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Anime Spotlight - World Witches Series: 502nd Joint Fighter Wing Brave Witches

by Chih-Chieh Chang,
On air starting October 5, 2016 in Japan

Story

The Neuroi, an enemy of mankind, suddenly appeared in the 1930s mainly in Europe. Only girls with special magical powers called Witches could confront the Neuroi who were difficult to destroy with ordinary weapons...

"Brave Witches" is a story set between seasons 1 and 2 of "Strike Witches".

In September of 1944, due to heavy action from the allied forces with the 501st Joint Fighter Wing "Strike Witches" at its core, the Neuroi nest above the republic of Gallia was eradicated, and safety of western Europe has been ensured.

Based on these events, the allied forces earnestly began planning for an oppositional operation towards central and eastern Europe. An order to scramble was about to be given to the 502nd Joint Fighter Wing "Brave Witches" whose base is in Peterburg within the Orussian Empire as well...

With the hope of humanity on their backs, the Brave Witches fly through the cold skies of eastern Europe.

Characters

Hikari Karibuchi (CV: Ai Kakuma)

From: Fuso Empire
Birthday: May 26
Age: 14 (circa July 1944)
Rank: ?
Home Unit: ?
Height: 156cm
Familiar: Fuso Squirrel
Characteristic Magic: ?
Weapon Used: 99 Style Number 2 Type 2 Revised
Striker Unit: Prototype Shiden Revision 2

The main character of this series. Has a strong sense of justice and is single-minded. Tries hard, and has more stamina and gusto than others. Respects her elder sister, and her goal and dream is to become a witch like her sister. An energetic girl that thinks very positively.

Takami Karibuchi (CV: Rie Suegara)

From: Fuso Empire
Birthday: October 22
Age: 17 (circa July 1944)
Rank: Flying Officer
Home Unit: Fuso Imperial Navy 22nd Air Corps 253rd Squadron
Height: 164cm
Familiar: Red-crowned crane
Characteristic Magic: Magic Eye - can see locations of all Neuroi cores in a wide area from a distance, though with slight errors
Weapon Used: S-18 Objective Rifle
Striker Unit: Prototype Shiden Revision 2

Hikari's older sister and an elite witch in the Fuso Empire. Always smiling, even in the hardest of perils, she continues to give hope to those around her. Does not care about rank, and is a kind woman that can become friends with anyone. Dotes over her younger sister Hikari.

Naoe Kanno (CV: Rie Murakawa)

From: Fuso Empire
Birthday: September 23
Age: 14 (circa July 1944)
Rank: Pilot Officer
Home Unit: Fuso Imperial Navy Air Corps 343rd Squadron
Height: 149cm
Familiar: Bulldog
Characteristic Magic: Compressed super-tough defensive magical barrier (ultrahard shield) - By compressing the shield to increase its strength, she is able to defeat Neuroi even in hand-to-hand combat such as punching and tackling.
Weapon Used: 99 Style Number 2 Type 2 Revised
Striker Unit: Zero Style Armor Type 22

Daring and resolute, the martial arts type that relies on inspiration and plunges into the enemies, not afraid of destroying her own unit. Speaks brashly and quick to shows her emotions, but deep down she is an honest girl. She is also a literary girl whose hobby is reading books. Nicknamed "Destroyer".

Waltrud Krupinski (CV: Kayo Ishida)

From: Karlsland Empire
Birthday: November 11
Age: 17 (circa July 1944)
Rank: Flying Officer
Home Unit: Karlsland Air Force 52nd Combat Air Corps, Troop 7
Height: 175cm
Familiar: Weimaraner
Characteristic Magic: Magic Boost - by expelling magical powers at once, can gain momentary super-boost, but not used often as the burden on the unit is drastic.
Weapon Used: MP43
Striker Unit: Messershalf Bf109G-6

The ace witch of the 502nd Wing, but is a hedonist that loves booze and women. Considering her age, she has a mature composition and behavior.
Always smiling and optimistic, doesn't care about the details and doesn't mind getting scolded. The trio of Kanno, Nipa, and Krupinski often break their striker units, so they are nicknamed the "Break Witches".

Aleksandra I Pokryshkin AKA Sasha (CV: Yumi Hara)

From: Orussian Empire
Birthday: March 6
Age: 16 (circa July 1944)
Rank: Flight Lieutenant
Home Unit: Orussian Army Guard 16th Combat Vehicle Regiment
Height: 158cm
Familiar: Polar bear
Characteristic Magic: Image Memorization - can accurately memorize something's visuals by seeing it once.
Weapon Used: DP28 Light Machine Gun
Striker Unit: MiG i-225

A class act with a serious personality, though quite a worrywart. Being entrusted as the combat captain at a young age, she feels the pressure more than anyone else, and is a girl of hardships that is always doing her best.
As a result, she gets angry often, and Kanno, Nipa, and Krupinski fear her as they break their units each and every time. However, she also has a kind side, and is the maternal figure of the 502nd Wing.

