like it's all over the place, soooo much screentime was wasted on reaffirming that both MCs are awkward that it was insulting, at the same time there were really good chapters cut short for no good reason (in hindsight).

The last episode especially, while it delivered what we've been looking for, it felt out of place solely ... because there were not enough emphasis on the MCs romantic feelings, it was always about their anxieties and not how they truly feel about one another. And it's so annoying because one could say "well that's what this anime is about" which is true, but would it have been really that hard to make it 20% romance/80% anxiety instead of 10/90? There's just not enough "proof" of their love the way it was delivered, it feels like something's missing and saying that their love has always been there behind their indecisiveness and low self esteem is just not enough. And it's such a shame because the last 10 minutes were so enjoyable, seeing them happy and all, but the journey was awful.

I liked the side characters a lot more, they achieved the same depth as characters as the MCs with just a fraction of their screentime, they're even more interesting and meaningful.

If this gets a second season (which I doubt) then it can easily outshine this season, the last episode (and a few episodes focusing on side characters) showed that they can easily make this anime good and meaningful without wasting all the damn time showcasing the MCs awkwardness for the millionth time.

Watch at your own risk, there are a few good moments, but the payoff is slim.

The basic premise to "365 Days to the Wedding" is that two co-workers decide to lie about getting married in order to avoid getting transferred to Alaska. This sort of ridiculous setup is par for the course when it comes to the romcom genre. And so this show is, admittedly, tropey and predictable. But I think the real make-or-break for a romcom is whether the couple is unique and likeable enough. In the case of "365 Days to the Wedding" I'd argue the answer is yes.

The two protagonists this time are socially awkward nerds. The male lead most likely suffers from ... social anxiety. The female lead might come off as strange to people who aren't aware, but she very much reads as possibly autistic. These types are pretty relatable to real-life nerds, and it's written sweetly and respectfully, rather than for laughs at the characters' expense.

The other positive is that this show rejects some of the more painful genre conventions. For example, yes, it has the ridiculous setup that of course causes "situations", but usually when the lie starts inevitably escaping containment the protagonists double down, making it escalate to cringe inducing levels. Here, at least so far, the protagonists attempt to put a stop to it before it completely gets out of hand, though of course I foresee that something out of their control will inevitably happen to keep the romcom ball rolling. Or, as another example, the female lead misunderstood when the male lead ended up in a very typical compromising situation. But rather than her just losing it on him and the situation getting dragged out, which is the way that situation totally goes, the misunderstanding was just cleared up immediately.

In summary, this show has the familiar broad strokes, but the fact that it skirts away from the more painful conventions of the genre, and with unique and likeable protagonists, it's not on the level the best anime romcoms out there, but so far it's cute and serviceable.

I'm still trying to wrap my head around how an anime with such a great premise could go so horribly wrong. Had all the makings of a charming romantic comedy - two introverts, a fake marriage, and plenty of comedic potential. But what we got was a cringeworthy, laughable disaster.

The comedy was forced, the romance was nonexistent, and the characters were about as deep as a kiddie pool. I sat through 12 agonizing episodes, waiting for something - anything - to happen. But nope, the only thing that got a rise out of me was the sheer audacity of the writers.

If you value your sanity, ... stay far, far away from this trainwreck. Trust me, you won't be missing out on anything.

Don't.
The plot is ok. I mean the idea behind it. Realistic? Nope. But I was looking forward to see how they'll fall in love "for real" cause thats how this kind of story ends. Well, the first episodes were meh. Or maybe even ok. Nothing great but maybe they needed time to set it up. The characters are... I don't know, bland? Weird? Without a backbone? So thats like a blank paper. Endless possibilities to write. You can make them grow nicely. And here's where the problems start. The show doesn't do that. Like I said, the first episodes were merely ok. Because of ... their interactions, because of their colleagues, whatever. Starting halfway season, the quality drops heavily. Episodes full of monologues. The same inner discussion for an entire episode(s)!!! FFS! Do you remember "I parry everything"? Not that bad, but in the same way. Assuming what others think, self doubting etc. For an entire episode. And while those endless monologues, stuff happens. Not important stuff, just things to "move" the plot forward. So, imagine hearing inner thoughts while things without importance happen on screen.
So thats that. If you came here for the romance, hoping to see sweet things and funny situations, big mistake. The only good thing are the VAs (bruh, Saori!) but still not enough. You're better off watching a diff anime with your preffered VA.
Happy holidays!

