Happiness Review
by Shuzo Oshimi
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Quick Take
- A bullied boy is attacked by a vampire girl — and transformed into something new
- Vampire story as coming-of-age metaphor — the thirst as puberty, belonging, desire
- By the creator of Flowers of Evil — similar literary darkness, similar power
Who Is This Manga For?
- Readers who loved Flowers of Evil or The Flowers of Evil
- Horror romance fans who want psychological depth
- Anyone who appreciates vampire fiction used as metaphor rather than genre exercise
- Mature manga readers comfortable with dark content
Content Warnings & Age Rating
Age Rating: M (Mature) Content Warnings: violence, blood, sexual content, addiction themes
Yu's Rating
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Story Depth | ★★★★☆ |
| Art Style | ★★★★☆ |
| Character Development | ★★★★☆ |
| Accessibility for Non-Japanese Readers | ★★★☆☆ |
| Reread Value | ★★★★☆ |
Story Overview
Makoto is a passive, bullied middle school student whose life changes dramatically when a vampire girl attacks him in an alley — but stops short of killing him, leaving him with vampire nature while keeping some humanity. He now craves blood, struggles with the thirst, and is drawn to the girl who turned him. The series uses vampire mythology to explore puberty, desire, belonging, and the terrifying transformation of becoming something unfamiliar in your own body.
Characters
Makoto's passivity gradually transforms as his vampire nature forces him to act and make choices he'd never have made before. The vampire girl Nora is mysterious and tragic — her own centuries of existence give her a particular perspective on human emotion. The supporting cast are affected by Makoto's transformation in ways that ripple through the series.
Art Style
Oshimi's art is scratchy and detailed — the same style that made Flowers of Evil so effective. The contrast between ordinary school life and the moments of vampire intensity is managed through art style shifts. Blood and desire are rendered with unsettling intimacy.
Cultural Context
Happiness joins a tradition of vampire manga that uses the transformation as a metaphor for adolescent change — the body becoming strange and alien, the emergence of new desires, the gap between who you were and who you're becoming. Oshimi brings a particularly literary perspective to this tradition.
What I Love About It
I read Flowers of Evil and it changed what I thought manga could do emotionally. Happiness explores different territory — the body, desire, belonging — through the vampire framework with similar intensity. Oshimi understands that the most disturbing horror is the horror of your own transformation into something you don't recognize.
What English-Speaking Fans Say
Happiness received strong critical attention when Kodansha published it internationally. Readers familiar with Oshimi's other work approached it as more of the same literary darkness — which is praise. Horror and romance readers both find things to appreciate. The vampire conceit is used more intelligently than typical.
Memorable Scene ⚠️ Spoiler Warning
Spoiler Warning: The first time Makoto actually gives in to the thirst — and his reaction to his own action — captures the horror of losing control of your own impulses in a way that transcends vampire genre conventions.
Similar Manga
- Flowers of Evil — Oshimi's most acclaimed work — essential
- Inside Mari — Another Oshimi manga about identity transformation
- Blood-C — Vampire action for contrast
Reading Order / Where to Start
Start from Volume 1. Complete at 10 volumes.
Official English Translation Status
Status: Complete Publisher: Kodansha Comics Volumes Available in English: 10 of 10
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Oshimi's literary vampire narrative is unique
- Psychological depth
- Complete series
- Art style matches the material
Cons:
- Content warnings should be taken seriously
- Not for readers wanting genre vampire action
- Some pacing issues in middle volumes
Format Comparison
| Format | Link | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Paperback | Amazon | Kodansha Comics edition — all 10 volumes |
Where to Buy
You can find Happiness on Amazon:
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Written by
Yu
Manga Enthusiast from Japan
I grew up in Japan and manga literally saved me during a tough time in elementary school. My English isn't perfect, but my love for manga is real — and I want to share it with you.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.