Thanks netgalley and publisher for volume 1!

Very similar to “my happy marriage” where FL has been abused by her family and ML comes to the rescue but goddamn man,the art is just wow ❤️

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a DARC in exchange for an honest review.

Set in the Meiji era, The Ayakashi Hunter’s Tainted Bride follows Nanao, a young woman whose life takes a devastating turn after a traumatic encounter with a vengeful yokai spirit—an ayakashi. Marked by a demon’s curse and forced to wear a monkey mask to hide her scar, Nanao becomes an outcast. Once engaged to Reito, the future head of the prestigious Byakurenji family, she is quickly abandoned, shunned, and abused. Years later, she meets Yako, a powerful ayakashi hunter from another noble family. Yako offers her a chance at a new life, but this new beginning is filled with mystery and danger.

I would recommend The Ayakashi Hunter’s Tainted Bride to fans of My Happy Marriage and Black Bird. The story feels deeper and more layered than one might initially expect. It’s filled with symbolism and nuance, especially when you examine Nanao’s experiences and journey closely.

I couldn’t help but draw parallels between Nanao’s story and that of a survivor of trauma, specifically of SA. Her inability to remember the details of her attack by the ayakashi, along with the way society distorts her perception of herself, felt incredibly relatable. As a survivor myself, I found her dissociation and subsequent journey toward reclaiming her identity particularly moving. The moment her mask shatters symbolises the start of this journey—her shift from object to subject, regaining control over how she sees herself and how she relates to the world around her.

At the same time, her beauty serves as a double-edged sword: it draws the attention of the same patriarchal society that shunned her to begin with. If I had read this when I was younger, I might have taken it at face value, but now I can appreciate the thoughtful and careful execution of these themes.

The art is beautiful and complements the story perfectly. I have a lot more to say about this first volume, but it would risk crossing into spoiler territory. I’m very interested in seeing how this story will develop in future volumes, especially given the strong foundation it has laid.

I love the imagery of the book and the story itself; a super quick read for me and I hope this continues with further volumes, I would love a physical copy of this.

As a huge fan of My Happy Marriage, this manga immediately caught my attention—and it did not disappoint! While the premise has some initial similarities, once the story unfolds, it stands completely on its own.

What I Loved:
✔ The art is STUNNING! One of the main reasons I picked this up was the gorgeous cover, and the inside did not disappoint.
✔ The characters? Lovable. The chemistry? Check.
✔ The world-building & Japanese lore were beautifully woven in, creating an atmosphere that felt both immersive and mysterious.
✔ The pacing was great, making for an engaging read that left me wanting more!

What Didn’t Quite Work for Me:
The two full-length prose pages toward the end felt out of place. This is a manga, so I expected those parts to be incorporated visually rather than presented in text format.

A beautifully illustrated, well-paced, and engaging first volume that I’d definitely recommend to manga lovers who enjoy Japanese folklore, historical fantasy, and swooning romance. Can’t wait for the next volume!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love the storyline. The characters are great. The art work is excellent. The only issue I had was the flashbacks to the past were not clear.

Normally, I'm not much of a Manga reader, but the plot of The Ayakashi Hunter's Tainted Bride was very interesting and made me feel intrigued. The end of volume one left me wanting to know what happens next.
The characters were very distinct and the art style was beautiful. I thought the lore was fleshed out well, but still left some mystery for me as the reader to discover down the line.
I can see Manga fans really enjoying this series as it has plenty of appeal for all types of readers.

Thoughts: Nanao had it all—strong dark spiritual power and a fiancé she was in love with—but everything fell apart when a demon marked her, leaving her tainted. Now rejected by her fiancé, she is forced to wear a monkey mask and stay out of everyone's way. Years later, she meets Yako, the scion of a noble family. Drawn to her beauty and spiritual power, he offers her a way out of her suffering and marries her. Her new life is filled with wonder, mystery, and intrigue, but Nanao begins to wonder— is Yako truly what he seems, or is he hiding something?

I enjoyed reading this manga. The art style was stunning, the world-building captivating, and the lore fascinating. The story was so intriguing that I devoured the book in one sitting.

