Wednesday, July 5, 2006

   Strawberry Panic! Ep14
[Posted @ 3:45 PM]
... Germany LOST! WHY?! NO! First Brazil, Now Germany … THE WORLD IS ENDDDDDIIINNNNGGGG!!!


New OP, ‘Kuchibiru Hakuchuumu’ by Aki Misato. Quite a nice, soothing and dreamy pace compared to the fast paced first OP, ‘Shoujo Meiro de Tsukamaete’ also by Aki Misato. I like it, it suits the angsty and more angst development of Strawberry Panic!

Oh yeah, the images rocked, very spoilerish and loved the Amane x Hikari scene best, whoooaaa so … hm sexy? Haha, it’s like Hikari fell backwards, Amane dove in and capture her then they’ll stare at each other for like ages *rolls eyes*. A possible Tsubomi x Yaya coupling as Yaya was singing her heart out in the choir, while the blushing Tsubomi looked on from outside the church doors. Well well, what do we have here, I assume that it’s mystery girl who appeared in the OP, as now we see the hairstyle and the 1 second lol side view of the supposed dead lover of Shizuma, very different from the manga.


Alright, continuation of the cliff hanger in episode 13, well, not really as Yaya narrated briefly the first time when she met an angel, spring last year while she’s slacking off from choir practice in the church. The girls met up again for midnight tea party in Nagisa and Tamao’s room but Hikari’s not there. When asked if Hikari’s coming, Yaya didn’t say the reason and while she’s explaining, the scene changed to Hikari in bed covered with her blanket. The other girls didn’t think much of Hikari’s absence, merely commented that it’s a waste as Tamao had made Hikari’s favourite milk tea and Chiyo had brought over some cakes. Chiyo said that she had baked 6 cakes and only 5 came, so she’s wondering what she was going to do with the extra one. Nagisa replied that she could eat two then lol, Tsubomi called Nagisa, childish. While they were laughing at Nagisa’ silly ways, Tamao noticed that Yaya looked troubled. Chiyo and Tsubomi left the room but Yaya was no where to be seen, it seemed that Yaya asked Nagisa and Tamao if she could stay over the night in their room. While the girls were walking back, Tsubomi apparently had noticed that something must have happened to Hikari and Yaya. Chiyo commented that Tsubomi been don’t look happy too, Tsubomi shrugged that comment off lol. In the room, Nagisa and Tamao slept on Nagisa’s bed while Yaya took Tamao’s bed. Nagisa tried to whisper about stuff concerning Yaya but was hushed by Tamao.


Yaya flashbacked to the scene where she kissed Hikari, pushed her against the door, groped her butt and boobs without breaking the kiss. Hikari’s eyes were rimmed with tears as she retaliated by pushing Yaya away pretty hard then covering her upper body with her arms and cried. Yaya heard Hikari’s crying sounds and was shocked at her reactions, when Hikari asked why Yaya was doing this, Yaya tried to explain but Hikari interrupted by yelling no. Looking at Hikari’s crying face, Yaya hanged her head down in shame. Early next morning, Yaya left, while Nagisa worry about Hikari and Yaya, Tamao said that it’s better for them not to intervene as it’s between the two of them. That moment, they heard loud crashing sounds from next door, it seemed that Chihaya and Noriko were quarreling with each other like an old married couple lol. Chihaya even threw Noriko and stuff outta the room and they were just scolding each other like that while Nagisa and Tamao looked on. When they realized they were being watched, Noriko picked up her books and ran back in LOL. [Sooo funny] That day, during Yaya didn’t went for choir practice, instead she went to the horse ranch to look for Amane. Amane stopped in front of Yaya and started to say that she know she’s Hikari’s friend when Yaya interrupted her by telling Amane that Hikari’s at choir practice. Amane asked Yaya if she likes singing, Yaya replied yes. When Amane asked her if she likes horse riding, Yaya replied, not at all. Both of them formed a tension so thick you can slice through with a paper haha. Amane probably gallantly ‘retreated’ while lowering her cap, hiding her expression and saying it’s a waste. Yaya looked at Amane leaving with a rather strong expression but then relaxed and sighed after that. [Trying to act strong in front of your rival in love huh haha. It’s like Yaya’s trying to provoke Amane to challenge her but she doesn’t seem as strong as she seemed.]


