Hapi mari: Happy marriage!?, Vol. 5

はぴまり〜Happy Marriage!?〜 #5

by Maki Enjōji, Rie Zushi (Translator)

Chiwa ha intrapreso la sua vita coniugale controvoglia tuttavia, quasi senza accorgersene, comincia ad amare Hokuto, ricambiata.

Nonostante l'esperienza del rapimento e la minaccia del divorzio, il legame tra i due si rafforza sempre più, portandoli ad avvicinarsi e a vivere momenti di grande intimità.

In questa situazione, spinta dai problemi economici del padre, Chiwa decide di ricominciare a lavorare...

Continua, tre mille sorprese, la storia di un amore e di un matrimonio incredibile.

Genres: Manga, Romance, Josei, Adult, Contemporary, Graphic Novels, Fiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 7, 2011

About the author

Name (in native language): 円城寺マキ (えんじょうじ マキ)

Maki Enjōji is a Japanese manga artist. Among her works, Happy Marriage!? is one of the best known and it has been published in English under VIZ Media’s Shojo Beat, in French by Kazé, in German by Tokyopop and in Italian by Star Comics.

Reviews

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot quieter than the last volume, but not bad. More of Chiwa and Hokuto getting to know each other, and it sets up for two more possible protagonists, which should be interesting. More people are finding out about their marriage, (more than I think have so far other than Hokuto's family, actually), so it should be interesting to see how long they can keep Hokuto's 'bachelor' image going.

[Jes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Please forgive me for breaking character like this. But GOD Hokuto looked so hot this volume?? There was something in the water for these sketches

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really do love this series! The growing relationship between chiwa and Hokuto is one many can relate to in different aspects. Every relationship has it's trials and this series has done a fabulous job bringing them to light. But it is not just some heavy drama. There are lots of cute and sweet moments and also some more steamy ones! Especially in this volume!

It is obvious to the readers that the couple is not very much in love but it is still distant. Both still seem to but up a wall and have a lot to learn about communication still. It takes a drunken Hokuto to finally make those steps. while partly steamy this scene is a bit too dominant for what I was expecting. While traveling they pretend to be brother and sister which insights all sorts of jealousy and trust questions.

This manga is meant for mature readers due to sex scenes. While I do love this series, I liked this one just a little less than the previous volumes. Nothing significant but certain tiny aspects with a demanding husband and such bothered me a bit. Still very good. Lovely art. the expressions on Chiwa and Hokuto are perfect and share so much with the readers. This is a series to continue!

*I was given a digital review copy of this in exchange for a fair/honest review. All opinions expressed are strictly my own.*

[Gobokairina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aha... sudah masuk lovey-dovey gitu. Sukanya tengok pasangan bercinta. Bahagia betul, lagi-lagi jatuh cinta dengan suami dan isteri sendiri. Pheww... bagus-bagus! Ada perkembangan yang bagus daripada suami-isteri-paksa-rela ini.

Dan, aku suka tengok cara Hokuto yang agak possessive. Walau sebenarnya kalau dalam novel Melayu aku cukup anti, tapi dalam manga ni ia nampak cute. Heh! Lelaki yang super-ego tapi sayang gila dengan isteri. Bravo!

[Jillian -always aspiring- · Rating 2 out of 5]

2020 Read #7

This series just keeps getting so darn problematic! Whenever Chiwa tries to assert herself (in good ways and bad ways), Hokuto just cuts her down and basically goes all, “You can’t make decisions without me!” I mean, I get it, they’re married, and they need to make decisions together. But Hokuto doesn’t allow her the same consideration, instead keeping things from her. It’s just a mess at this point, but I still try to think that they’re better together than apart...

[Estefany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Estos dos se aman pero luego quieren matare jajajaja son tan cómicos

[GuisBell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uff empieza a aparecer la intrigante despechada, que rabia...

[Patricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This series was recommended to me by someone on MangaUpdates, I think, when I asked for "classic" Josei.

I'll copypaste the following part to all my reviews of this manga, because my main point of critic remains the same: It's annoyingly sexist, to the point where the male MC tells the heroine to shut up or else he rapes her. It was said jokingly, while they were both lying in bed, but seriously, while there are most certainly a lot of words to express what I think of it, I decide to just keep it at.. "It's sexist", because I'm too lazy to turn this one into a rant.

My standard for romantic manga is surprisingly low. It's not like I expect women and men to be in any form equals anymore, but there's a line you really shouldn't cross. I don't care if your male character is the #1 sexual harrasser, the point is, don't trivialize it. If he says shit like it, at least have the heroine be genuinely offended and have an open discussion, instead of scandalized in the typical "blush blush oh he said something related to sex blush"-way that is so common in many manga these days, I just want to slap people.

Otherwise not bad, in how there are several real conflicts and a relationship that doesn't just magically work because the mangaka wants it to. (As flawed as their working their issues out might be.)

No rating.

