In the world of romance works, the phrase “broken engagement” is already becoming a staple, but “Nigashita Sakana wa Ookikatta ga, Tsuriageta Sakana ga Ookisugita Ken” is a work that brilliantly utilizes that cliché while accelerating all at once in an unexpected direction. The title itself has a powerful presence, but as soon as you start reading, you realize that this long title is not just aiming for mere impact. If you think it is a story about someone regretting what they let go, it is actually a story about obtaining something even more extraordinary than that, and its development is exquisitely interesting. At first, I thought it was a royal road romantic comedy centered on an engagement issue, but before I knew it, I was drawn in by the fast-paced conversations and unique characters, and I could not stop turning the pages.

The protagonist, Maria, nicknamed Mimi, was born as the fifth daughter of the Duke of Annovazzi's family, a prestigious family of martial arts. Inherently, she would be in a position to receive social skills and lady's education as a noble young lady, but because she was raised as the heir to the family, it was her talent for martial arts rather than manners that was polished. However, with the birth of her younger brother, she suddenly loses that role, and this time she has to find a marriage partner. Yet, while an ordinary young lady would end up merely being bewildered here, Mimi is not ordinary in a good way. The setup of studying abroad for marriage hunting alone is interesting, but since its content operates entirely with the sensibility of a martial artist, each and every one of her words and actions feels fresh, and although she is somewhat off-track, she looks strangely adorable. Rather than a lovely young lady, precisely because she is a straightforward person who moves forward with all her might, she possesses a charm that makes readers naturally want to cheer her on.

The story begins to move significantly during the scene of the graduation party at the Royal Academy of the Rubini Kingdom. Here, she is suddenly told of a broken engagement by the First Prince, Renato, but in the first place, Mimi is not engaged. In other words, despite being on the side whose engagement was broken, a highly confusing situation arises where she has no memory of even being engaged. Moreover, the reason was a misunderstanding that occurred behind very serious political circumstances. This setup alone is quite interesting, but the work does not end there as a mere commotion caused by a misunderstanding. Mimi plays an active role toward resolving the incident, and the flow of deepening her relationship with the prince is depicted with very good pacing. While there are romance elements, of course, not only that, but the banter and changes in human relationships born within the commotion are extremely charming.

When looking at the title of the work, many people might imagine, “I wonder if it is a story about realizing value after losing it.” However, when you actually read it, the impression changes greatly. It is not a story about someone regretting what they let slip away, but rather a story where the protagonist herself ends up grasping a future beyond expectations. Mimi herself is by no means acting calculatingly, nor is she trying to make her own value look large. Despite that, she attracts the people around her through her inherent straightforwardness and ability to take action, and before you know it, she significantly moves the situation itself. That is precisely why the moment when the meaning of the title gradually becomes clear is very enjoyable, and I couldn't help but laugh, thinking, “I see, so that's what it was about.”

What I felt after reading “Nigashita Sakana wa Ookikatta ga, Tsuriageta Sakana ga Ookisugita Ken” was that the protagonist's charm creates the atmosphere of the entire work. Normally, when broken engagements or political circumstances are involved, the atmosphere seems likely to become heavy, but this work remains lighthearted and bright until the end. Of course, there is excitement as romance, but more than that, the interactions among the characters are enjoyable, and the reading side naturally ends up smiling as well. I felt it is a perfect work not only for people who like otherworld-types or young lady stories, but also for those who are seeking a slightly different stimulation in the usual broken engagement works. It is a piece with such a mysterious charm that makes you want to keep watching the characters' interactions forever, even while being curious about the future developments.