Ichigo 100% Special DVD Mogitate Hen - The appeal and evaluation of the two unaired episodes

Ichigo 100% Special DVD Freshly Picked Edition - Relive the bittersweetness of youth

"Ichigo 100%" is an anime based on the popular manga by Mizuki Kawashita, which was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump. Following the TV series that aired in 2005, a special DVD "Ichigo 100% Special DVD Mogitate Hen" was released, which includes episodes that were not aired on TV. This DVD includes episodes 25, "Come and Pick Me Up!" and 26, "Because I'm Always on Your Side," which were not aired in the TV series, and are long-awaited new episodes for fans.

Overview

"Ichigo 100% Special DVD Mogitate-hen" was released by Avex Pictures on December 14, 2005. It consists of 14 episodes, 180 minutes long, and includes episodes 1-12 of the TV series, as well as the unaired episodes 25 and 26. Animation was handled by Madhouse, with Studio Matrix and DR TOKYO participating as production collaborators. It was directed by Sekita Osamu, with series composition by Urahata Tatsuhiko, and character design by Nakahara Kiyotaka.

story

Junpei Manaka, a third-year junior high school student, meets a beautiful girl wearing "strawberry panties" on the rooftop at dusk after school and falls in love at first sight. However, the school's Madonna, Tsukasa Nishino, who proposes to her, is not "the girl in the strawberry panties" but rather a plain, inconspicuous, brilliant girl, Aya Tojo. This is where Junpei's story of youth and love begins.

Character Introduction

Junpei Manaka (voiced by Kenichi Suzumura)
An ordinary boy who dreams of becoming a film director. He is indecisive and a little unreliable, but his straightforwardness tickles the hearts of women. He falls in love at first sight with a beautiful girl wearing "strawberry panties" on the roof of the school building, mistakes her for Tsukasa Nishino, and confesses his feelings to her. What will happen to Junpei's love and youth?

Aya Tojo (voiced by Mamiko Noto)
She is a modest honor student who likes to write novels. She and Junpei become close as they talk about their dreams for the future, which they had never told anyone before. When she takes off her glasses and changes her hairstyle, she is shocked by the transformation.

Tsukasa Nishino (voiced by Megumi Toyoguchi)
She's an idol-level beauty who turns heads when she walks down the street. She's a boyish girl with a bright and cheerful personality, but she's surprisingly devoted to the person she loves. She shows us her heart-rending maiden heart.

Satsuki Kitaoji (voiced by Sanae Kobayashi)
A strong-willed, bold and sexy girl, Junpei gets along with her like a male friend and they have fun together naturally.

Yui Minamito (voiced by Nana Mizuki)
A childhood friend of Junpei's who lived next door to his house until a few years ago. Junpei's heart pounds at the carefree behavior of this innocent, mischievous girl who is one year younger than him.

Komiya (voiced by Wataru Takagi)
Junpei's best friend. He has a weakness for cute girls, and when he tries to hook up with Nishino Tsukasa, he quickly loses it! He has a rough face and looks scary at first glance, but he's actually a lively and cheerful character.

Okusa (voiced by Kondo Takashi)
Junpei's best friend. A very beautiful boy who is popular with girls. He entered the same school as Junpei, Izumizaka High School, on a soccer recommendation. He is Junpei's reliable love adviser.

The appeal of unaired episodes

Episodes 25, "Come Pick Me Up!" and 26, "I'm Always on Your Side," included in the "Ichigo 100% Special DVD Mogitate Edition" offer new developments that were not depicted in the TV series. Episode 25 depicts the events that occur after Junpei confesses his feelings to Tsukasa, delving deeper into Tsukasa's true feelings and the relationships surrounding her. Episode 26 sees further developments in Junpei's relationship with Aya, putting their bond to the test. These episodes are valuable for fans of the TV series, allowing them to enjoy the story from a new perspective.

Production background and staff

Many fans have been eagerly awaiting the anime adaptation of "Ichigo 100%" due to the popularity of the original work and the appeal of its story. Madhouse, the animation production company, faithfully reproduced the atmosphere of the original work while making use of the expressive power unique to anime. Director Sekita Osamu has succeeded in carefully portraying the emotions and relationships of the characters while respecting the taste of the original work. Nakahara Kiyotaka, who was in charge of character design, optimized the characters from the original work for the anime, maximizing their visual appeal.

Music and theme song

The music for "Ichigo 100%" was composed by Takayuki Negishi, and features a memorable melody that evokes the bittersweetness of youth. The opening theme, "SHINE OF VOICE," is sung by dream, and its refreshing, energetic melody perfectly matches the atmosphere of the story. The ending theme, "IKE IKE," is sung by Team HINOI, and its light rhythm and pop melody will delight viewers. These songs are important elements that add excitement to the story's development.

Related works and the appeal of the series as a whole

"Ichigo 100%" is not only available as a TV series, but has also been expanded into various media such as OVAs and special DVDs. There are many works that fans cannot miss, such as the OVA "Ichigo 100% OVA" and the special DVD "Ichigo 100% Special DVD Freshly Picked Edition". These works not only animate episodes from the original work, but also include original stories, allowing you to enjoy the world of the story even more deeply.

The appeal of "Ichigo 100%" lies not only in the bittersweetness of youth and the thrill of romance, but also in the characters' growth, friendship, and their efforts to achieve their dreams. The relationships and emotional changes of the characters, including the protagonist Junpei, are carefully depicted, allowing viewers to enjoy the story along with their growth.

Recommendation to viewers

"Ichigo 100% Special DVD Mogitate Hen" is recommended not only for fans of the TV series, but also for those who are experiencing "Ichigo 100%" for the first time. By including unaired episodes, you can learn new aspects of the story and rediscover the charm of the characters. It is also the perfect work for those looking for a work that depicts the bittersweetness of youth and the excitement of love.

Furthermore, if you want to dive deeper into the world of "Ichigo 100%," we recommend checking out the other related works. The OVAs and other special DVDs contain episodes and original stories that were not included in the TV series, expanding the world of the story even further.

Conclusion

"Ichigo 100% Special DVD: Freshly Picked" is a work that allows you to once again experience the charm of "Ichigo 100%," which depicts the bittersweetness of youth and the thrill of love. By including unaired episodes, you can enjoy new developments in the story and gain a deeper understanding of the characters' growth and relationships. It is a must-see for fans, and is also recommended for those experiencing "Ichigo 100%" for the first time. Please enjoy the world of "Ichigo 100%" once again through this special DVD.