Title: あぃまぃみぃ！ストロベリー・エッグ (I, My, Me! Strawberry Eggs) DVD Box
Catalog No.: GNBA-1057
Release Date: 11/25/04
Rating: 4/4

It's been such a long time since I've done this, but I marathoned on all 13 episodes of this series tonight after receiving it in the mail after work on Friday. I have a rule about not buying series that I already have a copy of (in this case, I got the US release years ago), however, this is one of series that I love dearly and wanted to see it in its most perfect, pure, and best form -- a R2 DVD (on a projection screen!). I had missed the original Japanese release when it first came out as I wasn't into importing goods and had some self-restraint at the time. Ever since I've contemplated about buying the whole series second-hand, a 5 disc series. After putting it off for the longest time, I found out that they were going to re-release the series as a box set. Yay!

This limited re-release comes with 3 discs, but each of them are DVD-9s. The first two hold 5 episodes and the 3rd disc holds the last 3 plus over an hour of bonuses. The bonuses are identical to what was included in the original Japanese release, which included extra seiyuu interviews (not too interesting, but Fumiko Orikasa was as beautiful as ever) and more eyecatches (I think) than the US version. In addition, the voice-only introduction sketches had different images displayed while the people were talking. The menus were noticeably well-designed and I didn't see a "do not copy" warning screen (the typical "for your safety" message was there though).

The included booklet also has short write-ups looking back at the series and introducing the origins of the story, characters, music, and an afterward. Interesting to know that it might have been called "Hi, Fu, Mi! Strawberry Eggs" as that was the first working title which was based on the first moras of the main character's names. It doesn't have pictures that were used in the original release, but the box art is a new illustration. My complaint is that it came with a shrinkwrap rather than plastic wrapping, that's why I had to scan the image in with the obi.

I think this series is almost perfect in every way. I love the music and in fact, watched every single intro and ending credits during the marathon. In addition to having all the CDs for the show, I have all (both) Hitomi Mieno's albums that also contain the intro song. The drama CDs are fun to listen to. The character design is great as I'm also a fan of Hand Maid May, haven't tried G-on Riders though. There's great plot and character development throughout the 13 episodes and each episode contributes to the overall plot. The ending, with all the music and drama, is probably one of the best executed. The ending doesn't just feed you something happy, but makes you empathize with protagonist as he tries to discover himself and his beliefs, but implicitly knowing that whatever he chooses, everything will turn out alright.

And yes, I was wearing the official "I, My, Me! Strawberry Eggs" t-shirt as I was watching it. Just goes to show how much I love this series as I normally don't have any "related" merchandise for shows besides CDs, DVDs, and books/magazines.

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