This was a painfully boring and stupid anime to slog through. ChatGPT might have unironically been used for this story.

The two leads were boring, behaved stupidly, and had little to no chemistry together. Working adults behaving like shy middle schoolers is both boring and stupid, not endearing. It also is in fact possible to create romantic chemistry between two shy/introverted characters.

The plot was terrible too, which was a surprise given how simple the set up is for the intriguing premise. Rika loves maps and exploring new places but doesn't want to go to Alaska... why? After finishing the series I still have no idea outside ... of maybe some general inertia against change. Same thing with Takuya. He love his cat and is worried he cannot bring him with for some reason? It's all just so incredibly stupid.

The scenarios used to propel the story were mostly fine... but they were dragged down by the awful main characters. Same thing with the side characters. In and of themselves they were fine, but it just made the main characters look worse in comparison. I unironically cared more about the how Gonda's relationship turned out despite being only 1 episode long than I did for the main couple after 12 episodes. That's how bad it was. The first 3 episodes were underwhelming, but not terrible, so I stuck around hoping for it to turn around and get better, but instead it mostly just stayed the same or got worse. Even the ending was disappointing. It didn't feel earned in the slightest.

The music/sound was very forgettable and the art/animation was subpar at best.

Your average sitcom slop is easily way more entertaining than this series.

Hopefully this review will help you avoid wasting your time on this anime as I did.

Story/Plot 1
Characters 2
Art/Animation 2
Music 1
Enjoyment 1

Thank you for reading.

**Title**: *Kekkon Suru tte, Hontou desu ka?*
For viewers who love the office romance scene and are adults, absolutely must watch *Kekkon Suru tte, Hontou desu ka?*. I completely fell for this show and think all fans of mature storytelling and emotionally resonant character development will too find it worthwhile.

The premise is deceptively simple: a woman, who's struggling with work pressure and life, suddenly finds herself in a contract marriage with a colleague who seems to have it all together. Now, the concept of office romances or contract marriages isn't exactly groundbreaking; it's the way this story unfolds that makes it interesting. The chemistry between ... the leads is undeniable and is woven into their interactions, gradually building a deep connection that makes their relationship so satisfying to watch.

It's what I like most in *Kekkon Suru tte, Hontou desu ka?*, in how well it has found the complexities of adult relationships, dynamics of work-life, and personal growth. Most other romantic series only dwell on love while giving little importance to the imperfections of their characters dealing with their insecurities as they navigate career ambitions, emotional struggles, and life in general. It felt very relatable for a lot of people who've had to live through some aspects of adult life.

The pacing is perfect. The romance isn't rushed but develops naturally, and the dialogue feels so genuine. There's no unnecessary drama or misunderstandings for the sake of plot—everything that happens is a direct result of the characters' actions and choices, which makes the romance all the more rewarding. The series also does an excellent job of exploring the impact that workplace relationships can have on personal boundaries, ambition, and growth.

The side characters bring so much into the table; however, their personalities are also full-rounded and add to the storytelling. It's not even just about the central lovebirds but about how this is affecting everyone around them due to the evolving relationship.

In summary, *Kekkon Suru tte, Hontou desu ka?* is a work of office romance that would have the deepest impact on the audience, who can reflect upon themselves after having been taken through the emotional roller coaster ride of adulthood. Whether romance or slice-of-life enthusiasts, or simply one interested in hearing a story spoken from the heart, this series should not be missed. I highly recommend it for any person seeking a mature, thoughtful, and ultimately very moving love story.

If TLC made an anime, 365 Days to the Wedding would be it. It has such a goofy premise to begin with, but the execution makes it even more ridiculous. I'm only 3 episodes in and I feel like I've watched an entire series because of how much happens in it. Yes this anime from a critical perspective is horrible, but that does not mean it's not enjoyable to watch.

There's not much to comment on artwork, sound and animation. It's at the standard for anime nowadays. Characters however? I have a few things to say. Rika and Takuya are fine main characters. They won't be ... your favorite and they definitely won't be mine. These are two blank slates surrounded by a bunch of mostly energetic people who have a lot more personality than they do. It does make for some interesting moments with side characters, and I don't hate the trope. But Kama (yes, the cat) is easily the best character in the show.

