Strike Witches

Strike Witches

Japanese light novel cover of Strike Witches volume 1
ストライクウィッチーズ
(Sutoraiku Witchīzu)
Genre Military science fiction, Magical girl
Manga
Strike Witches Sōkū no Otome-tachi
Written by Yoshiyuki Kazumi
Published by Kadokawa Shoten
Demographic Seinen
Magazine Comp Ace
Original run September 2005January 2006
Volumes 1 (cancelled)
Light novel
Strike Witches Suomus Iranko Chūtai Ganbaru (1), Koisuru (2), Hajikeru (3)
Written by Noboru Yamaguchi
Illustrated by Humikane Shimada
Hashigo Ueda
Published by Kadokawa Shoten
Demographic Male
Imprint Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko
Original run October 2006July 2008
Volumes 3
Original video animation
Directed by Kunihisa Sugishima
Studio Gonzo
Released January 1, 2007
Runtime 24 minutes
Anime television series
Directed by Kazuhiro Takamura
Written by Tsuyoshi Tamai
Shōji Saeki
Takaaki Suzuki
Tatsuhiko Urahata
Music by Seikou Nagaoka
Studio Gonzo
Licensed by
Network Chiba TV
Original run July 3, 2008 September 18, 2008
Episodes 12
Manga
Strike Witches: Maidens in the Sky
Written by Yuki Tanaka
Published by Kadokawa Shoten
English publisher
Demographic Seinen
Magazine Comp Ace
Original run July 2008December 2008
Volumes 2
Light novel
Strike Witches Otome no Maki
Written by Hidehisa Nanbō
Illustrated by Humikane Shimada
Hashigo Ueda
Published by Kadokawa Shoten
Demographic Male
Imprint Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko
Original run August 1, 2008July 1, 2010
Volumes 4
Anime television series
Strike Witches 2
Directed by Kazuhiro Takamura
Written by Striker Unit
Music by Seikou Nagaoka
Studio AIC Spirits
Licensed by
Network BS11, CTC, Sun TV, Tokyo MX TV, TVA, tvk, TVS, TVQ
Original run July 7, 2010 September 23, 2010
Episodes 12
Light novel
Strike Witches 2
Written by Hidehisa Nanbō
Illustrated by Humikane Shimada
Kyogoku Shin
Published by Kadokawa Shoten
Demographic Male
Imprint Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko
Original run September 1, 2010September 30, 2010
Volumes 2
Manga
Strike Witches: The Sky That Connects Us
Written by Kyōgoku Shin
Published by Kadokawa Shoten
English publisher
Demographic Seinen
Magazine NyanType
Published September 2010
Volumes 1
Manga
Strike Witches: 1937 Fuso Sea Incident
Written by Projekt Kagonish
Humikane Shimada
Illustrated by Ningen
Published by Kadokawa Shoten
English publisher
Demographic Seinen
Magazine NyanType
Original run July 2011January 2012
Volumes 2
Manga
Strike Witches: One-Winged Witches
Written by Atsuto Shinozuka
Published by Kadokawa Shoten
English publisher
Demographic Seinen
Magazine Comp Ace
Original run January 2012September 2012
Volumes 2
Manga
Strike Witches: The Witches of Africa
Written by Takeshi Nogami
Takaaki Suzuki
Published by Kadokawa Shoten
Demographic Seinen
Magazine Comptiq
Published January 2012
Volumes 1
Light novel
Strike Witches: The Witches of Africa
Written by Takaaki Suzuki
Illustrated by Humikane Shimada
Takeshi Nogami
Published by Kadokawa Shoten
Demographic Male
Imprint Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko
Published March 2012
Volumes 1
Anime film
Strike Witches: The Movie
Directed by Kazuhiro Takamura
Produced by Hisashi Imamoto
Yoshiyuki Matsuzaki
Written by Striker Unit
Music by Seikou Nagaoka
Studio AIC
Licensed by
Released March 17, 2012
Runtime 97 minutes
Light novel
Strike Witches gekijo-ban Kaeritai Sora
Written by Hidehisa Nanbō
Illustrated by Humikane Shimada
Published by Kadokawa Shoten
Demographic Male
Imprint Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko
Published April 2012
Volumes 1
Original video animation
Strike Witches: Operation Victory Arrow
Directed by Kazuhiro Takamura
Written by Striker Unit
Music by Seikou Nagaoka
Studio Silver Link
Released September 20, 2014 May 2, 2015
Runtime 30 minutes each
Episodes 3
Anime television series
Brave Witches
Directed by Kazuhiro Takamura
Written by Striker Unit
Music by Seiko Nagaoka
Studio Silver Link
Original run 2016 scheduled

