Strawberry Panic! (anime)

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Strawberry Panic!

ストロベリー・パニック! (Strawberry Panic!)
Genre	Drama, Romance, Seinen, Yuri
TV anime
Directed by	Masayuki Sakoi
Studio	Madhouse
Network	Chiba TV, Kids Station, TV Aichi, TV Osaka
Original run	April 3, 2006 – September 25, 2006
No. of episodes	26

Strawberry Panic! (ストロベリー・パニック!, Sutoroberī Panikku!^?) was adapted into an Japanese anime series produced by the animation studio Madhouse. The series aired in Japan between April 3, 2006 and September 25, 2006; it contained twenty-six episodes. These episodes were later split into nine separate DVDs, the first of which went on sale in Japan on June 23, 2006; it contained the first two episodes. The anime's central theme is yuri (lesbian relationships) though none of the relationships gets to the point to be considered hentai, or extremely lewd. The anime is based on the short stories and manga that preceded it.

There is a slight difference in the title of the series between media and national affiliation. The original short stories, manga light novels, and video game used the exclamation mark in the title; the anime excluded it.

1 Plot
2 Episode list
3 DVD release and sales
4 Criticism
5 References
6 External links

[edit] Plot

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

The plot of Strawberry Panic! is about the lives of adolescent girls who each attend one of three affiliated all-girl schools which share a campus and dormitories, which include: St. Miator's Girl's Academy, St. Spica's Girl's Institute and St. Lulim's Girl's School. Students who reside on campus live in dormitories that are referred to as the Strawberry Dorms, though the proper name is Astrea Dormitory, named after Astrea Hill where the institutions are located.^[1]

The main heroine of the story is Nagisa Aoi, a young girl entering her fourth year at St. Miator after being transferred from a different school. Upon first entering the campus grounds she is overcome with joy by the overall appearance of the surrounding area, but her joy is soon turned to sorrow as she accidentally stumbles down a hill, causing her to be lost and disoriented. While walking around the grounds trying to figure out where she is, she comes across a student by the name of Shizuma Hanazono, who happens to be Astrea Hill's Etoile, a very important person who acts as a representative among the different schools and has specific duties that she must fulfill.^[1] Nagisa is instantly overcome by Shizuma's beauty and finds that she cannot move. After Shizuma kisses her on the forehead, Nagisa loses consciousness and awakens in the school's infirmary. Next to her bed is a different girl the same age as Nagisa named Tamao Suzumi who informs her that they are to be roommates in the dormitory.

In the story that follows, Nagisa is introduced to other students from each of the three schools, those of which include students she admires, is intimidated by, or are merely friends that she meets while attending St. Miator. The series encompasses the relationships the characters build with each other, climaxing whenever two of the characters start dating.^[1]

