Kureha’s popular shojo series, Oni no Hanayome (The Ogre’s Bride), is set to receive a TV anime adaptation. The announcement was made by Starts Publishing on June 9, 2025, generating excitement among fans of the light novel and manga series. With over 5.8 million copies in circulation across its various adaptations, Oni no Hanayome has captivated audiences with its Japanese-style ayakashi Cinderella story.
A Cinderella Story with a Supernatural Twist
Oni no Hanayome is set in a world where humans and ayakashi (supernatural creatures) coexist. Ayakashi possess superior abilities and striking appearances, sometimes choosing human women as their “brides.” These brides, in exchange for bringing prosperity, receive the absolute love of their ayakashi partners.
The story follows Yuzu, an ordinary high school student who feels overshadowed by her younger sister, who is already promised to a demon fox. Yuzu is often resented by her family and feels unloved. However, her life takes an unexpected turn when she encounters Kiryuuin Reiya, a powerful and handsome oni who declares her as his bride.
From Short Story to Anime
Oni no Hanayome began as a short story on Starts Publishing’s web novel platform, Novema. Penned by Kureha, it won the grand prize at the First Novema! Character Short Story Contest, which had the theme of “ayakashi x romance.”. Kureha then rewrote and serialized the series on the same platform.
Starts Publishing began releasing the series as paperback volumes on October 28, 2020. The manga adaptation, illustrated by Jun Togashi, launched on Starts Publishing’s online noicomi COMICS platform on August 26, 2022. The manga won the main prize at Comic Cmoa’s Minna ga Erabu!! Denshi Comic Taishou 2023.
What to Expect from the Anime
While details about the anime adaptation are still scarce, the announcement has been met with enthusiasm from the creators and fans alike.
Kureha, the author of the light novel series, expressed her excitement: “Hello, my name is Kureha. It has been decided that ‘The Ogre’s Bride’ will be made into an anime! We would like to thank everyone who has supported and cooperated with us so far. This work, which started as a short story of about 20,000 characters, was published as a book, then made into a comic, and finally made into an anime, all thanks to the support of many people. Thank you so much. I can’t help but feel excited when I think about what I imagined in my head being played out on screen. I’m happy to finally be able to share this with everyone who supports Onihana. We hope you will continue to support Oni no Hanayome.”
Yu Shiroya, the light novel illustrator, added: “Congratulations on the decision to make an anime of The Ogre’s Bride! I am really looking forward to seeing how my beloved Yuzu and Reiya, along with all the other fascinating characters, will be colored and developed. I am honored to have been involved in such a large project. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the readers who have supported us, to the original author, Kureha-sensei, the comic artist, Togashi-sensei, and to all those involved. We look forward to your continued support.”
Jun Togashi, the artist behind the manga adaptation, also shared his thoughts: “Congratulations on the TV anime adaptation of The Ogre’s Bride! I’m already excited to see how Yuzu, Reiya, and the little ogres will be portrayed, talk, and move… I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who has been involved in this work and to all the readers who have supported me.”
Previous Anime Adaptation: Oni no Hanayome wa Taberaretai
Notably, this is not the first anime adaptation of a series with a similar title. Oni no Hanayome wa Taberaretai (The Demon’s Bride Wants to Be Eaten), a manga series written and illustrated by Keiko Sakano, received a two-episode original net animation (ONA) adaptation in December 2021. Produced by Magia, it aired on Hakusensha’s “Hakusen Anime Channel” on YouTube.
The story of Oni no Hanayome wa Taberaretai centers on Mashiro, a young woman who was saved by an oni when she was a child. When she turns 17, she goes to marry him, ready to be eaten. However, the oni dotes on her and has no intention of eating her, leading to a love story filled with misunderstandings.
Oni no Hanayome wa Taberaretai ONA Staff
- Original Creator: Keiko Sakano
- Chief Director: Akira Ishiguro
- Director: Akira Ishiguro
- Script: Akira Ishiguro, Keiko Wang
- Storyboard: Keiko Wang
- Music: Ayato Utsunomiya, Kensei Kuromiya
- Sound Director: Akira Ishiguro
- Animation Production: MAGIA
Oni no Hanayome wa Taberaretai ONA Cast
- Maaya Uchida as Mashiro
- Junichi Suwabe as Shuten-dōji
- Nobunaga Shimazaki as Yasha (voice drama)
- Kappei Yamaguchi as Komamaru (voice drama)
It remains to be seen whether the new Oni no Hanayome anime will share any similarities with the previous ONA adaptation, but fans can anticipate a captivating story filled with romance, supernatural elements, and Japanese folklore.
Where to Read the Manga
MangaPlaza publishes the Oni no Hanayome manga series in English, making it accessible to international fans.
Final Thoughts
The announcement of the Oni no Hanayome TV anime adaptation is a testament to the series’ popularity and enduring appeal. Fans eagerly await further details about the anime, including the release date, staff, and cast. With its captivating story, charming characters, and blend of romance and supernatural elements, Oni no Hanayome is poised to become a beloved anime series.
