ahhh i really enjoyed this manga, and i definitely cannot wait for the next instalment!!’ looking forward to it!!!

I have received an eARC of this volume through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This manga's strong suit is definitely its beautiful art, but I see potential in the story, as well. The main character, Nanao has gone through many hardships since childhood, thanks to her clan treating her poorly after a supernatural accident. In comes the saviour, head of the strongest monster hunter clan of the five who of course recognizes her innate power and pretty much decides to marry her on the spot.

The initial setup seems rather childish and Nanao's clan members are often comically evil, bordering on insane. She takes extremely long to recognize her own value, which might be realistic for victims of long term abuse, but its repetitiveness can be a little annoying for the reader.
We do start to see character development and plenty of political intrigue as the story progresses, but the author heavily relies on the colorful side characters to make the manga less monotonous. I'm looking forward to seeing the underlying mysteries unfold.

This one somehow resembles "My happy marriage" — a poor girl who should have become a wife of a noble family but instead becomes an outcast because of the set-up her sister did...

The artwork is stunning! The romantic part balances well with mystery, drama and a kind of dangerous tension. The historical setting was displayed very well, and this manga will be a good choice for those who love historical romance.

In the first volume you cannot trace the evolution of the heroine, yet it seems to be further on. The intrigue the author puts readers in by introducing the dark MMC is beautifully done.

The Ayakashi Hunter's Tainted Bride is an enthralling mix of historical fantasy, romance, and supernatural intrigue that completely swept me away! Mamenosuke Fujimaru masterfully crafts a world rich with tension, emotion, and stunning artwork that brings each scene to life.

Nanao is a protagonist you can’t help but root for—her resilience in the face of betrayal and her journey from outcast to someone with a powerful fate had me hooked. And Yako? I was shook by his character and the depth of his family's curse. There’s an air of mystery and danger surrounding him that makes every interaction between him and Nanao utterly compelling.

The balance of romance, action, and suspense is chef’s kiss—just the right amount of tension, heart-fluttering moments, and intrigue to keep you turning the pages. The supernatural elements are woven in beautifully, making it a perfect pick for fans of Noragami and My Happy Marriage.

I would love to see this adapted into an anime—it has all the makings of a visually stunning, emotionally gripping series. If you love historical fantasy with complex characters and a touch of the supernatural, this is an absolute must-read!

Thank you, NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In "The Ayakashi Hunter's Tainted Bride," Mamenosuke Fujimaru and Midori Yuma deliver a truly captivating graphic novel that oozes drama, mystery, and romance impressively. This work does not simply introduce a rich world filled with mythology and supernatural beings but also delves into the emotional complexities of its characters, especially the internal struggle of Nanao, a woman marked by her past and conflicting morality.

The romantic lead, Lord Yako possesses that rare mix of the bad boy trying to be better, yet trapped by his occupation and personal beliefs. Throughout the story, his evolution as a character is as fascinating as his relationship with the protagonist, his wife, who is also his greatest challenge. The dynamic between them is deep, full of emotional tension that goes beyond the superficial, and the illustrations perfectly complement the dark and mysterious atmosphere that surrounds the narrative.

The work stands out not only for its visual storytelling but also for its ability to touch on complex themes such as forgiveness, sacrifice, and redemption. As Nanao struggles with her destiny and relationship, the reader is immersed in a world that is as intricate as it is beautiful, where the line between right and wrong constantly blurs.

If you're a fan of "My Happy Marriage" or enjoy the blend of romance with dark, deep characters, this manga is a must-read. It’s a story that promises to leave a mark, and you won’t be able to put it down. Five stars well earned!

3 Reasons Why You Should Read This Book
1. For fans of "My Happy Marriage": If you loved the emotional depth and complex characters of "My Happy Marriage," this manga is a must-read. With Nanao’s struggle between her past and present, you’ll find the same gripping tension and emotional pull.

2. A Perfect Mix of Romance and Drama: The dynamic between the protagonists, especially Lord Yako's transformation from a "bad boy" to someone with deeper emotions, adds layers of tension and excitement. If you're into tortured, yet lovable romantic leads, this will captivate you.

