Aishen Qiaokeli-ING...

Characters

Haoyi Jiang

MAIN

Zitong Xia

SUPPORTING

Xuan Tang

SUPPORTING

Yuan Lin

SUPPORTING

Xueli Ouyang

SUPPORTING

Tata Mei

SUPPORTING

Cupid’s Chocolates Season 1: A Sweet Blend of Comedy, Romance, and Magical Mishaps

Cupid’s Chocolates (also known as Aishen Qiaokeli-ing…), a Chinese donghua (animated series) based on the manhua by Vivian Tian Zong, premiered on December 2, 2015, and quickly captured the hearts of viewers with its unique blend of harem comedy, romance, and supernatural elements. Produced by Tencent Pictures and animated by B.CMay Pictures, Season 1 of this 15-episode series introduces audiences to an ordinary high school student thrust into an extraordinary situation, courtesy of a magical chocolate cake. With a runtime of approximately 14 minutes per episode, the season delivers a fast-paced, lighthearted story that’s as sweet and chaotic as the titular confection.

The Premise: A Recipe for Romantic Chaos

At the heart of Cupid’s Chocolates is Jiang Haoyi, a typical high school student who values nothing more than a quiet, trouble-free life. His world turns upside down when he stumbles upon a chocolate cake on his school’s rooftop and shares it with several girls, unaware that it’s been enchanted by Mei Tata, a bumbling cupid goddess. The cake, infused with magical properties, causes any girl who eats it to fall madly in love with the first boy who consumed it—in this case, Haoyi. The catch? These girls develop false memories of romantic histories with him, believing he’s their soulmate. What follows is a whirlwind of confessions, misunderstandings, and comedic chaos as Haoyi becomes the reluctant “Harem King” of his school.

The magical chocolate’s effects create absurd scenarios: Xia Zitong, a popular and wealthy girl, claims she’s pregnant with Haoyi’s child; Tang Xuan, the athletic and cosplay-loving sports club president, believes they’re dating; and other girls, like Lin Yuan, harbor their own delusions fueled by the cake’s magic. To break the spell and restore normalcy, Haoyi must team up with Mei Tata to fulfill each girl’s deepest wish, often uncovering their personal struggles and emotional baggage along the way.

Characters: A Flavorful Cast

The strength of Cupid’s Chocolates lies in its colorful cast, each bringing distinct personalities and quirks to the table:

• Jiang Haoyi: The everyman protagonist, Haoyi is practical, intelligent, and desperate to avoid trouble. Despite his ordinary appearance (though he’s noted to be surprisingly cute, especially when cross-dressing), he’s resourceful and emotionally perceptive, helping the girls navigate their issues while dodging their affections. His fighting skills, rarely used, hint at a hidden depth to his character.
• Mei Tata: The clumsy cupid goddess responsible for the magical mess, Tata is both a comedic foil and a guide for Haoyi. Her incompetence as a cupid adds humor, but her growing fondness for Haoyi suggests there’s more to her than meets the eye.
• Xia Zitong: The first girl to confess to Haoyi, she’s a kind-hearted, affluent beauty who dreams of reconnecting with her distant father. Her arc is both touching and hilarious, as Haoyi endures a beating from her bodyguards to help her achieve her wish.
• Tang Xuan: A strong, respected athlete with a secret passion for cosplay, Tang Xuan’s tough exterior hides her insecurities. Haoyi’s clever manipulation—tricking her into a bet to embrace her hobby publicly—highlights his knack for solving problems creatively.
• Lin Yuan: A serious girl living with her mother after her father’s abandonment, Yuan’s story explores family reconciliation, with Haoyi playing a pivotal role in mending her past wounds.
• Ouyang Xueli: Haoyi’s childhood friend with yandere tendencies, Xueli is unaffected by the chocolate but harbors genuine feelings for him. Her jealousy and protectiveness add tension and humor, hinting at a deeper emotional connection.

Themes and Storytelling: Heart Beneath the Humor

While Cupid’s Chocolates leans heavily on harem and ecchi tropes, it distinguishes itself by weaving emotional depth into its comedic framework. Each girl’s arc reveals personal struggles—familial neglect, societal pressure, or hidden insecurities—that Haoyi helps resolve. The show balances slapstick humor (like Haoyi fleeing jealous classmates or enduring the girls’ wrath) with moments of genuine heart, such as helping Xia Zitong reunite with her father or boosting Tang Xuan’s confidence.

The animation expands on the manhua’s short chapters, adding scenes for drama and light fanservice to flesh out the 14-minute episodes. While some details, like the origin of the chocolate cake, are less clear in the anime compared to the manhua, the adaptation is praised for enhancing the visual appeal of the characters and their world. The artwork gets a “major glow-up,” with vibrant designs that elevate the source material’s charm.

Reception and Legacy

Season 1 of Cupid’s Chocolates earned a solid 7.03 rating on MyAnimeList, reflecting its appeal among fans of comedy, romance, and harem genres. Viewers praised its fast-paced humor, likable characters, and surprisingly heartfelt moments. The season’s 15 episodes, aired from December 2015 to March 2016, set the stage for a second season in 2017, though fans noted a dip in quality due to rushed pacing and skipped content.

The series’ popularity sparked a dedicated fanbase, with platforms like Bilibili and YouTube hosting episodes with English subtitles, and sites like HiAnime offering dubbed versions. Fans have even petitioned for a third season, expressing disappointment over its cancellation, rumored to be due to Chinese censorship laws targeting the show’s risqué elements.

Where to Start with the Manhua

For those hooked by Season 1 and eager to continue, the anime covers roughly up to Chapter 66 of the manhua. The source material, with 398 chapters, offers a deeper dive into Haoyi’s adventures and the girls’ stories, though translations past Chapter 176 are scarce.

Final Thoughts

Cupid’s Chocolates Season 1 is a delightful mix of magical mischief, romantic entanglements, and emotional growth. Its premise—a magical chocolate causing romantic chaos—sets up a predictable but endlessly entertaining formula, elevated by Haoyi’s clever problem-solving and the girls’ distinct personalities. Whether you’re drawn to the humor, the heart, or the vibrant animation, this donghua is a sweet treat worth savoring. Fans can find episodes on platforms like Bilibili, HiAnime, or the Internet Archive, and those craving more can pick up the manhua to continue the story.

Will Haoyi ever escape the curse of the cupid’s cake? Season 1 leaves you hungry for more, making it a must-watch for fans of lighthearted anime with a touch of magic.