Nina the Starry Bride

Nina the Starry Bride (Hoshifuru Ōkoku no Nina) is a shōjo manga by Rikachi that launched in Kodansha's Be Love magazine on October 1, 2019. The story centers on Nina, an orphan scraping by in the slums of the Fortna Kingdom, whose star-like blue eyes catch the attention of Prince Azure. When the true princess Alisha dies in an accident, Azure recruits Nina to take her place. The scheme sends her to the neighboring Galgada Kingdom to marry Prince Sett, a cold and calculating ruler. Nina must keep her identity hidden while navigating assassination attempts, court intrigue, and the growing tension between her feelings for both princes.

The series blends fantasy and romance with a strong dose of political maneuvering. Its celestial mythology ties directly to the kingdom's lore, with the starry motif woven into the world-building. Rikachi's detailed artwork and emotionally charged storytelling earned the series the 46th Kodansha Manga Award in the shōjo category in 2022. As of February 2026, the manga has over 1.5 million copies in circulation across eighteen tankōbon volumes. A 12-episode anime adaptation by Signal.MD aired on Crunchyroll from October 10 to December 26, 2024, and a stage play is scheduled for April 2026 at Theater Milano in Tokyo.[edit]