Candy Boy started off as a gimmick one shot ONA but the notion proved so popular that more episodes have been produced. This caused some confusion with episode numbering: the first episode (the original ONA) is usually not counted, with the technically second one designated as "episode 01", etc. For simplicity's sake, think of the original ONA as "episode 00". Still, there is also a prequel, called "EX01" — and then there are the various music videos, made from scenes of the original series. Sadly the show couldn't last and ended after the DVD special "EX02". There is also a two-volume manga adaption, though it's more of an Alternate Continuity.
Candy Boy contains examples of:
- Alternate Continuity: The manga, in which Kanade and Shizuku's relation is significantly more positive than in the anime. Moreover, the manga introduces several new characters: Yurippe, Isako, Masumi, and Eri, who don't appear in the anime.
- Animated Music Video: The first episode was originally a prolonged video for the song "Candy Boy" by Meilin.
- Annoying Younger Sibling: Shizuku Sakurai appears this way but there is a reason behind her "annoying" behavior that makes her more sympathetic.
- Artifact Title: There aren't even any male characters in the show.
- Baby Talk: Kanade when she's embarrassed and apologizing.Kanade: Shumimashen...
- Big Eater: Yukino has a sweet tooth, which Sakuya abuses to bribe her.
- Boke and Tsukkomi Routine:
- Shizuku comments that Yukino is naturally suited to the boke role.
- In the manga, Kanade forms this routine with Yurippe; Kanade is the boke, and Yurippe is the Tsukkomi.
- Butt-Monkey: Sakuya, who gets mistreated by most anybody, despite being generally very nice to everyone herself.
- Chekhov's Gun: A coupon for a free parfait.
- Deadpan Snarker: Kanade — most of the time, probably in an attempt to keep her cool in front of Yukino.
- The Ditz: Subverted with Yukino, as while she appears like that at first (since she tends to enjoy life as it comes without sweating the "little details"), she's actually the most level-headed of the four characters.
- Erotic Eating: Fingers. There was cake. Plus the rice-off-the-mouth kiss in episode 7.
- Fangirl: Sakuya is Kanade's In-Universe personal fangirl... not that the latter is particularly happy about it. The manga adds Isako in the mix.
- Fanservice: Surprisingly averted, given the show's content. Even the swimming pool episode is rather subdued, much to Sakuya's dismay. Played straight in the manga, however.
- Finger-Suck Healing: Done by Yukino to Kanade at the end of chapter two in the manga.
- Gayngst: Averted. Yukino, Kanade, Sakuya, and arguably Shizuku have no problem with liking girls. Their friends don't seem to mind same sex relationships either.
- Genki Girl: Sakuya
- Hopeless Suitor: Sakuya, who just won't give up on Kanade. Same goes for Isako in the manga. Both of them end up falling in love with each other, funnily enough.
- Hot Springs Episode: Subverted. Although Sakuya expects there to be one, there really ain't.
- Hotter and Sexier: The manga, which has some actual Fanservice and adds sexual tension between Kanade and Yukino (mainly on Kanade's side), not to mention making Kanade and Yukino's relationship being overtly romantic in nature instead of sisterly but with romantic undertones in the anime.This makes sense, considering that the artist, Hiro Touge, primarily works on either ecchi or straight-up hentai titles.
- Improbably Female Cast: No male characters in sight of any relative importance, though a few can be seen at the train station.
- Indirect Kiss: Since Kanade's kisses go to Yukino instead of Sakuya, Sakuya just steals Kanade's juice box.
- Intertwined Fingers: Kanade and Yukino love to hold hands that way.
- I Want My Beloved to Be Happy: Shizuku does not want to get between Yukino and Kanade. Or does she?
◊ - Little Bit Beastly: Yukino appears as a kitsunekko in Kanade's dream.
- Love Triangle: In the manga, Sakuya, Isako, and Kanade form a love triangle with shifting relations over time.
- Lucky Charms Title: Candy☆Boy.
- Luminescent Blush: Almost everyone at almost all times.
- Minimalist Cast: Kanade, Yukino, and Sakuya are the only recurring characters, with occasional appearances by little sister Shizuku. The manga has a few more characters, mostly in the Young Girls Fall in Love sidestory focusing on Sakuya.
- Nosebleed:
- Sakuya, while fantasizing about an onsen bath visit with Kanade.
- Even moreso in the manga. Kanade seems to suffer nosebleeds a lot, like when Yuki gives her Finger-Suck Healing or cosplays (and licking Kana's cheek).
- Not What It Looks Like: Would you believe it?◊
- Odd Couple: Despite being sisters, Yukino and Kanade have quite different personalities. For one, Kanade is much more serious and often gets irritated by her sister's ditziness, so it's amazing they get along so well.
- Official Couple: Guess who. Isn't it sad you were Demoted to Extra, Sakuya?
- The Ojou: Sakuya's family is much, much richer than the Sakurais.
- Pool Scene: Episode EX02
- Pseudo-Romantic Friendship: For all the yuri vibe the makers obviously strive for, the relationship between Kanade and Yukino still comes closest to this kind—although it's nevertheless a bit unusual among sisters.
- Quivering Eyes: Sakuya and Yukino both have a tendency to do this.
- Rubber Face: Kanade does this to Yukino a lot.
- Slice of Life
- Stalker with a Crush:
- Sakuya.
- Also Kanade. Yukino calls her out on it in EX02 where it's revealed Kanade came to watch Yukino swim five times in one week.
- Suspiciously Specific Denial: As well as humorous, the note on Kanade and Yukino's door, if read by a passerby, would seem rather suspicious. Subverted since they really aren't shown doing anything explicit in their room.Note on the door: Seriously, why won't anyone knock on the door? Really. It's not that we're doing anything suspicious, but it's common sense to knock on the door. Yes, we may be a damn shameless couple, but we aren't doing anything! There isn't much else I want to say about this, but let me say it again: KNOCK DAMNIT!!
- Sweet Tooth: Yukino loves sweets... and gets constantly scolded by Kanade.
- Tomboy and Girly Girl: Kanade is more tomboyish and Yukino more the girly one, though it's in mannerisms rather than appearance.
- Tsundere:
- Kanade towards Yukino; a relatively mild example.
- Shizuku depending on how you view her. She does have a tsuntsun side towards everyone except for Yukino, the sole recipient of her deredere side. However while unclear, it is hinted at that Shizuku likes Kanade and acts tsuntsun towards Kanade out of jealousy.
- Twincest: Nothing explicit but a LOT implied.
- Two-Teacher School: Which is to be expected in a four-character anime.
- Umbrella of Togetherness: The whole plot of one episode involves Kanade trying to arrange for her and Yukino to walk home under one umbrella.
