Strike Witches the Movie Review (Screenshots and Spoliers included)

 

I finally get to see Strike Witches the Movie and let see how the Witches of Squad 501 fare in the big screen!

Our story take place a few months after Season 2. Hamari from Germany is patrolling the night skies when she encounter a high speed Neuroi. She managed to take down and reported the matter to her superior, Minna.

In Japan, Yoshika met a fellow Witch, Hattori Shizuka which she understand that Sakamoto Mio is out at sea. Shizuka informed her she is given a scholarship to study medicine in Romania due to her services in Squad 501. Her family approved her of going overseas and Shizuka is in charge of escorting Yoshika on a naval ship.

Meanwhile, Sherry and Lucchini were having a boat race with the Romania Witches when they encounter the same Neuroi from Germany. They also shot it down with the help of the Romania Witches.

During the journey, Yoshika began to help around the ship which displease Shizuka. She reprimanded Yoshika to remember that she is an officer and should set an example.

Yoshika X Lynette Pairing again!

Later, an accident occurred in the ship's engine room and a sailor is trapped in there. Everyone gave up but Yoshika rushed in and managed to save the sailor. The next day, Lynette and Perrine arrived to welcome Yoshika and they invited them to Perrine's home for the night.

Sanya and Eila took off from a Russian base where they too encounter the Neuroi. Lynette gave Yoshika a new apron for her medical studies and bid farewell. Along the way, a landslide hit a village and Yoshika rushed to save the injured (By using the new apron as bandages)

Minna ordered Barkhorn and Hartman to investigate the Neuroi sightings and encounter a whole squadron of Neuroi. They took down the first wave however there were too many of them and soon the whole of Europe is under attack by Neuroi.

Communications is jammed all over Europe and the Witches and the Armies are tied down by the attacks. Yoshika and Shizuka saw a Neuroi tower near the village. Shizuka took off in her Striker Unit while Yoshika evacuated the villagers.

The Ensigna behind state-Noble Witches

Shizuka was ambushed and was shot down. Yoshika tried to take down the tower with Shizuka's machine gun and successfully destroyed it. But the blast was too great and Yoshika is badly wounded.

 

Yoshika's Revival!

A Neuroi mother ship suddenly emerged from the ground and release more Neuroi drones. Shizuka tried to call for help in the short range radio which fortunately Minna and the others received nearby. Yoshika could hear everyone's voice and then a miracle happened. An energy field surrounded Yoshika which revive her powers.

Reinforcements from the Yamato Fleet arrived to assist The Witches also saw Mio on a plane and they clear a path for her to reach Yoshika. Mio dropped a capsule near Yoshika and it was her Striker Unit-Shin Den. She piloted it and reunited with everyone.

Minna gave the orders to attack the Neuroi mother ship and together with Yoshika, they created a large shield and smash through the mother ship.

 

The mother ship was destroyed and Shizuka hugged Yoshika in tears. Hamari informed that Europe is still under attack by the Neuroi. Minna announced the revival of Squad 501 and they immediately sortie out to save Europe...

Season 3?

So that's the end of the Movie and the ending credits left a "To be Continued" shot at the end which could indicate that a new season is on the works? So what I think of this movie?

When the first season came out four years ago, people have mixed reactions of why the girls wore only panties wherever they go. But the action scenes and chemistry between the characters was great which a second season was immediately planned ahead. The second season was also good and it showed how the witches are not invincible and there is a limit of power they have due to their age. Mio lose her power completely and Yoshika make the ultimate sacrifice and lose her powers too.

So when I thought is Yoshika going to be a hinder around since she has no powers? No, she prove she can be helpful to everyone which bring us to Hattori Shizuka. Shizuka come from a military family and she look upon Yoshika as a War Hero. However her views change when Yoshika behave as her usual self which leave her with doubts. But Yoshika charge into to save the sailor or took down the Neuroi tower with only a machine gun, she realised that Yoshika is selfless and has a strong will to overcome anything.

The rest of the characters were fine, reprising what they have been doing the TV series and we get to see more Witches from other countries which is a neat thing. The battle scenes were cool though the camera tend to show more panties shots underneath when they are flying from above. Overall, the pacing was slightly a bit slow especially the Yoshika and Hattori parts. But the last twenty minutes make up for it. Let's hope for a new season though this movie was out early March this year and no news has yet announced. Till then, Strike Witches Go!!!

DIGI NEWS: Strike Witches is coming on PSP/PS Vita!

The only thing we are getting now at the moment is just the title card which is called Strike Witches: Shiro Gin no Tsubasa or Silver Wings. But according to rumors, it is a shooter simulation game and it is coming out on PSP and PS Vita on 28 June 2012!

Now there is a reason to buy PS Vita! More details will be out once it come!

Strike Witches S2 Ep 12- Flying Girls Forever!

Okay! The final episode of Strike Witches Season 2! I am not going back to Ep 11 as most of you have watch it or read other blogs about it so to keep a long story short...the story so far, Mio realised that she is losing her power after knowing that her sword-Reppumaru is a energy-eating sword. The witches and the allied forces are to began their attack in taking back Romanga which is still under the Neuroi and the secret weapon was the battleship Yamato which was fitted with a Neuroi Engine. The Yamato managed to reached the surface of the Neuroi but it was infected and was turing into a Neuroi.

Ep 12: Mio immediately rushed off to reach the Yamato as she was the only one with remaining magic left. The others could only watch as Mio entered the Yamato's engine.



Mio started the engine and fire the cannons



A huge explosion occurred and everyone thought it was over.

Suddenly the Yamato appeared with a large Neuroi Core behind.

Mio is trapped unconscious and the Neuroi is using her magic to create shields and destroying the fleet.

Yoshika then remember about Reppumaru's Ultimate Skill-Shin Reppuzen and know that the sword is still on the Yamato's deck.Yoshika know she has to do something and took off in her Striker Unit. She tried to hard to reach but there were too many enemies.

The Calvary is here!!!

The other witches motivated by Yoshika joined in the fight and cover Yoshika to reach Reppumaru.

Yoshika pulled out the sword and head straight to the core. Mio shouted her to release Reppumaru or else all her magic will be gone. But Yoshika head straight and smashed the core.

Yoshika and Mio started to descend to the ocean and Yoshika's Striker unit and Reppumaru fell into the ocean as her magic is gone The other witches caught hold of them and cheered for them.

After the aftermath, the Strike Witches were offically disbanded and everyone went back to their lives.

Yoshika returned back to Fuso where she was recieved by her mother and friends. Yoshika began to work at her family clinic and the last shot was Shin Den and Reppumaru wash ashore on a beach.

A great ending for an under rated show! When the first season came out, many were speculated if it was a cheap thrill to have girls flying in their underwear but it was proven wrong and a great finish to that. When the second season started, everyone wondered can it make a second time and the makers proved them it can be done again!

The story although has a few fillers like the beach episode and a funny episode about the bug Neuroi which fly in everyone's underwears. However it proved that a show that tried not to take it too serious was awesome and will be loved by people who just love good story telling and interesting characters.

Will there be a third season as the final battle indicate June 1945 which is like the end of WWII in alternative universe. Only time can tell but for now our Witches can rest for a job well done!