Zutaboro Reijou wa Ane no Moto Konyakusha ni Dekiai sareru
Duração: 24 min per ep
Gênero: Drama, Romance
Estudio: LandQ studios
Sinopse:
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 birthday—used as a ploy to showcase Anastasia—Marie 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' fiancée, 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]
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Comentários
Marinate1016
After last season’s 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 sister’s ex didn’t 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 it’s all thanks to the author having their characters act like real people! It’s 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 they’re proactive in finding solutions for problems. It’s the first time in I don’t know how long that I’ve watched an anime and not had to scream at the tv or wonder why a character didn’t 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 it’s 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, who’s 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 doesn’t 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 there’s the slightest hint that Marie is struggling, he either directly asks about it or is proactive in going out and finding what’s going on. Even when Marie tells him it’s fine, he’s able to see through her lie and he understands WHY she tells him the lie. He doesn’t get upset or make it about him, instead he tries to comfort her and make sure she knows it’s ok to speak her mind to him, something she couldn’t do growing up in her abusive household. There’s a ton of examples like that littered throughout this show and it just really makes it an enjoyable watch because that’s 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 it’s her receiving so much kindness from Kyros, she doesn’t realize all the support and fulfilment she provides to his life. Soulmates is a bit cliche, but they really are. They compliment each other’s strengths and weaknesses very well and most importantly, it all feels earned. Marie coming from an abusive background doesn’t just instantly open up and forget everything she’s been through. It’s 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, it’s nothing but wisdom and encouragement.. or cooking Kyros, lol. There’s 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/Anastasia’s mother and father. I can’t 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. It’s 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 Marie’s 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 can’t praise this author enough for how great these characters are. I wish this were more common in anime because I really don’t 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
Hebi-Mikazuchi
Every anime season has its hidden treasures, and for me, this one was it. It’s not the flashiest show out there, but sometimes, a story doesn’t need fireworks to leave a mark- just careful craft, sincerity, and a little bit of heart. Animation & Art Style: Let’s start with the technicals. Animation-wise, it’s good , not mind-blowing, but solid enough that the motion flows naturally. The real treat, however, lies in the character designs and art style. They’re gorgeous. The detailing in Marie’s artwork especially deserves a standing ovation. Honestly, I could pause the screen just to admire how beautifully she’s drawn. Whoever handled that design deservesa medal (and maybe a bonus).
Voice Acting:
Voice acting falls into the “done well” category. It doesn’t steal the season’s 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;
Here’s where this anime really shines: the story.
At its core, it’s a fresh spin on the “oppressed daughter” trope, but instead of being predictable, the plot pulls you in with intrigue, emotion, and that subtle grayness of noble society. It doesn’t go too deep into the dark underbelly, but it scratches the surface enough to keep things spicy.
The pacing? Chef’s 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 let’s talk favorites.
Ruifon: A lively presence who proves he’s more than just a pretty face. He’s layered, engaging, and his personality keeps things vibrant.
Mio: Initially she looks bland, almost “just there”, but oh boy, she’s full of surprises. Her unusual traits and refreshing quirks made her a delight to watch.
And of course, we can’t 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:
Here’s the cherry on top: the ending actually delivers. Every character gets closure, and not the half-baked kind, proper, satisfying closure. It’s rare these days to watch a romance anime that doesn’t 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 don’t 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 👀), this felt like a refreshing, heartwarming breeze. If you’re 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.
✨ Thanks for reading my review! Hope it gives you a fresh perspective before diving in -and if you’ve already watched it, let’s share our favorite moments!
patkarunungan
'Betrothed to My Sister's Ex' is the latest so-called Cinderella story from what we've had in recent years, namely, My Happy Marriage, as well as 'The Too-Perfect Saint: Tossed Aside by My Fiancé and Sold to Another Kingdom.' How does this fare? § Overview Marie Sharedan is the maltreated second daughter of Duke Shaderan, whilst her older sister, Anastacia, is well-beloved. Anastacia is supposed to be engaged with Count Kyros Granado. However, Anastacia met an untimely fate, so Marie has to be her substitute. Will Marie finally find the happiness that she was deprived of?§ Notes
1. Let's talk about the studio and staff.
⚫ The studio, LandQ studios, has been in the game for more than a decade now. Established in 2009, their offerings are obscure and, unfortunately, judged as mid by MAL users.
