Firefly Wedding Manga Review: Volumes 2-4 Called a Gripping 'Traffic Accident'

Oreco Tachibana’s josei series Firefly Wedding is being labeled a must-read “traffic accident” that readers cannot look away from, according to a recent review covering volumes 2 through 4. Anime News Network pointed to the detailed artwork and the complex character dynamics as major draws for the ongoing manga.

The story centers on Satoko, a noblewoman in the Meiji era who is struggling with a heart condition while maneuvering a forced marriage intended to secure her family’s standing. This situation quickly deteriorates when she is kidnapped and thrown into a brutal fight for survival, forcing her to confront an assassin named Shinpei.

Shinpei is shaping up as a textbook yandere figure, shifting between devoted protector and immediate threat. He promises to eliminate any danger to Satoko, provided she commits to him fully; any wavering on her part brings immediate danger. Reviewers highlighted his underlying need for her affection and noted how he slowly chips away at her defenses as she weighs her terrifying options.

Satoko, for her part, is hardening, showing the ruthless streak necessary to survive the ordeal while retaining a core of compassion that keeps the audience invested despite the heavy material. The narrative, published by Shogakukan, doesn't shy away from the grim reality of the late 19th century, delivering graphic violence and serious emotional blows that challenge typical josei tropes.

Volume 4 pushes the tension higher when her bodyguard, Kotaro, manages a rescue. This triggers a violent, jealous reaction from Shinpei that exposes secrets about who orchestrated the initial kidnapping. Satoko finds herself conflicted, hesitant to leave the man who has repeatedly saved her life despite his dangerous nature.

Viz Media licenses the series stateside. The manga is slated to challenge readers further in 2026.