Story: 8/10
I really love the story. Even though it's a little predictable and over-focused on a few supporting characters in the beginning, the story is still definitely enjoyable and interesting. The most fun part was watching what goes on and how each of the characters - especially our yandere protagonist - handles everything. Everything flows well and logically, too, although dramatized with a couple of loopholes. It makes you sit on the edge of the seat, perhaps conflicted on who you want to cheer for, and curious or nervous as to what happens next. I really love the impact of a specific few scenes, too. Also, I especially really love how uncomfortable this series can make you feel. I couldn't help but squirm in discomfort a few times in response to some things, but that's what really adds to the fascinatingly disturbing aspect of Happy Sugar Life.
Art: 8/10
The art also really captures the original manga art style well! It's also really cute and appealing to look at, adding to the false image of softness and cuteness to the story's tone - while also making the darker aspects interesting in a way. It really helps capture the "appears soft and happy but dark and horrible beneath the surface" tone. The art does still set me off a little, though, mostly with how slightly wonky and moe-y it looks sometimes. Like with some things looking a little unrealistic (like Satou's hair, I love it but the way it's often drawn looks unnatural from an artistic perspective), and the moe style simply setting me off a bit. I do love it on a few characters and all, but I can't help but be off-put by how it looks on the boys and Shouko.
Sound: 7/10
Sound's really nicely incorporated into the overall story, especially during the more suspenseful and "bitter" moments. I really like the opening, too, as it's catchy and seems to fit the anime perfectly. I'm pretty meh with the ending, though, despite still liking it. The overall sound also could've been better, as I feel it still lacked a bit in impactful storytelling - but I'm sure it must've connected to other people more than it did with me, anyway. I still find the overall sound to be good, too.
Character: 8/10
I love the characters! Almost all of them are so nicely developed, surprisingly even Asahi and Shouko - character archetypes that you'd expect to be used as flat characters literally only there to become murder victims. Shio's really nicely developed, too, despite often being painted as the cute, innocent, sweet love interest who's being protected and fought over all the time. It's a very nice surprise, to be honest- mostly since I feel like most yandere stories don't properly develop anyone aside from the yandere character (and/or the love interest). Even Satou doesn't just senselessly kill for love - she's much more complicated than that and goes about with things in various, yet still questionable and immoral things. My only issue, though, is with how many insane and immoral characters there are in the cast in contrast to the actually sane and normal ones. It feels incredibly unrealistic to have so many insane characters around someone like that, although I did have to remind myself multiple times that it may be for dramatizing's sake. It's interesting to see how each character is insane in a different way, yes- but I still wish there were a little more normal and sane characters in the cast that aren't just there in the background, like the white-haired cafe worker. On the other hand, though, maybe it's done like that on purpose so that there's all the more charm in Shouko's character....
Enjoyment: 9/10
As somewhat mentioned already, I really really enjoyed watching this anime. It was really exciting watching the disturbing story unfold while making me conflicted on who to cheer for and sympathize most with. It's really different from other animes and mangas I've come across before, and I love it. It's really a whole new taste of a series. Of course, I know there may be other series out there similar to this, but- nevertheless, it's not that common to come across a series with an immoral (+ lesbian) couple, well-developed side characters, and a twisted main point of view. That really excites me as a person who enjoys reading stories and characters from such unusual and psychotic perspectives.
Overall: 8/10
Overall, as stated already - I think this anime is awesome. 8/10 in my opinion. I do wish more people would know about this and find it as good as I do, though. Regardless, though, I do look forward to reading more in the manga! I'm excited to see what else happens after this anime's ending.
