As a 2000s baby, I vividly remember stopping at Blockbuster with my family before a big road trip to pick out DVDs to watch in the car. My go-to was always the 2003 series Strawberry Shortcake. The show was *iconic.* It had the best characters, catchiest songs, and the most girl-power problem-solving. Does anyone remember the McDonald’s Strawberry Shortcake-scented toys? With the trendy return of Y2K fashion, naturally, Strawberry Shortcake couldn’t be left out of the conversation. She’s that girl!
The TikTok account @moderngurlz has unleashed some good ole nostalgia as they rate the redesigns of my favorite dessert-themed girl gang. They’ve analyzed characters like Lemon Meringue, Orange Blossom, and of course, Strawberry Shortcake. The video essay ratings have stirred up debate among thousands of viewers, comparing each design from the 1980s to 2021 with their dessert namesake.
I might be partial to the 2003 designs, but I’ve realized I’m not alone. Scrolling through the comment section, I quickly found my fellow 2003 design stans. Other fan favorites are the original 1980s designs with the creators’ attention to detail in clothing and hairstyles. Lemon Meringue’s iconic meringue hat from 1980 is so stinking cute. One of the most controversial videos is episode four, in which the creator claims that Blueberry Muffin has the “weakest designs.”
I’m not sure I will break out any baby tees, but I might watch an episode for nostalgia’s sake (and you should, too). Episodes from 2003, 2010, and 2021 series are all free to watch with an account on Peacock.