Strike Witches: A thorough review of the 501st Squadron's appeal and fighting style! Let's take off!

Strike Witches 501st Squadron Take Off! - Review and Recommendation

overview

Strike Witches: 501st Joint Fighter Wing Take Off! is a 2019 anime TV series based on the manga by Fumikane Shimada and Projekt Kagonish. It has 12 short, 15-minute episodes, but each one is packed with content and entertains viewers. The series is part of the Strike Witches series and is a spin-off that depicts the daily life of the 501st Joint Fighter Wing.

story

The story begins with Miyafuji Yoshika joining the 501st Joint Fighter Wing. She is a member of the Witches who fight to protect humanity from the enemy known as the Neuroi, but once she joins, the enemy never seems to show up, and instead of fighting, she is busy with everyday tasks like cooking and doing laundry. The story depicts her interactions with the unique members of the corps and their humorous daily lives.

character

The charm of this work lies in its unique characters. The main characters are introduced below.

Yoshika Miyafuji

Voice actor: Misato Fukuen

She is a new witch of the Fuso Empire and is good at cooking and housework. She has a serious personality and can use healing magic, which gets her into all sorts of trouble. Seeing the daily life of the 501st Squadron from her perspective is refreshing and fun for viewers.

Mio Sakamoto

Voice actor: Saori Seto

A veteran witch of the Fuso Empire, she has a simple, strong and friendly personality. She is a respected officer, but perhaps because of her long military career, she also has a side to her that is a little outside of common sense. Because of this, she often causes trouble.

Lynette Bishop

Voice actor: Kaori Nazuka

A witch from the Britannian Federation, she is best friends with Miyato as they are both rookies. She always has a calm and gentle smile on her face, but for some reason some of the other members fear her. This contrast makes her a fascinating character.

Perrine H. Clostermann

Voice actor: Sawashiro Miyuki

A witch from the Republic of Gallia, born into an aristocratic family. She is known for her elegant demeanor, but she is also arrogant and cannot be honest with others. However, she has an abnormal affection for Sakamoto.

Mina Dietrinde Wilke

Voice actor: Rie Tanaka

A witch from Imperial Karlsland, she is the captain of the 501st Division. She has a kind and caring personality, and is always concerned about her troops. She loves cooking, and there are many scenes where she shows off her cooking skills.

Gertrud Barkhorn

Voice actor: Mie Sonozaki

A witch from Imperial Karlsland, she has a serious personality. She is one of the few people with common sense who can agree with Miyato, and she values ​​discipline and moderation. She will punish anyone who disrupts the order of the unit with her fist without mercy.

Erica Hartmann

Voice actor: Sakura Nogawa

A witch from Imperial Karlsland, she is a top ace with the highest number of kills in the world. However, her daily life is sloppy and careless, and her room is messy. On the other hand, she aspires to be a doctor and is secretly studying medicine.

Francesca Lucchini

Voice actor: Chiwa Saito

A witch from the Principality of Romagna, she is the youngest member of the 501st Legion. A genius girl whose magical powers were discovered at the age of 10 and who was scouted by the military, she has a carefree personality like a cat and lives a free and unrestrained life.

Charlotte E. Yeager

Voice actor: Koshimizu Ami

A witch from the United States of Rebellion, she has a generous personality and doesn't sweat the small stuff. She's the mood maker of the 501st Squadron, but she can also get into trouble by sticking her nose into interesting or fun things.

Sanya V. Litvyak

Voice actor: Mai Kadowaki

A witch from the Orasha Empire, she is rarely seen during the day as her main duty is night patrols. Ayla always cares for her, but sometimes she has trouble expressing her gratitude.

Eila Ilmatar Juutilainen

Voice actor: Ayumi Ohashi

A witch from Suomus, she has a friendly personality and a mischievous side. She has the ability to predict the future, and is called the "miracle witch" because she has hardly ever been hit. However, when it comes to Sanya, her attitude changes.

Production Staff

Many talented staff members were involved in the production of this work. Below are the main staff members:

director

Fumio Ito

Director Ito Fumio is a familiar face to fans of the Strike Witches series, and under his direction the daily life of the 501st Unit is depicted in a humorous and moving way.

