'I Have No Intention of Giving Up': Stars of Winter 2025's Major Netflix Anime Tease the Future of the Series (2024)

During the Summer 2023 anime season, Netflix's hit romance series My Happy Marriage delighted millions of viewers with the heartwarming love story of Miyo Saimori and Kiyoka Kudou. In a recent interview, Japanese voice stars Reina Ueda (Miyo Saimori) and Kaito Ishikawa (Kiyoka Kudou) revealed various tidbits about Season 2 while also discussing how the series has emotionally affected them.

During an interview conducted by Animate Times, Reina Ueda, who is also known for her role as Lemon Irvine in Mashle: Magic and Muscles, admitted to feeling "humbled and a little scared" upon learning about My Happy Marriage's renewal. "The announcement that the production was decided was made quickly...that quick announcement made me realize that this is a work that has really high expectations and satisfaction from everyone," she said. Season 1 concluded in September 2023, and Season 2 is slated to premiere in January 2025.

My Happy Marriage Fans Get Major Season 2 Update Ahead of Winter 2025 Release

As shown in My Happy Marriage's Season 2 trailer, the sequel will revolve around Miyo and Kiyoka's experiences at the Kudou family estate, where both of the latter's parents live. The new couple is also confronted by a stranger who refers to Miyo as his "daughter." Notably, Ueda stated that she is avoiding "following the story further into the future" for the sake of her performance. "I want to stand in exactly the same perspective as Miyo and approach things with a fresh feeling," she explained. However, she also alludes to a future conflict with Arata Tsuruki, who initially tried to convince Miyo to leave Kiyoka and join him at the Usuba family estate. "I think that Arata, who said, 'I have no intention of giving up,' will be related to the second season, so I'm looking forward to it!"

While discussing Season 2, Kaito Ishikawa also references the Emperor's son, Takaihito, who is shown at several different points in Season 1. Once crowned the nation's new Emperor, Takaihito's actions are likely to have a dramatic impact on the socio-political structures that define Miyo and Kiyoka's world. "I think the story will be predicted by him from now on, so I'd like you to pay attention to how his actions will affect the drama," Ishikawa said. "By the way, Godo doesn't appear at all."

Much of My Happy Marriage's appeal stems from its similarity to the classic fairy tale, Cinderella. Believed to be the failure of her family due to her supposed lack of supernatural ability, Miyo is badly mistreated by both her stepmother and her stepsister, Kaya. After being sent off to live with Kiyoka as a potential bride, her family expects him to immediately reject her. Instead, Kiyoka helps Miyo cultivate self-confidence and the ability to voice her true desires. These elements of the story had a profound impact on Ueda. "I felt that it was a work that would raise self-esteem for the viewer as well...I personally related a lot to Miyo...I felt that her inability to accept her own existence and feelings, her past trauma, and her desire to change in spite of that...were all very real. That's why watching it resonated with me deep in my heart," she explained.

While Season 1 of My Happy Marriage mainly focuses on Miyo and Kiyoda's relationship, Ueda believes that Season 2 is primarily about Miyo's concept of "family" growing to encompass others besides her husband. "Miyo, who was in a state where she didn't know what a family was, was taught the warmth of family by Kiyoka...I think that when it comes to marriage, there are more people you have to deal with than just your boyfriend. I've been thinking about how Miyo feels about becoming a family with those people, and what she wants to do with them," Ueda said. However, Ishikawa hints there will still be many scenes which emphasize the couple's romance. "...I think they are becoming a cute couple. And in the first episode of Season 2, the two go on a trip! I hope you will look forward to why they decided to go on a trip and what kind of trip they will take," he stated.

My Happy Marriage

TV-14

Animation

Fantasy

An unhappy young woman from an abusive family is married off to a fearsome and chilly army commander. But the two learn more about each other, love may have a chance.

Release Date

July 5, 2023

Cast

Reina Ueda , Kaito Ishikawa , Ayane Sakura , Koutaro Nishiyama , Hiro Shimono , Houko Kuwashima , Ryōhei Kimura , Hiroshi Yanaka , Kenyu Horiuchi , Yoko Hikasa , Kana Ueda , Kenta Miyake , Toshinari Fukamachi , Hiroshi Kousaka

Main Genre

Animation

Seasons

Studio

Characters By

Creator

Production Company

Number of Episodes

Character(s)

Miyo Saimori , Kiyoka Kudo , Kaya Saimori , Koji Tatsuishi , Yoshito Godo , Yurie , Arata Tsuruki , Shinichi Saimori , Minoru Tatsuishi , Hazuki Kudo , Kanoko Saimori , Masashi Okaito , Kazushi Tatsuishi , Iwashimizu (Informant)

Source: Animate Times interview (pages 1 + 2)