Strawberry Panic [Girl's School in Fullbloom]

[Shizuma Hanazon]

I agree with Game-kun... and with Zohar-san. Those two were the most POINTLESS villians. EVER. All Kaname did was talk out of her ***. I mean seriously, I would've been better than that! I wish they would make some OVAs for the series, for even a second season! However, there was some stuff that literally ticked me off about it too. Like Tamao and Shizuma. NO cat fight what-so-ever. Not even one. What.The. Peep.?!? They could have at least had ONE little cat fight over Nagisa!! And another thing: Nagisa and Shizuma don't even kiss until Ep.12. So many other situations they were so close, and I'd just stare at the screen rotting them on, and what do I get? Nothin'. Nothin'. What's the fun in that?! Well, at least Shizuma kissed her on the cheek and the forehead, but still. That was so annoying. I was so happy when I watched the last episode 'cause it's like: "FINALLY!!!".
I hated ep.18-19 though. Sad!!! Watching Shizuma cry just tore me part inside... T.T but that does explain why she was so emotionally closed up, like Game-kun said. And I never knew "I'll take you to the festival" was code for "I'll take you to the roof top, push you in the pool, and make out with you under water!", but we learn something knew everyday, don't we? Lmao. All in all, Madhouse did a wonderful job with Strawberry Panic!, dispite all the chances for future plotlines they didn't take.

[Shizuma Hanazon]

I agree with Game-kun... and with Zohar-san. Those two were the most POINTLESS villians. EVER. All Kaname did was talk out of her arse. I mean seriously, I would've been better than that! I wish they would make some OVAs for the series, for even a second season! However, there was some stuff that literally ticked me off about it too. Like Tamao and Shizuma. NO cat fight what-so-ever. Not even one. What.The. Peep.?!? They could have at least had ONE little cat fight over Nagisa!! And another thing: Nagisa and Shizuma don't even kiss until Ep.12. So many other situations they were so close, and I'd just stare at the screen rotting them on, and what do I get? Nothin'. Nothin'. What's the fun in that?! Well, at least Shizuma kissed her on the cheek and the forehead, but still. That was so annoying. I was so happy when I watched the last episode 'cause it's like: "FINALLY!!!".
I hated ep.18-19 though. Sad!!! Watching Shizuma cry just tore me part inside... T.T but that does explain why she was so emotionally closed up, like Game-kun said. And I never knew "I'll take you to the festival" was code for "I'll take you to the roof top, push you in the pool, and make out with you under water!", but we learn something knew everyday, don't we? Lmao. All in all, Madhouse did a wonderful job with Strawberry Panic!, dispite all the chances for future plotlines they didn't take. :D

[gameoffreak8]

I agree with Game-kun... and with Zohar-san. Those two were the most POINTLESS villians. EVER. All Kaname did was talk out of her arse. I mean seriously, I would've been better than that! I wish they would make some OVAs for the series, for even a second season! However, there was some stuff that literally ticked me off about it too. Like Tamao and Shizuma. NO cat fight what-so-ever. Not even one. What.The. Peep.?!? They could have at least had ONE little cat fight over Nagisa!! And another thing: Nagisa and Shizuma don't even kiss until Ep.12. So many other situations they were so close, and I'd just stare at the screen rotting them on, and what do I get? Nothin'. Nothin'. What's the fun in that?! Well, at least Shizuma kissed her on the cheek and the forehead, but still. That was so annoying. I was so happy when I watched the last episode 'cause it's like: "FINALLY!!!".
I hated ep.18-19 though. Sad!!! Watching Shizuma cry just tore me part inside... T.T but that does explain why she was so emotionally closed up, like Game-kun said. And I never knew "I'll take you to the festival" was code for "I'll take you to the roof top, push you in the pool, and make out with you under water!", but we learn something knew everyday, don't we? Lmao. All in all, Madhouse did a wonderful job with Strawberry Panic!, dispite all the chances for future plotlines they didn't take. :D


I think Tamao-chan don't want to have catfight against Shizuma-sama because she knew Shizuma-sama is Etoile; therefore, she is older than her, so she won't fight her over Nagisa-chan. Plus Tamao-chan knew Nagisa-chan want to see her during the beach anyway. Tamao-chan won't give up until the end, at least. I watched ep. 17-20 too many times. I'm very sad to watch Kaori-sama and Shizuma-sama. :'( I don't like Hikari x Amane because I don't like Amane. Yaya is better choice for Hikari.

Call me crazy, but I think Shizuma-sama is Etoile for two years. Is that correct?

