“As a deadly assassin from the poison clan, Gero swears he'll never settle down—that is, until the family orders his sister to produce the poison clan's next heir. Refusing to let his sister abandon her chance at true love with her girlfriend, Gero desperately turns to marriage swindler Mei Kinosaki for relationship advice. Can Kinosaki turn this trained killer into a charming husband-to-be?” (Viz Media)
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Hikaru Gero has it all. He's a successful assassin from one of the five prominent families — a catch with the talent, the looks, and the money to match. If only he had the charm necessary to attract a date, let alone a wife. Despite his aversion to the idea, “Marriage Toxin” follows Hikaru as he attempts to find a fiance with the help of an unconventional ally.
While “Marriage Toxin” is definitely more of an unconventional romance manga, the general premise is straightforward: a boy from a prestigious family seeks an equally prestigious wife to marry and carry on the family line. What makes the story stand out is that Hikaru comes from a well-known clan of assassins specializing in poisons. From the opening, Joumyaku sets a hilarious tone for the series by introducing viewers to the Gero Clan. Although they murder people for a living, they're still a traditional family that values doing things the right way. It's a fun slight contradiction that turns out to be the first of many in this manga.
For example, the main character, Hikaru Gero, seems full of contradictions. While he has no interest in marriage, he doesn't hesitate to sacrifice his happiness to save his sister from the same fate. When tasked to kill a female target, he instead rescues her in hopes of proposing marriage to her. Unfortunately, matrimony is off the table when said target turns out to be a crossdressing male named Kinosaki, but Hikaru at least gains a new matchmaking ally in the process. It's as if everything you expect Hikaru to be because of his background is everything he's actively working against, making his character more intriguing. The way his nativity of the dating world juxtapositions his expertise in poisons is so effortlessly funny it makes him an easy character to root for.
Hikaru's relationship with his partner in crime, Kinosaki, is also one of the manga's high points. The contrast in their experience allows them to play off one another well and leads to some quality jokes. The differences in their upbringings and personalities also balance each other out and help their relationship come across as that much more genuine.
While the main characters are a high point in “Marriage Toxin”, the villains and side characters sometimes feel forgettable. They almost feel like villains of the week and don't make much of an impression, at least not until the last foe, who seems to be marginally more developed than the others. It's obvious the focus of the story is definitely on Hikaru, Kinosaki, and the matchmaking aspects of the manga, which is fine, but fans looking for a more action-focused plot may be disappointed if they're not as big on romance. The length of chapters could also be a deterrent to some readers, as they can feel long and drawn out. While that doesn't ruin the experience, some missed opportunities for scene breaks would've made sense and helped to break up the length a bit more, making for an easier read.
Although those observations could be a deal breaker for some readers, one aspect of this manga that definitely won't be, is the art. Mizuki Yoda's artistic style is one of the best parts of the story, emphasizing the details in a way that makes every panel stand out and leaves the reader wanting to analyze it in greater detail. Even though the series' focus is more romantic, Yoda doesn't hold back on making the fights feel dynamic with broad brush strokes that extend into multiple panels and create a sense of natural movement. The sketchiness and roughness of the lineart and shading help to enhance the dark nature of Hikaru's occupation and the world he lives in, contrasted with the premise of the manga itself.
After reading the first volume of “Marriage Toxin”, it's an easy series to recommend. The best way to describe it would be The Apothecary Diaries meets Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens, as it combines elements of each series to make a hilarious modern-day rom-com mixed with action and danger. It should interest and appeal to many different fans, from those who just want to enjoy a good laugh to those who strongly emphasize character and relationship development. As far as romantic comedies go, this is one of the more unique stories I've enjoyed in a while. It's a series with a lot of promise, and that's easily reflected in the work Joumyaku and Yoda put into it.
