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ハピネス [Happiness] #1
Happiness, Vol. 1
THE THIRST Nothing interesting in happening in Makoto Ozaki’s first year of high school. HIs life is a serise of quiet humiliations: low-grade bullies, unreliable friends, and the constant frustration of his adolescent lust. But one night, a pale, thin girl knocks him to the ground in an alley and offers him a choice. Now everything is different. Daylight is searingly bright. Food tastes awful. And worse than anything is the terrible, consuming thirst. The tiny shames of his old life have been replaced by two towering horrors: the truth of what will slake his awful craving, and high school itself.
204 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 9, 2015
About the author
Shuzo Oshimi
130 books1,099 followersShuzo Oshimi (押見修造, Oshimi Shūzō) is a Japanese manga creator.
Drawn in a realistic art style, his comics tend to be psychological dramas exploring the difficulties in human relationships and often touching on disturbing situations and perversions.
Oshimi debuted in 2001 with the manga series Avant-Garde Yumeko, appeared in Kodansha's 'Monthly Shōnen Magazine.' Most of his works since then have been published by Kodansha and Futabasha.
Among his first successes the single volume manga Sweet Poolside (2004), later adapted into a live-action film, and the series Drifting Net Café (2008–2011), also adapted for TV.
Oshimi reached international acclaims with The Flowers of Evil (2009–2014) and Inside Mari (2012–2016), both adapted into successful anime. Other notable works are Blood on the Tracks (2017–2023) and Welcome Back, Alice (2020-2023) .
Drawn in a realistic art style, his comics tend to be psychological dramas exploring the difficulties in human relationships and often touching on disturbing situations and perversions.
Oshimi debuted in 2001 with the manga series Avant-Garde Yumeko, appeared in Kodansha's 'Monthly Shōnen Magazine.' Most of his works since then have been published by Kodansha and Futabasha.
Among his first successes the single volume manga Sweet Poolside (2004), later adapted into a live-action film, and the series Drifting Net Café (2008–2011), also adapted for TV.
Oshimi reached international acclaims with The Flowers of Evil (2009–2014) and Inside Mari (2012–2016), both adapted into successful anime. Other notable works are Blood on the Tracks (2017–2023) and Welcome Back, Alice (2020-2023) .
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 507 reviews
January 30, 2022
3.5 Stars
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
March 10, 2018
I hadn't wanted to read this series because it features vampires and I am sick to death of stories about them. But from time to time I would pick this up, because it is the work of Shuzo Oshimi, whose series Flowers of Evil I really liked. I am now not going to put it down until I have caught up.
Flowers is a school-based bullying story that emerges from a single middle-school-aged bad decision--the male main character sees the gym bag of a girl he crushes on and he impulsively swipes it--and the story spins out of control, beginning with the fact that another girl who likes him sees him take the bag, and begins to blackmail him. Teen lust and jealousy are central, with over-the-top anguished emotion, ala Baudelaire. Yep, there's a nod to Baudelaire's poetry collection by the same name, things turningly increasingly dark and surreal.
In Happiness--which is not happy yet, and may never be! (see Happiness, the film also about middle school, by Todd Solondz) we have a similar situation, with a vampire girl who approaches a boy being bullied by a group of kids who make him buy them lunch every day. She (spoiler alert?) sires him, and as with many teen vampire stories, he gains a certain power. The story is also about teen lust, which is also a central part of most vampire stories, of course, and a sudden competition for the suddenly powerful nerd. Romance will clearly ensue.
So what's new? Oshimi's art, story, dialogue, are the stuff of poetry, juxtaposing snips of dialogue with evocative, dark images. I think this one gets darker before it gets happy, if it ever does, thanks to master storyteller Oshimi. Maybe it is the same story, basically, not sure yet, but I liked it a lot.
Flowers is a school-based bullying story that emerges from a single middle-school-aged bad decision--the male main character sees the gym bag of a girl he crushes on and he impulsively swipes it--and the story spins out of control, beginning with the fact that another girl who likes him sees him take the bag, and begins to blackmail him. Teen lust and jealousy are central, with over-the-top anguished emotion, ala Baudelaire. Yep, there's a nod to Baudelaire's poetry collection by the same name, things turningly increasingly dark and surreal.
