Warning: Recommended readers: 18 + as the manga is little smutty
Type: Manga
Volumes: Unknown
Chapters: Unknown
Status: Publishing
Published: Jan 8, 2009 to ?
Genres: Comedy, Romance, Josei
Authors: Enjouji, Maki (Story & Art)
Serialization: Petit Comic
Hapi Mari wasn’t a manga I wanted to read at first. I was bored and decided to just click on one random title in the romance section. Hapi Mari is basically about the dysfunctional marital life between Chiwa, an office lady, and Hokuto, the seemingly cold and socially aloof president of the company she works for. What’s that you say? The concept of Office lady plus mean cold guy has been done? Well, yes, it has been done, but Hapi Mari feels terribly refreshing. , I enjoyed how the author made the development of their relationship very realistic.
Are you sick and tired of the usual typical plotlines, ie, seeing silly little high school girls with big buggy eyes and ridiculous pouty mouths who do nothing but worry over boys with great teeth and great hair who don’t give two shits about them?????
If you are, then look no further, because I bring to you in this review, Hapi Mari by Enjouji Maki!
Men - they're the root of Takanashi Chiwa's problems, which is why she never had the time nor the opportunity to have a boyfriend in her entire life. A full-time office lady and a part-time hostess, she works night and day to pay off her dad's debt from his failed business. One night at her part-time job, a high-class customer has her fired. Then the next day, she's called in to see the president - whom she had never even seen before in the office - only to find out she's to marry him! But what kind of guy is Mamiya Hokuto anyway? Will he become one of Chiwa's problems, or will he save her from them? And will this marriage even last?!
Their marriage was a sham and Hokuto only wants to keep his power in the company while Chiwa wants to pay off her father’s debts. Her father’s business failed and the mother left, so Chiwa works as a host. Before you yawn and go ‘Oh no not another Ouran High School Host Club’, you only see Chiwa as a host for roughly two manga panels before
Hokuto proposes they get married. She dumps the job (as any normal person would do – oh wait, no, she got fired, sorry. But she’s never seen working at another host club so she must’ve turned over a new leaf. Hurray!). Anyway, the reason Chiwa was picked was because Hokuto’s grandpa knew her gran, who looked after him for some while (or summthing like that), and he wanted to repay the favour. At the same time, Chiwa could still work for the company and work off her father’s debts.
Well…Chiwa measures the odds… it seems ok, no strings attached… no compromises really, and Hokuto seems ok with it. Speaking about Hokuto… he seems sensible (or so she thought) so the two agree to the marriage. Then the problems come; Chiwa realises Hokuto is this giant tsundere. He’s hot as hell, but still acts like a big pompous ass to her half of the time.
Unfortunately, I’ve only Few. For so little, a lot goes on in every one. Unlike most manga heroines of shoujo, Chiwa is not a whiny little git and is reasonable, selfless and logical. She actually thinks ahead of things and think through.
Hokuto is a bit of a turd nearer the start, but as you read on, you realise he is actually quite the giant softie but too stubborn to show it. He is also husband material.
My god. After you read this, you will seriously wish your future husband, should be like Hokuto (but only when he’s nice!).
I gotta say. I like this this story. The art was fine - it is clean, the expressions are great, and I can follow who is saying what! More importantly though, I like the two main characters.
It isn't particularly deep, and so far, I really like where it is going. It is a little bit smutty, and I suspect that it may get a bit smuttier in the future, but in way that is part of its charm. Ultimately, this is a romantic comedy. I have only read the first three volumes (as it is all I could find. Woe!), but it has been humerous and well paced. Speaking of pace - it is fast paced! gets to the point quickly (they are married in the first chapter!). Despite the lightness of it all, it is quite moving in parts (Chiwa wears her heart on her sleeve) and it is quite sexy in places too!
It is light, and sweet, and I can't wait for it to continue!