Nanao had very low self-esteem, and I wanted to hug her and tell her she’s worth it. Even after marrying Yako—who never treated her as untouchable despite her tainted status—she was still afraid of him. But as she realized his kindness, she slowly let go of that fear. Yako, known for his cruelty and ruthlessness as an ayakashi hunter, showed Nanao nothing but kindness. The reveal about him at the end was surprising, and I can't wait to see how it unravels in the next volume.

I highly recommend this manga.

Thank you @netgalley for this book<3

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

I am a big fan of anime. And I'm having a hard time finding what's next to watch. 'Cause it feels like everything is on repeat lately, and only a few great anime's remain. So I want to spread my choices by reading manga.

I was casually scrolling here on Netgally and saw this. The moment I laid eyes on the cover, I immediately pressed request, and imagine my surprise when it says I can read it immediately!!! It's like the heaven answered my prayers 😭

I didn't even read the synopsis, so I went in the story, blind. AND IT'S SO DAMN GOOD!!! I FREAKING LOVE IT! It's like a combination of My Happy Marriage and a webtoon called "Twilight Poem". Oh how I wish to see this as an anime adaption 🙏🏻

It's got:
✅Fantasy set in a Japanese setting (Meiji Era)
✅Demon/Demon Battling Power
✅Family Clans
✅Japanese Version of a Vampire
✅Swoon-worthy couple

I can't wait to read the next volume!!! Definitely a 6.0⭐ read for me 💕

P.S.
The Kappa's are so CUTE. I would really like to see the illustrated version of them drunk atop of the Yamazakura Tree branch 🥹🤭

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advanced e-copy.

This manga was compared to My Happy Marriage and I can absolutely see that. The premise is the same: abused daughter of a powerful house is "rescued" by cold and calculating son of another crazy powerful house and there are lots of supernatural beings. Where this one differs is that the son of the other house is a vampire! Nanao was "tainted" by an ayakashi spirit (though I'm not sure what it means to be "tainted"). Nanao's family basically disowned her and she's mistreated until Yako finds her and takes her away from her abusive cousin and former fiancé. Yako seems pleasant enough for a demon hunter vampire. I'm more intrigued with the other yokai spirits he has living at his mansion. This was less action-packed than I thought it might be. But I am interested to see where it goes and will likely read the next volume. The art was lovely.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5


Really enjoyed this one. Quick easy read a nice flow to it. Characters to fall in love with as well as to hate. Right off the bat we meet our main girl Nanao, she's sweet and a little bit naive but incredibly powerful. Nanao is set to marry Reito but let's just say that doesn't go to plan and she ends up being tainted and she is treated horribly due to this affliction.

Some time goes by and we meet Yako, who is different (don't want to spoil it) but he marries Nanao despite this affliction hence the title of the book. This is only volume one so we don't get much time with them together but so far I love the story and look forward to reading volume 2.
I absolutely love the art and the kappa are so adorable.

This story has fantasy, swoon worthy romance, betrayal discrimination and domestic abuse. Also blood so be advised.

When I saw the creator of this manga, I literally gasped. Kakuriyo no Yadomeshi is my favourite light novel series/manga of all time, and another one of the Midori Yuma's stories has been adapted!

Lovely art, premise being an abused female lead that grows confidence and a male lead that helps her gain that confidence. Her family is trash. Yes, this premise sounds familar but this world deals with the supernatural and the dangers of it. Also the (same?) Kappa from Kakuriyo no Yadomeshi are featured (is this story in the same universe?) Anyways, they're adorable!

If you're a fan of My Happy Marriage or Under the Oak Tree, this manga is for you!

Thank you NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Can't wait for the next volume!

I loved this! If you are a fan of My Happy Marriage, you will probably like this one. It has many similarities, while still being unique. I am very intrigued to see where this story goes.

As soon as I started this manga, I thought it reminded me of Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits. It turns out it is the same mangaka, which I love since I very much enjoyed Kakuriyo.

The art is absolutely beautiful and I love the amount of detail that they put into it.

So far I am enjoying the story. I don’t love the main characters at this point, but hopefully as the story goes on I will like them more. I see lots of potential in this manga and will be looking forward to the next volume.

This is currently in my top 3 favorite manga that I've read. Admittedly, that is not a lot, but regardless of that I adored this. Yako is amazing and hot, and Nanao is just the most precious thing that deserves all the love in the world. I need more of this. I do wish it was in color, but the art was still really nice.

