The Magic of Chocolate

The Magic of Chocolate (Japanese: ショコラの魔法, Hepburn: Shokora no Mahō) is a Japanese dark fantasy manga series written and illustrated by Rino Mizuho. It has been serialized in the monthly shōjo manga magazine Ciao and its sister magazine, Ciao DX [ja], since September 2008.

The Magic of Chocolate
Cover of the first volume
ショコラの魔法 (Shokora no Mahō)
Genre	Dark fantasy^[1]
Manga
Written by	Rino Mizuho
Published by	Shogakukan
English publisher	SEA: Shogakukan Asia
Imprint	Ciao Horror Comics
Magazine	Ciao Ciao DX [ja]
Demographic	Shōjo
Original run	September 3, 2008 – present
Volumes	22 (List of volumes)
Original video animation
Directed by	Shinichiro Kimura
Written by	Michiko Yokote Tatsuto Higuchi Kenichi Yamashita
Music by	tenten
Studio	SynergySP
Released	March 3, 2011 – December 28, 2012
Runtime	11–16 minutes
Episodes	13 (List of episodes)
Live-action film
Directed by	Tomonobu Morikawa
Produced by	Shinya Furugori Kana Ohtsubo
Written by	Tatsuya Kanazawa
Studio	Film
Released	June 18, 2021 (2021-06-18)
Runtime	81 minutes

A 13-episode original video animation produced by SynergySP was released between 2011 and 2012, while a live-action film adaptation was released to Japanese theatres in 2021.

In 2021, The Magic of Chocolate won the 66th Shogakukan Manga Award in the children's category.

Synopsis

The Magic of Chocolate is a series focusing on Chocolat Aikawa, the owner of a chocolaterie called Chocolat Noir, located deep in the forest. She sells chocolates that can grant wishes when consumed. However, the chocolates come at a price; as payment, Chocolat will take something precious to the customer.^[2] Many of her customers have concerns or grievances they wish to remedy with the chocolates, though some aim to abuse the chocolates' magic for nefarious purposes; Chocolat will curse those who do so to "plunge into the depths of darkness," resulting in often bizarre and ironic retributions.

Characters

Chocolat Aikawa (哀川ショコラ, Aikawa Shokora)

Voiced by: Yukana

An emotionally stoic chocolatier, and owner of the Chocolat Noir. She is always seen dressed in lolita fashion.

Cacao Theobroma (カカオ・テオブロマ, Kakao Teoburoma)

Voiced by: Kōki Miyata

A chocolate devil who was summoned by Chocolat's father, Shūga, and lives together with her. He is usually seen in the form of a black cat.

Media

Manga

The Magic of Chocolate is written and illustrated by Rino Mizuho.^[2] It has been serialized irregularly in the monthly magazine Ciao and its sister magazine, Ciao DX [ja], since September 3, 2008.^[3][4][5] Shogakukan has collected its chapters into individual tankōbon volumes, under the Ciao Horror Comics imprint. The first volume was released on July 1, 2009.^[6] As of 2023, twenty-two volumes have been released.^[7]

Instead of being ordered numerically, each volume is named according to the English alphabet.^[8] From October 11 to November 1, 2013, columnist Bourbon Kobayashi [ja] held a contest on Twitter for contestants to guess the subtitle of the then-upcoming volume 10, slated to begin with the letter "J."^[8] Mizuho herself judged the results, with the prizes awarded to the first three people who were able to answer correctly, as well as special jury awards such as the "Nice Silly Answer Award" and the "Cool & Sweet Award."^[8]

The series is licensed for Southeast Asian distribution in English by Shogakukan Asia.^[9][10]

