Happy
Fairy Tail and Edens Zero character
Happy as drawn by Hiro Mashima in Fairy Tail
First appearanceFairy Tail chapter 1: The Fairy's Tail (2006)
Created byHiro Mashima
Voiced by
In-universe information
SpeciesExceed
GenderMale
OccupationWizard
Family
  • Lucky (father)
  • Marl (mother)
GuildFairy Tail
MagicAera

Happy (Japanese: ハッピー, Hepburn: Happī) is a fictional character who appears in the manga series Fairy Tail and Edens Zero created by Hiro Mashima. He is depicted throughout his appearances as an anthropomorphic blue cat who accompanies the main protagonists on their adventures, often providing comic relief. In Fairy Tail, Happy is a member of the magical Exceed race who possesses the ability to transform into a winged cat with white, feathered wings, and serves as a friend and partner of Natsu Dragneel. For Edens Zero, the character is re-envisioned as an alien android and companion of the female protagonist Rebecca Bluegarden, for whom he also functions as a convertible pair of blaster weapons. Happy has made appearances in various media related to Fairy Tail, including an anime adaptation, feature films, original video animations (OVAs), light novels, and video games. He is voiced by Rie Kugimiya in Japanese media, while Tia Ballard voices him in the English anime dub.

Creation and conception

Following the completion of Rave Master, Hiro Mashima's initial idea for Happy was to create a "very chatty" mascot character that would contrast with Plue, Rave Master's mascot, whom he had difficulty with writing as Plue did not speak.[1] In the pre-production stage of Fairy Tail, Mashima drew an illustration depicting two cat-like creatures resembling Happy with bird-like feet and feathered wings for arms.[2] Mashima initially named the character after the Norse god Freyr, which he felt was "too much" for the character and changed to something "more suitable".[3] When asked about the creation of his characters, Mashima replied that each character embodies a part of his own personality, with Happy representing how he acts when slacking off,[4] later stating that Happy was based on his fondness of cats.[1] Upon the introduction of Carla, Happy's female counterpart, Mashima's original concept for Happy underwent "a huge change", which inspired the author to write a character arc for him shortly afterward.[5][6] Mashima also mentioned that Natsu and Happy's midair battle against Cobra was "something [he] always wanted to do", commenting that it was the first time Happy had been directly involved in one of the series' battle scenes.[5]

Regarding the anime adaptation of Fairy Tail, Mashima commented that he enjoyed seeing Natsu and Happy "move around", stating, "There's a limit to the effects I can draw regarding the depiction of the magic in the manga, so seeing that in the anime is so much fun, and it looks very beautiful onscreen. It made me realize how fun my characters are when I saw them moving around."[7] He considers Happy to have the best portrayal in the anime out of all the manga's characters.[1] Yohei Ito, the producer of the film Fairy Tail: Dragon Cry, described Happy as both "funny" and "really useful", as he "works in cute scenes and serious scenes."[8] Happy is voiced by Rie Kugimiya in Japanese media, and by Tia Ballard in the English dub.

While developing Edens Zero, Mashima decided to reuse Happy as a stand-in for the series' primary mascot character, E.M. Pino, who was originally intended to debut in the manga's first chapter until further development led Mashima to delay her appearance;[9] before settling on Happy, Mashima drew various concepts of different animal characters, which he described as a futile attempt as he felt the character was bound to become Happy.[10] This iteration of the character has a black-tipped tail as opposed to a white-tipped one in Fairy Tail, and wears a collar with a heart-marked "B-Cube" instead of a green satchel.[11] Kugimiya and Ballard reprise the role in Japanese and English media, respectively.[12][13]

Appearances

In Fairy Tail

Fairy Tail depicts Happy as a sardonic member of the titular wizards' guild, and as a companion of the "Dragon Slayer" wizard Natsu Dragneel,[14] with their partnership eventually expanding to include the newcomer Lucy Heartfilia and two childhood friends, Gray Fullbuster and Erza Scarlet.[15][16] He is a feline creature called an Exceed that exhibits a natural ability to fly by producing white, feathered wings on his back with a spell called Aera,[JP 1][14] while his friendship with Natsu enables Happy to carry him without triggering the latter's motion sickness.[17] In his backstory, most of which is presented in an omake chapter, Happy is laid as an egg by the Exceed couple Lucky and Marl,[18] which is discovered and hatched by Natsu six years before the series' narrative begins; his birth immediately quells an argument the rest of the guild have over the egg, which inspires Natsu to give Happy his name as a symbolic bluebird of happiness.[19]

