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12
TV
Finished Airing
Jul 5, 2025 to Sep 20, 2025
The Shaderan family has fallen on hard times, and the avaricious and callous baron and baroness will stop at nothing to regain status. They favor their beautiful daughter Anastasia, hoping to marry her into wealth, while they treat the second daughter, Marie, no better than a servant. Years of abuse have convinced Marie that she is truly undeserving of love and attention. On Marie's birthdayâused as a ploy to showcase AnastasiaâMarie meets Count Kyros Granado, who is immediately charmed by Marie and her knowledge of his culture. Believing Anastasia to be the one he fell for, Kyros proposes via letter. But Anastasia tragically dies on her way to marry him. Forced to take Anastasia's place, Marie becomes Kyros' fiancĂ©e, just as he originally intended. Although Marie terribly lacks confidence, Kyros gently helps her find her worth, awakening her to her own beauty and the true meaning of being loved. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
7.4/10
Average Review Score
76%
Recommend It
17
Reviews Worldwide
After last seasonâs Too Perfect Saint, I needed my seasonal fix of cute girl having to overcome the trauma of familial abuse, neglect and insecurity while developing her sense of self, purpose and worth, with a sprinkle of drama and romance in there. Luckily, Betrothed to my sisterâs ex didnât make us wait too long. Despite this being the latest entry in an increasingly popular genre for adaptations, I think this is one of, if not the best of the bunch and itâs all thanks to the author having their characters act like real people! Itâs such a simple, yet novel concept in animanga. Everyoneacts so normal in this. They communicate, they understand the issues other characters are going through and theyâre proactive in finding solutions for problems. Itâs the first time in I donât know how long that Iâve watched an anime and not had to scream at the tv or wonder why a character didnât say this to rectify a problem. Genuinely every interaction in this is so competently written and even when problems do occur, characters talk through it so you leave each episode feeling content. This might not be the most exciting or groundbreaking story ever, but itâs a very well written romance with two loveable leads, great supporting characters and awesome character development. If want a mature feeling romance and a story where the author understands how survivors of abuse feel and how to comfort them, check this out. Perhaps my favourite part of this entire story is how great a male lead Kyros is. Yes, he is the Prince Charming who ends up getting with our female lead, Marie, whoâs been through years upon years of physical and emotional abuse, BUT Kyros is exactly how you want to see a guy written in this situation. He recognizes that Marie has been through a tremendous amount of abuse and instead of pressuring her or making things about his feelings, he consistently reassures, encourages and listens to her. You know how in a lot of anime when a girl is going through depression or mental issues and she doesnât say it, the guy will kind of feel something is off, but he leaves it alone or brushes it off? Not in this one. Whenever thereâs the slightest hint that Marie is struggling, he either directly asks about it or is proactive in going out and finding whatâs going on. Even when Marie tells him itâs fine, heâs able to see through her lie and he understands WHY she tells him the lie. He doesnât get upset or make it about him, instead he tries to comfort her and make sure she knows itâs ok to speak her mind to him, something she couldnât do growing up in her abusive household. Thereâs a ton of examples like that littered throughout this show and it just really makes it an enjoyable watch because thatâs exactly how I would handle the situation. Often times when I watch romance anime, I get frustrated because of the cold and aloof nature of Japanese culture, guys not comforting girls when they cry and being afraid to hold hands, etc., this author either has experience with a lot of western romance or is using this as a criticism of Japanese romance tropes because this just hits. The romance between Marie and Kyros, the core of the story is very believable and so heartwarming. They are truly a perfect couple for one another. While Marie feels like itâs her receiving so much kindness from Kyros, she doesnât realize all the support and fulfilment she provides to his life. Soulmates is a bit cliche, but they really are. They compliment each otherâs strengths and weaknesses very well and most importantly, it all feels earned. Marie coming from an abusive background doesnât just instantly open up and forget everything sheâs been through. Itâs a gradual process and it even has set backs like in real life. Often times, the path to healing is a snake road rather than a straight shot, and this story does a great job of showcasing the constant insecurity and doubts that a survivor of such abuse would have, while showing the importance of having such a great support system in place. Speaking of which, Kyros is an amazing male lead and love interest, but it really does take a village and the supporting cast is so good in this one. In any other show, Mio would be best girl. The way she becomes a sister figure to Marie and helps her come to accept herself as beautiful and someone