My Happy Marriage

Author Akumi Agitogi wanted to create a "Japanese Cinderella story" with a blend of traditional and fantasy elements, inspired by the popularity of "mistreated older sisters and favored younger sisters" tropes in web fiction.

She carefully crafted Miyo as a heroine with inner strength beneath her timidity, while Kiyoka's character matured organically through the writing process.

Both protagonists’ appearances reflect Agitogi's personal preferences.

Fascinated by the Taisho/early Showa period’s mix of Japanese and Western styles—its elegance and cultural contrasts—Agitogi used this era as a setting, even though researching historical accuracy proved challenging.

The fantasy elements were added to make the story stand out from classic romance novels set in early 20th century Japan, providing adventure and unique supernatural powers.

My Happy Marriage takes place in a fictional Japanese Empire modeled after late Meiji to Taisho-era Japan.

Families with inherited supernatural abilities work alongside the Emperor to shield the nation from ominous supernatural beings known as "the Grotesque."

Key bloodlines—like the Usuba family—possess unique, rare psychic talents, making them both influential and targets of political intrigue.

Society is structured around arranged marriages and power struggles to seize rare abilities and protect the realm from these mystical threats.

Male heirs and their abilities hold special status, but occasionally women inherit incredibly potent powers, disrupting established hierarchies.

Volume 1

Miyo grows up in an influential family famous for their lineage of supernatural abilities.

Unfortunately, she is believed to be talentless and consequently abused by her stepmother Kanoko and half-sister Kaya.

Only her childhood friend and confidant, Koji Tatsuishi, shows her kindness.

At age 19, Miyo is cast out and sent as a bride to Kudō Kiyoka, the feared head of a prestigious family, rumored to be cold and merciless.

However, Kiyoka proves unexpectedly gentle beneath his harsh demeanor.

Gradually, the two open up to each other—Miyo learning to smile again, Kiyoka entranced by her fragile yet strong spirit.

Overcoming the trauma from her household, Miyo discovers she may possess the legendary "Dreamseeing Power" passed down by the Usuba family, a threat to rivals and even the Emperor.

Later Volumes

As Miyo and Kiyoka’s relationship deepens, they become embroiled in a web of political schemes involving Miyo’s growing powers and various powerful families.

Through a gauntlet of trials and conspiracies, Miyo awakens her true power and finally marries Kiyoka in Volume 7, cementing their place as a formidable pair in both love and duty.

• The Grotesque: Supernatural creatures such as demons and spirits that threaten humanity. Only those with the "Sight" can see them, and only psychic powers can harm them.
• Supernatural Abilities: Ranging from telekinesis, fire manipulation, mind-reading, to the rare "Dream-Sight Power." Passed down through family lines, they determine status and marriage prospects.
• Dream-Sight Power: A unique Usuba family talent. It allows the user (almost always female) to enter dreams, see the future or past, and even manipulate other psychics.
• The Emperor: The ruler of the Empire, passing down the psychic ability of "Divine Revelation," which offers prophetic warnings of disaster. Only an heir with this power can become Emperor.
• Usuba Family: Miyo's maternal lineage, a mysterious clan specializing in powers meant to keep other psychics in line, not fight the Grotesque.
• Tatsuishi Family: Koji’s family, once prestigious, now striving to return to power through political marriages and plots.
• Usui Clan: Once a branch of the Usuba, now seeking to upend society using cult-like tactics and heretical teachings about unlocking psychic abilities for all.

Manga

• Illustrated by Rito Kousaka and supervised by original artist Tsukiho Tsukioka.
• Serialization: Ongoing since December 2018 on Gangan ONLINE.
• Five volumes published as of July 2024.
• Additional art book released August 2023.

Anime

• Produced by Kinema Citrus.
• Season 1 aired July–September 2023 (12 episodes).
• Season 2 aired January–April 2025 (13 episodes).
• Additional OVA episode (“My Form of Happiness”) released Nov 2024 on Netflix.
• Main voices: Reina Ueda (Miyo Saimori), Kaito Ishikawa (Kiyoka Kudō), Ayane Sakura (Kaya Saimori), Koutarou Nishiyama (Koji Tatsuishi).

Live Action Film

• Released March 17, 2023.
• Directed by Ayuko Tsukahara.
• Starring Ren Meguro (Snow Man) as Kiyoka Kudō, Mio Imada as Miyo Saimori.
• Grossed over 2.8 billion yen in Japan.
• International screenings in Canada and Thailand.

Stage Play

• Ran August 2023 at Theatre 1010, Tokyo.
• "My Happy Marriage – The Army’s Okutsuki Strange Story" features an original plot focusing on the special forces squad.

Radio Drama & Special PVs

• A dramatic reading was held in July 2021.
• Special animated PVs with voice acting were released online to promote the novels.

The anime boasts intricate kimono designs, atmospheric Taisho-era backgrounds, and a focus on emotional close-ups to highlight the protagonist’s inner struggle.

Music by Evan Call brings a lush, cinematic score, while the live-action film blended digital effects and on-location shooting across authentic historical districts in Kyoto, Shiga, Mie, and Nara.

The careful balance of magical spectacle and historical authenticity required extensive collaboration between animation staff, historical advisors, and fashion designers.

• Anime Season 1:
• Opening: “By Your Side.” by Riria.
• Ending: “Vita Philosophica” by Kashitaro Ito.
• Anime Season 2:
• Opening: “Promise of Happiness.” by Riria.
• Ending: “Moonshadow Offering” by Kashitaro Ito.
• Movie:
• Main Theme: “Tapestry” by Snow Man.

• The manga adaptation ranked 8th in the 2020 "Next Manga Awards" Web Manga Division and 6th in "Kono Manga ga Sugoi! 2021 - Women’s Edition".
• 1st place in the 16th "Nationwide Bookstore Employees Recommended Comics."
• The live-action film received multiple accolades including Best New Actor (Ren Meguro) at the TAMA Film Awards, and the 2nd Kyoto Film Award for Best Picture.
• 2023’s top-selling Japanese DVD and Blu-ray (ORICON).

My Happy Marriage has touched readers with its portrayal of personal recovery and hope.

Critics highlight Miyo’s gentle resilience and how her relationship with Kiyoka inspires those struggling with self-esteem.

Despite starting as a romance with a guaranteed happy ending, audiences remain drawn to each volume’s well-structured emotional hurdles.

The series’ unique blend of understated fantasy, Japanese aesthetics, and relatable trauma healing has earned dedicated fans and significant commercial success.

• An official alarm clock smartphone app with character voices launched September 2023.
• The anime and film have been distributed across many digital platforms including Netflix, Disney+, and national TV.
• International popularity continues to grow with translations and global streaming.