⚫ This anime is the director's full-length anime. Kitagawa Takayuki's previous two works as a director involve a movie and an extremely short ONA. He mostly worked as a key animator in previous projects.
Even though he's not new in the industry, his anime début doesn't seem to be a work worth praising, as it is filled with inconsistencies. More on that below.
⚫ I'll have to give partial credit to Terabun Kana, the colour designer. There are some added filters, like some traces of green around Marie, that make her stand out.
2. Let's now talk about stuff about the anime.
First, the characters.
⚫ The best character is Mio. She takes the initiative. She thinks ahead. She is probably the worst person you can try to deceive.
⚫ What I like about the girl, Marie, is that she doesn't come across as pathetic. Sure, she is mistreated, but the anime doesn't want people to dwell on her mistreatment. This serves as a new flavour of the Cinderella story but also undermines it.
I love that Marie is well-read about many countries, and she is knowledgeable about a number of foreign languages. This is one aspect that I, as a language learner, approve of in this series.
Her red hair attracts discrimination.
⚫ Like Too Perfect Saint during the Spring 2025 season, the older sister here, Anastacia, is kind to our heroine. This is the second anime where the stereotype of the evil sister has been inverted.
⚫ The male lead, Count Kyros Granado, has a dark complexion, leading to racism. Good thing, he worked his ass off so that he became the richest in the kingdom.
One thing that bugs me about his background is that it has all the elements that would make him equally oppressed as Marie. He is an illegitimate child. A potential drama would have ensued with him meeting the legal wife of his father, but this did not happen. This is one of those consistent inconsistencies.
Let's now talk about the story, including the consistent inconsistencies.
⚫ Kyros' backstory is rushed. Where some drama could have been presented, lasting 2 or even 4 episodes, it was hand-waved to not go in that direction.
⚫ Both Kyros and Marie are in love with each other. Many of the scenes are lovey-dovey, as if the point of this anime is fan service: good vibes only and shying away from drama.
This creates the frustrating experience that when the dramatick parts do come, they just happen and don't feel emotionally deep as they should in a proper drama. This also leads to the ending that's beautiful for the couple, but you can't really be satisfied with all the holes that were ignored.
§ Conclusion
If you want an okay love story with cute couples, you can watch it to pass the time. After all, you're more likely to ignore the narrative inconsistencies. But if you're more sensitive to such inconsistencies and can't tolerate them, don't touch this with a 10-foot pole.
NOTA BENE: A grade of 4 out of 10 means I got some enjoyment out of this anime, but the issues are glaring, or simply I rank it higher than my 3's but below my 5's.
My enjoyment spectrum lies from 4 to 10. If I have scored an anime below 4, I actively dislike it.
PanzerIV-J
This is an immaculate romance anime, with a very good story, strong character growth, and a great conclusion. Preface: Betrothed to My Sister’s Ex is not your typical medieval royalty romance. While many shows in the genre lean on predictable clichés, this one avoids most of them, offering something more nuanced and emotionally engaging. That said, its differences mean it won’t be to everyone’s tastes. If you read through this review and think, “This sounds like something I’d enjoy,” then chances are you will. But if you’re looking for a lighthearted or standard romance, you may not connect with it. TL;DR Watch it! It’s a great romance with strongwriting and characters. My rating: 9.5/10. Just know it isn’t for everyone.
Story & Characters:
The story follows Marie, the disowned daughter of a noble family. Lacking the stereotypical princess-like beauty, she’s 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 Kyros’s 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 anime’s strength: it takes what could have been a cliché premise and adds real emotional depth. Marie’s arc is especially compelling—her low self-esteem and lack of self-worth contrast beautifully with Kyros’s independence, steadiness, and care for others. Watching Marie grow emotionally and find her own strength is both heartbreaking and uplifting. Kyros’s 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 naturally—smooth as butter melting on a hot pan. To put it in perspective, I’d 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 Sister’s 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 genre’s common pitfalls. It won’t be for everyone, but for those willing to embrace its tone and themes, it’s an unforgettable watch.