In Happiness--which is not happy yet, and may never be! (see Happiness, the film also about middle school, by Todd Solondz) we have a similar situation, with a vampire girl who approaches a boy being bullied by a group of kids who make him buy them lunch every day. She (spoiler alert?) sires him, and as with many teen vampire stories, he gains a certain power. The story is also about teen lust, which is also a central part of most vampire stories, of course, and a sudden competition for the suddenly powerful nerd. Romance will clearly ensue.
So what's new? Oshimi's art, story, dialogue, are the stuff of poetry, juxtaposing snips of dialogue with evocative, dark images. I think this one gets darker before it gets happy, if it ever does, thanks to master storyteller Oshimi. Maybe it is the same story, basically, not sure yet, but I liked it a lot.
April 24, 2024
the moment I realized this was vampy was the moment I found the next manga series I'm going to work my way through
June 23, 2023
HOLY FUCK
January 5, 2020
For a first installment, I thought this was rather entertaining. This is essentially a story about a female vampire, who makes herself known to a boy, who is seemingly bullied at school each day by a group of boys.
The story also centres around the feelings of lust, and we see our main character has quite the obsession with his dick.
The atmosphere in this was dark, for the most part, and I think the artwork was pretty good, too. I wouldn't say that I was on the edge of my seat, but I'm intrigued enough to continue with the next installment.
The story also centres around the feelings of lust, and we see our main character has quite the obsession with his dick.
The atmosphere in this was dark, for the most part, and I think the artwork was pretty good, too. I wouldn't say that I was on the edge of my seat, but I'm intrigued enough to continue with the next installment.
November 12, 2020
This was really, really enjoyable! The atmosphere is dark and mysterious and really vibrantly shines through. I LOVE the creepy art style, it's stunning all throughout and, it's not my favorite aspect about this, but I really liked the characters and I feel like there's a potential for the main protagonist and the others to grow so much. Also, it was really fun to read and I flew through it.
I will definitely be reading the next volume.
I will definitely be reading the next volume.
April 25, 2023
One thing about me is that I like trashy vampire fiction - bonus points if it’s a high school one! This was a solid start to this series and I will be continuing on with it for sure!
The art style is so gorgeous and gory; the mysterious vampire girl who turns the main character Makoto Ozaki into a bloodthirsty new version of himself is just 😍 !!
I hope we see more interactions between them both, that is what this volume lacked for me.
🧛🏻♂️🧛🏻♀️🖤
The art style is so gorgeous and gory; the mysterious vampire girl who turns the main character Makoto Ozaki into a bloodthirsty new version of himself is just 😍 !!
I hope we see more interactions between them both, that is what this volume lacked for me.
🧛🏻♂️🧛🏻♀️🖤
June 4, 2021
AMEI!!! gostei demais d como cada personagem é apresentado e minimamente explorado! eu sou a pessoa q avalia mangás (e graphic novels no geral) como uma coisa só, então, tendo isso em mente, eu entendo o final ter sido desse jeito (e não recomendo q leia, a não ser q já tenha uns 2 ou 3 volumes em casa! kkk)! gostei mt msm e tô animado pra continuar! ❤
May 22, 2022
Gloomy from start to finish, we all love some irony anyway
A gloomy Okazaki was beaten by a vampire and survived. He wasn't aware that he became one, and only knew that he was attacked by a weird, bloody woman. Now, he's attracted to the smell of blood, most specifically, in his schoolmates with monthly period... and a blood from a fight.
The concept of the series is really engaging that I literally read it in one swift motion. I guess this is the perfect time to say that I really devoured this shit. I can't even believe my eyes it's already over. I mean, I'm not really into vampire stories like the only vampire story I read was the Twilight saga so...
The art sequence is wonderful. I love just how Shuzo Oshimi lets us in on the perspective of a vampire kid with a very effective art style. It's really a blessed day. I wouldn't be able to know about this without kindle unlimited for sure. I need to see more of this!
A gloomy Okazaki was beaten by a vampire and survived. He wasn't aware that he became one, and only knew that he was attacked by a weird, bloody woman. Now, he's attracted to the smell of blood, most specifically, in his schoolmates with monthly period... and a blood from a fight.
