There is a hidden anime gem on Netflix. But because of the boring, off-putting name, the series could pass many of you by.
There are quite a few anime, and for me to start a new one, it has to catch my eye somehow.
A series called ‘My Happy Marriage’, or even worse in German ‘Meine ganz besondere Hochzeit’, would actually fall right through the cracks for me. I definitely like romantic series, but when the name is directly ‘Happy Marriage’, it’s hard for me to get excited – it just sounds a bit too cheesy for me to enjoy.
I became skeptical because on the release day of the last episode, the series suddenly appeared as ‘the most popular’ – so I had to give it a chance after all.
And what can I say: It was worth it, because ‘Meine ganz besondere Hochzeit’ is more than just a romance; it’s also a very classic, captivating drama with a somewhat outdated view of women, which fits wonderfully into the storyline.
What is it about? The series tells the story of Miyo, who is born into the prestigious Saimori family. However, her mother dies soon after, and her father remarries. Since Miyo, unlike her younger sister Kaya, has not developed a sense for the supernatural, she is demoted to a housemaid. She lives in poverty and has no joy – apart from conversations with Koji, the son of a family friend, for whom Miyo has feelings.
In the world of an alternative 19th-century Japan, where marriages are still decided by parents to enhance the family’s prestige and power, Miyo hopes for a marriage with Koji.
But things take a different turn: Koji becomes engaged to Kaya and Miyo is banished from the house. She is handed over as a marriage offer to Prince Kiyoka Kudo, in the hope of benefiting from his family. However, Kiyoka has a reputation for being cruel to women, and so far, every woman has fled from him.
What makes the anime so great? Even though it sounds a bit macabre, it is the voice of Miyo Saimori that you should definitely listen to in the original Japanese. How voice actress Reina Ueda manages to make the character sound so depressed and broken is simply fantastic. With every spoken syllable, you can feel the deep despair and psychological cruelty that Miyo has experienced almost her entire life. I have never heard a voice in an anime that fits so perfectly as Miyo’s.
Just listening to her already brings about a profound sadness that is more than beneficial for the storyline of the series.
If you’re up for a traditional, romantic drama with great characters, you should give the series on Netflix a chance – preferably with Japanese dubbing.
Have you seen ‘Meine ganz besondere Hochzeit’ yet? How did you like the series?
If you need anime that are a bit more positive – these 5 will sweeten your dreary everyday life.
