Danica Davidson
January 2, 2025 
In Yonoi Tsukihiko’s Happy Hell, Mikan is in love with Takashi, who has also pledged his love to her. However, Mikan’s grandfather wants her to meet the titular Yonoi Tsukihiko, the president of a food and holdings company, in the hopes they’ll get married. Mikan thinks her grandfather’s matchmaking attempts are old fashioned and ridiculous, and she’s aware that the relationship is meant to help both families because her family has a farm and his family is all about food. Then she meets Tsukihiko, and this reinforces her refusal to be with him, because he scoffs at the idea of love and does not make a good first impression.
But then Mikan is in for a twist, because the man she loves isn’t who he turns out to be, and this puts her whole life and perspective in upheaval. And Tsukihko, though he comes off prickly at times, also helps out Mikan when she’s in need. She decides to get a job at his company, and things continue from there.
Yonoi Tsukihiko’s Happy Hell is essentially an escapist beach read. We’re in familiar territory here, where the hero seems to be one way at first, but it turns out he’s actually someone else underneath. He’s provocative and mysterious. Mikan is the bubbly but somewhat ditzy heroine, and she gets more interesting as she takes more control of her life. There’s also some humor there, and it all feels pretty light.
The artwork is attractive, with sensual and lush details, like a strong concentration on Tsukihiko’s eyelashes. It fits well with the story it’s telling.
Yonoi Tsukihiko’s Happy Hell is a good book for someone in the mood to escape reality for a while and replace it with some shojo enjoyment. It’s rated 17+, which means it shows more than a lot of the shojo that makes it to America, but it doesn’t show enough to earn a Mature rating.
Story & Art: Hina Sakurada
Publisher: Seven Seas Entertainment
Translator: Margaret Ngo
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Danica Davidson is the author of the bestselling Manga Art for Beginners with artist Melanie Westin, plus its sequel, Manga Art for Everyone, and the first-of-its-kind manga chalk book Chalk Art Manga, both illustrated by professional Japanese mangaka Rena Saiya. Check out her other comics and books at www.danicadavidson.com.
