Strawberry Panic Vol. 4: Fourth Refrain Review

            At the start of episode seventeen in Strawberry Panic, the fall season has begun which means that it’s almost time for the Etoile election to finally begin. Before that though, Nagisa attempts to learn more about Shizuma and her past as the Etoile such as who her partner was when she first ran. After much stalling and a night spent alone together in her cottage, Nagisa learns the entire truth about Shizuma and the one that she can’t forget. The news will send both of them into a spiral of depression that none of their friends can do anything about. Meanwhile political maneuvering has begun for the Etoile election as the president of Spica has still refused to give up on the hope that Amane might run for the election.

Good and the Bad

            Starting right away on this volume, Strawberry Panic demonstrates one of its odd multi layers again using the introduction of the Etoile election as Nagisa’s segue. As she learns more about the election she starts to ask more questions about Shizuma and her past. Shizuma has been the enigmatic character of the series, always serious and sad but always hiding something deeper. Audience members have gotten into this series thus far have been craving this story but question is does it live up to the expectation?

            Yes but wow are they going to make the audience earn it. From the very beginning this volume of Strawberry Panic begins to tease the story. The characters constantly hint at things and every time Nagisa asks a direct question they stall for more time instead of answering. Finally Shizuma says that she will tell the full story only to have it delayed yet another episode. The excuses just keep piling up and at one point I really thought that they were going to push it off until the last volume.

            Once they finally get around to actually telling the story, the audience finally hears the tragic story. The details of Shizuma’s past really tie a lot of the series together. A lot of the subtle hints in the relationship between her and Rokujou have been waiting for an explanation and a lot of it will come from this volume. Fans that have been waiting to know the truth will not be disappointed with what they are given.

            Unfortunately if it’s not one thing it’s another. Spending an entire volume on Shizuma is a move that fans have been waiting for but it comes at a cost. The build up to her story takes forever and in the end feels like it was mostly there to build up dramatic tension. The dramatic tension is a nice addition but there is so much time in these episodes that could have been used sporadically on supporting cast.

Music

            While all of the music and audio came through clearly, there were only a couple of tracks that stood out during these episodes. While Shizuma is walking at night through the forest, a beautiful violin plays in the background which absolutely captures her expression and again when Shizuma breaks down into tears she gets an absolutely wonderful piano score. When Strawberry Panic really wants to make an impact with its music it knows how to do so.

Dub vs. Sub

            Absolutely carrying these five episodes on her shoulders is Hitomi Nabatame as Shizuma. The emotional range that she portrayed in these five episodes went so far beyond what this character has done in the past and it was such a refreshing change for the character. Also sharing that weight is Junko Noda in the role of Rokujou.

Overall

            While it seems like the final result of the Etoile election is something that fans have predicted long before, Nagisa and Shizuma have life. Now that the torch is being passed on, how will these two characters finally find their happiness together? This is a series that long ago moved past a yuri series, this is great drama for those who want to sit through it. The jokes don’t come as handily in this volume but the payoff is worth the wait.