Shanai Marijjihani (2020)

Full of fluff and laughter

I do not know why this was rated so low. I thought it was due to either poor characters, writing, but no, it's perfectly fine. As in, it's a very optimistic view - well more far fetched but I'm here to get out of touch of reality - of marrying a stranger. Especially from a dating app. As you know, there can be creeps but thankfully this doesn't even touch that. Not even the slightest. It's fluff pure on fluff which I love especially of a what if scenario that while may very foolish to some, it has a chance to work and it did. I laughed and smiled watching this. That's all I could ask for since I don't want to see misunderstandings turn to tears. I'm in my 30s, I don't need to see the hard parts of life anymore. I get it and I've went through them even. I just want a piece of happiness and boy did this deliver.

Let's get to the nitty gritty.

Story: It's very rare to find a couple whom works in the same company and in different departments. However, the reasons they do marry are real: he doesn't want his mom to worry about him living alone and for her, she wants to marry after a break up due to a cheating fool. I don't give cheaters second chances and she thankfully tells him off when the shows for a little bit at the start and then thankfully disappears after that. Praise be! The couple then finds themselves at crossroads of the simplest and big things for a couple. I won't say what, but trust me when I say this: if you want to see a nice short series of people willing to talk out things, then watch this. It's a breath of fresh air that is so refreshing.

Don't watch for the drama, it has a sprinkle of it and that's it since it doesn't drag on and on. All speed bumps are solved in a very realistic manner which I appreciate and thankful for. That isn't to say it's done quickly, it's done *right*.

Acting/Cast: The two leads have incredible chemistry to where I could get numerous cavities and the steamy scenes (they show no nudity) are very well done. The kisses sometimes are awkward but not to the point where they're tense. Rest of the cast are real and the acting was great, though I did want some more reactions of when the leads eventually told their coworkers about being married.

Music: It was so good that it didn't distract me and that says a lot for me. It fit the mood where it needed to, couldn't get better than that.

Rewatch Value: Heckin yes I will rewatch this later on the road whenever I need a sweet fluff love story pick-me-up.

Tl;dr: Watch for the fluff, don't expect much drama. Fantastic chemistry between the leads and a lovely - even if far fetched - plot. Sometimes we need a feel good short series.

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Binge for a lazy afternoon

If you're looking for a drama with any conflict or relationship angst, this is not for you. This drama is about a couple getting to know each other and doesn't do much else. The cast have good chemistry and that's about it. The story itself is simple, and whenever conflict arises, it fizzles out quickly to compensate for its 20 minute running time.
Sadly the heroine does suffer from the typical self-doubt that most heroines suffer in Jdrama rom-coms but it's not over the top so it can be forgiven. Overall, I binged it on a public holiday and it filled some time. Nothing bad, but not brilliant. 8 stars because it's a fluff piece and if you hate conflict then this would be ideal for you.

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This is a lighthearted, cute drama that is really easy to watch and requires low commitment, since each episode is just 24 minutes long. I didn't feel ready to commit to a long drama and was looking for something chill and this hit the mark.

It is sort of instalove, but they're a really cute couple with a lot of chemistry and there are lots of kissing/bedroom scenes. From the beginning, she's trying to get his attention and try to make him like her, whereas he's always teasing her and their relationship seemed very natural. Each episode touches on different things in their married life as they get used to each other and grow in their relationship and it's a drama that's very easy to watch and doesn't require any deep thinking since there's not really a plot.

Despite it being a fluffy drama, there's also substance and I like that they grow as people and in understanding each other. The struggles that they face seem realistic to a new couple as well, especially since they were strangers.

The only thing I found kind of weird was how quickly the FL lead said I love you, but I think that maybe it was a mistranslation. I don't speak any Japanese but found it a bit strange so I googled and she said Suki da 好きだ, which can mean I like you / I love you depending on context. I also had to wait a bit for the last few episodes since the eng subs weren't out yet, but the episodes are all subbed now!

There's also a random masseuse in the show that doesn't add much to the plot, but he is very good looking.


7.5-8

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S2 PLEASE!