Back to the plot, like I said it's silly. Sometimes it gets a little too out there though. It's a rom-com but some of the things that happen are just so ridiculous that it creates plot holes at times. The co-workers also feel ridiculously stupid solely for the plots convivence. I won't spoil anything, but you'll know what I mean if you watch it. Overall, it's just one of those shows you that shouldn't look past the surface for. It's not going to be for everyone.

My one-sentence summary of this anime: It's actually a rom-com.

I mean this in contrast to most of the other anime that call themselves a rom-com, but are really just avenues for girls/women going bouncy-bouncy and getting into awkward situations where one or both characters ham it up. This anime isn't like that. It is genuinely funny, with no reliance on ecchi or any such thing.

How refreshing that is, because, how rare that is.

This anime is an exploration of the concept of marriage, by two socially awkward people who are trying to muddle through a fake one and completely, well, futzing it up. ... Every episode, they find yet another way of miscommunicating, being awkward and cringy, and just basically screwing up. And this isn't one of those anime that treats marriage as such a wonderful thing that is just great for everyone. This treats it realistically. The themes of divorce, the awkwardness of dating and romance, and everything in between, is explored. But it's never allowed to get too dark or deep - every time there's something that threatens to get serious, they do something funny to offset it and keep it light. That might not work in every case, but it did in this one. Because of that, we get a lot of emotional exploration without it becoming too sad or tearjerking. And, believe me, it could have.

There's nothing particularly surprising about this anime - either how it progresses or how it ends. My only real criticism of that is that the ending felt a bit like a deus ex machina - it seems to be going in one direction, and then it shifts for no good reason. But, I guess given these characters, that's not too unexpected, either. I would call the actual plot about average. Mid, if you will.

So, in this anime, art and animation are two different things. The animation is so-so. The art is beautiful. It uses real locations around Japan, including Kumamoto prefecture (a place I've never seen in an anime before), and it's obvious much care was taken. (Considering this is set in a travel agency, I guess that makes sense). But the animation is just your run of the mill anime animation, nothing particularly bad or great about it. Voice acting is amazing, and that's not something I usually say. There's one point where they, well... you'll see what I mean. Sound design is also pretty good, with good use of panning (and most anime don't actually pay any attention to that, it seems). Music is meh, but it's not like this is a music anime.

There is a surprising amount of time spent on the details of glassmaking, and they got it right. That's the thing about this anime - there were some things they really took care with, and then kinda phoned in the rest.

If you want a decent romance and rom-com set in a workplace rather than a high school, with somewhat (not entirely) relatable characters, fairly well done comedy, and beautiful art (but mid everything else), you'll love this. Otherwise, you'll probably want to pass. No action, ecchi, or any such thing here.

Recommend from me.

It's 2024 and this industry still has anime about fake relationships and marriages. When we pair two loners with similar personalities, we get a rom-com that binds together two characters in an unlikely relationship. Yes, it's "marriage" but as we should soon find out, it gets more complicated than just a fake union.

Using the plot device of a fake relationship is far from an original idea in today's industry. Recent franchises such as Rent-a-Girlfriend and to an extent, Spy x Family has used these elements to deliver a story. 365 Day to the Wedding's main goal is for two characters who has no romance experience ... to be together and explore a relationship, even if it's fake and for the sake of their own futures. The synopsis gives a deeper meaning on their reason but the short version is that Takuya and Rika arranged this deal to escape a company transfer.

An arranged deal for marriage like this is used to dodge a bullet. Or could this be a blessing in disguise? Their arrangement seemed more like a spur moment type decision than long committment planning. Ironicially, it's marriage so in reality, the commitment would be until death due them apart. For their own sakes, their marriage is reduced to 365 days, a full calender year which itself is no short of time for two people to be together. The first episode builds on this premise and early on, the pair faces trouble to hide their relationship. Their choice complicates matters just would like in real life at their workplace. While it's not obvious to everyone in their workplace, there's definitely people who notice their relationship is more than professional. Either way, a fake marriage plot like this designates the pair for character and relationship building.

To spell it out simply, neither Takuya or Rika particularly stand out at work or in public. With some effort, Rika can be a eye catcher but for majority of the show, she has a rather ordinary face and is designed to look as normal as possibble. Takuya is less than impressive with the look of a working class stereotype. Their looks are not the problem in their relationship however. It's their lack of experience about romance. Neither of them are experts at dating and obviously, they can't rely on their friends or co-workers for help. This sets the main tone of each episode as the two tries to work out their situation as best as possible. With rom-coms like this these days, we ask ourselves if their fake relationship could become a reality. Would the two fall with each other for real?

