More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers Manga
More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers (Manga)
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Japanese Title: 夫婦以上、恋人未満。(Fūfu Ijō, Koibito Miman; abbreviated Fuukoi)
Year of Release: 2018 – 2026 (continues) (13 volumes)
Writer: Yūki Kanamaru
Original Publisher: Kadokawa Shoten (Eng.: Udon Entertainment)
TV: More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers Anime Series 2022 (12 episodes)
Anime Movies: –
Setting
“More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers” is set within a contemporary high school environment that hosts a peculiar and demanding program known as “Marriage Practical.” This unique curriculum is designed to offer students a simulated experience of married life, requiring them to pair up and embody the roles of a married couple. The program’s practical application extends to the students’ living arrangements, where they reside in dormitories under constant surveillance. Their daily interactions are meticulously monitored, serving as the basis for performance assessments within the program.
Plot
The narrative centers on Jirō Yakuin, an introverted high school student burdened by unrequited feelings for his childhood friend, Shiori Sakurazaka. Fate intervenes when Jirō is unexpectedly partnered with Akari Watanabe, a vivacious and outgoing girl, for the mandatory Marriage Practical. Both Jirō and Akari initially enter the program with a singular objective: to perform exceptionally well, accumulate points, and secure the opportunity to switch partners, thereby enabling them to pursue their respective crushes. However, as they meticulously enact the pretense of a married couple, the lines between their simulated relationship and genuine emotion begin to blur. They find themselves developing actual feelings for each other, a development that introduces a complex web of romantic complications and emotional turmoil into their lives.
Main Characters
The unfolding drama of “More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers” is driven by the complex relationships and evolving emotions of its central characters:
| Character | Role |
|---|---|
| Jirō Yakuin | The introverted male protagonist, Jirō struggles with self-esteem and harbors deep feelings for his childhood friend, Shiori. He finds himself reluctantly partnered with Akari for the Marriage Practical. |
| Akari Watanabe | A confident and outwardly expressive girl who becomes Jirō’s partner in the program. Though her initial aim is to be with another boy, she gradually discovers and develops genuine feelings for Jirō. |
| Shiori Sakurazaka | Jirō’s cherished childhood friend and the object of his affection. Shiori is depicted as shy and kind-hearted, and she also harbors feelings for Jirō, hoping to switch partners. |
As the story progresses, the characters grapple with their burgeoning emotions and the intricate dynamics of their relationships, resulting in a compelling blend of comedy and romance.