For that title, I beileve the anime excluded the exclamation mark in the title. ^_^

[Shizuma Hanazon]

I think Tamao-chan don't want to have catfight against Shizuma-sama because she knew Shizuma-sama is Etoile; therefore, she is older than her, so she won't fight her over Nagisa-chan. Plus Tamao-chan knew Nagisa-chan want to see her during the beach anyway. Tamao-chan won't give up until the end, at least. I watched ep. 17-20 too many times. I'm very sad to watch Kaori-sama and Shizuma-sama. :'( I don't like Hikari x Amane because I don't like Amane. Yaya is better choice for Hikari.

Call me crazy, but I think Shizuma-sama is Etoile for two years. Is that correct?

For that title, I beileve the anime excluded the exclamation mark in the title. ^_^

True, I know Tamao-chan didn't, but c'mon. Even I was smiling when Amane made Shizuma-sama more than alittle jealous conserning her dearest Nagisa-chan in ep.12, lol. Shizuma-sama has been the Etoile since her third year, right? Now, she's a sixth year, so I think it was eigher two or three years, I'm not sure. Unless they held the election every year and Shizuma ran every time. But that wouldn't work hence that when she lost poor Kaori-chan, she lost her partner, so I don't believe she'd run again. Just a statement. And yes, the title does have an exclaimation mark at the end. ^_^

[gameoffreak8]

True, I know Tamao-chan didn't, but c'mon. Even I was smiling when Amane made Shizuma-sama more than alittle jealous conserning her dearest Nagisa-chan in ep.12, lol. Shizuma-sama has been the Etoile since her third year, right? Now, she's a sixth year, so I think it was eigher two or three years, I'm not sure. Unless they held the election every year and Shizuma ran every time. But that wouldn't work hence that when she lost poor Kaori-chan, she lost her partner, so I don't believe she'd run again. Just a statement. And yes, the title does have an exclaimation mark at the end. ^_^

Yeah, I know. Tamao-chan should have fight over Shizuma-sama to get Nagisa-chan's heart, at least. Lol, I saw that one in ep. 12. I thought it's funny.

As I thought. If Shizuma-sama's third year when she become Etoile, then how come she was still Etoile for two or three years even they held the election every year? And she was supposed to have new partner?

No, the title of anime don't have an exclaimation mark at the end. I have proof: Wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strawberry_Panic). ^_^

[Ariel Tsuki]

Yeah, I know. Tamao-chan should have fight over Shizuma-sama to get Nagisa-chan's heart, at least. Lol, I saw that one in ep. 12. I thought it's funny.

As I thought. If Shizuma-sama's third year when she become Etoile, then how come she was still Etoile for two or three years even they held the election every year? And she was supposed to have new partner?

No, the title of anime don't have an exclaimation mark at the end. I have proof: Wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strawberry_Panic). ^_^

But that's not Tamao's personality and she really did love Nagisa to let Nagisa go with Shizuma. I think Tamao already knew that Nagisa will always love Shizuma.

As for the Etoile issue, remember Shizuma is super popular among the three schools so it's not unusual for her to be the Etoile for 3 years, especially when it was stated that only competition she would've faced is Amane, who had no interest in the Etoile competition until the series begins (and not even until the very end when she pretty lets the Spica student president get her into it). As for her never having another Etoile partner after Kaori's death, it can out of respect for the memory of Kaori and that no girl after that was suitable for Shizuma. Miyuki, although she's Miator's student president, didn't pressure her most likely for that fact. Shizuma is most likely a exceptional case dealing with the Etoile thing.

And that's an interesting thing you pointed out, I remember that Newtype used the exclaimation mark when they had summaries of the monthly batch of episodes for the series.

But SP! is still one of my favorite yuri series. I think it really matters on how you like based on who ends up together. IMO, I don't think it was poorly excuted or the like and yes, it was predictable who will end up with who (it IS a romance series, people. That's kinda expected.). I don't think it was the Melrose Place of yuri either. It wasn't some deep philosophical series, but it was moving at some points. IMO, I think it was very entertaining and a treat to watch. I think there are some people who were butthurt that Nagisa and Tamao didn't end up together despite evidence that Tamao was never much of a romantic rival to begin with. Even if Tamao and Nagisa did ever ended up together, it would be a rebound relationship. Thoughout the series, Nagisa never considered Tamao as a potential girlfriend and though of her as a friend and Tamao never really went outside the line of friendship and pursued Nagisa, knowing Nagisa was head-over-heels smitten with Shizuma. And contrary to most people on this board thinks, Tamao did had a conclusion, and that conclusion was giving up on Nagisa. That selfless sacrifice makes her a winner in my eyes. I never liked the Nagisa/Tamao pairing anyway, for me, they're much too alike.

[Matsu'o Tsurayaba]

So then,what`s the verdict?Is it good?A let down?Are the strawberries sweet and pink..or red?