Nikka Edvardine Katajainen AKA Nipa (CV: Natsumi Takamori)

From: Suomus
Birthday: May 31
Age: 15 (circa July 1944)
Rank: Master Sergeant
Home Unit: Suomus Air Force 24th Flight Squad, Troop 3
Height: 160cm
Familiar: Snow weasel
Characteristic Magic: Super Self Healing - an ability that heals oneself for an amazing amount (but cannot heal others)
Weapon Used: MG42
Striker Unit: Messershalf Bf109G-6

Extremely unfortunate, but always thinking positive and does her best. Tends to have a one-track mind and not see things around her, causing her to often fall for pranks.
Has an understanding of hierarchy but is basically very meek. Has a naïve side that causes her to be homesick of her previous unit.
Due to her misfortunes she has the nickname Unlucky Katajainen.

Georgette Lemare AKA Geoge (CV: Haruka Terui)

From: Republic of Gallia
Birthday: November 16
Age: 16 (circa July 1944)
Rank: Pilot Officer
Home Unit: Gallia Air Force 4th Regiment 1st Battle Witch Batallion 1st Flight Squad
Height: 156cm
Familiar: Persian cat
Characteristic Magic: Healing Magic - First aid level healing magic (which causes her body to heat up when used)
Weapon Used: DP28 light machine gun
Striker Unit: VG.39bis

Serious and reserved but often gets carried away.
Fuel efficiency of magical powers is bad, causing her to be always hungry. A big eater yet thin, she loves to eat. Especially good friends whit Shimohara who is a good cook.

Sadako Shimohara (CV: Marin Mizutani)

From: Fuso Empire
Birthday: May 7
Age: 17 (circa July 1944)
Rank: Pilot Officer
Home Unit: Fuso Imperial Navy European Fleet
Height: 160cm
Familiar: Fuso rabbit
Characteristic Magic: Compound Magic Vision (various aspects of vision improve, such as distance and nighttime)
Weapon Used: 99 Style Number 2 Type 2 Revised
Striker Unit: Zero Style Aboard-Warship Combat Legs Type 21

Serious and calm, but can become friends with anyone.
Handles everything perfectly, but is terrible at teaching other people things.
Has the habit of hugging anything she sees that is cute and small. Is a good cook, and she is in charge of 502nd Wing's kitchen.

Edytha Rossmann (CV: Hiromi Igarashi)

From: Karlsland Empire
Birthday: January 11
Age: 19 (circa July 1944)
Rank: Master Sergeant
Home Unit: Karlsland Air Force 52nd Combat Air Corps, Troop 4
Height: 151cm
Familiar: Fox
Characteristic Magic: Unknown
Weapon Used: Friegerhammer (suited for arctic areas)
Striker Unit: Messershalf Bf109G-6

Normally is serious and good at teaching others, but is very scary when angry.
The "teacher" for the 502nd wing, and can train any problematic child with perseverance. Oldest in the 502nd wing.

Gundula Rall (CV: Rina Satō)

From: Karlsland Empire
Birthday: March 10
Age: 18 (circa July 1944)
Rank: Major
Home Unit: Karlsland Air Force 52nd Combat Air Corps, 3rd Squadron
Height: 169cm
Familiar: Wolf
Characteristic Magic: Deflected Shot (can shoot accurately by predicting how the target will move during the time-lag from firing to impact)
Weapon Used: MG42
Striker Unit: Messershalf Bf109G-6

An open-hearted big sister figure and the captain of the 502nd Wing.
Has a keen eye of observation. Always tough on self and others, realist, and unemotional in nature, but respects her subordinates' opinions. 3rd in the world in terms of her actual abilities as a witch.

Cast

Hikari Karibuchi
Ai Kakuma
Takami Karibuchi
Rie Suegara
Naoe Kanno
Rie Murakawa
Waltrud Krupinski
Kayo Ishida
Aleksandra Pokryshkin
Yumi Hara
Nikka Edvardine Katajainen
Natsumi Takamori
Georgette Lemare
Haruka Terui
Sadako Shimohara
Marin Mizutani
Edytha Rossmann
Hiromi Igarashi
Gundula Rall
Rina Satō

Staff

Original Story
Humikane Shimada & Projekt World Witches
Director/Animation Character Design
Kazuhiro Takamura
Original Character Design
Humikane Shimada
Series Composition
Striker Unit
World View Settings/Military Documentation
Takaaki Suzuki
Neuroi Design
IZMOJUKI
Mechanical Design
Shinobu Tsuneki
Sound Director
Tomohiro Yoshida
Sound Production
Glovision
Music
Seiko Nagaoka
Music Production
Nippon Columbia
Animation Production
SILVER LINK.
Produced by
502nd Joint Fighter Wing 2016
Opening Theme
"Ashita no Tsubasa"
Lyrics
Mio Aoyama
Composition/Arrangement
Shōta Horie
Sung by
Yoko Ishida

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