9.5/10
Otaku_Senpai
This is a decent shoujo, or rather josei. The art and animation is decent for the genre. I felt this is a variant or the Cinderella story. Much of the show is about how the woman overcomes the harsh upbringing and is liberated by kindness and love. By the end the story wraps up nicely with no need for a further sequel. Is the story unique? No. It was predictable sometimes. I enjoyed it anyway for what it was. I am not in the demography and so cant give it a higher score but I can see how the target audience might. My Rating: 6/10(Okay)
unseen_habitt
Just finished watching this, and honestly — I loved it so much 😭💖 The story is sweet but never boring, with just the right amount of drama to keep it from feeling too light. From start to finish, I was completely hooked on the characters — especially Cyrus 😭🩷 Cyrus is the kind of “simp” that isn’t annoying at all — he’s actually super endearing. In front of others, he looks calm, cool, and elegant like a real prince. But the moment he’s with Marie, he completely changes — instantly turns into a clingy chibi mode wkwk 😭 And when he’s in that chibi form, he’s just toocute. The timing, the expressions, everything’s perfect — it lightens the mood in such a natural way.
What I love most is how Cyrus always puts Marie first. He’s devoted, but not in an over-the-top way. He’s genuine, patient, and protective without being controlling. It’s like, “for the world he’s a prince, but for Marie he’s just a spoiled boy” 😭🩷
I’m so weak for characters like him — cool and composed on the outside but completely soft when it comes to their girl. Every scene with the two of them together just made me smile nonstop 😭
Salvatierra21
an anime for the little ones in the house since this anime is aimed at a female audience with a fairy tale plot based on Cinderella and it delivers on its promise a story with maximum exaggerations that will captivate the public who wants this type of stories but I must say that the plot makes many mistakes it wants to be a fairy tale but without the element of magic there are no enemies only stubborn parents they are never a danger to the protagonist you can say that the biggest enemy is herself since most of the problems are excused by her lackof logic and there is no danger with the prince either, when she arrives at the castle or mansion everyone respects her and becomes her friend it does not develop with any of the secondary characters and the chemistry of the main couple is good but it lacks more creativity in the writing of the characters the author plays it safe he should take more risks in his next work since this is the first one that Tobirano publishes that I will give him credit for his first publication having been published and made anime which is not something easy to do at first I hope that over time the writing improves
President_Megumi
Full disclosure: This is indulgent to me specifically on so many levels, and if this genre and aesthetic are your jam, it will be for you too. “Betrothed to My Sister’s Ex” is another entry into the genre of josei historical-adjacent romances that have become pretty popular over the last few years (and especially with the rise of the villainess-isekai story). Because of the sheer quantity of these that have come out lately, these have gotten to be pretty hit or miss. I watch all of them (because this genre scratches a specific itch in my brain), and I just had the best time withthis one.
First of all, these tend to live or die by their protagonists, and I really enjoyed these two. The male lead is funny, respectful, smart, and oh-so handsome. The female lead, while frustrating at times, was clearly working through a lot, so at least her frustrating moments made a lot of sense. The in-story rationale won’t work for every audience member, but given how stupid and/or self-sacrificial female leads in these types of stories can get sometimes, I at least appreciated that it made a whole lot of sense here (for the amount of abuse this girl withstood really would produce the type of person she became).
Now, what the anime in this genre don’t always have is good art, and boy howdy, was I in love with the visual direction here. In particular, the female lead’s hair was just great.
I’d also be remiss not to mention the opening song. It, paired with the visuals of the OP, was a banger. More anime should utilize this aesthetic (because it’s a vibe almost every time).
Overall, I really enjoyed this one. It seems like a pretty closed story, so I don’t expect a second season, but I wouldn’t be mad if one was announced.
Cellia
When I first started this series I did not expect much at all, I was pleasantly surprised by a wholesome story with some unique plot twists. If you are looking for a unique, one of a kind series, Zutaboro Reijou wa Ane no Moto Konyakusha ni Dekiai sareru is not for you. It's setup is very average within the shoujo genre, bar the fact is not an isekai for once. Despite its lack of individuality within the industry, I really enjoyed how the plot developed and I was glad to see the main character actually develop! I also enjoyed the plot twists thrown throughout theseries, especially the one at the end, and I believe it pushed the rating of the anime up for me. The relationship between the two main characters is also really cute and wholesome.
BunniestAC
The plot of a bride with a harsh past who is about to embrace a new, better experience is nothing new. Even so, this story managed to keep me entertained from start to finish. The characters are written to make us fall in love with them, whether it's Marie with her innocent ideas, the incredibly cool Mio, or Karos, the love-struck young man who is hard not to feel fondness for. Anastasia's fate is equally pitiful. Many of the events made us feel sad, and if the story's progression had gone to the extreme, it wouldn't be surprising if we cried a river over it. The ending wasso beautiful that it made me want to know what happens next. Also, the little girl who seems like she's about to start a relationship with the prince is so ship-worthy it makes you want to go find the next part to read.
