REVIEW: ‘Marriagetoxin’ Episode 10 — “Good-For-Nothing”

Marriagetoxin Episode 10 is another incredibly entertaining episode that showcases the best of the series’ protagonists and their endearing personalities. Like previous episodes, it provides more background on its world without overt exposition and hints at more important revelations to come.

Marriagetoxin Episode 10 begins where the last episode left off, with Kimie and Hikaru (Haruki Ishiya) resting in a cave and preparing for the fight against the Beast Master’s forces. Hikaru convinces Kimie that they will take down the Beast Master together, which comforts her, and she returns the favor by cooking him a quick meal.

Hikaru, still averse to eating meals he doesn’t make because of his traumatic training, overcomes his fears and eats it, which pleases Kimie. Marriagetoxin Episode 10 then shows a flashback of Kimie’s brother cooking the same meal for her when they were young and poor, before he disappeared, which is how she learned to prepare it.

Hikaru makes steps towards overcoming a trauma in Marriagetoxin Episode 10, but also gets closer to Kimie.

The episode’s opening naturally provides more insight into both Kimie and Hikaru’s pasts and personalities, as well as their subtly growing chemistry. The scene is not only wholesome but also showcases excellent animation, particularly through Kimie’s distinct facial expressions.

At night, while they’re asleep, the Koala Clan and Master attempt to ambush the duo, but Hikaru, despite still being injured, defeats them all. The fight was notably skipped and done off-screen as the scene instantly cuts to the group after they’re defeated. This is disappointing, as the last few episodes have already lacked fights. Toshiro Dogo takes the opportunity to sneak into the cave and kidnap Kimie during the chaos.

He then confronts Hikaru and provokes him into fighting the rest of his goons to rescue Kimie, in order to draw his blood at its peak potency so he can use it to perfect his bloodline experiment, as Hikaru’s blood is more effective when he pushes his body.

Offscreen fights in Marriagetoxin are lost opportunities, but for flow and pacing, it makes sense.

Hikaru is then forced to fight a hundred masters of different clans at once, but he’s quickly overwhelmed. He considers triple-dosing again, but doesn’t, as he knows he’ll likely die if he does. This prompts a second flashback to his training days as his teacher tells him to never take unnecessary risks and that his grand goal is ultimately to become unstoppable by developing an “incurable poison.”

This is the first time such a poison has been mentioned in the series, but whether it is still a future goal or a current trump card remains unknown. However, this introduction in Marriagetoxin Episode 10 sets up expectations and excitement for what this poison will be and also how it will likely be a main topic in a future episode. Additionally, like previous episodes, this new information is presented without tedious exposition and will likely be addressed in a future episode.

As Hikaru is being pummeled, the Water Master Shizuku Ushio (Mariya Ise) shows up to save the day. She reveals she was hired as a backup by Kinosaki (Shion Wakayama), and with her help, Hikaru is able to take out more of the masters and even comes up with a plan to combine their abilities. Ushio uses her mist to spread his toxins over a wide area, which takes out the rest of their foes. Despite their very different personalities, Hikaru and Ushio begin to grow closer afterward, thanks to Hikaru’s sincerity.

A poison introduced offers potential story possibilities, but it remains to be seen if it will make a comeback.

Animation-wise, the fight scene between the two masters and their hundred foes in Marriagetoxin Episode 10 featured very little to write home about. While the attacks, specifically from Ushio, show off fluid and intricate motions, the scene is incredibly short and lacks impact due to the oddly slowed-down or drawn-out movements from the fighters.

Meanwhile, Piichi and Kinosaki make their way to the Beast Master while riding a rhino. This prompts a comical scene as the two mow down all the masters and assassins trying to get their attention while they discuss Hikaru’s love life.

Meanwhile, Kimie is captured and is placed in a cell block with Beast Master’s other unfortunate guinea pigs and prisoners. While writhing in pain as her choker tightens its grip, a third flashback shows a young Kimie being rescued by a young Hikaru after she is captured by shady criminals, and she falls for him. This explains why she’s so fond of Hikaru, and knowing he plans to defeat Beast Master with her help, gives her the strength and conviction to come up with a plan using her hamsters, who slip through vents to grow their numbers.

Flashbacks build up the relationship between Kimie and Hikaru and highlight their pasts.

The flashback also notably references a group called the “Guardians of Order”. This group is believed to be the one that had Hikaru rescue Kimie and take out the criminals, though it’s not known for sure yet. The scene showcases the anime’s impressive use of subtle hints of narrative development, with elements that may be more relevant in a future episode.

Marriagetoxin Episode 10 also does a great job of showing how Kimie’s powers work as she uses her hamsters for several tasks, from gathering items and reconnaissance to even broadcasting her voice, which shows her abilities are more useful than they may have initially seemed. The episode ends with Kimie prompting a breakout in the holding cell.

Marriagetoxin Episode 10 is entertaining thanks to its great cast and proves there are still mysteries to be unfolded. While the episode lacks significant fights, the animation is still pristine and detailed, especially in facial expressions.

Marriagetoxin Episode 10 is streaming on Crunchyroll.

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