Overview of Kōcha Ōji#
Kōcha Ōji (also known as The Tea Prince, Les Princes du Thé, or I prìncipi del te’) is a romance series that blends high school life with a touch of fantasy. The story follows Taiko and her friends, Haruka and Someko, who are the sole members of their school’s English tea club.
Their lives take a whimsical turn when two diminutive princes, Assam and Earl Grey, emerge from their teacups during a moonlit tea session. To return to their Tea Kingdom, the princes require Taiko and Haruka to make three wishes each. However, the girls’ reluctance to make foolish wishes means the Princes of Tea remain in the human world, leading to various hijinks and a buildup of drama that, as the story progresses, becomes enough to “choke a teakettle.”
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Is the Story Finished?#
If you are looking for a satisfying conclusion, you are in luck. Based on the available data, the overarching story across its various iterations is complete. The original series concluded its run in 2004, and the latest sequel, Sakura no Hana no Kōcha Ōji, officially ended its serialization in May 2018.
Since the source material has reached its conclusion, readers and viewers can commit to the series knowing that the narrative arcs are resolved. You can buy the manga to ensure you get the full experience from start to finish.
Themes and Appeal#
Kōcha Ōji is primarily suited for fans of the romance genre who enjoy a mix of lighthearted comedy and escalating emotional drama. Its primary appeal lies in the contrast between the mundane setting of a high school tea club and the magical presence of the tea princes. The theme of “wishes” serves as a catalyst for character development, moving the plot from simple hijinks to a more complex history involving the princes.
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Recommended Order#
To get the most out of the story and its character development, we recommend following the sequence outlined in our relationship tree.
For Completionists and Newcomers#
Whether you are starting from the beginning or looking to complete the set, the best path is to follow the release and narrative sequence:
- Kōcha Ōji: Start here with the original story (1996-2004).
- Kōcha Ōji no Himegimi: Follow up with this sequel.
- Sakura no Hana no Kōcha Ōji: Conclude your journey with this final sequel, which ran until 2018.
For Those Seeking the Experience#
If you prefer to look for an animated version first, you can search for the anime on Prime Video. However, for those who do not mind continuing with the source material to ensure no detail is missed, following the manga sequence mentioned above is the most reliable way to experience the full history of the Tea Princes.
Kōcha Ōji • manga • 1996-10-05 to 2004-05-20 (serialized in Hana to Yume)
└─(sequel)→ Sakura no Hana no Kōcha Ōji • manga • 2013-04-26 to 2018-05-26 (Bessatsu Hana to Yume, Jun 2013 - Jul 2018)
└─(sequel)→ Kōcha Ōji no Himegimi • manga • 2006-07-19