Cerisepink
Betrothed to My Sister's Ex is such a dramatic title, and that’s exactly why it caught my attention. After reading the synopsis, I thought it would be a nice anime to enjoy casually… And I wasn’t wrong. While the story could easily fall into cliches, with an insecure protagonist who suffers from her parents’ mistreatment, the plot twist they introduced managed to keep the mystery and hold my interest. Since romance is the main focus here, I appreciated how it was handled, clear, straightforward, and without unnecessary detours. In just 12 episodes we got to see Kyros and Marie’s relationship develop naturally, with the two openlyliving their romance. I really like seeing protagonists in an actual relationship, instead of the story ending right after they confess their feelings.
I also appreciated Marie’s notable character growth. There were moments when I feared she might revert to her old behavior, but fortunately, by the end it was clear that she had changed, which I found to be a very positive aspect.
In conclusion, while the story isn’t groundbreaking, it’s still an enjoyable anime with a fair share of drama and romance. Marie and Kyros make a very adorable couple, complementing each other well, and it’s heartwarming to see how Kyros helps Marie become more confident in herself. Without a doubt, for fans of the romance genre, this is definitely an option worth considering.
KANLen09
Betrothed to My Sister's Ex — A life of suffering traded for a life of happiness—that's the life of every "villainess." Isn't that the fact, truer than ever? However, who are the real villains and the innocent ones in this regard? The diversification when it comes to AniManga, especially those of the traditional aspect alone, never ceases to amaze me. This is especially true if there are people creating traditional fantasy-esque stories out there, which prominently feature Victorian-style settings of nobility and commoners, yet treat them with the ever-so-graceful and negligent traits of the "wealthy vs. poor" segregation that somehow never seems to end. And beforeyou ask, this is a fairly common trope to fall back on for beginnings, especially if you're novelist Tobirano and this is your only lone work of a show trying to stand out amongst the contemporaries of similar works done before and better. This is Zutaboro Reijou wa Ane no Moto Konyakusha ni Dekiai Sareru a.k.a. Betrothed to My Sister's Ex, a show of the not-so-wealthy and the ever-so-tortured, finding themselves out of a generational trauma incurred by parental figures, not to mention, a marriage betrothal so immaculately planned by tyrants so that their children will suffer in the process.
Abuse, bullying, and chiding total to pure destruction of the human compound and soul that chooses to remain kind, always. This is the story plot of Marie Shaderan and her life's "wiring" to become the worst of her family, because truth be told, she's too kind for this harsh world, thinking that her parents have prioritized the wellbeing of their latter sister so much that the other child is worth being abandoned and has no value, being the Cinderella in a story where evil triumphs and good is left to recover on the wayside. Amidst it all, however, in a marriage proposal where a mix-up has resulted in the death of a married hopeful, Marie is the blessing in disguise where the Cinderella herself is seen as a lowly worker, only to catch the attention of a lord who sees her as "love at first sight," resulting in Marie having her "family sold out" moment by the time this same lord would go to claim and make better her life, instead of the one who was assigned to him in the first place. It's quite the victim syndrome that Marie has been casting her inner thoughts in and out at every moment, thinking that she's not suitable as a marriage candidate and would fit others into her role as the ones who are capable of responsibility or even family stature, not letting their family name down.
Any sane human would feel bad for Marie, because she'd never thought that good things would come to her in the first place, and the constant thinking that "others have it better than me" just shows that negativity breeds discontentment for the younger sister of the Shaderan family. Because you see, her elder sister, Anastasia, is supposed to be the wealth and shining diamond of the family, and being wed to a feudal lord would bring much blessing to the Shaderan name, for better or for worse. The duke in question, Kyros Granado, is more than just your average fantasy. Ikemen is a duke who lives and breathes life just like Marie does: a man who lives not by wealth, status, or position of his family name, but as someone who genuinely wants a marriage solely to love and love freely. That's the sole reason why he's smitten with Marie in the first place and chooses to prioritize her before Anastasia, setting the family dynamics off for a blaze of "glory" that only sees endless suffering, thinking that the Shaderan family is being taken advantage of.
