Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama We Married as a Job, which takes us into the charming world of a contract marriage that slowly transforms into something beautiful and real, challenging everything we think we know about love and relationships.
We Married as a Job premiered on October 11, 2016, on TBS and delivered 11 episodes of approximately 46 minutes each. Based on the manga series by Tsunami Umino and starring Yui Aragaki and Gen Hoshino, this Japanese romantic comedy became a cultural phenomenon in Japan, sparking conversations about modern relationships, employment, and gender roles. The series, also known as “The Full-Time Wife Escapist” or by its original Japanese title “Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu,” is now available on various streaming platforms worldwide.
The series follows a unique premise where marriage becomes a professional arrangement between two people who find practical solutions to their personal problems. What makes We Married as a Job special is its thoughtful exploration of how genuine feelings can develop within unconventional circumstances, while addressing contemporary issues like unemployment, social expectations, and the changing nature of relationships in modern Japan.
Mikuri’s Journey from Unemployment to Empowerment
The story centers around 25-year-old Moriyama Mikuri, played by Yui Aragaki, a graduate who finds herself unemployed and feeling useless after being laid off from her temporary job. When she begins working as a housekeeper for 36-year-old bachelor Hiramasa Tsuzaki, their practical arrangement evolves into a contract marriage proposal. We Married as a Job masterfully portrays Mikuri’s transformation from someone who feels invisible and worthless to a person who discovers her own value and agency through this unconventional relationship.
Mikuri Moriyama: The Heart of Practical Romance
Yui Aragaki delivers a delightful performance as Mikuri, capturing the character’s blend of pragmatism and vulnerability with remarkable authenticity. Throughout the series, we watch Mikuri navigate the complexities of a relationship that begins as a business transaction but gradually becomes something deeper and more meaningful. Her character arc explores themes of self-worth, independence, and the courage to pursue happiness on your own terms, making her journey both relatable and inspiring.
Hiramasa: The Gentle Revolutionary
Gen Hoshino shines as Hiramasa Tsuzaki, a socially awkward systems engineer who proposes the contract marriage as a mutually beneficial arrangement. Their relationship develops with a sweetness and authenticity that avoids typical romantic drama clichés, instead focusing on genuine compatibility and mutual respect. We Married as a Job excels at showing how true partnership can emerge from the most unexpected circumstances, making every small moment of connection feel significant and earned.
When Pretend Becomes Real
The series reaches its most emotionally satisfying moments when both characters realize their feelings have evolved beyond the original contract. These pivotal episodes showcase We Married as a Job at its absolute best, demonstrating how love can grow gradually through daily kindness, understanding, and shared experiences. The show brilliantly captures the moment when practical partnership transforms into genuine emotional intimacy, creating some of the most heartwarming romantic moments in Japanese drama.
Success on TBS
We Married as a Job became a massive cultural phenomenon in Japan, praised for its fresh take on romance and its thoughtful examination of contemporary social issues. The series’ 46-minute episodes perfectly balanced romantic comedy with deeper social commentary, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking. With outstanding chemistry between Yui Aragaki and Gen Hoshino, We Married as a Job successfully challenged traditional romantic narratives while delivering a story that felt both innovative and timeless.
Your Next Heartwarming Discovery
If you love unconventional romance combined with smart social commentary, We Married as a Job is the perfect series to binge on streaming platforms. The show offers a beautiful blend of gentle humor, authentic relationship development, and the kind of optimistic romance that will restore your faith in finding love in unexpected places.
Why This Series Redefines Romance
We Married as a Job proves that sometimes the most beautiful love stories are the ones that develop slowly and authentically over time. This series offers a refreshing perspective on modern relationships while celebrating both individual growth and partnership, making it essential viewing for anyone who believes in love that grows from genuine understanding and respect.
Series Details
Number of Episodes: 11 episodes (1 season, completed, plus a 2021 special)
Platform: TBS (available on Viki, Crunchyroll, and other streaming services)
Release/End Year: 2016
Current IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama
Status: Completed series with special episode
Protagonists: Yui Aragaki (Mikuri Moriyama), Gen Hoshino (Hiramasa Tsuzaki)
Antagonist: Social expectations, employment struggles, personal insecurities