Volume list

No.	Title	Japanese release date	Japanese ISBN
1	Shokora no Mahō: Almond Kiss (ショコラの魔法〜almond kiss〜)	July 1, 2009 (2009-07-01)^[6]	978-4-0913-2642-3
2	Shokora no Mahō: Bitter Sweet (ショコラの魔法〜bitter sweet〜)	March 1, 2010 (2010-03-01)^[11]	978-4-0913-2884-7
3	Shokora no Mahō: Creamy Sugar (ショコラの魔法〜creamy sugar〜)	November 29, 2010 (2010-11-29)^[12]	978-4-0913-3445-9
4	Shokora no Mahō: Dark Spice (ショコラの魔法〜dark spice〜)	April 1, 2011 (2011-04-01)^[13]	978-4-0913-3774-0
5	Shokora no Mahō: Evil Essence (ショコラの魔法〜evil essence〜)	November 1, 2011 (2011-11-01)^[14]	978-4-0913-4088-7
6	Shokora no Mahō: Fruity Flavor (ショコラの魔法〜fruity flavor〜)	March 1, 2012 (2012-03-01)^[15]	978-4-0913-4088-7
7	Shokora no Mahō: Guilty Crunch (ショコラの魔法〜guilty crunch〜)	August 1, 2012 (2012-08-01)^[16]	978-4-0915-9119-7
8	Shokora no Mahō: Honey Blood (ショコラの魔法〜honey blood〜)	November 30, 2012 (2012-11-30)^[17]	978-4-0913-4827-2
9	Shokora no Mahō: Ice Shadow (ショコラの魔法〜ice shadow〜)	July 26, 2013 (2013-07-26)^[18]	978-4-0913-5547-8 978-4-0915-9157-9 (LE)
10	Shokora no Mahō: Jewel Syrup (ショコラの魔法〜jewel syrup〜)	January 31, 2014 (2014-01-31)^[19]	978-4-0913-5720-5
11	Shokora no Mahō: Knocking Egg (ショコラの魔法〜knocking egg〜)	July 1, 2014 (2014-07-01)^[20]	978-4-0913-6268-1
12	Shokora no Mahō: Love Flake (ショコラの魔法〜love flake〜)	October 30, 2014 (2014-10-30)^[21]	978-4-0913-6608-5
13	Shokora no Mahō: Melty Night (ショコラの魔法〜melty night〜)	September 2, 2015 (2015-09-02)^[22]	978-4-0913-7627-5
14	Shokora no Mahō: Nutty Carnival (ショコラの魔法〜nutty carnival〜)	April 28, 2016 (2016-04-28)^[23]	978-4-0913-8326-6
15	Shokora no Mahō: Odd Cake (ショコラの魔法〜odd cake〜)	November 1, 2016 (2016-11-01)^[24]	978-4-0913-9456-9
16	Shokora no Mahō: Phantom Decoration (ショコラの魔法〜phantom decoration〜)	September 1, 2017 (2017-09-01)^[25]	978-4-0987-0199-5
17	Shokora no Mahō: Queen Candy (ショコラの魔法〜queen candy〜)	August 2, 2018 (2018-08-02)^[26]	978-4-0987-0592-4
18	Shokora no Mahō: Romantic Flambe (ショコラの魔法〜romantic flambe〜)	December 29, 2019 (2019-12-29)^[27]	978-4-0987-0736-2
19	Shokora no Mahō: Salty Leaf (ショコラの魔法〜salty leaf〜)	May 1, 2020 (2020-05-01)^[28]	978-4-0987-1030-0
20	Shokora no Mahō: Tricky Beans (ショコラの魔法〜tricky beans〜)	July 31, 2020 (2020-07-31)^[29]	978-4-0987-1092-8
21	Shokora no Mahō: Under Glace (ショコラの魔法〜under glace〜)	April 28, 2021 (2021-04-28)^[30]	978-4-0987-1362-2
22	Shokora no Mahō: Vivid Berry (ショコラの魔法〜vivid berry〜)	December 26, 2022 (2022-12-26)^[7]	978-4-0987-1881-8

Anthologies

No.	Title	Original release date	English release date
1	The Magic of Chocolate: Premium Collection 1 The Magic of Chocolate: Premium Collection 2 Shokora no Mahō: Puremiamu Korekushon (ショコラの魔法～プレミアムコレクション～)	June 1, 2015 (2015-06-01)^[31] 978-4-0913-7408-0	February 21, 2019 (2019-02-21)^[9]^[10] 978-9-8111-6806-2
"Stick Chocolate: Decision Maker" (スティックチョコレート　決断のしるべ, Sutikku Chokorēto: Ketsudan no Shirube) "Chocolate Macaron: Frozen Time" (チョコレートマカロン　凍てついた時間, Chokorēto Makaron: Itetsuita Toki) "Rocher: The Two Chocolatiers" (ロシエ　二人のショコラティエ, Roshie: Futari no Shokoratie) "Mendiant: Shape of Life" (マンディアン　命のカタチ, Mandian: Inochi no Katachi) "Muscadine: Vines of Sin" (ミュスカディーヌ　罪の蔓, Myusukadīnu: Tsumi no Tsuru) "Cocoa Nibs: Beyond Bitterness" (カカオニブ　苦みの彼方, Kakao Nibu: Nigami no Kanata) "Chocolate Ballet: Dance of Death" (ショコラ・バレエ　死の舞踏, Shokora Barē: Shi no Futō)
2	The Magic of Chocolate: Tears Collection Shokora no Mahō: Tiāzu Korekushon (ショコラの魔法～ティアーズコレクション～)	August 29, 2017 (2017-08-29)^[32] 978-4-0987-0044-8	—

