Danica Davidson
March 17, 2025 
Assassin & Cinderella is bound to be compared to SPY x FAMILY, because it involves a spy and an assassin in a marriage of convenience. In this case, Neneko is the spy, and she’s supposed to figure out the secrets and weaknesses of Omi, an assassin from a rival organization. She pretends to be someone else so she can date Omi.
Too bad for her that Omi unmasks her real identity almost immediately. But he isn’t angry. He thinks she’s so cute, and he wants to marry her.
She goes along with the wedding, wearing a dress so detailed it looks as if the skirt is made of roses. But then what happens? They barely know each other — they’ve never even kissed, and he’s still an assassin, even if he’s also a great cook, a protective husband, and pampering partner.
Getting back to the SPY x FAMILY comparison, Assassin & Cinderella might have some similarities on the surface, but the story has a very different feel. This manga is darker, more sexy, less humorous, and it gives off more of an erotic thriller feel. The characters’ proportions are exaggerated for effect, like the size of Neneko’s chest. There’s also a sleekness both to the art and the style of storytelling.
Assassin & Cinderella is rated Mature. There is nothing in the first volume that warrants a rating like that (comparing to other manga ratings in America, it’s probably more like a 16+, maybe 17+). However, it does end with a cliffhanger giving the impression readers might get to see a lot more in the second volume, so the Mature rating could be in anticipation of what happens down the line.
One of the strengths of the first volume is the fact we don’t know whom we can trust. It starts out with Omi seeming interested in Neneko because she’s cute, which is a pretty shallow reason to marry someone, though as the story goes on you do see some instances of the characters growing and helping each other out.
Story & Art: Yuzo Natsuno
Publisher: Square Enix Manga & Books
Translator: Mei Amaki
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Danica Davidson is the author of the bestselling Manga Art for Beginners with artist Melanie Westin, plus its sequel, Manga Art for Everyone, and the first-of-its-kind manga chalk book Chalk Art Manga, both illustrated by professional Japanese mangaka Rena Saiya. Check out her other comics and books at www.danicadavidson.com.
