The series, both the Anime from Geneon and this Manga from TOKYOPOP, is a nice slice of cute (dysfunctional cute) which gives you a vibrant cast of characters, finely written glee and (in the case of the anime series) is nicely animated with a whimsical musical glee and wit to it, all the while maintaining a cute cute cute madness to it. Both of these are worthy of checking out, which I hope to impress on you again now that we’re looking at the second volume of the manga series.

The series now has the look that you might be more familiar with in the Anime series as Chika, the last one to come into her “Anime” appearance, finally gets her specific look (just as Anna, the last of the cast of five, joins the cast this volume).
However while the appearance thing is now straightened out, the whole age differential concerning Nobue is still intact… like it or not. In the Anime, Nobue (a hard drinking and hard smoking girl) is supposed to be 20, but here in the Manga version she’s apparently 16... 16? That is a differential of 4 years, and might not float some boats that she (seemingly underaged in either case) is smoking and drinking like a sailor here. But if you don’t tell anyone about this I won’t tell anyone either. (It’s almost as if she was a leftover character from Nana that needed a new home and found one here).
Ok. Once again let’s spin on over to check out the manga.

Last time it was the first 10 Episodes (chapters), now we have a new 10...
- In Episode 11 Anna (Ana) is introduced, as she sets out to be totally English at her new school. I don’t know but I think the Anime version of this story seems to explain her reasoning a little better than this one, and you become abit more sympathetic to her plight (though that doesn’t mean you won’t feel any less sympathy for her during her troubles in the manga) as you watch her struggle during her first day of school (Episode 2 of the Anime Series).

- Episode 12 features the trip to Anna’s house (Anime Episode 3), but with some changes.
In the original version Ana invited Matsuri over to her house so they could practice English together, and somehow Miu and the rest of the gang invited themselves over to Ana’s by following Matsuri over to Ana’s house (this is also the episode which features the “Cat-suri” cat outfit that Matsuri ends up wearing).
However in this version it’s Miu who supposedly wants to see Ana’s house, and Ana is (in fact) quite pleased to see them drop by to see her.
NOTE - Episode 12 is told entirely in a batch of connecting short skits which tell of the gang’s visit to Ana’s place in 1-2 page skits.

- Episode 13 is a batch of shorts with several ties to the Anime.
“Lack of Acute Judgment” for instance partially represents the ending sequence where Miu suddenly declares she’s “cute” near the end of Anime Episode 6 (the hot summer episode).
“Involuntary Reaction”, however, features the “reflex” gag seen during Anime Episode 1 (which is about how the girls pulled an overnighter to make a gift for Nobue’s birthday).
In a seemingly “original” skit (as I have yet to see Anime DVD V. 3 yet as of this review) called “Pets”, Nobue mimics the actions of Chika as she plays with their dog Satake (who in some stories is supposidly listed as Miu’s dog instead of Chika/Nobue’s)… by using Matsuri as her “pet”… what the…?!?

- Episode 14, “Attack of the Killer Zzzzs” features the first half of the “sleeping” gag from Episode 6 (the hot summer episode), only without the whole writing on the cue cards skit (might be seen next volume).

- Episode 15, “Ana Vs. Miu” features the starting part of what would be used in Anime Episode 5 (which is for the most part the embodiment of the “Sinister Sleepover” Episode from Volume 1), thus explaining why Miu (who replaces Matsuri as the “playahater” in this story, hates Miu (which is exactly how it happened in this manga version only with the addition of the sleepover part for the Anime episode).

- In an Episode no doubt used in part next DVD (Volume 3), “A Japanese Christmas” has Nobue, Chika, Ana and Miu dressed up like three reindeer and Santa (respectively) in order to prove to Matsuri that Santa really does exist (because they’re worried about Matsuri’s faith in the jolly man in the red suit).
Once again the source of the costumes is depending on who you ask (the anime or manga).
In the Manga it’s Miu who supplies the outfits, but in the Anime version it’s Nobue (which seems a tad more disturbing than Miu being the source of the costumes in the manga version).

Finally we have Episode 19, which features a skit seen in Episode 4 (Nobue’s part time job at a place where there’s no on the job smoking -- an evil thing for Nobue to be certain), and Episode 20 which features a skit seen in Episode 3 (just prior to Matsuri attempting to excuse herself to sneak off to Ana’s house).

Breakdown… because, well, I don’t know how else to explain all this.

Ichigo Mashimaro Sundae of Breakdown the 2nd
What’s Hot?
What is it that I absolutely like about Ichigo Mashimaro (again)? Everything.
Once once again the series aims to please, and manga wise it’s a solid read. Also watching how the series further “evolves” in these later stories (which further adds connections between the manga and the anime) was an overall 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 (which continues on now that I am waiting for Volume 3 of the manga to come out). Still it will get here eventually so I guess I can get over it.
After all, if I can wait the long wait between Kat & Mouse volumes, or for the 3rd and final volume of Dramacon (which should be out October 2007) then I can wait for this.

Moments to Remember?
Lots and lots and lots and lots (once again).

What to Ignore?
Where does Miu… or Nobue if we’re talking the Anime version… gets all these wonderful clothes (costumes) anyway! I mean.. well… really! That and the whole age differential between the Anime and Manga concerning Nobue.

Overall?
Solid is as solid does once again, and solid is what Strawberry Marshmallow (Ichigo Mashimaro) is.
One more time, for good measure, I’m giving it a perfect score of 5... Out of 5. Peace out.