is a Japanese light novel series written by Kureha and illustrated by Yū Shiroya. It began serialization as a web novel on the Novema website in 2019. The series was later acquired and published by Starts Publishing under their Starts Shuppan Bunko imprint in October 2020. A manga adaptation illustrated by began serialization in Starts Publishing's noicomi digital magazine in December 2021. A live-action film adaptation premiered in Japanese theaters in March 2026. An anime television series adaptation produced by aired from July to September 2026.
Synopsis Yuzu Shinonome, an ordinary high school student living in a world where Japanese demons and humans coexist, has been treated unfairly by her parents, who dote on her younger sister, Karin, who was chosen as the bride of a fox spirit. Furthermore, her boyfriend breaks up with her because he has fallen in love with Karin, even though she has already been chosen as the bride. After that, Karin demands Yuzu to give her a dress she received as a birthday present from their grandparents, who have always been kind to her. However, when Yuzu refuses, it develops into a sisters' quarrel, and as a result, the dress is torn, and Yuzu, enraged, raises her hand against Karin. Enraged that his bride, Karin, has been hurt, the fox spirit Kozuki Yota pours flames on Yuzu, burning her hands. Thus, Yuzu, who ran away from despair at not being loved or needed by anyone at home, happens to meet Kiryuuin Reiya, the next head of the Kiryuuin clan, the highest-ranking ayakashi. Reiya then tells Yuzu, "I've missed you, my bride."
Characters
A high school girl who has never been loved by anyone before except by her grandparents, as she has been neglected by her parents and bullied by her sister. She has good relationships with friends and teachers at school, and her grandparents are worried about her. While she is kind and considerate, she also has the personality of silently enduring difficult and painful things.
A demon spirit who is the next head of the Kiryuin clan. He has jet black hair and red eyes, and an inhumanly beautiful appearance. He is expressionless and ruthless, but has high charisma. He is only kind to his bride Yuzu, whom he falls in love with. / and
Two beasts that Reiya created with his spiritual power, taking appearance of children. Sou is distinguished by his white hair, while Ao has black hair. Though small in stature, they possess great abilities, hence them serving as Yuzu's bodyguards.
Yuzu's younger sister and a bride to a fox spirit named Yota. Unlike Yuzu, she has a sociable personality; though, having been deeply loved and thoroughly spoiled by her parents and Yota, she grew up in an environment where no one dared to defy her groom. Because of this, she is very selfish and immature mentally and behavior-wise, and looks down on Yuzu, and refuses to acknowledge that she has been chosen as the "demon's bride". Karin is eventually rejected as Yota's bride by Nadeshiko following her assault on Yuzu during the demon gathering while she and her parents were subsequently banished.
A fox spirit who has Karin for his bride. This high-ranking, wealthy spirit among the spirits dotes on Karin and is prepared to do anything for her. Yota receives double payback for burning Yuzu's arm by being burned alive by Reiya, but survived because Reiya held back. Despite being nearly killed by Reiya and knowing that he is risking a death sentence if he messes with the Kiryuins, Yota is unable to disobey Karin's wishes to break up Reiya and Yuzu's engagement. He is later confronted by Reiya and Nadeshiko, questioning his willingness to grant his bride's wishes, as brides can become curse if they are led astray by them and he has lost sense of reason. Yota is then given one final warning by Nadeshiko, who tests his relationship with Karin to see whether he can control her behavior during a demon social gathering in which Reiya brings Yuzu. However, Yota fails and Karin is no longer his bride after she assaulted Yuzu.
Yuzu's best friend. She is the bride to a cat demon, Toukichi. A headstrong girl, Touko sympathizes with Yuzu's situation and hates her parents and her sister Karin for the abuse.
A cat demon who takes Touko as his bride, he goes by the nickname "Nyankichi". He dotes on Touko, but she dominates him. He has weak spiritual powers and a lower demon rank.
Reiya's primary secretary and chauffer, Takakmichi is very loyal towards Reiya since childhood. He is rumored to have a "romantic relationship" with Reiya, but this is revealed to be false. He later becomes Sakurako's current fiancé.
He is the son of the head of the Kiryūin family's primary branch, and is Sakurako's brother. He works alongside Reiya and Araki.
A beautiful female ogre who is Ouga's younger sister. She is Reiya's former fiancée and the daughter of the head of the Kiryūin family's primary branch. She possesses immense spiritual power, and believed that Reiya and Takamichi are in a relationship, which is revealed to be false. She is later engaged with Takamichi.
An onmyoji who is hostile towards Reiya.
The daughter of a family with the protection of a dragon.
The current head of the Kiryuin family and Reiya's father. Despite his appearance and immense power, he acts carefree, unlike his son.
Chiya's wife and Reiya's mother. Although her marriage to Chiya is arranged, the couple has a good relationship.
The current head of the Kosetsu family, the pinnacle of the fox spirits. She speaks in an old-fashioned way. She is usually calm, but can be ruthless depending on the situation as shown when she learns that Yota harmed Yuzu, who is revealed to be Reiya's bride. Nadeshiko, along with Reiya, confronts Yota over his actions that will cause a rebellion against the Kiryuins. She also gives Yota a final warning he will lose Karin forever if harm comes to Yuzu ever again while testing him to control Karin's behavior on the night of the social gathering. When Karin assaulted Yuzu during the gathering, Nadeshiko subsequently rejects Karin as Yota's bride and exiles her from the Kogetsu family.
Production When the author found out that "Novema! Character Short Story Contest" was being held on the theme of "Ayakashi x Romance" on "Novema!", he was thinking about what to write for his submission when the phrase "I've found my bride" and the scene of the two meeting came to mind. He submitted this story to the contest, won the Excellence Award, and it was later decided that the story would be published as a book.
The author points out that one thing he is careful about is "not to overdo Reiya's expressions of affection". This is due to the author's belief that "no matter how much you love someone, there is a line that you cannot forgive", and citing the scene where Reiya makes Yuzu quit her part-time job without permission, the author said that he was conscious of "showing love in a way that is considerate of the other person, without being pushy".
Media Light novel
Manga A manga adaptation illustrated by Jun Togashi began serialization in Starts Publishing's noicomi digital magazine on December 24, 2021. The manga's chapters have been collected in ten volumes as of July 2026.
The manga is published in English on NTT Solmare's MangaPlaza website.
Reading play A reading play of the series was performed at Hamagin Hall Viamare between November 18 and 19, 2023.
Live-action film A live-action film adaptation was announced on December 3, 2025. The film is produced by Shochiku and directed by from a screenplay written by . It premiered in Japanese theaters on March 27, 2026.
Anime An anime television series adaptation was announced on June 10, 2025. It is produced by and directed by , with handling series composition, Hikari Tanaka designing the characters, and Masaru Yokoyama composing the music. The series aired from July 5 to September 20, 2026 on Tokyo MX and other networks. The opening theme song is , performed by ClariS, and the ending theme song is , performed by Ikusaburo Yamazaki. Crunchyroll is streaming the series. Medialink licensed the series.
Episodes
Reception The manga adaptation won the grand prize at NTT Solmare's Digital Comic Awards in 2023. The manga adaptation was also ranked third for the Tsutaya Comic Award in 2023.
See also Bride of the Barrier Master, a novel series also written by Kureha The White Cat's Revenge as Plotted from the Dragon King's Lap, another light novel series written by Kureha
Notes
References
Bibliography
External links