Strawberry Panic - Page 3

old hat · May 21st, 2012, 05:16 AM

You seriously didn't know from the first time they appeared in a scene together? Also, if you start a thread to discuss anime, you might want to mention that bit up front. There wasn't anything in that post that hadn't been said several times before in the thread anyway.

**Haruhi** · May 21st, 2012, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daichi

1. I haven't seen the whole anime yet, so thank you for ruining it for me!!!!
2. I also do agree that Tamao would have made a better match.

The writers were trying so hard to hook up Shizuma and Nagisa so hard, it would have been impossible not to see them happening. They could have literally have had Tamao and Nagisa have perfect chemistry together, the best character development and relationship, but somehow, in the end, they'll find a way to stick Shizuma in there. And guess what.. that's exactly what they did. It was pathetic. Had the writers introduced the idea of Shizuma x Nagisa hooking up, but actually had Tamao dark horse in there and take over, it might have been a redeemable show.. MIGHT have. Still wouldn't make up for the rest of the show being trash though.

old hat · May 21st, 2012, 05:02 PM

They needed to establish some chemistry between Nagisa and Tamao to make Tamao even a little credible as the third part of a love triangle. The problem is that the chemistry between Nagisa and Shizuma is poorly established so the relationship between Nagisa and Tamao actually becomes the more credible and better developed of the two. For a long time, there is little reason for Nagisa to be focused on Shizuma other than the sheen of Shizuma being the Etoile and therefore sparkly and loved by all. Shizuma does nothing much beyond trying to wow Nagisa with her Etoile status and take sexual advantage of her. She was trying to take sexual advantage of a cute but naive younger girl wowed by her Etoile status early on too. It's clear from both her external and internal dialogue.

ArcaJ · May 23rd, 2012, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old hat

They needed to establish some chemistry between Nagisa and Tamao to make Tamao even a little credible as the third part of a love triangle. The problem is that the chemistry between Nagisa and Shizuma is poorly established so the relationship between Nagisa and Tamao actually becomes the more credible and better developed of the two. For a long time, there is little reason for Nagisa to be focused on Shizuma other than the sheen of Shizuma being the Etoile and therefore sparkly and loved by all. Shizuma does nothing much beyond trying to wow Nagisa with her Etoile status and take sexual advantage of her. She was trying to take sexual advantage of a cute but naive younger girl wowed by her Etoile status early on too. It's clear from both her external and internal dialogue.

I disagree. WARNING! I am about to discuss Strawberry Panic as if it were in any way serious. You have been warned.

By my reckoning, Shizuma started out trying to woo Nagisa as yet anther conquest. However, somewhere along the way, she developed real feelings for her. Shizuma's friends (who had been with her for years) told Miyuki that they had neve seen her act that way before, that something about her relationship with Nagisa was different.

Further, Nagisa was the only person Shizuma shared her past with. The fact that she could bare her soul to Nagisa and finally

SPOILER! (highlight to read):

let go of Kaori

meant that she believed Nagisa to be her true partner.

Just because Shizuma handled Nagisa in a ham-fisted way, doesn't mean that Nagisa belonged with Tamao. In the end, it was about who Nagisa loved more. Tamao did the right thing in pushing Nagisa forward. She knew that while they could have made a go of it, she could never be Shizuma and their relationship could have ended up in mutual resentment.

While Tamao did get hurt, it would hurt her more to be in a romantic relationship with her best friend, knowing that she would never measure up to her destined partner. I wouldn't wish that on anyone (not even Kaname and Momomi)

But that's if I was taking Strawberry Panic seriously; which I don't.

::HUGS::

Arca Jeth

old hat · May 23rd, 2012, 06:12 PM

She obviously was just trying to add Nasiga as another notch on her belt at first. Her attitude toward nagisa did change and it was unlike the way she had viewed her toss off conquests but it was still Shizuma using Nagisa for her own purposes. They were just different purposes.

For most of the show Tomao showed genuine concern for what was best for Nagisa and Shizuma generally didn't. Shizuma's view of Nagisa eventually did shift but not until late in the series.

That's a big part of why Tamao reminds me of Tomoyo. They both end up giving up the person they want because they think its's best for that person. Shizuma is pretty much all about what is best for Shizuma.

Taking it seriously enough to post here and write a longer response that you generally do.

**Haruhi** · May 23rd, 2012, 08:54 PM

Episode 1 : Shizuma appears, woos the main character with her Suigintou (Rozen Maiden) appearance. Nagisa develops unfounded crush, which, we all know is facile and mostly leads nowhere.. only in this case, the writers are DETERMINED to make it something better, and it's pretty damn obvious right from the start.

Episode 2-25 : Shizuma is a moron with a cliche "I'm so hurt that I'll just treat everyone like they're expendable toys" mentality, including Nagisa, who, let's face it, has no personality, beyond "I'm just here to as a plot device for Shizuma to overcome her crappy and boring backstory" yet Tamao still treats with utmost priority.

