Visual novels usually follow a pretty predictable script. You talk to a girl, you pick the right dialogue option, and eventually, you get the "good" ending. It’s formulaic. But then there’s Koi to Senkyo to Chocolate—better known to the English-speaking world as Love Election and Chocolate. Originally released by the developer sprite in 2010, this game didn't just stay a niche PC title. It exploded. It got a PSP port, a Vita version, and eventually a full-blown anime adaptation by AIC Build.
Honestly? It shouldn't have worked as well as it did. Mixing a high-stakes high school political campaign with the competitive consumption of snacks sounds like a fever dream. Yet, here we are over a decade later, and fans are still arguing over whether Chisato or Satsuki is the better "route." It’s weird. It’s charming. And if you’re looking for a story that treats the "Food Research Club" like a revolutionary cell, you’ve found it.
The Ridiculous Stakes of the Food Research Club
Most high school anime clubs are boring. They knit. They play light music. They do nothing. In Love Election and Chocolate, the Food Research Club (Shokuken) is actually doing something important: they are eating expensive snacks on the school’s dime. But then Satsuki Shinonome, the powerhouse candidate for the next Student Council President, decides to run on a platform of "fiscal responsibility."
Her main goal? Abolish all clubs that don't provide a "merit-based contribution" to the school.
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Basically, the Shokuken is toast. Unless, of course, they run their own candidate. Enter Yuki Ojima. He’s the protagonist, and he’s kind of a blank slate, but he’s thrust into the middle of a literal political war just so his friends can keep eating chocolate. It’s a brilliant setup because it takes the mundane—saving a club—and applies the cutthroat mechanics of a real-world election. We’re talking smear campaigns, financial scandals, and back-alley deals. All in a Japanese high school.
Why the "Chocolate" Part Actually Matters
You might think the chocolate in the title is just a metaphor for romance. It isn't. Or well, it is, but it’s also literal. Yuki’s relationship with chocolate is deeply tied to his childhood trauma and his bond with Chisato Sumiyoshi.
Chisato can’t eat chocolate. There’s a specific, tragic reason involving her younger brother that the game peels back like an onion. When Yuki eats chocolate for her, it’s a weirdly intimate act of substitution. It’s how they communicate. The game uses food as a psychological anchor.
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- Satsuki represents the "bitter" side of the election—the cold reality of rules and discipline.
- Chisato represents the "sweet" but sometimes cloying nature of childhood promises.
- Mifuyu and Michiru add layers of complexity that make the story feel less like a dating sim and more like a drama about grief and moving on.
The writing isn't always perfect. Some routes feel rushed, especially in the original PC release compared to the more polished Love Election and Chocolate: Portable. But the central hook—that your vote and your heart are equally at stake—is what keeps people coming back.
The Political Thriller Hidden in a Romance
Let’s talk about the election. It’s not just a backdrop. The game dives into the "Mōri" and "Kanaide" factions within the Takafuji Academy. It explores how student government can be a microcosm of adult corruption. There are moments where you forget you’re playing a game about cute girls because you’re too busy worrying about polling numbers and public perception.
It’s surprisingly cynical. It suggests that even in a place of learning, power isn't given; it’s taken. Yuki has to decide how much of his integrity he’s willing to trade for a win. Do you play dirty to save your friends? Or do you lose gracefully and watch your club get disbanded? These aren't easy choices. They actually matter for the ending you get.
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The Anime vs. The Game: Which Is Better?
If you watched the 2012 anime, you got a decent 12-episode run, but you missed about 70% of the nuance. The anime tries to cram five distinct romantic routes into one cohesive story, which usually means the "True End" (Chisato’s route) gets all the screen time.
The game is where the real meat is. Specifically, the "Satsuki route" is often cited by fans as the superior narrative. It challenges Yuki’s worldviews more than the others. Plus, the art style by Naoki Koshimizu is stunning. The character designs are iconic—those school uniforms with the specific capes? Unforgettable.
How to Experience Love Election and Chocolate Today
If you’re trying to find this in 2026, you’ve got options, but they require a bit of legwork. The original PC version is a classic, but the PSP and Vita versions added a lot of "All-Ages" content that actually fleshed out the world better.
- Check the Translation Status: For years, fans worked on English patches. Ensure you’re using the most stable version of the fan-translation if you don't speak Japanese.
- The "Chocolate" Order: Most veteran players suggest playing Satsuki or Mifuyu’s routes first. Save Chisato for last. It’s the "intended" way to feel the weight of the story.
- Steam and Modern Platforms: While sprite (the developer) went through some rough patches and even a temporary closure, they’ve since returned. Keep an eye on digital storefronts for potential HD remasters.
Actionable Steps for New Players
If you're ready to dive into the world of Takafuji Academy, don't just go in clicking through the text.
- Pay attention to the election map. The game uses a specific UI to show your standing in the polls. If you ignore this, you might find yourself locked out of certain character interactions.
- Invest in the "Common Route" first. Take your time with the early chapters where the club is just hanging out. The payoff in the later, darker chapters depends entirely on how much you care about these characters as a group.
- Watch the anime after playing. Treat it like a "Best Of" reel rather than the definitive story. It’s great for seeing the characters move and hear the excellent voice acting (especially Yuichi Nakamura as Yuki), but the game is the main course.
This isn't just a story about candy. It’s a story about what we owe to our past and how we shape our future through the choices—and votes—we make. Whether you're in it for the political intrigue or the heartfelt romance, there's a reason this title remains a staple of the visual novel genre. Grab some chocolate, settle in, and get ready to campaign.