Strawberry 100%


Strawberry 100% is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Mizuki Kawashita. It was serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump from February 2002 to August 2005, with its chapters collected in 19 volumes. The series was licensed in North America by Viz Media, which released fourteen volumes between July 2007 and October 2010.
It was adapted into an anime television series and original video animations by Madhouse and Nomad. The anime series was broadcast on TV Asahi from April to July 2005. A manga sequel, subtitled East Side Story, ran in Jump Giga from April to June 2017.
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Story

The story follows Junpei Manaka, a student and aspiring filmmaker, throughout his school years and his relationships with several girls. During middle school, he encounters a mysterious girl on the school rooftop but only recalls her strawberry-patterned underwear before she disappears. He discovers a notebook left behind, which belongs to Aya Toujou, a plain-looking but talented writer. The two bond over their shared passion for storytelling and filmmaking. Believing Tsukasa Nishino, the most popular girl in school, might be the rooftop girl, Junpei impulsively asks her out while exercising on a chin-up bar. Though he later realizes she is not the mystery girl, they continue dating. After enrolling at Izumizaka High School, Junpei learns that Aya has declined admission to the prestigious Oumi Academy to attend the same school as him—and that she was the girl from the rooftop.
At Izumizaka, Junpei befriends Satsuki Kitaoji, a spirited girl who develops romantic feelings for him. Attempting to join the defunct film club, he revives it with Aya, Satsuki, and other classmates as members. Meanwhile, his childhood friend Yui Minamito moves into his family's home but attends Oumi Academy. The film club produces annual movies for the school festival, each written by Aya and directed by Junpei. Satsuki stars in the first film, Tsukasa in the second, and Aya in the third.
Throughout high school, Junpei navigates romantic and sexual tension with the four girls. Though dating Tsukasa, he harbors unresolved feelings for Aya, leading to indecision. Frustrated by his hesitation, Tsukasa breaks up with him. Junpei and Aya grow closer, but when he learns Tsukasa still has feelings for him, he wavers again. Their third year brings further complications as they face future career paths: Tsukasa plans to study pastry-making in Paris, while Aya initially intends to attend the same university as Junpei, despite criticism for prioritizing him over better academic opportunities. She later reconsiders, disappointing Junpei.
The situation escalates when Junpei mistakes Aya's brother for a new boyfriend, realizing too late that she has always loved him. After Tsukasa confesses her lingering feelings, Junpei briefly reconnects with her but ultimately ends their relationship, acknowledging his own immaturity and need for personal growth. Following graduation, the friends pursue separate paths.
Four years later, they reunite at a restaurant owned by Satsuki. Aya has become an acclaimed novelist, winning the Naoki Prize, while Junpei has matured as a filmmaker and secured a position at a film studio. He hopes to adapt Aya's work without resentment. The story concludes with Junpei reuniting with Tsukasa, who has returned from Paris, and the two resume their relationship.

''East Side Story''

The story introduces Nakama, an aspiring writer working at a bookstore, who has a fateful encounter with Aya. While reaching for a book, she falls onto him, inadvertently revealing her strawberry-patterned underwear. Though mutually attracted, neither openly admits their feelings. The situation grows complicated when Satsuki informs Nakama that Aya's interest in him may stem from her lingering affection for Junpei. Later, Nakama and Aya meet to watch a film and talk. When her heel breaks, he carries her to assist her, but her draft papers scatter in the wind. Nakama retrieves most of them, while Aya departs as he continues searching for the remaining pages.
During their next meeting, Nakama returns the recovered drafts, confessing he has read them. He declares his love for Aya despite knowing she remains fixated on Junpei, emphasizing that he wishes to be valued for himself rather than as a substitute for Junpei. Aya considers abandoning writing due to unresolved feelings, but Nakama encourages her to persevere, vowing to dedicate himself to his own writing as well. The story concludes with both characters continuing to pursue their craft.

Characters

;Junpei Manaka
;Aya Tojo
;Tsukasa Nishino
;Satsuki Kitaoji
;Yui Minamito

Media

Manga

Written and illustrated by Mizuki Kawashita, Strawberry 100% was serialized in Shueisha's manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump from February 19, 2002, to August 1, 2005. The 167 chapters were then compiled into nineteen volumes by Shueisha, released from August 2, 2002, to December 2, 2005.
Strawberry 100% was later licensed for English language release by Viz Media. The first volume was released on July 3, 2007. The 14th volume was the latest, and was released on October 5, 2010. Viz Media also partnered with fellow publishing house Tokyopop for release in Germany under the name 100% Strawberry.
A sequel, subtitled East Side Story, was serialized in Shueisha's Jump Giga from April 28 to July 28, 2017. The story focuses on Aya Tojo as a popular light novelist and university student who attracts the affections of a high school boy named Namaka, who physically resembles Junpei Manaka.

Anime

Strawberry 100% was adapted into a 12 episode anime television series by Madhouse, written by Tatsuhiko Urahata, and directed by Osamu Sekita. It aired on TV Asahi. Each episode consisted of two short stories. The last pair of stories were not broadcast in the original run; later, this episode has become known as episode 10.5. The opening theme is "Shine of Voice" by Dream and the ending theme is "Ike Ike" by HINOI TEAM.

Original video animations

The original video animations of Strawberry 100% were all released at different times compared to the TV series. The first OVA was released in October 2004 before the TV series aired.
The opening theme of all five Strawberry 100% OVAs is "Kimiiro 100%", sung by the voice actresses of the four lead characters, Mamiko Noto, Megumi Toyoguchi, Nana Mizuki, and Sanae Kobayashi. The ending theme is different in each episode.

Video game

A PlayStation 2 video game was later released, titled Strawberry 100%: Strawberry Diary. The game was developed by Alpha Unit and published by Tomy, and released on February 10, 2005, in Japan. The game was re-released under the Tomy Best Collection on March 30, 2006.

Reception

Initially critics expressed concern that Strawberry 100% would be a traditional harem comedy. Carlo Santos of Anime News Network complained that Volume 1 quickly descended into "typical boy's romance fodder." Response to the characters was more enthusiastic. Robert Harris of Mania.com praised Volume 1 for developing "several effective, organic characters and relationships, along with a believable story and setting". Praise for the characters continued with the release of subsequent volumes, and worries that Strawberry 100% would be a traditional harem comedy abated. In his review of Volume 6, A.E. Sparrow of IGN Comics remarked "Strawberry 100% is a harem manga of the highest caliber, and it has all the trappings of a good harem manga: Plenty of fan service, excellent artwork, and in those rarest of cases, a compelling storyline." Comic Book Bin's Leroy Douresseaux, discussing Volume 8, enjoyed the excellent characters, and commented: "Strawberry 100% is a high school comedy/drama for everyone who loves the drama of high school love."
Most critics have praised the artwork. Harris noted: "The visual style remains firmly rooted in reality." While crediting Strawberry 100% with "some of the finest artwork available", Sparrow warned that Strawberry 100% has a great deal of fan service, "which will either repulse people or draw them in, depending on their predilection toward that kind of thing".