Kimi Arite Koufuku
You Are My Happiness

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This is my first review on MAL. Although I'm giving this manga 4/10, I found myself thinking about it even a week after reading; something about it stuck with me. This, coupled with the lack of reviews and very few users even adding this to their lists, I felt compelled to write a review.

Story - 3/10

You Are My Happiness is the epitome of a missed opportunity. While I didn't particularly enjoy the first few chapters, the way the story was building led me to believe it would become much more of a psychological horror. The best way to describe the characters' behavior and the events ... that unfold is disturbing. I felt uncomfortable reading this story as I imagine most readers would. And if this was truly committed to telling a horror story, it would be perfect. I actually had this manga sitting at a 7/10 just before I got to the final chapter...at which point, the story falls completely flat and ends somewhat abruptly. Post-story, the author notes that they originally intended this to be horror and they should have absolutely stuck with that idea in my opinion.

Art - 6/10

I don't have any specific compliments or complaints about the art or character designs. It's fine, hovering around average.

Character - 3/10

As mentioned earlier, the characters behave in disturbing ways, which would have been right at home in a work of psychological horror. Neither character is very likable and don't really undergo believable or satisfactory character arcs; together, they are the perfect toxic couple. The final chapter goes into the backstories of both characters, which helps explain but isn't enough to justify their bizarre, self-destructive behavior. At the end of the story, I was left feeling that both characters absolutely needed to be admitted to a psych ward ASAP.

Enjoyment - 4/10

I think it would be difficult for many readers to enjoy this kind of story unless the ending was executed perfectly as it seems to want readers to cringe. I kind of enjoyed it up until the final chapter but only under the mistaken belief that the story would have a much darker ending.

Overall - 4/10

You Are My Happiness could have been a good - even great - story if it stayed committed to the psychological horror elements present leading up to the conclusion. Maybe I missed the point and could have taken the things presented to me too literally (I am an accountant, not a psychologist), but this manga left me disappointed and somewhat upset that it wasn't better. While I can't recommend You Are My Happiness, this may appeal to those seeking a unique, darker 18+ yaoi experience. It certainly was unlike anything else I've read or watched and made a deep impression I probably won't forget for awhile - for better or worse.