I love J Dramas and this J Drama is IT! The acting, the actors, the music, the characters, the story! I love it all! This J Drama is completely refreshing, it's not taking itself too serious and the chemistry between the two leads is cohesive and undeniable, I LOVE Shanai Marriage Honey! It so deserves a S2! Make it an anime too! It's so good, I love that it's not so complex, the build up isn't dragged out, the intimate scenes are tastefully done yet erotic, I am truly enjoying this series! Thank you Irozuku for subbing in ENG as I continue to learn the language, I am super grateful to everyone that takes time out of their day to sub episodes for those of us, whose first language is English, it means a lot! I see they added another episode and extended the completion date, so a total of 8 episodes is what we will be getting, but I wouldn't mind if it was 12! :)

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Short drama but enjoyable jdrama

WHAT I LIKED:
- The two leads: I liked Miura Manatsu who has the look of an Alpha male but he is also a kind and caring person. Haruta Ami is a girl desperate and insecure but she gets lucky and makes the best of the situation.
- The chemistry between the two leads: There is a great game of seduction between them. Made of funny situations, nice dialogues, little misunderstandings, cunning plans, sexy situations... It showed a real alchemy between them.
- The setting of their situation and the reasons they have to be together are usual tropes of drama. But the development of their situation is different from what I have seen so far. There is no "I don't like you but I am going to fall for you because we live under the same roof".
- Skin ship and intimate scenes: A lot of them. These two obviously have a good harmony on this aspect. They really found each other well.
- The Fast paced and episodes are short.
- The Cute small twist in the end.

WHAT I DID NOT LIKE:
- Nothing that I really disliked and worth mentioning.

OST:
- It was ok.

REWATCH:
- It is a short drama and the fast pace, nice plotline, cute fluffy atmosphere and some kinky moments make it enjoyable and a good drama to rewatch.

OVERALL: 9.0 /10. A good and short drama to enjoy if your watch list is empty or you are stuck between two dramas.

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Fast-paced and Cute with a capital "C"

Shanai Marriage Honey was the perfect translation of a shoujo manga into a live action drama. The romance is fast-paced and rushed (especially in the beginning), and while you don't really see the leads "fall in love" with each other, their interactions as they work out being a married couple are sooo Cute.

PROS
❀ If you're in a romantic mood, this show hits the spot | It truly highlights the normal stuff a married couple does, such as acting cute at the workplace, kissing/fade-to-black bed scenes (heehee), and all that romance jazz. I love how because of the length of the show, you don't have to wait HOURS to get to the couples' confession and the lovey-dovey interactions.
❀ Main leads had great chemistry | Wowww this actress has the most adorable smile. I like how the narrative highlights the thoughts of the couple, including their worries and assumptions of being married. The ML is your charming, popular-in-the-office kinda dude, while the FL is a happy-go-lucky, sometimes wily but mostly sweet accountant. They work great with each other and all the romance scenes are sizzling with cuteness and chemistry. Both actors were super nice to look at which is always a plus!
❀ Short length of the show was perfect for me | I'm the type to get tired of 30+ episode shows (and even 30 episodes is a stretch), so Shanai Marriage Honey, at 7 episodes (~25 min each), was sugary sweet, simple, and the perfect length for a quick romance story to love.
❀ Happy ending, of course | How could it not be?

CONS
✕ Misunderstanding level: 2/10 | Very small misunderstandings happen (maybe a couple of them?) and are resolved within the episode, aka within 20 minutes lol. Overall the couple has pretty good communication and the FL especially is pro-active about her feelings. Love that.

OVERALL
It's the perfect, happy marriage kind of show if you're in a romantic mood. Lovable characters and limited cast make for a tight-knit romcom that'll make your heart smile. Plus, it's easily bingeable and won't take too many hours out of your day.

(Note: My rewatch value is set to 5.0 always as a default as I'm not the type to rewatch dramas EVER. Thus, I do not take it into account when calculating overall score.)

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I have never feel so single

This is perfect for someone who wants to binge a cute fluff series. No villains, no unnecessary dramas. It exists to entertain my single heart *cries in lonely*

It's a typical marriage without love drama but don't worry. It took only 2 earlier episodes of them getting together and the rest episodes were some cute marriage challenges for newlyweds. It is really simple but I LOVE IT. It reflects the importance of communication between spouses.

The actings were good. No overdone and Ami chan was so cute! The actress, Matsui Airi really managed the cute character by flashing her million dollar smiles. And of course the main characters' visuals are so appealing. Sparks everywhere; their chemistry is very sizzling and also the main guy, Itagaki Mizuki was only 20? Damn good looking son. I'm sold.

Recommended for a quick binge and heart fluttering moments. I rarely rewatch dramas but extra point to this because I definitely rewatch it.

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Candyfloss has nothing on this...

Ohhh...I have cavities! This was all sugar and spice and everything nice! An absolute sugar rush. Think cinematic actualisation of cotton candy and smores! Fluff, fluff and cuteness!

I don't usually like series that are this sugary, but the cuteness overload from the CP just killed me! I found myself grinning like a fool every episode.

It's a short binge, 7 25 minute episodes, and is easy viewing. Pretty much zero angst and no psychopathic SLs, demonic parents or third parties, just two cuties falling in love more and more each day.

