Chocolate Underground

Chocolate Underground is a 2008 original net animation produced by the renowned Japanese studio Production I.G. Based on the 2000 novel by Australian author Scott Monk, the story is set in a dystopian society where chocolate has been declared illegal by the government. The adaptation was directed by Kenji Nishiyama and reflects the studio's attempt to capture a broader international appeal by focusing on themes of rebellion and censorship through a distinct, stylized animation aesthetic.

The character designs and visual tone were crafted to bridge the gap between Western young adult narrative sensibilities and the high-production quality characteristic of Production I.G's output. While the project was part of a broader push to distribute content via online platforms during a nascent period for streaming, it is often remembered as a unique stylistic experiment. Upon its release, it garnered interest for its unusual premise and its attempt to translate a Western novel into an anime format, marking a brief but notable intersection of global literary adaptation and digital animation production.