Happy Kashiiki - Oneshot

[emmadrew]

This has some really beautiful art and the story really drew me in up until the ending, but the ending just feels like shock for shock's sake.

 

[shelliana]

Still stuff I'm not sure about, like why would Kage get yelled at if she cleans her place, or how does she know how to "fix" her (does it imply this was not the first time they've done this? Are all the other medical records hers too?)

Sometimes people in a mental state that's as bad as her parents' seems to be like their squalor because it's "theirs". Her parents might view cleaning as her being impertinent, doing something she wasn't asked to do, even implying that she's better than them.
The parental situation is another point of connection between the 2 girls, since Hikari's parents are notably absent but at least provide her with homemade food (the octopus sausage kind of being a symbol of the care put into her bento) and nice things in a clean house. Kage's parents seem to also be mostly absent but leave their daughters with a trash filled house and seem to abusive when they are there.
After thinking more, I think Kage probably did also have the happiness lobotomy/antidepressants but was hoping that happiness could be found without it, and then realized it was impossible. Hikari, who's in a relatively blessed external situation besides parental neglect is able to completely return to happiness with the treatment, but Kage is just able to cope through her terrible situation that she can't change and still is left isolated and unfulfilled.

 

[Lunkli]

This manga and this comment section is a great argument against metaphorical writing, no one is sure what it's supposed to mean and whether the cat girl is even real or symbol of sth else.

I'd say it works better as an argument for metaphorical writing. Something that invites questioning and discussion is by definition going to be more talked about and better remembered than something that just hands you all the answers on a silver platter.

 

[white_lilies]

is Kage even real? Her name too is a bit on the nose.
My theory is she is the manifestation of depression or an entity only perceived by depressed individuals, since Hikari didnt know who Kage was in the beginning, and seems to have forgotten her in the end. Kage knows the way to treat Hikari's condition isn't simply fooling around but actual medical intervention. She knows she'll be wiped from Hikari's memory, cue "Please find me again, nya"(p38), and distraught Kage (partly bc she wished it hadn't come to this) (p39).

I think it's a cycle as she says "Please come find me again" which this wasn't the first time??, and the distraught is because she's disappointed the outcome stayed the same like last time... 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

 

[ErikTheRed]

Still stuff I'm not sure about, like why would Kage get yelled at if she cleans her place, or how does she know how to "fix" her (does it imply this was not the first time they've done this? Are all the other medical records hers too?)

I thought Kage's parents had some mental issues. Like one of them being a hoarder or something

 

[blue_dragon]

My take on this one-shot is that Kage and Hikari are actually two sides of the same person. The names hint at this—Hikari means 'light,' and Kage means 'shadow.' Kage is the protective persona Hikari has created to shield herself from the real world. This explains why Kage is always carrying a backpack with band-aids to take care of Hikari and is capable of getting her to the hospital in the end. Kage is strong enough to confront the harsh reality of a messy home and likely abusive parents (she always has a band-aid on her face and fears being yelled at if she tries to clean up). With Kage's presence, Hikari can escape into a comforting fantasy of a spotless home, her own room, and even a pet.

But Kage isn't real—she wears a sailor uniform that’s outdated for a modern school and even wears it on her days off. Both Hikari and Kage are aware that Hikari will eventually have to face reality. While Hikari’s anxiety grows, draining her happiness, Kage tries to give her the courage to cope. Ultimately, Kage decides that the truth is too much for Hikari to handle, hence the psychosurgery. Now, Hikari can live forever in the safe fantasy she created and forget about Kage.

Thank you for translating such a thought-provoking one-shot.

 

[Eija]

yeah, psychosurgery doesn't work though, so this is just dumb. Ending's probably just as fake as Kage and she's mute and paralysed in a wheelchair somewhere now

 

[Yuri_Enjoyer_Deluxe]

yeah, psychosurgery doesn't work though, so this is just dumb. Ending's probably just as fake as Kage and she's mute and paralysed in a wheelchair somewhere now

Where are you getting this? The article im reading says at worst, its a coinflip. Peep this one: https://search.app?link=https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-psychosurgery-5114483&utm_campaign=aga&utm_source=agsadl1,sh/x/gs/m2/4

 

[Eija]

Where are you getting this? The article im reading says at worst, its a coinflip. Peep this one: https://search.app?link=https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-psychosurgery-5114483&utm_campaign=aga&utm_source=agsadl1,sh/x/gs/m2/4

Today, psychosurgery is much more carefully regulated than it was in the past. Even so, due to the lack of evidence of its safety and effectiveness, it's only offered after all other treatments have failed.

that's from your own link, and I based what I said about paralysis and mutism on JFK's sister who was lobotomised.

 

[Yuri_Enjoyer_Deluxe]

that's from your own link, and I based what I said about paralysis and mutism on JFK's sister who was lobotomised.

Here's the thing though... JFKs sister was lobotomized in 1941... im basing it on wikipedia here, so it may be shaky, but its safe to say it was decades ago when lobotomies were just "wiggle around the brain and hope it works". Not exactly a recipe for high success rates.

This is the 2020s, where we have advanced to do better techniques, id like to say, barring incompetence or unluckiness, not highly likely we are getting another one like that, at least not easily.

