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REVIEW: Strike Witches 2 BD+DVD


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N.R.



Joined: 22 Oct 2010
Posts: 232
PostPosted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 1:10 am Reply with quote
"The musical score provides the most distinct difference, as this series shies away from the original's heavy emphasis on military-themed numbers in favor of a more bland symphonic sound."

That is not true. The second season used the same musical score from the original series and augmented it with new, more soothing, tracks. The loud (and exhilarating) military-themed score is still there. And I don't understand why the music should be an improvement? A second season doesn't need to reinvent the entire series' score if the music for the first season was good.

"Funimation advertises the series with the tag line, “Still winning the war on pants!” It's still an apt description for the series."

I hate that tag line. It makes this series seem like a show with only fan service. Sure, it has fan service in it, but it also has a plot and it doesn't revolve around a war on pants!
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Fencedude5609



Joined: 09 Nov 2006
Posts: 5088
PostPosted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 1:12 am Reply with quote
Quote:
The episode where Luccini escorts another girl around Rome is a direct rip-off of Audrey Hepburn's Roman Holiday,


Its called a goddamn homage. Jesus.
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kanechin



Joined: 21 Jan 2012
Posts: 447
PostPosted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 1:17 am Reply with quote
Going to be at least 2 years before I feel like trying to finish it. Will check out the 1st ep just to hear Cherami.
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Cecilthedarkknight_234



Joined: 02 Apr 2011
Posts: 3819
Location: Louisville, KY
PostPosted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 2:13 am Reply with quote
Okay on the subject of music for the series. Even if you do not like strike witches or do not wish to touch the series with 10ft pole, I still recommend the ost. It's by far one the best ones to come out in along time with the wonderful orchestral music.
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jymmy



Joined: 11 Nov 2011
Posts: 1244
PostPosted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 3:06 am Reply with quote
I have to agree with the other posters, I've only seen Strike Witches 2 once but have listened to the soundtracks multiple times - the comment about the soundtrack being more bland symphonic is kind of unaccountable. Maybe it was used differently than in the first season?
At any rate, I love the soundtrack to this series. Girls und Panzer is reminding me of it with its awesomely military-styled pieces, though it does borrow from the public domain (Tchaikovsky and Katyusha from last week's episode, for example) whereas in Strike Witches we get many great, unique themes.
Apart from that minor quibble, very nice review.
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Ingraman



Joined: 07 Feb 2005
Posts: 1077
PostPosted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 4:42 am Reply with quote
jymmy wrote:
I have to agree with the other posters, I've only seen Strike Witches 2 once but have listened to the soundtracks multiple times - the comment about the soundtrack being more bland symphonic is kind of unaccountable.

I'd have to hear it first before I go for it, but where did you buy it from?

Quote:
Girls und Panzer is reminding me of it with its awesomely military-styled pieces, though it does borrow from the public domain (Tchaikovsky and Katyusha from last week's episode, for example)

It doesn't appear that 'Katyusha' is in the public domain. It's not that old.
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walw6pK4Alo



Joined: 12 Mar 2008
Posts: 9322
PostPosted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 4:47 am Reply with quote
Ingraman wrote:
Quote:
Girls und Panzer is reminding me of it with its awesomely military-styled pieces, though it does borrow from the public domain (Tchaikovsky and Katyusha from last week's episode, for example)

It doesn't appear that 'Katyusha' is in the public domain. It's not that old.


But it likely wouldn't have copyright either, being a folk song under the Stalinist regime.
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jymmy



Joined: 11 Nov 2011
Posts: 1244
PostPosted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 5:40 am Reply with quote
Ingraman wrote:
I'd have to hear it first before I go for it, but where did you buy it from?