It's almost hard to seperate either main character's personalities from each other because the two are so similar. Some of their first dates looks like it's on autopilot. Watching Takuya trying to build a "perfect date" looks more like an assignment than something natural. The show constantly pokes fun of their inexperiences that at times almost feels insulting. But obviously, every episode tries to get the pair to open up and grow as a couple. And with each episode, there are lingering feelings that blossoms into something more. I won't spoil it but their romance is more than obvious to the audience's naked eye.

Nonetheless, this anime wants to teach us about what's like to fall in love. This extends to characters such as Gonda although limited to a specific episode. Its main goal is to help us understand how characters react to a member of the opposite sex. However, be prepared to limit yourself to deeper character studies of the side cast. Takuya and Rika are the heart of the show and this shouldn't been obvious since day one. It's a commitment to their relationship that chronicles their 365 days of fake marriage.

Ultimately, rom-coms like this has been tested in the waters on occasions. It's not an oversaturated market but hardly an original idea when it comes to rom-coms. Takuya and Rika exmplifies the fake relationship trope and shows us how two unlikely adults survive in the real world together.

This show is proof that just because a show has adult characters in it doesn't make it an adult romance. This show is proof that just because a show's setting is literally two characters getting married doesn't mean it is a romance show. This show is proof that you can write a romance show without having your main characters spending any time together and barely having any romantic or sexual tension around each other.

If you decided to watch this because you saw the Romance genre, Marriage in name and synopsis or because you loved The World God Only Knows you are in for a massive ... disappointment. Main characters of this show are incredibly bland, act more immature than any middle school romance show and genuinely spend less time interacting with each other in a meaningful way than MC interacting with his cat. Even when they have a scene together it is just them freaking out in their inner monologue and completely ignoring the other. Even when the show accidentally creates a romantic atmosphere it usually ends up with one of the Main Characters freaking out and dashing away from the scene without addressing the situation and then acting like it never happened as much as they can.

Even if you tried to ignore the lack of romance in this show and try to watch this for the plot you would end up massively disappointed because everything plot related happens for the sake of blueballing those rare moments of romantic scenes and ends abruptly with a cliffhanger and never gets addressed at all in the future again. One time a side characters actually gets a cute romantic development and then boom they suddenly create an obstacle and move on from that plot just to completely ignore it next day and show that character being the exact same person.

It's a shame how even the worst arcs of TWGOK anime was superior to this show in every way. Made me reconsider my wish to ask for more adult romance shows. I did my best to enjoy this show out of respect for the author but it was just too bleak, too bland, too devoid of anything interesting or fun. Show even openly tells you : "I was thinking marriage was the finish line. But it's really a beginning, isn't it.". So do not expect an interesting story here, we are not even at the start line after all.

Good, but Quite Disappointing
I wouldn’t say “don’t watch this,” but I do believe “365 Days to the Wedding” sets up expectations it doesn’t fully meet. The initial episodes suggest the characters will be unique and decently well-developed. And while I wouldn’t call them generic, the anime has its fair share of flaws. To help you decide if this is worth your time, I’ll break down the issues before delving into its strengths.

Here’s the main list of problems:
• Melodrama
• Slow Pacing & Lack of Character Development
• A Weird and Goofy Premise

Here’s the main list ... of what's good:
• The Characters
• The Romance
• Great Ending

Let’s start with the issues:

1. Melodrama:
One of the most glaring issues is the overuse of melodrama. While some tension is expected given the story’s setup—two introverts faking a relationship to avoid being transferred abroad—it quickly becomes overwhelming. Rika and Takuya, as quiet, introspective characters, naturally lend themselves to moments of internal and external conflict. However, the drama is so exaggerated that it feels relentless. Nearly every episode features anxiety-driven misunderstandings or situations that threaten to break them up, over and over again.
This constant cycle of “Will they split up?” becomes tiresome, especially since the anime is not marketed as a full-blown drama. The original manga handled these themes with more subtlety, and the heightened dramatics here seem more like a ploy to keep viewers hooked rather than an organic extension of the story. The result? A show that’s often more exhausting than engaging.