 

[shelliana]

yeah, psychosurgery doesn't work though, so this is just dumb. Ending's probably just as fake as Kage and she's mute and paralysed in a wheelchair somewhere now

I mean "malignant qualia tendencies" and the "happiness organ" aren't exactly real things in medicine either. It's pretty clearly an unclear metaphor just like most of the story.

 

[AcidVlad]

Ah oui

le hapiness

 

[gonado]

My gloomy day be like: finding a cute artstyle yuri manga -> getting upset.

 

[Ichigo69]

My take on this one-shot is that Kage and Hikari are actually two sides of the same person. The names hint at this—Hikari means 'light,' and Kage means 'shadow.' Kage is the protective persona Hikari has created to shield herself from the real world. This explains why Kage is always carrying a backpack with band-aids to take care of Hikari and is capable of getting her to the hospital in the end. Kage is strong enough to confront the harsh reality of a messy home and likely abusive parents (she always has a band-aid on her face and fears being yelled at if she tries to clean up). With Kage's presence, Hikari can escape into a comforting fantasy of a spotless home, her own room, and even a pet.

But Kage isn't real—she wears a sailor uniform that’s outdated for a modern school and even wears it on her days off. Both Hikari and Kage are aware that Hikari will eventually have to face reality. While Hikari’s anxiety grows, draining her happiness, Kage tries to give her the courage to cope. Ultimately, Kage decides that the truth is too much for Hikari to handle, hence the psychosurgery. Now, Hikari can live forever in the safe fantasy she created and forget about Kage.

Thank you for translating such a thought-provoking one-shot.

I think this guy's probably nailed it. It's the one explanation that makes the most sense...

 

[Youseffff]

Huh.. So... what... Uhhh ok?
I'm little disappointed...

 

[solamente]

what no qualia does to a mfer

 

[5hijima]

i love pysychological manga because it makes me sad

this made me sad. thank-you

 

[Zblurth]

that's from your own link, and I based what I said about paralysis and mutism on JFK's sister who was lobotomised.

SO just to quickly add too this, I was talking / joking about that to a medical professional but the "it's only offered after all other treatments have failed." is very important, some people do not wish to die they fear death, but they CANNOT live in their head, the human mind car break and end in infinite misery, some may take their live but some cannot but that does not make the pain go away (make it worse) and so this is the last thing society can give them, it might be a cerebral death like JFK sister but that is still mercy for some.

Now it is ultra regulated, like for the country that allow "graceful exit" (helping people to die), you need the approval of multiple professional and have a uncurable disease and be old or chronical pain that are so bad you just cannot live your life.

Now obviously most of them do not consider crippling treatment resistant depression because that is only in your head lol
Imagine instead of helping some people we help the cleaning staff by giving them a salary when they find the body ( I am sorry but this one piss me off to no end )

 

[Sonaldo]

Why do all these depressing things always have such cute art?

I recognized this art style and was prepping myself for some fluff . It even has a catgirl

 

[Camy]

My take on this one-shot is that Kage and Hikari are actually two sides of the same person. The names hint at this—Hikari means 'light,' and Kage means 'shadow.' Kage is the protective persona Hikari has created to shield herself from the real world. This explains why Kage is always carrying a backpack with band-aids to take care of Hikari and is capable of getting her to the hospital in the end. Kage is strong enough to confront the harsh reality of a messy home and likely abusive parents (she always has a band-aid on her face and fears being yelled at if she tries to clean up). With Kage's presence, Hikari can escape into a comforting fantasy of a spotless home, her own room, and even a pet.

But Kage isn't real—she wears a sailor uniform that’s outdated for a modern school and even wears it on her days off. Both Hikari and Kage are aware that Hikari will eventually have to face reality. While Hikari’s anxiety grows, draining her happiness, Kage tries to give her the courage to cope. Ultimately, Kage decides that the truth is too much for Hikari to handle, hence the psychosurgery. Now, Hikari can live forever in the safe fantasy she created and forget about Kage.

Thank you for translating such a thought-provoking one-shot.

My interpretation of it is similiar. But rather than Kage being a protective persona, I think she's instead a metaphor for what little fighting spirit is left when you're depressed. That faint little voice that eventually (and hopefully) manages to get you to take the first step towards getting help.

However, the part I disagree with it the last bit. I think the medical certificate and mention of psychosurgery is another metaphor. "Malignant qualia tendencies", although that's not an actual diagnosis, I think there's quite a bit to be interpreted there. Qualia is, according to wikipedia, "In philosophy of mind, qualia are defined as instances of subjective, conscious experience.", followed by "happiness organ" and then the mention of psychosurgery. Although the meaning of all that is vague to say the least, I think it can be interpreted as the psychosurgery being a metaphorical surgery to remove the idea of a "happiness organ", in the form of proper mental health treatment.

Depression isn't cured by "finding happiness", nor does receiving treatment suddenly make you happy. But it's a pit one often falls into when really depressed, "just gotta find that one thing that makes brings you happiness and the depression will disappear". But in reality what's really needed is being stable, which is what medicine and therapy does, and I think the final two pages kinda show that. The dark backgrounds are gone and Hikari is back to hanging out with the friends she withdrew from and things seem to be back to "normal".

All in all, I think it's a pretty uplifting story actually despite the almost uncomfortably dark artstyle. But either way it was certainly a very interesting and thought provoking story, for sure.