Strawberry Marshmallow, Volume 2

By Barasui

'Strawberry Marshmallow' follows the life of Nobue Ito, her younger sister Chika, and her friends Miu and Matsuri. Anna, a new character, also joins in the fun. In this story, Miu seems to have her hands full in a mischevious adventure.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1598164953
• ISBN13: 9781598164954
• Release Date: January 2006
• Publisher: Tokyopop
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.38 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.5" x 0.8" x 5.0"
• Age Range: 14 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 9 to 12

Customer Reviews

(4.5 STARS) Cute Is Justice!

This is the second volume of creator Barasui's hugely popular manga "Strawberry Marshmallow" ("Ichigo Mashimaro" in Japanese). Here we are introduced to a new character named Ana, a British girl who newly moved to Chika, Miu and Matsuri's school. There is one problem, however; that is, Ana is much more fluent in Japanese than in English, but she doesn't want her classmates to know it. And there is another thing that Ana is trying to hide desperately.... In a sense this volume is the real starting point for the comic (still serialized in magazine "Dengeki Daioh") that later turned into a successful animation series. Manga creator Barasui's ability as skilled illustrator had already been recognized in volume 1, but it is in this volume that the character designs become more consistent, and his laid-back storytelling is obviously improved as the five girls' personalities become clearer and dead-pan jokes more effective. With the introduction of Ana (and the subsequent silly "rivalry" between her and Miu), the story in each episode gets more elaborated, giving ever-energetic and unpredictable Miu chances to shine. In fact, the characters are more convincing and impressive, which means in this case more lovely and adorable. The volume includes the following episodes: Episode 11: Ana Episode 12: Ana's House Episode 13: Amusing Stew (Using Miu) Episode 14: Attack of the Killer ZZZ's Episode 15: Ana vs Miu Episode 16: A Japanese Christmas Episode 17: Into Hot Water Episode 18: Non-Eeclidean Geometry Episode 19: Sick Jokes Episode 20: The Caper [BOOK] The front and back covers are basically the same as original Japanese edition except the background color. Regrettably, the page 1 of the translated edition is printed in black and white, while that of the Japanese edition is in color. [ANA'S NAME] I am afraid some readers may not get some of the jokes, in this volume (or the series) the one about Ana's surname in particular. (Her name is the same as one of the greatest film directors, and his daughter who is also a film director). I can tell you it is very plausible that some Japanese children (especially pre-teens) might find the sound strange, just as some Japanese names may sound curious to English-speaking people. [TRIVIA] Lake Sanaru (p.127) really exists in Hamamatsu City (where the manga's story is set). In the comic the lake is referred to as "one of the most polluted lakes in Japan" and this is true. Relax and enjoy the ten funny episodes of five cute girls.

Here comes Ana.

Ana Coppola arrives. An English girl,she came to Japan when she was five and almost forgot to speak English so she's learning. She also wants to hide her fluency in Japanese.Then she meets clueless Matsuri and insane Miu. Welcome to the nieghborhood,Ana!

The cute craziness continues

This volume introduces the fifth member of the crew, Ana Coppola. She's British and tries to pass herself off as a foreigner, but has been living in Japan so long she is more fluent in Japanese than English! She has some issues with her last name, and Miu referring to it as "dippy" and "retarded" doesn't help any. Nor does the fact that she ends up stealing some of Ana's clothes when she and the rest of the girls leave. Miu is totally random, coming up with stuff seemingly out of nowhere and getting a well-deserved whack upside the head for it. This is a great manga, with nice artwork of really cute girls and some very funny, random moments. Miu's antics comprise the most of it, but seeing Nobue knee a guy in the groin while she's wearing a reindeer costume takes the cake!