2. Slow Pacing & Lack of Character Development:
The pacing compounds the problem. Too much time is spent on the repetitive “should they break up?” drama, leaving little room for meaningful character development. Episodes are bogged down with internal monologues and melodramatic moments, which limits opportunities for Rika and Takuya to grow as individuals or as a couple.
By the end of the series, it’s hard not to feel like their relationship lacks substance. The anime rarely delves into their personal thoughts or shared experiences that could help viewers understand their bond. What could have been a heartfelt exploration of two introverts finding comfort and connection in one another instead feels superficial. The show desperately needed more moments of genuine interaction and mutual growth to strengthen the core relationship.

3. A Weird and Goofy Premise:
Finally, the premise itself is odd—almost laughable. The idea that a company would threaten employees with transfers to remote locations like Alaska unless they are married seems absurd. While this might reflect a heightened, more comical, version of corporate culture in Japan, it’s still hard to take seriously.
Moreover, the fact that no one at their company questions this setup or resigns en masse is equally ridiculous. It’s clear the premise exists as a plot device to kickstart the story, but it stretches believably to its breaking point. Instead of grounding the narrative, it undermines it, leaving the whole setup feeling contrived and somewhat lazy.

Onto the Good:
1. The Characters:
When the focus shifts from drama to characterization, the anime truly shines. These are the moments when Rika and Takuya come alive as characters. When their backstories, hobbies, and personalities are explored, the depth and charm of their relationship start to show.
Rika’s love of maps and Takuya’s collection of spices from around the world add layers to their personalities, making them somewhat relatable (In their odd way). These moments of personal expression are when the anime is at its best, offering glimpses of what could have been a much better narrative if the anime did this more often.

2. The Romance:
The romance, despite its uneven execution, is one of the stronger aspects. While I disliked the long stretches between romantic moments, the connection between Rika and Takuya feels authentic when the anime delves into their shared interests and quirks.
Their relationship showcases how people with unique and sometimes odd hobbies can bond, creating moments of genuine development. When they show each other how they have fun or share what they collect, it highlights their growth as a couple.

3. The Ending:
The ending is really good, and ends the anime perfectly. By far the best episode in the entire anime, and definitely showcases how good this anime can be when it has good pacing and great character development, which closes this anime out nicely.

365 Days to the Wedding is still a somewhat mixed bag. It has potential, but the overblown drama, slow pacing, and weak character development hold it back. If you’re willing to overlook its flaws for the unique premise and moments of charm, its still worth a watch.

7/10, I personally enjoyed it, even with the problems, but it really depends on if you would like to watch a lot of melodrama to get to a great closing episode.
[Thanks for reading!]

Just because your setting is "realistic" doesn't mean it's worth anything or it's believable.The series fails in every aspect plot, character development or themes.Who greenlit this to be animated?This will make you bleach your eyes just by how atrocious the writing is.Spare yourselves!


First of all the male lead is the blandest loser you could ever see in anime.Merely going through the motions like a robot.Even the show makes fun of it.However the show wants you to take him seriously.No woman in real life would even be caught breathing the same air as him.The female lead is someone you would wonder how inconceivably dumb she can ... get.How does she even breathe!Some of the illogical things she did like that rock gift makes you question the sanity of the author.Also same thing,she is threated like a serious adult woman by the show.There is no chemistry between them,when things happen you will be wondering how or why.

Let's even go on to the plot .First of all the fake marriage scheme is absurd.Going overseas or getting married is a legit ground to quit.Even the "mystery"doesnt make sense cause we do not know anyone else by that point to even care.The series introduces side characters which might as will be filler.They do talk about marriage,but they handle it without any development of the idea and draw conclusions that are both infantile and dumb even by the standards of kids.Most of the show wastes your time with filler.Later on ,these series will engage in gaslighting certain serious issues making even it even more of an utter fail.

In short,nothing in this series has any proper setup and payoff, or anything believable.

365 Days to the Wedding — What does a shotgun approach to marriage look like? It's a lot more complicated than you expect it to be.

Often at times, more than not, romance is one of the key genres in an already oversaturated industry of authors thinking that their way of romance will win the hearts of the people through "unique" writing. And while it's easy to fall into the trap of creating a quality romance series of a boy and girl getting together, it's the part thereafter a.k.a the marriage portion, that stings the hardest because there is no "one size fits all" way of ... legitimizing a relationship to the next level. And this Fall, through the unlikeliest of people concocting this trivial matter to bring to the masses, it's mangaka Tamiki Wakaki of Kami Nomi zo Shiru Sekai a.k.a The World God Only Knows fame, bringing to us the 3rd anime adaptation of his works: his latest completed rom-com series of Kekkon suru tte, Hontou desu ka? a.k.a 365 Days to the Wedding.

