I'm not going to lie. The reason I started watching "Yakuza Fiancé" was because back when I lived on TikTok, basically everyone was on my FYP was talking about the first five minutes of episode 3. And before you jump to any conclusions about how perverted I am (very), watching that scene wasn't what got me to start watching the show. Though it did shock me.
I grew up watching anime and "Vampire Knight" was my favourite anime. So I am no stranger to anime's propensity to blur lines and play around with TV rules. But it had never been quite so explicit before. So it shocked me. And then my FYP decided that my choosing to look that clip up meant I should be shown every single post made about the anime. And because I'd already been shocked by that scene, I actually chose to watch each and every clip that came up on my FYP.
And I. Got. Hooked.
I watched enough bits and pieces to realise I actually did want to watch the show. Especially after finding out the female lead sold a kidney to prove a point. Because as much as I loved watching "Vampire Knight" growing up (despite its questionable values). And as much as I love criminally psychotic male leads, I was sick to death of those men being paired up with sweet dormats.
And thankfully, though this anime has just as many questionable morals, it also has a couple who may as well have been matched in hell. Because they are perfect for each other.
Let's Talk About My Girl Yoshino Somei
This girl actually managed to trick me to begin with. She appeared like every other wide eyed female lead, who despite being a part of the same world as the male lead, had none of his power or instincts. Sure, she was angry with her grandfather to begin with. But she was too easily persuaded to just go live with a complete stranger.
And when she met Kirishima Miyama, she was solely concerned with whether or not he was a Yakuza. She even seemed afraid of the violence around her, despite being the granddaughter of a Yakuza. And though I knew just how unhinged she'd get, her performance was so convincing. I started resigning myself to the fact that she was yet another doormat who would let the male lead abuse her until he eventually grew to "love" her and stopped the worst of the abuse.
But then he went and lost his mask. He, like every other morally gray male lead, was vicious to her even as he kept her physically safe. He cut her down. And though she seemed shocked to begin with. That only lasted until she could think of the most UNHINGED way of getting revenge and proving him wrong imaginable.
And sure, she tried to go to her grandfather to begin with. And sure, he was completely unhelpful. But the type of rage that gets a girl to sell an organ to prove a point isn't something you can trigger. Only someone who is genuinely, well and truly, disconnected from reality would ever come up with it.
And what do you know? It's when she reveals her vindictive nature. When she simultaneously goes after Kirishima and the classmates who bullied her, and he sees her for who she is, he falls completely, madly in love with her.
And why wouldn't he? She's the only person equally as unhinged as he is.
Kirishima: The Most Unhinged Protagonist I've Come Across In Quite Some Time
I never believed his act. Not for a second. Even when he smiled, there was something off about it. This is the type of character who would buy you ice cream and then slit your throat. I am fully convinced that if Shoma Toriashi was an ordinary guy who hung around Yoshino, Kirishima would've killed him by now.
And he wouldn't have a single regret.
He's violent and volatile. He will kill anyone who touches what he considers to be his. And he'll knowingly put himself in danger again and again. Not because he wants to die. But because he's bored and he'll do anything if it'll entertain him. And he's definitely a masochist of the highest order.
So why do I think he's perfect for Yoshino?
Because she won't take it easy on him. She will match his freak every single time. She's not the type of girl who sits back and lets her man face the dangerous situations. She's the type of girl who fully understands her limitations and uses underhanded tactics to win anyway. This girl lured a thug into a parking lot and slammed a bicycle into his FACE.
She's the type of person who punishes misbehaviour with the silent treatment. And when her boys get into fights, she forces them to sew the buttons back on their opponents' shirt. Also, did I forget to mention she SOLD A KIDNEY to prove a point?
She could never be with a regular guy. She would eat him alive. She might just eat Kirishima alive. She needs danger and someone she can beat the crap out of without ever having to feel guilt. Like come on, when Kirishima was being a creepy weirdo and tried to watch her sleep, she took a knife to his face!
He blocked her, of course. But he still ended up being the one to apologise. And she was still the one to yell at him. She doesn't stroke his ego. And she doesn't let him bully her into doing whatever he wants. And when he runs straight into danger, she runs into it too. Not because she's worried about him getting hurt but rather because she's the granddaughter of a Yakuza and she can do as she pleases.
The Plot
Maybe I should've started with this but we all know that with anime like this, we choose it for the romance more than the plot.
The plot was good. A little confusing at times, to be sure. But the confusion made sense for what it is. Which is a deeply political story about power vacuums and the lengths some will go to for their greed. As far as I could tell, there were no real victims. Most of the characters are deeply self-interested and hide their true intentions from the people around them.
Did I feel sorry for characters like Nao at times? Sure. I don't think she deserves to be exploited. But she also seems like the type of character who wouldn't bat an eye if it happened to someone else. She's purposeful in everything she does and the people she keeps in her life. She will do what it takes to improve her status. No matter how many people she has to step on along the way.
Which is why it was significantly more enjoyable when Yoshino took Ozu down. Because as unhinged as she can be, she seemed to genuinely care about taking the creep down. Whereas I doubt Nao would've moved a finger to help another woman if she'd ended up in the same position. And by the end of the experience, I don't think she learned any lessons.
And far be it for me to victim blame, but at some point, if you know there's a tiger in a cage. Don't fucking go in the cage. Sooner or later, you won't be able to get back out. And as cool as it might make you look to be the only person in the cage with the tiger, there's a reason why no one else is in the cage with you. And dragging another person into the cage because the tiger got angry doesn't help you.
But anyways, that's only one part of the plot. For the most part, this season works to establish the world of the story. And the truth is, the world is dangerous. I'd like to find out more about why Yoshino was sent off to Kirishima's. There's definitely an attempted power grab happening but I don't think we've met all the players just yet.
Why Do The Most Unhinged Animes Have The Best Opening Theme
It happened with "Vampire Knight" and it's happening again with "Yakuza Fiance". The opening theme is addictively good. I don't even know how many times I've listened to it but I had to add the song to my playlist.
This song makes me feel things. And to be honest, the visuals aren't bad either. There are a few scandalous scenes but this is a mature anime. It's certainly not a show I would've watched as a pre-teen. And I'm glad because I would've lost my TV privileges if any member of my family walked in on that scene.
But yeah, I don't really have much more to say.
Final Thoughts
I like the characters solely for their ability to entertain me. I'm fully aware that every single person within this anime is unhinged but that's okay. We all need a little chaos every now and again. And it makes it easier to root for the villainous lead if everyone around him is shady.
Like yeah, he's violent and has an awful temper. But so far, it doesn't seem like he's picking fights out of nowhere. He beat up those guys in the alleyway because they were clearly trying to violate Yoshino against her will. He beat up the thugs who hurt Yoshino. And he was really cruel to Nao but it's not like she cared about him. In fact, she was going to sacrifice him to protect her reputation.
Don't get me wrong, I don't think he's a good person. But it seems to me like he's reacting rather than just beating the shit out of people of his own volition. And he doesn't try to hide who he is (except for when he first met Yoshino. I guess he was also cruel to her without her doing anything to him first). So I'd be interested to know what happened to give him the reputation he has.
Small disclaimer: it has been a while since I finished the season. I did start writing this when I first watched it but then I left it for too long. This is a complete re-write of my original draft. So if I forgot anything or made a mistake somewhere, feel free to let me know.