My Happy Marriage is a sensational show on Netflix that came out in 2o23. My Happy Marriage takes on a Cinderella-like air. It is a riches-to-rags kind of show. From servant to lady. Miyo is the servant in her own home who is then married to a high-status attractive man. The manga/light novel starts off similarly, but the show is quite different in how it starts out. Because it is a show, we see how the directors and filmmakers thought and created a show just as worth watching as the manga was worth reading.
The light novel came first. Then the manga was adapted from the light novel. In 2023, Netflix adapted the show from the novel. Netflix generally did a wonderful job with it despite the wealth of information Netflix had to work with. It takes a special mind to pull together the story from the light novel/manga and make it into a successful and well-put-together show. The abundance of information is more deftly and concisely sorted through. Even if it’s put together slightly differently it makes the story clear and mind-gripping.
My Happy Marriage: Synopsis
https://://gty.im/2154030255
From the opening lines of the show, “The Cherry Blossoms cascaded, surrounding me and my broken heart,” to the ending line, it is a beautifully rehearsed and well-put-together show. As Miyo describes her heartbreak and struggles, a spark ignites in her hand; and as she gasps, the sparks suddenly dance in front of her and consume the tree she is standing in front of. This may signify her life from before and her life now. Thus begins My Happy Marriage. The show’s introduction and the book’s opening are different, but each is quite effective- it instantly captures your attention.
The first minute or two of the show is different from the very beginning of the manga/book, the moment (in all three) eventually pivots back to how Miyo’s family is cruel to her. The writers understood that we needed to understand Miyo’s background before she could move on to a healthier and healing environment. All of Miyo’s family treats her with contempt. The rest of the time, she barely exists to them.
The one bright spot in her life is her friend and next-door neighbor, Koji. Miyo wishes to marry Koji one day, but Miyo’s father tells Miyo that she will marry Lord Kudo instead. Miyo laments a lost place in her family as she will not be Koji’s bride. Koji is to inherit her father’s house and lands. But Miyo, being the oldest, is kicked out of her childhood home.
Miyo is in trouble. If her betrothed sends her away, she will have nowhere else to go. She tried to prepare herself for heartache and disappointment, but her heart broke regardless. “All I want is a bit of peace,” Miyo says. Miyo leaves first thing in the morning for Kiyoka Kudo’s household. Kaya unkindly wonders aloud how long Miyo will last in the Kudo household, which holds some credence to it. Kiyoka has a reputation for throwing out potential brides within three days.
Discussion about the Show v Book/Manga
Towards the end of the episode, Yuri, the family servant, immediately gives a warm welcome to Miyo, which puts her somewhat at ease. Yuri has personally been my favorite character. She represents that warm presence that everyone needs in order to feel welcomed and comforted. Yuri brings Miyo to Lord Kudo for a proper introduction. This is where the manga/novel and show differ. The episode ends where the manga begins- Introducing herself to Lord Kudo.
Miyo receives a cold introduction from Lord Kudo in the manga and light novel. His back is to her for a time (we don’t know exactly how long) and he barely looks at her except to ask how long she will stay bowed to the ground. Miyo was used to not rising from the position until she was given permission. This gives us more insight into how her family was towards her before she came to live with Lord Kudo. Her family treated her with contempt and Kudo’s cold reception resonates with Miyo and she potentially expects similar treatment from Lord Kudo.
Episode 1 went rather smoothly, and I was able to keep up with book 1 of the manga and of the first chapter of the light novel. The artwork is amazing and while it may not be the exact same artwork from light novels to manga, to series on Netflix, it is still amazing on each of these. On Netflix, for instance, there was beautiful coloring and blending with eye color and hair to reflect the light. It was an intense and vibrant color of Miyo’s eyes for example, but perhaps that reflects how beautiful Miyo really is if only allowed to show her true beauty.
Confrontation and Review
I’m glad that at the end of the episode she meets Kiyoka, and he turns around in his seat and faces her. In the manga and light novel, she is on her knees bowed face to the floor and stays that way for a short period. Miyo’s mindset is that she has to endure whatever hardships come her way because she has nowhere else to go. She is not to be an embarrassment to her family, and she is not welcome at her old home. Whatever treatment she endured at her old home, strengthens her resolve to endure what Kiyoka has to throw at her.
My point is this: Kiyoka may have been a bit unkind to her at the beginning, but he does eventually warm up to her. In the episode, though, it shows Kiyoka a bit more friendly than he was originally shown in the book/manga. I think for the show’s purpose it worked out well. While Miyo laments her childhood initially, we are still told that “Everything changed when I met him,” as we see Kiyoka’s back. While the show is about past traumas and how Miyo overcomes them, it is more about how Kiyoka and Miyo meet and how their relationship starts. It is in the very title- My Happy Marriage.
All in all, they did a great job directing the show and putting things together. Of course, since it’s a show they have to have some creative license to spark interest and put a new spin on the show while preserving the original story. And they did well to preserve the original story while putting that new spin on it. What you see on the screen along with what you hear helps to bring things together in a way that a book would not be able to. I rate this show 8/10 and highly recommend it if you’re into slow-burn romance anime.
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