Strawberry Panic

Richard J. · Post by **Richard J.** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 2:05 pm

Episode 22 is out and whoa there were some interesting twists!

Before I go into any spoilery comments, I'd just like to say that I'm impressed by how well this series has developed. It started out as an odd sort of yuri harem anime that was pretty light emotionally. Then, slowly, it grew ever more serious and now it's really picking up steam as it moves toward it's conclusion.

The character development has been really good. Even when you don't think a character is changing at all, something will happen and you'll see the change.

Anyway, on the the episode comments!

First, I have to say that I am extremely pleased by the Yaya/Hikari scene. As sad as it is for Yaya that she can't be with Hikari, it was really wonderful to see Hikari comfort her. Yaya's really been through the emotional wringer lately and, even though I still think she went way over the line when she made her fratboy style move on Hikari, it was just great to see this final act of forgiveness from Hikari. Now they can really be friends again.

And maybe, just maybe, Yaya might still have a chance.

Nagisa telling Shizuma that the flowers would bloom again. . . I'm going to take that as a sign that Nagisa still has feelings for Shizuma and really does want to be with her. I'd really like to see the two of them together. Miyuki can comfort Tamao.

Did anyone see the whole Kaname/Amane thing coming? Kaname apparently is not only a bit jealous of Amane but she's also in love(lust?) with her too! No wonder she's been so dangerous to Hikari, they are rivals.

Poor Momomi though. The Evil Lesbian Duo is breaking up.

Next episode looks really interesting. Tamao and Nagisa are entering the Etoile election together? Hmm, either Miyuki is planning to chose them or Tamao entered their names without asking Nagisa, because I don't think Nagisa has a clue about being entered. Maybe I'm wrong. Can't wait to find out!

The only companies I would trust to licence this would be Geneon or Funimation. Adv has the cast but they'll screw us on an artbox or extras. I don't think any of the other companies would take it seriously enough.

Sigh. Can you tell I'm obsessed with this show getting licenced? I promise not to say anything about licences in my next post.

Till next Panic!

lilgumba · Post by **lilgumba** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 2:28 pm

Yes spoilers and such below

I am pleased with the closure scene between Yaya and Hikari as well. I think Yaya was wrong for the groping. However, if Hikari was truly okay with things then she wouldn't have blown off Yaya like she did. For that I can justify someone for why Yaya was getting broody. I would too if my best friend in the world dumped me for a love interest like we were nothing. However, Yaya not singing because Hikari wasn't in love with her is pouting a bit too much.

I personally don't think Nagisa and Shizuma should get together. Yes they have feelings for each other but it's a bit one sided. Shizuma liked Nagisa because she reminded her of Kaori (for the most part. I'm sure there was a little love for Nagisa herself but it's overshadowed.) Also, Shizuma is leaving so that won't work either. I think Tamao and Nagisa need each other. What Tamao really needs is a friend to ease that pain of being anti-social for all those years. Nagisa needs a friend to support her and help her get over Shizuma. They already got closer to each other and Tamao has stopped her hijinks from earlier. I see those two being inseperable soon.

As far as who will be the next etiole I am not sure. Yes Amane and Hikari will get the popular vote but at the same time it looks like Tamao and Nagisa would get the underdog vote. Between them it will be a hard race. Besides, I still don't see Amane having the heart to do this. If anything she would want to get close to Hikari but that's about it. Tamao and Nagisa seem like they would be good reps for the school and make sure things get done.

The E.L.D...I'm glad they are done. I couldn't stand either of them. They got what was coming to them.

That's my 25 cents.

Richard J. · Post by **Richard J.** » Fri Sep 08, 2006 7:31 pm

Just saw 23.

Spoilers wrote:Well, Shizuma's doing the "noble sacrifice" thing by letting Nagisa go. Looks like she's a step away from throwing herself under a train. Geez, for a best friend Miyuki's really being a bit of a bitch in my opinion over the election. Does she really think it's best this way?

Chikaru may not be running (yet?) but man she would get my vote. She's always appearing to help and comfort others. She deserves the place of honor. After Shizuma told Nagisa goodbye, she was exactly the right person to find Nagisa. Chikaru should run with Kagome-chan. They'd be unbeatable.

Amane thrown from the horse. Hikari there to see it. Could this horrible event be the work of a certain deranged Spica student? A girl nammed Momomi? More importantly, just how bad of shape is Amane in? Is this the end of their run for Etoile or the event that binds them even more together?

This series is fast approaching it's end, but it's still completely up in the air as to how it will end. Very exciting.

By the way, are lilgumba, angelx03 and I the only ones watching this show? Are we three the only ones intelligent enough to talk about it?

Meh, if that's the case, I'm fine with it. I'm in great company!

lilgumba · Post by **lilgumba** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 12:35 pm

Wooooooo! Long spoilers and comments below!

Spoilers wrote:
I think this was the first step to get Nagisa over Shizuma. Of course you never forget your first loves but you will get over them eventually. I do see them reconciling one more time before Shizuma leaves though. But seeing how stubborn those two where I think it was necessary. There wouldn't be any movements if Miyuki didn't get involved. Does that make Miyuki a bitch? Yes a bit but sometimes you have to get dirty to make progress.