Character Design

Kei Ajiki

The character designs by Kei Yasujiki bring out the charm of the original work to the fullest. The designs that highlight the individuality of each character leave a strong impression on the viewer.

Literary series

Murakami Midnight

The literary series by Shinya Murakami skillfully constructs the story of each episode. The script, which is an exquisite blend of humor and emotion, has the power to draw viewers in.

music

Nagaoka Shigetsugu

The music by Shigetsugu Nagaoka is an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of the work. In particular, the opening theme "Sora ga Yobu Hou e" and the ending theme "Treasure of Life" are masterpieces that resonate in the hearts of viewers.

episode

The 12 episodes in the series depict the daily life of Unit 501, with each episode having a different theme. Below are the subtitles for each episode.

• Episode 1: Shall 501 depart?
• Episode 2: 501 Shall I clean up the messy room?
• Episode 3: 501, are you going out shopping?
• Episode 4: 501, are you going to have Halloween?
• Episode 5: 501, would you like a haircut?
• Episode 6: 501 Do you feel stressed?
• Episode 7: Will you celebrate Setsubun 501?
• Episode 8: 501 Will you work the night shift?
• Episode 9: 501 Can't fly anymore?
• Episode 10: 501 Are you feeling the summer?
• Episode 11: Will you save 501 lives?
• Episode 12: Will 501 Disband?

Related Titles

"Strike Witches: 501st Squadron Taking Off!" is part of the Strike Witches series and includes the following related works:

• Strike Witches
• World Witches
• Luminous Witches
• Brave Witches

Theme songs and music

The opening and ending themes are important elements that enhance the atmosphere of the work. Below are details of the theme songs and music.

Opening Theme

"Where the sky calls"

• Lyricist: Mizuno Genki
• Composer: Shuhei Mutsuki
• Arrangement: Shuhei Mutsuki
• Vocals: Yoko Ishida

Ending Theme

"Treasure of life"

• Lyricist: Julie Shono
• Composer: Kenji Ikeda
• Arrangement: Shunsuke Takizawa
• Song: 501st Joint Fighter Wing

Ratings and Recommendations

"Strike Witches 501st Squadron Take Off!" is a must-see for fans of the Strike Witches series. Although it has few battle scenes, it is packed with humorous episodes depicting the daily lives of unique characters, entertaining viewers. In particular, the daily life of the 501st Squadron seen from Yoshika Miyafuji's perspective is fresh and fascinating.

This work is also a good opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the world of the Strike Witches series. Learning about the backgrounds and relationships of each character will deepen your understanding of the series as a whole. Furthermore, each episode has a different theme, so viewers can enjoy it without getting bored.

The music is also something not to be missed. The opening theme "Sora ga Yobu Hou e" and the ending theme "Treasure of Life" are masterpieces that not only enhance the atmosphere of the work, but also resonate deeply in the hearts of viewers. The ending theme in particular is sung by all the members of the 501st Joint Fighter Wing, making you feel the bond between them.

This work is recommended not only for fans of the Strike Witches series, but also for those who like slice-of-life anime and comedy anime. You will be able to enjoy the humorous daily lives of the unique characters and feel their growth and bond. Please give it a watch.

Additional Information

"Strike Witches 501st Squadron Take Off!" aired on TOKYO MX and AT-X from April 10 to June 26, 2019, every Wednesday from 12:45 a.m. for 15 minutes. Animation was handled by Acca effe and Giga Productions, and copyright is owned by Fumikane Shimada, Makoto Fujibayashi, and KADOKAWA.

This work was produced as a spin-off of the Strike Witches series, but it is also an important work for gaining a deeper understanding of the worldview of the entire series. In particular, learning about the personalities and relationships of the members of the 501st Unit will deepen your understanding of the entire series. Also, each episode has a different theme, so viewers can enjoy it without getting bored.

Furthermore, this work is recommended not only for fans of the Strike Witches series, but also for those who like slice-of-life anime and comedy anime. You will be able to feel the growth and bond between the girls while enjoying the humorous daily lives of the unique characters. Please give it a watch.

This concludes my review and recommendation of "Strike Witches 501st Squadron Take Off!" By enjoying this work, you will gain a deeper understanding of the world of the Strike Witches series and be able to feel the charm of the unique characters. Please give it a watch.