[edit] Episode list

Title	Original air date	#

"Cherry Blossom Hill" "Sakura no oka" (櫻の丘)	April 3, 2006	1
Nagisa Aoi transfers to St. Miator Girl's Academy and gets acquainted with the school and fellow students.
"Etoile" "Etowāru" (エトワール)	April 10, 2006	2
Tamao writes a poem and recites it at the Literature Club. Nagisa inadvertently meets up with Shizuma multiple times and has some interesting encounters. Also, the Etoile ignores her school duties to do what she wants.
"Attic" "Yaneura" (屋根裏)	April 17, 2006	3
Nagisa is shown around the Strawberry Dorms by Tamao and two of their classmates. After accidentally interrupting a student council meeting, Chikaru Minamoto explained the three-school system and some internal politics. Shizuma continues to ignore her Etoile duties.
"You on the White Horse" "Hakuba no kimi" (白馬の君)	April 24, 2006	4
Amane Ōtori comes back from a horseback-riding competition and is greeted by the students from Spica, the school she attends. Hikari and the other Saintly Chorus members perform for Amane. Also, Hikari and Amane start talking and begin to develop a relationship together.
"Younger Sisters" "Imoutotachi" (妹たち)	May 1, 2006	5
Select first years attending Miator become room-temps for older students. One such student, Chiyo, becomes the room-temp for Nagisa and Tamao.
"Greenhouse" "Onshitsu" (温室)	May 8, 2006	6
Nagisa tries to find a club she would like to join, but she's not interested in any of them. Later, she discovers the Etoile's private greenhouse and helps with the flowers.
"Thorny Trap" "Ibara no wana" (荊の罠)	May 15, 2006	7
As Hikari and Amane's relationship progresses, Shion tries to convince Amane to run for the position of Etoile in the next election. However, unknown to Shion, Kaname and Momomi work out a different plan involving Hikari.
"Hydrangeas" "Ajisai" (紫陽花)	May 22, 2006	8
Nagisa offers her favorite umbrella to Kagome but doesn't give her name. Later, Kagome gets help from Chikaru and her friends and they start to investigate the mystery, trying to find out who gave Kagome the umbrella. Meanwhile, Tamao tries desperately to fulfill her fantasy of walking under an umbrella together with Nagisa.
"Memories" "Kioku" (記憶)	May 29, 2006	9
The "Seven mysteries" of the Strawberry Dorms are mentioned. Nagisa and Tamao start to investigate the first mystery: "The Girl of the Hallway".
"Private Lessons" "Kojin kyoju" (個人教授)	June 5, 2006	10
Nagisa starts to prepare for the mid-year exams by getting tutored by Shizuma in the French language. Nagisa also studies very much on her own with the French language and all other courses she's taking.
"Meteor Shower" "Ryuuseiu" (流星雨)	June 12, 2006	11
Nagisa, accompanied by most of her friends, go on a short trip to the beach during "summer school". While there, everyone finds their own ways of having fun with each other and they even get to participate in a test of courage later on. Meanwhile, Nagisa is just starting to discover just how much she misses Shizuma.
"Summertime" "Natsujikan" (夏時間)	June 19, 2006	12
The month-long summer holidays have started and most of the students residing in the Strawberry Dorms are going home. This leaves Nagisa, Shizuma and a couple of others left behind. Without the interference of other students, Shizuma makes her move on Nagisa.
"The Roar of the Waves" "Shiosai" (潮騒)	June 26, 2006	13
Hikari finally gets a chance to be on a "date" with Amane. However, Kaname and Momomi again try to tear apart the new bond betweem them for Spica's sake at the Etoile position. In the midsts of all this, Yaya's feelings for Hikari grow even stronger.
"More Than Best Friends" "Shinyuu ijou" (親友以上)	July 3, 2006	14
Yaya's incident with Hikari causes her to fear that she has lost Hikari forever. (NOTE: This second half of the season begins with new opening and ending theme songs).
"Heroine" "Hiroin" (ヒロイン)	July 10, 2006	15
Everybody at the Strawberry Dorms is pitching in for the two plays in Astraea's Drama Festival. The main play, Carmen, is the focus of everyone's attention as everyone awaits the announcement of who is to be cast as the lead roles. The second play will be Romeo and Juliet.
"Behind the Scenes" "Butaiura" (舞台裏)	July 17, 2006	16
While everyone is still preparing for the show, there seems to be some internal struggling concerning Kaname and Momomi with the others. Later, after suffering two show-stopping events, all the students involved with the play band together and put on a show the other students will never forget.
"Secret" "Himitsu" (秘密)	July 24, 2006	17
While all three schools eagerly await the election of a new Etoile couple, Nagisa learns the truth behind this tradition and receives an unexpected invitation from Shizuma in order to find out more information about Shizuma's late partner - the deceased Etoile.
"Storm of Love" "Ai no arashi" (愛の嵐)	July 31, 2006	18
During a rainy night in Shizuma's villa, Nagisa finally learns about Kaori Sakuragi, the Etoile that passed away. However, she also makes a painful discovery of exactly how close the two Etoile were, and how their shared past is far from being a mere memory.
"Refrain" "Rifurein" (リフレイン)	August 7, 2006	19
Miyuki recounts for Nagisa the events of the past few years concerning Shizuma and the now-deceased Kaori. As she tells her story, she also touches on the effects Nagisa's coming and passing had on both Shizuma and herself.
"Confession" "Kokuhaku" (告白)	August 14, 2006	20
In the aftermath of Shizuma avoiding everyone else, a cheerful Nagisa pushes on with her life, but then falls into a state of depression and ponders if coming to Miator was a good idea, which causes Tamao to recount just why Nagisa is so important to her. Meanwhile, Nagisa's first and second year friends, concerned with her mood, decide to band together to cheer her up again.
"Like a Flower" "Hana no youni" (花のように)	August 21, 2006	21
With the end of Shizuma's tenure as Etoile approaching, she prepares to abdicate her office. A final message from Kaori forces her to reconsider her life's choices, as well as her behaviour towards other people.
"Duel" "Kettou" (決闘)	August 28, 2006	22
Preparations for the Etoile election are proceeding along and consuming more of everyone's attention. After another physical confrontation with Kaname, Hikari says something to her which motivates Kaname to challenge Amane to a game of tennis. During their match, Yaya and Hikari finally have an important discussion.
"Labyrinth" "Meiro" (迷路)	September 4, 2006	23
To counter Amane's plans of attending the Etoile election, Miyuki makes Tamao and Nagisa an offer not to be refused - enter the game together and repeat Miator's victorious history. In the end, just how do Shizuma, Nagisa and Tamao truly feel about this turn of events?
"Ring of Destiny" "Unmei no wa" (運命の輪)	September 11, 2006	24
Amane awakens after her accident, but has suffered partial memory loss - her relationship with Hikari is apparently included in what is lost. Nagisa and Tamao enter training for the Etoile Election and get an unexpected tutor: Shizuma.
"Waltz" "Enbukyoku" (円舞曲)	September 18, 2006	25
Nagisa and Tamao continue practicing for the dance in preperation of the Etoile Election, but it will take some more of Shizuma's help to improve Nagisa's chances of becoming one of the next Etoiles. Meanwhile, Amane recovers her memories when Hikari sings the song she sang when they first met.
"A Beginning" "Hajimari" (はじまり)	September 25, 2006	26
The Etoile elections have started. After reliving her memories of the past year, Shizuma makes her final decision about her relationship with Nagisa. The two end up 'eloping' just before the announcement of who won the election, with Tamao's somewhat sorrowful blessing. Amane and Hikari go forward together to an apparently happy future as the new Etoiles.