What do you ponder when it comes to marriages? Is it the relationship maturity that can be fulfilled to the next steps of humanity, or is it a relationship that was born out of wedlock circumstances that, in turn, manifested into a legitimate relationship and has the potential to turn into marriage? Well, if you're like the MCs of Takuya Ohara and Rika Honjoji, you fall into the latter group, being forced to wed each other to avoid being "shipped" out of Japan to work in a foreign country! But I should provide some context here. Their workplace, the typical travel agency, is best known for being tour guides and middlemen to handle all the necessities there are about customers going to their preferred destinations but don't want to handle the pressure of the in-between choices and whatnot. And as a way to expand operations, their company is looking to have branches overseas to better serve the target audience...in the freezing, bitter coldness of Alaska. But there is a catch: anyone who's married or is in the pipelines of marriage can avoid having to go there, for the company will decide who to appoint to their new Alaska branch a year (or 365 days, to be exact for this context) from then on.

To the colleagues of Takuya Ohara and Rika Honjoji, this is a no-brainer to avoid going to Alaska, because they're the definition of introverts, people who are comfortable in their own skin and quiver when they're exposed to new environments that would otherwise have their morale be sunken (I know this because I am also an extreme introvert). And their plan here to fake a marriage, though haphazard, provides a very realistic sense of depth that would test every fibre of their being of what it truly means to be in a marriage, married together and understanding each other's likes and dislikes, especially when exposed to someone both inside and outside of their comfort zone, which can get stressed and infuriating at times. The feline-loving Takuya with his cat Kama, and the map Otaku that is Rika, it's clear that they enjoy their own socialite company and the other colleagues whom they are comfortable with (who come in all sorts of personalities), but when faced with the precedence of the fake marriage, which, when combined with the fast swirling of rumors about the two getting together in a shotgun approach, these two will melt in the face of social pressure, because while one is very quiet and barely talks (thus his presence is always invisible), and the other looking so stoic with the resting bitch face that people will think that she has a bad day. It's ridiculous, but awkwardly hilarious as well, as these two introverts slowly measure what it means to love and be loved, that despite their socially inept barriers, love can still make a way for the unexpected spark to happen that'll ultimately pave the way for their true, unsolicited marriage.

It's actually surprising how much this anime develops an adult romance that speaks to just about anyone involved in relationships to marriages, because these things also do happen in real life, and reality sucks when it does happen; that could hit just as hard as home. The show has tropes to begin with, and that's not really surprising for a rom-com of this magnitude, though unlike author Fujita's Wotaku ni Koi wa Muzukashii a.k.a WotaKoi: Love is Hard for Otaku, it tackles the topics right at the heart of the matter. The topics ranging from the typical office romance of the one-sided love from the plump Hiromi Gonda towards the pretty Natsumi Komiya, the family affair of Susumu Shinshi, to even the ever-so-predictable childhood trope with Takuya's childhood friend Nao Umiyama, that coupled with flawed characters trying to understand their own version of marriage, it's the portrayal that shines as the star of the series. And if you understood that, then the romance battle is half won.

For a small studio like Ashi Productions, their production values may not look like much, but the overall effect of the minimalism of animation is decent and looks the part with the intended slice-of-life vibe. I'm even surprised that the studio is undertaking projects side-by-side this season alongside Goukon ni Ittara Onna ga Inakatta Hanashi a.k.a How I Attended an All-Guy's Mixer, both shows with consistent production, nonetheless. But overall, it's fine for what it is.

While the music is so-so, it's great to finally have a good HoneyWorks song, one that was pretty much needed for the longest time, and Marumochi feat. HaKoniwalily's OP is quite the happy-go-lucky, bubbly song that perfectly suits the rom-com nature of the show. While Gohobi's ED may be the less impressive of the two, I adore the watercolour reels that give its visuals a lot of life alongside the song's acoustic feels. Definitely an OST that will not disappoint.

Kekkon suru tte, Hontou desu ka? a.k.a 365 Days to the Wedding may be a very simple story with predictable levels of audacity, but it's the flawlessness of its premise that really brings out the best in its cuteness and serviceability. And if there's a sequel to wrap up this prequel season adapting the 1st half of the manga, I will be down to see how the wedding proceeds between the protagonists.