Strike Witches (Japanese: ストライクウィッチーズ Hepburn: Sutoraiku Witchīzu) is a mixed-media project originally created by Humikane Shimada via a series of magazine illustration columns. The franchise has since been adapted into several light novel, manga, and anime series and various video games. The series revolves around teenage girls who use machines equipped to their legs to do aerial combat. The OVA preview episode was released on January 1, 2007. The televised anime series later aired between on July and September 2008. A second season aired between July and September 2010.[1] A film adaptation was released on March 17, 2012 and a three part OVA series was released between September 2014 and May 2015.[2][3] A spin-off anime series will begin airing in 2016.

Plot

The series takes place in an altered version of Earth, ravaged by the Neuroi. Several large pieces of Earth's landmasses have been obliterated.

Strike Witches is set in an alternate Earth during what would be World War II. The world has been invaded by a mysterious alien force known as the Neuroi, who take on forms similar to aircraft and spread a corrosive miasma. As a result, the armed forces of the world have aliied together to combat the Neuroi threat instead of fighting among themselves. As normal humans have no effect against the Neuroi's technology, the military instead calls upon Witches, young girls who possess magical abilities capable of fighting against the Neuroi. The Witches, who are inspired by famous real-life pilots, grow animal ears and tails when using their magic, and can use special machines known as Striker Units, which feature designs based on real-life aircraft, to fly through the sky and increase the strength of their magical ability in combat.

The light novel series follows the Suomus Independent Volunteer Aerial Squadron, focusing on a dogfighter named Tomoko Anabuki. The main anime franchise follows Yoshika Miyafuji, a girl from the Fusō Empire who joins the 501st Joint Fighter Wing, also known as the Strike Witches, to investigate the death of her father and help fight off the Neuroi. The spin-off anime series, Brave Witches, focuses on the 502nd Joint Fighter Wing.

Production

In a postscript column in Comp Ace, Humikane Shimada had mentioned his desire to use his Mecha Musume concepts across a variety of media, leading to the production of the Strike Witches OVA by Gonzo. However, at about the same time Humikane was also contracted to create the character designs for Sky Girls, which had its televised run in late 2007. During this time there was no word on the further development of a Strike Witches animated series, although promotional items such as plastic figures of the OVA's characters were released. Not until December 2007 was the anime officially announced, after which details were slowly released, such as the casting of the remaining main characters that had no lines in the OVA.

Media

Light novels

Two separate light novel series have been published. The first, Strike Witches: Suomus Misfits Squadron (ストライクウィッチーズ: いらん子中隊 Sutoraiku Witchīzu: Iranko Chūtai), was written by Noboru Yamaguchi and illustrated by Hashigo Ueda. The first volume was published in Japan in October 2006, and as of June 11, 2009, 3 volumes have been published. A fourth volume, originally scheduled for Spring 2009, is in production. The Suomus Misfits Squadron series is set in a different time period and location from the anime, and uses a different cast of characters.

The second light novel series, titled Strike Witches: Maidens' Volume (ストライクウィッチーズ: 乙女ノ巻 Sutoraiku Witchīzu: Otome no Maki), was written by Hidehisa Nanbō and illustrated by Hashigo Ueda. As of June 11, 2009, 2 volumes have been published, with a third scheduled for July 1, 2009. The publication of this series coincided with the anime television series, and uses the same cast of characters; however, while some of the chapters are adaptations of the anime episodes, several are original.