with value is such a sweet plot progression. She is a girl of few words, but when she speaks, itâs nothing but wisdom and encouragement.. or cooking Kyros, lol. Thereâs a few others like the prince and butler who I loved too. Then on the other side, you have arguably the worst parents in anime history in Marie/Anastasiaâs mother and father. I canât really say why I hate them so much without spoiling too much, but the idea of treating your own flesh and blood like a slave and verbally, emotionally and physically abusing her for years all because of your inadequacies makes my blood boil. Itâs because of their evilness that we got this amazing romance and Marie got to live her best life, so it all works out in the end. I am a big fan of the character designs in this show, obviously this story is marketed towards women so it has a Shoujosei aesthetic and Marieâs design is absolutely incredible. Kyros looks like a dude worthy of someone like her, big fan of him being melanated, the other characters look great as well, the background art is pretty and the animation is serviceable. I really canât praise this author enough for how great these characters are. I wish this were more common in anime because I really donât understand the appeal of dumbing down characters and frustrating your audience like how most romances do. Just write normal humans, normal people are complicated enough and have issues that would be interesting to see. Marie, Kyros and the crew were such a blast, one of my fave couples of the year and a very satisfying end to this season. I will certainly miss them a lot. Zutaboro Reijou gets 9, out of 10
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Every anime season has its hidden treasures, and for me, this one was it. Itâs not the flashiest show out there, but sometimes, a story doesnât need fireworks to leave a mark- just careful craft, sincerity, and a little bit of heart. Animation & Art Style: Letâs start with the technicals. Animation-wise, itâs good , not mind-blowing, but solid enough that the motion flows naturally. The real treat, however, lies in the character designs and art style. Theyâre gorgeous. The detailing in Marieâs artwork especially deserves a standing ovation. Honestly, I could pause the screen just to admire how beautifully sheâs drawn. Whoever handled that design deservesa medal (and maybe a bonus). Voice Acting: Voice acting falls into the âdone wellâ category. It doesnât steal the seasonâs crown, but it definitely delivers. The standout? Kimura Ryouhei as Ruifon. Splendid job. He brought so much personality to the role that Ruifon practically leapt out of the screen. The rest of the cast carried their characters faithfully, and while nobody went full Oscar mode, the consistency was refreshing. Plot & Pacing; Hereâs where this anime really shines: the story. At its core, itâs a fresh spin on the âoppressed daughterâ trope, but instead of being predictable, the plot pulls you in with intrigue, emotion, and that subtle grayness of noble society. It doesnât go too deep into the dark underbelly, but it scratches the surface enough to keep things spicy. The pacing? Chefâs kiss. Nothing drags, nothing feels rushed. You get your emotions stirred just right - intrigue, warmth, sadness, even a little laughter. Most importantly, not once did I feel bored. That alone deserves applause. Characters That Shine: Consistency is key, and the characters deliver it across the board. But letâs talk favorites. Ruifon: A lively presence who proves heâs more than just a pretty face. Heâs layered, engaging, and his personality keeps things vibrant. Mio: Initially she looks bland, almost âjust thereâ, but oh boy, sheâs full of surprises. Her unusual traits and refreshing quirks made her a delight to watch. And of course, we canât skip the leads. Kyros: A great male lead, though admittedly a little generic - chivalrous, passionate, always doing the right thing. Still, his goofy side and his dynamic with Mio add an extra charm that makes him memorable. Marie: The star of the show. Watching Marie grow is like witnessing a flower bloom after a storm. From rock bottom to a strong, independent individual, her development is handled so beautifully it left me rooting for her every step of the way. Her rise is the kind of arc that stays with you long after the credits roll. Climax & Ending: Hereâs the cherry on top: the ending actually delivers. Every character gets closure, and not the half-baked kind, proper, satisfying closure. Itâs rare these days to watch a romance anime that doesnât fumble at the finish line, but this one sticks the landing perfectly. Final Thoughts: What I love most about this anime is how it proves you donât need to be extraordinary to be successful. With careful plotting, well-paced storytelling, and heartfelt characters, it creates the perfect recipe for a memorable watch. In the sea of messy romance anime (looking at you, spring season đ), this felt like a refreshing, heartwarming breeze. If youâre searching for a wholesome romance with a solid plot and rewarding character arcs, this is definitely worth your time. Score: 8/10 A simple but beautiful story that shines with sincerity. Highly recommended for anyone craving a COMPLETE heartwarming romance this summer. âš Thanks for reading my review! Hope it gives you a fresh perspective before diving in -and if youâve already watched it, letâs share our favorite moments!