Later in the series, Happy encounters a female Exceed named Carla, who reveals that she and Happy originate from Edolas, a parallel world to the series' primary setting of Earth-land where Exceed are revered as divine beings for their innate magical power, which the other inhabitants of Edolas lack.[20] Happy is shocked to be told that 100 unborn Exceed, including himself and Carla, were transported to Earth-land by their kind with the directive of killing Dragon Slayers such as Natsu;[20] the two later learn that the mission is actually a cover story for an evacuation effort arranged by the precognitive Exceed queen Chagot following her prediction of their kingdom's destruction, with the pretense of hunting Dragon Slayers derived from her visions of future events.[21] Happy continues to support Natsu and the guild for the duration of the series, which eventually results in Happy helping Natsu become human upon the discovery that he is an Etherious demon created by the dark wizard Zeref,[22][23] and later assisting Fairy Tail and their allies' efforts to trap and eventually kill the evil dragon Acnologia within the defensive spell Fairy Sphere.[24] By the end of Fairy Tail, Happy accompanies his team on a "century quest", a guild mission that has never been accomplished in less than 100 years.[25][26]

In Edens Zero

Happy
Edens Zero character
First appearanceEdens Zero chapter 1: Into the Sky Where Cherry Blossoms Flutter (2018)
Created byHiro Mashima
Voiced by
In-universe information
SpeciesFeline alien/android
GenderMale
OccupationAdventurer
B-Cuber
Affiliation
AbilityHappy Blaster mode
HomeworldBlue Garden (home)
Excede (birthplace)

Within the setting of Edens Zero, Happy is a feline alien from a planet named Excede.[JP 2] He is the lifelong friend and partner the series' female protagonist, Rebecca Bluegarden, who gives him his name upon finding him as an orphan. After Happy is run over by a drunk driver during Rebecca's childhood, the machinist Professor Weisz Steiner revives him by transferring his consciousness into an advanced android body. Happy's robotic features allow him to reconfigure himself into a pair of rayguns that Rebecca wields in battle called Happy Blasters,[JP 3] which fire rounds of non-lethal "Ether" bullets to incapacitate targets;[27] he gains a number of other functions as the series progresses, including an assault rifle mode,[28] a laser blade form for his tail,[29] and a "solo mode" cannon protrusion on his back.[30]

Together, Happy and Rebecca manage an account called "Aoneko Channel" on the online video platform B-Cube, with the pair's goal being to obtain one million subscribers by uploading videos of different planets they visit as members of Shooting Starlight, an adventurers' guild.[31][32] Shortly into the series, Happy and Rebecca join the crew of the titular warship Edens Zero, captained by male protagonist Shiki Granbell, to search for the cosmic goddess Mother as a way to achieve their goal.[32][33]

In other media

In addition to the manga and its anime adaptation, Happy makes appearances in various other media related to Fairy Tail. In the 2012 film Fairy Tail the Movie: Phoenix Priestess, Happy joins his team in helping a priestess called Éclair reach her destination;[34][35] he also makes an appearance in the one-shot prologue manga created by Hiro Mashima for the film, as well as its animated adaptation.[36][37] In the 2017 film Fairy Tail: Dragon Cry, Happy and other Fairy Tail members are assigned by the king of Fiore to recover the stolen Dragon Cry staff from another kingdom; Happy's fur turns red for a portion of the film as a side effect of eating one of the local fruit, which persists until he finally breathes fire.[38][39][40]

Happy is also a character in all nine Fairy Tail original video animations (OVAs). In the first OVA, he gives a tour of the guild's all-female dormitory to Wendy Marvell and Carla;[41] in the second, he is depicted as an academy professor;[42] in the third, he is sent six years into the past by a magic book;[43] in the fourth, Happy goes to a camp to support his friends' training for the Grand Magic Games;[44] in the fifth, he spends time at a water park;[45] the sixth is a crossover OVA of Fairy Tail and Hiro Mashima's Rave Master series, where Happy meets Rave Master protagonists Haru Glory and Elie;[46] in the seventh, Happy participates in a penalty game;[47] in the eighth, he tries to cheer Mavis Vermillion up by finding one of her missing belongings;[48] and in the ninth, Happy attends a Christmas party held at Lucy's house.[49] He also appears in every light novel based on the series, including one set in the Edo period,[50] as well as one which is inspired by the Alice in Wonderland novel.[51]

Happy makes a minor appearance in the Fairy Tail spin-off manga Fairy Tail Blue Mistral, which focuses on the characters Wendy and Carla in their early membership of the guild.[52] He also features as the main protagonist of the manga Fairy Tail: Happy's Heroic Adventure, written and illustrated by Kenshirō Sakamoto.[53]

