My Happy Marriage is arguably one of the finest shojo series that is highly slept on. No one likes damsels in distress and overused tropes, and that is valid. But most people overlook the intricacies and subtle details present in the story. It most certainly goes beyond the rinse-and-repeat tropes.
This also has to do with how romance is portrayed in the series. The subtle yet slow-burn intimacy hooks both readers and viewers for the most part. Then comes the much-awaited confession scene that takes it to a whole new level. But this one is quite out of the ordinary and has its charm and appeal.
In other words, there’s a scene so poetic yet beautiful that it has its fanbase. It redefined the whole idea of love confessions and declarations through allegories and metaphors. But on the whole, it sums up the complexities of trauma, acceptance, and romance perfectly.
My Happy Marriage redefined confessions with this scene
My Happy Marriage would give one the impression of a run-of-the-mill Cinderella Story, but that isn’t true. There’s romance, fantasy, history, and magic woven brilliantly within the plot. It is storytelling at its best if not its finest!
The trope of the monstrous soldier and the timid bride is something we often find in shojo stories. But several elements make it different. Firstly, there’s a power play within and outside the family. Both characters undergo conflict and find a resolution by the end of it all.
Miyo and Kiyoka are opposites in terms of personality but they have a common thread between them. That is the dysfunctional family and strained dynamics. It is jarring and heartbreaking on several occasions. But it is what it is and the animators did a brilliant job of rendering it.
Besides that, both characters find peace in each other’s company. There is a tinge of jealousy, longing, and slow moments that build up the momentum. It is especially true for romance and intimacy in the series and we all loved the confession scene. But there’s this one moment that changed it all.
In Season 2, Episode 4, Miyo comments on the moon being beautiful by saying “tsuki ga tottemo kirei” (the moon is beautiful). It is a bit confusing for fans on r/MyHappyMarriage, and it is understandable. Both tsuki and suki sound similar, but they’re not.
Here, tsuki means moon, and suki means love. Miyo’s comment on the moon being beautiful also triggers a realization within Hiyoka. If this is love, it is a troublesome thing indeed. But what it all boils down to is the complexities of trauma meshed with love and self-discovery in the series.
Love, self-discovery, and the complexities of trauma
Not just love and romance, My Happy Marriage brilliantly portrays the aftermath of trauma. This is something not most people agree upon, which is fine. It is precisely why people are quick to judge a book by its cover and overlook its brilliance.
Indeed there are similar undertones with Cinderella since Miyo is mistreated by her family. But what makes it totally different is the newfound strength. Through Hiyoka’s love and encouragement, she finds herself and discovers her power but it’s just the tip of the iceberg.
The anime does a splendid job of sensibly portraying CPTSD through Miyo’s eyes. Emotional abuse and its effects are long-lasting. We witness her self-criticism, insecurity, and fear. From being scorned in public by her stepsister to her mother’s tree being cut down, she underwent immeasurable pain.
However, there’s a balance of both dependence and self-growth. She leans on Hiyoka but stands up for herself against her family’s vices. With time, she can overcome her fears, and it is quite a realistic portrayal of trauma and healing. It truly is commendable and doesn’t deserve to be slept on!
My Happy Marriage is available for streaming on Netflix.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
