Strawberry
Marshmallow Volume 1 – Cute Is As Cute Does (Animé)
Picture: B-
Sound: C+ Extras: C- Episodes: B
Summary: Based on
manga, Strawberry Marshmallow is a story about a college girl Nobue, her
younger sister Chika, and her friends Miu, Matsuri and Ana. The show is about how they live day to day,
either Nobue trying to quit smoking, going outside to play, or just going to
school.
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Episode 1: Birthday
Nobue and her sister Chika are two ordinary sisters living
together, with the friends dropping by Miu and Matsuri from next door. It is
Nobue's birthday tomorrow and the three prepares a surprise birthday present
for Nobue. Only thing is can the work together make it in time?
Episode 2: Ana
Ana steps in, a transfer student from England. The only
thing is that she has been in Japan already 5 years. She pretends to be a
foreigner. She pretends to not understand Japanese even though she is fluent,
but the only thing is she hardly remembers any English!
Episode 3: House Call
Miu tutors Ana with her English, but ends up with Chika
& company visiting Ana's house. Will Ana keep them from discovering her
secret?
Episode 4: Part-time Job
Ever on the quest for more money, Nobue finds a part-time
job... that is until the girls find out what Nobue's part-time job is... then
the trouble starts.
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Review - One of those cute anime with no overall plot but
more the day to day life, but even still... life has it's drama. While it isn't one of those action/fighting
Animés it is filled with cute girls and them getting into cute situations. I would consider it very heartfelt, filled
with jokes and funny moments. What is
most notable is the fact that the characters all have their flaws making the
story more amusing reminding the antics among friends. I recommend this series to those who have
seen and like the series Azumanga Daioh.
Technically, the anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 color
image is decent with good color, but some detail and depth limits, while the
Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo without Pro Logic surrounds are above average on all
four shows. Still, another high quality
release from Geneon.
- Ricky Chiang