Happy is a playable character in several Fairy Tail video games, such as the 2010 PlayStation Portable action video game Fairy Tail: Portable Guild developed by Konami, and its two sequels: Fairy Tail: Portable Guild 2, released in 2011, and Fairy Tail: Zeref Awakens, released in 2012.[54][55][56]

Reception

Happy has received positive comments from critics reviewing the Fairy Tail manga and its related media. Carl Kimlinger of Anime News Network (ANN) described Happy as "a misbegotten offspring of an alley cat and a bobblehead" in his review of the first manga volume,[57] and called him "an excellent stooge" in the second volume.[58] Dale North of Japanator praised the character's humor, commenting, "Happy's background gags will have you giggling chapter after chapter."[59] For the anime adaptation, Carlo Santos of ANN called Happy "an entertaining diversion", praising his role as an animal sidekick that is "fun to listen to and not just a necessary annoyance".[60] The reviewer found the story of Happy's birth in the anime to be "entertaining", but commented that it "could have been inserted anywhere in the series".[61] Kimlinger praised Happy's role alongside Carla in the Edolas story arc, in which their status as Natsu and Wendy Marvell's respective sidekicks is deconstructed, with the reviewer calling them "the arc's emotional lynchpin".[62] While Kimlinger wrote that while Happy's partnership with Natsu and Lucy was bizarre, he felt that their "oddball teamwork" represented the core part of the series' ensemble.[63] Rebecca Silverman of ANN praised Happy's moments of heroism and being underestimated by the series' villains, saying, "For a character who usually plays the comic relief, this is a good change and a nice way to make him more relevant as a character than just being Natsu's transportation."[64] In a review of the film Fairy Tail: Dragon Cry, Robert Prentice of Three If by Space considered the portion where Happy's fur turns red to be a "funny little side note".[65]

Popularity and merchandise

In a Fairy Tail popularity poll published in the 26th issue of Weekly Shōnen Magazine, Happy ranked fourth with a total of 4238 votes.[66] Merchandise based on Happy has been released, including a pin and café memo set.[67]

Notes

  1. ↑ 翼（エーラ）, Ēra, Japanese text translates to "Wings"
  2. ↑ エクシド星, Ekushido-sei
  3. ↑ ハッピーブラスター, Happī Burasutā

