The Ogre's Bride
The Ogre's Bride is a Japanese light novel series written by Kureha and illustrated by Yū Shiroya. It began serialization as a web novel on the Novema website in 2019. It was later acquired by Starts Publishing who began publishing it under their Starts Shuppan Bunko imprint in October 2020. A manga adaptation illustrated by began serialization in Starts Publishing's noicomi digital magazine in December 2021. A live-action film adaptation is set to premiere in Japanese theaters in March 2026. An anime television series adaptation produced by is set to premiere in 2026.
Synopsis
Yuzu, an ordinary high school student living in a world where monsters and humans coexist, has been treated unfairly by her parents, who dote on her younger sister, Karin, who was chosen as the bride of a fox spirit. Furthermore, her boyfriend Yamato breaks up with her because he has fallen in love with Karin, even though she has already been chosen as the bride. After that, Karin demands Yuzu to give away her a dress she received as a birthday present from their grandparents, who have always been kind to her. However, when Yuzu refuses, it develops into a sisters' quarrel, and as a result, the dress is torn, and Yuzu, enraged, raises her hand against Karin. Enraged that his bride, Karin, has been hurt, the fox spirit Kozuki Yota pours flames on Yuzu, causing her hands to get burned. Thus, Yuzu, who ran away from despair at not being loved or needed by anyone at home, happens to meet Kiryuuin Reiya, the next head of the Kiryuuin clan, the highest-ranking ayakashi. Reiya then tells Yuzu, "I've missed you, my bride."Characters
;Yuzu;Kiryuin Reiya
; Kooni
; Karin
; Kogetsu Yota
;Touko
; Nekota Toukichi
; Oniyama Sakurako
;Tsumori Yukinosuke
;Ichiryusai Mikoto
; Kiryuin Senya
; Kiryuin Sara
; Kosetsu Nadeshiko
Production
When the author found out that "Novema! Character Short Story Contest" was being held on the theme of "Ayakashi x Romance" on "Novema!", he was thinking about what to write for his submission when the phrase "I've found my bride" and the scene of the two meeting came to mind. He submitted this story to the contest, won the Excellence Award, and it was later decided that the story would be published as a book.The author points out that one thing he is careful about is "not to overdo Reiya's expressions of affection". This is due to the author's belief that "no matter how much you love someone, there is a line that you cannot forgive", and citing the scene where Reiya makes Yuzu quit her part-time job without permission, the author said that he was conscious of "showing love in a way that is considerate of the other person, without being pushy".
Media
Manga
A manga adaptation illustrated by Jun Togashi began serialization in Starts Publishing's noicomi digital magazine on December 24, 2021. The manga's chapters have been collected in eight volumes as of June 2025.The manga is published in English on NTT Solmare's MangaPlaza website.