Strike Witches Movie

After fending off the threat of a Neuroi invasion of Romagna and destroying the enemy's nest over Venezia, Yoshika Miyafuji goes back to her home town in the Empire of Fusou. Despite the loss of her magical and healing abilities, the former officer of the 501st Joint Fighter Wing wants to continue studying medicine. This is in order to help those in need, both civilians and those on the front lines alike. She receives an invitation from a prestigious school in Europe and decides to accept the offer, embarking on a journey back to the war-torn continent.

However, a new danger arises, as more and more Neuroi manage to break through human defense lines, appearing unnoticed in supposedly safe areas and disturbing the balance of power in Europe. Yoshika's sense of duty collides with her inability to pilot a Striker Unit, but with her friends in peril, it seems that there is only one thing she can do.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Miyafuji, Yoshika Main

Fukuen, Misato Japanese

Hattori, Shizuka Main

Uchida, Aya Japanese

Litvyak, Sanya V. Supporting

Kadowaki, Mai Japanese

Hartmann, Erica Supporting

Nogawa, Sakura Japanese

Juutilainen, Eila Ilmatar Supporting

Ohashi, Ayuru Japanese

Lucchini, Francesca Supporting

Saitou, Chiwa Japanese

Sakamoto, Mio Supporting

Seto, Saori Japanese

Barkhorn, Gertrud Supporting

Sonozaki, Mie Japanese

Bishop, Lynette Supporting

Nazuka, Kaori Japanese

Clostermann, Perrine H. Supporting

Sawashiro, Miyuki Japanese

Cook, Justin Producer, ADR Director

Matsuzaki, Yoshiyuki Producer

Ogura, Rie Assistant Producer

Takamura, Kazuhiro Director

Reviews

Nov 5, 2012

arsonal

Recommended

Strike Witches the Movie is a refreshing and fitting sequel to the two television series. Those who are not familiar with the Strike Witches franchise receive a brief introduction to the premise of the series, but they may not be able to appreciate the unique personalities of each character fully if they have not watched the preceding works.

Strike Witches revolutionized the "mecha musume" genre of moe anthropomorphism, especially because of the special attention given to the realistic setting of the series. Compared to the futuristic setting of Shimada Humikane's earlier work Sky Girls, Strike Witches employs World War II era technology and personalities as ... the basis of its story. In a timeline where Earth's history is altered because of the invasion of unknown aliens, the total war we know of is re-imagined as a fight between modern witches and the mysterious alien Neuroi.

Following the conclusion of Strike Witches 2, speculation was ripe among fans as to how the story could continue because the series protagonist Miyafuji Yoshika seemed to have lost the major driving force of her character development. It soon became evident that the creators did not intend on taking Miyafuji out of the picture. Strike Witches the Movie opens in August 1945, and the calm that follows the liberation of Venezia (Venice) and Romagna (Italy) mirrors the real world scenario where World War II is nearing its conclusion. Unfortunately for the witches, the Neuroi still remain a formidable enemy, and signs of a new invasion soon begin to appear throughout Europe. In the meantime, Miyafuji travels from her home in the Fuso Empire (Japan) to Helvetia (Switzerland) in order to enroll in a medical school and fulfill her desire to become a doctor.

Viewers are introduced to a new protagonist to the franchise. Hattori Shizuka, a newly minted officer with the Fuso Empire who enters the military with the same enthusiasm as Miyafuji did in early 1944. For Hattori, Miyafuji is the hero of the Fuso Empire who is admired throughout the country, yet Miyafuji does not seem to care for the hierarchical structure and formalities of the military and instead willingly takes up work seemingly unrelated to the fight against the Neuroi. This contradiction presents a conflict for the naïve Hattori, who dreams of the glory of battle described in stories of Miyafuji. In this way, it appears as if Hattori was introduced in order to serve as a foil to Miyafuji; however, viewers soon realize that her stubbornness mirrors that of Miyafuji's when the latter first entered the military and sought to find her own purpose in the war.

Characters from the earlier television series, especially members of the 501st Joint Fighter Wing, return in numerous cameo appearances throughout the movie, guiding Miyafuji and ensuring her safety in the land journey from Gallia (France) to Helvetia. Viewers are also treated with additional appearances of witches in other units throughout Europe who are called into action by the new Neuroi enemy that caught them off guard. While it initially seems as if there are two separate plots in the movie, viewers are reminded that Miyafuji is indeed the main protagonist as the story begins to converge around her.

Strike Witches is known for its impressive mechanical design. Following in the footsteps of the two television series, the movie features World War II military hardware in detail, including the Japanese aircraft carrier Amagi. AIC presents an artistic quality that is above average, and the animation is especially entertaining to watch during aerial combat scenes. Despite the prevalence of low camera angles intended to market its military-girls-in-underwear appeal, these shots are weaved quite well into the combat animation, making them less distracting. If there were any complaints about the art itself, perhaps it is that the theatrical poster does not do enough justice to the quality of the movie.