Manga

There are currently six manga series of Strike Witches. The first manga, Strike Witches: Maidens of the Blue Skies (ストライクウィッチーズ 蒼空の乙女たち Strike Witches Sōkū no Otome-tachi), was serialized in Comp Ace between September 25, 2005 and January 26, 2006. A second series, Strike Witches: Maidens in the Sky (ストライクウィッチーズ 天空の乙女たち Strike Witches Tenkū no Otome-tachi), was serialized in Comp Ace between July 26, 2008 and December 26, 2008 and compiled into two manga volumes. Seven Seas Entertainment will release the series in North America in April 2014.[4] A third manga, Strike Witches: The Sky that Connects Us (ストライクウィッチーズ キミとつながる空 Strike Witches Kimi to Tsunagaru Sora), also referred to as Strike Witches 1.5, which takes place between the two anime series, began serialization in NyanType magazine from September 26, 2009 to 2010 and was release in one manga volume in September 2010. A fourth manga titled Strike Witches Zero: 1937 Fuso Sea Incident (ストライクウィッチーズ零 1937 扶桑海事変 Strike Witches Zero: 1937 Fusou Kaijihen) which focuses on Mio Sakamoto during the Fuso Sea Incident in 1937, began serializing in Nyantype magazine in 2011 and currently has two manga volumes. A fifth manga titled Strike Witches: One-Winged Witches (ストライクウィッチーズ 片翼の魔女たち Strike Witches - Katayoku no Majotachi) which focuses on the Isle of Wight Detachment Group, began serializing in Comp Ace and currently has two manga volumes. A sixth manga titled Strike Witches: The Witches of Africa (ストライクウィッチーズ アフリカの魔女 Strike Witches: Africa no Majo) which was previously a semi-official doujin which focuses on the African Front, began serializing on November 10, 2011 in Comptiq magazine.

Dōjinshi

Strike Witches: Witch in Africa

Published in August 2008, and jointly authored by Humikane Shimada, Takaaki Suzuki, and Takeshi Nogami. It is considered semi-canonical. The B5-size publication contains a manga and novel section, both dealing primarily with the "Star of Africa" Hanna-Justina Marseille during the North African Campaign. Details on the Strike Witches world setting that could not be added into the anime were also added into the publication.

Strike Witches: Witch in Africa was originally meant to be included in the anime DVD booklets, but because of a reduction in the booklet size, it was instead published as a dōjinshi. The manga will be serialised in Comptiq beginning November 10, 2011.[5]

Strike Witches: Tiger in Desert

Published in December 2008. Similar to the first volume, and set in the same general time frame and location (North Africa, circa 1942). Consisting of two volumes it follows an experimental Karlsland tank witch unit based on the Tiger I.

World Witches: Witches of the Sphinx

Published from 2010 to 2012, the series takes place in North Africa, 1943 and concerns the joint effort of the Storm Witches and three tank witch units under the command of General Patton, General Montgomery and General Rommel in retaking the Suez Canal. Five volumes were released.

Sengoku Witches: The witch of Honnō-ji

Published in 2009. Takes place during Japan's Sengoku period. Oda Nobunaga is rescued from Honnō-ji by his page, in this version the witch Mori Ranmaru, instead of committing suicide in the incident at Honnō-ji.

Anime

An original video animation directed by Kunihisa Sugishima and produced by Gonzo and released on January 1, 2007. The first anime season was produced by Gonzo and aired in Japan between July 3, 2008 and September 18, 2008. Aside from the traditional televised broadcast, the series was also made available with English subtitles and English dub through YouTube, BOST TV and Crunchyroll,[6] using a simultaneous release schedule similar to that of The Tower of Druaga: the Aegis of Uruk, also produced by Gonzo. The YouTube and Crunchyroll broadcasts operate under a streaming window, allowing users to freely watch each new episode of the series on the day of their release for a set amount of time. Crunchyroll also offers individual episodes to be purchased and downloaded during and after this streaming window has ended.[7] An uncensored version of the series was later released on Region 2 DVD, containing nudity that was obscured for the TV broadcast.[8] The first volume was made available on September 26, 2008, the second on October 24, the third volume on November 28, the fourth volume on December 26, and the fifth volume on January 30, 2009. The anime has been licensed by Funimation Entertainment and was released on March 30, 2010.

