is a one-volume

manga are comics or graphic novels originating from Japan. Most manga conform to a style developed in Japan in the late 19th century, and the form has a long history in earlier Japanese art. The term is used in Japan to refer to both comics ...

written and illustrated by

Kiriko Nananan is a Japanese Mangaka, manga artist from Tsubame, Niigata. Nananan is famous for her realistic ''Josei manga, josei'' work featuring understated artwork with a sense of detachment. In addition, she has affiliated herself with the "La nouvelle man ...

, published by

Shodensha is a Japanese publisher of mostly non-fiction magazines and books, though it has recently begun publishing light novels and manga, including magazines which contain both. Shodensha publishes magazines such as '' Feel Young'' (a josei all-manga ...

in 2002. It is about the lives of four young women in a large city. It was licensed in French by

Casterman Casterman is a publisher of Franco-Belgian comics, specializing in comic books and children's literature. The company is based in Tournai, 90 kilometres southwest of the centre of Brussels, Belgium. History The company was founded in 1780 by Don ...

manga imprint Sakka and in Italy by

Kappa Edizioni Kappa (; uppercase Κ, lowercase κ or cursive ; , ''káppa'') is the tenth letter of the Greek alphabet, representing the voiceless velar plosive sound in Ancient and Modern Greek. In the system of Greek numerals, has a value of 20. It was d ...

. ''Strawberry Shortcakes'' was adapted into a film of the same title. It was licensed for English release by

Central Park Media Central Park Media Corporation, often abbreviated as CPM, was an American multimedia entertainment company based in New York City, New York and was headquartered in the 250 West 57th Street building in Midtown Manhattan (on the corner of Centra ...

as ''Sweet Cream & Red Strawberries''.

Plot

The plot revolves around four ladies struggling to find happiness in the capital city of Tokyo: Satoko, who works as a receptionist at an escort service called “Heaven’s Gate" and often prays to God to help her find a boy that will love her; Akiyo, who works at “Heaven’s Gate” as a call girl and is infatuated with Kikuchi, an old school friend, who she gladly changes her appearance for; Chihiro, who works in a low-level office position and often involves herself with men who only use her for sex; and Toko, Chihiro's roommate who works obsessively as an illustrator and suffers from bulimia, which she hides from everyone.

Reception

Critical response

Xavier Guilbert, writing for du9, feels it is quite different from other josei manga. M. Natali, writing for BD Gest', notes that the nonlinear presentation of the women's stories reinforces the connection between the characters, a resonance between the four characters lives, their feelings and disappointments. The reviewer for Manga-News said that the author "managed to get it right". Art wise both du9 and BD Gest' described it as uncluttered & aerial, and the use of oblong panels taking all the width of the page as reinforcing the impression of intimacy.

Accolades

* Best Supporting Actress: Yûko Nakamura, 2006 –

Yokohama Film Festival The is an annual awards ceremony held in Yokohama, Japan. Ten films are chosen as the best of the year and various awards are given to personnel. The first festival, held on February 3, 1980, was a small affair by fans and film critics. In 1994, ...

* Best Cinematography: Isao Ishii, 2006 – Yokohama Film Festival

References

External links

* * {{Feel Young 2002 manga Josei manga Japanese drama films Shodensha franchises Shodensha manga 2006 drama films Live-action films based on manga Films set in Japan 2000s Japanese-language films Films about prostitution in Japan 2000s Japanese films