Strike Witches (ストライクウィッチーズ)

It was the year 1939.

A mysterious enemy appeared before humanity

without warning.

These beings came to be called the "Neuroi."

It wasn't long before these fearsome creatures

occupied most of Europe, driving countless people

from their nations. Their homes.

But mankind would not give up so easily.

They developed a new weapon to face their foe.

With the power of this new device,

brave young girls with magic powers

were able to take to the sky.

It was known as a "Striker Unit."

Modern "Witches" from all over the world donned

these armaments and came together to fight the Neuroi.

The greatest of these high-flying heroes belonged

to an elite squad known as the 501st Joint Fighter Wing.

But the world knew them by another name.

"The Strike Witches."

This is it.

Hm. How charming.

You're looking for a student from Fuso?

Oh! Then you must be talking about Yoshika!

You know her?

Uh-huh! I bet she's in the library right now.

I'll take you there. This way.

Quite spacious, isn't it?

Ah! There she is!

Steady...

Yoshika!

Huh? D'you need something, Altia?

You have a guest.

Huh?

It's Sakamoto!

Yoshika!

Ow, ow, ow.

Miyafuji, are you okay?

Yeah, good to see you again, Sakamoto.

Okay, I'll be going.

Thanks for the help.

Yeah, see you later, Altia.

Right. See ya!

Uh. Y'know, you don't have to wear your hat around here.

I'm not used to having my hair down.

I think I'll pass.

Really?

But you look cute with your hair down!

Right, Hijikata?

Uhm. Well. Uh-huh.

So, what have you been studying at medical school?

Right now, I'm learning about

different ways to stop blood loss.

I see.

Seems you're doing a lot of reading!

Yup!

I don't get to stay here as a student forever.

Just till the 501st is reformed, which could be any time.

Studying every minute you have, huh?

Quite admirable.

I'm trying, but all this reading

makes me pretty sleepy.

A circus?

Yup! They won't be in town for long,

so Altia and I were gonna go check it out today

while we still had the chance.

That sounds like fun.

If you think so, then why don't you come with us?

I heard they have a polar bear that can ride a bike!

What's going on?

Look over there!

My leg!

It's Altia!

Can you get help?

Damn it, where's the trainer?

It won't listen! I can't stop it anymore!

No!

Miyafuji!

Magic?

You know better than to hurt people!

Now calm down!

Wait a second! Yes!

That power. What is she doing, ma'am?

Be quiet and watch.

What's happening?

It's okay. Calm down.

Don't worry. Everything's fine.

You're tickling me!

That was crazy.

Amazing.

I didn't know she could do that!

A cavity?

That's right!

It was acting out 'cause it was in so much pain.

I see.

I must have bumped the tooth when we were practicing.

I'm sorry, old pal.

Doesn't hurt now, right?

Did you know that this would happen, ma'am?

Well, it is Miyafuji.

Wow, thank you!

That sure did surprise me, though!

You never told me that you had magic!

Well, the secret's out!

But why are you studying medicine

when you already have healing magic?

A while back, there was a time

when I couldn't use my magic at all.

So I thought, if I studied medicine,

I could keep healing people whether I have my magic or not.

That's why I asked to be sent here

as an exchange student.

Are you in the military? Like, as a Witch?

She is. And a fine soldier, too.

In fact, she'll be returning to the front lines, soon.

Oh. Jeez. Um.

Forgive me, I should have introduced myself.

I'm from the Fuso Navy.

Mio Sakamoto.

Wait. But I recognize that name!

You're a member of the 501st, aren't you?

Your squad liberated Gallia and Venezia!

We did. Thanks to Miyafuji.

What? What? Really, Yoshika?

You're part of the 501st and you ne-ne-never told me?

Uh. I'm sorry?

Oh, thank you!

Um, wha...?

I didn't think to mention it before,

but my dad's the captain of a Venezian warship.

A captain, huh?

He's a big fan of yours, by the way.

He said if the 501st wasn't here to fight the Neuroi,

he and everyone else he knows would likely be dead.

We're only doing our job.

Some soldiers we'd be if we couldn't fight.

More or less.

Your father. Is he on a mission right now?

Yes he is.

He's supposed to be heading out of the Mediterranean

and into the Atlantic right now.

But he hasn't answered my letters in quite some time.

This has never happened before.

We could use the radio to contact him!

Right, Sakamoto?

Hm.

I suppose she could say hello for a moment.

Let's give it a shot.

As you wish, ma'am!

Do you copy? Come in, this is Ensign Hijikata.

I'm with the Fuso Navy.

Do you read me?

Please be safe.

Understood.

He's on the line.

Hello, Dad?

Ah! It's really you! I'm so glad!

Yeah. One of the Witches.

Uh-huh!

It's been tough,

but I'm so proud to be a part of the 501st.

Protecting people with my magic is such a wonderful feeling.

I'm really glad that I'm a Witch!

Is that so?

I guess I should tell you.

It was inevitable, I suppose, but I'm afraid that I'm being

officially removed from the 501st.

You're quitting?

That doesn't sound like you at all!

Not "quitting" exactly. I'm 21, so I can't use magic.

No matter what my feelings are, I can't fight as a Witch.

I get it, but that's so sad.

I just...

I can't even imagine flying without you.

We're going to be launching a large-scale operation soon.

You'll be entirely too busy to worry about me.

Another big fight?

Hey, Dad?

Hello? What's going on, Dad?

Are you there?

What's wrong, Altia?

I'm not sure!

It sounds like something happened to my dad's ship!

Any details?

We've got lots of static, suddenly.

Not sure why!

What is that?

Dad!

That iceberg, it's going to ram into us!

Hey, Dad? You there?