3. Stunning Art and World-Building: The artwork alone makes this manga worth reading. The illustrations perfectly set the mood for a story that is as visually stunning as it is emotionally moving. Fans of supernatural tales and rich mythology will be entranced.

I wailed when I saw the story ended! "THE AYAKASHI HUNTER'S TAINTED BRIDE 1" filled me with so many emotions. I instantly wanted to protect our heroine, Nanao, from those wicked, spineless clan members. In a clear and despicable example of victim blaming, Nanao was treated worse than trash because of an attack. Imagine spending years as a hated outcast within your own clan, including the ex-fiancé you once deeply loved. Thinking about those dark-hearted characters makes me feel like lava is running through my veins! Her family, including that witch of a cousin Akemi, abused Nanao and treated her like a slave. Anyone with a heart would ache for Nanao.

Yet the arrival of the hero, Yako, brought such deep satisfaction! I truly enjoy mysterious and handsome male leads. It's early, but I saw the romance developing in a way that would leave readers satisfied. If Yako and Nanao grow to love each other it will be (in my opinion) a perfect romance. Two people who needed each other for the same reasons: to be accepted for who they were. I'm kicking my feet and giggling!

I need to read more of "THE AYAKASHI HUNTER'S TAINTED BRIDE" as soon as possible. I want to see Yako and Nanao get closer, but I really need to see Nanao get some kind of revenge for her mistreatment from her former clan. Reito, her former fiancé, showed his two-faced nature that will surely cause more conflict for Yako and Nanao.

This first volume was a treasure to read. I'll be buying a print copy asap!

One man's trash is another's treasure. When Nanao becomes tainted by an ayakashi, her fiancé casts her aside and takes her cousin as his bride. Even after being discarded, she is made to serve the household because of her power. However, when Yako sees her for the beautiful and powerful woman that she is, he scoops her up and claims her as his own.

I liked this story a lot. The artwork is beautiful and engaging. You could probably just look at the art and the story would tell itself. I think that this could be the beginning of a really popular series.

As someone who hasn't read manga in years, I initially felt the pacing was a bit "off," but by the halfway mark, I was completely hooked. By the end, I was eager to keep reading and craving more of their story.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for allowing me to read "The Ayakashi Hunter's Tainted Bride 1 " by Mamenosuke Fujimaru.
Publication date March 25 2025

Why is this manga so short? I need more !! The drawings, the dialogues, the storyline, the magic system, the characters everything is perfect. Both the FMC and mmc are so beautifully drawn. Even the villains are beautiful. Now, I want a colored version of this manga.I am also eagerly looking forward to the sequel volumes .

Nanao was to be married to some idiot but due to some unfortunate event she was shun and disregarded by her fiancée. She ended up being abused by her family and the ex fiancée’s family for years until Lord Yako notices her super national powers. He decides to marry her for her powers but I’m pretty sure he is slowly falling for her too.

I like how the relationship between Lord Yako and Nanao progress. 💙

The artwork is so cute and the emotions on the characters face is wonderful. You can honestly see the anger or pain in their face. I really wanted to read the 2nd volume because things are about to get interesting. There’s themes of demon, super national powers(?), monsters/creatures, and kinda a vampire vibe.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for the opportunity to read this story in advance!

3.5 star

We are discovering Nano’s life with brief flashbacks. Her life is quite bleak and sad. Yako is a knight in shiny armor, at first. However, Nano is met with conflicting circumstances. What will be the results of her new life?

The images are beautiful and help bring the story to life.
A good start to this story. I can’t wait to read the next book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for the opportunity to read this story in advance!

** spoiler alert **
I received this ARC from Net Galley and was extremely excited. I want to start with saying the art style throughout the entire book was absolutely beautiful. This manga was amazing and easy to read from start to finish. The opening chapter was so sad when the FMC's cousin betrays her and she strays outside of the borders she is allowed and is tainted. The cousin is then married off to the FMC's original fiancé, which is why she was tricked in the first place. The FMC is treated so poorly just because she was tainted by the Ayakashi when she was young, despite her high dark spiritual power. Then the new head of one of the top clans is looking for a wife and finds the FMC and takes her to be his wife. The FMC is very confused since she is tainted and she isn't supposed to talk and needs to wear a monkey mask at all times. Turns out the head of the clan needs her blood and it was a curse from his family when he was born. I'm so excited to see the next volume and what else is to come!!

