Strike Witches

Strike Witches

Company type	Media mix franchise
Industry	Entertainment
Founded	2006
Founder	Fumikane Shimada
Products	Light novels, manga, anime, video games

is a Japanese media mix franchise developed by Fumikane Shimada, originating from his magazine illustration columns. These artworks inspired numerous official light novel, manga, and anime adaptations, alongside various video games. The narrative revolves around adolescent moe anthropomorphic girls who engage in aerial battles using leg-mounted machinery. The initial original video animation (OVA) preview appeared in January 2007, followed by a television anime broadcast from July to September 2008. A second season was aired between July and September 2010. A feature film adaptation debuted on March 17, 2012, with a three-part OVA series released from September 2014 through May 2015. The third season was broadcast from October to December 2020.

Additional spin-off series include Brave Witches (October–December 2016) and Luminous Witches (July–September 2022).

Plot

Set during an alternate World War II period, Earth is threatened by the Neuroi—alien entities resembling aircraft that discharge a corrosive mist. In response, global military alliances deploy young female soldiers called Witches, who possess magical powers capable of combating the Neuroi threat. These Witches, inspired by historical aviators, exhibit animal ears and tails upon activating their magic and utilize Striker Units—devices modeled after real-world aircraft—to boost their combat effectiveness.

The light novels concentrate on the Suomus Independent Volunteer Aerial Squadron and the fighter pilot Tomoko Anabuki. The main anime storyline follows Yoshika Miyafuji from the Fuso Empire, who enlists in the Strike Witches to investigate her father’s demise while battling the Neuroi. The spin-off anime Brave Witches features Hikari Karibuchi, a Fuso native who steps into combat to replace her wounded sister.

Production

Fumikane Shimada’s Mecha Musume designs served as the foundation for Gonzo’s production of the Strike Witches OVA. At the same time, Shimada contributed character designs for Sky Girls (2007). Although promotional materials such as plastic figurines were released initially, the full anime series was formally announced in December 2007, with casting details revealed progressively.

Light novels

The franchise is extended through three distinct light novel series. The first series, , authored by Noboru Yamaguchi with illustrations by Hashigo Ueda, began publication on September 30, 2006; its third and concluding volume was released on June 28, 2008. This installment presents an alternate timeline and characters separate from those in the anime. A reboot titled Silent Witches Suoms Iranko Company ReBOOT! launched in October 2018 by Toshihiko Tsukiji and Kōsuke Tsukinami, with four volumes published as of October 2020.

The second series, , penned by Hidehisa Nanbō and illustrated by Hashigo Ueda, corresponds with the anime’s character roster and includes both adaptations and original narratives. Four volumes were available by June 30, 2010.

The third series, , narrates events involving the 506th Joint Fighter Wing set between the anime's second season and its movie adaptation. Written by Hidehisa Nanbō, it was published across eight volumes from January 2015 to May 2018. Some volumes featured original CD dramas with performances from the complete cast.

Manga

The Strike Witches franchise encompasses ten distinct manga series:

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)

Created and illustrated by Yoshiyuki Kazumi, this series was serialized in Comp Ace from September 26, 2005, until January 26, 2006. It was discontinued after three chapters.

Strike Witches: Maidens in the Sky (ストライクウィッチーズ 天空の乙女たち)

Authored by Yuki Tanaka, this manga ran in Comp Ace between January 26 and November 26, 2008, compiled into two volumes. Seven Seas Entertainment holds the North American license.

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)

Illustrated by Shin Kyogoku and serialized in Nyantype from September 30, 2009, to July 30, 2010. It was published as a single volume and licensed by Seven Seas Entertainment.

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)

Drawn by Ningen, this series centers on Mio Sakamoto's role during the Fuso Sea Incident. It appeared in Nyantype from October 30, 2010, through November 30, 2011, and was collected in two volumes. Seven Seas Entertainment licensed this title.

Strike Witches: One-Winged Witches (ストライクウィッチーズ 片翼の魔女たち)

Illustrated by Atsuto Shinozuka, focusing on the Isle of Wight Detachment Group. Serialized in Comp Ace from April 26, 2011, to June 26, 2012, with two volumes released. Licensed by Seven Seas Entertainment.

Strike Witches: The Witches of Africa (ストライクウィッチーズ アフリカの魔女)

Created by Takeshi Nogami; initially a semi-official doujinshi spotlighting the African Front. A chapter was featured in Comptiq on November 10, 2011, with the compiled volume published January 26, 2012.

Strike Witches: Aurora no Majo (ストライクウィッチーズ オーロラの魔女)

By Shin Kyogoku, this series follows the Suomus LLV24 unit and main characters Eila Juutilainen and Nikka Katajainen. It ran in Nyantype from September 30, 2013, until October 30, 2014, collected into two volumes.