[ArcaJ]

So then,what`s the verdict?Is it good?A let down?Are the strawberries sweet and pink..or red?

Sometimes terrifically cliched, sometimes downright silly, Strawberry Panic! remains the O.C. of the yuri anime world.

Sometimes it's exciting and sometimes it's groan-inducing. When the show stops pointing to its many (MANY) sources, and let's the characters grow on their own it can be quite touching. The enjoyment you get from this show depends on how much you are willing forgive (as a yuri fan, I've had to forgive much over the years. I'm lookig at YOU Mai-HiME) to get actionable yuri.

Luckily, this show can be quite rewarding as long as you don't expect too much from it. Instead, take every instance of character development, swoon-worthy romance, and Chikaru awesomeness as a surprise and a gift from Heaven.

A definite rent. As for me a definite buy.

::HUGS::

Arca Jeth

[gameoffreak8]

But that's not Tamao's personality and she really did love Nagisa to let Nagisa go with Shizuma. I think Tamao already knew that Nagisa will always love Shizuma.

As for the Etoile issue, remember Shizuma is super popular among the three schools so it's not unusual for her to be the Etoile for 3 years, especially when it was stated that only competition she would've faced is Amane, who had no interest in the Etoile competition until the series begins (and not even until the very end when she pretty lets the Spica student president get her into it). As for her never having another Etoile partner after Kaori's death, it can out of respect for the memory of Kaori and that no girl after that was suitable for Shizuma. Miyuki, although she's Miator's student president, didn't pressure her most likely for that fact. Shizuma is most likely a exceptional case dealing with the Etoile thing.


Now you mention it, Shizuma-sama is very popular, so the students can't win against her, I guess. I honestly think Shizuma-sama is so amazing since she is alone as Etoile for three years.


And that's an interesting thing you pointed out, I remember that Newtype used the exclaimation mark when they had summaries of the monthly batch of episodes for the series.


Then I shall use the exclaimation mark. :P

So then,what`s the verdict?Is it good?A let down?Are the strawberries sweet and pink..or red?

Strawberry Panic! is my favorite yuri anime. It have some funny moments and romance moments. The storyline and characters are good to me. As ArcaJ said, rent it first. If you like it, buy it. To me, of course, a definite buy. ;)

[Sh4d0ws]

I can't fully comment right now on it because i have not fully watched it but i can make a suggestion. Normally i like to watch animes in 'bursts' were i watch a few episodes at a time, then take a break. I found i could not do that with this though, and i probably watch one of these about once a week (i feel thats all i can really handle). I'm on episode 9 or so right now. Thats the only way i can think i would be watching this. (I think if i watched it all at once, i would become bored and skip a lot of parts.)

[ninemil]

So then,what`s the verdict?Is it good?A let down?Are the strawberries sweet and pink..or red?

As a warning to anyone who asks this question; I'd say a lot of any backlash you see against spanic is rooted in yuri snobbery - 'this isn't what we say this genre is, we're not comfortable with it, so it can't be any good'

Imo, a romance is a romance, be it homo or hetro sexual in nature. A romance doesn't have to be a depressing slit-your-wrists experience to fit the bill, and the genre only seems to become synonymous with endless angst and sulking when you add the word yuri. Some of the best hetrosexual romances are utterly ridiculous in nature, and cliches only become a problem if you let them. Yuri very definitely needed a Strawberry Panic; it's not a grueling sub-text heavy read-between-the-lines marithon, it has closure where it's due and yet it's not bland hentai either.

Personally I found spanic delightful despite the cliches, the cheese and the silliness. Running underneath the light-hearted, service-heavy exterior is a powerful story of loss, grief and deliverance, and I'd happily recommend it to anyone.

Also; although I'd like to think (and certainly hope) Shizuma and Nagisa's story is over, allowing for the issue of Shizuma's graduation, I think there's more than enough there to fill at least an OVA. There's a fair bit missing from the manga, especially regarding Chikaru that could be dealt with. There's the possibility of something between Yaya and Tsubomi, the aftermath of Miyuki's fiddling in the Etoile election and how it may have affected her friendship with Shizuma, and the whole question of how Tamao copes and whether she turns her attention elsewhere. At some point Hikari will have to wake up to the fact the world now looks at her in a very different light (sorry, but does that girl actually realize what she's done at any point in the anime? she's so much a child it's almost unsettling at times :() and how Amane deals with the lime light she's been so desperately avoiding for years.

And that's without adding any new characters ;)

Anyway; if you haven't seen it, at least rent or crunchyroll it, you may be pleasantly surprised. For those that have seen it, doesn't this (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=AoFWOE-5cZE) sum it up beautifully? :)