Happiness

Summary: >

Mizuhosaka Academy has two sections: the regular school, and one dedicated to magic studies. Due to a gas explosion, the magical student base gets trasnferred into the regular school. Haruhi is one of the new girls, and finds she's attending classes with Yuma - a boy she's been bumping into a lot lately. Haruhi has long had a place in her heart for a boy who saved her many years ago, and Yuma seems a lot like him. Unfortunatly Yuma steadfastly dislikes magic, and Haruhi is an aspiring mage. As Haruhi's feelings grow, she finds it hard to stay away from him but at the same fears rejection. Will love bloom?

Thoughts: >

Happiness is yet another date-sim based anime. Starting with a fair amount of fan service, I had doubts I'd stick with this one. But I did, and Happiness really grew on me. What changed? Actually nothing, which is how this one gets tricky to explain.

Unlike many anime adaptations that are either half assed, or go crazy trying to gussy up a concept that wasn't so great to begin with; Happiness never attempts greatness. From a game that was just okay (I assume) they aspired to make an anime which is just okay. That's not neccesarily a bad thing. Happiness gets a good balence between pushing things like romance just far enough, but not overplaying it either. It never approaches awesomeness, but it comfortably serves up what it has to work with.

Happiness has minor issues, but nothing too severe. The comedy falls flat in spots, some episodes go nowhere, and it's pretty predictable all around. There's also the animation which looks hilariously bad when "magic action" is involved (it's otherwise fine). The story is okay most of the way through, but a little uneven with a lot jammed into the last section and feeling a bit rushed.

Happiness seems like it would be like any other mixed bag, but the factor which tips the scales into the positive is... well, it's just very cute. I'm not sure how to describe it better, so if you're looking for depth this won't be for you. If you're fine with an anime which is just "nice", Happiness delivers. I'm not sure I'd go out of my way to watch it, but if you're okay with a cute romance anime and can overlook minor faults, I don't think you'll be dissapointed.

Screen Caps: >