Summary

  • "More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers" ends without resolving the love triangle, leaving viewers disappointed but hopeful for a potential second season.
  • The anime takes a healthier approach to the love triangle trope, with both girls respecting each other and challenging each other in a friendly race for a romantic blessing.
  • The last scenes of the anime tease a potential second season, as Jiro's gaming console hints at the continuation of the love triangle and raises the emotional stakes.

Anime fans usually hope to see love triangles resolved by the end of their favorite romantic comedy series, but unfortunately, More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers (based on Yuki Kanamaru's manga of the same name) cannot boast such a resolution. Viewers may be disappointed by Episode 12's loose ends, but the series concluded in a wholesome way that pointed toward a potential second season.

Though Akari Watanabe moved on from her crush on Minami Tenjin and fully accepted that she fell in love with Jiro Yakuin in Episode 11, Jiro was still caught between his childhood crush, Shiori Sakurazak, and the possibility of feelings for the "wife' (Akari) assigned to him as part of their school's marriage training program. After sharing a romantic kiss with Shiori, the tension between the childhood friends hit an all-time high. Jiro obviously had a chance to pursue a relationship with Shiori given their mutual feelings, but something still held him back. Episode 12 highlighted the choice that Jiro will now have to make and commit to should there be a More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers Season 2.

Updated on November 7, 2023 by Angelo Delos Trinos: More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers was one of last year's best sleeper hits. Fans couldn't stop talking about the new romantic anime, and wondering how the love triangle would be resolved. This article was updated to explore the potential for a More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers Season 2, and what it could mean for the story.

Warning: Spoilers for the anime and manga ahead.

Who Does Jiro Yakuin End Up With?

More Than a Married Couple, but Not Lovers Review Scores:Anime Planet: 4/5IMDb: 7.4/10My Anime List: 7.59/10

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Jiro spent quality time with both love interests in the series' final episode. Confused over Shiori's feelings about their shared kiss, Jiro was both excited and nervous about the opportunity to hang out with Shiori at her apartment. However, when the perfect opportunity to discuss their relationship arose, Jiro hesitated after seeing Akari in a photo from their beach trip. Jiro returned home just as unsure as before, and Akari invited him on a date. This raised even more questions for Jiro. He evidently enjoyed spending time with both girls. In turn, both Akari and Shiori were determined to get even closer to him. Akari and Shiori seemed to be on equal footing when it came to their potential, so it was now up to Jiro to come to terms with who he actually loved.

Many romantic comedies with love triangles tended to emphasize the competition between love interest. Conversely, More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers took a healthier approach to this trope. Both girls realized that they stood in each other's way, yet they were not antagonistic towards each other. Shiori challenged Akari to a race to a shrine where they can pray for a romantic blessing, but their race was friendly. They kept up with each other just as they passed various scenes that symbolized the growth of a relationship, with their male counterparts in each scene resembling Jiro.

The race ended with Shiori and Akari arriving at the same time, and the three of them praying at the shrine together. The love triangle was not yet resolved, but this scene provided a unique perspective on the kind of clichéd and frustratingly indecisive ending that was typical of romance anime. Though many signs in the series pointed towards Jiro ending up with Akari, the race demonstrated that both love interests had a valid place in the fight. Shiori's feelings were just as important as Akari's. Jiro's own conflicted feelings were also valid, as they were rooted in the series' confusing circumstances. While many romantic comedy protagonists almost always wound up manipulating such a love triangle for their own selfish, momentary ends, Jiro's situation pointed toward a purer outcome, as he realized that he must first learn to love himself to figure out who he truly loved.

The Last Episode Sets up a Potential More Than a Married Couple, but Not Lovers Season 2

Jirou and Akari from More Than A Married Couple, But Not Lovers.

More Than a Married Couple, but Not Lovers Top 5 Episodes, According to IMDb:Episode 12: Done, Being Less Than Love (8.6/10)Episode 10: Already' Has Passed, But Not' Yet (8.6/10)Episode 11: More Than a Confession, but Not Yet a Broken Heart (8.6/10)Episode 9: More Than a Childhood Friend, but Not True Love (8.3/10)Episode 8: An Entreaty, but No Reassurance (8.2/10)

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Regardless of the anime's unique handling of the unresolved love triangle, viewers were still disappointed by Jiro's indecisiveness. However, More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers' last scenes left the series open to potentially set up a second season. After the race to the shrine, Jiro spent time playing an RPG game that overtly paralleled his conflicted emotions throughout the series. His gaming console showed his character with two in-game love interests who obviously represented Akari and Shiori. The game announced that the characters were ready to face their next adventure. This seemed to tease a second season, which would continue following the love triangle, as both couples have reached A-rank. This promotion gave them the opportunity to switch partners if they so desired, and raised the emotional stakes.

While More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers Season 2 has yet to be announced or confirmed, the teaser at the end of the first season finale certainly suggested that the door was open for a continuation. Fortunately, the manga is still ongoing. Studio Mother won't have to worry about lacking material to adapt when the time comes. However, the manga (which began publication in 2018) currently has around 70 chapters. The anime adapted at least 30 chapters, and even went as far as changing the order of some events or skipping others entirely. The story also doesn't show any signs of slowing down, with the most recent development being Akari seriously considering moving in with Jiro after they graduate. Should More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers Season 2 happen, it will surely ramp up Jiro's and Akari's budding love.

Fans will have to wait for more manga chapters to be published before More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers Season 2 even enters pre-production. As annoying as this may be for those who need to see who Jiro chooses to pursue a relationship right now, this kind of wait in between seasons is actually normal. Given More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers' relative success and the general popularity of wholesome romantic anime, there's a good chance that More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers Season 2 will air sooner than fans expect.

More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers has yet to be renewed for a second season. Season 1 is currently available on Crunchyroll.

More than a married couple TV poster
More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers

High school student Jiro Yakuin paired with Akari Watanabe, a gal who finds Jiro repulsive at first, but they agree to attain enough points so that they can switch partners to the people they really like.

Release Date
October 9, 2022
Cast
Saori Ōnishi , Seiichiro Yamashita , Toshiki Masuda , Sho Nogami , Minami Takayama , Azumi Waki , Shūichi Uchida , Yui Ogura
Main Genre
Comedy
Seasons
1
Studio
studio MOTHER