References

  1. 1 2 3 Kelly, Rai (October 8, 2017). "New York Comic-Con 2017: Q&A with Fairy Tail Creator Hiro Mashima". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  2. ↑ Mashima, Hiro (September 16, 2008). "Early Preproduction Illustration". Fairy Tail, Volume 4. Kodansha. p. 177. ISBN 978-0-345-50557-6.
  3. ↑ Mashima, Hiro (March 25, 2008). "About the Naming of the Characters". Fairy Tail, Volume 2. Kodansha. p. 190. ISBN 978-0-345-50330-5.
  4. ↑ "Interview de l'auteur" [Interview with the author]. Manga News (in French). November 1, 2016. Archived from the original on April 10, 2018. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  5. 1 2 Mashima, Hiro (March 6, 2012). "Afterword". Fairy Tail, Volume 18. Kodansha. ISBN 978-1-612-62055-8.
  6. ↑ Mashima, Hiro (July 10, 2012). "Afterword". Fairy Tail, Volume 20. Kodansha. ISBN 978-1-612-62057-2.
  7. ↑ "Interview: Hiro Mashima". Anime News Network. November 8, 2011. Archived from the original on March 24, 2018. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  8. ↑ Frye, Patrick (June 8, 2017). "'Fairy Tail: Dragon Cry': English Interview Talks Manga Ending Timeline, How US Theaters Changed The Movie". Inquisitr. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
  9. ↑ Mashima, Hiro (February 5, 2019). "Afterword". Edens Zero, Volume 2. Kodansha. ISBN 978-1-63-236757-0.
  10. ↑ Mashima, Hiro (September 14, 2018). Edens Zero Vol. 1 Special Edition Booklet. Kodansha. p. 20. ISBN 978-4-06-513235-7.
  11. ↑ Hiro Mashima [@hiro_mashima] (July 1, 2018). "落書き" (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved July 4, 2018 – via Twitter.
  12. ↑ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (September 26, 2020). "J.C. Staff Produces Edens Zero TV Anime for April 2021 Debut". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  13. ↑ @TiaToony (August 26, 2021). "I was convinced that I might have to step down with grace. I'm so grateful that @BangZoom let me play in the new world!! It's an honor. @brookchalmersvo is a director delight! To all that guessed, I can finally confirm that, yes, I'm in Edens Zero. @hiro_mashima" (Tweet). Retrieved August 26, 2021 – via Twitter.
  14. 1 2 Mashima, Hiro (March 25, 2008). "Chapter 1". Fairy Tail, Volume 1. Kodansha. ISBN 978-0-345-50133-2.
  15. ↑ Mashima, Hiro (March 25, 2008). "Chapter 4". Fairy Tail, Volume 1. Kodansha. ISBN 978-0-345-50133-2.
  16. ↑ Mashima, Hiro (December 29, 2009). "Chapter 69". Fairy Tail, Volume 9. Kodansha. ISBN 978-0-345-51233-8.
  17. ↑ Mashima, Hiro (March 25, 2008). "Chapter 3". Fairy Tail, Volume 1. Kodansha. ISBN 978-0-345-50133-2.
  18. ↑ Mashima, Hiro (September 25, 2012). "Chapter 177". Fairy Tail, Volume 21. Kodansha. ISBN 978-1-612-62058-9.
  19. ↑ Mashima, Hiro (September 27, 2011). "Side Story: X778 Natsu and the Dragon's Egg". Fairy Tail, Volume 15. Kodansha. ISBN 978-1-935429-34-0.
  20. 1 2 Mashima, Hiro (September 25, 2012). "Chapter 176". Fairy Tail, Volume 21. Kodansha. ISBN 978-1-612-62058-9.
  21. ↑ Mashima, Hiro (March 26, 2013). "Chapter 198". Fairy Tail, Volume 24. Kodansha. ISBN 978-1-61262-266-8.
  22. ↑ Mashima, Hiro (August 9, 2016). "Chapter 465". Fairy Tail, Volume 54. Kodansha. ISBN 978-1-63-236262-9.
  23. ↑ Mashima, Hiro (November 14, 2017). "Chapter 535". Fairy Tail, Volume 62. Kodansha. ISBN 978-1-63-236475-3.
  24. ↑ Mashima, Hiro (January 23, 2018). "Chapter 544". Fairy Tail, Volume 63. Kodansha. ISBN 978-1-63-236476-0.
  25. ↑ Mashima, Hiro (July 10, 2012). "Chapter 166". In Flanagan, William (ed.). Fairy Tail, Volume 20. Kodansha. p. 104. ISBN 978-1-612-62057-2. A Century Quest... You mean a quest...that nobody's been able to complete...in less than a hundred years...?!
  26. ↑ Mashima, Hiro (January 23, 2018). "Chapter 545". Fairy Tail, Volume 63. Kodansha. ISBN 978-1-63-236476-0.
  27. ↑ Mashima, Hiro (September 14, 2018). "Chapter 2". Edens Zero, Volume 1. Kodansha. ISBN 978-4-06-513234-0.
  28. ↑ Mashima, Hiro (November 17, 2021). "Chapter 154". Edens Zero, Volume 18. Kodansha. ISBN 978-4-06-525998-6.
  29. ↑ Mashima, Hiro (November 17, 2021). "Chapter 158". Edens Zero, Volume 18. Kodansha. ISBN 978-4-06-525998-6.
  30. ↑ Mashima, Hiro (April 15, 2022). "Chapter 174". Edens Zero, Volume 20. Kodansha. ISBN 978-4-06-527525-2.
  31. ↑ Mashima, Hiro (September 14, 2018). "Chapter 1". Edens Zero, Volume 1. Kodansha. ISBN 978-4-06-513234-0.
  32. 1 2 Mashima, Hiro (September 14, 2018). "Chapter 3". Edens Zero, Volume 1. Kodansha. ISBN 978-4-06-513234-0.
  33. ↑ Mashima, Hiro (February 15, 2019). "Chapter 15". Edens Zero, Volume 3. Kodansha. ISBN 978-4-06-513875-5.
  34. ↑ Kimlinger, Carl (June 4, 2014). "Fairy Tail the Movie: Phoenix Priestess BD+DVD". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on April 10, 2018. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  35. ↑ West, David (April 22, 2012). "Fairy Tail Movie Trailer". Neo. Archived from the original on April 10, 2018. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  36. ↑ "Fairy Tail Film's Promo Video Highlights Bonus Manga". Anime News Network. August 9, 2012. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  37. ↑ "Fairy Tail Film's Prologue Manga Gets Anime Also". Anime News Network. October 26, 2012. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  38. ↑ Luster, Joseph (July 31, 2017). "Sample Fairy Tail: Dragon Cry in Exclusive English Clip". Otaku USA. Archived from the original on April 27, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  39. ↑ Silverman, Rebecca (August 3, 2017). "Fairy Tail: Dragon Cry". