Studio Khara, renowned for the Evangelion series, has announced a brand-new short anime celebrating the 20th anniversary of Moyoco Anno’s manga Sugar Sugar Rune. Titled SUGAR SUGAR RUNE Les deux sorcières, the short film was revealed on July 4 during a stage event at JAPAN EXPO in Paris, France. The event also marked the surprise announcement that a full anime adaptation of Sugar Sugar Rune is now officially in production.

Director Yusuke Matsui and animation producer Kohei Fujiwara from Studio Khara appeared on stage to present the short film as a surprise screening. After the screening, which was met with thunderous applause and excitement from the audience, the two announced the full anime production, much to the crowd’s delight.

Originally serialized from 2003 to 2007 in Kodansha’s Nakayoshi magazine, Sugar Sugar Rune is a magical romance fantasy manga by Moyoco Anno. It tells the story of two young witches, Chocolat and Vanilla, who descend to the human world to compete for hearts in a battle to become the next Queen of the Magical World. The series is beloved for its heartfelt tale of friendship, love, and adventure, wrapped in a whimsical witch-themed universe.

The manga won the 29th Kodansha Manga Award in the children’s category in 2005 and has been translated into several languages, including French and Korean, gaining popularity among teen girls worldwide.

During the event, Director Matsui explained that the short film serves as a prequel to the manga’s main story, imagining Chocolat and Vanilla’s departure from the magical world—an aspect not explored in the original work. The short film was created under the close supervision of Moyoco Anno, with deep collaboration to flesh out the characters’ backstories.

Producer Fujiwara noted, “We hope this project showcases the emerging talent within Studio Khara.” The panel also highlighted Sugar Sugar Rune's international reach and introduced Moyoco Anno’s broader creative work, including her illustrations for Studio Ghibli’s magazine Neppū and her collaboration with traditional Japanese clothing brand Hyakuyodo.

The event concluded with another surprise—the announcement of the full anime production. When the words “Sugar Sugar Rune Anime Production Confirmed” appeared on screen, the venue, packed with 1,500 fans, erupted in cheers. Asked for a final comment, Matsui smiled and said, “With CG animation, the visual design brings a unique charm. Please look forward to it.”

About the Short Anime SUGAR SUGAR RUNE Les deux sorcières

In the midst of the Kingdom Festival in the Magical World, Chocolat and Vanilla—despite growing up in different circumstances—are the best of friends. They are suddenly summoned by Queen Candy, who orders them to travel to the human world as candidates to succeed her. The two set out on a journey through the magical realm, facing various trials as they prepare to enter the human world.

The short film acts as a road-movie-style prequel to the original manga and highlights the duo’s growth and deepening friendship. It features an original story supervised by Moyoco Anno and developed exclusively for animation.

Voice Cast

Chocolat Meilleure: Miyu Kobashi
Vanilla Mieux: Tsukino Chikasada
Cauldron: Tomoko Miyadera

Source : ORICON NEWS