While arranging their clothes, Nagisa told Tamao the reason behind Chihaya and Noriko’s quarrel, Chihaya had always been sewing the archery protect gear for Noriko but Noriko doesn’t like the position and said she don’t want to wear it anymore. Noriko complained that Chihaya didn’t concentrate on sewing and that got Chihaya angry. Tamao doesn’t seem to mind much as she said that they will patch up without them knowing. Nagisa started worrying about Hikari and Yaya again. Just then, Tamao took out the dress she wore when she went back home during the Summer Vacation, Nagisa was suddenly reminded of the red ribbon Tamao gave to her and ran out of the room. At the pool, Nagisa noticed that the pool had been drained and she climbed down to look for it nevertheless. Nagisa searched for it till dusk but still no red ribbon and when she felt like giving up, Oosaki-sensei called her. Oosaki-sensei gave her a box of items that were lost and found in the pool and Nagisa managed to find it. That night, Nagisa returned the red ribbon to Tamao and kept apologizing for forgetting about it. As Nagisa’s about to tell Tamao the reason behind the lost of the ribbon, Nagisa noticed Tamao tying one end of the ribbon to her pinky, Tamao told Nagisa that from the things she lost previously, this red ribbon’s the most precious and she would cherish it forever. When Nagisa asked why Tamao’s tying it to her finger, Tamao replied that so that from now on, Nagisa would be MINE forever! Muahahaha lol.

Over at Chihaya and Noriko’s room, Noriko’s trying to alter her gear by herself, Chihaya saw it and offered to do it much to Noriko’s protest lol. Chihaya then realized that Noriko and grown taller, that’s why she felt so uncomfortable wearing the gear as she had not alter the size. When Chihaya asked why didn’t Noriko just tell her before. Pouting, Noriko replied that Chihaya had noticed without her telling last year … Grinning evilly, Chihaya said that oh, that’s why you were so happy last year … you just want me to notice you is it not? Noriko blushed rapidly lol and refused to answer. [Kyaaahh~ cute development between them XD] Back in Nagisa and Tamao’s room, Nagisa’s tying the other end on Tamao’s pinky while they were chatting about Yaya not going to choir practice again. Nagisa wonder when Hikari and Yaya were going to be friends again, Tamao commented that if they had something to bind them together like the red ribbon in front of them it would be good. Tamao then changed the subject to asking Nagisa whose bed they will be sleeping tonight as they were tied together lollll. The next day, Nagisa and Tamao probably decided to reconcile Hikari and Yaya together, Tamao went to look for Yaya while Nagisa went to look for Hikari. Meanwhile, Yaya brought Tamao to the backyard of the church where she used to slack during choir practices in the church and also the first time met Hikari, her most important friend. Nagisa asked Hikari to bring her to the special place of her best friend and her, Hikari thought for a while and ran off to the special place.