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on April 10, 2018. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  40. ↑ "Fairy Tail: Dragon Cry Anime Film's New Web Promo Video Streamed". Anime News Network. May 5, 2017. Archived from the original on April 10, 2018. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  41. ↑ "Fairy Tail Manga's 26th Volume to Bundle Anime DVD". Anime News Network. December 7, 2010. Archived from the original on April 16, 2018. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  42. ↑ "Fairy Tail Manga's 27th Volume to Bundle 2nd Anime DVD". Anime News Network. February 17, 2011. Archived from the original on April 16, 2018. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  43. ↑ "Fairy Tail Manga Volume 31 to Bundle 3rd New Anime DVD". Anime News Network. September 14, 2011. Archived from the original on April 17, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  44. ↑ "Fairy Tail Manga #35 to Bundle 4th DVD With Beach Anime". Anime News Network. August 13, 2012. Archived from the original on April 14, 2018. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  45. ↑ "Fairy Tail Manga to Bundle 5th DVD With Poolside Anime". Anime News Network. February 13, 2013. Archived from the original on April 16, 2018. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  46. ↑ "Fairy Tail x Rave Master Crossover Manga Gets Anime DVD". Anime News Network. April 15, 2013. Archived from the original on April 16, 2018. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  47. ↑ "Fairy Tail's Unaired 'Fairy Penalty Game' Anime Previewed in Video". Anime News Network. May 17, 2016. Archived from the original on April 16, 2018. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  48. ↑ "Fairy Tail Manga Gets New Mavis Original Anime DVD". Anime News Network. March 2, 2016. Archived from the original on April 16, 2018. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  49. ↑ "Fairy Tail Manga Gets New Christmas Original Anime DVD". Anime News Network. March 2, 2016. Archived from the original on April 16, 2018. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  50. ↑ "New Fairy Tail Novel Coming in October". Anime News Network. August 27, 2015. Archived from the original on April 16, 2018. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  51. ↑ "Amazon Lists New 'Fairy Tail in Wonderland' Novel". Anime News Network. January 23, 2017. Archived from the original on April 16, 2018. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  52. ↑ "Fairy Tail: Blue Mistral Shōjo Spinoff Manga Ends". Anime News Network. November 30, 2015. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
  53. ↑ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (June 28, 2018). "Kenshiro Sakamoto Launches Fairy Tail Spinoff Manga About Happy". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  54. ↑ Spencer (February 3, 2010). "Fairy Tail: Portable Guild Revealed, It's A Co-Op Action Game". Siliconera. Archived from the original on March 25, 2018. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
  55. ↑ Spencer (January 10, 2011). "Fairy Tail: Portable Guild 2 Registers For March Release". Siliconera. Archived from the original on March 25, 2018. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
  56. ↑ Spencer (February 21, 2012). "The Four Types Of Fighters In Fairy Tail: Zeref Awakens". Siliconera. Archived from the original on March 25, 2018. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
  57. ↑ Kimlinger, Carl (May 28, 2008). "Fairy Tail GN 1". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on March 24, 2018. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  58. ↑ Kimlinger, Carl (September 7, 2008). "Fairy Tail GN 2". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on March 25, 2018. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  59. ↑ North, Dale (April 2, 2008). "Japanator Review: Fairy Tail Vol. 1 and 2 (manga)". Japanator. Archived from the original on April 27, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  60. ↑ Santos, Carlo (December 13, 2011). "Fairy Tail Blu-Ray + DVD - Combo Pack Part 1". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on March 25, 2018. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  61. ↑ Santos, Carlo (January 2, 2012). "Fairy Tail Blu-Ray + DVD - Combo Pack Part 2". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on March 25, 2018. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  62. ↑ Kimlinger, Carl (May 27, 2014). "Fairy Tail BD+DVD - Parts 7-8". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on March 25, 2018. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  63. ↑ Kimlinger, Carl (September 3, 2014). "Fairy Tail BD+DVD - Part 10". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on March 25, 2018. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  64. ↑ Silverman, Rebecca (June 29, 2016). "Fairy Tail BD+DVD - Part 20". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
  65. ↑ Prentice, Robert (August 5, 2017). "'Fairy Tail Dragon Cry' Review". Three If by Space. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
  66. ↑ "Weekly Shōnen Magazine". No. 26. Kodansha. {{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  67. ↑ Whalen, Amanda (April 22, 2017). "Fairy Tail: Dragon Cry Gets Collaboration with Tenkaippin Ramen Chain, More". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
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