Tales of Wedding Rings – The anime series of 2024
The manga series “Tales of Wedding Rings” (結婚指輪物語), created by Maybe, has captured the attention of readers since its debut in the Monthly Big Gangan magazine in March 2014. This work combines fantastic elements with intricate romantic plots, finding its space also in Italy thanks at Star Comics since spring 2019. Recently, the world of “Tales of Wedding Rings” expanded its horizons with the announcement of an adaptation anime for adults by Staple Entertainment, which aired from January to March 2024, and with a second season already announced.
The anime, directed by Takashi Naoya and written by Deko Akao, saw an appreciable transposition of the original story of the manga. The character design is by Saori Nakashiki, while the soundtrack is the work of Satoshi Hōno, elements that enriched the visual and audio experience of the series. The theme songs, “Lover's Eye” by Sizuk and “Kokoro no naka” by AliA, captured the emotional essence of the episodes.
The plot follows the adventures of Satou, a boy who, after discovering that his childhood friend Hime is actually Princess Krystal from an alternate world, decides to follow her through an interdimensional portal. In this fantasy world, Satou discovers that by linking his destiny to that of Krystal through special rings, he will become the King of the Rings, a hero destined to save the kingdom. This revelation brings an epic twist to their friendship, transforming it into a love story full of responsibility and magical powers.
The series is not only a journey through fantastic worlds, but also an exploration of feelings and relationship dynamics between characters. Despite the presence of elements typical of the harem genre, where the protagonist finds himself surrounded by various female figures, the narrative maintains a focus on personal growth and authentic bonds. The treatment of romantic themes and the challenges that the protagonists must face enrich the plot, giving depth to the characters and their interactions.
The international distribution of the anime, managed by Crunchyroll, allowed fans from around the world, including Italy, to enjoy the series in simulcast, further expanding its reach and popularity. With the wait for the second season and the growing appreciation for both the anime and the manga, “Tales of Wedding Rings” confirms itself as a series capable of masterfully intertwining elements of fantasy and romance, winning the hearts of a vast international audience.
The story of Tales of Wedding Rings
The story of “Tales of Wedding Rings” begins with a mysterious and transcendental event. Satou, a normal child who lives in a quiet Japanese city, witnesses an incredible phenomenon: the opening of a dimensional portal right near his house. Two unusual figures emerge from this gap: an elderly sorcerer with a long white beard, leaning on a stick, and a little girl his age, called Hime. These newcomers come from a parallel fantasy world and decide to settle down as Satou's neighbors.
As Satou and Hime grow up, they form a deep bond. They become best friends, attend the same schools and share every aspect of their daily lives. Over time, Satou's feelings for Hime evolve into something deeper. During the summer festival, exactly ten years after their first meeting, Satou decides to confess his love for her. However, before she can express her feelings to her, Hime reveals that she must return to her home world because she is destined to marry as princess of her kingdom.
On the same evening as the festival, a new portal opens and Hime sets out to walk through it. Satou, desperate at the idea of losing her, decides to follow her. She thus finds herself in a completely different world, in the sumptuous rooms of a palace, where a wedding ceremony is taking place. But the event is abruptly interrupted by the irruption of a demon coming from the abyss, which breaks through the ceiling of the palace.
In the ensuing chaos, as the demon attacks, Hime, rather than deliver the wedding ring to the prince it was intended for, chooses Satou. She gives him a kiss and gives him the ring, granting him light-based powers, enough to defeat the demon. Hime explains to Satou that she is a princess from another world and that she lived on Earth to protect herself. Her world is under attack by demonic forces and she was destined to marry a hero and pass her ring to him to give him power.
The situation becomes further complicated when the castle suffers a second attack, this time by a knight in the service of the King of the Abyss, who is looking for the "King of the Rings". The latter is the legendary hero who had forged five magical rings, each of which is associated with a different element: Light, Fire, Water, Wind and Earth. Satou discovers that, to gain the power needed to permanently seal the King of the Abyss, he will have to marry four other princesses, each guardian of a ring associated with one of the remaining elements.
Thus begins the epic journey of Satou, who from an ordinary boy finds himself catapulted into the role of savior of a parallel world. His mission will lead him to explore unknown realms, form alliances with other princesses, and battle dark forces as he tries to preserve his special bond with Hime, his childhood friend who has now become so much more.
