Many thanks to Yen Press for providing a review copy

Note: The first four volumes of Chocolate were released under the Ice Kunion label, however Yen Press are re-releasing volumes 1-4. these will be available from 04/09/2008

About the Mangaka

This time around I was able to find something out about them

JiSang Shin and Geo are actually a couple (as in they live together), and they collaborated on the project, with Geo doing the art, and Shin doing the story.

About the Manga

This is one I was already collecting originally, and I’m glad to see it back and heading for completion.

Geo is an exceptional artist, though I have to admit I find his style a bit strained at times, as though he’s struggling with how to draw the character. It was more noticeable in the first volume, but by volume five it’s less so, though still evident at times.

Shin’s story telling is however still rough and jerky. Ever since the first volume I’ve felt she’s struggling to tell the story. Which I don’t understand given that the story is nothing new or unique.

The story isn’t bad as such, but it lacks anything to make it special and after five volumes it’s even more clear that it will never be anything more than average.

What makes it worse for me is they constantly refer to Kum-ji as being ugly, yet Geo drew her as a pretty girl. True she isn’t the bishojo like some of the others in the series, but she’s far from ugly.

For this to have worked right Geo should have done what Hayakawa Tomoko did with Perfect Girl Evolution (The Wallflower). Where the main girl is a babe, but considers herself ugly, and thus hides. Tomoko-sensei chibifies and simplifies the design so as we don’t get to see just how cute she is, except for when it’s needed.

While Geo couldn’t have done this for the entire series, he could have done a variant route.

JiSang should of allowed the story to tell itself more, rather than trying to force it along. Granted in manga there are time constraints that need to be adhered to, but I think you can still allow the story to tell itself. By allowing it to flow naturally it would lose the jerky flow a forced script has.

Onto the book itself…Yen once again do a great job on the release. The glossy cover is clean and crisp, and they also leave in the colour pages, and print these on high quality glossy paper, the paper is the same as all the other recent releases.

There was nothing wrong with the translations as far as I could see, but I haven’t seen the original, so I can’t say for sure. However Yen have quickly established themselves as a leader in the translation department for manga.

However one thing is starting to worry me a bit, the costs. All of the manga so far, with the exception of Sundome, have been £5.99 (Sundome is £6.99). Nothing wrong with cheap manga, but I’m concerned over how long they can release at that low a price.

Infinity tried putting out high quality releases at lower price, and they’ve all but collapsed, now only releasing as e-books.

I re-read all the current volumes, and I can’t add this to my essential read list, it’s lacking in the consistency and flow area. However it’s not a title to avoid, it is one that’s a good time filler.

Where to Buy

As always, the Book Depository has it, as well as Waterstones. From now on I’ll also be including links to the Little Brown store, since Little Brown are the official distributors it makes sense to link to their store as well. Order volume five HERE.