SaysieVerse
Funny, romantic, surprising
CAPS TITLE
Crunchyroll
More than a married couple, but not lovers
Funny, romantic, surprising
2022
12 episodes
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Image source: Crunchyroll / More than a Married Couple, but Not Lovers © Crunchyroll
"I knew it would hurt. But I still wanted to stand next to you."
- Akari Watanabe
Contents summary:
The anime More than a Married Couple, but Not Lovers revolves around the story of Jirou Yakuin and Akari Watanabe, two students who must pretend to be married couples for a school project. The project is part of a school assignment in which couples simulate a "marriage" to test their ability to handle relationships and responsibility. However, there is one hurdle: Although they are officially married, they have no romantic feelings for each other.
Jirou, who initially rejects the idea, is increasingly influenced by Akari, who becomes increasingly interesting to him through her charming nature and her desire to complete the project successfully. Akari, in turn, has feelings for another classmate, which leads to unexpected tension as the two are forced to regularly act like a couple and share intimate moments without actually being lovers.
The series explores the difficulties, misunderstandings, and growing emotions of the two main characters as they become increasingly entangled in their "marriage" and their complex feelings toward their classmates. It's a story about love, personal development, and the many facets of relationships that are more than just what meets the eye.
Review:
7/10
I found the anime to be a really enjoyable watch, but unfortunately, I was hoping for more overall. I found the ending particularly disappointing, as it was left very open-ended. Of course, you can figure out a lot of things yourself, but especially after the entire character development, I would have liked to see their story continued visually. It would have been nice to experience the characters' emotions more intensely and have a more rounded conclusion. This leaves a slightly unsatisfying feeling.
1. Plot: The plot offers an interesting mix of comedy, romance, and drama. The idea that two students have to simulate a "marriage" but have no romantic feelings for each other leads to many humorous but also emotional moments. The development of the relationship between the main characters is exciting, as they are torn between reality and simulation.
2. Character Development: The character development, especially that of Jiro and Akari, is understandable and well-executed. Jiro grows by learning to face his own feelings, and Akari demonstrates an interesting development from an initially aloof character to someone who struggles with her own emotions.
3. Emotional Impact: The series creates a mix of humorous and touching moments as the protagonists grow through their unconventional situation. There are also thought-provoking moments, particularly about the kinds of relationships and feelings that can develop when two people are forced to be "more than just spouses."
4. Production and Cinematography: The animation is appealing, and the character designs are likeable. The color palette and environments support the lighter, romantic atmosphere, which suits the narrative well. The scenes in which the relationship between the characters deepens are particularly well-staged visually.
5. Social Critique: The anime subtly addresses societal expectations regarding relationships and marriage. By simulating a "marriage," the film demonstrates how social norms can influence the development of interpersonal relationships and questions what constitutes a true relationship.