My Happy Marriage is a shoujo anime that hits you harder than a bulldozer, leaves you a trainwreck, but caresses you with the most heartwarming moments right after. It’s a character drama revolving around the love blooming after an arranged marriage. A romance anime like My Happy Marriage is hard to come by.
The second season is almost here, but with its weekly episode, you might want to watch something similar in between. That’s why we’ve curated this list of anime like My Happy Marriage.
Table of Contents
5. Natsuyuki Rendezvous
- MAL Rating: 7.26
- Episodes: 11
- Where to Watch: NA
Hazuki is so head-over-heels for the local floral shop’s beautiful owner, Rokka, that he decides to join as a part-timer. Before he can advance, he spots a ghost around Rokka, who claims to be her ex-husband, Atsushi, who died three years ago. And so begins the story where Hazuki wants the ghost to go away for good. On the other hand, Atsushi wants to take over Hazuki’s body so as not to lose her beloved wife to anyone else.
Natsuyuki Rendezvous’ ghost of the past is Rokka’s husband, while in My Happy Marriage, it is Miyo’s mother. In both cases, these ghosts act as guardian angels of the female protagonists.
4. Taisho Otome Fairy Tale
- MAL Rating: 7.79
- Episodes: 12
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
In My Happy Marriage, Miyo was abused by her family due to her lack of supernatural power. Similarly, Taisho Otome’s male protagonist, Tamahiko, is exiled from his household. He is asked to lead a lonely life till death just because his right arm is no longer functional due to an accident.
Miyo was married off to the prestigious Kudo’s heir who was infamous for his nasty demeanor. A 14-year-old girl appears in Tamahiko’s lonely abode as his future bride, sold by her indebted parents. Both female protagonists bring a breath of fresh air to the monotonous lives of these gentlemen. My Happy Marriage and Taisho Otome Fairy Tale revolves around the love blossoming after an arranged marriage.
3. Violet Evergarden
- MAL Rating: 8.68
- Episodes: 12 (1 season + 1 movie)
- Where to Watch: Netflix
In My Happy Marriage, Miyo has been treated as a servant and abused since her mother’s passing. In Violet Evergarden, Violet is raised as a soldier who loses her limbs and a dear one during the war. Both female leads are withdrawn and shoulder a tragic past.
Miyo was married off to the Kudo household and Violet started working as an Auto Memory Doll. For both of them, it’s a journey of self-discovery and understanding the emotions that surface with their new ventures in life. Did you appreciate how Miyo was depicted with her vulnerabilities and strengths in My Happy Marriage? Then you’ll enjoy Violet’s journey of deciphering her dear one’s last words in Violet Evergarden.
2. Fruits Basket
- MAL Rating: 8.21
- Episodes: 63 (3 seasons)
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Hulu
After an unfortunate turn of events, Tooru started living in a tent, not knowing it was on the Souma family’s property. After discovering Tooru is homeless, the Souma’s decide to take her in. It is similar to how Miyo was warmly accepted by Kudo despite being treated like a servant in her own household.
In both Fruits Basket and My Happy Marriage, the male protagonists’ households took in the female protagonists with tragic pasts. Just like My Happy Marriage, Fruits Basket also has supernatural elements where the Souma household members turn into Chinese Zodiac animals after hugging someone from the opposite sex.
1. The Ancient Magus’ Bride
- MAL Rating: 8.06
- Episodes: 48 (2 seasons)
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
Miyo was devoid of love since her mother’s passing and was instead treated as a servant by her father. On the other hand, the Ancient Magus’ Bride’s Chise Hatori has also been abused since childhood and never received the warmth of a family.
It was Kiyoka Kudou who accepted Miyo’s past as well as present and treated her with love and kindness. Similarly, Elias Ainsworth bought Chise from the slave auction to free her from captivity and marry her. If Kiyoka is gifted with supernatural abilities in My Happy Marriage, Elias is a sorcerer in The Ancient Magus’ Bride.
If you enjoyed the shoujo version of “the knight in shining armor” trope in My Happy Marriage, then watch The Ancient Magus’ Bride for the shounen’s take on it.
