I have a new personal rating system for “funny” books. Because really, and I know it’s me, most “comedy” leaves me staring blankly wondering what was so funny about that. My new rating is based on the number of times – preferably in public – that the funny thing makes me snort.

Strawberry Marshmallow, Volume 5 is a three-snort book.

I was reading the English edition on the train yesterday and I have no doubt that the guy next to me was not made happy by the snorting and occasional fits of giggling. Too bad dude. Next time sit next to the lady with too much perfume.

Volume 5 is a “Best of Miu” book. If you are a member of the Cult of Miu (anyone want to make a graphic for us? I’ve got no time, and am in any case totally not a creative designer when it comes to fannish web graphics) you will need to get this volume.

In fact, it is my opinion that Volume 5 of Strawberry Marshmallow was single-handedly responsible for making this week not suck for me. Therefore it is with extra special appreciation that I thank Ted the Awesome for his sponsorship of today’s review.

So, in my original review of the Japanese edition of this volume, I focused primarily on the chapter that everyone is all zOMG! about, because Miu uses the word lesbian – but that is not why I focused on it. I focused on it because the emails between Chika and Miu made me snort with laughter. In English it is still the best chapter and the most snort-making. (It also has a weird translation thing that’s happened in every other volume. In this case it’s *Chika* who suddenly becomes British.)

What works best in this volume is those moments when the dynamic is between Miu and Chika. Matsuri is supposed to be cute, I guess, but comes off as nothing more than pathetic. Ana has somehow become Matsuri’s lady-in-waiting. And Miu points it out, too. Nobue is there for a few gags, but is not the focus of Miu’s obsession nearly as much as previously (although the one chapter where she is, is the first chapter I ever read of this series and, as a result, I am rather fond of it.)

But where previous volumes were all about Miu, this one has subtlely shifted to be about Miu and Chika. I approve. So much so that I wrote a fanfic about them. It will one day go up on “Worldshaking” Fanfic, where I keep all those little expressions of my otaku disease.

In the meantime, read Volume 5 right away and join the Cult of Miu – you know you want to…join us, join us~~!

Ratings:

Art – 7
Story – 7
Characters – 8
Yuri – 2
Service – 4 (Bunny ears, cat ears, playing dress up…in a magazine for adult men. So, yesh.)

Overall – 8

I originally scored it an overall 7, but I’m adding on the extra point for the third snort. I cannot wait until Ichigo Mashimaro 6 comes out – it has the greatest arc EVAR.