There was a decent amount of skinship and kissing, as should be expected from a couple in love and in the honeymoon phase. The chemistry between the leads was visible and the attraction was very believable. And they were really cute (and sexy) together.

I'm sure you noticed the overabundance of the word cute in this review? That's just what this series is...cute, fluffy, sugary, adorableness! So if you want something bite-sized and sweet this might be right up your alley

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The cutest japanese drama I have ever seen!

I could not skip writing a review for this one! I saw a video about this drama on Youtube by chance and I started with the first episode immediately! I did not regret it!
I loved the main couple!!! I liked the fact that they were attracted to each other right from the start of their contract marriage. Female lead was so so pretty, cute and funny. I LOVED how she tried to seduce her husband!!! What can I say about male lead??!!! Apart from the fact that he is super handsome, his character was very funny and adorable but my favourite part was his behavior when he was alone with his wife. She remained cute at all times but he was a little like a different person when he showed his attraction to his wife. I think that he was seduced at first but he was the seducing one up to the end. I also loved his protective and jealous behavior. What a lucky girl!
This drama didn't have major misunderstandings, fights or second leads. It was pure newlyweds romance! This is the reason why I don't think that dramas should have big ups and downs to be interesting. I liked this so much all the way! I was never bored! Although I don't watch things twice, I would watch this one! Pure pleasure for romantic hearts!

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Dans le pays des Bisounours....

In the land of Care Bears everyone is pretty, cute and nice, they care for each other and help each other, there are no conflicts and no bad bears.

Well, this drama is a live version of that cartoon series! That is the only comparison that works actually! I wanted to compare it to a fairy tale but in every fairy tale there is a conflict, there is an evil character (usually a witch of a sort!). So that does not work!

This is a story about two people who meet through the dating app on Monday, get married on Tuesday, fall in love on Wednesday, meet mothers on Thursday, promise to stay together for the next 50 years on Friday and get married again on Saturday! On Sunday, I guess, they rest gazing into each other's eyes with a huge smile while the sparkly hearts and flowers keep popping around them . Well that is what I saw (except for the last thing, which I imagines while I was dying from a sugar overdose induced diabetes coma!)

Somewhere in between gazing lovingly and being lovey dovey, they pretended to work which was just an excuse to be cute and smile and cup one's face with hands. Those poor actors must have suffered severe facial cramps from all that wide smiling!

I cannot stand the grown women in j dramas acting cute! It definitely is a cultural difference for me. Being cute is for kids: when I see kids acting all cute, it is so adorable and endearing. Adults acting that way is distracting, cringy, immature . Why do you think that Japan has a problem with birth rates? When you have adults behaving like children, why make real kids? Just my theory!

Anyway, this was just awful, definitely not my cup of tea! It is a live action manga: and again, for me the plot that works in a comic form, does not necessarily works as a live drama! Just my 2 cents!

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Sweet as Ho(r)ney

This is a short drama overflowing with honey, insecurities, smiles, fluff and what may be a record in speed and sexscenes...

As the couple gets married on the first date, this is anything but a marriage of convenience. this is the type of drama you watch for the fluff, it´s kissing scenes, the pure inner monologs etc. As we get to know the reason the female lead decides to go for a spur of the moment wedding, we are kept on our toes wondering... As they seem to be playing with common tropes, we feel like we should know what is up a head but the viewers , much like the female lead are bound to have trust issues.
Can a man be this cute? Is he just playing with her? Is he just using marriage as a fast way to get girls in bed? are these red or white flags we are witnessing? Why the *** did this guy want to merry her? did he stalk her pre wedding? Is this just the result of a bet? seriously why would a seemingly perfect guy want to marry the first gal he sees?

Both leads have smiles that are huge and reach out through the screen as they use their whole face to smile, and win the audience over. The female leads insecurities can be a bit over whelming at times however she does come of as popular, kind, charming competent and in no way week. The male lead is mysterious, kind?, the type who does not force himself on the female lead he rather waits for her to not only love him but long for him and show her desires, all done in a rater playful slightly cunning way. This guy shows the audience that there are men that no matter how horny they may be they can actually read their partners signals and listen to this, wait to pick up the mood another day... as well as show the ability to take responsibility and rather practice safe sex than do something they may regret. All things that seemed almost too good to be true for a drama.

The side characters are true supporting characters there to move the plot along, add slight spark and drama... Without being annoying or overbearing.

This is definitely a good dose of honey and spice, to up your thirst and make you feel all gooey inside.

Bingabilaty: 10
Annoying elements: 0
Consent: 8
Hert flutter: 9

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