My Bride is a Mermaid – A Ninkyō Rom-Com Where Comedy Meets Pure Love!

(C)木村太彦／スクウェアエニックス・OVA瀬戸の花嫁製作委員会

My Bride is a Mermaid is a manga by Tahiko Kimura, which was later adapted into an anime. It’s a unique blend of yakuza-style ninkyō comedy and rom-com.

The protagonist, Nagasumi Michishio, nearly drowns during summer vacation, only to be saved by a mermaid named Sun Seto. However, the mermaid code dictates: “Any human who learns our secret must either be eliminated… or become part of the family.” With no other choice, Nagasumi ends up becoming Sun’s “husband” and marrying into her fearsome mermaid yakuza clan!

From that moment on, while constantly having his life threatened by Sun’s intimidating family, Nagasumi is thrown into a chaotic yet heartwarming newlywed(?) life with his bride. This is the start of a frantic romantic comedy where laughter and pure love intersect!

A Beautiful(?) Love Story Between a Human and a Mermaid??

Nagasumi Michishio visits his grandmother’s home in Seto Inland Sea during summer vacation. While swimming, he nearly drowns—only to be rescued by a mermaid girl, Sun Seto. This fateful encounter leads to an unexpected marriage! (According to mermaid law, any human who sees a mermaid’s true form must either be killed, or the mermaid herself must take her own life. The only way to escape this fate is for the human to become part of the mermaid’s family.)

Naturally, Sun’s father, Gozaburo, is fiercely opposed to the union, and Nagasumi quickly finds himself targeted by Sun’s bodyguard Maki the seashell and the rest of their underlings. To make matters worse, Gozaburo is not just any father—he’s the boss of the mermaid yakuza syndicate, the Setouchi Fish Union.

At first glance, the anime My Bride is a Mermaid looks like a chaotic romantic comedy. But hidden within the slapstick humor is a solidly constructed story full of heartfelt character development. From the accidental encounter between human and mermaid, to a heroine burdened by the yakuza code, an overprotective father, and the growth of the protagonist—every element comes together seamlessly. Each episode delivers high-energy fun that keeps viewers hooked. I myself couldn’t stop watching once I started—I binged the whole series! Here, I’d like to share its charm through three key perspectives.

The biggest charm of My Bride is a Mermaid lies in its “ninkyō (chivalrous yakuza) element” that goes far beyond a standard rom-com. In the mermaid world, if a human and mermaid cross paths, one of them must die. To protect Nagasumi, who nearly drowned, Sun makes the ultimate choice—she marries him, treating it as an act of duty and honor (jin’i).

This sets her apart from the typical “pushy bride” heroines. At first, her motivation is responsibility rather than love. But gradually, her feelings for Nagasumi deepen, transforming into genuine affection. Meanwhile, her yakuza father Gozaburo tries everything to tear them apart, leading to a perfect blend of gags and drama.

Sun’s fiery ninkyō-style speeches, her contrast between her Tosa accent and her cute appearance, and Gozaburo’s over-the-top rampages—all of these collide to create a uniquely chaotic romantic-comedy atmosphere you won’t find anywhere else.

Another huge strength of this series is its characters. From main roles to side characters, everyone is fleshed out and continues to play a role in the story. Unlike many school comedies where side characters fade after their arc, here, each character leaves a lasting impact. You can feel the creators’ love for every single one of them.

Take Luna, for example—Sun’s rival. A mix of tsundere charm and idol-like presence, her battles with Sun are among the show’s highlights. Then there’s Akino Shiranui with her clumsy cuteness, Megumi Zenigata with her laid-back attitude, and the unforgettable presence of the Class Rep. The male cast is just as wild—Gozaburo and Masa’s yakuza spirit, Kai Mikawa’s pitiful failures, and Shark Fujishiro’s outrageous antics. Once a character appears, you’ll never forget them.

This “all-hands-on-deck” chaos gives the story depth and unpredictability, making every episode exciting: Who’s going to do what next?

At the start, Nagasumi is the definition of a spineless protagonist. But as he faces trial after trial with Sun, he gradually grows into a man with true courage. Initially driven by gratitude to his lifesaver, his feelings evolve into respect for Sun’s conviction, and ultimately into love strong enough to make him fight to protect her.

One entertaining aspect is Nagasumi’s increasing resistance to mermaid attacks—almost superhuman durability that starts as a gag but later plays a serious role in the climax. The final episodes bring this growth full circle, with intense battles that deliver real emotional payoff. Even a seemingly out-of-character breakdown before the finale becomes the setup for a powerful conclusion. By the end, Nagasumi stands tall, winning laughter and tears alike.

The romance is also beautifully crafted—it begins as an obligation but blossoms into genuine love, a refreshing take compared to the usual “love at first sight” setups in forced-marriage rom-coms. Their relationship, built steadily over time, gives the story real dramatic weight.

My Bride is a Mermaid is a one-of-a-kind series that blends four core elements: rom-com sweetness, yakuza-style intensity, sharp comedy, and meaningful character growth. While it offers the familiar comfort of a “pushy bride” setup, it constantly surprises with unpredictable chaos.

The series delivers episodes that make you laugh while tugging at your heartstrings, cathartic payoffs that leave you satisfied, and characters so endearing you’ll want to revisit them again and again. Directed by Seiji Kishi, who won an individual award at the Kobe Animation Awards, this anime lives up to its reputation as one of his defining works.

If you haven’t seen it yet, dive right in! With its wild mix of slapstick, yakuza drama, and romance, My Bride is a Mermaid promises to sweep you into an unforgettable world of entertainment.

• San Seto : Voiced by Haruko Momoi
• Nagasumi Michishio : Voiced by Takahiro Mizushima
• Luna Edomae : Voiced by Sakura Nogawa
• Gozaburo Seto : Voiced by Kenta Miyake
• Fujishiro the Shark : Voiced by Takehito Koyasu
• Class Rep (Iinchō) : Voiced by Noriko Rikimaru
• Kai Mikawa : Voiced by Daisuke Ono
• Akino Shiranui : Voiced by Eri Kitamura
• Hideyoshi Sarutobi, Nakajima the Octopus : Voiced by Masashi Yabe
• Luna’s Papa (Luna-Papa) : Voiced by Tesshō Genda

• Original Creator / TAIHIKO KIMURA
• Director / SEIJI KISHI
• Series Composition / MAKOTO UEZU
• Character Design / KAZUAKI MORITA
• Animation Production / GONZO×AIC

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