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leavemealone88



Joined: 16 Apr 2007
Posts: 25
Location: Illinois
PostPosted: Sat May 12, 2007 9:59 pm Reply with quote
I just finished watching Strawberry Panic (Fansubbed) tonight. I found it by just looking up on the internet some info on some different anime's trying to find something that I'd like to watch. I thought it sounded interesting so I decided to check it out. At first the fact that all the girls were super skinny and tall and had really skinny legs and all that kind of bugged me, but once I got into the show I didn't even notice it any more. I haven't heard much about the show at all (Probably because its not availible in the US). I don't think its gonna ever be real popular or anything, but I was wondering who's seen it and what you thought of it? I enjoyed it and I liked the ending although it left me with alot of questions like spoiler[What's going to happen to Nagisa and Shizuma because Shizuma is graduating in three months..]

Have you heard of the show?
If you've seen it what do you think of it?
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Nom_Anor



Joined: 09 Dec 2006
Posts: 246
PostPosted: Sat May 12, 2007 10:55 pm Reply with quote
I believe the light novels from which it is based were licensed. The plot of them is, I believe, similar, with the same characters are locations, but different actual events.
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HitokiriShadow



Joined: 09 May 2005
Posts: 6251
PostPosted: Sun May 13, 2007 12:16 am Reply with quote
While it was laughably bad at times, it was entertaining.

Chikaru was awesome. She needs her own spin-off series with her underage harem.

I hated Nagisa, though. She annoyed me to no end.

Ultimately, I found it enjoyable on some levels, but rather frustrating, because it could have been actually good with a different lead character (or by giving Nagisa a brain) and competent writers.
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Richard J.



Joined: 11 Aug 2006
Posts: 3367
Location: Sic Semper Tyrannis.
PostPosted: Sun May 13, 2007 10:25 am Reply with quote
leavemealone88 wrote:
I enjoyed it and I liked the ending although it left me with alot of questions
Oh what sweet words to read. Most people complain endlessly about the ending because they wanted different characters to end up together.

I've seen all of Strawberry Panic! too and I throughly enjoyed it. Occasionally, like with the whole spoiler[amnesia] plot line, it veered too far into soap opera cliche but I loved the characters and I thought the series had great emotion. I got exactly what I wanted out of the ending.

I found Nagisa to be very likable character and Shizuma had my support from her first appearance. The triangles that formed in the series were predictable, but spiced up by the issues with spoiler[Kaori] that Shizuma had and the machinations of the Evil Lesbian Duo interfering with Amane and Hikari. While sometimes the series felt a little stiff, it's a solid B series to me.

One thing HitokiriShadow and I can absolutely agree on is Chikaru needs her own spin-off series. I don't care if there's not even a hint of Yuri, she's such a cool character that she can pull it off. (I liked how she was so supportive of everyone else and in the end spoiler[she supported Nagisa and Shizuma too,] which more than anything else tells me the union is blessed.)

After watching the series, I found myself a little depressed at the thought that it would probably never be licensed. Since Seven Seas announced plans to publish the light novels and the manga, go here to see, I've been hoping for this Yuri series to get a proper R1 release. (I'm just hoping someone other than Media Blasters will get it. I like dubs and they don't seem to want to do them for Yaoi series and apparently not for Yuri-themed series either.)

*Spolier Guarded for those who've never seen the series.
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NocturnalUX



Joined: 10 Apr 2007
Posts: 448
Location: Portugal
PostPosted: Sun May 13, 2007 11:28 am Reply with quote
HitokiriShadow wrote:

Chikaru was awesome. She needs her own spin-off series with her underage harem.

I hated Nagisa, though. She annoyed me to no end.

Ultimately, I found it enjoyable on some levels, but rather frustrating, because it could have been actually good with a different lead character (or by giving Nagisa a brain) and competent writers.


I am glad to see I am not the only one who found Nagisa to be a very disappointing lead. Chikaru would make a much more interesting choice for a main character instead of making her a supporting figure.

Taking into consideration that a few episodes were simply inane (spoiler[the one about the umberella comes to mind]) it was rather sad that more time was not used developing some more interesting aspects (spoiler[such as Kaori and Shizuma's relationship]).