Chikaru would make a good Etiole. However, there are certain people that are meant to shine in the back to support everyone else. They don't look for the spotlight but are there to genuinely help others. As much as I like Tamao and (sometimes idiotic) Yaya, Chikaru has become my favorite and the saving grace of this show. And she is the only that seems sane in this whole show.

Amane thrown from the horse I kind of saw coming. Things were just going too perfect so I knew something would happen. Then they kept showing that stirrup so I knew it was going to happen. It looks like she lost her helmet so it could be a pretty bad concusion or perhaps a mild coma. If not then some serious broken bones. This might stop them from being in the up coming election. However, this now gives Nagisa and Tamao a chance. With Amane and Hikari I never seen them have a chance at winning.

My predictions for now is that Yaya has to convince Hikari that this wasn't all her fault and get her mojo back. So I can see now why the writers made those two officially make up with Yaya accepting Amane being with Hikari. She is needed for support in the next one.

Shizuma is going to do something that is probably out of the ordinary for the elections. Tamao will allow it though because she will support Nagisa. Eventually Shizuma and Nagisa will come to an understanding.

Finally! Tamao made a move! I'm so proud of her. She didn't even have to say anything just a hug. (Well she did say "yes.") I was surprized that it caught Nagisa off guard a bit. She's been hugged by Tamao before. Heck it was just minutes before. Perhaps there was something different in that one. Maybe Nagisa sensed that it was more than a friendly or concerned hug. Tamao looked so small holding Nagisa, who was being very strong and tall in her own way. Either way, it was cute.

As far as active participants talking, I think the show scared off half the people. First it was the marimite rip off aspect. Then there could be the almost lesbianism in the show. Then there could be the over the top lesbianism. I find it to be the same as looking at a wreck even though you shouldn't. However, I love the discussions from it. I like the whole interpretations of how the show or characters will turn out. This is especially true if the show is fresh. It's too bad that more aren't participating, here at least, but it's still cool that some people are still discussing it.

angelx03 · Post by **angelx03** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 12:45 pm

Lesbianism scared off half the people?

I thought it attracts more especially guys!

lilgumba · Post by **lilgumba** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 4:47 pm

Well think about it. A good number of girls watch marimite. If they were expecting something similar too it in this show and got bombarded by this then they might have thought it was trashy and didn't watch more of it. Yes, I do know guys who thought it was quite trashy just after one episode. Also, another point is that it could be too cliche which can also scare people away.

Richard J. · Post by **Richard J.** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 2:09 am

lilgumba wrote:Well think about it. A good number of girls watch marimite. If they were expecting something similar too it in this show and got bombarded by this then they might have thought it was trashy and didn't watch more of it. Yes, I do know guys who thought it was quite trashy just after one episode. Also, another point is that it could be too cliche which can also scare people away.

I don't think the series is trashy and, even if it is, it is certainly less trashy than the average "romance" novel that some women seem addicted to. Have you ever read one of those things? They're pornos with better dialogue and an actual plot.

Strawberry Panic! is a little cliche but personally I think that's part of it's charm. Sometimes, it's nice to relax and just watch as the characters deal with their lives, without having to worry that something incredibly shocking and completely nuts is about to happen. Not every show needs to be NGE.

To be honest, I started watching this series solely because it was a yuri title without a male in sight. I prefer series with a high female to male ratio and I'm a hopeless romantic so anything with relationships tends to appeal to me. Also, I love the character designs in Strawberry Panic! I know they're not the best ever or the most detailed or whatever, but for some reason I just plain adore them, especially Shizuma's.

It's not one of my favorite series ever, but it'll go on my shopping list when it's licensed and dubbed. (I've decided to be more positive about these things. It will be licensed, I just have to wait.)

angelx03 · Post by **angelx03** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 1:15 pm

Hmm, it seems like the Strawberry Panic novels has been licensed by Seven Seas:

http://animenewsnetwork.com/article.php?id=9480

These got this and the Kashimashi ~ Girl Meets Girl manga in their disposal. Can they bring in the hope of bringing in more shoujo-ai/yuri themed manga into the States?

(just to note, I'm not really a fan of scanlations)

angelx03 · Post by **angelx03** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 1:59 pm

Finally caught up to episodes 22 and 23. Geez, they're really not holding back the.......ANGST!

Chikaru and her puppets freakin' win though!

lilgumba · Post by **lilgumba** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 1:08 am

Reactions to ep 24

Spoilers wrote:There is no way in hell that this show is going to be complete in 2 episodes. It doesn't even look like the Amane/Hikari think will get resolved in 2 episodes. I'm smelling either a second season or at least 13 more episodes. Otherwise this is going to be a bad cliffhanger.

In other news, Chikaru saves the day AGAIN. As much as I am loving her character, it seems like there has got to be a reason for why she does what she does. I need some character background and motivation with her. We don't really know much about her. We can see that she is constantly thinking and concerned for others. Can there be a person who is without issue in this show? It's highly unlikely. Who knows though.