Review of My Happy Marriage

My Happy Marriage: a show you have to have a certain level of maturity and be a romantic to get. I will be completely honest: on the first watch of this show, i didn't like it at all. i though it was boring, the characters too wooden and stuck in their archetypes, and the magic caught me off guard. I believed that Miyo especially was a bit annoying because i just wanted her to stand up for herself instead of sulking everywhere feeling nothing but pity and self hatred. I honestly thought this was some fan fiction by a middle school girl looking to escape herown reality. Upon the rewatch of this show a year later, i realized that i have a deep admiration for this show. I realized that i originally didn't enjoy it because I saw too much of myself and past struggles in the main character Miyo and was seemingly projecting my own depressing world view and thoughts onto her because she is a bit of a blank canvas for most of the show. The characters are still a bit stuck in their archetypes in my opinion, but i feel like with my own growth and understanding of myself, i've come to love them and this show more.

I previously said that Miyo is a blank canvas. I believe this was a deliberate choice. Many victims of abuse similar to hers are taught to be what their abusers want from them whether it fits their personality or not. I think this was the purpose of making her more bland. As the show goes on, little by little we see her develop her own opinions and personality even being able to come forward on her own to open up about her past and ask things of people. I think those who haven't been through it may not fully understand what kind of victory that is. Kiyoka is every hopeless romantic girl's fantasy and i don't think there's anything wrong with that at all. He's mean when he needs to be, but is caring and gentle with Miyo. Their growing love over the series is truly beautiful to see.

The magic caught me off guard in my first watch, but honestly is a pretty interesting aspect of this cinderella-ish story. I do wish it were explained a bit better, but i'm sure we'll get that in season 2. I also think there's also nothing wrong with this being more of a self-insert show. There are so many shonen especially that are shameless self inserts and get praised so the romantics deserve something too. I think this anime is beautifully animated and has a gorgeous story. I can't wait to see season 2 coming in a few days!