It's been years since I dove into a Manga, but I really enjoyed this story. The artwork is beautiful and the pacing is incredibly well done. This seems more like a light hearted read, mainly about a girl who was mistreated by her own people, but shown kindness from a man who has had his own hardships. I really enjoyed the story thus far, and I am looking forward to reading the next volume!

Also - there was a small bonus chapter at the end, combining written pages and artwork to show a very cute moment between the two main characters. I'm a sucker for a sweet moment and a happy ending in a book, so this was a nice treat!

At first I wasn't too sure about the manga, the pacing felt a little awkward to start, in my opinion. However after the half way mark I couldn't stop. It was a very enjoyable.

I really enjoyed this first volume of 'The Ayakashi Hunter's Tainted Bride'. The artwork was just gorgeous and really suited the setting of an alternate reality Japanese Empire at the turn of the 20th century.

This is an era I've felt is particularly suited for stories of this kind - a liminal time where the old world of myth and magic still co-existed alongside the fast-expanding industrial complex of the modern age. And it's a time that's beautifully brought to life in this graphic novel.

I admit I did not particular care for the plot- a combination of Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast you tend to find in many Japanese manga of this type, but the rich world of Japanese ghosts and demons and demon-hunting traditions more than made up for the rather commonplace narrative.

As other reviewers have mentioned, the first volume of The Ayakashi Hunter's Tainted Bride had similar elements to My Happy Marriage in terms of the setup of the story. We have Nanao who, after an incident in childhood, is later serving in the head household of her clan who abuses and takes advantage of her at every turn. She is then defended and whisked away by the visiting head of the most powerful clan in the empire, Lord Yako, who lives in the capital. From there the story diverges from My Happy Marriage, leaning into the supernatural nature of the narrative.

I could see this series becoming a new favourite as it progresses. As a first volume it really intrigued me, and I can't wait to see the relationships between the characters develop. The only nit picks I had, keeping it from being a 5 star, are how irrationally evil some of the characters are, and the slower pacing while introducing the FMC's background. I did however appreciate how Nanao began accepting her worth to Yako fairly quickly after being undermined by others for so long!

This manga was adorable! I'm a sucker for so many of these tropes and I cannot wait to see where they go. The characters are interesting and I'm especially excited to watch Nanao come into herself with her new loving family. The side characters are also cool and I like watching their interactions with Nanao. Yako is yummy and he better take good care of Nanao. Reito and Akemi suck and deserve each other. UGH
Overall, an adorable opening to the story and I can't wait to read the next one!

Thank you Netgalley and Kodansha Comics for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoy reading the first volume of The Ayakashi Hunter’s Tainted Bride.
The manga setting in a historical fantasy romance with a supernatural theme.
We are following the narratives of Nanao, who is being marginalized by her family due to a curse inflicted by a vengeful ayakashi spirit.

I think the readers of “My happy Marriage” will enjoy this manga as it has a similar theme on marginalized female protagonist, who through an unforeseen relationship discovers self worth and empowerment.
Love the artistry by Mamenosuke Fujimaru as well for this manga! Will definitely picked up the second volume!

3.75/5

I am new to the manga world but I really liked this one! The illustrations are beautiful and the story has a lot of surprises. Honestly, it’s a story we’ve all seen before the hunter falls for the prey but I enjoyed twists on it. I am really looking forward to know more about the characters in the next books (though not about the mean cousin haha). Also, I read that this is based on a webtoon and it makes me want to watch it!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange of my honest opinion.

Thanks NetGalley and Kodansha for the DRC!

This gave me strong "My Happy Marriage" vibes but with a bit less of the dramatics and insecurity. It's crazy that her family abandoned and denounced her. It's obvious her cousin was plotting against her and it's hilarious that she was passing off the tainted ex bride's food as her own.

Nanao's new husband immediately swept her away and I wish I could say that they will live happily ever after but her ex fiance is for sure going to wiggle his way in. He had the nerve to slap her but then swooned when he saw her face again? Trash.

I'm curious how much blood he actually needs from her to remain satiated and if he'll actually keep his word about not abandoning her.

Excited to see what happens in the next volume!