Ichigo Mashimaro

Unlike the other reviews of this show, this review is written in 2023, almost EIGHTEEN YEARS after the show was broadcasted. However, with this time gap, modern reviews like this can prove that old shows can hold the test of time.

Ichigo Mashimaro is a masterpiece slice of life anime. The relationship of these characters mesh to create something entirely unique that cannot be compared to any other show out there.

The story is great. Why? Because this is slice of life. A show like this does not need a complicated plot. That's not what slice of life shows are about. Thus, let's just look ... at it from each episode. Each episode has an interesting story that never caused boredom.

The voice acting is stellar. Each character's VA is a perfect fit for the character and the way they are portrayed in both the show and manga. Their singing in the credits makes it even better.

The OPs and EDs fit the show so incredibly well. They're peaceful to listen to before and after the episodes. At the end of 12 and the OVAs, tears almost came out. They're just so well-made.

Finally, let's talk about the artwork briefly. For a show from 2005, the artwork would be even acceptable in today's time (for the type of show this is). The artwork fits the show. For example, if the artwork was something comparable to BTR, it wouldn't feel right. The artwork just fits the show, even if it is 18 years old, everyone should agree it is still perfect now.

Overall, Ichigo Mashimaro is a brilliant slice of life show with unqiue and enjoyable characters. And so, has the anime held the test of time?
Yes, yes it has.

So it took me some time to finish this anime, primarily because of the major annoyances that this show has present in every episode. Although I dig layed back slice of life shows, and how this story has underlying themes about the importance of childhood and how certain attitudes are helpful that tend to be lost in adulthood, but it does not present these themes in an enjoyable way. I was recommended this show as a comedy and I literally only got 2 jokes out of this that were funny out of 12 episodes, and those jokes were used way too much. I honestly dont ... care anymore about this series but the main problem in my opinion of this show is the girl with the pig tails, the driving force of this show. She is ssooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo infuriating and annoying. I literally would pause for minutes to just cuss her out for being so stupid. In conclusion, this show tries to address themes that are pretty important to consider, but just does it in a very shallow and annoying way.

Ichigo Mashimaro is an anime about an onee san, three cute elementary girls and an obnoxious being. Yes, obnoxious.
If you'd ask me "what's the meaning of obnoxious?", I'll tell you; Matsuoka Miu. She's the type of child that'll bully you as a joke, she's overly toxic and annoying. The moment someone treats her the way she treats others, she'll victimise herself.

An example of her toxicity without spoilers is Ana. She keeps harassing her for no reason and the poor girl begs her to stop, but Miu the world awarded good friend won’t stop and it’s not funny, it’s rather annoying.

Miu aside, the comedy in ... the anime isn't funny. It's painful. It has the same type of comedy as Watamot, where you keep feeling bad for the character instead of laughing. Am I supposed to laugh at the teacher punishing a student that did nothing wrong? It isn't funny, it's painful and concerning.

The other characters are fine, nobue is nice, she carried the show for me, however everything revolves around Miu for some reason which makes all the characters bland, I don’t even remember if they were three or two to be honest (excluding Miu), they feel more like the npc in games and miu is the main character while nobue being the partner.

The anime also has a bunch of fanservice for lolicons, which kind of weird, awkward to watch…. and also concerning..

Overall, the art is ok the music is average, nothing pops up more than Miu for all the bad reasons.