Characters from Tales of Wedding Rings
Haruto Sato (サトウ春人, Satō Haruto) Voiced by: Gen Satō (anime), Takumi Satō (VR) Haruto Sato is the protagonist of the series, a first-year high school student who, after following his childhood friend Hime through a dimensional portal, finds himself catapulted into another world. Here, by marrying Hime, he becomes the legendary King of the Rings. He faces the responsibility of marrying four other princesses to gain the powers needed to defeat the Abyss King. His love for Hime is deep and sincere, and the two consummate their marriage during a brief return to Earth.
Himeno Nonaka (Krystal Novaty Nokanatika) (野中姫乃, クリストル・ノバティ・ノカナティカ) Voiced by: Akari Kitō (anime and VR) Hime, the princess of the Light Kingdom of Nokanatika, is the guardian of the Ring of Light. To escape the Abyss King, she hides in Sato's world for ten years. Her love for Sato is reciprocated, and she plays a crucial role as his ally and wife on his path to becoming the King of the Rings.
Nephrites Lomka (ネフリティス・ロムカ) Princess of the Wind Kingdom of Lomka and guardian of the Wind Ring. Although she is 57 years old, she appears young like Hime. Originally a hikikomori, Nephrites is shy but she develops sincere feelings for Sato, deciding to enter into a respectful love triangle with him and Hime after the Abyss King's defeat.
Granat Needakitta (グラナート・ニーダキッタ) Valid warrior and princess of the Fire Kingdom of Needakitta, guardian of the Ring of Fire. She initially rejects Sato due to his weakness in combat, but she changes her mind after seeing him in action against the Abyss King's forces. Their relationship evolves to become amorous after various clashes and challenges.
Saphir Maasa (サフィール・マーサ) Princess of the Water Kingdom of Maasa and guardian of the Ring of Water, Saphir agrees to marry Sato to preserve her sister from such a fate. While dutifully fulfilling her role, Saphir shows disinterest in forming deep romantic bonds with Sato, even as she feels frustration at his attentions being diverted from her.
Anbar Idanokan (アンバル・イダノカン) Keeper of the Earth Ring, Anbar is the princess of the Earth Kingdom of Idanokan. Artificially created to preserve the memory of the dwarven race, she dedicates herself completely to Sato, displaying an unconditional loyalty and protection that defies her artificial nature.
Secondary characters:
- Kenja Alabasta: Hime's wise grandfather.
- Morion: Hime's younger sister.
- Mars: The prince originally betrothed to Hime, who becomes friends with Sato and marries Saphira, Saphir's twin sister.
- Saphira: Saphir's twin sister, marries Marse and together they form another key couple in the narrative.
Data Sheet
Manga
- Gender: Fantasy, Sentimental
- Author: Maybe
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Publication magazine: Monthly Big Gangan
- Target demographic: seinen
- First edition date: March 25, 2014 - ongoing
- Publication frequency: Monthly
- Number of volumes published: 14 (in progress)
- Italian publisher: Star comics
- First Italian edition series: Wonder
- First Italian edition date: May 8, 2019 - ongoing
- Italian periodicity: Bimonthly (vol. 1-2), Quarterly (vol. 3+)
- Volumes published in Italy: 13/14 (93% Complete)
- Italian translation: Andrea Maniscalco
Anime TV Series
- Directed by: Takashi Naoya
- Series composition: Akao Deko
- Character Design: Saori Nakashiki
- Artistic direction: Hiroki Ozaki
- Music: Satoshi Hono
- Production studio: StapleEntertainment
- Transmission networks: AT-X, Tokyo MX, SUN, BS11
- First TV broadcast: January 6, 2024 - ongoing
- Number of episodes: 12 (in progress)
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Episode length: 24 minutes
- First streaming broadcast in Italy: Crunchyroll (subtitled)
Licensing and Anime Production
- Global Licensee: Crunchyroll
- Licensee for SA/SEA: Medialink
- Associated producers:
- Yoshihiro Ishikawa
- Tsugu Ochiai
- Yuusuke Oonuko
- Tomoyuki Oowada
- Shouta Watase
- Kouji Sawahata
- Shuuta Sasaki
- Fumihiro Ozawa
- Kouhei Yamada
