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「200マイルの向こう」 (Nihyaku Mairu no Mukou)
“Beyond Two Hundred Miles Per Hour”
And the Strike Witches train keeps chugging along. Or at least if said train is a motorcycle and involves an episodic plot of learning what’s important alongside yuri baiting. A whole heap of yuri baiting. Yeah yeah, the fight for Berlin (the thing we’re all here for) is still nowhere in sight, but don’t worry, you’re not the only one frustrated.
As indicated last week with the sidelining of Yoshika, this season’s Strike Witches would be all about the other cast for the first bit, and first up to bat is the ever-wonderful duo of Charlotte and Francesca. Ignoring the bit about Charlotte’s world record setting attempting no. 2—I think pictures and episode do a fine job enough in describing it—this meant we got good re-introduction to all the fun which is spunky American and slightly inexperienced (in a cat-like manner) yet fiercely loyal Italian. Did Francesca do wrong? Definitely. Did she make up for it? Not really. Was Charlotte more than willing to forgive in the end? Oh you betcha. It was just wholesome lightheartedness all around this week, and no matter the lack of story material, it was still fun to watch it play out.
Not to be outdone though, Yoshika also found some time to shine, albeit more in the comedic sense. I must admit having our eastern witch pair legitimately ride brooms for practice tickled my funny bone something fierce, especially the inevitable result of throwing enough at the wall to see what sticks. Er, what patches the leaking magic hole. Although to be fair, Yoshika’s eccentric training regime must be doing something if she can at least stay in air rather than immediately fall down—even if I suspect a full stomach probably has more to do with it at the moment. In any case I don’t anticipate this latest magical roadblock to last for much longer given what was shown this week, and after another episode or two of further witch shenanigans it’s likely right back to watching bare-bottomed girls shoot copious amounts of bullets straight down alien throats.
Well, at least if playing around with Queen Wilhelmina and Dutch tulip gardens next time counts as shenanigans of course.
Preview
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One thing that not many people have mentioned is Trude: she’s actually been very supportive and helpful this episode. In fact, some folks have compared her favorably to Gochuumon Wa Usagi Desu Ka?’s Rize-senpai. It’s good characterization, and I hope we’ll see more of that this season.
Double-posting, but I also enjoyed the small detail of Luccini struggling to fly steady in the P-51H. The P-51H was indeed a new variant that was much lighter than the D, and despite only having a top speed 39 mph faster than the D’s, it was several hundred pounds lighter, so it could indeed accelerate quickly.
Two points.
First: Who says I’m frustrated? This is Strike Witches. I expect it to be a series of character-focused vignettes with no plot progress until around episode 9 when things ramp up for the finale. That’s just the way this series works, and if I wasn’t used to it by now, four seasons, two OVAs, and a movie in, I wouldn’t still be watching. 😛
Second: The broom training is not actually new. An episode in season 2 focused on Yoshika, Perrine, and Lynette being sent off to train under an old witch who made them ride brooms, because apparently doing so requires more precise magical control. Which means that it’s actually not a bad tool for Yoshika right now, because her control is what’s gone haywire.
I was surprised that they brought back the broom training in season 2 to season 3
The broom training from season 2 really slipped my mind (too much anime and not enough memory lol), which coincidentally is probably why I found it so humourous. Although to be fair considering Yoshika is in the “try anything phase” I don’t blame her for giving it a shot once again.
@Wanderer
The frustration remark was all in good jest, I think we all know what we watch this series for by now XD
Wife Sherly episode https://randomc.net/image/STRIKE%20WITCHES/Strike%20Witches%20Road%20to%20Berlin%20-%2004%20-%20Large%2014.jpg
https://randomc.net/image/STRIKE%20WITCHES/Strike%20Witches%20Road%20to%20Berlin%20-%2004%20-%20Large%2031.jpg
https://randomc.net/image/STRIKE%20WITCHES/Strike%20Witches%20Road%20to%20Berlin%20-%2004%20-%20Large%2002.jpg
No surprise that Operation Plunder and Operation Varsity to push into the Rhine is taking a while to set up.
Do remember that the Antwerp was heavily damaged and that logistics are what that keeps the wheels of the army go round and round.
With all the expected heavy resistance during the last push from the Rhine all the way to Berlin… I’d say it’s worth the wait
I’m guessing the Luderndorff Bridge would be a major obstacle for them
The Action is on the Sky. I do not think we will see many Tank action or other Vehicles on the Ground
That bridge is what I’m most interested in considering the circumstances of its capture in real life and the resulting consequences. If the show features it I can easily see the bridge falling into friendly hands without a struggle, but with the witches forced to defend it against concerted Neuroi attacks given its logistical importance.
That and also I would be interested to see if they liberate Colonge from the Neuroi first bfore heafing on to Berlin