Fandom Rivalry: With Maria Watches Over Us. Strawberry Panic is often regarded as a Hotter and Sexier counterpart to Marimite. Though many fans like both, there's heavy debating on which series aged better and which is superior.
Germans Love David Hasselhoff: In the series' American fandom, there is a good deal more fanart of Shizuma Hanazono than in Japan.
LGBT Fanbase: It's not difficult to find a millennial lesbian that had her awakening with this series.
Narm Charm: Amane's "prince" motiff can get a little corny at times, but many agree that the over-the-top rescue on her white horse was pretty kickass.
Nagisa and Shizuma vs. Nagisa and Tamao (Primary Couple)
Hikari and Amane vs. Hikari and Yaya (Beta Couple)
Miyaki and Tamao vs. Yaya and Miyaki vs. Yaya and Tamao (Pair the Spares)
Values Dissonance: In regards to Amane's entrance into the Etoile elections, the moral is "It doesn't matter what you want, it matters what everyone else wants." Placing aside your own wants in favourof helping the collective is a prime example of Japanese social mores. Kaname even subtly lampshades it with her actions, being the "evil" counterpart to Amane. She wants the position of Etoile because she wants the responsibility and has plans she wants to accomplish, whereas Amane has no desire to do so, despite many believing her qualified for the position, and confused/disappointed she wouldn't assume duties she is believed suitable for. In the end of both the anime and the light novels, however, Amane is very happy in her new position. The light novel ending explores this further, as Amane is glad to accept her role as the new Etoile as a way to bring happiness to not just Hikari, but all of Spica, and states that "it feels good to be needed by someone".
The Woobie: Depending on how you interpret the ending, Tamao winds up by herself. But she's a sweetheart!