The concept of the series is really engaging that I literally read it in one swift motion. I guess this is the perfect time to say that I really devoured this shit. I can't even believe my eyes it's already over. I mean, I'm not really into vampire stories like the only vampire story I read was the Twilight saga so...
The art sequence is wonderful. I love just how Shuzo Oshimi lets us in on the perspective of a vampire kid with a very effective art style. It's really a blessed day. I wouldn't be able to know about this without kindle unlimited for sure. I need to see more of this!
December 13, 2019
13/12/19
Not bad at all!! It's a solid 3.5 stars for me on this one. It's slightly on the pervy side, but definitely not as revolting as it could have been. The pacing was great! You honestly fly through the pages and the story is fun, I definitely chuckled sometimes and at a certain point even became thrilled by the action. The characters are likeable and there's definitely a lot of potential in this story, so I can't wait to see how this will all unfold :)
Not bad at all!! It's a solid 3.5 stars for me on this one. It's slightly on the pervy side, but definitely not as revolting as it could have been. The pacing was great! You honestly fly through the pages and the story is fun, I definitely chuckled sometimes and at a certain point even became thrilled by the action. The characters are likeable and there's definitely a lot of potential in this story, so I can't wait to see how this will all unfold :)
October 4, 2022
I laughed so hard when Okazaki came flying in to save Yuki. Regarding the volume, this appears interesting and intriguing, and I must admit that I am extremely taken aback by the artwork. I truly appreciate how clear and concise and to the point Shuzo Oshini's works are.
This is his third manga series that I've read, and I'm eager to see how bizarre it can get.
This is his third manga series that I've read, and I'm eager to see how bizarre it can get.
December 14, 2020
This is the first manga I've read through so I can't compare this to manga as a whole, but looking at it from a more general perspective I thought it was pretty good. It's a vampire horror type thing with the protagonist becoming a vampire early on in the story. The characters are decent and I thought that the art was good. I would have given it 4 stars but I felt like there wasn't a whole lot that happened in it, hopefully the second volume will be a bit more eventful.
July 29, 2023
(Number 5 of 37 from the Kodansha Amazon sale)
There was not nearly enough bitey-bitey action in here, but that was a testament to how serious a vampire manga this was. It was trippy with small chapters that focused a lot on the characterisation for the protagonist and other supporting characters. This helped to attach the reader to the characters before they all assumedly get torn apart by vampires. So, lots of fun things to come in this series, no doubt!
There was not nearly enough bitey-bitey action in here, but that was a testament to how serious a vampire manga this was. It was trippy with small chapters that focused a lot on the characterisation for the protagonist and other supporting characters. This helped to attach the reader to the characters before they all assumedly get torn apart by vampires. So, lots of fun things to come in this series, no doubt!
July 5, 2020
Una serie manga molto intensa. Il vampirsmo vissuto in modo molto singolare, che ricorda molto quello affrontato nel romanzo "Lasciami entrare". Sono piacevolmente stupita come Shuzo Oshimi sia così eclettico nelle sue opere, passando da una tematica all'altra sempre molto diverse tra loro.
August 25, 2021
Okazaki es un joven estudiante que es víctima de bullying en la escuela. Una noche sale a devolver un DVD y es atacado por una chica.
Desde esa noche extrañamente su vida comenzará a cambiar.
Un primer tomo que se lee muy rápido, con una historia llamativa y entretenida, con varios temas bien interesantes que se nos presentan.
Por otro lado, el dibujo me ha gustado, como por ejemplo los primeros planos que hace, pero siento que cuando más se destaca es al momento de mostrar a la chica desde esta perspectiva, realmente esas escenas son muy limpias y con detalles delicados a pesar de la escena que se esté desarrollando. Muy interesante este aspecto, distinción y enfoque que hace con el dibujo en este primer tomo.
Desde esa noche extrañamente su vida comenzará a cambiar.
Un primer tomo que se lee muy rápido, con una historia llamativa y entretenida, con varios temas bien interesantes que se nos presentan.
Por otro lado, el dibujo me ha gustado, como por ejemplo los primeros planos que hace, pero siento que cuando más se destaca es al momento de mostrar a la chica desde esta perspectiva, realmente esas escenas son muy limpias y con detalles delicados a pesar de la escena que se esté desarrollando. Muy interesante este aspecto, distinción y enfoque que hace con el dibujo en este primer tomo.
