tl;dr: A manga that, despite appearing plot-driven, lacked direction and instead engaged in random, arbitrary actions.
This manga was incredibly unpredictable. The characters showed no consistency in their personalities, making any development or relationship building feel haphazard. The storyline jumped around aimlessly, lacking an overarching narrative. Each chapter varied significantly in tone and subject matter, with little to no continuity or carryover between them, and many events ultimately proved meaningless. Even when considered individually, the chapters were merely average. The humor had its moments but its sporadic nature diminished its effectiveness, often feeling misplaced. The pacing was equally erratic, skipping inconsistently through events. The conclusion mirrored the rest of the story in randomness, resolving one minor plot point that didn’t matter since there was no reason for readers to be invested in it, leaving the ending devoid of impact. Overall, the manga seemed unfocused, unsure of the kind of story it aimed to tell. Despite having a few decent aspects, it failed to convey anything meaningful by the end. Additionally, the artwork was underwhelming.
Such a slice of life type manga. I absolutely loved this story.
Story:
We follow the protagonist, Chiyoko Tatsumi, whose world is flipped upside down when her dad's company falls into debt. She relocates to a house inhabited by a group of former mafia members who reside in a bakery shop owned by the ex-mafia boss. The narrative centers around Chiyoko and the lives of these individuals as they coexist, with their pasts gradually unveiled, drawing them closer together. While the story can take on serious tones at times amidst the comedy, the mangaka skillfully integrates the mafia element. The pacing is just right—neither rushed nor too slow—and is filled with plenty of humor and life lessons. It’s heartwarming and tinged with emotion.
Characters:
Initially, our main character comes across as quite immature and tsundere, but she matures significantly as the story progresses. The character development is exceptional. Her housemates—Kuri, Ichigo, Amon, Matsukichi, and Shuuzo—are all fantastic. The comedy is hilarious, and the art style captures it brilliantly. My personal favorite is Shuuzo—LOL! The artwork in this manga is truly stunning! I’m so glad I stumbled upon this series.
I would highly recommend this manga if you're looking for something to read. With 73 chapters and not too many pages, you could easily finish it in 1-2 days. It beautifully explores the concept of family and what it means to be one. I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish, and there’s no unresolved ending. Additionally, there’s a J-drama adaptation based on this story :3.
Chocolat features stunning art, entertaining characters, and an unpredictable, illogical storyline.
It's undoubtedly an enjoyable read, packed with humor. However, the jokes occasionally appear in moments that undermine the seriousness of other events. The plot also lacked coherence: aspects of Ichigo's dark past were repeatedly introduced but never fully resolved, and there was a mention of him being a brawling prodigy that was abruptly dropped. The character growth felt forced as well; for instance, the subplot involving Chiyoko and her father near the end came out of nowhere.
I get the sense that this manga attempted to be too many things simultaneously—comedy, romance, and action—but ultimately failed to establish a clear direction.
'Chocolat' might not initially seem like an especially intriguing story, but it's the characters and the exceptional art that elevate this manga to greatness. Before diving into this review, bear in mind that there will be spoilers—albeit minor ones.
The narrative is refreshingly original, centering on a former yakuza boss who abruptly decides to buy a house and open his own bakery. This unexpected career shift stems from the loss of his wife and her passion for cakes.
However, the tale doesn't primarily focus on him; instead, it revolves around a young girl named Tatsumi Chiyoko, who finds herself living with this rather "unique" man and his ex-yakuza gang.
Chiyoko has recently been abandoned by her father, who is being pursued by criminals due to a significant debt he left behind. As the story unfolds, it is revealed that Chiyoko is actually the daughter of the boss's late wife. The boss is thrilled to have a daughter, even though Chiyoko may not reciprocate his enthusiasm (they are not blood-related, after all).
Another key character is Katou Ichigo, a former inmate with a troubled past who demonstrates unwavering loyalty to his previous boss.
This unconventional family faces numerous challenges together as their histories come to light.
The artwork was what initially captivated me—it's truly outstanding and polished. The mangaka skillfully employs shadows and various effects to enhance the visuals. The character designs are equally beautiful yet straightforward. Moreover, the backgrounds are vibrant and artistic, steering clear of clichéd "flowers-power-love" motifs.
As for the characters, they are the heart of this manga's appeal—each possessing a compelling personality that propels the story forward. They're hilariously funny yet capable of profound seriousness. I felt the mangaka maintained authenticity, even when the plot and characters occasionally veered into exaggerated territory, which I appreciate because it feels relatable.
My enjoyment of the series was somewhat moderate at first, as I wasn't immediately drawn in. However, as the story progressed and gained momentum, my interest grew significantly. I recommend sticking with this manga for at least 10 chapters—you won't regret it!
