[Sarah89]

I did enjoy Strawberry Panic. It was worth watching just for Yaya and Kaname in my view, lol. I also liked Nagisa and Shizuma as a couple, even if did mostly seem a bit contrived (and poor Tamao got a really raw deal). But, as many people have said, I never watched SP with the same level of emotional involvement as Marimite. The characters were likeable enough, but hardly interesting and complex in the same way Marimite's characters are. I found Hikari almost like Shimako without the personality (even if she is all cute and moe and stuff), and Amane is definitely comparable to Rei as the school's sporty, fangirl collecting 'tomboy'. And the Virgin Mary statue couldn't have been a more blatant nod to Marimite. All the way through, in fact, I noticed scenes and characters that were very obviously indebted to Marimite.
Basically, SP is an enjoyable enough little series, but I don't feel it can even be compared to Marimite. It has nowhere near the depth or beauty.