It's a pleasure for me to know that Strike Witches gets its 3rd season (they said), announced that it will be under AIC Spirits Studio project, the same as Strike Witches 2, whereas the 1st season was under Studio Gonzo.
【Download the theme songs here ♪♩♫♬】
So called Neuroi, unidentified flying objects, brings terror and haunts humanity. In a blink of an eye, human forces are immobilized by Neuroi and being under attack unstoppable until the area is completely lost control. Only the chosen fighters are suitable to stand in the battle upon Neuroi, those are girls called "Strike Witches", The 501st Joint Fighter Wing. This squadron created only purpose to eliminate an conquering-the-earth enemy --Neuroi—with the help of magic that comes naturally as their ability. The ability which only appears from the chosen girls in their adolescence, the magic is used to operate a technology called Striker Unit onto their legs (to do aerial combat).
[somewhat SPOILER] There are also other squadrons, consist of adorable and adamant witches to save the world, mostly Europe—where Neuroi invades its area. In the movie, you can find the 501st Joint Fighter Wing gets help and collaborate with few witches from other squadrons! That was so awe ❤ Find new waifus and other kind of futuristic Striker Units!
The idea of fight between humanity with alien (unidentified objects / species) or fighting with modern units to save the world aren't sort of new things as story, but the development of ideas that already exist before here is on its pinnacle. The environment and atmosphere Strike Witches brought are so fresh and that is what's noteworthy. Its plot goes pyon-pyon as the threats from Neuroi, slowly but sure, push 'em down. Still, the series weren't focusing on the deadly fights only, it spiced up with a few events where Witches were had their leisure time. We can enjoy appropriately their slacking-off moments, well-suited ecchi-ness hour, not too ecchi and has significance meanings. Just to be blunt, the amount of ecchi-ness is high, but it's covered by sooo military feelings and fights, so it's sufficient.
Subjectively I would like to give plus points for the characters here. Every characters really got its unique traits, so differ from other anime series characters. Eventhough Strike Witches has so many characters in it (even bunch of major characters as a squad), it could make me feel empty whenever one of them is off-duty or missing. They are complete and perfect to be together, supporting each other (both for their roles in war or daily lives). Their designs aren't overdone much but memorable.
The OP theme for S1 is sung by Yoko Ishida "STRIKE WITCHES ~Watashi ni Dekiru Koto~ (ストライクウィッチーズ ~わたしにできること~)" and the ED theme, "Bookmark a Head", for every eps is the same but the version is changed, so every seiyuu got their parts to sing it. For the OP theme of S2 "STRIKE WITCHES 2 ~Egao no Mahou~ (STRIKE WITCHES 2 ~笑顔の魔法~)", is also sung by Yoko Ishida, while the concept of ED theme on S2 is the same with S1, the changed version for every eps so every seiyuu got parts to sing it, the title is "Over Sky". Good enough even this latter-day I still listen to it~ All hail the seiyuus effort!
You can say it through the whole series that it has enthusiastic about the survival, the rights to live, to carry on duties, and lend a hand to others. In short, friendship, caring to each other, trust, strong will, and hard work by their tough training. I enthrone 9+ as score for Strike Witches series.
Pros:
- Intriguing story and it's nicely developed, along with its characters
- Nice jokes and balanced by fair fanservices
- The graphics and enjoyment!
(Cons is, the 3rd season is not aired yet -whoopsie XD)
増原 紀花