The 2026 spring anime season offers a lot of isekai and fantasy anime, but that doesn’t mean the shonen genre is lacking. Marriagetoxin is an upcoming shonen anime and is one of the most talked-about manga series in the modern era, all thanks to its compelling storyline that tells the tale of an incredibly likable hitman who simply wants to find the love of his life with the help of a marriage swindler.

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Marriagetoxin brings a unique story for fans to consume, one that’s rarely seen in the shonen genre. The source material has been well-received by fans, so it goes without saying that there’s a dedicated fanbase willing to support the anime adaptation of Marriagetoxin right off the bat. That said, it’s time to meet the poison specialist, Hikaru Gero, and the marriage swindler, Mei Kinosaki, this spring season!

Marriagetoxin Unites a Hitman and a Marriage Swindler

Meet Hikaru Gero and Mei Kinosaki

marriagetoxin spring 2026 preview
marriagetoxin spring 2026 preview

The shonen genre is never lacking when it comes to anime characters who take human lives for their profession. We recently got Sakamoto Taro from Sakamoto Days, but now we’re getting Hikaru Gero from the popular manga series MarriageToxin. The upcoming anime adaptation will debut Hikaru Gero as the latest hitman in shonen anime.

Unlike other assassins, Hikaru Gero’s methods are unconventional, as he specializes in using various kinds of poison to fight and kill at the same time. Hikaru Gero, or simply Gero, came from the Poison Clan, an assassin family renowned for its deadly expertise. Gero stands as the current heir to the Poison Clan, but he has zero intention of getting married and bringing another successor to the Poison Clan. Of course, this becomes a serious problem for the current head of the clan.

Meanwhile, Mei Kinosaki is a marriage swindler, or in other terms, a con artist. Mei fools people for cash not only because he wants to live a life free from debt but also to support his brother’s hospital expenses. Though Mei and Gero have no prior connection, their paths are about to collide in unexpected ways. Thus, the story of Marriagetoxin begins with Hikaru and Mei’s fated encounter.

Rearrange the covers into the correct Japanese release order.

Rearrange the covers into the correct Japanese release order.
Easy (5)Medium (7)Hard (10)

Hikaru Gero Wants to Get Married in Marriagetoxin

Mei Initiates Project Prince for Gero

marriagetoxin spring 2026 preview gero and mei in front of the mirror
marriagetoxin spring 2026 preview

Initially, Hikaru Gero had no interest in producing an heir to the Poison Clan. He simply can’t imagine himself getting married and being lovey-dovey with another person, since his life revolved entirely around killing. He didn’t have a chance to go to school like ordinary people, meet normal friends, and the like, as the Poison Clan exposed him to their deadly ways when he was young.

However, after Gero’s sister stepped up to produce an heir on his behalf, the hitman would later change his mind about love and romance in general. Also, speaking with his best friend and fellow hitman, Toshiki Hanamaki, completely changed Gero’s mind. If someone like Toshiki can find love, there may still be hope for Gero to find someone too. This sudden change of heart drives Gero to find a suitable partner, one who could accept him for who he is.

I can teach you how to lure in anyone, men, women, whoever.—Mei Kinosaki to Gero

Enter Mei Kinosaki, the marriage swindler who owes his life to Gero. In return for sparing his life, Mei vows to help Gero in his romantic endeavors, assisting him in every way he can. From setting up countless women for Gero to improving his social skills, Mei is adamant about guiding him through the unfamiliar world of love and relationships. However, this won’t be an easy journey, as dangerous people threaten to derail their plans.

Bonesfilm Brings Marriagetoxin to Life

marriagetoxin spring 2026 preview gero
marriagetoxin spring 2026 preview

The upcoming anime adaptation of Marriagetoxin will be produced by Bonesfilm. The studio has been around for quite a long time now and is renowned for producing some of the most popular anime, like Gachiakuta and My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON, as well as My Hero Academia: Vigilantes.

On that note, fans can expect to see Marriagetoxin with a high level of animation, on top of getting dynamic fighting scenes that Bonesfilm is known for. The studio is truly one of the best there is, so there’s no doubt that Marriagetoxin will deliver an impressive first season.

Marriagetoxin Episode 1 Is Scheduled for April 7, 2026 Release

Crunchyroll to Premiere Marriagetoxin Episode 1

marriagetoxin spring 2026 preview gero and mei piggyback
marriagetoxin spring 2026 preview

The release date of Marriagetoxin episode 1 has already been confirmed. As announced, it will premiere on April 7, 2026, worldwide. The exact number of episodes for Marriagetoxin has yet to be confirmed, but the series is expected to run for approximately 11 to 13 episodes from April to June 2026.

Crunchyroll has confirmed that they will stream Marriagetoxin on their platform, with the first episode dropping on April 7, 2026, but the exact release time is still undetermined. The streaming giant also announced that Marriagetoxin will receive an English dub version sooner or later. The upcoming shonen anime will be accessible in most international regions, so it’s recommended to check Crunchyroll for availability in your area.

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Marriagetoxin

Animation
Action & Adventure
Comedy
Network
Fuji TV, Kansai TV
Directors
Motonobu Hori
Writers
Kimiko Ueno

Cast

  • Cast Placeholder Image
    Haruki Ishiya
    Hikaru Gero (voice)
  • Cast Placeholder Image
    Shion Wakayama
    Mei Kinosaki (voice)
  • Cast Placeholder Image
    Asaki Yuikawa
    Shiori Ureshino (voice)
  • Cast Placeholder Image
    Anna Nagase
    Kyoko Himekawa (voice)