Product Details

• Actors: Wendee Lee, Michelle Ruff, Mariko Kouda, Ryôtarô Okiayu, Wakana Yamazaki
• Directors: Toru Yamada, Yasuo Yamakichi, Yoshihiro Oka
• Writers: Aya Matsui, Ayumi Yoshizumi, Yumi Kageyama
• Producers: Stuart J. Levy
• Format: Animated, Box set, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0), Japanese (Dolby Digital 2.0)
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 3
• Rated: Unrated
• Studio: Tokyo Shock
• DVD Release Date: July 23, 2002
• Run Time: 475 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00019JQPK
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #85,995 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Marmalade Boy Ultimate Scrapbook - Volume 1 (Episodes 1-19)" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Older Classics, May 2, 2004

By 

Carl Cheng (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Marmalade Boy Ultimate Scrapbook - Volume 1 (Episodes 1-19) (DVD)

Marmalade Boy is one of those animes that preserve the ideas of simplicity within human relationships without the need for fantasy and magical elements, something that seems almost long forgotten. While these elements are used to keep the enjoyment of the anime high, Marmalade Boy is one of those shows that does not need any of that to keep the audience glued to the TV.

A little bit about the story: Marmalade Boy spans 76 episodes and a short movie that acts as a prologue to the series. The protagonist of Marmalade Boy is Miki Koishikawa (making this a shoujo anime, an anime for girls - centered on relationships and emotions). Her thoughts that she had a normal life were now shattered as her parents return home from a vacation with plans to divorce and remarry with a couple, the Matsuuras, they had met. Miki makes it her goal to prevent this from happening, and all this happens while she has to deal with feelings for boys at school and for the Matsuura's son. Although Marmalade Boy centers around Miki, there are many other characters that have their own depth, personalities, and stories of love and the drama that comes with it.

Tokyo Pop puts out a good release with this. The video and audio quality is very nice for an older show. Putting out releases in smaller box sets of 19 episodes each was a good idea. With this being a much longer series than most, this makes it easier for people to get and enjoy the series without having to wait for individual volumes.

Final Note: I am extremely happy that Tokyo Pop has taken the effort to release a series that many feared would never be licensed. Along with this was Hana Yori Dango (Boys over Flowers) in terms of older, but amazing series with great stories. With the present anime and looking into the future, it seems we are forgetting the simplicity of stories and of human relationships that can be evocated easily and beautifully without the need to complicate it with other factors.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'd better draw it out on the blackboard..., January 28, 2004

By 

Fisket (West Sussex, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Marmalade Boy Ultimate Scrapbook - Volume 1 (Episodes 1-19) (DVD)

...That is, if I can. That is, if it's possible.

Plotting a diagram of the relationships that are traced and followed throughout this fantastic shoujo soap-style manga is quite a challenge. It's almost laughable, but this story is simply about young people and their daily lives and relationships. No giant mecha, no magical girls, no 'let's save the world before dinner time'. None of the usual anime fare, really. Yet the manga gets the last laugh, because you'll be hooked before you know it.

Miki wishes her life were more interesting, and her wish comes true when her parents suddenly announce that they are getting a divorce, and switching partners with another couple for a remarriage.

Miki is shocked and upset, but then she meets Yuu, the son of the other couple. Yuu is good looking, polite and fun, and Miki soon starts wondering what her feelings for her new 'brother' are... Meanwhile, Miki's best friend Ginta is trying to find a way to tell her he loves her, Yuu's ex-girlfriend returns with the intention of getting Yuu back, and Miki's friend Meiko has some heavy issues of her own.

It sounds like a soap opera, and in a lot of ways it is, but without being repetitive and throwaway viewing- it's far more addictive and well-plotted than that, with lots of twists and turns to the story to keep you interested and enthused.

I think a lot of my love for this series comes from its ultimate realism and undeniable cuteness. It's well-nigh impossible not to fall in love with these people- you soon forget that they're characters, and I was sure Wataru Yoshizumi, the creator of the manga of this series, had been to my high school and decided to put everyone I knew into this series. As you watch it, you just can't shake off the feeling that you've met all of these people before. I guess that's just because they're so realistic. The only thing about this series that isn't perfect is the animation, which isn't what you'll expect if you're used to anime like Inu-yasha or Full Metal Panic. However, I think it's still good and really cute.

As for the cuteness... *chibi grin* There's a unique delight to be had from watching the destined couples slowly but surely realise their feelings for each other, and finally get together. Don't underestimate this story's ability to have you alternately squealing with delight and clenching your fists with anticipation.

Fun, easy, involving, surprisingly touching: a darn good watch. You'll be crying 'kawaii' before you know it. ^_^

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars CLASSIC older series, May 4, 2004

By 

Amy Moritaka "makotodx1" (Alabama) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Marmalade Boy Ultimate Scrapbook - Volume 1 (Episodes 1-19) (DVD)

It's hard to describe M.B. without giving spoilers. It's basically a story of Miki and he romance with her live in (soon to be) "brother".

If you have any interest in Japanese culture this series is seeped in it. From what drastic haircuts mean... to social dynamics in the classroom and romance between teenagers.

It's funny that Amazon mentions that this came out the same year as Evangelion. In my opinion this series has held up better than Evangelion.

The characters are DEEP and amazing. There are no 2D ones in this series.. no filler characters to paint the background. It's funny, heartwarming, heartbreaking and joyous. A modern anime classic.