Spoilers end here.

[edit] DVD release and sales

The anime has been released in Japan periodically; the first boxset, "Strawberry Panic DVD Box I" (in regular and special editions), was released on June 23, 2006. The boxset contained the first and second episodes of the series, "Cherry Blossom Hill" and "Etoile" and sold 1,918 units as of late November 2006.^[2]^[3] The second boxset, titled "Strawberry Panic DVD Box II" (in regular and special editions), was released on July 25, 2006, featuring the third episode "Attic", the fourth episode, "You on the White Horse", and the fifth episode, "Younger Sisters"; it sold 2,814 units as of late November 2006.^[4]^[3] The regular and special editions of the boxset are similar in content, but the special editions are packaged in jacket sleeve, and contain an original booklet which includes other merchandise, such as portable plates and straps. The special edition includes different versions of the opening and closing themes, and deleted scenes.^[5]

The third boxset, "Strawberry Panic DVD Box III", was released on August 25, 2006, featuring the sixth episode, "Greenhouse", the seventh episode, "Thorny Trap", and the eighth episode, "Hydrangeas"; it sold 2,464 units.^[3] The fourth boxset, "Strawberry Panic DVD Box IV", was released on September 22, 2006, containing the ninth episode, "Memories", the tenth episode, "Private Lessons", and the eleventh episode, "Meteor Shower"; the boxset sold 2,074 units.^[3] The fifth boxset, "Strawberry Panic DVD Box V", was released on October 25, 2006. The boxset contained the twelfth episode, "Summertime", the thirteenth episode, "The Roar of the Waves", and the fourteenth episode, "More than Best Friends"; the boxset sold 2,595 units.^[3] The sixth boxset, "Strawberry Panic DVD Box VI", went on sale in Japan on November 24, 2006 containing the fifteenth episode, "Heroine", the sixteenth episode, "Behind the Scenes", and the seventeenth episode, "Secret"; this boxset sold 2,146 units.^[3] These sales figures are as of late November 2006.^[3]

The seventh boxset, "Strawberry Panic DVD Box VII", was released on December 22, 2006 and contained the eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth episodes, "Storm of Love", "Refrain", and "Confession" respectively. The eighth boxset, "Strawberry Panic DVD VIII", was released on January 25, 2007. This boxset contained the twenty-first episode, "Like a Flower", the twenty-second episode "Duel", and the twenty-third episode "Labyrinth". The final boxset, "Strawberry Panic DVD Box IX", was released on February 23, 2007, featuring the twenty-fourth episode, "Ring of Destiny", the twenty-fifth episode, "Waltz", and the final episode, "A Beginning".

[edit] Criticism

The one aspect critics of the Strawberry Panic! anime bring up the most is that the plot and characters are taken from another yuri series that preceded it, Maria-sama ga Miteru.^[6]^[7]^[8] Jeff Lawson reviewed Strawberry Panic! on his blog, commenting, "As far as quality is concerned, Strawberry Panic is no Maria-sama ga Miteru, but I dare say it’s very similar to Marimite in the sense that, when it’s serious, you take it seriously, and when it’s not...well, you have some fun with it."^[9]

Strawberry Panic! has been called trash by at least two reviewers. A review posted on "Mangaminx"'s blogger stated, "Now, while Strawberry Panic is certainly entertaining I wouldn't call it the most high brow of titles. In fact I'd go as far as calling it trash, entertaining trash (like a tabloid newspaper with such ridiculous headlines you can't help but laugh perhaps) but still trash."^[10] At Erica Friedman's "Okazu" blogger, she stated, "Strawberry Panic is trash. It's written for the lowest common denominator, will have as many cliche's as possible crammed into each episode and the yuri is only fanservice."^[8] After initially having this stance for the entire series, Friedman later changes her opinion slightly, writing that "[the anime] turned out pretty good."^[11] She goes on to say, "There’s no denying that Strawberry Panic! wasn’t brilliant, but considering that it was meant to be trashy, it pulled out a few moments of dignity and elegance out of the trash heap."^[11]

In an overall popitive review on the anime by "Shirukii", the review said, "All in all, an excellent anime, a definite recommendation to ANYONE, yuri fans or otherwise. However, if you are a yuri or shoujo ai fan, you may find the lack of actual yuri scenes disappointing. There’s some groping, kissing and occasional nude embrace, but (with a few exceptions) these scenes are mostly static and probably not what you have in mind."^[6] In a review of the final episode, Omni at the Random Curiosity anime blogger had this to say: "As my friend Mentar would tell me, this is another example of a show that didn’t start off the best, but matured quite well. And as much as I hate to admit it, this finale did leave me wanting to see more."^[12]