[Hardian · Rating 3 out of 5]

And the guilty pleasure keeps going on, though I wish there will be more story progress in the future (I'm afraid I'll get tired of it, lol). In this volume there is only notably the last chapter which indicates the progress of the story, while the rests are still those repetitive clashes and misunderstandings between the two main characters with their significantly different personalities.

[Miss Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

hmm. on the plus side, it turns out maki enjoji agreed with me about chiwa needing a job. on the minus side it does not seem to actually have done much for her overinvestment in perfect wife status. win some, lose some i guess

2.5 stars

[Bibliothecat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review for complete series



Chiwa's father has been nothing but trouble and a financial mess for her to clean up. Even working extra nightshifts don't seem to round up the money but an unusual offer might get her out of this mess: her company's CEO Hokuto can only keep his position in the family business if he were to marry. Hokuto is in need of a wife, Chiwa needs the money. A quickly signed marriage certificate turns them into unlikely flatmates - it's not as though they are romantically involved.

For the longest time, I only read shoujo manga and disregarded any series that were targeted at older readers. I'd often seen Happy Marriage?! during the time when I was working at a comic store and mentally shelved it as not interested - office romance, married couple - none of it caught my interest. It was only during a moment of extreme boredom that I picked the first volume off the shelf and flipped through it. I came to the conclusion that it was one of the most hilarious manga romances I had read and immediately ordered the entire series and promoted Maki Enjouji to an auto-buy author.

About a decade later, I still love this series. Chiwa and Hokuto's relationship is absolutely hilarious, they have me laughing so many times. But in addition to the comedy, I love the chemistry between them and the bond that grows between them as the series progresses. I think this is most strongly seen in Hokuto who transforms from a calculating businessman into a caring husband. I also consider both Chiwa and Hokuto to be very realistic characters as they both definitely have their faults. Funnily, this seems to be one of the most common points of criticism this series seems to receive from other many other readers.

It seems others consider Chiwa a weak female lead and Hokuto as abusive and arrogant. Arrogance aside, I can't agree on either of the other points. Both of them have an argumentive nature - they argue, in fact, they argue a lot. I don't believe either of them is worse than the other in this point and, as both of them rightly say, it's part of their relationship dynamics - they grow stronger after each argument. The difference is the way they express themselves; Chiwa is less confident and cries easily, but she rarely backs down and stands her ground - crying in itself is not a weakness of character, the fact that she can still pull through shows that. Hokuto is very reserved when it comes to showing warm feelings but he is very outspoken when he's upset which in my mind is very realistic. Not everyone is able to express how they really feel and I think it's why these two are often irritated yet also bring out the good in each other.

While domestic abuse certainly is an issue that needs to be addressed more often, I do feel that many people overshoot their target by narrowing down on books or movies that show even the slightest hint of a male character not playing the perfect gentleman. Hokuto is by no means perfect but there isn't a single action of his in this entire series that I would consider as abusive. There is a scene where he slaps Chiwa - a slap is a far cry from hitting or abuse. There is a reason why it's called a wake-up slap - there are times when something like that might really be the only way to get through to someone who is, as in this particular case with Chiwa, in a complete panic and not listening to reason. Had it been the other way around with Chiwa slapping Hokuto, no one would have said a thing. People aren't always rational and the way many fictional characters are criticized in this regard sets unrealistic standards of real people.

With that off my chest, other than the comedy and romance, there's also a bit of a mystery and family issues on both sides to deal with. I don't usually like longer romance series (although Happy Marriage?! isn't all that long with 10 volumes) as they tend to drag but here there are plenty of other elements that keep the story going. Despite the introduction of other love interests along the way, I like how neither Chiwa nor Hokuto ever showed the slightest interest in others.

Finally, I really enjoyed the art in this one. I generally like Maki Enjouji's art but I am particularly fond of it in this series. Her art is also a strong drive for the comedy but the romantic scenes are also beautifully drawn. While I may still prefer shoujo manga (I don't seem to outgrow it...), thanks to Happy Marriage?!, I know that there certainly are manga for older readers that can appeal to me as it's been one of my favourites since I first read it.

[charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Their love story and the circumstances surrounding them are like a circus but I'm dying for more.

[BookChicGeek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hot Hot Hooooot!!!!

[Laura✧˚ · . · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5/5
Really entertaining but Hokuto was kind of controlling and violent on this one. I love the family aspect of the family and how he wants to take over the mamiya family to find out the truth about his mothers death. Also I wonder if his dad is behind it. He seems to care about him and he doesn’t want to end up like him and he’s going to tell Chiwa some advice but maybe he’s a bad guy?. Chiwa in this volume got on my nerves, she’s always thinking about how to make Hokuto happy. She wants to help him take over the mamiya family and she’s willing to have a baby because saori and the cousin got one. She’s willing to lose her job even though she needs the money to help her dad and I’m like girl?. Make up your mind. In the beginning she wanted the job and had a fight with Hokuto and later on she wants to quit just for the mamiya family?. Also her going behind his back to the hospital is going to have consequences and I’m lowkey scared. Also I wonder who’s the woman who was with his dad and what is going to happen with her and Hokuto since they seem to know each other. Also I don’t know if he would get the chairman position but it intrigues me not gonna lie. Also I’m excited to see more of the dynamic between Chiwa and his boss in the upcoming volumes. Idk what else to say. This is a pretty average manga series for me. It’s entertaining because I like the family aspect and the game of power but Chiwa and Hokuto as a couple are kind of meh.

