Strawberry Marshmallow, Volume 4

By Barasui

Coud is back and training hard. During his training, he spots the great fighter Rasati returning home. He insists that she tells him her secrets to winning. Rasati promises Coud her secrets will be no use to him.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 159816497X
• ISBN13: 9781598164978
• Release Date: July 2007
• Publisher: TokyoPop
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.38 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.3" x 0.8" x 5.0"
• Age Range: 14 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 9 to 12

Customer Reviews

Cute Is Justice!

The adventures of five cute girls continue in "Strawberry Marshmallow," a series of delightful sketches about everyday life in which smallest things mean a lot. Meet Nobue, Chika, Matsuri, Miu and Ana again and enjoy yourselves reading these delightful stories: Episode 31: Door-to-door Episode 32: An Amazing Stew (Using Miu) Episode 33: Bow-wow Episode 34: Weight Problem Episode 35: PUSH THE BUTTON Episode 36: The Love Trap Episode 37: An Elementary School Haunting Episode 38: Schooled Episode 39: Buzz Buzz Episode 40: Cabin Fever Well, I think the chapter titles tell you all. In this volume Nobue is still seen smoking, but not frequently as before. Miu's pranks get more elaborate and their outcomes are more enjoyable. There is one "dogfight" scene between her and Ana, which is one of the funniest episodes of the book. [BOOK] The front and back covers are basically the same as original Japanese edition except the background color. The page 7 of the translated edition is printed in black and white while Japanese counterpart is in color. Volume 4 offers very funny "Intermission" sections where the five girls are interviewed and give answers to such questions as "Say a few words about Matsuri" or "What are your favorite movies?" The Q and A part reflects the personality of each girl and the results are often hilarious. (How could a twelve-year-old girl Miu see THAT movie anyway?) Translation is good though as in the previous volumes of this series it tends to ignore the cultural nuance of the original. Some changes are understandable. Chika's curious "tea-pot" exercise on page 77 actually refers to the famous character "Iyami" of classic Japanese comic "Osomatsu-kun," a manga series by Fujio Akatsuka, and his trademark gag which everyone in Japan knows, but probably you have never heard of him. Again sound effects are not translated, but you will not lose much. But ... no more "Noby" and "Mats" please. Still some obvious mistakes should be corrected. Ana Coppola's favorite movie director on page 104 should be Yasujiro Ozu ("Tokyo Story"), not Ozawa. Also, Miu's line "How much do you get paid?" sounds strange. Considering Miu's character, the original Japanese "Gyara ikura?" (which literally means "How much salary?") should be interpreted as "How much do "I" get paid (for being interviewed)?" That sounds more like her. [TRULY TRIVIAL] Many of the locations that are depicted in the manga really exist in the city of Hamamatsu. For example, Ana and Matsuri's school (seen in Episode 37) is based on Hirosawa Elementary School and you can see the school's name in kanji letters on page 119. Perhaps this is the best of all five volumes published so far. The series is unfinished and I hope Barasui will keep good work in the future.

In the words of the foreigner, "So Cute!"

Simply stated, Ichigo Mashimaro is the cutest, funniest manga series that's been translated thus far. Volume 4 only ups the ante for the following volume, while continuing to maintain the cute, yet absolutely non-fanservicey, attitude. A must-buy for anybody looking for a hearty laugh, a quick pick-me-up, or a break from normal, "sitcom-style" comedies.