Happy Mania

    (Tokyopop, 2003-2004)
™ and © Tokyopop
reads right to left; b&w

Given the content (nudity, bad language, etc.), it’s a good idea that Happy Mania comes shrink-wrapped—TokyoPop wouldn’t want to have this confused with any of its innocuous magical girl titles. It’s the manga entry in the Bridget Jones’s Diary publishing derby. Except, instead of a hip, young professional, the protagonist, Shigeta, is a clingy loser who “knows” happiness means having a boyfriend—and will endure just about anything to get one.

Her strategy is to fall in love with the best-looking man she meets, then have sex with him under the delusion this will lead to a “relationship.” Otherwise, her life involves dead-end jobs, her coworker, Takahashi (who inexplicably loves her even though he doesn’t understand why), and her-long suffering roommate, who wants her to wise up.

You’d think life as an emotionally battered sexual convenience would get her down, but Shigeta’s no punching bag; after some tears and drama, she’s back to the races, confidence undimmed. This is no Peach Girl, but it’s funny in a sad sort of way that’ll undoubtedly resonate stronger with its target audience of 20-something women.

— S.A. Bennett / Comics Buyer‘s Guide’s Reading Room
Jump to issue:
  NotesWriterArtist