A second series entitled Strike Witches 2 was produced by AIC and aired between July 7, 2010 and September 23, 2010. This season has also been acquired by Funimation Entertainment and was simulcasted on their video portal, with an intended home video release in September 2011.[9] The release was held back until October 2, 2012. Manga Entertainment released the series in the United Kingdom on September 24, 2012.[10] A three part OVA series produced by Silver Link titled Strike Witches: Operation Victory Arrow, which features three short stories taking place between the second anime season and the film, was released between September 20, 2014 and May 2, 2015.[11]

A spin-off series by Silver Link, titled Brave Witches, will begin airing in 2016.[12][13] The series is not a continuation of the previous seasons and instead focuses on the 502nd Joint Fighter Wing.[14][15]

Film

On October 28, 2010, a film adaptation of Strike Witches was announced to have been greenlit.[2] Produced by AIC, the film was released in Japanese theatres on March 17, 2012 and on DVD and BD on October 26, 2012.[16][17] The film is currently licensed by Funimation.[18]

Music

The first season used two pieces of theme music. "Strike Witches: To Do What I Can" (ストライクウィッチーズ ~わたしにできること~ Sutoraiku Witchīzu ~Watashi ni Dekiru Koto~), performed by Yoko Ishida is used as the opening. "Bookmark A Head" (ブックマーク ア・ヘッド Bukkumāku A Heddo) is used as the ending. "Bookmark A Head" is performed by the main cast as usually duets and the singers vary from episode to episode. "Lili Marleen" (リリーマルレーン Ririi Marureen), translated by Takaaki Suzuki, and performed by Minna-Dietlinde Wilcke (Rie Tanaka), is used as an insert song in episode 8. In Funimation's release, Lamp of a Wish (願いの灯火 Negai no Tomoshibi), a song also sung by Rie Tanaka from the CD album for the Strike Witches: What I Can Do Along With You game, was substituted for Lili Marleen.

The single for "Strike Witches: To Do What I Can" was released on August 20, 2008 by Columbia Music Entertainment and also a version of "Bookmark A Head" performed by Misato Fukuen.[19] An album entitled the "Strike Witches: Ending Theme Complete Collection" (ストライクウィッチーズ Ending Theme Complete Collection Sutoraiku Witchīzu Ending Theme Complete Collection) was released on October 10, 2008 by Columbia Music Entertainment, containing all versions "Bookmark A Head" as well as the insert "Lili Marleen".[20] The original soundtrack containing 36 tracks was released on September 9, 2008.[21]

For the second season, the opening theme is "STRIKE WITCHES 2 ~The Magic of Smiles~" (STRIKE WITCHES 2 ~笑顔の魔法~ STRIKE WITCHES 2 ~Egao no Mahou~) by Yoko Ishida and the ending theme is "Over Sky", which is once again performed by members of the vocal cast.[22]

Additionally, five albums of character image songs were released by Columbia Music Entertainment:

Video games

There are currently four games based on the Strike Witches franchise. While mainly based on the characters featured in the anime, characters from the two manga series also appear in some of the games. The first three Strike Witches games will have the same opening "private wing" by Yoko Ishida

