English Dub Review: My Happy Marriage “The Meeting”

Overview (Spoilers Below):

Despised by her stepmother and sister, Miyo is treated like a servant in her own home. One day, her father calls her in to discuss her future.

Our Take:

Marriages usually lead to our “happily ever afters”, in which our dreadful days of torment and depression are behind us. Unfortunately, this latest anime series on Netflix is nothing like the fairy tales we grew up with, let alone the romance shows I endured. The title seemed to be misleading regarding its concept and plot. However, considering its success with the manga and the recent live-action adaptation that premiered in March, it must’ve been good to warrant its depressing nature and the long-awaited anime version of the source material. The true test now is whether it’s compelling enough to make me want to continue this journey.

Based on this episode alone, the best way to describe the series is Cinderella in 19th Century Japan. It centers on Miyo Saimori, the eldest daughter of the Saimori family promoted to servant following her father marrying her stepmother. This was because Miyo’s birth mother passed away when she was young during the episode’s flashback. It didn’t say how she died, but I assume it was from a sickness. As expected, the stepmother and half-sister, Kaya, treat Miyo like shit until her father sends her away for an arranged marriage. Even worse, Miyo’s friend Kouji takes her place as the family’s son-in-law and the wife of Kaya.  

But wait, there’s more. Miyo’s fiancé is the head of the Kudo family, Kiyoka Kudo, who is said to be a cruel soldier who causes his previous wives to flee after three days of marriage. However, after seeing Kiyoka herself, Miyo becomes convinced that he may not be who they say he is. Although, I’ll be willing to be the judge of that in the following episodes.

Instead of depicting a hopeful and delighting version of “Cinderella” with singing mice and a fairy godmother, “The Meeting” showcases a depressing and emotional depiction of the fairy tale it inspired, with Miyo being a soft-spoken and sorrowful servant instead of a hopeful and cheery one from the Disney version. I’m not joking. This episode is miserable as heck. At least the father lives, and there’s only one stepsister for Miyo to endure instead of two, but that doesn’t make her new life easier to handle. Unsurprisingly, the stepmother and Kaya made me want to drown them in the pool, and the father is just as bad as them for letting Miyo suffer through that torment. It makes me wish that the father shares the same fate as her mother.

“The Meeting” will depend on how you feel about its depressing topics, but they’re handled in a way that’s more engagingly poignant than emotionally manipulative and frustrating. The English voice cast is good so far, and the animation by Kinema Citrus was genuinely gorgeous regarding its settings. With Miyo settling into her new life as Kiyoka’s wife, things may start turning around for the miserable servant-turned-wife. Let’s hope Kiyoka is as respectful as he is good-looking.