An enthralling historical fantasy romance that seamlessly blends action, suspense, and deep emotional themes. With its stunning illustrations and compelling characters, this is a gripping read that fans of My Happy Marriage will undoubtedly appreciate.

At its heart, The Ayakashi Hunter's Tainted Bride 1 story explores themes of rejection, resilience, and unexpected love. Nanao, once an optimistic young woman eager to marry her betrothed, Reito, finds her life shattered after a vengeful ayakashi scars her with a demonic curse. I think, the pacing of the story is excellent, drawing me into Nanao’s world with well-timed plot developments and meaningful character interactions. From the outset, I was introduced to a cast of intriguing personalities, each adding depth to the narrative. The mangaka’s paneling is masterfully executed, effortlessly guiding the eye through moments of tension, heartache, and fleeting tenderness. The detailed illustrations elevate the storytelling, capturing not just the grandeur of the historical setting but also the raw emotions behind every glance and gesture.

Nanao’s journey is one of strength and self-discovery, making her an easy protagonist for me to root for. Her struggles against societal expectations and the cruel betrayal of those she once trusted make her eventual rise all the more satisfying. And Yako? A mysterious, powerful figure who not only acknowledges Nanao’s worth but also challenges the forces that sought to break her. The chemistry between them is electric, and their evolving dynamic promises an engaging romance filled with intrigue. And let’s not forget the antagonists (Nanao's ex-finace, Reito and the Byakurenji family). Their treatment of Nanao is infuriating, making it impossible not to hope for their downfall. If Yako were to exact revenge on them, it would be nothing short of satisfying. (LOL)

With its beautifully illustrated scenes, well-paced storytelling, and emotionally charged character arcs, The Ayakashi Hunter's Tainted Bride 1 is a must-read for fans of romantic fantasy. This debut volume earns an easy four stars, and I eagerly anticipate the next installment. If the story continues on this trajectory, it has the potential to become a standout in the genre.

It’s like a dark version of My Happy Marriage and I’m totally here for it, can’t wait to read the next volume!

This is a fun supernatural themed story. You have an FMC being raised for greatness in her family and then practically thrown away after an incident were she was the victim. Some jealous cousin took everything from her and then abused her out of jealousy. Skip forward and she is rescued by the most vicious head of another family with his red eyes and declaration of her being his wife. LOVE a rescue romance like this.

Pacing was a little weird and some scenes felt like they could benefit from more transitional scenes or dialog.

The random full text pages at the end of the story were a little weird and jarring.

The Ayakashi Hunter's Tainted Bride 1 was a quick and enjoyable read! The dynamic between the main male character and the heroine, with him rescuing her from her tough situation, was captivating. I’m excited to see how the story unfolds, and the art style really added to the experience, bringing the characters and their world to life. Definitely looking forward to the next installment!

Thank you netGalley and Kodansha for the eARC!

The Ayakashi Hunter’s Tainted Bride is the first volume in the series, and it starts off on the premise of a “tainted” heroine who was tricked so that her cousin could gain the upper hand in the family.

If you like cinderella-esque premises where the heroine gets saved, though her savior has their own demons to face (quite literally) then this is a great series to pick up. In the first volume alone there is a great layout in the foundation, and I’m interested to see where this series goes from here. I really like the emphasis on the supernatural japanese mythos coming to life, it really adds to the charm.

Nanao is betrothed to the heir of the Byakurenji clan, one of the five clans charged with keeping the world safe from the Ayakashi demons. Nanao has a lot of dark spirit energy, so she would make a perfect wife for the future head of the clan to complement his high light spirit energy. With such high spirit energy, though, Nanao must be careful to remain in protected borders so they Ayakashi cannot taint her. When a jealous family member ends up tricking Nanao to step outside the border and she immediately attracts an Ayakashi, what becomes of her fate?

I highly recommend this book if you're looking for something similar to My Happy Marriage. It practically follows the same plot thus far. We only get four chapters in this first volume, so there is plenty of room for the story to become its own. Some hints of how it will differ are introduced here. It definitely has the same romance vibes in terms of insecure and traumatized heroine meets a powerful demon hunter to fall for. I think the pacing is a little quicker compared to My Happy Marriage, but that's a positive for me!