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History of Candy Timeline

(2000 BCE - Present)

Candy has evolved over thousands of years, beginning with ancient civilizations using honey to coat fruits and nuts. The introduction of refined sugar transformed confectionery during the Middle Ages, while the Industrial Revolution enabled mass production of candies like caramels and hard sweets. The 19th and 20th centuries saw the birth of legendary chocolate brands and beloved treats such as candy corn, gummy bears, and chocolate bars, making candy a global cultural phenomenon. Less

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Manga

Candy Candy manga announced in Nakayoshi

Mar 1975

In the March 1975 issue of the Japanese magazine Nakayoshi, the Candy Candy manga was officially announced, building anticipation among readers for a new shōjo serial that would become one of Japan's most beloved manga franchises.

Mizuki and Igarashi collaboration formed

Apr 1975

A creative collaboration between writer Kyoko Mizuki and illustrator Yumiko Igarashi was put together by the Japanese magazine Nakayoshi in April 1975. The partnership paired Mizuki's storytelling with Igarashi's art, launching what would become a landmark work in shōjo manga.

First chapter of Candy Candy published

Apr 1975

The first chapter of the Candy Candy manga was published in April 1975, one month after its announcement in Nakayoshi. Written by Kyoko Mizuki and illustrated by Yumiko Igarashi, the debut introduced readers to the cheerful orphan Candy White and began a four-year serialization.

Story set in the early 20th century

Apr 1975

The story of Candy Candy begins in the early 20th century, following the adventures of an orphan girl named Candy White in America. This historical setting gave the series its distinctive atmosphere of growth, hardship, and romance across the early 1900s.

Manga runs for four years

Apr 1975 - Mar 1979

The Candy Candy manga series ran for four years in Nakayoshi, becoming one of the magazine's signature titles. Its long run and popularity with readers cemented it as a classic of the shōjo genre.

Image source: Candy Candy

Manga runs for four years

No appearance in November 1975 issue

Nov 1975

The Candy Candy story did not appear in the November 1975 issue of Nakayoshi, one of several gaps in its serialization schedule during its four-year run.

No appearance in December 1976 issue

Dec 1976

The serialization of Candy Candy was absent from the December 1976 issue of Nakayoshi, another scheduled break during the manga's long publication run.

Wins 1st Kodansha Manga Award for shōjo

1977

In 1977, Candy Candy won the 1st Kodansha Manga Award for shōjo, recognizing the outstanding success of Kyoko Mizuki and Yumiko Igarashi's collaborative work and affirming its place as a defining title of the genre.

No appearances January-June 1978

Jan 1978 - Jun 1978

The Candy Candy story did not appear in the Nakayoshi issues from January through June 1978, marking an extended hiatus period within the manga's serialization.

Last chapter of the manga published

Mar 1979

After nearly four years of serialization that began in April 1975, the last chapter of the Candy Candy manga was published in March 1979, bringing the original story of Candy White to a close.

Anime & Film

Anime series premieres

Oct 1, 1976

On October 1, 1976, the Candy Candy anime television series premiered, adapting Kyoko Mizuki and Yumiko Igarashi's popular manga for television audiences and greatly expanding the franchise's fanbase across Japan.

Anime runs concurrently with the manga

Oct 1, 1976 - Feb 2, 1979

The Candy Candy anime aired concurrently with the ongoing manga serialization, running from October 1, 1976 until February 2, 1979, allowing fans to enjoy both versions of the story at the same time.

Episode 29 screened in theaters

Jul 1977

In July 1977, episode 29 of the anime, titled 'Setting out on a Voyage Towards Hope', was screened in theaters in a blow-up format during the Toei Manga Matsuri festival, giving audiences a special big-screen experience of the series.

Theatrical short film: The Call of Spring/The May Festival

1978

In 1978, the animated theatrical short film 'Candy Candy: The Call of Spring/The May Festival' was released, one of three animated shorts produced for theaters based on the beloved franchise.

Theatrical short film: Candy Candy's Summer Vacation

1978

Also in 1978, the animated theatrical short 'Candy Candy's Summer Vacation' was released, continuing the series' presence on the big screen during the height of its popularity.

Animated theatrical film released

1992

In 1992, 'Candy Candy the Movie', the third animated theatrical short film of the franchise, was released over a decade after the television series ended, reuniting fans with the classic characters.

Novels

Three-volume novel published

1978 - 1979

Between 1978 and 1979, a three-volume novel adaptation of Candy Candy was published, expanding the story beyond its manga form and offering fans a prose version of the tale.

