Chocolate Underground

Chocolate Underground is a political satire that takes place in an alternate reality where the land is ruled by a totalitarian government known as the 'Good For You Party'. This government has banned the possession and consumption of sugar, honey, chocolate, and any other kind of sweets you can think of; and have established a police force to enforce this law. In the anime we follow our two heroes, Huntley and Smudger, as they attempt to bring chocolate back to the world. Story - 6/10 The premise of the series shows promise but is not executed in the way I personally think it should have been.The show treats itself more like a tragedy than a comedy in an attempt to show how a lack of sweets has affected the populace. The law has left many of the characters depressed and lost without chocolate. Lots of time is spent focusing on the troubles they are facing because, apparently, chocolate is the only source of happiness in this world. Very few parts of the series had me actually laughing, most of the time I was just thinking how people make a living if all they do all day is sit around and brood about the laws. The show uses this to send the message of the consequences of social and political apathy and the search for happiness in our lives, but that doesn't really make for an entertaining show, at least not with the way these guys pulled it off. The show is also very fast paced. With each episode only being about 5 minutes long details about how stuff happens is left out, it just happens. Often times luck and coincidence let the characters just get what they want without working for it. Though this helps to speed things along it sometimes got on my nerves. Art and Animation - 7/10 All the characters in this show are drawn unrealistically thin. Perhaps they did this keeping in mind that they can no longer eat sweets and are losing weight or maybe just drew them like that for the hell of it, either way I'm not a big fan of this art style. The scenery isn't particularly notable either. The animation is well done for the most part, with character movements being fluid and realistic, as realistic you can get for an anime anyway. There is also heavy use of CG animation in this series and though it is relatively well done it isn't anything special. Characters - 5/10 There is nothing special about these characters at all. All are stereotypical and completely forgettable. This is partly due to the short length of the series, not allowing for any of them to mature or display realistic emotions, but still, I've seen shorter series do this better. If you have a couple hours to kill Chocolate Underground might offer some mild entertainment, but if you're looking for a quality show it would do you good to look elsewhere.

My first review, but I didn't like any of the others here, and so felt compelled to write something on this cute, refreshing fun time. Synopsis – Chocolate has been banned by a newly risen government entity (The Ministry of Health and Well Being) that has convinced the public that they are acting in their best interest. Two school-aged boys become interested in the idea of bringing chocolate back to the people, and after hearing about a secret smuggling ring, become entangled in a bootlegging operation to “fill the world with chocolate” once again. A simple premise, and simply executed. To be honest, I decided to watchthis anime simply because of the dystopian premise. I have a strong love of dystopian literature and media in general, so of course Chocolate Underground caught my eye. I will admit I did not know that it was in such a short format and was dismayed until I got to the third episode or so. Much in the way that chocolate is appreciated best in small bites so as not to overwhelm, this series delivers beautifully in the concise format it's presented in. As previously stated, the episodes are short (between 3-6 minutes) and there are no opening or ending sequences, other than a short preview of the next episode. The next episode tends to pick up exactly (as in the same exact scene) where the previous one left off. It is not difficult to follow the story at all, as it is fairly simple, though I will admit to watching it all in two sittings. The simplicity of the story is both a strength and a weakness, in my opinion. For starters, I must praise the production staff and writers for being able to convey so much in so little time and space. There is a brief background for each of the two main characters that highlights their emotional connection to chocolate and the price that the ban has had on all people. For example, Smudger's father is a baker, and the girl that both boys have a crush on (Louise) works in a (former) sweets shop. Some may criticize the characters for being one dimensional, but I would disagree. There is a deeper feeling, more so with Smudger or Franky than Huntly, about where the characters are coming from and the hardships that the ban has caused. In this way, chocolate becomes more than just a sugary indulgence. It becomes representative of freedom, which is obviously the point that is being driven across. However, the length can be seen as a weakness as well. The story could have done with more in-depth understanding of the Minister and his creepy right-hand who is singly devoted to the Minister and carrying out his orders. He is a stereotypical A-type personality obsessive lackey who cares about nothing other than enforcing the rules and pleasing his master. I would have liked to understand much more about him and his reasoning, as he seemed particularly unhinged and interesting. The reality is that with the format done as it was, there was no possibility of going deeper with individual characters. As I said, I appreciated what was done in the short amount of time allotted, but I think a longer format would have been a much better vehicle. Perhaps even just doubling the episode length would have been enough, making the episodes roughly 10 minutes instead of 5-ish. Overall I enjoyed the series. It was short and sweet, with a lovely ending. There is little in the way of thinking required, but the message is deep enough despite the levity in the show. I enjoyed the light hearted take on a dystopia, unlike something such as Fahrenheit 451, which is quite heavy. However, if messages about personal liberty presented in a child-friendly format is not really your cup of tea, perhaps Chocolate Underground is not really for you.

F**K THE POLICE comin' straight from the (chocolate) underground!! In a world where health regulations have gone waaay too overboard, chocolate has been banned as an unhealthy choice! Much like Demolition Mans scene in Taco Bell stating that salt was banned because it was bad for you. Here we have a tale of a similar possibility by overzealous nutjobs. No chocolate with DEEZ nuts. ITs all been written about in science fiction; things being banned, rights and choices restricted, overzeouls governments. Hell it HAS happend before, and things seem pretty familiar with actual current events. So two young men form a plan to revitalize theirlives and the spirits of people by bootleggin chocolate. YEs it does tickle a funny bone or two. Campared to any real substances or food banned for just not being palatable to certain people in power, I can easily say this would speak to people far more than most anime plots (SYMPATHIZE CURSE YOU ALL!) If you want a light anime to watch with some humor and a slight dash of romance added to the mix ( LAUGH AT THAT AND PERISH!!) then I suggest you thank the ancient Mezoamericans and their gods for one of the greatest food items ever(especially if you are female). Though I have always liked vanilla.....=P

Chocolate Underground is a fantastic quick watch. You'd think a show revolving around chocolate would just be a silly children's show but it digs deeper than that. Now the story of children rebelling and people getting arrested for going against corrupt power is nothing original but Chocolate Underground puts a twist on it that is more lighthearted. Since it is a short running show there isn't much room for character development but that doesn't mean it's not worth the watch. You get to watch these kids get something they love taken away, meaning chocolate, for the "greater good" but there are still secret underground tradingof chocolate (hence the name of the show). While all of that is happening to keep people healthy underneath that lies a more sinister objective -- locking people away in concentration camps. Who knew people would go this far for chocolate?

Merchandise

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