July 8, 2021
4 estrellas para la historia en su conjunto, una de las más perturbadoras y oscuras que he leído en mucho tiempo. Como ya ha apuntado alguien por aquí, este manga tiene un aire que recuerda a “Déjame entrar” aunque la historia bebe de un montón de referencias. La trama se sumerge en una espiral sangrienta que alcanza su cenit en un par de capítulos tan heavies que me han dejado tal que así 🤯😱🤯😱 y me han dado muy mal rollo. El final me ha gustado bastante y, más, las referencias pictóricas durante toda la historia a Picasso y Van Gogh.
May 7, 2022
i think i’m gonna love this (i think) (i hope)
October 20, 2024
2.5 Sterne... boah jungeee, why muss man eine coole Story mit der objectification von Mädchen versauen?
February 17, 2022
"Do you want to be like me?
PLOT:✍️✍️✍️
CHARACTERS: ⭐️⭐️
ENJOYMENT LEVEL: 🌟🌟🌟
The story follows a boy who was given a second chance at life by being turned into a vampire. I don't know if that's really even supposed to be called as being given a second chance at life, but yeah, the girl who turned him actually killed all her victims except for him because he begged her for his life - she obliged.
This first volume follows him and his struggles after being turned. I guess at the beginning he wasn't sure what was happening to him yet, but slowly he is starting to realize that he has already been changed. One funny scene was him smelling the blood of girls who has their menstrual period lol. I mean yeah, technically it is blood so he would be sensitive to its smell, but I never saw other vampires react to menstrual blood like this. haha.
Anyways, this might have a lot of potential. Not sure where this is heading but I enjoyed it for what it was and I am curious to know how this new girl will affect him being that he is now a vampire.
February 6, 2022
Reading this after I've caught up with Blood on the Tracks. I read that it isn't as well-received, but still worth reading and I do agree. I haven't finished this manga yet, but from what I can tell it's a great introduction to the series. And this series has a lot of potential. Though what mostly keeps me turning the pages is the artwork. The scenes where characters are in an intense state, blurring the lines between monster and human, AMAZING.
Will come back for a complete review when I've finished reading the series.
Will come back for a complete review when I've finished reading the series.
April 29, 2018
I really liked the art style, but there was a facon to it that seemed sexist (though I know vampirism is usually associated with sexual desire)....
January 19, 2021
**4.5
I loved this, it was horror but was funny too! The artwork is stunning!!
The only thing I didn’t like was some sexual bits which were just unnecessary
I loved this, it was horror but was funny too! The artwork is stunning!!
The only thing I didn’t like was some sexual bits which were just unnecessary
June 23, 2021
Brilliant first manga. Already expected this from Oshimi :)
August 26, 2025
2.5 stars. Hm. This was something, I guess. It feels like it was too short to really make much of an impression on me, and the things that DID leave an impression weren't all that good. We're following a lonely, horny teenage boy in high school. He doesn't have many friends and he's bullied relentlessly. After a bloody night-time encounter with a feral girl who attacks him, he begins changing.
All I knew before going into this was that it's some kind of vampire story. We did get the beginnings of that plotline, but mostly, this deals with Makoto and his bullies, his feelings of self-worth, how he handles (or doesn't handle) his changing emotions and behaviour. Storylines about bullying always really affect me. But in this case, it was dampened because I don't really care about Makoto. Lol. Sorry. I wasn't in the mood to read about a horny teenager, and I could have done with 100% less panty shots and leg shots of teen girls. I know, I know, it's just showing where Makoto's mind is at, and for an adolescent boy, it's all pretty normal. But did I want to see it? No. I also got annoyed with him for how he treated his mother, but whatever.
This was very much a book that was all about the setup. While I don't really care about the main character, I'm really interested in our mystery monster girl, and Gosho. The Yuuki storyline seems to be going in a different place than I first expected, so that's cool as well. What I enjoyed most about this was the art style. I love when manga art is realistic and slightly uncanny like this. I especially loved the haziness when Makoto started losing control; an interesting way to present it to the reader.
So while this didn't have the best start, I still think I want to give it a few more volumes, see where the story goes. Hopefully the plot picks up soon. At least I know I'll enjoy the art; it really is great to look at, and it's the perfect style for horror.