OVA

An original video animation adaptation was announced on the wrap-around band released with volume 3 on November 29, 2010.^[33] The episodes were distributed through the Ciao Ciao TV! DVD discs included in the monthly magazine Ciao, starting with the April 2011 issue; the final episode was published with the February 2013 issue.^[34][35] All episodes are currently available to watch on Ciao's official YouTube channel.^[36]

No.	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
1	"Meringue au Chocolat: Melody of Sadness, Part 1" Transcription: "Murangu O Shokora: Kanashimi no Senritsu Zenpen" (Japanese: ムラング・オ・ショコラ 〜悲しみの旋律〜 前編)	Shinichiro Kimura	Hiroko Fukuda [ja]	February 3, 2011 (2011-02-03)
2	"Meringue au Chocolat: Melody of Sadness, Part 2" Transcription: "Murangu O Shokora: Kanashimi no Senritsu Kōhen" (Japanese: ムラング・オ・ショコラ 〜悲しみの旋律〜 後編)	Shinichiro Kimura	Hiroko Fukuda	March 3, 2011 (2011-03-03)^[34]^[35]
3	"Tartelette: Silent Rain" Transcription: "Tarutoretto: Seijaku no Ame" (Japanese: タルトレット 〜静寂の雨〜)	Shinichiro Kimura	Tomoko Konparu [ja]	July 2, 2011 (2011-07-02)
4	"Parfait: Autumn Day Melancholy" Transcription: "Parufe: Aki no Hi no Yūtsu" (Japanese: パルフェ 〜秋の日の憂鬱〜)	Shinichiro Kimura	Tomoko Konparu	September 3, 2011 (2011-09-03)
5	"White Macaron: Flames of Regret" Transcription: "Howaito Makaron: Kōkai no Honō" (Japanese: ホワイトマカロン 〜後悔の炎〜)	Shinichiro Kimura	Tomoko Konparu	October 3, 2011 (2011-10-03)
6	"Red Cherry Chocolate: Memory of a Ghost" Transcription: "Reddo Cherī Chokorēto: Rei no Kioku" (Japanese: レッドチェリーチョコレート 〜零の記憶〜)	Shinichiro Kimura	Tomoko Konparu	November 2, 2011 (2011-11-02)
7	"Pure Heart Chocolate: A Pure Heart" Transcription: "Pyua Hāto Chokorēto: Hāto no Junshin" (Japanese: ピュアハートチョコレート 〜ハートの純真〜)	Shinichiro Kimura	Tomoko Konparu	December 28, 2011 (2011-12-28)
8	"Gâteau Opéra: The Songstress's Invitation" Transcription: "Gatō Opera: Utahime no Yūwaku" (Japanese: ガトーオペラ 〜歌姫の誘惑〜)	Shinichiro Kimura	Tomoko Konparu	February 3, 2012 (2012-02-03)
9	"Red Cherry Chocolate: Demise of a Ghost" Transcription: "Reddo Cherī Chokorēto: Rei no Shūen" (Japanese: レッドチェリーチョコレート 〜零の終焉〜)	Shinichiro Kimura	Tomoko Konparu	April 3, 2012 (2012-04-03)
10	"Chocolate Mold: Key to the Heart" Transcription: "Chokorēto Mōrudo: Kokoro no Kagi" (Japanese: チョコレートモールド 〜心の鍵〜)	Shinichiro Kimura	Tomoko Konparu	August 3, 2012 (2012-08-03)
11	"Framboise: A Beautiful Sin" Transcription: "Furanbowāsu: Uruwashiki Tsumi" (Japanese: フランボワース 〜美しき罪〜)	Shinichiro Kimura	Tomoko Konparu	September 3, 2012 (2012-09-03)
12	"Violet: Fabricated Love" Transcription: "Viore: Itsuwari no Koi" (Japanese: ヴィオレ 〜偽りの恋〜)	Shinichiro Kimura	Tomoko Konparu	December 1, 2012 (2012-12-01)
13	"Mendiant: Shape of Life" Transcription: "Mandian: Inochi no Katachi" (Japanese: マンディアン 〜命のカタチ〜)	Shinichiro Kimura	Tomoko Konparu	December 28, 2012 (2012-12-28)

