REVIEW: ‘365 Days To The Wedding’ Episode 2 — “What Does It Mean To Get Married”

Takuya Ohara (Kentarō Kumagai) and Rika Honjoji (Saori Hayami) continue their fake engagement ruse in 365 Days to the Wedding Episode 2. Based on the manga written and illustrated by Tamiki Wakaki and adapted by Ashi Productions from director Hiroshi Ikehata, it remains well-written but visually static. Takuya and Rika are relatable, and their interactions provide perspectives on two individuals who are definitive introverts. But so far, there’s been very little justification for adapting the series.

Part of the problem stems from the writing that likely works better as a manga. This is a patient story that is happy to join Rika pouring over maps or strolling the beach. That patience errs close to tedium as an anime, especially with flat visuals that don’t offer much dynamic framing or direction. Even comedy moments utilize simplistic approaches, as characters get stripped down to one-note, exaggerated expressions. By the time the mid-way credits strike, it feels like an entire episode’s runtime has gone by.

365 Days to the Wedding Episode 2 tries to up the ante regarding narrative potency beyond the well-developed protagonists. First, the two receive a threatening, anonymous call telling them that the caller knows they’re faking their engagement and will be forced to go to Alaska despite their scheming. Secondly, a work acquaintance, Gonda, randomly asks to visit Takuya’s home. Takuya and Rika work to ensure his apartment looks like it has been lived in by a couple before inviting him in, only to realize he’s brought two other colleagues along.

Gonda’s objective is to get Takuya’s advice on relationships. He believes that, since Takuya is now engaged, he must have the solutions to all of love’s problems. To Gonda and many others, romance and marriage are the answers to our problems. Takuya doesn’t see it that way and gets a little frustrated, wondering aloud what the big deal is. Rika agrees, and the two later talk about how they don’t feel any different about marriage. They agree they must shine to others because of it, but Takuya points out he feels like he’s his shining self when he’s alone and just hanging out with his cat. Rika, he thinks, shines when she engages in her hobbies.

It’s an interesting and welcome approach to the idea that marriage isn’t the end all be all to creating a full life. It’s not necessarily a revelatory point, but it is always worth seeing more depicted in media. It’s partially why it’s a shame that, after this interaction, both have to remind themselves they “can’t get the wrong idea.” It would be nice for the series to remain invested in this platonic relationship where romance isn’t integral and, instead, the importance of valuing what brings you community and happiness.

The secrecy of their relationship is further threatened by the arrival of Takuya’s father, who has traveled from the rural countryside. He’s somehow learned of his son’s upcoming nuptials and is furious, worrying that Takuya will dishonor the family name. Rika runs point while waiting for Takuya to return, realizing that their wedding is a serious affair for his father and extended family. There are communal expectations from the people in Takuya’s hometown, one that will ensure their wedding can’t be private. It’s now an event made for potentially 200 people rather than two.

It’s yet another exciting thread that speaks to different marriage customs, even for rural versus city lifestyles. 365 Days To The Wedding has a lot of engaging threads and relatable moments. It’s just that the animation itself falters when trying to bring any vigor to the moment. Character-driven stories can make the jump from manga to anime just fine. Particular slice-of-life anime are absolute must-watches. But it would seem, two episodes in, that 365 Days is struggling.

365 Days to the Wedding Episode 2 continues to let its protagonists shine in their relatable day-to-day interactions. However, the animation and pacing are tedious. While the story has enough engaging moments to keep viewers interested for now, it might be worth hopping over to the source material to get the full effect.

365 Days to the Wedding Episode 2 is out now on Crunchyroll.