Regarding the whole spoiler[amnesia issue] that was indeed helplessly contrieved. One thing that vaguely surprised me was the very ending, spoiler[Tamao welcoming Nagisa back to their room after the Étoile showdown,] was a rather sombre way of finishing the series. Which by itself is not remarkable but given the fact that most of the show was very tongue-in-cheek I was not expecting such a gloomy finale. After all, spoiler[it would be very easy to finish off with Shizuma and Nagisa happilly together].
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Macron One



Joined: 17 Aug 2006
Posts: 151
Location: Netherlands
PostPosted: Sun May 13, 2007 1:21 pm Reply with quote
[quote="Richard J."]
leavemealone88 wrote:
After watching the series, I found myself a little depressed at the thought that it would probably never be licensed. Since Seven Seas announced plans to publish the light novels and the manga, go here to see, I've been hoping for this Yuri series to get a proper R1 release. (I'm just hoping someone other than Media Blasters will get it. I like dubs and they don't seem to want to do them for Yaoi series and apparently not for Yuri-series


I hate to be the bearer of semi-negative news, but it seems a virtual certainty that Media Blasters already has the Strawberry Panic licence.
Over on the AOD forum, there was a post by Media Blasters' John Sirabella in the "Why do the R1 companies suddenly hate us" thread that included the following: "..... Therefore when companies do not go these extra mile, they do not see the potential. Also in an effort to be totally honest, it would be impossible to have every title to be given the same treatment with the number of titles we are releasing each month and therefore sometimes do not get too many Voltrons as it would be too much for us. We need the Simouns and Strawberry Panics and such...."
While there is of course nothing official about this comment, i assume John Sirabella would realize very well that people will percieve this as an unofficial license confirmation, and i don't think he would have mentioned those two titles if the license hadn't already been secured.
Simoun has,of course, already been announced as licensed, so i think it is only a matter of time before they announce Strawberry Panic as well.

Strawberry Panic is actually one of my favourite anime series, so i very much hope it'll get a proper release, although the phrasing of Sirabella's post does not bode well.
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leavemealone88



Joined: 16 Apr 2007
Posts: 25
Location: Illinois
PostPosted: Sun May 13, 2007 2:45 pm Reply with quote
I liked Nagisa for the most part although she did seem like a dunse (sp?) every once in a while. I liked the umbrella episode. I know it was more of a filler type episode, but I don't mind stuff like that. The spoiler[amnesia] episode made me a little frusterated. I don't really know why. Maybe just because you think things are going good then that wacks poor Hikary down. spoiler[I'm glad her and Amena were elected Eoile. I knew Nagisa and Tamao weren't going to, and if they had that would have made me mad because all the stuff Hikary had to go through.] Hikary was my favorite character.. besides the bear Very Happy
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HitokiriShadow



Joined: 09 May 2005
Posts: 6251
PostPosted: Sun May 13, 2007 4:29 pm Reply with quote
Richard J. wrote:

After watching the series, I found myself a little depressed at the thought that it would probably never be licensed.


I'm pretty sure Media Blasters will license it. They already have Kashimashi and Simoun, and a particular comment by John Sirabella on AoD could be interpreted to mean that they have it or are at least interested in it.
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NocturnalUX



Joined: 10 Apr 2007
Posts: 448
Location: Portugal
PostPosted: Sun May 13, 2007 4:45 pm Reply with quote
What annoyed me the most about the whole spoiler[amnesia thing was how easily it could have been solved. For some odd reason, it does not cross Hikari's mind to remind Amane of what happened.]

And now that I think about it, Strawberry Panic offers some top rate comedy that is probably unintentional. spoiler[Who can forget the tennis "duel" and Kaname's completely off whack comment "You are the Chosen One!" spoken in dreary English?]
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Richard J.