All I knew before going into this was that it's some kind of vampire story. We did get the beginnings of that plotline, but mostly, this deals with Makoto and his bullies, his feelings of self-worth, how he handles (or doesn't handle) his changing emotions and behaviour. Storylines about bullying always really affect me. But in this case, it was dampened because I don't really care about Makoto. Lol. Sorry. I wasn't in the mood to read about a horny teenager, and I could have done with 100% less panty shots and leg shots of teen girls. I know, I know, it's just showing where Makoto's mind is at, and for an adolescent boy, it's all pretty normal. But did I want to see it? No. I also got annoyed with him for how he treated his mother, but whatever.
This was very much a book that was all about the setup. While I don't really care about the main character, I'm really interested in our mystery monster girl, and Gosho. The Yuuki storyline seems to be going in a different place than I first expected, so that's cool as well. What I enjoyed most about this was the art style. I love when manga art is realistic and slightly uncanny like this. I especially loved the haziness when Makoto started losing control; an interesting way to present it to the reader.
So while this didn't have the best start, I still think I want to give it a few more volumes, see where the story goes. Hopefully the plot picks up soon. At least I know I'll enjoy the art; it really is great to look at, and it's the perfect style for horror.
March 21, 2026
la historia no tiene mala pinta pero el primer tomo un poco flop
October 22, 2019
I was recommended this manga by my high school bestie Arian awhile ago and actually yelled at him for suggesting I read yet another story that would make me cry. His thing since HS has been making me watch movies that make me sob and that hasn’t changed apparently.
Makato Ozaki is a first year in high school and it’s been nothing but a mundane sort of hell. He’s the nerdy kind of kid who simultaneously gets overlooked yet bullied. His mother coddles him to the point of suffocation, his father compares him to his overachieving brother. One night, he goes on a ride on his bike and encounters a girl who gives him the choice between life and death.
He chooses to live but life as he knows it changes forever.
Happiness is a vampire story told like no other. I read the first two volumes on my kindle. I was happy and surprised to see that it was available on Amazon Unlimited. The first volume is fast, super fast. You get just a glimpse of our titular character Makoto. He’s easily bullied and pushed around. The kids at school make him buy their lunch, he’s compared to his taller and good looking brother constantly. Life is a cycle of pointless routines for Makoto. That is until the vampire bites him.
The artwork in this manga is. simply beautiful. I marveled at several of the shots and cringed at others. I have a thing about necks so reading about vampires is hard sometimes. So the close up shots of throat ripping got to me yet I couldn’t look away at the same time.
I have to admit the first volume didn’t exactly wow me. I would give it a 3.5/5. I wanted more development and felt as though we were kind of thrown into this world. Also there’s a critical part and instead of feeling bad for the bully I felt very much meh. Lol. Am I supposed to feel sorry for that little bitch?!
The second however? I am completely and utterly drawn in. The characters come to life and this is good and bad. You grow attached and that’s one thing you don’t want to do in a horror. You don’t get attached.
In this manga the villains aren’t only the vampires, they’re the humans as well. It’s also a struggle to watch Makoto deal with his newfound vampirism. He’s fighting against his instinct to want blood and of course the sun IT BURNS US.
The end of volume two doesn’t exactly end on a cliffhanger but it leaves you wanting more. What is Makoto going to do now? Who exactly is the girl vampire who bit him? What happens next? This is a series loaded with questions and makes you want to continue reading to seek out the answers. This is a quick, punch to the gut read and I’m still waiting to catch my breath
Makato Ozaki is a first year in high school and it’s been nothing but a mundane sort of hell. He’s the nerdy kind of kid who simultaneously gets overlooked yet bullied. His mother coddles him to the point of suffocation, his father compares him to his overachieving brother. One night, he goes on a ride on his bike and encounters a girl who gives him the choice between life and death.
He chooses to live but life as he knows it changes forever.
Happiness is a vampire story told like no other. I read the first two volumes on my kindle. I was happy and surprised to see that it was available on Amazon Unlimited. The first volume is fast, super fast. You get just a glimpse of our titular character Makoto. He’s easily bullied and pushed around. The kids at school make him buy their lunch, he’s compared to his taller and good looking brother constantly. Life is a cycle of pointless routines for Makoto. That is until the vampire bites him.