[Luana · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5

Aiuto 🤦‍♀️
La parte più interessante riguarda le dinamiche interne alla famiglia Mamiya - la lotta per la posizione di presidente si è ridotta a due persone, Hokuto e suo cugino Satorou, con il secondo che gode del favore dei parenti (anche grazie alla figura della moglie). E poi bisogna capire da dove arriva la convinzione di Hokuto riguardo il responsabile della morte della madre: qui è Chiwa che decide di fare un passo in avanti e andare a conoscere il persona il suocero, al momento ricoverato in ospedale. Qui sono proprio curiosa di vedere come evolveranno le cose.
Decisamente meno interessante la parte romance, con le pippe mentali di Chiwa e gli atteggiamenti, a tratti incomprensibili, di Chiwa. Peraltro temo che ci sarà del drama per via della presenza di eventuali ex (Chiwa ci lavora pure insieme) 🫠 e vabbè, chi vivrà, vedrà, no?

[bow down to our ace king victor vale · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.7!

….she’s…quitting her job? 😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐 after everything in the beginning?? i,,,have no words just 😐 . also,,,that woman in the hospital is def NOT gonna be a bother in coming volumes …..can’t wait 😋
k but i feel bad for satoru :< at any rate, i prefer him over this guy lol.
when she got sister zoned💀💀cant catch a break huh 😭 (tho it was cleared up later still F). this relationship is a mess and then some,,,,,,oh well ヽ(ヅ)ノ🍷

“She is my wife, and her own woman.”
…… PFTTT ok 🤣🤣.

+ can’t believe we’re halfway through ;-; why does it feel longer lol

[Soobie is expired · Rating 3 out of 5]

Non capisco perché quasi tutte le protagoniste dei manga debbano per forza essere più stupide dei loro partner. Anche qui la povera Chiwa fa una figura barbina: lei ci prova a studiare ma si stanca tanto e non combina niente.

Intanto i due fanno la prima vacanza insieme: Okinawa. Dove quel furbo di Hokuto presenta Chiwa come sue sorella minore. A volte mi dispiace per lei...

Ma son tanto ninini...

[Vivian Lu · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series is quite problematic. There were a lot of things which bugged me in this volume. But, the relationship is progressing even if extremely slow since it’s goes one step forward, two steps back. The family drama looks to be heating up. The ending reminds me that we still don’t know about the mother’s death. I’m somewhat curious about that. I’ll keep reading. I would say this is a little above three. Maybe... 3.1 or 3.2 ish~~

[Nisa Greennnpanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review (for the whole manga):
Out of most of the mangaka's manga that I have read so far, I enjoyed this one the most. It's a typical story of how an ordinary girl is forced to marry a rich and superior guy (who was previously her boss) and how the overcome their differences and obstacles that they face along their marriage journey and yet I still enjoyed reading it.

[Marisó · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creo que este volumen puede resumirse en Hokuto cambiando su idea inicial del matrimonio y tratando de tener una relación normal con Chiwa, y Chiwa tratando de ser una pieza importante en el juego y la familia de Hokuto (en el cual no la quiere involucrar porque, again, quiere algo normal con ella).

[Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this the way I read Yakuza Lover and Midnight Secretary. I don't expect perfection, I expect a soapy good time.

Kinda feels like the last volume was the end, given what it culminated in 👀. Also, these two have been married a whole year and ya'll still have communication issues?!? Slow and steady MIGHT win this race...

[Cydney Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ugh

Just when I thought we were getting some where, we end up in a mother argument that could've been resolved by simple communication. These two are a work in progress, I understand that part, but it also seems that they don't learn from their past mistakes.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vacation! Where, naturally someone shows up that Hokuto knows, so he flubs everything by pretending Chiwa is his sister. Drunkenness ensues and blackout sex? And some random woman appears in Hokuto’s father’s hospital room? Who is she?

-1 star for that weird groping scene.

[David Doel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The drama is intensifying as we go on. There is a love aspect to the drama, but there is also a business aspect involving Hokuto's role in his family. I don't much appreciate either aspect and I expect little else from the five volumes I still have to plow through. Ugh!

[Sammie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series :)

[Amara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chiwa becoming herself again

[Kendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

So we meet the woman that's going to try and break up the marriage, huh?

[KStar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series so much, beautifully written

[Emy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Annie Erwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another volume finished!
I haven't read Manga in so long, it is taking me a bit longer to read them!
Still enjoying the series!