Title: 苺ましまろ (Ichigo Marshmallow) Prologue
Original Creator: ばらスィー (Barasui)
Catalog No.: GNBA-1099
Release Date: 6/8/05
Rating: 3/4

I was a little worried about this DVD. Apparently Amazon Japan didn't get this DVD until a few days after release date. In the meantime, they placed the DVD as out-of-stock. Even though I had the DVD in my order, I've been burned before when they canceled, so I was a little nervous this time. But it came safely.

The DVD contains a short animation with the girls pretending to be in space. It's followed by a 20 minute or so talk with the voice actresses. Mamiko looks different than what I thought she would. Maybe it's the hairstyle and the makeup. The first part of the talk has Hitomi trying to convince Ayako, Mamiko, Fumiko, and Saeko (all those -ko names!) why Ichigo Marshmallow will be something interesting to watch. The main emphasis is that they're cute. There's also some shameless plugs for Geneon. It ends with some footage and the opening song to the anime playing in the background.

I wish they would have more programming, but I always enjoy a good seiyuu discussion.

Bonus comes with a calendar from July for a full 12 months and comes in a DVD box.

Title: ヤングアニマルあいらんど (Young Animal Island) Vol. 3
Issue Date: 7/7/05
Publisher: Hakusensha
Pages: 446

Despite Aoi being on the cover, this issue of Young Animal Island doesn't come with an Ai yori book cover. Instead, theres a few colored pages with some famous manga artists drawing girls in underwear. Kou Fumizuki has one of Chika and Bow D(z)itama also has one, is looks like Minawa. There's also another illustration booklet.

The Ai yori chapter was somewhat boring. Aoi and Miyabi are given a chance to help out at Natsuki's neighbor's flower shop. Of course Miyabi jumps at the opportunity.

Like before, Ken Yagami has a one shot. At least this story doesn't deal with multiple personalities. Takahiro Seguchi has a rather strange ping pong manga. To my surprise, Sora Inoue has a one shot in here about a girl and her envious mirror. Yutaka Takana finishes the story he started from the previous issue. Despite those names I know, my favorite in this issue is a short comic by Mitsune Hattori about two girls who become more than just friends, but now they're graduating high school and have to come to terms with separation.

Title: 魔法先生ネギま！ (Magic Teacher Negima!) April OP Single
Original Creator: 赤松健 (Ken Akamatsu)
Vocals: 大前茜 (Akane Omae), 佐久間未帆 (Miho Sakuma), 大沢千秋 (Chiaki Osawa), 白石涼子 (Ryoko Shiraishi), and 小林美佐 (Misa Kobayashi)
Catalog No.: KICM-3097
Rating: 2/4

I think they re-mixed it a bit too much for this version. I don't really understand the feeling they're trying to evoke with this mix. The first version was happy, second was energetic, and third was a little hyper. I don't get those types of responses from this song.

Akane loves paintings and illustrations. Miho enjoys talking and laughing. Like Ai Nonaka, Chiaki has recently taken up and enjoys cooking. Ryoko doesn't have a specific and just loves the things she does in her life. Misa loves dogs and had one as a child. Since she lives in an apartment now, she can't keep one but still loves them.

First pressing comes with a Makie mistake card.

Title: Kagetora Vol. 3
Artist/Author: 瀬上あきら (Akira Segami)
Book Size/Pages: Small B-6, 184pp., w/furigana
Original Serialization: Monthly Magazine Special 4/03-8/03
First Printing: 11/17/03
Rating: 2/4

Third volume, a third girl fighting over Kagetora. This volume's girl is Satsuki, a girl who's way too rich and lives in her own world. Despite being told "no," she's still persistent making up her own excuses for his refusal. While I like the stories, they didn't really add anything to what I already knew about the characters.

Bonus comes with a few 4 panel comics and message from the author.