Alternative title(s): Watashi no Shiawase na Kekkon
Light Novel Adaptation by Kinema Citrus
Streaming on Netflix

Premise

Ever since her mother’s death, Miyo Saimori has lived like a servant in her own home, disregarded by her father and treated cruelly by her stepmother and stepsister. Years of neglect and drudgery have turned Miyo into a passive, downtrodden young woman with little hope for the future, although she remains kindhearted and grateful for the smallest pieces of happiness in life. When she is maliciously arranged to marry a military commander named Kiyoka Kudou, so famed for his coldness that every one of his previous fiancées have fled, Miyo fears the worst – but is there more to her new husband-to-be than meets the eye?

Artemis’ verdict: The Japanese Version of Cinderella. (Also Foreigners Are Probably Bad.)

This is exactly the kind of series that, for better or for worse, gives itself away by the premise. If you read the above synopsis and were instantly intrigued, congratulations, this show is definitely for you. If you read it and rolled your eyes, starting to mentally count the number of clichés that My Happy Marriage would likely contain, romantic or otherwise, you’re most likely 100% correct and may want to steer clear. In itself, I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s a bad anime, but My Happy Marriage clearly knows its demographic and is sticking to that. From the main character whose internal dialogue is uniformly delivered in a deadpan breathless whisper to the main male character who’s just so unimaginably pretty that Miyo can’t help but gasp in shock and awe when she lays eyes on him at the end of episode 1, you can pretty much guess at every story beat several scenes before it happens.

I will say that My Happy Marriage does look quite striking in places – some shots are undeniably beautifully lit, particularly those that also showcase the Meiji Restoration-era setting in lovely detail. For fans of historical titles, the show might even be worth picking up for that reason alone. Otherwise though, I feel that this one might have fairly limited appeal, especially if dramatic shojo romances aren’t usually your thing anyway.