REVIEW: ‘Marriagetoxin’ Episode 7 — “The Bug Master’s Wedding”

Marriagetoxin Episode 7 is another great episode that provides more details on the anime’s world, highlights its excellent characters, and showcases excellent animation and one of the most exciting fights so far.

Marriagetoxin Episode 7 picks up where the previous episode left off, with Hikaru (Haruki Ishiya) and Kinosaki (Shion Wakayama) being invited to Bug Master’s wedding. There, viewers are introduced to the Needle Master and his three kids, right after he executes a surprise attack with his toxic needles on Hikaru. This is an act that’s apparently a tradition between them, keeping Hikaru on his toes.

The next few scenes in Marriagetoxin Episode 7  show a flashback revealing how Hikaru and Bug Master became such close friends despite Hikaru’s rough exterior at the time, and how Bug Master met his wife after saving her during a hiking trip. However, their wedding is suddenly crashed by Yamada, one of Bug Master’s enemies, whom he defeated in the past.

The wedding in Marriagetoxin Episode 7 goes off with a bang, or well, some bugs.

Hikaru rushes to thwart Yamada’s plans, accompanied by one of Bug Master’s special spider friends. After taking out his hired mercs, Hikaru approaches Yamada, who’s more insane than all of the foes he’s met so far. The next scene switches to yet another flashback, revealing how Yamada was a depressed, debt-ridden, unemployed man in the past. He was approached by the mysterious Puppet Master, who offered to take care of his debt in exchange for employing him and transforming him into a human weapon with explosives in his joints and skull.

He unsurprisingly went on a rampage, murdering people in the streets, but this rampage was quickly stopped by Bug Master, who disarmed the bomb while showing the obviously mentally unstable Yamada some kindness via a hug. However, this kindness was clearly unwarranted as Yamada kept a grudge against the Bug Master, whom he believed stripped him of the sadistic and exhilarating urge for an explosive death. So to retaliate, he plans on ruining his wedding by killing his bride and the wedding’s guests.

This prompts a full-blown fight between Yamada and Hikaru, but not before Hikaru calls Kinoskai to take over his speech-giving duties. The fight showcases impeccable animation from Bones. It sports visually striking explosions and combustion attacks from Yamada, and immaculate composition and smooth, amazing choreography seen through Hikaru’s swift movements, evasions, and attacks.

The fight featured in Marriagetoxin Episode 7 is smooth and striking visually.

Hikaru uses the spider’s silk to swing Yamada far into the air, but this unfortunately sets him up for a propelled explosive attack targeted at Bug Master and his wife. However, Yamada is surprised to see Bug Master’s genuine happiness, which reminds him of the kindness he was shown, and he stops the attack.

The final scene of the fight in Marriagetoxin Episode 7 not only shows excellent direction but is also touching, and proves that Bug Master’s unnatural kindness toward all of those around him, from friends like Hikaru to strangers like Yamada, despite his shady occupation, is never unnoticed.

After the fight, Bug Master thanks Kinosaki for the speech and expresses his appreciation to Hikaru for being his friend, despite the power dynamic between their families. This confuses Kinosaki, who points out that they’re both masters.

A point of confusion in the ceremony leads to some fascinating world-building.

However, Bug Master clarifies that there are only five main assassin clans, and that all other families are essentially branch families or offshoots of the major clans, aside from a few unaffiliated families. The conversation triggers a final flashback showing Bug Master and his father meeting Hikaru for the first time. It explains how the Bug Clan are basically expendable foot soldiers compared to the Gero family.

While brief, these scenes in Marriagetoxin Episode 7  provide viewers with more detail about the underworld’s families and the politics between them without excessive exposition. It also finally provides more information about the five major clans, but unfortunately, only their names are revealed so far.

Hopefully, more details about these clans, including their members, will be revealed later in the season. That said, it won’t be a surprise if the Puppet Master makes a proper appearance and his affiliations are fully revealed later on.

With the wedding wrapped, the final moments set up what to expect moving forward.

The flashback also shows young Hikaru just after he becomes a master, and he looks like he’s been through the wringer. From his face alone, one can tell the steps in becoming a master are not easy, and the anime displays this in a subtle yet impactful way. The wedding ends with Bug Master flying away with his bride, and the episode concludes as the Hitman Hunter sets up an appearance for the next episode with Hikaru in his sights.

All in all, Marriagetoxin Episode 7 is an all-around great episode with excellent animation, narrative progression, and some touching moments. The episode also excellently sets up the next episode, which is sure to be exciting.

Marriagetoxin Episode 7 is streaming on Crunchyroll.

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