It may not be the rom-com that one would expect, but it's not as bad as you think.

This anime doesn't understand romance. I sat through 12 episodes hoping to get something if anything out of this and I didn't. I don't think I have ever seen a romance anime which focuses on adults, be portrayed so juvenile. The first 3 or 4 episodes were a good start until Ohara went back to his home town and his best friend touched his hair. From this point on, the romance died and we ended up with forced plots after forced plots in order to get the characters together. I am a hundred percent certain that the writer sees relationships and in extension marriage as ... a joke due to how loosely that term is tossed around in this anime.

The final episode (12), rushed their development and manufactured love out of thin air from both characters just to get a "happy ending". I don't know what I was expecting from this anime, but I was still disappointed. If I could rate this anime a 0/10 I would.

To fake a marriage with your coworker, just to avoid being transferred to a new branch opening in Alaska, might be seen as a drastic step, but it can bring a new future with it.

In 365 days to the wedding do we follow Honjouji and Oohara, who are colleagues at a travel agency. But when it is announced that one of the employees at the branch will have to be transferred to a new branch in Alaska, they will have to act. Since they are both prime candidates for this spot until they announce their upcoming marriage, which is in reality a fake story to ... avoid being transferred.

The story throughout the season is based around this fake marriage and how they have to keep up appearances while still trying to live their separate introverted lifestyles. What gives the plot its twist and turns is the people around them, like their families and coworkers who of course have questions and want to be included in the upcoming wedding. They also of course have to interact more with each other, which brings its own complications and brings all sorts of events that have to be solved. These things make a nice plot that gives each episode their own theme of sorts, but also helps bring the two characters over all closer together and thereby bring the overarching plot forward.

When it comes to the characters is it very much focused around our two main characters Honjouji and Oohara, with the side characters mostly either introducing or representing problems and questions they have to face. This structure puts a big focus on the two main characters and their development, while there is very little development on the side characters. But we do then get a lot of progress on the main characters, with them having to overcome obstacles both together and alone, which push the characters to evolve and often look critically at themselves. This gives a great development in the two characters, and has a great synergy with the plot.

There is also an overall theme throughout the show, which is of course marriage. The show brings it up in many aspects such as: why we do it, why we avoid it, how it can hurt, how it can be beautiful, it can be simple and it can be complicated. This is a thing that really helps making the show feel both streamlined and detailed, since it focuses so much on this theme.

Overall it is a great show with progression in both characters and plot, with the only thing holding it back is the tone being more relaxed and thereby affecting how invested people automatically are. But if you like romance and especially with an adult cast can i only recommend this show.

I said before in my Zannen nagara Chigaimasu review that if you're going to fall in love with someone, you should take the time to get to know them before deciding that you want to be with them for the rest of your life. I still stand by what I said there, as marriage is a major commitment that will change the course of your life. That being said, some people may be desperate enough to avoid circumstances that they may be pushed into that they'll do whatever it takes to avoid it. Take the main characters of the anime I'm covering today, for example. ... While the concept was far from original, I decided to watch it mainly because it's based on a manga from the same manga artist as "The World God Only Knows", a series that holds a special place in my heart, despite me not being able to confidently say it's one of my favorite anime. Now, let me tell you about a story about a wedding that is 365 days away from not(?) actually happening!

365 Days to the Wedding, known in Japanese as "Kekkon Suru tte, Hontou desu ka", begins when the manager of a travel agency known as JTC announces to the other employees that a new branch of the company will be opening in Anchorage, Alaska, and someone will need to move there in order to get this branch up and running; furthermore, unmarried employees will be considered first in the decision of who it will be. Our two main leads, Takuya Ohara and Rika Honjoji, fit the bill of "unmarried employees" that would be up for consideration, but both of them are introverted and uninterested in moving away, with the former even having a cat to consider in all of this. Thus, Rika comes up with a proposal (pun not intended): she and Takuya will pretend to be engaged so that the company doesn't choose either of them to move. Takuya agrees to this plan, and thus, the newly-formed "couple" have to act like they're in a loving relationship in front of their coworkers and keep the fact that they're not actually getting married a secret. Surprise-surprise, this leads to them gradually developing real feelings for each other.