The "Cinderella-Prince Charming" pair of Marie and Kyros—one can tell you that they're oh-so-perfect for one another. This is a couple that I would like to call "the red thread of fate," because both of them, by the faults of their circumstances, the glaringness of the situation and issues donned upon them, and the simple glamour that strengthens them every step of the way, make them one of a handful of couples proving the ever-so-true adage and definition of "a relationship needs two hands to clap." Yes, it's easy to see how lovey-dovey Kyros is to Marie, even when she's at her worst at not believing in herself, but then again, it's him working extra hard to make the betrothal worth it, which Marie sees when her mindset is cleared, which doubles down on the relatability of their loving relationship that fosters stronger as time passes.
Yet, you can't deny that the character cast plays a pivotal part in making Kyros and Marie's relationship work, each with their individual quirks that create the dynamics of a whiplash but solid framework. Marie's new life is indoctrinated by the Granado household's head maid, Mio. She's a very talented, no-nonsense maid who oversees the belittled and outcast young woman and makes sure that she's well taken care of. Simply put, she's the most underrated character of the series that puts in all of her effort, like she does dealing with her own sense of justice as a badass woman…which, please don't get on her bad side, otherwise she's just going to wreck you, for bad or for worse. Even down towards familial influence, thanks to Kyros's mother, Liu Liu, the mistress of his late father who had him, sees interest in Marie and helps her improve her self-esteem, as well as guides her along with the affairs regarding her capable son. Even towards the insignificant people of hunter Tomas and chef Toppo, Marie doesn't treat them with prejudice and looks after them as if they are her newfound family, which they can always be appreciative for. This is a pretty good set of characters that, in all honesty, really do deserve mentions of praise for being the cogs to help the main girl find her confidence in the long run.
The show's overall production is alright and gets the job done, even if it is from a minimalistic standpoint. LandQ Studios is not a studio that you'll see often in the anime production space, and this is bearing in mind the fact that the last recent work was the remake of Bem for the series' 50th anniversary, all the way back in Summer 2019. Yet, like I've mentioned just prior, the anime looks decent and is serviceable, and that's what matters the most.
The music department, at least regarding music composer Kujira Yumemi's OST, does feel a bit lacking and empty at spots. It's the same story with Krage's OP and Myuk's ED, though it too lends the sentiment that there could be more done to this aspect.
When all is said and done, Zutaboro Reijou wa Ane no Moto Konyakusha ni Dekiai Sareru a.k.a. Betrothed to My Sister's Ex, is pretty much a typical Cinderella-esque story that matches its enjoyability with some good romance. I'd not blame you if the drama within the show feels conjured or overbloated, though to the credit of the author, at least Tobirano wrote his/her one and only series with the intent that "nice guys finish last" and negate the cliche that "all women will settle for bad boys in a relationship."
That's my takeaway with this show, and it's definitely worth a watch once through to see if it does the same for you as a compelling romance show.
Tharr
Yeah, no. If you're here looking for your seasonal "awww, they're sooo cuuute", you went too far. This is a failed one. The only reason it gets a "mixed feelings" is because it went safe and there was no big damage. (Also, the whole "recommended/not recommended" is wrong, because thats based on if you enjoy or not a piece of media (anime), whereas rating is based (or should be, because most still don't make the difference) on its objective quality. As in: the story, script, pacing, world building, design, animation, audio, VA, vfx, to name a few. And yes, thats important, because you can be highand enjoy a movie with bad dialogue, but when you're watching it again, you realise it is sht. So what are you gonna do then? Change the rating every time you're watching it??)
So, visuals. Meh. The art style is kinda lacking. Decent or cute designs for everyone, apart the main couple. Thats wrong from the start. Yes, we get some scenes (single digits) when they look fantastic, but mostly they don't. The animation is meh. The cinematography, is not here. They went full bubbles & sparkles effects and hoped for the best. The colour palette is meh. Maybe the best part here are: the landscapes and the "objects". As in flowers, fruits, jewelry etc. Some "Team B" took their time and made them look really nice. Good for them I guess.
Audio. Meh or bad. Weird tracks used for "important" scenes and the usual "charming/magical" tracks every time she gets a makeover. The VA was meh, the dialogue's quality might be a reason, don't know. The OP is less than meh (both the track and visuals). The ED is good (with some very nice visuals), or at least catchy.
World building, character development and pacing. Funny. Moderate production value.
