The Witches’ Marriage Volume 2 Analysis

In the enchanting world of The Witches’ Marriage, Melissa, a formidable witch, sets her sights on the elusive Door of Truth to find her mistress. To achieve her goal, she forms sham Witch Marriages and siphons power from others. However, her current partner, Tanya, stands out from the rest; Melissa finds her irresistibly cute and slowly develops genuine feelings for her. After successfully completing the first Trial, which required Melissa to be vulnerable for the first time, the pair begin to grow closer. But as Tanya’s powers surge, Melissa grapples with a new emotion: jealousy.

A Surprising Relationship Evolution

I was pleasantly surprised by the first volume of The Witches’ Marriage, initially expecting the comedy to rely heavily on one-note gags. The story features Melissa trying to boost her power by manipulating Tanya in various amusing scenarios, only to warm up to her instead. My feelings about the second volume are similarly mixed; it opens with several chapters focused on Melissa saving Tanya from magical mishaps by expressing her feelings through kisses and encouraging words. I anticipated a continuation of this dynamic.

However, the manga defies expectations, not only advancing their relationship but also giving Melissa a new arc. Instead of merely denying her feelings, Melissa experiences significant character development. As Tanya becomes more adept and begins to showcase her ability to activate rare spells, Melissa’s jealousy flares up. Why now? Initially, Tanya seemed like just a sidekick, idolizing Melissa. However, after the first Trial, Tanya accepts Melissa’s vulnerabilities and demonstrates real magical prowess, taking initiative in their relationship by looking after Melissa’s needs and supporting her during challenging times. This newfound balance leads to tension between them, as Melissa begins to feel resentful and pushes Tanya away at pivotal moments.

The Witch Marriage binding them cannot thrive without a foundation of trust and companionship. This volume explores how both women grow—each in their own way—and how their love strengthens their bond. The combination of humor and foreshadowing, coupled with skillful writing, keeps readers engaged while building up to emotional payoffs at the right moments.

Worldbuilding and Magic

As with the first volume, The Witches’ Marriage Volume 2 doesn’t delve deeply into worldbuilding, but it introduces interesting elements. We encounter a special witches’ marriage school where partners can test their bonds to reach the Door of Truth more quickly. Thankfully, the school serves primarily as a backdrop for various magical challenges our heroes must face. There’s no awkward subplot involving racy school uniforms or dull classes.

The volume also showcases some creative spells, beautifully illustrated, such as a protective water spell and a candy that makes someone say the opposite of what they intend. However, unlike the first book, Volume 2 lacks flashbacks for either character and sticks to the perspectives of Melissa and Tanya. We don’t learn more about their pasts, which is somewhat disappointing.

New characters emerge due to the school setting, but one particular character caught my attention for the wrong reasons. A fortune teller appears in the first chapter and later returns as a teacher/judge during the school arc. Her design—stereotypical with a face veil, cloak, and bikini top—seems out of place in a world where character designs have been thoughtfully crafted. While I hesitate to label it as cultural appropriation, it certainly feels inconsistent with the overall aesthetic.

Translation and Readability

Eleanor Summers once again translates this volume, but there are no translator notes or an afterword from the mangaka. Nevertheless, the book remains an enjoyable read, with each character displaying distinct personalities and excellent comedic timing.

Conclusion

The Witches’ Marriage continues to delight with unexpected twists. Despite a misstep in character design and limited worldbuilding, the character arcs keep readers engaged. Fans eagerly await to see if Melissa and Tanya will reach the Door of Truth together or apart.