English Dub Review: Marriagetoxen “Thanks, Man”
OVERVIEW (SPOILERS)
Toshiro is apprehended by his sister Tonako and everyone goes their separate ways, though Hikaru recommits to becoming someone worthy of the love that the new women in his life have shown him.
OUR TAKE
Finale time! And yeah, like I expected, it’s basically just a cool down and wrap up following the big climactic fight at the end of last episode, which is pretty fitting. The cool battles a fun and all, but the main crux of this story is about Hikaru trying to find himself a potential bride, and it looks like he can add one more to that list of potentials with Arashiyama coming out and outright saying she likes him, but is going to work on bettering herself so that she can try and start things properly, which Hikaru agrees to. That doesn’t mean he’s specifically chosen her, but she’s definitely impressed him with how much she’s overcome and helped save everyone. And she’s definitely grown a lot as a person and as an assassin, as well as being in the same line of work as Hikaru, so they’d certainly have a lot in common to work with. Although she’s now not the only one in the field who has shown interest in him, as Tonako, the new head of the Beast Clan, also shows that she’d be open to the idea, and considering one of the main reasons Hikaru is on this quest for a bride is to secure an heir for the family, him marrying the head of another of the Five Great Houses would certainly be appealing to his higher ups. But then he’d have Toshiro as a brother in law and that’s probably enough of a red flag right there. Also we might be able to add Shizuku to the list since she was pouty about Arashiyama confessing and is seen in the ED with the other girls (and Mei).
But as for Hikaru himself, he finds himself having cleared another dangerous mission, but is also more flummoxed about the idea of a girl actually liking him as much as Arashiyama does. And as someone who’s felt those feelings when presented with someone actually showing interest, I can relate. But while an instinct may be to turn away or rationalize not approaching, that’s something that Hikaru from the start of the series would probably do. This is a Hikaru who has learned to believe in himself and his appealing qualities as much as he believes himself to be a master assassin, and is now getting the hang of this whole dating thing. Plus, he’s met people like Piichi who have found love, and his friend who just got married, so he has an example to take forward into his next venture, whether that’s through fighting or loving. So, while this isn’t the most flashy or cathartic ending this show could have, it feels consistent with what it set out to be, and with a second season confirmed and on the way, we know we’ve got plenty to look forward to here.
