Shueisha and BONES Film Unveil MARRIAGETOXIN Anime Adaptation, Set for 2026

An epic, intoxicating journey of romance with a high-stakes twist!

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Shueisha announced that MARRIAGETOXIN, the ultimate marriage-centric battle action manga series by original creator Joumyaku and artist Mizuki Yoda, has officially been greenlit for a TV anime adaptation in 2026. Animation production will be handled by BONES Film, known for My Hero Academia and Gachiakuta. The director is Motonobu Hori, known for Carole & Tuesday and Metallic Rogue. Chief Animation Director and Character Designer is Kohei Tokuoka, who served as Chief Animation Director for SK8 the Infinity and as Character Designer and Chief Animation Director for The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity. Currently serialized on Shueisha's manga app Shonen Jump+, MARRIAGETOXIN follows a highly-skilled assassin with zero romance experience who teams up with a suave, smooth-talking marriage swindler in hopes of finding true love. Along with this announcement comes a teaser visual, new character images, a PV reveal for the series, as well as the voice cast of the assassin and marriage swindler duo.

This high-stakes, marriage-centered, battle action story follows Hikaru Gero, a young assassin and heir to the   centuries-old Poison Masters Clan. In order to preserve his family bloodline, Hikaru teams up with master marriage swindler, Mei Kinosaki, to pursue the ultimate marriage.

The newly released teaser visual depicts Hikaru Gero wielding his deadly poison against the backdrop of a city skyline, while Mei Kinosaki smiles with a bouquet of flowers in hand. The teaser trailer reveals a tense sequence in which Hikaru closes in on Kinosaki, his original target, only for the two to be surrounded by enemies. Cornered, Hikaru blurts out an unexpected proposal to Kinosaki: "Help me with my marriage!"   This sets the stage for the most unconventional partnership in anime. The teaser promises a wild ride as this assassin and marriage swindler duo embarks on the world's toughest mission for love!

Character Introduction
Heir to the "Poison Master" Gero Family, one of the Five Great Families of "Masters," Hikaru Gero (Voiced by Haruki Ishiya) is a top-tier assassin with no experience in romance and little ability to interact with women. His life in the underworld has left no room for such things. He reluctantly begins searching for a bride to carry on the family line. His hobby is collecting DIY candy kits.

Mei Kinosaki (Voiced by Shion Wakayama) is an experienced marriage swindler who boasts that they can charm almost anyone, man or woman, in just 30 seconds. After meeting Hikaru by chance, they unexpectedly end up helping him in his quest for marriage. Despite their refined appearance, they have an enormous appetite and love delicious food.

Watch the teaser trailer here.

Assets available here.

To celebrate the TV anime announcement, the original creator Joumyaku-sensei, manga artist Mizuki Yoda-sensei, cast, and key staff members share their excitement for the upcoming adaptation:

Haruki Ishiya (Voice of Hikaru Gero)

"Hello, this is Haruki Ishiya, and I'll be voicing Hikaru Gero in the upcoming MARRIAGETOXIN TV anime.
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.

With its unique characters, rich worldbuilding, stunning artwork, and a blend of action and marriage-hunting chaos—seeing all of this brought to life through animation is something I'm personally very excited about. Please look forward to it!"

Shion Wakayama (Voice of Mei Kinosaki)

"Hello, I'm Shion Wakayama, and I'll be playing Mei Kinosaki. I can't even begin to describe how happy I am to be part of this series—it's one I always look forward to reading. 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. Please look forward to the MARRIAGETOXIN TV anime!"

Story: Joumyaku

"A huge shout-out to artist Mizuki Yoda, our editors, and all the readers who have supported us—thank you so much!!
I was able to be involved in the production just a little, but let me say this: Director Hori, character designer Tokuoka-san, series composer and scriptwriter Ueno-san, and the entire anime staff—their understanding of this work is on another level. Every meeting made the story even better; it was truly amazing to watch it evolve.
I also got to attend the voice recording for Episode 1, and with Haruki Ishiya as Hikaru, Shion Wakayama as Mei, and all the other incredible voice actors bringing their A-game, I became convinced: this anime will without a doubt be a masterpiece.