As I said, the concept of this anime is nothing you've seen before. There are a handful of anime that also tackle the topic of a false relationship, such as Rent-A-Girlfriend and the appropriately-named Nisekoi. However, 365 Days to the Wedding isn't just about a false relationship; it also aims to look at relationships from different kinds of angles. Whether or not marriage is really something that everyone should be hyping up as much as most of the JTC workers are when they find out about Takuya and Rika's engagement is called into question at multiple points; there is even an episode where one supporting character goes through a divorce, and we see how badly it affects him, albeit some parts of his reaction are more comical than one might consider realistic. We also see, however, how love can really make someone grow as a person. In my personal favorite episode of the entire series, another supporting character falls for someone who he decides he wants to marry, but upon finding something major out about that person, he realizes that he's not truly ready; although I truly wish things could have worked between these two characters, as they had genuinely good chemistry, I also acknowledge how mature it was that this supporting character made this realization about himself, despite it not seeming like he would.

That's all great and all, but what about the main couple? At first, despite their personalities being somewhat similar, it's kind of hard to believe that they would be a convincing couple. I mean, it makes sense; up until the start of the series, they barely interacted, even at work. As they interact more, however, you can really see just how much they're starting to fall for each other. Although it seems more like teenagers having crushes on each other than full-grown adults, I don't mind; their interactions are cute nonetheless. Plus, both of them are very relatable characters on their own ways, especially Rika; her tendency to come up with elaborate plans to make the whole "fake marriage" work and to ramble on about things that interest her were both relatable and amusing to me. Also, despite how little he actually appears throughout the series, I absolutely love Kama, Takuya's cat; his personality reminds me a lot of my younger brother's cat.

The animation is done by Ashi Productions, who did a decent job on it. I liked the way everything was colored and how the way the characters were designed for the anime were actually a close match to Tamiki Wakaki's artstyle; however, the animation can look a little bit stiff and awkward at times. I mean, Ashi Productions was also working on "How I Attended An All-Guy's Mixer" this season, so I guess something had to give in that department. I also really liked the voice acting here; Saori Hayami did a great job as always as Rika, and while I'm not too familiar with Kentarou Kumagai as a voice actor, I do think he was a good fit for Takuya. (I just wish Natsumi was more prevalent in the show just so I could hear more of Kana Asumi's voice....) Finally, the opening theme ("Kirakira" by HoneyWorks feat. HaKoniwalily) and the ending theme ("Tsumari wa" by Gohobi) are both cute songs that fit the anime well. I also liked the artstyle used for the ending theme; it was very cute!

Overall, 365 Days to the Wedding is a cute anime, even if it's nothing groundbreaking. I'd recommend it to those who love cute romantic comedies or The World God Only Knows fans who want to see more anime adaptations of Tamiki Wakaki's work. I'm not going to call you and tell you to watch it with an autotuned, menacing-sounding voice, though!

THE GOOD:
The main praises go to the solid voice acting. Hayami (Honjoji) punched well above the weight of this series. The soundtrack was also decent, with a truly fitting ED by Gohobi (one of the surprises of this 2024 for me, thanks also to their OP for Giji Harem).

THE MEH:
Pretty much most of the rest. The production value is just sufficient and floats around average, there's nothing that stands out in terms of animation or direction.
The story has an interesting (if not original) concept, but the writing makes too much use of clichés in an uninteresting way. For example, I found the recurring internal monologue ... for the MCs intriguing at first, but it quickly became boring and it looked like the writers were just trying to pan scenes that could have been resolved in half of the time.
The MCs didn't have great chemistry and their growth only blooms in the last episode: in the rest of the series it's just chocked by melodrama.

THE BAD:
Only very few things really irked me in this show, and nothing like the MCs' characterization. It's OK to be shy, insecure, and even "on the spectrum" so to speak, but they never acted like adults, not even once during the show. They gave me middle-schoolers vibes, which is not good for a couple of travel agency employees. Especially for the travel agency.
Beside their characterisation, writing also had other issues, like heavy reliance on melodrama, which badly affected the pacing around the middle of the season. Not to mention the deus-ex-machina which solved the whole "Anchorage issue" in the last episode, and the dangling threads left without a closure (who did all those mysterious calls to MCs and the travel agency?).

FINAL THOUGHTS:
This isn't a bad show, but it doesn't stand out in any shape or form. If you want romance, drama, comedy, you have countless series which are better produced and more compelling.
Recommended only if you already watched all of them and you are still craving for more.