Episode 26 :

Shizuma finally pulls her head out of her own @$$. : "Btw, Nagisa, I-love-you-despite-absolutely-no-chemistry-with-you-beyond-what-the-writers-poorly-wrote-up-which-is-actually-nothing"

Nagisa : Okay. Let's make out.

That's it. I know people like ninemil like to make a mountain out of a molehill with a shallow story like Strawberry Panic, but facts are facts. It was a very poorly written series (especially on the emotional level/development), and while there are high points (Tamao, Chikaru), it was... crap. And a large heap of it.

Strawberry Panic was a very forgettable story.. well, not really, because it was damn recycled one at that, but that isn't the point. Whatever I remember, it's only remembered hatefully. It's sort of like going to a bad restaurant. You don't remember what you ordered, how it tasted, or whatever very much, but you remember one thing : It was pure crap.

May 21st, 2012, 05:16 AM	#31
old hat Cure Pushy! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The fairy tale land of Aztlan. Posts: 14,526 Blog Entries: 160	You seriously didn't know from the first time they appeared in a scene together? Also, if you start a thread to discuss anime, you might want to mention that bit up front. There wasn't anything in that post that hadn't been said several times before in the thread anyway. __________________ http://myanimelist.net/animelist/oldhat "Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." -George Washington

May 21st, 2012, 05:02 PM	#33
old hat Cure Pushy! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The fairy tale land of Aztlan. Posts: 14,526 Blog Entries: 160	They needed to establish some chemistry between Nagisa and Tamao to make Tamao even a little credible as the third part of a love triangle. The problem is that the chemistry between Nagisa and Shizuma is poorly established so the relationship between Nagisa and Tamao actually becomes the more credible and better developed of the two. For a long time, there is little reason for Nagisa to be focused on Shizuma other than the sheen of Shizuma being the Etoile and therefore sparkly and loved by all. Shizuma does nothing much beyond trying to wow Nagisa with her Etoile status and take sexual advantage of her. She was trying to take sexual advantage of a cute but naive younger girl wowed by her Etoile status early on too. It's clear from both her external and internal dialogue. __________________ http://myanimelist.net/animelist/oldhat "Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." -George Washington

May 23rd, 2012, 06:12 PM	#35
old hat Cure Pushy! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The fairy tale land of Aztlan. Posts: 14,526 Blog Entries: 160	She obviously was just trying to add Nasiga as another notch on her belt at first. Her attitude toward nagisa did change and it was unlike the way she had viewed her toss off conquests but it was still Shizuma using Nagisa for her own purposes. They were just different purposes. She started seeing Nagisa as a possible way to get over the loss of Kaori and her grief. However, it's still Shizuma using Nagisa for her own ends with little regard for what is good for Nagisa. Being a sop for your grief is different from being a quick lay but it's still being used and in a way that is arguably worse and potentially more damaging. For most of the show Tomao showed genuine concern for what was best for Nagisa and Shizuma generally didn't. Shizuma's view of Nagisa eventually did shift but not until late in the series. That's a big part of why Tamao reminds me of Tomoyo. They both end up giving up the person they want because they think its's best for that person. Shizuma is pretty much all about what is best for Shizuma. Taking it seriously enough to post here and write a longer response that you generally do. __________________ http://myanimelist.net/animelist/oldhat "Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." -George Washington

May 23rd, 2012, 08:54 PM	#36
Haruhi S-mod Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 2,553	Episode 1 : Shizuma appears, woos the main character with her Suigintou (Rozen Maiden) appearance. Nagisa develops unfounded crush, which, we all know is facile and mostly leads nowhere.. only in this case, the writers are DETERMINED to make it something better, and it's pretty damn obvious right from the start. Episode 2-25 : Shizuma is a moron with a cliche "I'm so hurt that I'll just treat everyone like they're expendable toys" mentality, including Nagisa, who, let's face it, has no personality, beyond "I'm just here to as a plot device for Shizuma to overcome her crappy and boring backstory" yet Tamao still treats with utmost priority. Episode 26 : Shizuma finally pulls her head out of her own @$$. : "Btw, Nagisa, I-love-you-despite-absolutely-no-chemistry-with-you-beyond-what-the-writers-poorly-wrote-up-which-is-actually-nothing" Nagisa : Okay. Let's make out. That's it. I know people like ninemil like to make a mountain out of a molehill with a shallow story like Strawberry Panic, but facts are facts. It was a very poorly written series (especially on the emotional level/development), and while there are high points (Tamao, Chikaru), it was... crap. And a large heap of it. Strawberry Panic was a very forgettable story.. well, not really, because it was damn recycled one at that, but that isn't the point. Whatever I remember, it's only remembered hatefully. It's sort of like going to a bad restaurant. You don't remember what you ordered, how it tasted, or whatever very much, but you remember one thing : It was pure crap.