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Strike Witches 'Suomus Misfit Squad' Novels by Familiar of Zero's Yamaguchi Get Reboot in October
posted on by Karen Ressler
Kadokawa's Sneaker Bunko imprint announced over the weekend that Noboru Yamaguchi's Strike Witches Suomus Iranko Chūtai series will get a reboot novel. Toshihiko Tsukiji (Kämpfer, Maburaho) is writing and Kōsuke Tsukinami is illustrating Silent Witches Suomus Iranko Chūtai ReBOOT! based on Yamaguchi's original story, and it is slated for October 1. A premium edition with a drama CD and a rubber strap will also be available.
The original Strike Witches Suomus Iranko Chūtai (Suomus Misfit Squad) novel series had three volumes from 2006 to 2008, but Yamaguchi (The Familiar of Zero) passed away in 2013. Teiko Ueda illustrated the original novels.
The novels take place after a 1939 Neuroi invasion of Suomus, a country in Northern Europe. Each country sends a member for a new military unit. Tomoko Anabuki is excited to mobilize in a new area until she realizes she is being sent to Suomus, which is far from the front lines, and in fact the troop is made up entirely of misfits who lack ambition or skill.
The franchise's story centers on an alien invasion by beings known as the Neuroi. The only way to damage and ultimately defeat them lies in Witches, girls who possess magical powers and are capable of wielding Striker Units that enhances their abilities and allow them to maneuver in the air. The characters in the franchise are often based on real-life aerial aces from various nationalities.
The series is based on illustrator Humikane Shimada's mecha-girl illustrations, and Shimada is credited as the original creator and character designer for the franchise. The mixed-media franchise began with a manga in 2005, and a light novel series in 2006, both of which focus on different characters from the eventual Strike Witches anime. The anime premiered in 2008, and it spawned a sequel, a film, and OVA series. The franchise also spawned the Brave Witches anime in October 2016, as well as numerous spinoff manga, novels, and games.
An anime adaptation of Makoto Fijibayashi's Strike Witches 501 Butai Hasshinshimasu! (Strike Witches 501st Unit, Taking Off!) manga will premiere in 2019. The new Strike Witches: Road to Berlin TV anime will premiere in 2020, and the new Idol Witches (temporary title) TV anime will premiere in 2021.