At first, i was a bit hesitant to watch this anime because of the title. But after finishing it iâm honestly so grateful i didnt skip it! Iâm not really good at writing reviews so iâll just share what i felt based on my watching experience This anime seriously made me cry during the ending à«ź(˶â„ïžżâ„)á I genuinely felt so sad watching Marie being treated unfairly by her own parents. Thankfully her sister Anastasia wasnt cruel to her at all. I really loved how Anastasia truly cared abt Marie as her sister. And i was so happy to see Marie finally reunited with Anastasia and theirlittle brother Cedric too! Iâm also really happy that Marie finally found her happiness with someone who truly loves and cherishes her, Kyros!! The way everyone around Kyros accepts and respects Marie made me feel so touched đč After finishing the anime i couldnt help but get curious abt Anastasia and the third princeâs relationship hehe. Will they end up getting married too?(Ë¶Ë á” Ë˶) And ahhh iâm also curious about Marie and Kyrosâs child >< I just know theyâd be absolutely adorable!!! (ă ÂŽ Ë `)
This is an immaculate romance anime, with a very good story, strong character growth, and a great conclusion. Preface: Betrothed to My Sisterâs Ex is not your typical medieval royalty romance. While many shows in the genre lean on predictable clichĂ©s, this one avoids most of them, offering something more nuanced and emotionally engaging. That said, its differences mean it wonât be to everyoneâs tastes. If you read through this review and think, âThis sounds like something Iâd enjoy,â then chances are you will. But if youâre looking for a lighthearted or standard romance, you may not connect with it. TL;DR Watch it! Itâs a great romance with strongwriting and characters. My rating: 9.5/10. Just know it isnât for everyone. Story & Characters: The story follows Marie, the disowned daughter of a noble family. Lacking the stereotypical princess-like beauty, sheâs pushed aside and treated more like a servant than a daughter. At a party, she meets Count Kyros Genardo, who begins to take an interest in her. However, Kyros is originally engaged to her sister, Anastasia. When tragedy strikes and Anastasia dies on her way to Kyrosâs land, Marie is sent as a replacement bride. Initially hesitant, Kyros accepts her, and from there a genuine romance begins to blossom. This setup already shows the animeâs strength: it takes what could have been a clichĂ© premise and adds real emotional depth. Marieâs arc is especially compellingâher low self-esteem and lack of self-worth contrast beautifully with Kyrosâs independence, steadiness, and care for others. Watching Marie grow emotionally and find her own strength is both heartbreaking and uplifting. Kyrosâs development is just as rewarding, as his bond with Marie reshapes his own perspective on love and responsibility. The side characters also feel well-rounded, each with their own quirks and depth, adding richness to the story rather than just serving as filler. Pacing: The pacing is nearly flawless. There are no stretches that feel overly drawn-out, nor are there moments that rush past important developments. It flows naturallyâsmooth as butter melting on a hot pan. To put it in perspective, Iâd compare its pacing to Steins;Gate: deliberate, thoughtful, and never boring. Who This Might Not Be For: If you prefer romance anime that are more comedic, lighthearted, or trope-heavy, this one may not click with you. It leans into heavier emotional beats, with themes of abuse, trauma, and self-discovery. The romance here is patient and slow-burning rather than flashy or dramatic, so those looking for immediate fireworks might be disappointed. Final Thoughts: Betrothed to My Sisterâs Ex is a beautifully crafted romance with heart, depth, and authenticity. The characters and their growth are what make it shine, supported by a well-paced story that avoids most of the genreâs common pitfalls. It wonât be for everyone, but for those willing to embrace its tone and themes, itâs an unforgettable watch. 9.5/10
This series is a well-crafted romance that, while starting from a premise similar to Cinderella, manages to stand out thanks to its stronger focus on drama and emotional development. The story itself is simple, yet highly engaging from the very first episode, constantly leaving you wanting to know what will happen next. The plot follows Marie, a tall, red-haired and intelligent young woman who is mistreated by her own parents. Everything changes when she meets Cyrus, with whom she immediately forms a strong connection. However, due to an unexpected twist of fate, he becomes engaged to Marieâs sister, who is the complete opposite of her andthe familyâs favorite. After a sudden accident, Marie is sent to marry Duke Cyrus instead, and that is where the story truly begins. One of the animeâs strongest points is its cast of characters. Each one is well developed and shows clear, satisfying growth, making it easy to grow attached to several of them. The romance unfolds gradually and emotionally, supported by family and social conflicts that add weight to the narrative. As for the animation, it may not be the most impressive on a technical level, but it has its own charm and a pleasant visual style that complements the tone of the story. In conclusion, if you are looking for a strong modern shoujo romance, this anime is highly recommended. It knows how to stand out within the genre and earn a solid place among recent romance titles. Personally, I am already looking forward to a second season. Score: 9/10.