The year is 1944, and the world is at war. No, it is not World War II, as this is an alternate Earth. The war is against an invasion of hostile aliens called the Neuroids. But the 501st Joint Fighter Force, aka the Strike Witches, a group of teenage girls with magical powers, stand ready to put into use the finest in military technology to fight the Neuroids -- while flashing us with their panties.
OK, how the hell did this get on my Netflix list? And who is this anime made for? The idea of teenage girl soldiers may appeal to young girls looking for action heroes they can identify with. So what’s with all the jail bait fan service? What’s with the nudity? Why the underage T&A in most episodes? Are they also trying to appeal to male perverts? Or is this just something about Japanese culture I am missing.
The anime (notice I did not say story) centers on the youngest and newest recruit, Yoshika Miyafuji. She is recruited by the 501st’s second-in-command, Mio Sakemoto. The two form a bond. Yoshika forms friendships with the other witches as well. Everybody is happy taking baths together and feeling each other up.
OK, so much for the fan service. I will mention it no more. Let’s talk about the story.
What’s to talk about? It’s fairly routine and cliché. We have seen it all before. Even the “surprise” plot twist in the final episodes has been done before and done better. So let’s talk about the artwork and animation.
The artwork is pretty good, but the animation is full of cheap shortcuts. Even the battle scenes are not very interesting. I have seen street graffiti which has more of an effort.
So do I recommend Strike Witches? Re-read the above if you can’t answer that one yourself.
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