The soundtrack of the movie does not vary from the television series, and viewers can immediately recognize the trumpet fanfare that has become the signature piece of theme music from Strike Witches. While this can become a point of concern, it can also present the viewer with the an atmosphere that unifies the movie with the two television series. Voice acting of returning characters also does not vary in the movie, but the performance of Uchida Aya as Hattori Shizuka is well deserving of an applause as she captured Hattori's transformation into a character who begins to understand Miyafuji's ideals. This is followed by a special ending song which features Hattori's voice actress in its vocal cast.

If the viewer enjoyed the two television series, they will find the movie even more enjoyable. On the other hand, if the viewer feels that the franchise has become stale without recent developments, the movie can reinvigorate interest. Pacing of the plot is conducted in a balanced way by breaking it up into scenarios that resolve themselves quickly and maintain viewer interest as if discovering local adventures during a road trip through continental Europe.

Reviewer’s Rating: 8

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Oct 14, 2016

KitsunehimeMilhi

Recommended

If it's not obvious from my rating, I'm a huge Strike Witches fan. I originally found the series randomly on Hulu and eventually I watched all of it, besides the one non- victory ova that I didn't know existed until a few weeks ago, in like 4 days. I love this anime a lot because it's very true to what it is and the movie is the same way. You get a bunch of cute girls with familiars that can use magic to perform moves and fly, and they also don't wear pants, which I've read is because striker units need almost ... direct skin contact to access the magical energy so they can start the propellers that allow the witches to fly.

Strike Witches the movie gives you a chance to see all the old characters, the fun interactions that you want to see again, a new type of neuroi, and a new girl who was sent to get Yoshika and take her to a top medical school where she can do study abroad. The new neuroi causes lots of havoc which is expected and it's nice to see a new kind instead a recycled old type of neuroi. I don't always like when shows pull this stuff, but Strike Witches is the very definition of friendship is power. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I recommend watching it. Expect what the series offers you and nothing more. Hope you enjoy it too!

I feel like adding one more thing to my review. This movie also keeps the character driven aspect of the series. Considering most of the mains series was episodic, being character driven is important to keep things interesting. You won't be disappointed by this aspect in the movie either.

Reviewer’s Rating: 10

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Apr 30, 2020

robert788

Recommended

Strike Witches Movie (2012)

For me watching this movie in order with this being the latest part before the next movie that is due out in 2020 it makes a lot of sense. If you watched it back in 2012 with the order of things all over the place this would be a pretty hard movie to drop in.

The story is really well done from start to finish. It is nice to see how it links directly off Operation Victory Arrow. The introduction of Shizuka being very straight-laced from the academy is brilliant as not all witches can be so chilled out as Yoshika. Especially ... since this is Fuso a country of absolute dedication.

The art is consistent even with the later parts of the show like Victory Arrow which came after it in terms of production It is Ecchi as always and fits perfectly into the narrative. Sanya always so beautifully drawn as best girl.

The sound comes with a great opening and an awesome closing song. Generally, the sounds are superb throughout the show and make for a great ride. A few more SFX sounds would have been better but it is from 2012.

Characters do a really great expansion on seeing the new girl Shizuka being straight-laced. Also shows how strict Mio must be at the academy. I am always surprised that the military keeps discharging Yoshika and not just taking her in to train as a medical officer. The other witches all show the great admiration they have for Yoshika which is really great to see.

The movie itself is enjoyable from start to finish and I would recommend it. It would be best if you watch it in the order it comes with this being the last thing before Road to Berlin that is due this year. I love seeing the Brave Witches inclusion and some newer random witches from other units. Also seeing Michiko is great too since her voice is adorable.

The movie when it came out has the issue that confuses the timeline. Yes, season 2 did come out before the movie but having Operation Victory Arrow that leads up to the very start is the best method to watch it.

Reviewer’s Rating: 9

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	Poll: Strike Witches The Movie Episode 1 Discussion ( 1 2 3 ) Stark700 - Oct 26, 2012	117 replies	by Gendolfas »» Aug 3, 2021 9:36 AM
	"To Be Continued" At the end of the film? Shishimai - Mar 24, 2012	35 replies	by LemonTea387 »» Aug 16, 2016 8:31 AM
	Fansub Group? nenebest - Oct 29, 2012	11 replies	by InfiniteZenith »» Nov 8, 2012 5:10 PM
	Trailer arsonal - Feb 8, 2012	11 replies	by AirStyles »» Aug 22, 2012 3:58 AM