In summary, 'Chocolat' is an excellent manga that strikes a perfect balance between humor and solemnity, preventing it from becoming overly serious or trivial. If you're patient, give it a try; if not, sample a few chapters to see if it resonates with you. I believe anyone can enjoy this manga, regardless of whether you typically prefer shoujo or shounen genres, as it appeals to both audiences.
Popular Reviews
This manga was incredibly unpredictable. The characters showed no consistency in their personalities, making any development or relationship building feel haphazard. The storyline jumped around aimlessly, lacking an overarching narrative. Each chapter varied significantly in tone and subject matter, with little to no continuity or carryover between them, and many events ultimately proved meaningless. Even when considered individually, the chapters were merely average. The humor had its moments but its sporadic nature diminished its effectiveness, often feeling misplaced. The pacing was equally erratic, skipping inconsistently through events. The conclusion mirrored the rest of the story in randomness, resolving one minor plot point that didn’t matter since there was no reason for readers to be invested in it, leaving the ending devoid of impact. Overall, the manga seemed unfocused, unsure of the kind of story it aimed to tell. Despite having a few decent aspects, it failed to convey anything meaningful by the end. Additionally, the artwork was underwhelming.
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Story:
We follow the protagonist, Chiyoko Tatsumi, whose world is flipped upside down when her dad's company falls into debt. She relocates to a house inhabited by a group of former mafia members who reside in a bakery shop owned by the ex-mafia boss. The narrative centers around Chiyoko and the lives of these individuals as they coexist, with their pasts gradually unveiled, drawing them closer together. While the story can take on serious tones at times amidst the comedy, the mangaka skillfully integrates the mafia element. The pacing is just right—neither rushed nor too slow—and is filled with plenty of humor and life lessons. It’s heartwarming and tinged with emotion.
Characters:
Initially, our main character comes across as quite immature and tsundere, but she matures significantly as the story progresses. The character development is exceptional. Her housemates—Kuri, Ichigo, Amon, Matsukichi, and Shuuzo—are all fantastic. The comedy is hilarious, and the art style captures it brilliantly. My personal favorite is Shuuzo—LOL! The artwork in this manga is truly stunning! I’m so glad I stumbled upon this series.
I would highly recommend this manga if you're looking for something to read. With 73 chapters and not too many pages, you could easily finish it in 1-2 days. It beautifully explores the concept of family and what it means to be one. I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish, and there’s no unresolved ending. Additionally, there’s a J-drama adaptation based on this story :3.
It's undoubtedly an enjoyable read, packed with humor. However, the jokes occasionally appear in moments that undermine the seriousness of other events. The plot also lacked coherence: aspects of Ichigo's dark past were repeatedly introduced but never fully resolved, and there was a mention of him being a brawling prodigy that was abruptly dropped. The character growth felt forced as well; for instance, the subplot involving Chiyoko and her father near the end came out of nowhere.
I get the sense that this manga attempted to be too many things simultaneously—comedy, romance, and action—but ultimately failed to establish a clear direction.
<p>
The narrative is refreshingly original, centering on a former yakuza boss who abruptly decides to buy a house and open his own bakery. This unexpected career shift stems from the loss of his wife and her passion for cakes.
However, the tale doesn't primarily focus on him; instead, it revolves around a young girl named Tatsumi Chiyoko, who finds herself living with this rather "unique" man and his ex-yakuza gang.
Chiyoko has recently been abandoned by her father, who is being pursued by criminals due to a significant debt he left behind. As the story unfolds, it is revealed that Chiyoko is actually the daughter of the boss's late wife. The boss is thrilled to have a daughter, even though Chiyoko may not reciprocate his enthusiasm (they are not blood-related, after all).
Another key character is Katou Ichigo, a former inmate with a troubled past who demonstrates unwavering loyalty to his previous boss.
This unconventional family faces numerous challenges together as their histories come to light.
The artwork was what initially captivated me—it's truly outstanding and polished. The mangaka skillfully employs shadows and various effects to enhance the visuals. The character designs are equally beautiful yet straightforward. Moreover, the backgrounds are vibrant and artistic, steering clear of clichéd "flowers-power-love" motifs.
As for the characters, they are the heart of this manga's appeal—each possessing a compelling personality that propels the story forward. They're hilariously funny yet capable of profound seriousness. I felt the mangaka maintained authenticity, even when the plot and characters occasionally veered into exaggerated territory, which I appreciate because it feels relatable.
My enjoyment of the series was somewhat moderate at first, as I wasn't immediately drawn in. However, as the story progressed and gained momentum, my interest grew significantly. I recommend sticking with this manga for at least 10 chapters—you won't regret it!
In summary, 'Chocolat' is an excellent manga that strikes a perfect balance between humor and solemnity, preventing it from becoming overly serious or trivial. If you're patient, give it a try; if not, sample a few chapters to see if it resonates with you. I believe anyone can enjoy this manga, regardless of whether you typically prefer shoujo or shounen genres, as it appeals to both audiences.
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