Happy Birthday Chi-chan!

From left, Ana Coppola, Sakuragi Matsuri, Ito Chika, Matsuoka Miu

Yeah, I’m aware that Ichigo Mashimaro is a show that came out in 2005 but hey, it’s better to have watched than to have never watched at all.

Since I just picked it up and it so happens Chika’s birthday falls on the 11th May, why not do a post on it?

After watching the series, I think the best way to describe it while referencing the more recent shows would be… Lucky Star’s slice of life comedy mixed With ARIA’s trademark slow pace.

Ito Chika is to Ichigo Mashimaro what Kagami is to Lucky Star, providing the tsukkomi and voice of reason to her friends. An expert at cooking and baking sweets, she is probably the most reliable of the whole cast.

I guess the best part about the series for me is watching Miu, Chika’s hyper-active and mischievious neighbour, mess with the whole lot of them and then getting shot down by Chika and Nobue, Chika’s elder sis. Of course, I’m not forgetting the zen moments here and there but nothing ARIA level.

However, when all is said and done, my favourite is still Matsuri-chan our megane-wearing dojikko. In the words of Konata, she’s such a walking pillar of moe it’s almost unfair. Nobue seems to agree although I fear for Matsuri-chan’s safety in the future if she continues like that.

jiiiii~

Anyway, overall it is a slow show focusing on the aspects of the everyday suburban life illuminated by the occasional craziness. If you are looking for something to ease your Lucky Star withdrawal symptoms while you wait for the Lucky Star OVA to come, I suppose you can give this a shot. Although, I can’t help feeling like a pedo while watching and enjoying the show. Not used to watching shows with 11 to 12 year olds as the main characters I guess…

I am not A lolicon. I ALSO a lolicon.
By Izumi Soujirou