Strawberry Marshmallow Highly recommended

Publisher
Tokyopop
Writer
Barasui
Artist
Barasui
Country of origin
Japan
Year
2003

Strawberry Marshmallow V. 1

By David Rasmussen
23rd Jul 06

Awhile ago I got hooked up on a new series that I raved about, you might remember it… Ichigo Mashimaro, aka Strawberry Marshmallow. The series, Anime from Geneon, was a nice slice of cute (dysfunctional cute) which gives you a vibrant cast of characters, finely written glee and nicely animated with musical glee and witty while being cute cute cute. A fine animation worth checking out (waiting for my 2nd DVD that I already ordered from Right Stuf International.

Well, now I go ahold of the manga (from TOKYOPOP) and it is as good as the anime (that was inspired by the Barasui manga), and I’ll tell you why.

Considering this abit of a time capsule of sorts, while the intro features the characters you know from the Anime, the first three chapters showcase the cast as they originally appeared, before they “evolved” into what was used in the Anime series… except for Matsuri. Of the five girls one (Anna Coppola) does not appear until Strawberry Marshmallow Volume 2 in November, while another (Matsuri) is the only one that looks the most like her final design in the Anime (mostly because her differences is not in her appearance as it is her personality in these early stories). As for the rest? Major differences.

The least different is Chika, who has a few differences (which is not entirely worked out even when Volume 1 ends). The most radical (on the opposite end of the scale) on the other hand is Miu (who looks like Chika’s twin sister for a few chapters before she bleaches her hair and starts to slowly resemble her final look), and Nobue (who starts off a complete blonde (or light colored hair) who doesn’t become the dark haired Nobue until Chapter 4 of this volume).

But this isn’t the biggest change. The biggest is the age of Nobue.
In the start of Episode 1 of the Anime, “Birthday”, she “jokes” that she’s 16... Which she is.
In the manga version Nobue is supposed to be 16 years old freshman in High School, but in the anime she’s a 20 year old Junior College student… what a change in age! Mostly, I think, this is because of her “habits”. After all, as she says in Chapter 5, a 16 year old girl shouldn’t be smoking… guess the people over at TBS agreed with that sentiment when this was becoming an Anime because she received an age adjustment until Nobue became a 20 year old chain smoking, beer guzzling character.

As for the rest of it? By the end of the first manga mostly everyone resembles what they look like in the Anime, except for Chika (who doesn’t have her little ponytail thing on her head later seen in the anime), but that’s nitpicking. Let‘s spin on over to check out the manga.

- In Chapter 1 you’ll take a trip to Izu on a school day… eh? Somebody (I’m betting Nobue) is dragging two of the trio to Izu, a resort town… guess who doesn’t go?

- In Chapter 2 Chika is stuck in a wastepaper basket… wonder why.

- In Chapter 3 you note the big difference in Matsuri, mainly her personality. While her appearance barely changes in the chapters (and the length of time between chapters that passed) her personality is completely different than you might be familiar in the Anime. Here she is far more aggressive (over the rather passive Matsuri from the later Anime) and seems to have a thing against Miu (who doesn’t?)
(Also you hear something that the Anime didn’t talk about yet, mainly Matsuri’s feelings over her bi-colored hair (she has partially white hair in the manga, though in the anime it’s a silver-golden tone)).

- Chapter 4 the looks begin to solidify as Nobue gets her black hair style set, and Miu bleaches her hair the proper color from black (though it’ll be two more chapters before she gets it in the proper hairstyle).
This story, by the way, is the basis for Episode 1 “Birthday”, only without Matsuri (who is in the Anime episode version of this story, entitled “Violent Night” instead of “Birthday”.

- Chapter 5 has Nobue contemplating the impossible task of quitting smoking, going so far as to betting Chika that she can do it (or become her “slave” for a day). Yeah, nothing but pain will come from this, that and chalk smoking… mmm, chalk.

- Chapter 6 premieres Miu’s final hairstyle, and is all about Nobue’s attempt to get the girls physically active by having them play outdoor sports in the middle of the cold winter. Noble intentions for somebody to get the girls fit, especially since she has the most unfit habits… maybe she’s just bored.

- Chapter 8 focuses on Matsuri’s insecurities over her hair, which leads to a trip to the store for a hat and the premiere of the “Catsuri” cathat and tail which appears in Anime Episode 3, “House Call”.
In the Manga this originally was an outfit owned by Miu, but (surprise surprise) it was suddenly a gift from Nobue (who seems to have this fascination over Matsuri in both Anime & Manga) which prompted Miu to call her a “dirty old man”… well, what else would you say about a woman who owns a ton of costumes that fit 11-12 year old girls?

Two more stories and then wrap up and we’re done (you can find out the rest on your own).
Next volume Anna Coppola (who is subtitled as “Ana” in the Anime) premieres, but since that’s going to be a long ways away (around November when I’ll review this) let’s wrap this up. Breakdown time.

Ichigo Mashimaro Sundae of Breakdown the 1st
What’s Hot?
What is it that I absolutely like about Ichigo Mashimaro? Everything. Once again the series aims to please, and manga wise it’s a solid read. Also watching how the series “evolved” in it’s early stories was a treat.
Overall the series is good, and this manga by Barasui (nicely drawn and written) continues that solidness.

What’s Not?
What is it that I absolutely not like about Ichigo Mashimaro? Absolutely nothing… except maybe the LONG LONG LONG wait between volumes that is… but I guess I can get over it. If I can wait the long wait between Kat & Mouse volumes, or for the 2nd Yu-Gi-Oh Capsule Monster DVD or the next Strawberry Marshmallow DVD (or for Cowboy Bebop UMD V. 1 to finally be available) I can wait for this.

Moments to Remember?
Lots and lots and lots and lots.

What to Ignore?
How Matsuri seemed to be a whole different person at the start… and Nobue is barely recognizable… or how TBS seemingly requires 4 years added to Nobue’s age to justify her smoking addiction… and her drinking addiction… and other things.

Overall?
Solid is as solid does and solid is what Strawberry Marshmallow (Ichigo Mashimaro) is.
(Adam Sessler)… yet ANOTHER 5... Out of 5. (I’ve been watching and reading lots of good stuff for review lately haven’t I!)

-- David Rasmussen 23rd Jul 06