Netflix gets a bad rep for the anime it produces but I think they have outdone themselves with my happy marriage. I glossed over the manga (the Light Novel is slightly different I think) and I wondered if Netflix would be able to capture the attention to detail that a work like this demands. I think they did wonderful. The tone of My Happy Marriage is what sets it apart from the rest. It is rather slow and has this pensiveness to it. The early episodes are dark and depressing and while it enjoys its brighter moments down the line, the lifeless feel that the series produces, through it's soundtrack, voice acting, and animation, resembles Miyo's character, as someone who was essentially conditioned to be lifeless having been subject to abuse and labor, shouldering it all alone in a sense. The most common criticism I have seen of My Happy Marriage so far is that Miyo (the MC) has no personality and/or character. I would probably agree with this, but to call it a downside to the series makes no sense to me. It's like watching a children's movie and complaining it isn't realistic enough. The idea or moral that the anime tries to depict is the progress that Miyo makes and the resolve she gains as a result of her feelings. I said this before, and I'll say it again, because it's something you need to know about this series, it's a slow burner. What makes you appreciate and enjoy it is the small details and bits and pieces of progress the characters make over time.

I would love to talk about the production. Netflix does a great job here. The color scheme is nothing short of beautiful. The colors often reflect the mood of the story, it's dark and dingy during it's traumatic moments but vivid and colorful. The colors aren't extremely vibrant because the color palette is sort of "light." It's hard for me to describe it but it's sort of like a watercolor painting, compared to oil it isn't as rich and vibrant but it creates a different kind of beauty. It's honestly a pretty unique art style for an anime. I think the voice acting is mostly average but I think Miyo's VA does a great job specifically. Her voice is timid and fearful, longing and hopeful at times, and lifeless at other times. Next is the sound. No track really stuck out to me which I like, especially in a series like this, because I think that it is important the sound does not overpower the other stuff. There aren't any huge plot developments in this season (it's slow, like I've said) so I suppose an epic orchestral piece wouldn't be necessary here. Like the color scheme, the sound does a great job of mimicking and setting/supporting the mood. I'll give it a 7/10

I would recommend My Happy Marriage to slice-of-life fans for sure. Romance fans would probably like this but it's a different style of anime, even amongst Shojo's. In the latter half, an action sort of element develops, and the romance is far from intimate and is quite infrequent. For this reason, some people might not enjoy it. I think it is cliche and tropey at times but it's not as frequent as in other newer romances and it's done good enough not to be annoying. I'll also note a personal qualm of mine, some of the voice actors are doing TOO much, and it's pretty annoying. My final point is that an actual plot and storyline comes together towards the end of the first season. I noted that there are action elements, and those elements become especially prominent and function as a main plot simultaneous to Miyo and Kudo's relationship. Overall, this is my pick for anime of the season, maybe along with Bleach, it might not be for everybody but if you watch a few episodes, you'll know if you are appreciative of its slow, but subtle beauty. Final Score: 8/10. Thanks for reading, -nashy