And now the "good" stuff. The story is meh at best. Yes, the beginning seems interesting but it gets boring in a few episodes. The so-called mystery aspect was predictable and was used only as a way to give some extra-weight to a lacking story. It failed, obviously. Usually, there are 2 ways to go: diabetes-inducing romance or the romance through adversity (involving drama stuff). Well, they've tried some mix and it failed, obviously (again). 3/4 of the season is about her having trauma and going "I know its not true, he doesn't mean that" etc, while also scenes with the couple being awkward and "cute" and bubbles ans sparkles and blushing and... and.... And then she remembers that she doesn't really care, because its not real... Yes, amazing character development, dialogue, plot and whatever. Oh, sorry. All of that just before the ending when she gets wiser suddenly and everything changes. No, really. The last episode is about setting things straight, the party, what different characters are doing (or will do) and the last 5 minutes are the obligatory "shiny sparkly fairytale ending", with fireworks in the background, obviously.
Yes, I rushed through. The little good aspects are too few and too unimportant to matter. It gets a rating of 5, at most. And "mixed feelings", like I've said before. No rewatch value, obviously. Instead of being a show about cute people doing cute stuff, it tried to be a bit more mature. And it failed. It seems interesting in the first 2 episodes (maybe), then it gets boring and annoying, until the extra rushed pacing in the last episode. So, no. Don't bother.
Have a lovely evening.
User842713
TLDR: A visually exquisite experience weight down by shallow characters and an unoriginal story. The show shines a light on interesting societal and interpersonal dynamics, but refuses to engage the topics in any detail to the point that they feel like set dressing. The male MC, Kyros, is a lord who employs the most capable people regardless of ethnicity/ nationality. Some of the positive sides of this approach, like diversity in cuisine, clothing, care products and procedures, are showcased but none of the conflicts that would arise from different upbringings and culture values are seen at all. Kyros himself is an ethnic minority and seems tobe the result of a untoward relationship between the previous count and a commoner, who is either vaguely middle eastern or possibly Romani inspired. Their relationship is spoken about for no more than five minutes. Similarly, the consequences of Kyros' racial and cultural background are explored through flashbacks that don't even amount to half an episode and they don't seem to affect the story in any way. He's portrayed as a capable businessman and count with one interest: his fiance.
The female MC, Marie, is the younger daughter of an incompetent baron. Her parents mistreat her because of an inherent physical characteristic. The specific characteristic does not matter, it could have easily been feet that are too large or oddly shaped elbows. The only people who seems to think of it as a negative trait are her parents. It does not affect how other characters treat her, although the show does try to portray the suffering she goes through as a result of her dysphoria.
The story boils down to "what if Disney's Cinderella kept going for another four hours". There is more to the story, as implied by the runtime, but none of it is particularly original. The story has two central points: the death of Marie's sister, Anastasia, and Marie's betrothal to the count as Anastasia's replacement. The first part of the story tries to deal with the latter, but the concept is swept under the rug in the first episode. The show instead attempt to portray Marie dealing with her sense of inadequacy. Unfortunately, the show dedicated too much screen time to this aspect of the story. The former is more or less ignored until it becomes relevant to the plot, which is also the first time Marie is portrayed grieving Anastasia's death in spite of her being one Marie's only friends.
While the medieval European setting isn't particularly creative, the environment designs are intricate and well made. The character designs are stellar. It's evident that a lot of effort was put into creating appropriate attire and hair styles for all the named characters. There isn't much action in this anime as such there is nothing in particular to say about the animation. It is serviceable.
The pacing is decent in spite of some parts of the story overstaying their welcome. I watched the episodes the week they aired and never felt like watching was a drag.
bossunhimeswitch
This anime is kind of false advertising. What you think it's going to do it really kind of refuses to do, which was it's greatest weakness and I think having it run on the same day as A Bouquet for the Ugly Girl (April Showers Bring May Flowers) only highlighted this weakness. However, the characters were very inviting none the less and I did genuinely find myself wanting to see what happened to them even though there are other anime that have tackled this kind of subgenre of fairytale better (like My Happy Marriage). The anime also had a decent sense of humor which alsohelped. I decided to mark this as mixed feelings because while it wasn't a bad anime and I didn't dislike it, it just wasn't as good as it could have been.
If you want to watch a story that chooses to take the easiest narrative path possible then you might enjoy this anime. If you want it to live up to its premise then you might get frustrated with it.