Light novels

The light novel adaptation of The Magic of Chocolate is written by Riku Hozumi (穂積りく) with illustrations provided by Rino Mizuho.^[37] Volume 4 was written by Sayoko Fujiwara (藤原サヨコ), with Hozumi credited as a co-writer.^[38] The light novel series is published by Shogakukan under the Shogakukan Junior Bunko imprint.^[37]

No.	Title	Japanese release date	Japanese ISBN
1	The Magic of Chocolate: Chocolate Dacquoise, Labyrinth of Memories Shokora no Mahō: Dakkuwāzu Shokora, Kioku no Meikyū (ショコラの魔法〜ダックワーズショコラ 記憶の迷路〜)	July 4, 2011 (2011-07-04)^[37]	978-4-0923-0722-3
2	The Magic of Chocolate: Classic Chocolate, The Lost Story Shokora no Mahō: Kurashikku Shokora, Ushinawareta Monogatari (ショコラの魔法〜クラシックショコラ 失われた物語〜)	February 8, 2012 (2012-02-08)^[39]	978-4-0923-0723-0
3	The Magic of Chocolate: Ispahan, Love from Roses Shokora no Mahō: Isupahan, Bara no Koi (ショコラの魔法〜イスパハン 薔薇の恋〜)	August 1, 2012 (2012-08-01)^[40]	978-4-0923-0729-2
4	The Magic of Chocolate: Chocolate Scone, the Ice Curse Academy Shokora no Mahō: Shokora Sukōn, Kōri Noroi no Gakuen (ショコラの魔法〜ショコラスコーン　氷呪の学園〜)	February 26, 2014 (2014-02-26)^[38]	978-4-0923-0753-7
5	The Magic of Chocolate: Ginger Macaron, Mid-afternoon Dreams Shokora no Mahō: Jinjā Makaron, Mahiru no Yume (ショコラの魔法〜ジンジャーマカロン　真昼の夢〜)	August 5, 2014 (2014-08-05)^[41]	978-4-0923-0775-9

Film

A live-action movie adaptation, first announced in January 2021, was released on June 18 the same year.^[42] The film stars Maho Yamaguchi as Chocolat in her film debut.^[43][44] It is produced by Shinya Furugori and Kana Ohtsubo, with Tomonobu Morikawa directing and Tatsuya Kanazawa writing the script.^[1]

Other media and merchandise

An official fanbook titled The Magic of Chocolate: H to I was released on April 30, 2013.^[45][46] In February 2013, The Magic of Chocolate collaborated with lolita fashion brand Baby, The Stars Shine Bright to produce a dress based on Chocolat.^[47]

Reception

Along with Duel Masters, The Magic of Chocolate won the 66th Shogakukan Manga Award in the children category in 2021.^[48][49][50]

