Strike Witches series review

GeN feels like an asshole. Why? 'Cause he actually likes Strike Witches and initially thought it was going to be shit. I've watched the first two seasons and the movie that was released last year. This is what I've concluded after watching all of these: I want a Strike Witches season 3. All my money for a season 3. It's really weird saying that since the main visual core of the anime is aerial combat and alot of body exposure. Right off the bat, you'll notice the immediate design choice for the main heroines: They dont wear pants. So the viewers can see the ecchi of this anime by looking at teenagers' underwear. I think it's because it helps you see who is a witch by seeing animal ears and tail and if they were wearing pants, it would obstruct the tail as it comes out. But if you accept that the girls and their clothing choice, this series is actually quite entertaining to watch.

 They're not just witches. They're Strikes Witches. UNF!

I could try tell you the entire plot but from what little there is, it would be spoiling. There are more episodes focusing on character development than there is plot progression. The world of Strike Witches is set in an alternate universe in the year 1944. This is in the middle of a war against these beings called Neuroi as joint forces from around the world band against this worldly threat. The humans' main arsenal are gifted females known as 'witches', where each individual witch have their own magical ability. To help these witches combat against any airborne-type Neuroi, they would have to wear leg attachments called Striker Units which regulates their magic to get the witches flying. The focus of the story is Yoshika Miyafuji, a 15 year old girl with a witch magic of healing. Her life turns around as she decides to join the 501st Joint Fighter Wing, a special band of aerial witches called Strike Witches that combats the invading Neuroi.  

 Pantsless - puppy dog ears and tail - aeroplane legged magical girl 

VS giant alien aeroplane that shoots laser beams. VERY YES!

Why I love this show is not only the fan service and the action but for the main characters themselves. I like how they get along as a team as they face through trials in combat while trying to get along with each other. Throughout the series, they start to have the special 'danketsu', similar to the idols in 765 Pro in The Idolm@ster. Some of them give each other harsh lectures and cold shoulders yet later, they suppport and sacrifice for each other. It is too bad that the series didnt have time to flesh out the plot. The mysteries behind the Neuroi were slowly being revealed but even after the movie, didnt disclose any more about them.

The animation between season 1 to season 2 is pretty similar to say the least. Even though both seasons were made from two different development studios, the art and special effects are pretty much alike. I think the actions sequences in the second season are more dynamic with the angles used, depth perception and element placement. Like, you can tell where are the witches are in relation to the Neuroi, which is important since being in an actual aerial fighter plane will make you nauseous and get confused where shit is. I think the actions sequences can improve if they had like a on board camera view from the witch's perspective as they dive bomb enemies, instead of having the camera between the witch's legs. The Neuroi are animated via computer generated models and are modeled after WWII fighterplanes, rockets, bombs, etc, but with more antagonistic look with a black and red color scheme. There are other models of Neuroi that are quite uniquely designed which helps define that the enemy looks more alien in nature. I appreciate the most of the battles occur above the sea since if you try to do this on land, there would be more shots of land getting destroyed which in turn take time off the upclose panty shots and GeN likes them panty shots.  

The audio is mostly forgettable which is quite a shame because it'll help the appeal of this anime. I could not remember any memorable tunes from the anime because the procedural music when a epic moment happens is forgettable and you only pay attention to what's happening visually and I kinda block out the music. Instead, I am more focused on the sound effects and and screams and yells from the voice actors. Speaking of voice actors, I have taken the opportunity to watch the japanese subbed version of season 1 and i've bought the localized dvd version of season 2. I favor the japanese cast more to the english dub. Listening to the japanese cast feels more natural since the characters are designed to be kawaii and stuff. I dont dislike the english voice actors and their roles but some characters i think are miscast. Namely, Francesca Lucchini, her english dub sounds excruciating the moment she opens her mouth. But for the most part, the other characters are casted pretty well. I think the english voice of Mio Sakamoto sometimes kinda off as she is sounding a bit too hoarse and i think her pitch should be more like her age, yet her confident 'HA HA HA' line is very pleasing to hear.

Strike Witches is a well crafted anime series that cater to the fans of even amount of action, character development and fan service. If you can get through the tits and ass visually, you get a decent character driven show with graceful aerial combat in tune for hardcore anime fans. I give this anime a THUMBS UP.


GeN's Rundown:
Thumbs up:
- Panties and teenage breasts
- Likeable characters with character development
- Dog fights against enemies
- Cat fights against each other
- Sound effects that helps immersion of action scenes  

Thumbs down:
- Story lacking of more event changing moments
- Forgetable music
- Francesca's english voice dub (earplugs recommended)

GeN's Aftermath:
Gertrud Barkhorn is now part of GeN's Harem of Waifus, along with Iori Minase, Rise Kujikawa and Kyouko Toshinou. I'm going to check out the manga and maybe the light novels.