A top assassin with no romantic skills and a smooth-talking marriage swindler are teaming up for one of the most unusual missions ever: finding a wife. The popular manga MARRIAGETOXIN is being adapted into a TV anime, scheduled to release in 2026, with animation production by the renowned studio BONES Film.
Fans of the manga can expect to see the story of Hikaru Gero, heir to a legendary clan of poison-wielding assassins, and Mei Kinosaki, a charming con artist, brought to life. The announcement was made alongside a teaser trailer and visual, giving a first look at the anime’s style and the voice actors behind the main characters.
The Story Behind the Mission
The story centers on Hikaru Gero, a young man from the centuries-old Poison Clan of professional assassins. His life in the underworld has left him with no experience in romance and no confidence with women. However, his family delivers an ultimatum: he must marry and produce an heir to continue their bloodline. If he fails, his sister will be forced to bear a child against her wishes.
Determined to protect his sister, Hikaru’s life takes an unexpected turn during an assassination assignment. He corners his target, the master marriage swindler Mei Kinosaki, but instead of carrying out the kill, he makes a desperate request. With enemies surrounding them, Hikaru blurts out, โHelp me with my marriage!โ This sudden proposal forms the most unlikely of partnerships, setting the assassin and the swindler on a high-stakes mission to find the ultimate marriage.
The Creative Team Bringing It to Life
The anime is in the hands of a experienced team from the industry. Directing the series is Motonobu Hori, who has previously worked on Carole & Tuesday and Metallic Rouge. Handling the series composition and scripts is Kimiko Ueno, known for her work on Delicious in Dungeon.
The characters will be designed by Kลhei Tokuoka, who also serves as chief animation director. Tokuoka’s past roles include character designer and chief animation director for The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity and chief animation director for SK8 the Infinity. The music for the series will be composed by Taisei Iwasaki and Yuma Yamaguchi.
The production studio, BONES Film, is known for its high-quality work on series like My Hero Academia and Gachiakuta, which has generated significant excitement and confidence in the adaptation’s quality among fans.
Meet the Voices of the Unlikely Duo
The main cast for the two lead roles has been officially confirmed. Voicing the sincere but socially awkward assassin Hikaru Gero is Haruki Ishiya. Ishiya expressed his excitement about the role, stating he was a huge fan of the manga even before being cast.
“I’ve been a huge fan of this series, eagerly awaiting each weekly update on Shonen Jump+. So when I heard I’d been chosen to play the lead role, I was so thrilled that I literally jumped up and yelled, ‘Yes!!’ It’s an absolute honor to contribute to a story I love so much,” said Ishiya.
The role of the charismatic marriage swindler Mei Kinosaki will be played by Shion Wakayama. Wakayama shared their dedication to portraying the character’s charm and complex motivations.
“Mei may be a marriage swindler turned matchmaking advisor, but at heart, they’re always doing their best for Hikaru’s happiness. I’ll put everything I have into delivering their charm and determination with all the love it deserves,” Wakayama commented.
What the Manga Creators Say
The original creators of the manga have shared their thoughts on the anime adaptation. The writer, who goes by the name Jลmyaku, extended thanks to the readers and the anime staff, expressing strong confidence in the final product after attending the first episode’s recording.
“Director Hori, character designer Tokuoka-san, series composer and scriptwriter Ueno-san, and the entire anime staffโtheir understanding of this work is on another level. Every meeting made the story even better; it was truly amazing to watch it evolveโฆ this anime will without a doubt be a masterpiece,” Jลmyaku stated.
The manga artist, Mizuki Yoda, called the adaptation a “dream come true” and thanked everyone involved in bringing the project to life.
“I’ve been inspired by anime openings ever since I was young, so the fact that MARRIAGETOXIN will now have its very own opening theme in the world makes me incredibly happy! Together with the original manga, please look forward to the MARRIAGETOXIN TV anime!” Yoda said.
A Look at the Original Manga
For those eager to get into the story before the anime premieres, the MARRIAGETOXIN manga is readily available. The series is written by Jลmyaku and illustrated by Mizuki Yoda. It began serialization on April 20, 2022, on Shueisha’s Shonen Jump+ app and website.
The chapters are also available in English for free on the Manga Plus platform. For those who prefer physical copies, Viz Media licensed the series for English release, with several volumes already available in bookstores. As of August 2025, 14 tankobon volumes have been released in Japan, with the 15th volume scheduled for release on October 3, 2025.
The unique premise and blend of action, comedy, and romance have helped the manga gather a dedicated fanbase, who are now eagerly awaiting its animated debut next year.
The official website for the anime is already live at marriagetoxin-anime.com/en/, and fans can follow official social media accounts on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) for the latest updates as the 2026 release approaches.
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Credits: Shueisha, Anime News Network, MyAnimeList