References

1. "みづほ梨乃「ショコラの魔法」山口真帆主演で映画化、ちゃお発ダークファンタジー". Natalie (in Japanese). January 18, 2021. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
2. Sherman, Jennifer (November 30, 2011). "Magic of Chocolate Horror Manga's New Series to Launch". Anime News Network. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
3. Mizuho, Rin (September 3, 2008). . Happiness Diary: Rino Mizuho's Blog (in Japanese). Archived from the original on July 8, 2009. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
4. . manganohi.jp (in Japanese). September 3, 2008. Archived from the original on September 16, 2008. Retrieved September 26, 2022. 【ちゃお】ちゃお １０月号 発売中! […] ●スイーツ・ゴシックよみきり 『ショコラの魔法～ガトーオペラ歌姫の誘惑～』　みづほ梨乃 願いがかなう魔法のチョコレート。アナタは、食べる…?
5. Mizuho, Rino (November 2, 2008). . Happiness Diary: Rino Mizuho's Blog (in Japanese). Archived from the original on July 14, 2009. Retrieved September 26, 2022. 今月２０日頃発売のちゃおデラックスに、 「ショコラの魔法」 再び掲載されます。たこプリに続くシリーズとなります。
6. ショコラの魔法 (in Japanese). Shogakukan. July 2009. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
7. ショコラの魔法〜vivid berry〜 (in Japanese). Shogakukan. December 26, 2022. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
8. ショコラの魔法のサブタイトル当てよう、ブルボン小林企画. Natalie (in Japanese). October 11, 2013. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
9. "The Magic of Chocolate Premium Collection #1". Shogakukan Asia. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
10. "The Magic of Chocolate Premium Collection #2". Shogakukan Asia. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
11. 3月1日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. March 1, 2010. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
12. 11月29日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. November 29, 2010. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
13. 4月1日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. April 1, 2011. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
14. 11月1日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. November 1, 2011. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
15. 3月1日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. March 1, 2012. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
16. 8月1日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. August 1, 2012. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
17. 11月30日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. November 30, 2012. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
18. 7月26日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. July 26, 2013. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
19. 1月31日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. January 31, 2014. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
20. 7月1日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. July 1, 2014. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
21. 10月30日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. October 30, 2014. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
22. 9月2日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. September 2, 2015. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
23. 4月28日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. April 28, 2016. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
24. 11月1日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. November 1, 2016. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
25. 9月1日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. September 1, 2017. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
26. 8月2日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. August 2, 2018. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
27. 12月27日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. December 27, 2019. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
28. 5月1日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. May 1, 2020. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
29. 7月31日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. July 31, 2020. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
30. ショコラの魔法〜under glace〜 (in Japanese). Shogakukan. April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
31. "【6月1日付】本日発売の単行本リスト". Natalie (in Japanese). June 1, 2015. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
32. "【8月29日付】本日発売の単行本リスト". Natalie (in Japanese). August 29, 2017. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
33. Loo, Egan (November 29, 2010). "The Magic of Chocolate Shōjo Horror Manga Gets Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
34. 「ショコラの魔法」アニメ化、ちゃお付録のDVDに収録. Natalie (in Japanese). March 3, 2011. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
35. Loo, Egan (March 3, 2011). "Ore-sama Kingdom, Hime Gal Paradise Get More Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
36. Ciao Editorial Department [@ciao_manga] (January 15, 2021). "アニメ「ショコラの魔法」ちゃおチャンネルにて公開中です #ちゃお　#ちゃおチャンネル　#ショコラの魔法" [The Magic of Chocolate anime is now available on Ciao Channel] (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved January 18, 2021 – via Twitter.
37. "ショコラの魔法～ダックワーズショコラ 記憶の迷路～". Shogakukan (in Japanese). July 14, 2011. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
38. "ショコラの魔法～ショコラスコーン 氷呪の学園～". Shogakukan (in Japanese). February 26, 2014. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
39. "ショコラの魔法～クラシックショコラ 失われた物語～". Shogakukan (in Japanese). February 8, 2012. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
40. "ショコラの魔法～イスパハン 薔薇の恋～". Shogakukan (in Japanese). August 2012. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
41. "ショコラの魔法～ジンジャーマカロン 真昼の夢～". Shogakukan (in Japanese). August 6, 2014. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
42. 山口真帆、2年半ぶりレコーディング 主演映画『ショコラの魔法』主題歌でmzsrzとコラボ. Oricon (in Japanese). May 20, 2021.
43. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (January 18, 2021). "Magic of Chocolate Horror Manga Gets Live-Action Film". Anime News Network. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
44. 山口真帆、映画初出演にして初主演 『ショコラの魔法』実写化で原作を“忠実に再現”. Oricon (in Japanese). January 16, 2021. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
45. "「ショコラの魔法」ファンブック発売、描き下ろしも収録". Natalie (in Japanese). April 30, 2013. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
46. "【4月30日付】本日発売の単行本リスト". Natalie (in Japanese). April 30, 2013. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
47. "「ショコラの魔法」のワンピース再現した本格ドレス". Natalie (in Japanese). February 2, 2013. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
48. Hodgkins, Crystalyn (November 30, 2020). "Chainsaw Man, Teasing Master Takagi-san, Duel Masters Nominated for 66th Shogakukan Manga Awards". Anime News Network. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
49. 第66回小学館漫画賞に「デデデデ」「チェンソーマン」「ショコラの魔法」など. Natalie (in Japanese). January 19, 2021. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
50. Mateo, Alex (January 19, 2021). "Chainsaw Man, Teasing Master Takagi-san, Dead Dead Demon's Dededede Destruction, More Win 66th Shogakukan Manga Awards". Anime News Network. Retrieved January 19, 2021.

External links

• The Magic of Chocolate (manga) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia