Sugar Sugar Rune
Heyne · 2006–2008 · 8 issues
About the series
In the mid-2000s, Tokyopop's Heyne imprint brought Moyoco Anno's magical-girl manga Sugar Sugar Rune to English-speaking readers across an 8-issue run. The story follows two young witches, Chocola and Vanilla, who are sent to the human world to compete for the title of Queen of the Magic World—a contest decided not by spells, but by winning the hearts of human boys. Anno's distinctive, fashion-forward art style and the series' clever twist on the magical-girl genre—treating romance as a strategic, competitive game—made it a standout debut in the mid-2000s manga boom. This series remains a cult favorite for its blend of heartfelt friendship, supernatural politics, and sharp, character-driven storytelling.