Back in 2020, when the world was stuck at home, YouTube became a hub for a new wave of storytelling: voiced manga. Channels dedicated to bringing manga to life with voice acting and sound effects were already gaining popularity since 2019, but the pandemic pushed them even further into the mainstream. Manga Angel Neko Oka was one of the biggest channels to ride this trend, and among its many works, one series stood out—I’m Getting Married to the Girl I Hate in Class, or Kurakon, as fans call it.
At the time, I had no idea that this voiced manga I casually watched during quarantine would eventually turn into something much bigger. But fast forward to today, and Kurakon is no longer just a YouTube series. It has been adapted into a light novel, a manga, and now, in 2025, it’s finally an anime. It’s still surreal to think that something I first encountered as a short web series on YouTube has made it this far.
A YouTube Manga That Took Off
Akane and Saito, as seen in the Youtube web manga.
Voiced manga channels had already been growing in popularity before 2020, but the demand for them skyrocketed during the pandemic. With more people turning to YouTube for entertainment, these channels have become a go-to for quick and engaging stories. Kurakon premiered in March 2020 on Manga Angel Neko Oka, and it quickly became one of the channel’s most popular series. Like other voiced manga, it featured illustrated panels with voice acting and sound effects, creating an experience that felt like a simplified anime.
At first, it was primarily a hit in Japan, but Manga Angel Neko Oka later launched an English channel, which helped Kurakon gain even more traction overseas. Before long, it had racked up millions of views, proving that there was a real audience for this kind of storytelling.
A Marriage Built on Hatred (That Slowly Turns Into Love)
Akane and Saito, the newlyweds.
The premise of Kurakon is classic rom-com gold. Hojo Saito, the heir to a powerful corporation, and Sakuramori Akane, his classmate and rival, absolutely cannot stand each other. Their personalities clash, and they spend most of their time throwing insults and competing over everything.
One day, their grandparents summon them to a high-end restaurant and drop an unexpected bombshell—they want Saito and Akane to get married. As it turns out, their grandparents were once deeply in love, but misunderstandings kept them apart. Now, they want their grandchildren to fulfill the love story they never got to have.
Naturally, both Saito and Akane are horrified. But there’s a catch. If they refuse, Saito will lose his right to inherit the Hojo Group, and Akane will be forced to give up her dreams as well. With no other choice, they reluctantly agree to the marriage.
From that moment on, their lives become even more chaotic. They’re forced to live together while keeping their marriage a secret from their classmates, leading to a mix of hilarious confrontations and unexpected moments of intimacy. Though they continue to bicker, they slowly begin to see new sides of each other, and their "hatred" starts to shift into something else.
From YouTube Sensation to Multi-Platform Success
Akane, as seen in the manga adaptation.
As Kurakon grew in popularity on YouTube, it didn’t take long for it to expand into other formats. Later in 2020, it was adapted into a light novel under MF Bunko J (Kadokawa), which not only retold the original story but also added more depth to the characters and introduced new developments. In May 2021, a manga adaptation illustrated by Mosukonbu began serialization in Shonen Ace Plus, giving the story a traditional manga format.
By September 2024, the series had sold over 450,000 copies, including digital sales, and its YouTube videos had accumulated over 10 million views. What started as a web-based voiced manga had evolved into a full-fledged media franchise. And now, in 2025, Kurakon has officially reached the next level with its anime adaptation.
What Makes Kurakon Stand Out?
Akane threatens Saito not to say a word about their marriage to anyone.
At first glance, Kurakon might seem like just another arranged marriage rom-com, but what makes it special is how well it balances comedy, drama, and romance. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Saito and Akane is one of its biggest strengths. Their arguments feel natural rather than exaggerated, and their development as a couple is gradual, making it satisfying to watch their relationship evolve.
Another unique aspect of Kurakon is how it started. Most romantic comedies begin as light novels or manga before getting adaptations, but Kurakon first gained traction as a YouTube manga. This made it more accessible to casual viewers who may not have picked up a light novel or manga otherwise. Its transition from an online series to a full-fledged anime is something rarely seen in the industry, making it a fascinating success story.
From Quarantine Binge to Anime Adaptation
Looking back, it’s wild to think that Kurakon was just one of many voiced manga I watched during quarantine, and now, it’s a full-fledged anime airing on TV. What started as a YouTube series has grown into a novel, a manga, and now an anime that people around the world can watch.
Whether you’ve been following Kurakon since its YouTube days or are just discovering it through the anime, there’s no denying its charm. If you’re a fan of enemies-to-lovers romances with plenty of hilarious banter and heartfelt moments, this is definitely a series worth checking out.
And if you're eager to see how the light novel unfolds (it's already complete, by the way!), you can grab a copy from ZenPlus and have it shipped straight from Japan!
【Manga】 I'm Getting Married to a Girl I Hate in Class【Episode 1: Living Together】
【アニメ放送中】クラスの大嫌いな女子と結婚することになった。５周年！
【漫画】クラスの大嫌いな女子と結婚することになった。１話：高校生夫婦の同棲生活ルーティンは、大喧嘩！→仲直り？→ベッドで・・・
What do you think?
Will Saito and Akane end up together even though they’re already married from the get-go?
What is the real reason behind the arranged marriage?
Is Akane the girl whom he met at the party as a child?
Let us know in the comments or drop us a line on social media: X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Facebook! We’d love to hear from you!
ZenPlus is your one-stop shop for all things Japanese. Check out our marketplace for manga volumes, cosplay, figures, and other merch from the I’m Getting Married to the Girl I Hate in Class franchise!
You can watch I’m Getting Married to the Girl I Hate in Class on Crunchyroll and Bilibili.
About the Writer
Cristy is a freelance artist and writer who has been obsessed with anime and manga since childhood. Her love for these imaginative worlds fuels her creative endeavors, and she shows no signs of stopping anytime soon.