The release is still a little ways off, but until then, I'll keep doing everything I can to make sure the original manga is as thrilling as possible. Please look forward to it!"

Art: Mizuki Yoda

"An anime adaptation—what a dream come true!

My heartfelt thanks go out to everyone who helped bring this manga to life, to all the readers who have supported it, and to the entire anime production team for their incredible efforts. Truly, thank you so much!
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!"

Director: Motonobu Hori

"I am honored to assist Hikaru Gero—the 'Assassin' himself—on his journey to find love.

Despite the difficulties of inheriting such a dangerous family business, Gero is a man with a sincere and upright heart. With the help of Mei Kinosaki, I believe he will overcome these obstacles and one day find a partner to share his future with.

We, the production staff, will be giving this project our absolute best, but I also hope all of you will continue to support and cheer on these characters as they move forward.

I may not be the most eloquent speaker, but please take this as a heartfelt message to send these young characters off on their journey.

Thank you very much."

Character Designer & Chief Animation Director: Kohei Tokuoka

"Romance, action, comedy, handsome men, beautiful women, quirky characters… This story packs so many elements into a single work, making it an absolute joy to bring to life.

Every character is full of unique personality traits, which makes the creative process so much fun. Through this anime, I hope we can elevate the charm and appeal of this series even further for all the viewers to enjoy."

Staff
Original Work: STORY by Joumyaku, ART by Mizuki Yoda (Serialized in "Manga Plus by SHUEISHA")
Director: Motonobu Hori
Series Composition & Script: Kimiko Ueno
Character Designer & Chief Animation Director: Kohei Tokuoka
Music: Taisei Iwasaki, yuma yamaguchi
Production Supervision: BONES
Animation Production: BONES Film
Production: MARRIAGETOXIN Project

Cast
Hikaru Gero: Haruki Ishiya
Mei Kinosaki: Shion Wakayama

Official Website: marriagetoxin-anime.com/en/
Official Social Media:
Instagram: @marriagetoxin_en (English)
X: @marritoxi_PR (Japanese)

Copyright
Please include the following credit when publishing this news:
©Joumyaku・Mizuki Yoda/SHUEISHA, MARRIAGETOXIN Project

Series Introduction
Hikaru Gero, the elite assassin and heir to the Poison Masters Clan, will be voiced by Haruki Ishiya. Mei Kinosaki, the skilled marriage swindler who aids Hikaru in his unexpected mission, will be voiced by Shion Wakayama.

For centuries, the Poison Masters have perfected the art of assassination. Among them, the Gero family stands as one of the five most powerful families of Masters, wielding unmatched skill and influence. Hikaru Gero, heir to this infamous bloodline, has lived his life deep in the shadows of the underworld, far removed from love or marriage.
However, to ensure the Poison Master bloodline does not die out, the head of the Gero family declares that Hikaru's sister will be forced to bear an heir. Soon after, Hikaru crosses paths with Mei Kinosaki, a brilliant marriage swindler who also happens to be his current assassination target.

Determined to protect his sister and solve the succession problem himself, Hikaru makes an unexpected request on the spot—asking Mei to help him get married.

"...That's the first time anyone's ever proposed like that."

And so, with the cunning marriage swindler Mei as his advisor, the elite assassin Hikaru sets out on the toughest mission for love. His goal? The ultimate marriage.

The most unlikely duo—an assassin and a marriage swindler—take on the world's toughest mission for love!

Original Work Information
Original Work: STORY by Joumyaku, ART by Mizuki Yoda (Serialized in "Manga Plus by SHUEISHA")
Volumes 1–14 are on sale now. Volume 15 launches October 3, 2025.

SOURCE Shueisha