Strike Witches: Kurenai no Majo-tachi (ストライクウィッチーズ 紅の魔女たち)

Illustrated by Atsuto Shinozuka; depicting the activities of the 504th Joint Fighter Wing during the timeline of the second anime season. Serialized in Comptiq from February 10, 2014, to September 10, 2015; three volumes were published.

Strike Witches: Erica Hartmann 1941 (ストライクウィッチーズ エーリカ・ハルトマン 1941)

By Tsuchii; a prequel focusing on Erica Hartmann’s early service with Karlsland JG52. Serialized in Comp Ace between March and September 2016 and compiled into one volume.

Noble Witches: 506th Joint Fighter Wing (ノーブルウィッチーズ 第506統合戦闘航空団)

A manga adaptation of the Noble Witches light novel series by Tsuchii. Serialized in Comp Ace from May 26, 2017, to September 26, 2018; collected into three volumes.

Self published works

Strike Witches: Witch in Africa

Released in August 2008 and co-created by Fumikane Shimada, Takaaki Suzuki, and Takeshi Nogami. This B5-format publication combines manga and novel elements focusing on Hanna-Justina Marseille’s role during the North African Campaign while expanding the Strike Witches universe beyond the anime.

Strike Witches: Witch in Africa

Originally intended as content for anime DVD booklets but published as a dojin due to reductions in booklet size. The manga serialization began in Comptiq on November 10, 2011.

Strike Witches: Tiger in Desert

Published December 2008, set around North Africa circa 1942. This two-volume series follows an experimental Karlsland tank witch unit modeled after the Tiger I tank.

World Witches: Witches of the Sphinx

Published between 2010 and 2012 and set in North Africa during 1943. It focuses on the Storm Witches alongside three tank witch units operating under Generals Patton, Montgomery, and Rommel throughout the Suez Canal campaign. Five volumes were released.

Sengoku Witches: The Witch of Honnoji

Published in 2009 and set during Japan’s Sengoku period, this story features Oda Nobunaga being saved by witch Mori Ranmaru rather than meeting his historical demise.

Anime

An original video animation helmed by Kunihisa Sugishima and produced by Gonzo premiered on January 1, 2007. The initial television season, also produced by Gonzo, was broadcast from July to September 2008. It was simultaneously available with English subtitles and dubbing on platforms such as YouTube, BOST TV, and Crunchyroll, following a distribution approach akin to that of The Tower of Druaga. After the streaming period ended, Crunchyroll made episodes available for purchase. Between September 2008 and January 2009, an uncensored Region 2 DVD edition containing previously hidden scenes was released. In March 2010, Funimation acquired licensing rights for North American distribution.

The series’ second season, titled Strike Witches 2 and produced by AIC, aired from July through September 2010. Funimation simulcasted the episodes and subsequently issued a home video release in October 2012. In the United Kingdom, Manga Entertainment handled distribution in September 2012. A three-episode OVA collection named Strike Witches: Operation Victory Arrow, produced by Silver Link, was issued between September 2014 and May 2015, serving as a narrative link between the second season and the feature film.

Silver Link also developed the spin-off series Brave Witches, which debuted in October 2016. This installment centers on the 502nd Joint Fighter Wing rather than continuing the storyline of prior seasons. Crunchyroll provided worldwide simulcast access with an English dub produced by Funimation. The series received a Blu-ray/DVD release in 2017 alongside a theatrical screening of an episode. Madman Entertainment imported Funimation’s version for audiences in Australia and New Zealand.

On July 8, 2018, the announcement was made for Strike Witches: 501st Joint Fighter Wing Take Off!, a twelve-episode anime adaptation based on Makoto Fujibayashi’s 2011 comedic spin-off manga, commemorating the franchise’s tenth anniversary. It aired from April to June 2019 featuring returning members of the original voice cast. The production was handled by Acca effe and Giga Production under the direction of Fumio Ito, with music composed by Seiko Nagaoka at Nippon Columbia. Funimation streamed the series with English subtitles and premiered an English dub on April 23. Additionally, a related thirty-minute theatrical film was released in October 2019.

Another related title, World Witches Take Off!, aired twelve episodes from January to March 2021 with staff and cast members returning from 501st Joint Fighter Wing Take Off!, and was streamed with English subtitles via Crunchyroll.

The third principal season, named Strike Witches: Road to Berlin, was broadcast from October to December 2020. Animation was produced by David Production with Kazuhiro Takamura directing and Tatsuhiko Urata serving as chief writer; music composition was again undertaken by Seiko Nagaoka at Nippon Columbia. Funimation offered an English dub while Crunchyroll streamed it with subtitles.

