Taisho Era Contract Marriage ~ The Substitute Bride and a Soldier's Fierce Love

Asako Touno has spent her life on the margins of her own family, the daughter of a viscount who treats her as a nuisance while her younger sister gets the privileges Asako never did. When Captain Shintarou Kido, a soldier known for his icy demeanor, proposes marriage to Hiroko, Asako steps forward and offers to stand in as a substitute bride so her sister won't lose security or status. The arrangement forces Asako and Kido into close quarters, where old prejudices, class expectations, and the realities of military life collide, and unexpected feelings begin to surface between a woman who expected no love in marriage and a man with a fierce heart.

Released in 2024, this animated TV series was created by Eeyo Kurosaki, Yuzu Kanzaki, and G-zass. The main cast includes Junta Terashima as Shintarou Kido, Yua Miyuki as Asako Touno, and Mashiro Satou as Hiroko Touno, bringing period dialogue and character emotion to life through voice work.

Early viewer response has been mixed, reflected in a 6.0 out of 10 average from a small number of votes. Fans tend to highlight the chemistry between the leads and the careful attention to Taisho-era atmosphere, while some say the pacing can feel uneven and certain relationships could use more depth. Central themes include class stigma, familial duty and sacrifice, the constraints placed on women in a rigid society, and how affection can grow under unusual circumstances.

Within niche anime communities the show has prompted conversations about historical romance set during the Taisho era, and about how arranged or substitute marriages are portrayed in modern animation. It’s inspired modest fan art and discussion threads that dissect character motivations and period details, helping it find a small but engaged audience online.

As of now the series has not received major awards or high-profile nominations.