Love, Election and Chocolate

Love, Election and Chocolate is a captivating anime series from 2012 that navigates the complex world of teenage politics, romance, and culinary passion, originally aired on the Anime Network.

The show follows Yuki Ojima, a cheerful, yet somewhat reserved high school student who is a member of the Food Research Club, also known as Shokken, in the prestigious Takafuji Private Academy. The academy is renowned for its extraordinary size, housing more than six thousand students, resulting in a powerful student council whose influence rivals that of any government structure. The student council's clout becomes evident as they control budgeting and organize events, which affects all the various academy clubs.

Yuki's peaceful days spent with his club comrade came under threat when an ambitious and manipulative candidate, Satsuki Shinonome, vies for the student council presidency. With a radical manifesto that promises comprehensive reforms, her agenda includes stern measures for the academy's clubs. Shokken, not generating any significant revenue or influence, stands on the brink of dissolution. Saving their club requires them to fight fire with fire, leading Yuki to run for the student council presidency against Satsuki under the guidance of the incumbent President Yakumo Mori.

The show's title, 'Love, Election and Chocolate,' references the three central themes that form the foundation of each episode. Love is portrayed through the complex web of relationships and interpersonal drama between Yuki and a vibrant cast of characters, including closeted love interests, fierce rivals, and staunch allies. Election stands for the high-stake student council elections exploring teen political maneuverings, loaded debates, and the significance and cost of power. Chocolate, on the other hand, is a playful allusion to the Food Research Club's day-to-day activities and the protagonist's fondness for sweets.

Each character in the series is intricately designed with various personalities, and they all have their reasons for joining the Food Research Club or the Student Council, adding a much-needed layer to the narrative. The character development throughout the show is commendable, and even secondary characters have comprehensive backstories making them more relatable and adding depth to the storyline.

The story of Love, Election and Chocolate also subtly highlights serious themes like political maneuvering, personal motivations, manipulation, and the cost one pays for power. This creative blending of serious real-world issues and everyday high school life makes the series unique and gives it a mature outlook.

While the series focuses heavily on school politics, it does not leave romance on the back burner. It deliciously whips up chemistry between characters and serves sprinkles of romance, maintaining an exciting balance. Love bonds are not in-your-face but build gradually, adding to the intrigue.

The animation quality of Love, Election and Chocolate is commendable, boasting aesthetically pleasing visuals, with meticulous attention to characters' design, expressions, and surroundings. Harmonious soundtracks and well-executed voice acting from a talented cast of seiyuus bring the characters to life and make the viewing experience more immersive.

Despite a seemingly light-hearted premise, Love, Election and Chocolate is a thought-provoking anime that successfully combines politics, romance, and food into a memorable viewing experience. A word of caution, though, this is not just a show about high school students enjoying sweets; it delves deeper, telling a tale of struggle, friendship, and the pursuit of ambitions. Throughout its runtime, it provides viewers with a balanced mix of laughter, tension, dramatic confrontations, sweetness, and the odd tear here and there.

In conclusion, Love, Election and Chocolate is much more than its name suggest. With its blend of romance and politics wrapped in a school-based setting, the charm of the series lies in its unexpected depth. The concept may seem a little off-beat at first, but its engaging and well-thought-out narrative, coupled with well-developed characters and excellent visuals, make it a show worth watching. Despite being set at a high school, the anime speaks volumes more about camaraderie, ambition, and how far one can go for what they love.