Marriagetoxin Ep.04 - Shiori is just way too adorable. Genya is scary...

Episode 4 of Marriagetoxin starts the new story chapter focused on Ureshino Shiori, the new heroine that Gero is going to pursue. She is a totally different type of heroine compared to Kyouko in both looks and personality. While Kyouko was confident, cool, and talented, Shiori is timid, cute, and somewhat awkward.

That is not to say that I don't like her; I actually enjoy this type of character a lot. She is more on the "must-protect" side rather than the type of heroine I looked for in Kyouko. Her story is rather simple: she has been targeted for assassination, and Gero must act as her bodyguard while allowing her to live a normal university life.

Magical Girl Shiori was cute even though it only accentuated her awkward image to me.

It's hard to say no to Shiori when she does these expressions of a lost puppy. I can understand Gero's feelings.

Of course, things aren't easy because the one attacking her is another "master" like Gero named Naruko Genya, who seems to have the ability to mind-control people and destroy entire rooms in seconds. He doesn't seem to be strictly opposed to Shiori, but rather under a contract to kill her. This would easily allow him to back down when the pay isn't worth the trouble.

I honestly don't see Shiori being a big contender in the romantic race because she is a bit too "mascot-animal" coded, but she could be a nice side character to keep things light-hearted in the coming story arcs. The other women I saw in the OP are more mature, so I think she might be the last "cute" one we get; we have to keep her safe.

The only thing I'm worried about is that they might follow the "heroine of the week" approach too much, completely sidelining a heroine the moment she is out of trouble. Part of the magic will be seeing the various characters interacting with each other, so I hope they deliver on that.

Oh, and I forgot to mention it, but the drinking party trick Gero performed was hilarious. I can't even imagine how, in his mind, drinking eight beers at the same time and then emitting that gelatinous substance was a great way to become popular. It did fit with the Gero (vomit) name, though, so I guess it was a wink from the author there.

Absolute Cuteness Field activated by Shiori to capture yet another heart.

Mei really tries her best to help Gero, but he is, in a way, incredible with his ideas.

In the next episode, we will see the battle between Gero and Genya. While there is no real possibility of Shiori being in danger, I'm curious to see what kind of crazy battle scene we are going to get. Genya's power was quite creepy, especially the whole stomach thing causing the explosion.