Kyoko Mizuki's Candy Candy novel begins publication

May 1978 - Apr 1979

Kyoko Mizuki's own Candy Candy novel, consisting of three volumes, was published between May 1978 and April 1979. In later years it piqued the interest of Candy Candy fans outside Japan, who sought out the author's original prose telling of the story.

Final volume of Mizuki's novel released

Apr 1979

The third and final volume of Kyoko Mizuki's Candy Candy novel was published in April 1979, completing the three-volume literary adaptation that accompanied the conclusion of the manga's serialization.

'Candy Candy Final Story' published

2010

In 2010, Keiko Nagita (the pen name of Kyoko Mizuki) published 'Candy Candy Final Story', her final novel adaptation of her original work, offering longtime fans an updated and definitive telling of the beloved story.

Albert revealed as Candy's ultimate love

2010

In the 2010 novel 'Candy Candy Final Story', it becomes evident once again that Albert is Candy's ultimate romantic love, settling one of the most debated questions among fans of the decades-old franchise.

Mizuki's novel draws international fan interest

2010

Kyoko Mizuki's Candy Candy novel trilogy has piqued the interest of Candy Candy fans outside Japan for years, and the release of 'Candy Candy Final Story' renewed global enthusiasm for the author's original prose works.

Adaptations

Korean live action film produced

1981

In 1981, a Korean drama/family live action film based on the Candy Candy series was produced by Choi Chu-ji, directed by Choi In-hyeon, and written by Man Izawa, demonstrating the franchise's international appeal.

Indonesian live action series airs on RCTI

2007

In 2007, an Indonesian live action adaptation of Candy Candy was produced by Leo Sutanto and directed by Widi Wijaya, airing on channel RCTI and starring Rachel Amanda, Nimaz Dewantary, Lucky Perdana, and Bobby Joseph.

Legal Disputes

Mizuki files lawsuit over ownership rights

1998

In 1998, Kyoko Mizuki brought her case to a Tokyo district court to prove that she had equal rights of ownership of the Candy Candy title, initiating a lengthy legal battle with illustrator Yumiko Igarashi.

Tokyo district court rules in favor of Mizuki

Oct 2001

In October 2001, the Tokyo district court ruled in favor of Kyoko Mizuki, confirming her equal rights of ownership of the Candy Candy title after a case she had filed in 1998.

Court orders payment of ¥29,500,000

Oct 2001

As part of its October 2001 ruling, the court ordered Yumiko Igarashi and five companies that distributed unauthorized merchandise to pay Kyoko Mizuki ¥29,500,000, equivalent to 3% of their sales.

Image source: Yumiko Igarashi

Court orders payment of ¥29,500,000

Igarashi sues Toei over trademark

Jun 2002

In June 2002, Yumiko Igarashi sued Toei in an effort to enforce her rights on the Candy Candy trademark, further intensifying the legal conflict surrounding the franchise.

Image source: Toei Animation

Igarashi sues Toei over trademark

Broadcasters forced to stop airing the series

Jun 2002

As a result of Igarashi's June 2002 lawsuit against Toei over the Candy Candy trademark, broadcasters were forced to stop airing the anime series, effectively removing it from Japanese television.

Toy manufacturer sues copyright managers

Sep 2003

In September 2003, a toy manufacturer based in Misato, Saitama sued the two copyright managers of Candy Candy for ¥11 million, claiming loss of revenue caused by the ongoing legal battle between Kyoko Mizuki and Yumiko Igarashi.

Key Facts

  1. Ancient Egyptians around 2000 BCE created some of the earliest candies by combining fruits, nuts, and honey.
  2. Sugar was introduced to Europe from the Middle East during the Crusades (11th-13th centuries), making sugar-based confections a luxury for the wealthy.
  3. The Industrial Revolution in the 19th century enabled mass production of candy, making sweets affordable for ordinary people for the first time.
  4. Milton Hershey founded the Hershey Chocolate Company in 1894, revolutionizing affordable milk chocolate in America with the Hershey Bar in 1900.
  5. Iconic 20th-century inventions include cotton candy (1897), gummy bears (1922), M&Ms (1941), and jelly beans popularized by Ronald Reagan.

Source

This History of Candy timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

We work hard to keep these timelines accurate, but mistakes do get through. If you spot one, email us at [email protected] and we'll fix it for future visitors.

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