There’s no such thing as a red flag when you wear gold rose lenses.
The title Yakuza Fiancé (来世は他人がいい) itself is a clear indication that this isn’t your typical love story. The literal translation of 来世は他人がいい being “Better Apart in the Afterlife” sets the tone for a romance we can anticipate is filled with chaos, insanity and a touch of machoism. Yakuza Fiancé is about the chaotic and unhinged relationship between Yoshino Somei and Kirishima Miyama.
Who’s unhinged enough to open an anime with the line “I wouldn’t mind letting her… mess up my life”? Enter Kirishima Miyama – toxic, unhinged, slightly deranged with just a hint of puppy love. The kind of character who thrives on chaos and violence, yet you cannot help but be intrigued by his twisted affection for Yoshino. The guy is the epitome of a nutcase.
Worried that his granddaughter will forever remain alone, Grandfather Renji decided to take matters into his own hands and play matchmaker. By pairing her with the Miyami Clan’s grandson, he efficiently hits two birds with one stone, as this would ultimately unite both the Kanto and Kansai regions of the yakuza. Not one to disappoint her grandfather, Yoshino is willing to give this a go. At 17 years old, there’s no chance your match would be a yakuza member, right?
First impressions are always important, but it’s also important to stay cautious of a wolf in sheep’s skin, especially when you live in the world of the yakuza. Appearances can be deceiving, and Kirishima’s charming face is just that, hiding his darkest intentions of finding some entertainment from Yoshino to pass the time.
Frustrated and annoyed by the turns of events, Yoshino had the intent to return home. While Yoshino (currently) has zero romantic interest in Kirishima, she’s bound by her Grandfather Renji’s request to stick it out for one year, and the only way to survive in Tokyo is to play by Kirishima’s rules. Earn your keep? No problem. Want her to sell her body? Easy. A human only needs one kidney to survive.
We can expect the two protagonists to push each other’s boundaries in ways that are totally unhinged and definitely not ethical to modern society. But for two souls who grew up in the yakuza, what is normal? Their interactions, while toxic and chaotic reflect the violent, morally grey world that they were raised in where survival and hierarchy is everything. With the lines between right and wrong completely blurred, their relationship is just another game of dominance and control. The way to Kirishima’s heart? Threats, violence and a side of masochism.
With The Oral Cigarettes opening the series with their song ‘UNDER and OVER’ you could say they are capturing a potential essence of hidden layers and a backstory. The track sets the tone perfectly, blending energy and emotion that suits.
Visually, Yakuza Fiancé’s art may not be overly stimulating in style as the art doesn’t necessarily tap into the wow factor, however, this works in favour for the series. With quirky, over-exaggerated expressions during the more comedic or intense moments, this helps draw out the unhinged and toxic romcom to life. The art did well to serve as a backdrop, allowing the audience to really consume the madness that is Yoshino and Kirishima.
Currently, the anime follows closely and respectively to the manga. Having read the manga a while back, it is such a thrill to see Yakuza Fiancé being brought to life on screen. Honestly, who wouldn’t love to watch a strong female lead like Yoshino fighting back tooth and nail with her psychotic love interest, Kirishima who has more than a few loose screws. Maddened, clashing personalities and relentlessly chasing for a one-sided love, makes this anime series all more comedic than you would expect.
The highly anticipated anime of Yakuza Fiancé (来世は他人がいい) by Asuka Konishi, had its manga version serialised in Kodansha Monthly Afternoon and is produced by Studio Deen, available weekly on crunchyroll.com.