Review of My Happy Marriage
Shojo was always hit or miss for me: some of them I like, but sometimes I can't comprehend the affection other shojo get. On the other hand, My Happy Marriage is doing something different from the standard formula and insert some elements from other genres. As such, the show ended up being quite diverse, given its length, and quirky thus harder to recommend to someone. The central place of the story is Saimori clan. The main protagonist, Miyo, is a daughter of that clan and her story is similar to Cinderella's: she has an abusive stepmom and stepsister, she's treated like a servant, her life isneverending suffering. But one day she gets a chance to marry someone who doesn't treat her like a nuisance and escape her household. At this point, the plot seems to be settled and the rest of the episodes will be a typical shojo romance and it's perfectly align with the tittle. However, every now and then some bits of supernatural were popping up. And after a certain episode the anime suddenly changes the genre and becomes action-heavy with supernatural elements. Even so I like that change, that makes me wonder what audience it is made for. If you are a romance enjoyer you will be put off by the later episodes. If you want an intense action-thriller, you have to bear with the first episodes and even after that the pacing remains slow.
Every Saimori family member except for the main girl is one dimensional, the author deliberately makes them behave like absolute morons even so they have no reasons to do so. The main reason of abusing is her lack of supernatural abilities and therefore they can't squeeze out enough betrothal money. For starters, her mother is a daughter of Usaba clan, which posses rare, powerful supernatural abilities, and Miyo's children can possibly possess them. Second, because of that she is wanted by several family clans, so her family could easily pump up a price. Sticking to that reasoning, it makes her status much higher than just a servant and maybe even her stepsister.
Miyo herself is very shy and insecure and overcoming her trauma is the main goal of that season. Her husband is incredulous with strangers so their first meeting looks out of place, but he becomes more cordial and welcoming as time passes. The other characters seem to play a big role in the future season, on the other hand they come off as functional in this season.
It's almost become a tradition that every season some underdog anime gets surprisingly good production and My Happy Marriage is here to keep that tradition. Not only fights look stunning, but backgrounds or small details like clothes and applying a cosmetics as well. The OP and ED are done well, the ost is a good addition but, by itself, is pretty low-key.
I didn't expect I would like this anime that much, so I glad that the second season got announced. The main thing I like about My Happy Marriage that it uses the first part (shojo romance) as a base for further large scale events. And if you vibe with the main duo and aren't put off by the change in genre, you will probably like it.