Ah, yes, Ichigo Mashimaro. Just a quick review, because there isn’t much to talk about. It’s just a happy, go lucky slice of life anime. I can capture this whole anime in one phrase:

Suitable for loli and moe freaks only and isn’t something you’ll miss.

It all starts with Nobue Itoh, who’s introducing herself. She calls herself a high school student of 16 years old, but in fact she’s 20 years old and goes to college. According to the anime. Then some other characters are introduced, like her younger sister Chika and often called Chi. Someone crashes into the room through the window and that can only be person, Miu. Miu lives in the house next door and often visits Nobue and Chi, as she can easily jump over the roof of the garage to the Itoh’s garage and can jump in the room when the window is open. Then there’s Matsuri, a shy girl with a ferret. Oh yeah, the girls call Nobue onee-chan as they’re pretty familiar with her. Nobue’s birthday is coming up, so the three girls start thinking about some ideas and they end up making ash tray, which doesn’t go that easy. They fall asleep one after another, they wake up and get slapped by a paper fan, fall asleep again and so on. Ana is introduced in the next episode. She’s actually from England and speaks fluent Japanese, but she tries to put on a act and acts like she doesn’t know a single word Japanese and so on. Matsuri ends up helping Ana regaining her English.

So, what makes Ichigo Mashimaro interesting? The only reason why I started watching it, is because I saw this superb AMV at the AnimeCon 2007 and it made me interested. I just finished it and well, I can say it’s overrated. It’s about a girl with a moe fetish named Nobue who’s surrounded by loli-characters and are typical. Cute characters, flat design and highly irritating voices. The animation was okay, but that’s it. The whole anime isn’t that much worth of watching, except when you’re a loli freak and like moe.

Story: 6. Slice of life. You can’t expect a real story here. Just about a bunch of loli characters and their life.
Animation: 7. Nothing special.
Sound: 6. I can’t stand highly annoying childish voices. One of the main reasons why I like Nanoha StrikerS better than the first two seasons.
Characters: 6. Nobue is the one who gives it a boost. They don’t show any development at all, except for just one scene and that’s it. Oh, please.
Enjoyment: 8. Had some good laughs, but that’s it.
Conclusion: 6,6. Rounded up a 7.

Recommendations:
Aishiteruze Baby. A show that does have character development.
Chi’s Sweet Home. Cute slice of life about a cat who lives with a family.
He is My Master. Funny show about two girls who end up as maids. For the moe and comedy factor.
Mahoraba ~Heartful Days. This one is a slice of life and reminds a bit of Love Hina, but is way cuter and has development.