You can buy it from CD Japan and probably other places (YesAsia and Amazon Japan are supposed to be good).
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AnimeMaine



Joined: 11 May 2009
Posts: 123
PostPosted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 8:04 am Reply with quote
I enjoyed the first season, but found the second season tedious. I was hoping for more of an overall plot, but each episode was "let's highlight this girl and her issues." I would recommend the second season only for people who was to complete their collection. I would have graded this a C-.
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Polycell



Joined: 16 Jan 2012
Posts: 4623
PostPosted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 9:28 am Reply with quote
walw6pK4Alo wrote:
Ingraman wrote:
It doesn't appear that 'Katyusha' is in the public domain. It's not that old.


But it likely wouldn't have copyright either, being a folk song under the Stalinist regime.
A number of works that were public domain were shoved under copyright in the US(because it'd be evil to allow underfunded orchestra programs to continue to use Peter and the Wolf without using their entire budget for the year). It'd still be public domain in Japan, though.
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TarsTarkas



Joined: 20 Dec 2007
Posts: 5821
Location: Virginia, United States
PostPosted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 9:55 am Reply with quote
N.R. wrote:
"The musical score provides the most distinct difference, as this series shies away from the original's heavy emphasis on military-themed numbers in favor of a more bland symphonic sound."

That is not true. The second season used the same musical score from the original series and augmented it with new, more soothing, tracks. The loud (and exhilarating) military-themed score is still there. And I don't understand why the music should be an improvement? A second season doesn't need to reinvent the entire series' score if the music for the first season was good.

"Funimation advertises the series with the tag line, “Still winning the war on pants!” It's still an apt description for the series."

I hate that tag line. It makes this series seem like a show with only fan service. Sure, it has fan service in it, but it also has a plot and it doesn't revolve around a war on pants!


I agree. War on pants, the jiggle counter, and other unsavory cover blurbs can make you cringe when you buy anime. War on pants luckily is not as bad as some of those other blurbs.
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Mesonoxian Eve



Joined: 10 Jan 2012
Posts: 1858
PostPosted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 11:05 am Reply with quote
Count me as another who hates the "War on pants" marketing tag line. It looks to me whoever came up with the slogan never saw the series.

I was very disappointed this series didn't give us more depth to the Neuroi story. It seems the production committee was too terrified of changing the successful "formula" used in the first.

There's no question of this series' success, as there have been several re-releases of the merchandise, but let's hope season 3 doesn't repeat the first two, no matter how many new witches are thrown into it.

The introduction of Hanna was... cruel. I've always loved Sanya's character but Hanna looks so damn good. Even Alter did her well with its figure. Mmm, those eyes are hot.

I wasn't the least bit surprised the review came off as positive. Those who enjoyed the first one will find this one leaving them with the same enjoyment, despite the near-clone-like delivery.

The music isn't an issue for me: I didn't like the OP/ED songs. The military background music usually gets more heavy with battle scenes, which isn't uncommon in most shows with a military theme.
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Key
Moderator


Joined: 03 Nov 2003
Posts: 18135
Location: Indianapolis, IN (formerly Mimiho Valley)
PostPosted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 4:25 pm Reply with quote
Mesonoxian Eve wrote:
Count me as another who hates the "War on pants" marketing tag line. It looks to me whoever came up with the slogan never saw the series.

The girls don't wear pants or skirts (and only one even wears tights!) and for no logical reason that's ever stated in the animated content. It's also one of the series' two biggest gimmicks and part of a major fan service ploy. What, you expect Funi's advertising agents to ignore that?


Last edited by Key on Mon Dec 10, 2012 6:07 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Mesonoxian Eve



Joined: 10 Jan 2012
Posts: 1858
PostPosted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 4:42 pm Reply with quote
Key wrote:
What, you expect Funi's advertising agents to ignore that?

Yes, because it's stupid. The series doesn't even treat it as an issue (do we see nosebleeds every 5 seconds a male enters the scene?) and the slogan implies it is an issue.

"Fighting the war nice and breezy", just to throw one up quickly.

Anything's better than "Fighting the war on pants". Rolling Eyes
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RyanSaotome



Joined: 29 Mar 2011
Posts: 4210
Location: Towson, Maryland
PostPosted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 4:47 pm Reply with quote


Funimation has never been the best at making creative taglines for its fanservice series.
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