I’ve never been a fan of high school rom-coms. In fact, I generally detest wishy-washy romance. Be it in real life or anime, anyone who prances around instead of being direct will quickly gain my disdain. But that’s not to say I’ll avoid all shows with dense MCs or tsundere maidens. Paradoxically, I’m quite fond of the latter. I particularly enjoy shows that feature ecchi undertones or prominent lewdness. The currently airing series I’m Getting Married to a Girl I Hate in My Class perfectly fits this niche. And with an absolutely entertaining premiere, it’s well worth the watch.
I haven’t read the source material, so note that I’m judging the show solely on episode one.
What’s I’m Getting Married to a Girl I Hate in My Class About?
Originally launched as a YouTube manga on the Manga Angel Neko Oka channel, Kura-kon centers on the tsundere classmate duo of Akane Sakuramori and Saito Houjou. Two people who supposedly hate each other as much as British Petroleum hates clean oceans. While the pair would like nothing more than to gleefully keep at each other’s throats, life gives them a huge hiccup. In the past, Saito’s grandpa and Akane’s grandma were enamored with each other. And when they reunite after becoming widowed, that bygone romance restarts.
But since they’re firmly in their golden years, they decide to live vicariously through their grandkids. So they coerce the two poor souls into an arranged marriage. Although their grandkids oppose the idea, they accede when threatened. They initially believe their marriage will happen after they graduate college, giving them a few years to devise a means of escape. But to their surprise, they discover that their marriage commences immediately, and they’re now living together.
Why You Should Watch I’m Getting Married to a Girl I Hate in My Class
HORNY TUSNDERES. Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.
Every season we see several romance-themed anime, and this season is no exception. I haven’t checked the full count, but I’m sure there are over 15. Because of this, shows need to stand out. And this show does. Having characters who can’t stand each other live together and be forced to interact is a familiar plotline. We can all think of five shows that follow this template to some extent. So why is I’m Getting Married to a Girl I Hate in My Class worth recommending? Back to my opening remark, horny tsunderes.
The protagonists make this show shine. For me, the monotony of rollover MCs and half-baked tsunderes has, lately, put a big damper on rom-coms. The emerging trend is full of male protagonists accepting mistreatment without much objection. And, disappointingly, people often label maliciously abusive female characters as tsunderes. Call me old-fashioned, but I prefer (and love) the lively, easily embarrassed tsundere of old, especially when they have a playful, pervy side! And Akane nails those points. She transforms every third phrase she hears into something pervy, with heavy ear damage. In her eyes, Saito’s every inconspicuous or normal action has devious and perverted undertones. Never in my life have I seen a tsundere that’s down this bad. It brings me joy.
I’m Getting Married to a Girl I Hate in My Class excels at making tsunamis in teacups. Even the supporting characters pile on the absurdity in heaps. There was a scene where Akane confided in her best friend about the issue of sex in an arranged marriage. Instead of a comforting reply, her friend encourages her to take the Abe approach and make twenty sets of quintuplets. I laughed so hard at that scene that I nearly choked.
Seriously, You Should Watch It
That scene’s comedy appears consistently throughout the Kura-kon. However, I have to give Akane some credit. Her worries about being shagged and bagged aren’t unfounded. When the newlyweds have to share a bed, despite Saito’s assurances, he grasps her bum faster than a paper clip flies toward an industrial-powered magnet. I understand that you can chalk that up to seizing opportunities. But while they may have cleared that initial hurdle, they’re barely at the starting line of an epic marathon.
Shogo Sakata (Saito Hojo) and Hinaki Yano (Akane Sakuramori) do an excellent job with I’m Getting Married to a Girl I Hate in My Class’s voice work. I’m particularly smitten with Hinaki, as Yu Takaski (her first major role) and her work on Uma Musume and A Salad Bowl of Eccentrics made her one of my favorite voice actresses. So hearing her shout lewdness makes my kokoro go fuwa fuwa.
Finally, the art style is visually appealing and doesn’t offend anime fans. So far, the show seems like a strong contender for the rom-com of the season.
Class no Daikirai na Joshi to Kekkon Suru Koto ni Natta — Extra Details
The I’m Getting Married to a Girl I Hate in My Class light novel ran for ten volumes. Seiju Amano wrote the story, and Nanami Narumi illustrated it. Media Factory’s MF Bunko J imprint released the light novel in Japan from December 2020 to January 2025. In May 2021, Kadokawa’s Shōnen Ace Plus launched a manga adaptation by Mosskobu (the web manga’s illustrator). The Studio Gokumi and AXsiZ adaptation is currently airing on Crunchyroll.
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