"Think it's all sugar and rainbows? Nah—this game whips out some bittersweet drama when you least expect it."


Love, Elections, and Chocolate (fondly called Koichoco) is a romantic visual novel from the Japanese studio Sprite that mixes sugary-sweet high school antics with surprisingly weighty topics. Don’t let the bright art style and the cutesy premise fool you—underneath the moe veneer lies a story that wrestles with more mature themes than your average rom-com. You join the Culinary Research Club on their mission to survive a brutal student council election while juggling friendship, romance, and, of course, chocolate drama.


Playing Koichoco feels like binge-watching a slice-of-life anime that suddenly hits you with a plot twist. One moment, you’re hanging out with the squad, munching snacks in the Culinary Research Club. The next, you’re embroiled in a high-stakes election campaign, battling political intrigue and personal baggage. Each route reveals different facets of Takafuji Academy’s world, from the campus drama swirling around your club to the hidden struggles of the main heroines. Visually, it’s an absolute treat—Sprite’s trademark attention to detail brings lively backgrounds to life with moving sprites and cleverly changing CGs. The music also scores big points, setting the tone from chill school-days vibes to heartfelt confessions. Expect a slower burn in the romance department, with comedic banter up front that transitions into more serious territory as each route digs deeper. On the technical side, the Unity-based port includes crisp upscaled assets (4K support!) and super-fast skip functions, making replays a breeze.


(+) The Good Stuff / What Rocked / Why You’ll Love It:

• Charming Cast of Characters – Even the “worst girl” has captivating moments that keep you guessing.
  
• Engaging Story Beats – Balances fun club shenanigans with heavier themes like identity and personal trauma.
  
• Dynamic Visuals – Detailed backgrounds and fluid sprite animations really pop on higher resolutions.
  
• Banger Soundtrack – Each heroine even sings her own ending track, and it’s undeniably sweet to hear.
  
• Fast and Convenient UI – Skip function is lightning-quick, so exploring multiple routes feels painless.

(-) The Bad Stuff / What Sucked / Why You Might Rage:

• Route Overlap – A certain tsundere’s presence looms large in every storyline, which can grate if you’re not a fan.
  
• Unresolved Plot Threads – Some heavier subplots get teased but never fully explored, leaving you wanting more closure.
  
• Mixed Art Consistency – While generally gorgeous, some CGs don’t perfectly match character sprites, which can feel jarring.
  
• Potential Forced Drama – You might roll your eyes at a few “dark forces” in the student politics that stay vague.
  
• Adult Scenes Are Hit-or-Miss – With around 15 H-scenes, some are solid fan service, others feel tacked on.

Love, Elections, and Chocolate delivers a unique blend of breezy high school life, comedic hijinks, and surprisingly real drama, all wrapped in a polished visual package. It’s definitely worth a shot if you crave a visual novel that’s more than just fluff but still has plenty of moe charm. Despite some messy narrative shortcuts—like unclear antagonists and an overbearing heroine who never backs off—it’s easy to see why this title has garnered a dedicated fanbase. Consider it a “solid B-tier pick” if you’re an established VN reader who wants something that tastes sweet but occasionally leans into bitter territory. If that’s your jam, Koichoco will easily serve up several hours of entertaining drama.


If you’re digging this blend of comedy-meets-drama, check out our Nyanco Channel curator page for more spicy visual novel recommendations!

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