Back to Tamao and Yaya, Yaya kept saying that Hikari’s not going to come as she wouldn’t remember the place because … she has a more important place, scene changed to the horse ranch Amane’s in. Besides, Yaya added, I’m not Hikari’s best friend anymore … [Not after what she done, she thinks] I destroyed the friendship between us … and Yaya grasped her hands very tightly till they were trembling. [That short scene was great, Yaya’s really taking it hard.] Suddenly, Hikari, Nagisa and Tsubomi came over while Yaya looked on, stunned beyond words. Yaya whispered to Hikari that she still remember this place … Hikari told Yaya that because … it’s the most important place where she and Yaya first met. - Flashback - [Holy crap, what happen to Yaya’s eyes … -.-|||] Yaya as usual intend to slack off by going to the backyard of the church, when she opened the door, she saw Hikari at the side leaning against the wall and singing with the choir. It’s like love at first sight for Yaya as she stood there, rooted to the ground, eyes sparkling and gazing at the singing Hikari. Hikari noticed Yaya looking and her, when Yaya moved forward, Hikari turned to run away. Yaya chased after Hikari and predictably, Hikari tripped and fell lol while Yaya fell on top of her. Yaya asked why Hikari’s running since she wasn’t doing anything wrong, not waiting for Hikari to explain, Yaya continued saying that Hikari’s a newly transferred student is she not? Hikari didn’t reply. Yaya asked Hikari if she likes singing, Hikari nodded. Yaya sat up and started singing the choir song, Hikari sung the next verse then later they sung together. After singing, Yaya introduced herself, so did Hikari, Yaya got up, extended her hand out to Hikari and told her to sing together alright?


Hikari blushed, nodded and accepted Hikari’s hand, a friendship was formed. - End of Flashback - The sobbing Hikari said that this was the place where they first met, so, so she would never forget it. Touched, Yaya walked forward and started to try to probably touch Hikari but stopped herself for fear that Hikari might dread her touch … after what she had done and kept on apologizing. Eyes brimming with tears, Yaya tried to explain her actions by saying that that time probably she wasn’t herself. Hikari leaned over to Yaya’s front and apologized too for treating Yaya badly, so they hugged. While doing so, Hikari told Yaya that they would always be best friends forever ne? Yaya looked a little sad for a while then changed to relieve, probably she’s happy that Hikari doesn’t hate her for what she had done and they still could be friends. Yaya probably would be contented on being friends with Hikari then be hated by her. Nagisa, Tamao and Tsubomi looked on, happy that the friends are friends again. The girls had a midnight tea party again, this time Tsubomi brought over 7 cakes, 6 girls but 7 cakes, the extra cake will be given to Nagisa lol. [LOL I love Tsubomi blushing and denying any praises or credits Hikari gave her XD] Nagisa stumbled, huh for me? Yaya’s back to her old teasing self as she added, who else could it be then? Haha. All the girls laughed except Yaya who was grinning away while sipping her tea elegantly. Looking at the laughing Hikari on her side, Yaya thought to herself, yes that time, I met an angel, however, narrowing her eyes, Yaya continued, she’s [Hikari] not only my angel ... [But someone else’s too XO] - END -


The new ED, "Ichigo Tsumami Monogatari" by Mai Nakahara and Ai Shimizu, hm not that I don’t like it but my mood wasn’t there. Although it’s cute, fluffy, strawberry-ish, pink and all but I really prefer “Himitsu Dolls’ more LOL, not because of the kissing scene but I just like the pace. One thing that greatly amused me was the sudden pop up flowery background when Mai and Ai looked at each other LOL, so … manga-like and the kiss on the forehead was sweet too.

I like the angst scenes of Yaya, very well executed, brought out the feelings of Yaya pretty well. The final blow came when Hikari told Yaya to always be best friends together, but Yaya took it pretty well, contented to be just her friend. The confrontation between Amane and Yaya at the horse ranch was lol well quite entertaining, I think it’s the first time they talk to each other. As for Amane lowering her cap down and hiding her expression, I wonder what kind of expression Amane had at Yaya’s apparent dislike at her.

More Nagisa x Tamao as Tamao marked Nagisa hers with red thread of fate lol, more info about the Etoile Battle next episode probably?

Art: 6/10 [Tsk tsk tsk]
Story: 7/10 [Really fast make up ... considering the 100% damage -.-|||]
Characters: 7/10 [Yaya~!]
Overall: 7/10

Sleeeepppyyyy ...

[Signing off @ 11:59 PM]
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