Sugar Sugar Rune

Sugar Sugar Rune

Company type	Manga series
Industry	Manga, anime
Founded	September 2003 (2003-09)
Founder	Moyoco Anno
Headquarters	Japan
Products	Manga, anime television series, original net animation (ONA)
Parent	Kodansha (manga publisher)

or Sugar² Rune is a Japanese magical girl manga series created by Moyoco Anno, which was serialized in the shōjo manga publication Nakayoshi from September 2003 through May 2007. Throughout this timeframe, Kodansha released the story across eight volumes. The franchise further developed with an anime adaptation produced by Studio Pierrot, broadcast on TV Tokyo between July 2005 and June 2006. A new anime rendition by Studio Khara has been announced, indicating ongoing commitment to the series.

The series earned the 29th Kodansha Manga Award in the children’s manga division, underscoring its commercial success and critical recognition.

Plot

In the Magical World, the successor to the throne is determined by sending two young witches to the Human World, where they compete to win the affection of boys. The candidate who gathers the most hearts is crowned queen.

This cycle’s Queen Candidates are close friends yet contrasting personalities: Vanilla Mieux and Chocolat Meilleure, daughters of the reigning queen and her former adversary. They receive guidance from their mentor, pop star witch Rockin' Robin, along with support from their familiars Blanca the mouse and Duke the frog.

Besides their school rivalry, they confront challenges involving Pierre, a mysterious boy resembling the malevolent king Glace, who appears to target Chocolat. Both witches must overcome these obstacles while maintaining their friendship.

Characters

Spirited and assertive, Chocolat is Cinnamon’s daughter. Though her fiery temper makes her less favored by human boys, she excels at forming friendships and is well-regarded in the Magical World. She harbors secret feelings for Pierre and is aided by Duke, her familiar who is a lazy yet powerful frog—actually her transformed uncle. Chocolat’s arc includes developing affection for Pierre and ultimately ascending to queen after Vanilla relinquishes the throne in the anime adaptation.

Reserved and gentle, Vanilla is Queen Candy’s daughter and enjoys greater popularity among human boys due to her kindness and charm. Her familiar is Blanca. Initially less favored in the Magical World and struggling with self-doubt, she proves responsible and diligent. Vanilla wins the crown but hands it over to Chocolat in the anime; in contrast, she assumes queenship after Chocolat vanishes in the manga.

Serving as mentor to Vanilla and Chocolat, Rockin' Robin is a renowned rock musician who oversees their progress. Despite his gruff exterior, he cares deeply for them and is 6800 years old, using masks to preserve his youthful appearance. In the manga’s conclusion, he sacrifices himself protecting Chocolat during a climactic battle.

Duke is Chocolat’s familiar frog who assists in collecting hearts. Though lazy and impolite, he possesses extensive knowledge about hearts. He is actually Chocolat’s uncle transformed into a frog and regains human form through a white heart at the end of Volume 6.

Blanca is a magical mouse serving as Vanilla’s familiar who initially aids her in winning hearts. She frequently teases others but occasionally shows kindness toward Chocolat. Once a witch named Libbie who lost her heart to love and was turned into a familiar, Blanca returns to human form after receiving Pierre’s purified heart.

Pierre is attractive and well-liked at school but has a cold demeanor and strong magical powers. Kidnapped as a child by ogres and forced into becoming an Ogre Prince against his will, he gradually develops feelings for Chocolat despite his dark nature. Their relationship deepens with exchanged hearts in the anime; in the manga, they disappear with amnesia but reappear for Vanilla’s coronation before beginning a new life together.

and

Twin brothers who are childhood friends of Chocolat and Vanilla transfer into their school to protect them. Both compete for Chocolat’s affection, although Houx eventually falls for Vanilla.

The current queen of the Magical World and Vanilla’s mother, Candy closely supervises the Queen Candidacy to thwart ogre interference. In the anime, she inherits the throne after Cinnamon sacrifices hers; in the manga, she sacrifices herself to assist Chocolat in defeating Glacé.

Chocolat’s mother and former Queen Candidate who gave up her throne to secure freedom for the Magical World. After losing her voice, she secretly fought Glacé as Pierre’s black cat familiar. Cinnamon’s complicated history involves connections to both Pierre’s ogre heritage and Candy's queenship.

An anime-exclusive character, Waffle is an immature yet kind young witch who pursues Houx's affection and stirs up trouble during their adventures. Accompanied by her nanny, she travels on a large flying squirrel-like creature.

Manga

The manga, consisting of eight volumes and both written and illustrated by Moyoco Anno, places a stronger emphasis on the rivalry between witches and ogres compared to the anime adaptation, which concluded before the manga began serialization in Nakayoshi. Initially, the English-language publication was managed by Del Rey Manga, but the licensing rights have since transferred to Udon Entertainment.

Anime

In 2005, Sugar Sugar Rune was transformed into a 51-episode anime series produced by Studio Pierrot and directed by Matsushita Yukihiro. The screenplay was penned by Reiko Yoshida, while the musical score was created by Yasufumi Fukuda, Yutaka Minobe, Tomoko Sasaki, and Yasuharu Konishi (credited in both the opening sequence and staff listings). This series was broadcast on TV Tokyo from July 2, 2005, through June 24, 2006.

The anime features three distinct theme songs: the opening track performed by Karia Nomoto; the initial ending theme for episodes 1 through 29, also sung by Nomoto; and the closing theme for episodes 30 to 51, delivered by voice actresses Marika Matsumoto and Juri Ibata.

To mark the franchise's 20th anniversary, a CG short anime original net animation (ONA) titled Sugar Sugar Rune Les deux sorcières was unveiled at Japan Expo 2025. Produced by Studio Khara and directed and written by Yusuke Matsui, this prologue to the original manga was subsequently released on YouTube. This event coincided with the announcement of a new anime adaptation helmed by the same studio and director.

Reception

Sugar Sugar Rune earned the 29th Kodansha Manga Award in the children's manga division. An Anime News Network critic praised it as "the greatest fantasy comic of the last five years," highlighting its elegant artwork and grand finale.

External links

• Official anime website