Great news for fans of Kureha’s popular light novel series, “Oni no Hanayome” (The Ogre’s Bride)! An anime television adaptation has officially been announced. This exciting development promises to bring the enchanting world of humans and ayakashi to life on screen, captivating audiences with its unique blend of romance, supernatural elements, and Japanese folklore.
A Cinderella Story with a Yokai Twist
“Oni no Hanayome” tells the story of Yuzu, an ordinary high school student who feels overshadowed by her younger sister, who is betrothed to a fox spirit. Living an unfulfilling life, Yuzu’s destiny takes an unexpected turn when she encounters Kiryuuin Reiya, a strikingly handsome demon who stands at the pinnacle of the ayakashi world. Reiya declares Yuzu to be his bride, setting in motion a captivating “Japanese-style ayakashi Cinderella story.”
The series explores the harmonious coexistence of humans and ayakashi in Japan. Ayakashi, known for their superior abilities and captivating beauty, sometimes choose human women as their partners, bestowing upon them the title of “bride.” Yuzu’s journey from an overlooked high schooler to the bride of a powerful demon is filled with romance, self-discovery, and the challenges of navigating two distinct worlds.
A Popular Series with a Growing Fanbase
Written by Kureha, “Oni no Hanayome” began as a short story on Starts Publishing’s Novema! platform in 2019. The series quickly gained popularity, winning the grand prize at the First Novema! Character Short Story Contest, which had the theme of “ayakashi x romance.”
The series was then rewritten by Kureha and serialized on the same platform. Starts Publishing began publishing the series as paperback volumes on October 28, 2020. As of now, the light novel series and its manga adaptation have collectively sold over 5.8 million copies, demonstrating its widespread appeal.
Celebratory Messages from the Creators
The announcement of the anime adaptation has been met with excitement from the creators involved in the series.
Kureha, the original author, expressed her gratitude and excitement: “Hello, my name is Kureha. It has been decided that ‘Oni no Hanayome’ will be made into an anime! I would like to thank everyone who has supported and cooperated with me up until now. This work started as a short story of about 20,000 words, but it was made into a book, then a comic, and finally into an anime, all thanks to the support of so many people. Thank you so much. I can’t help but feel excited at the thought of what I have imagined in my head being played out on screen. I am happy to finally be able to tell everyone who supports Onihana. I hope you will continue to support Oni no Hanayome.”
Jun Togashi, the artist behind the manga adaptation, shared his enthusiasm: “Congratulations on the TV anime adaptation of ‘The Demon Bride’! I am very excited to see how Yuzu, Reiya and the other little demons will be portrayed, talk, and move… I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who has been involved in this work, and to all the readers who have supported it.”
Yuu Shiratani, the illustrator for the light novels, also expressed her joy: “Congratulations on the decision to make an anime version of ‘The Demon Bride’! I am really looking forward to seeing how my beloved Yuzu and Reiya, along with all the other fascinating characters, will be colored and developed. I am honored to have been involved in such a large project. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the readers who have supported us, to the original author, Kureha-sensei, the comic artist, Togashi-sensei, and to all those involved. We look forward to your continued support.”
Manga Adaptation
The manga adaptation of “Oni no Hanayome,” drawn by Jun Togashi, has also garnered significant recognition. Togashi launched the manga in Starts Publishing’s Noicomi magazine in December 2021. In 2022 and 2023, the manga won Noicomi’s annual comic ranking in the girl comics category. Starts shipped the sixth compiled book volume on November 22, 2024, and is scheduled to release the seventh compiled book volume on June 13, 2025.
Where to Read
MangaPlaza publishes the manga series in English, describing it: A Japanese-style ayakashi Cinderella story! “You’re the bride I’ve been searching for all this time.” The ayakashi and humans coexist in harmony. The ayakashi, having superior abilities and beautiful appearances, sometimes find their partner among human women, making them their “bride”.
What to Expect from the Anime
While details about the anime adaptation are still emerging, fans can anticipate a visually stunning and emotionally engaging series that faithfully captures the essence of the original light novels. The anime is expected to delve into the intricate relationships between humans and ayakashi, explore themes of love, acceptance, and self-discovery, and showcase the rich cultural tapestry of Japanese folklore.
A Promising Addition to the Anime Landscape
The “Oni no Hanayome” anime adaptation is poised to become a captivating addition to the anime landscape. With its compelling storyline, endearing characters, and stunning visuals, this series is sure to resonate with fans of romance, fantasy, and supernatural anime. As more information becomes available, anticipation will undoubtedly continue to build for this highly anticipated adaptation. Stay tuned for further updates on the release date, cast, and production details!
