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Digital Downloads
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Written by maehara
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Monday, 01 September 2008 16:00 |
 Here we go - with the introductions out of the way, Strike Witches switches into a slightly more serious mode, as some past events are re-visited, Yoshika discovers that the Neuroi have been examining the Witches very closely, and Mio discovers that her fighting days may be over...
Minna's become convinced that the next time Mio goes into combat, she won't return, and so she takes rather direct action to try and make sure that the Major doesn't fly again. Mio's hardly easily intimidated, though - she has a job to do and a responsibility to those under her command, and she's not about to turn her back on either of those. Mio's also been analysing data recorded during the recent Neuroi attacks, and think she's figured out what they're up to. Meanwhile, Gertrud's sister Chris has awoken from her coma in London, while Perrine's becoming ever more jealous at Yoshika's perceived closeness to her idol and eventually challenges Yoshika to a duel...
I think that this episode is the first mention of the Witches having a "shelf life" - it's made clear that their powers are only with them while they're young, and that as they age they'll fade away, and that's what's happening to Mio now. Her insistence on continuing to fight is what places her in mortal danger this episode. It's an episode that uncharacteristically ends on a cliffhanger, clearly indicating that the light & fluffy side of the series has come to an end and that we're now into the end-of-season finale.
It's off to a good start, too, with the appearance of the first Neuroi "Witch" and Yoshika's interactions with it being the first time that the aliens have appeared as anything more than a sinister black ship. Sure, they're take on the Witches is still black and sinister, but Yoshika's efforts to communicate with it looked as though they were getting somewhere before Mio burst in and spoilt the moment. The point is, though, that the enemy is no longer entirely "faceless" - something is going on there, and the series is finally gearing up to address it. More, please.
Other than that, we have the usual mindless fanservice that the series has become known for - been there, seen it all before, and to be honest I'm kind of immune to it by now - anime gravy, liberally poured on top of what could become quite an interesting finale. More, please...
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