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「二人ならできること」 (Futari Nara Dekiru Koto)
“What the Two of Us Can Do”
Best sit back and keep the popcorn handy boys and girls, because Strike Witches is back in form. All forms. While it’ll be a bit of saunter getting to the stuff this season’s title points towards, I imagine the stroll through the park won’t feel too slow given the (re-)introductions left to make and the seasonal twists left to reveal. After all, given the time since the movie, I think we’re in need of a little downtime.
Next to the Neuroi the major question this season was the thing that would force some character struggle and development, and it seems we got it with Yoshika’s magic troubles. Considering prior circumstances where the girl lost her powers (only to miraculously regain them, spoiler alert) this twist actually makes some sense; Yoshika possesses some seriously ridiculous magic strength, her magic “vessel” was battered and bruised in earlier fights, and after returning to the fight slightly rusty, managed to pop some rivets and leave her container with some noticeable and not easily repairable holes. Or for a more relatable metaphor, a high velocity nozzle equipped garden hose with a few prominent leaks. Thus Yoshika’s ability to do the usual stuff like shielding and basic healing (probably), but not high demand tasks like flying. I honestly expect we’ll see Yoshika overcome this problem before too long given her importance to the group—not to mention her stubbornness—but how it’s done, well, that’s going to be fun to find out.
On the other side of the coin though is movie-introduced Shizuka whom definitely will be helping in all manner of tasks. Besides providing the usual fun of inexperienced newbie who serves as comedy bait (someone has to make the laughs), Shizuka is also likely to be the rock which lifts Yoshika back to saviour prominence. Need some help breaking through the Neuroi lines? Your lynchpin for it is right here. As Lynette reinforces it’s all about helping in the ways you can, and in Shizuka’s case that’s certainly going to be in the realm of moral support and shared experiences, at least if initial training and defense are any indications.
Overall pretty much the usual method to Strike Witches story progression, but rest assured there’ll be a twist or two yet because every ride always has some sort of surprise.
Random Tidbits
For the non-history nerds, Geraldo Patton and Oscar Bradley refer to George Patton and Omar Bradley, arguably the most important (and in Patton’s case (in)famous) American WW2 Western Front commanders. Patton’s rage at the start is also a nice reference to his incessant frustration with the speed of advance, as he was repeatedly prevented from pushing in Alsace-Lorraine given Eisenhower’s prioritization of Operation Market Garden. Considering this happened just before the Battle of the Bulge in our world, expect the upcoming fight(s) to be particularly challenging for the 501st.
Preview
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This third episode’s choice to throttle Yoshika’s magic was deliberate so the focus, for now, can be on the other Witches. In the meantime, I’ll add this other bit of trivia: the 501st’s base is modelled after Fort Erfprins in the Den Helder Defense Line.
There’s no such castle at Fort Erfprins though. While not a perfect match, that seemed to have been inspired by Kasteel de Haar, near Utrecht: https://i.imgur.com/A1LomtA.jpg
Yupp without a doubt. IMO it’s not really needed given this series has always managed to sufficiently feature its cast throughout, but given Yoshika’s importance I can understand why the writers would rather sideline her now instead of later on.
Yes, its name is Strike Witches
not One Punch Yoshika
🙂
Sadly speaking… the episode was meh
Although, that scene between Omar N Bradley and George S Patton is pure gold and by far the best scene in the entire World Witches anime this far.
Does this mean that we may also get the Patton Girls?
Just a typical buildup episode pretty much; at least it gave enough hints to suggest what’s coming to somewhat make up for it.
I will also laugh like mad if his daughters are cameo’d 😛
Whose daughters?
Patton’s daughters?
I did not read anything so far here just saw the screenshots, but alone from them i can see that she has again the unstable Magic output problems and i bet the root is Sakomoto
She need the wisdom that she is alright. So her support role is getting stronger in my eyes
Now i read a bit around.
Seems like Yoshikas’s Magic force “carburetor” is stuck in Full power or “flame out”/ no Power mode. The positions in between are not working or it hurts inside her unconsciousness that she avoid it and only her consciousness willpower keep the carburetor on “full power” working. But this worn her out
Perhaps Sakomoto is the catalyst she needs here to “fine tune” her Magic Carburetor again. it is like Healing Magic. You do not heal persons with an Full Sledgehammer of Healing Magic right? You need to feel it.. “Luke on Dagoba’s Swamp controlling the Power” is an good example here
Where Sakomoto and team that on the roll of Yoda (and of course all other stuff Sakomoto can do for 501 Squad as “manager”)
Also, Yoshika is a Witch with so much power for her to have hard time to control it
Sakomoto is a ex-witch that learned with time to refine and get the best out of her little Witch powers over the years. So Sakomoto is “Yoda” in controlling the Magic “carburetor” and Yoshika could need her Help. Sure all other can support her, but i bet Sakomoto with her life experience will be the catalyst for her in the end. She many not be an Witch anymore but she is an “wisdom and Experience” short Witch Flying Ace for them
Please go with this, and if they like it. then no biggy. It is an Win-Win. you got an idea and i get my anime 🙂
p.s. yes yes, sorry for my bad habit.
Senpai and kohei relationship if you want an image. But Yoshika need to spread out her Wings and leave the Nest
The Frensh Witch “Drill Instructor”, she is doing it all right. if i would be also an Strike Witch i would be like her but “talkative” like Claire from Claymore and Sniper
Also, in Conan Exiles i am the Drill Instructor for all our Guard Thralls. i am Big-One san that prepare the little ones for the harsh world out there