WARNING:-
SPOILER ALERT!!! If you haven't watched it and plan to watch it without anyone being the spoiler, please DON'T CONTINUE READING!!!
P.S. If you want to be spoiled, well, go ahead and read it. You HAD been warned. Don't blame me for being spoiled if you INSIST on continuing to read this post.
Introduction
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Brave Witches
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Brave Witches (in Japanese, ブレイブウィッチーズ) is the spin-off of the multi-media project, Strike Witches, which
I have talked about previously. This anime television series would feature the 502nd Joint Fighter Wing (aka Brave Witches), instead of the 501st Joint Fighter Wing (aka Strike Witches). Also, this anime is done by Silver Link, instead of the usual Strike Witches animation team. Oh, I almost forget! There is an episode 13 (special episode) that is kinda like a side story. By the way, I'm seriously looking forward to the second season of this anime but so far no news.
Plot
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Academy time!
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Good family reunion...
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Bath time!
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The story starts with Karibuchi Hikari as a newbie in the army academy in Fuso Empire who is ranked F. By chance, there is the recruitment of a new Witch from the academy to Europe, only one can go. So happened that Hikari's sister, Karibuchi Takami returns to Fusō Empire. Also, she had to go to Europe later after her return and reunion with her family because of the need for more witches there.
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| Time for some competition... |
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Interesting position...
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Going to Europe...
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Anyway, back to the story. Hikari competes with another student who is excel in her skill and her fellow classmate, Misumi Mia who doesn't like Hikari. Because of an incident, Hikari ends up saving Mia and both of them failed to qualify. Miraculously, she qualifies based on the way she saves her classmate. So, she and her sister ended up together on the journey to Europe.
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| That's some power... |
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Damn, Takami is in trouble...
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Hikari coming in to replace...
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Hikari's sister got seriously injured because of the need to defend the ships that are transporting them to Europe while waiting for help to arrive. Help arrived in the form of the arrival of Unit 502 (I call it), Brave Witches after Hikari having to take Takami's place to defend a new wave of Neuroi attacking their ship. With Takami being badly injured to a point where she is practically in coma and Hikari is only meant to be part of the backup team, the possibility of sending them back home arises. Hikari decided to replace her sister's place to prevent them from being sent back to the Fusō Empire.
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| The intro session didn't go smoothly... |
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Hikari finally did it!
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Oh, so, problem solved? NOPE! In Petersburg, Orussia, which is where the 502nd Joint Fighter Wing is based, Hikari faces a challenge to EVEN fulfils the basics of being in the frontline. Her magic is too weak to do much combat. She doesn't have any special skills (but later, we found out that she has). All of these factors are enough to get her kicked out from Brave Witches. Her determination and something interesting circumstances that enable her to use her weak magical powers to join the fight are the factors that got her into the team for the time being. Well, she still trains and fights with fellow 502 fighters from time to time.
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Meeting...
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By the way, the story is set immediately after the event in Strike Witches season 1 and before the second season of Strike Witches, which is after the Gallia hive has just been defeated. The Neuroi is rampant in Europe even after the Gallia victory by Unit 501. So, you will see the reference of the event during Strike Witches season 1 throughout the story as they were trying to defeat the Neuroi hive nearby their base.
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Takami returns...
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...but it's heated rather than heartwarming.
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The competition between them started...
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Anyway, back to the plot. The crisis came when her sister returns to the team. Since her sister didn't want Hikari to fight in the frontlines because of the dangers involved, her sister keeps trying to force her out, even up to the point of accepting Hikari's challenge to stay in Unit 502. Although her sister stayed at the team up to the final battle, Hikari returns to help them to finally beat up the final boss after jumping off the train that is supposed to take her to the backup team in Suomus.
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YES!!!! Neuroi hive destroyed! Mission complete!!!
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Hikari, welcome!
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With that battle, Hikari got the chance to join Unit 502 permanently while her sister having to depart to somewhere else. Where? I dunno. The anime has not given any hints on this matter. As for the extra episode 13, it is a story that happens in between episode 7 and 8. Oh, man I wish that there's a second season of this anime. Ahem! Time to move on!
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What a night...
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Welcome back, Sanya, Eila!!!
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Anime Rating
Story (Rating: 10/10)
The story is pretty much on Hikari's growth as a Witch and assimilation into Unit 502. Good stuff. It's simple but good storytelling. Anyway, the story's flow and pacing are well done. Well, there's a timeline gap in between certain parts in episode 2. Well, it's because we are going to Europe through the sea. It's gonna be slow, of course. Ahem! Anyway, the story is also pretty easy to understand.
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| One interesting Neuroi... |
Art and Animation (Rating: 10/10)
The art and animation are done by Sliver Link and they did it well! The character looks is not exactly up to my taste but there are still cute girls that I like. Hehe...ahem! Anyway, the animation is pretty consistent, hardly any poor production. The screen does move during fights and commissions but it's not confusing to watch. The usage of static backgrounds and movement of the characters are done nicely. The usage of CGI is done well and compatible with the rest of the background (which are 2D).
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Beautiful art...
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| Brave Witches incoming! |
Sound and Music (Rating: 9/10)
The background music is great and well-suited for this anime. As for the opening theme song...at first, I'm not too interested in it but I started to like it as I go on watching this anime. The ending theme song? It's nice and energetic. I like it but not as much the opening theme song.
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From the opening sequence...
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Characters (Rating: 9/10)
Although not as likeable as the characters in Strike Witches, I still have characters that I like in Brave Witches. As for character development, it's mostly how Hikari assimilate into Brave Witches and improving herself as a Witch. Of course, there's also how the existing members grow to accept Hikari as part of the team in the end. The hard-working and growth of Hikari should be an inspiration to all who wants recognition within a team, in working life, in study life or in everything we do. xD
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| A cute and hungry Georgette!!! |
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| Hardworking Hikari... |
Enjoyment (Rating: 9/10)
I enjoyed it very much although not as much as Strike Witches. The goodness and bonding between characters are good to watch. Hikari's growth as a Witch is also very good. Everything in it is SOOOO GOOOOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Fanservice!!!!!
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It's groping sauna time |
Overall Rating: 9.4 (9.5)/10
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