Aishen Qiaokeli-ING... II

Characters

Yuan Lin

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Haoyi Jiang

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Tata Mei

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Xuan Tang

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Xueli Ouyang

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Zitong Xia

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Yushan Hua

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Cupid’s Chocolates Season 2: A Sweet Continuation with Mixed Flavors

Cupid’s Chocolates (also known as Aishen Qiaokeli-ing…II), the Chinese anime adapted from Vivian Tian Zong’s manhua, returned for its second season in 2017, continuing the romantic and comedic misadventures of Jiang Haoyi, an ordinary university student turned unexpected “Harem King.” Season 2, produced by Tencent Pictures and animated by B.CMay Pictures, builds on the magical premise of the first season while introducing new characters, arcs, and challenges. However, while it retains the charm of its predecessor, the season has sparked mixed reactions among fans due to its uneven pacing, character development, and narrative choices. This article dives into the highs and lows of Cupid’s Chocolates Season 2, exploring its plot, characters, and reception.

Plot Overview

Season 2 picks up where the first season left off, following Jiang Haoyi, a high school student (age-lifted to college in the anime adaptation) who inadvertently becomes the center of affection for multiple girls after eating a magical chocolate cake crafted by Mei Tata, a bumbling cupid goddess. The cake, infused with her magic, causes any girl who eats it to fall in love with Haoyi, creating false memories of romantic connections. To break the spell, Haoyi must help each girl fulfill her deepest wish, or he risks being cursed forever.

This season delves deeper into Haoyi’s backstory, revealing significant changes from the manhua. While Season 1 portrayed his father as a salaryman and his mother as a housewife, Season 2 retcons them as dedicated police officers who neglected Haoyi due to their duties. This shift adds emotional depth, explaining Haoyi’s childhood dream of becoming a police officer, which was shattered at age 11 when his friend Xiao Yan, not his father, rescued him from kidnappers. This event fuels Haoyi’s resentment toward police officers and shapes his desire for a normal, trouble-free life.

The season introduces new characters, notably Sandy, a pop idol burdened by her career, and revisits Haoyi’s cousin, Xiaotu, whose dramatic arc closes the season. Returning characters like Xueli (the yandere childhood friend), Tang Xuan (the tsundere cosplayer), and Xia Zitong (the demure pink-haired girl) also feature, though their roles vary in prominence. The narrative follows Haoyi’s efforts to resolve the girls’ magical afflictions while navigating his complicated relationships and the consequences of the cupid’s magic.

Key Characters and Developments

• Jiang Haoyi: The protagonist remains a relatable everyman, intelligent and emotionally perceptive, adept at solving the girls’ problems. His manipulation of Tang Xuan into embracing her cosplay hobby publicly showcases his cleverness. However, his inconsistent memory of past relationships, particularly the erasure of his “children” from Season 1’s magical fantasies, frustrates some viewers.
• Mei Tata: The cupid goddess continues to guide Haoyi, though her role feels underutilized. Her magic and backstory, including the cake’s origin (a regular chocolate cake enchanted after a girl’s ritual to find her soulmate), are expanded in the anime, adding context absent in Season 1.
• Xueli: Haoyi’s yandere childhood friend, who didn’t eat the chocolate, gets significant focus. Her arc explores her obsessive love for Haoyi, rooted in genuine feelings rather than magic. A dramatic confrontation tempers her yandere traits, offering rare development, though she later reverts, undermining the arc’s impact.
• Sandy: The new idol character starts strong but fades into irrelevance. Her arc, centered on her desire for freedom from her career, feels disconnected from the harem dynamics, and her departure mid-season leaves her story unresolved.
• Xiaotu: Haoyi’s cousin, introduced late, stirs drama by claiming to be his first girlfriend, only to reveal it was a childhood play. Her arc culminates in an emotional airport chase, where Haoyi and Zitong race to say goodbye before she leaves overseas, aided by Tata’s magic. This familial love story is a highlight, though it feels rushed.
• Returning Girls (Xia Zitong, Tang Xuan, Lin Yuan): Fans of Season 1’s fleshed-out characters may feel disappointed, as most are sidelined, reduced to “jealous mannequins” with limited screen time. Zitong, despite getting more focus, lacks agency, while Xuan and Yuan are underused, making their arcs feel inconsistent.

Strengths

Season 2 retains the vibrant art style that improved upon the manhua, with enhanced character designs and expressive animation. The addition of unique subplots, like a camping trip exclusive to the anime, adds variety and fanservice, appealing to the show’s comedic roots. Haoyi’s emotional intelligence and problem-solving remain engaging, particularly in moments like helping Sandy escape her idol contract or supporting Tang Xuan’s cosplay passion. The exploration of Haoyi’s backstory adds depth, and Xueli’s arc, while flawed, offers compelling drama. The season’s finale, with the emotional Xiaotu chase, delivers a heartfelt moment, elevated by Tata’s magical touch.

Criticisms

Despite its strengths, Season 2 struggles with pacing and narrative coherence. A significant portion recaps Season 1, frustrating viewers expecting new content. The season skips numerous manhua chapters (jumping to around Chapter 180), leading to disjointed storytelling and unresolved plot threads, like the mysterious box from the director mentioned in fan petitions. Characters like Zitong and Sandy feel underdeveloped, with the latter’s arc criticized as “pointless” due to her lack of interaction with the harem. The inconsistent treatment of past relationships and the sidelining of Season 1’s beloved girls alienate fans, with many feeling the season prioritizes new characters over established ones.

Rumors of a potential Season 3 cancellation due to Chinese censorship or lack of profitability further sour the experience, as the season ends on a cliffhanger with unanswered questions. The manhua, reportedly complete at Chapter 398, offers a continuation, but the anime’s divergence makes it hard to pick up from Chapter 180, as recommended.

Reception

Season 2 has a polarizing reception. On platforms like IMDb and Episode Ninja, episodes receive moderate to high ratings (6.4/10 to 9.0/10), with Episode 6 standing out at 9.0/10. However, MyAnimeList reviews criticize the season for abandoning Season 1’s character depth and coherent storytelling. Fans on Reddit express confusion over the recap-heavy episodes, while a Change.org petition from 2019 reflects a dedicated fanbase yearning for a third season to resolve lingering mysteries. The season’s blend of comedy, romance, and drama retains appeal, but its flaws make it less beloved than its predecessor.

Where to Watch and Continue

Cupid’s Chocolates Season 2 is available on platforms like Plex, YouTube (via fan uploads), and other streaming services, though availability varies by region. For those wanting to continue the story, the manhua is recommended starting at Chapter 66 for Season 1 viewers or Chapter 180 for Season 2, though the latter is less advised due to the anime’s divergences. The manhua, accessible via sites like ac.qq.com, is complete but lacks full English translations past Chapter 176.

Final Thoughts

Cupid’s Chocolates Season 2 is a mixed bag—a sweet treat with moments of brilliance but hampered by inconsistent character focus, rushed pacing, and narrative gaps. It expands Haoyi’s world with emotional depth and new faces but struggles to balance its ensemble, leaving fans wanting more closure. While not as cohesive as Season 1, its humor, heart, and vibrant animation make it worth watching for fans of the harem genre or those invested in Haoyi’s journey. With no Season 3 in sight, the manhua remains the best way to uncover the full story, though its accessibility is limited. For now, Season 2 leaves viewers with a bittersweet aftertaste, craving the next bite.