CULT DVD Review

There is something addictively charming about this odd little anime series. Strike Witches follows the adventures of a young witch (for some unexplained reason she sprouts a tail and cat ears when she uses magic) who becomes part of a team of females who are fighting alongside the army in a war against bizarre alien aircraft. The setting is 1930s and Europe has fallen because of these alien invaders and the strike witches are a team of 12 females from around the world who use their magical powers and some ingenious ways of flying to protect what is left of the land.

Living within their own base the strike witches use rocket-like leggings on their legs to fly. So naturally because of this they don’t wear trousers or skirts, just wander about in their knickers. All the time. So what we do get is endless shots of the nether regions and, of course, as this is twelve girls living together they all bathe together, grope each other and generally every one of them has some sort of lesbian tendency. So it’s fan service galore. Yet, oddly, its part of the show’s charm. Perhaps fan service has grown on me, but here it didn’t irritate me as much as it has done in previous manga titles. I think it’s the cheeky humour of the show overall which is quite appealing.

But this isn’t all giggles and crotch-shots because there is some unexpectedly mature character arcs throughout the show. We get to know each of the Strike Witches and their back stories, which includes some tragic tales due to the destruction of the world around them. At first there is so many characters to get to know that it seems overwhelming but each new episode fully rounds out a character in a nicely effective manner. Some of the characters are very likeable and I’m sure anyone who gets involved with the series will each have a favourite of their own.

The setting of a 1930s airbase is quite unique and apparently all the witches have been based on a real-life female who was involved in the war efforts of the time. So a lot of research has been put into this tale and although most of it goes beyond me, I’m sure some people will pick up on little details like these. It is perhaps a special feature that should have been involved on the extras to show how things tie in with what actually happened in the real world at the time.

As the story unfolds throughout the series and we get to know the characters - of course there is the token half-way episode where there is nothing much but fan service - so things begin to get ever more dangerous for the girls. It seems there’s a little corruption from the higher forces that be and perhaps the alien spacecraft aren’t the enemies they thought they were. It all leads up to an action packed final four episodes.

The animation isn’t amazing but it’s adequate enough. The action shots are well done and despite the bizarre design of the flying machines the girls use they do provide some spectacular aerial fights.

So overall the series is good fun and full of lively, likeable characters. If only the fan service could have been toned down and a little more explanation was given for some of the odder elements of the show (the aliens, the ears and tails).

Commentary with director and stars of episode 12: This is an enjoyable commentary from the three of the team behind the English dub. They do go into good detail about the series as a whole. Its nice to hear them talk about the level of fan service in the show and they don’t hide away from the fact that it’s a bit much. Although they try to say it’s tastefully done (it’s not) and character driven (nope). Could have done with a few more commentary’s on other episodes with some of the other actresses.

Opening and closing songs without credits: Zzz.

FEATURE: 84%

EXTRAS: 16%

OVERALL: 61%

Stewart McLaren