The artwork in this manga is. simply beautiful. I marveled at several of the shots and cringed at others. I have a thing about necks so reading about vampires is hard sometimes. So the close up shots of throat ripping got to me yet I couldn’t look away at the same time.
I have to admit the first volume didn’t exactly wow me. I would give it a 3.5/5. I wanted more development and felt as though we were kind of thrown into this world. Also there’s a critical part and instead of feeling bad for the bully I felt very much meh. Lol. Am I supposed to feel sorry for that little bitch?!
The second however? I am completely and utterly drawn in. The characters come to life and this is good and bad. You grow attached and that’s one thing you don’t want to do in a horror. You don’t get attached.
In this manga the villains aren’t only the vampires, they’re the humans as well. It’s also a struggle to watch Makoto deal with his newfound vampirism. He’s fighting against his instinct to want blood and of course the sun IT BURNS US.
The end of volume two doesn’t exactly end on a cliffhanger but it leaves you wanting more. What is Makoto going to do now? Who exactly is the girl vampire who bit him? What happens next? This is a series loaded with questions and makes you want to continue reading to seek out the answers. This is a quick, punch to the gut read and I’m still waiting to catch my breath
February 11, 2017
I'm always looking for something cool about vampires and this is one of the first things I've seen since Let The Right One In that gets my attention. Happiness bears some resemblances at LTRO actually. The protagonist is a timid boy who is getting bullied and the events of the book make it easier for him to fight back. With that said, this feels different possibly because it is so Japanese. The one girl who seems to be the love interest is also very interesting and seems like a strong and funny character. The plot is mostly focused on introducing the reader to many different characters but this could be the opening volume in a really cool story. I really liked the art in Happiness too. It is a little loose for anime but it has a unique style and is just dark enough to work for a vampire book. I definitely will revisit this series and read more Happiness later on down the road because I really liked this first volume. It has a lot of potential and I hope it doesn't let me down!
December 11, 2021
I read this book via Kindle Unlimited.
This book is not what I expected it to be AT ALL. Makato is essentially your classic definition of a nerd, he has one friend who is at best, unreliable, and he is the lecky boy for a group of popular bullies who use him to buy them lunch and collect it for them. Things however are going wrong in their town after people start being found dead on the street, and when Makato is attacked, he is overwhelmed by thirst, lust and can't handle daylight. He has no idea what is happening to him and essentially thinks he is losing it.
Firstly, these kids are so thirsty and not in the blood-sucking sense. Like to the point it seemed to be their main character traits in some places. I think this was an interesting first instalment. I liked that the vampire, Nora, is a female, a unique twist on what often feels like a star crossed lovers tale where a bad boy vampire prays on a girl but this time it was interesting to see it the other way around. I love Makoto's mum. I only want good things for her, she seems like such a loving parent.
This book is not what I expected it to be AT ALL. Makato is essentially your classic definition of a nerd, he has one friend who is at best, unreliable, and he is the lecky boy for a group of popular bullies who use him to buy them lunch and collect it for them. Things however are going wrong in their town after people start being found dead on the street, and when Makato is attacked, he is overwhelmed by thirst, lust and can't handle daylight. He has no idea what is happening to him and essentially thinks he is losing it.
Firstly, these kids are so thirsty and not in the blood-sucking sense. Like to the point it seemed to be their main character traits in some places. I think this was an interesting first instalment. I liked that the vampire, Nora, is a female, a unique twist on what often feels like a star crossed lovers tale where a bad boy vampire prays on a girl but this time it was interesting to see it the other way around. I love Makoto's mum. I only want good things for her, she seems like such a loving parent.
October 9, 2020
The only thing I really liked was the art style. The main character was obsessed with staring at girls and the story didn’t really grab my attention. Very problematic how the main character goes to attack a girl and bite her and then she somehow mistakes it for him being so attacked to her he couldn’t help it (she interprets it as low sexual assault) yet somehow wants to go meet with him and have lunch together? Nope.
August 3, 2018
Pretty much "Let the right one in" manga version.
Not much goes on in this first volume.
Cool art though.
Not much goes on in this first volume.
Cool art though.
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