References

  1. "Gonzo Confirmed to Animate 2nd Strike Witches Season (Updated)". Anime News Networik. April 28, 2009. Retrieved April 28, 2009.
  2. 1 2 "Strike Witches Gets Theatrical Film - News". Anime News Network. 2012-09-29. Retrieved 2012-10-03.
  3. "Strike Witches Film's Trailer Streamed". Anime News Network. 2012-02-08. Retrieved 2012-02-08.
  4. "Seven Seas Licenses Girls und Panzer, Arpeggio of Blue Steel, Strike Witches Manga". Anime News Network. 2013-07-15. Retrieved 2013-07-16.
  5. "Strike Witches: Witches of Africa to Run in Comptiq Mag - News". Anime News Network. 2012-09-29. Retrieved 2012-10-03.
  6. "GONZO人気OVA作品「ストライクウィッチーズ」のTVアニメシリーズ、7月3日より放送開始!". gdh.co.jp (in Japanese). 2008-06-19. Archived from the original on 2009-02-18. Retrieved 2012-10-03.
  7. "Forum - Strike Witches to be available on". Crunchyroll. Retrieved 2012-10-03.
  8. "Earl Box". Earlbox.sakura.ne.jp. 2009-01-07. Retrieved 2012-10-03.
  9. "Funimation Adds Hetalia World Series, Strike Witches 2". Anime News Network. 2010-07-30.
  10. "Strike Witches Second Season Provisionally Due July. - News". Anime News Network. 2012-09-29. Retrieved 2012-10-03.
  11. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-03-14/strike-witches-ova-release-and-story-outlined
  12. "Strike Witches Gets 3rd TV Anime Series, OVA". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2013-10-15.
  13. "New Strike Witches Anime's 1st video reveals 2016 airing, characters, staff, title". Anime News Network. February 29, 2016. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
  14. "Strike Witches' New TV Anime, OVA Are Not the 3rd Season". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2013-10-15.
  15. http://www.animenewsnetwork.co.uk/news/2016-02-29/new-strike-witches-anime-1st-video-reveals-2016-airing-characters-staff-title/.99244
  16. "Strike Witches Film by AIC Slated for Spring 2012 - News". Anime News Network. 2012-09-29. Retrieved 2012-10-03.
  17. "Strike Witches Film BD/DVD Slated for October 26". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2013-10-15.
  18. "Funimation Licenses Haruhi Suzumiya, Lucky Star, Strike Witches, Steins;Gate Films". Anime News Network. 2014-08-09.
  19. "TVアニメ ストライクウィッチーズ オープニングテーマ「STRIKE WITCHES」エンディングテーマ「ブックマーク ア・ヘッド」 [Single] [Maxi]" (in Japanese). Amazon.com. Retrieved March 24, 2009.
  20. "Strike Witches Ending Theme Complete Collection". Hitoshi Doi. Retrieved March 31, 2009.
  21. "TVアニメーション ストライクウィッチーズ オリジナルサウンドトラック" (in Japanese). Amazon.com. Retrieved March 24, 2009.
  22. "Ai no Kotodama, DenYuDen, Strike Witches Videos Posted - News". Anime News Network. 2012-09-29. Retrieved 2012-10-03.
  23. ストライクウィッチーズ 秘め歌コレクションその1-宮藤芳佳&坂本美緒- (in Japanese). Amazon.com. Retrieved March 24, 2009.
  24. "ストライクウィッチーズ 秘め歌コレクションその2-サーニャ・V・リトヴャク&エイラ・イルマタル・ユーティライネン-" (in Japanese). Amazon.com. Retrieved March 24, 2009.
  25. ストライクウィッチーズ キャラクターコレクション 3 (in Japanese). Amazon.com. Retrieved March 24, 2009.
  26. ストライクウィッチーズ キャラクターコレクション 4 (in Japanese). Amazon.com. Retrieved March 24, 2009.
  27. ストライクウィッチーズ キャラクターコレクション 5 (in Japanese). Amazon.com. Retrieved March 24, 2009.
  28. "W-Russell". W-russell.jp. Retrieved 2012-10-03.
  29. Ashcraft, Brain (June 16, 2009). "Cradle Your DS With Fake Girl's Gym Shorts". Kotaku. Retrieved June 16, 2009.
  30. 参戦キャラクター. www.w-russell.jp (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2009-05-14. Retrieved 2012-10-03.
  31. 株式会社サイバーフロント (in Japanese). Cyberfront.co.jp. Retrieved 2012-10-03.
  32. ストライクウィッチーズ 白銀の翼 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2010-06-17.

External links

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