Happiness Recommended by Souya Himawari Manga Review

While Makoto is a little too free with hugs for Yukiharu’s taste, the romance is a little lost.  The story could have been expanded on, but disappointingly, an unrelated short story fills out the end of the book.

After his grandfather’s death, Yukiharu is understandably depressed.  He believes that he’s all alone in the world, and in addition to mourning for his grandfather, he’s feeling incredibly sorry for himself.  soon after he learns that his grandfather had been keeping a secret from him - disapproving of Yukiharu’s parents, he disowned them and took the boy away to raise himself.   Now that’s he’s learned that he’s not alone in the world, Yukiharu has a new spring in his step, and he’s eager to be reunited with his faraway lost family.

Enter his family, and they aren’t very pleased to form his acquaintance.  Living in a rundown house, Yukiharu meets his six brothers, and is told that his parents haven’t been home in a year.  Left to their own devices, the boys struggle, with some help from their neighbors, to scrape out a living.  Feeding six growing boys isn’t an easy task, and his brothers are less than thrilled at the prospect of another mouth to feed.

All of the diverse temperaments that comprise of Yukiharu’s brothers led to an engaging clash of personalities.  They kind of reminded me of the Seven Dwarves, but in that version, they would have been called, “Clueless” “Cranky” and  “Crafty” among others.  Unfortunately, the story wraps up so quickly that much of the potential is wasted.  The surface of that story is barely scratched, and with its rapid pacing, none of the plot points gets the attention they deserve.  particularly shortchanged is the relationship amoung Yukiharu and Makoto, which goes pretty much nowhere.  There are some great flashbacks to their childhood, with a very cute Yukiharu making an indelible impression on the young Makoto.  Makoto was

so affected by Yukiharu’s displays of childish affection that he never recovered from them.  They were both adorable when they were little kids!

With lively and engaging illustrations, Happiness Recommended delivers a few laughs as Yukiharu makes the transition from well-fed and well-off to penniless and underfed, while coping with his large and not always friendly family.  Despite it’s rushed feel, that was a fun story.  I just wish it had been longer.  assemble certain to check under the dust jacket for comic and short story featuring Makoto and Yukiharu.

Also included is “Another Rainy Day”  and bonus manga featuring the characters from Happiness Recommended.

Grade: B-

Rated for 16+

Review copy provided by Junè

Title:  Happiness Recommended

Author: Souya Himawari

Publisher:  Junè

ISBN: 9781569707425

May Contain Spoilers

Yukiharu has a shock after his grandfather passes away.  The boy, who thought that his parents had died, discovers that they are alive, and that his has six brothers, too!  With nowhere else to go, he moves in with his brothers and has another surprise, and that one is darn right unpleasant - his parents are totally irresponsible, and they’ve left their sons to fend for themselves.  Meeting with hostility and poverty conditions, will Yukiharu ever fit in with his newly found brothers?

Aside from a stolen kiss in a restroom, there aren’t that many shounen-ai elements to be found here.  That’s not a poor thing, considering Happiness Recommended is still pleasantly diverting, but whether you’re looking for some boy on boy action, you’re going to be disappointed.

[Source] Julie