YKK Forum

Any other "essentially happy" comics like ykk?

Its rare to find a "happy", or non-dramatic comic, (or book) like ykk. Does anybody know of anything in a similar vein to ykk? There are "happy" media out there, but they tend to be comedy, or obnoxious, or something similar.

- anonyguy
Friday, July 15, 2005

Read ARIA (and its prequel AQUA) by Amano Kozue. Not as "Zen" as YKK, but very relaxing to read nonetheless. About female gondola boatmen (boatwomen?) in Neo-Venezia, a city in terraformed Mars which is based on the old city of Venice. Despite having the ability to terraform planets, control gravity and weather, the Neo-Venezians like to live in the old way, not relying on machines or computers in their everyday lives. You soon get used to the idea, like how one forgets that Alpha is a technological marvel living in a simple age.

ARIA's up to vol 6 in Japanese, 3 in English. AQUA hasn't been released in English, though. I've been reading the Chinese versions.

- cube
Friday, July 15, 2005

Look thru the threads here:

http://ykk.misago.org/Forum?cmd=show&id=1564&replies=23

- Kerry
Tuesday, July 19, 2005

I am very surprised that you would consider YKK "happy"...there is such a strain of sadness and loss that runs through it. It's not despair, it's not destructive sadness, it's not wailing, but so very much has been lost in the world of YKK, and every character, even the children, feel it in some way.

- JDC
Saturday, July 23, 2005

But the main character is "happy" through it alll. Despite the feeling of loss that hangs over the manga like a rain cloud in the distance, alpha is still a great person.

- anonyguy
Thursday, July 28, 2005

Rather than "happy", I would say "relaxing" :)

- painsama
Thursday, July 28, 2005

I think Azumanga Daioh is like that, though it took me a while to understand it. Since it is a comedy, I thought the peaceful storyline meant it was simply a bunch of gags. When you start noticing the patterns, though, you being to realize the depth of that anime.
The manga doesn't get that point across very well, IMO. It's better to watch the anime first. ^_^ The newer manga by the same artist, Yotsubato!, is really good too. Both are licensed in the US.

Oh, and the currently ongoing Emma is a manga and anime which was recommeded to me by the people here. I highly recommend it too. See cerealandmilk.net for that.

-k

- Kempis Curious
Friday, July 29, 2005

I'd have to second "Yotsubato!" as well.

I reckon it's the best fit for a "happy" comic you'll ever find.

It's not stupid slapstick comedy or filled with sexual jokes.
It doesn't build on action, a deep plot or anything.
It just is.

"Enjoy everything", is the slogan of the manga.
It's also the meaning of life.
Yotsuba will teach you that :)

I challenge you to read a couple of chapters and not break out into a warm smile (Just thinking about some of the chapters makes me smile while writing this :D).


Oh, and if we travel outside the realm of japanese comics, I also highly reccomend Patrick McDonnell's "Mutts".
It's also just "happy comedy" - especially great if you like cats or dogs :)

- Verity
Sunday, July 31, 2005

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