Joined: 11 Aug 2006
Posts: 3367
Location: Sic Semper Tyrannis.
PostPosted: Sun May 13, 2007 10:04 pm Reply with quote
HitokiriShadow wrote:
I'm pretty sure Media Blasters will license it. They already have Kashimashi and Simoun, and a particular comment by John Sirabella on AoD could be interpreted to mean that they have it or are at least interested in it.
Sigh. They'll probably screw me out of a dub again like they did with Kashimashi. Dare I even hope for an artbox?

I really wish another company would start licensing Yuri series and actually treat them to the same level of quality release other series enjoy. Is it really so difficult for them to give such series half a chance at success beyond the ultra niche crowd? I mean, even hentai series can get a dub.

Forgive me, I am a bitter dub and Yuri lover.

Back on the subject of Strawberry Panic!, I think the umbrella episode has more impact if you know that sharing an umbrella is considered a big sign in Japan that two people are in a romantic relationship. That sort of gives the episode a different twist.
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P€|\||§_|\/|ast@



Joined: 14 Feb 2006
Posts: 3498
Location: IN your nightmares
PostPosted: Sun May 13, 2007 10:23 pm Reply with quote
Sorry Richard J but I think one should simply appreciate the fact that a show like Kashimashi is being released and if it shows a good response from consumers will probably pave way for anime like Strawberry Panic and others. I think a couple titles in their adult line are yuri hentai as well. So really there are few reasons for me to complain, especially how they've seem to become the exclusive licensor of yaoi and shounen-ai titles as well and are having moderate success with them. This is all something I could not even dreamed would happen 10 years ago, and if this title ever gets licensed by Media Blasters there should absolutely be no reason for any further complaints (at least from me Wink ).
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Richard J.



Joined: 11 Aug 2006
Posts: 3367
Location: Sic Semper Tyrannis.
PostPosted: Sun May 13, 2007 11:34 pm Reply with quote
Finding it too difficult to argue with someone with such a nice avatar, Richard J. quietly leaves the field, holding in his heart the tiny ember of hopeful conviction that one day he will buy dubbed Yuri anime. Wink
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DKL



Joined: 08 May 2005
Posts: 1992
Location: California, USA
PostPosted: Mon May 14, 2007 12:20 am Reply with quote
You know... I think this might be my ignorance, stupidity or male chauvinism showing, but...

I was REALLY under the impression that a show about lesbians (technically) like Girl Meets Girl would actually do rather well... and that, by going sub-only, they haven't maximized the show's market potential...

But yeah... who knows?

...

I mean, really... it's just a pretty low-brow and shallow assumption... but I can't help but have this feeling somewhere in the back of my head.

That said, this show (unlike what I've heard of Girl Meets Girl) is actually rather racy, from what I've heard...

Yeah, market that.
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P€|\||§_|\/|ast@



Joined: 14 Feb 2006
Posts: 3498
Location: IN your nightmares
PostPosted: Mon May 14, 2007 4:57 pm Reply with quote
Richard J. wrote:
Finding it too difficult to argue with someone with such a nice avatar, Richard J. quietly leaves the field, holding in his heart the tiny ember of hopeful conviction that one day he will buy dubbed Yuri anime. Wink


Allright then I'll use a male avatar:

You won't have a problem arguing with him will ya? Laughing
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Richard J.



Joined: 11 Aug 2006
Posts: 3367
Location: Sic Semper Tyrannis.
PostPosted: Mon May 14, 2007 5:36 pm Reply with quote
Past wrote:
Allright then I'll use a male avatar:

You won't have a problem arguing with him will ya? Laughing
I don't know, the cute level is still pretty high. Wink

Actually, I was mostly just tired last night and didn't feel like arguing about something that can't be argued anyway. I want the release to be one way, it probably won't be that way, and some people prefer it the way it will be while others like myself will be disappointed. It would be wonderful if we could all have what we want, but it's not realistic.

I'll just have to wait until either another company decides to take a stab at English dubbing old anime series (which probably won't happen for many years if at all) or get rich and do it myself. Or just let it go like the sadness I used to feel all the time. I suppose letting go is easier, but there's always something depressing about giving up on what you want.

Anyway, it's poinless to debate. I can't change anyone's opinions nor easily be swayed myself, and I don't like getting people angry with me. Life's too damn short, you know?
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