A new project entitled Luminous Witches, animated by Shaft and directed by Shouji Saeki—who also managed series composition—was originally slated for release in 2021 but postponed to July through September 2022 due to various factors. Shinya Murakami contributed to the series’ writing, while Kadokawa oversaw music production. The cast performed both the opening theme ("Wonderful World") and ending theme ("Watashi to Minna no Uta"). Sentai Filmworks secured licensing rights for distribution.

Film

On October 28, 2010, approval was given for a film adaptation of Strike Witches. Produced by AIC, the movie premiered in Japanese cinemas on March 17, 2012, and later became available on DVD and Blu-ray on October 26 of the same year. Funimation secured licensing rights and issued a Blu-ray edition on October 4, 2016.

A new 30-minute installment titled Strike Witches: 501st Joint Fighter Wing Take Off! premiered in Japanese theaters on October 4, 2019. This film featured the original main cast and production team from the anime series.

Music

The initial season included two main theme songs: the opening track Strike Witches: To Do What I Can (Sutoraiku Witchīzu ~Watashi ni Dekiru Koto~) performed by Yoko Ishida, and the ending theme Bookmark A Head (Bukkumāku A Heddo), sung by members of the main cast in varying duet combinations throughout episodes. An insert song titled Lili Marleen, translated by Takaaki Suzuki and performed by Minna-Dietlinde Wilcke’s voice actress Rie Tanaka, appeared in episode eight. For Funimation’s release, this was substituted with Lamp of a Wish (Negai no Tomoshibi), also sung by Rie Tanaka and sourced from the related game’s soundtrack.

The maxi single for "Strike Witches: To Do What I Can" was launched on August 20, 2008, through Columbia Music Entertainment, accompanied by a rendition of "Bookmark A Head" by Misato Fukuen. On October 10, 2008, an album titled Strike Witches: Ending Theme Complete Collection was released, compiling all versions of "Bookmark A Head" alongside the insert song "Lili Marleen." The original soundtrack, comprising 36 tracks, became available on September 9, 2008.

For the second season, the opening theme was STRIKE WITCHES 2 ~The Magic of Smiles~, again performed by Yoko Ishida, while the ending theme "Over Sky" featured vocals by members of the cast. The third season’s opening song was Ishida’s Wings of Courage (Yuuki no Tsubasa), paired with an ending theme entitled "Yearning For Your Wings" (Kimi no Tsubasa ni Akogarete), also performed by the voice actors.

Furthermore, between March and April 2009, Columbia Music Entertainment issued five character image song albums spotlighting principal characters such as Yoshika Miyafuji, Mio Sakamoto, Sanya V. Litvyak, Eila Ilmatar Juutilainen, Minna-Dietlinde Wilcke, Erica Hartmann, Gertrud Barkhorn, Perrine-H. Clostermann, Lynette Bishop, Francesca Lucchini, and Charlotte E. Yeager.

Video games

The Strike Witches franchise includes five primary video games predominantly featuring characters from the anime series alongside some from the manga. The first three titles utilize the opening theme "private wing" performed by Yoko Ishida.

• , a simulation title developed by Russell Games for the Nintendo DS, released on November 26, 2009. The storyline centers on Junko Takei from the Fuso Empire as a prospective commanding officer collaborating with the 501st during a strategic assault against Neuroi along Gallia’s coast. Early purchasers received a special DS pouch designed to resemble gym shorts.
• , a visual novel crafted by Russell Games for PlayStation 2, released May 27, 2010. Featuring characters Amaki Suwa and Nishiki Nakajima, it focuses on survival and training scenarios following an unexpected Neuroi attack that leaves the Witches stranded on an uninhabited island.
• , a bullet hell shooter developed by Cyberfront for Xbox 360, launched July 29, 2010; it was later ported to PlayStation Portable in 2012. Players command three witches defending against Neuroi forces and can access characters such as Junko Takei and downloadable content featuring Nishiki Nakajima.
• , produced by Kadokawa Games for Nintendo DS, released October 21, 2010. This game combines tactical shooting sequences with minigames that enhance character interaction.
• , a mobile application released in Fall 2015; service concluded on February 28, 2018.

Additional entries include:

• , a virtual reality game available for PC and PlayStation 4, launched June 9, 2017.
• , developed by Cave for Android and iOS platforms, released in Japan on October 13, 2020.

Reception

John Oppliger from AnimeNation identified Strike Witches as a leading example within the girls with guns anime genre, emphasizing its abundant firearm combat scenes and the exceptional quality of its action animation as major highlights.

External links

• Official website of Fumikane Shimada
• Strike Witches official page at Funimation
• Official site for the Strike Witches video game