Strike Witches: The Sky That Connects Us

Strike Witches

by Shin Kyōgoku (Illustrations), Humikane Shimada, Adrienne Beck (Translator)

The dieselpunk manga sensation continues in this stand-alone volume! The year is 1944, and the war against the Neuroi is over. The 501st Joint Fighter Wing, also known as the Strike Witches, have accomplished their goal of protecting Britannia from the alien invaders. Now that the battle is done, the Witches disband and decide to go their separate ways for some much-needed R&R. As the girls enjoy downtime in the warstricken lands of Gallia and the deserts of Africa, a new danger lurks. A mysterious alien/ human hybrid foretells of another impending invasion. Can the Strike Witches regroup in time to defeat this latest evil threat?

Genres: Manga, Fantasy

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have NEVER had to force myself to read a manga until I tried reading this one.

[Steven · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just finished this, a manga that fits between seasons one and two of an anime that’s…you know, it’s confusing. The anime was based on magazine pieces, but connects to a series of light novels, a set of manga volumes, and audiobooks — it literally switches the story through all of these, so to make overall sense you have to try and assemble as much of the mosaic as you can.

Anyway, this interstitial volume follows some of the characters as their missions end and they get sent around this alternate world (World War II never happened due to an alien invasion, and magic users, all young girls, are drafted in to do battle using high-tech weapons and strap-on fighter boots, and I’m going to accept this because, well, Japan.) There’s hints of romance, much silliness, occasional battle, and, dear me, fan service that slides right down the greasy pole into outright sleaze. One chapter is mainly the characters nude at a hot spring. These warrior witches with the strap-on engines and giant guns also fly around in uniform blazers and panties. No, seriously, that’s the standard military outfit for a Strike Witch. You can imagine what the artwork’s like. More cameltoe than the entire US Army Arizona Camel Corps circa 1888.

Japan. Good lord.

[Daniel · Rating 2 out of 5]

This volume had some better story lines, consistency, and characters. It is still full of distracting fan service. The last volume I read, I rated 2 stars also. It was a round up to 2, while this is a round down to 2. I enjoyed the further exploration of this world and the striker tech.

[LordSlaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strike Witches: The Sky That Connects Us is a curious mishmash of thrilling alt-WWII action sequences, magic, earnest and heartfelt friendship and emotions, and titty-groping, panty-flashing fan service. If I was a bit baffled, I was also entertained.

[Cameron Lyons · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the premise that a war is constantly going on in the background of these people's lives, I just wish they leaned into the violence aspect of it more. It's not like I want these characters to die or anything, but it never really felt like their lives were at stake. I thought it was funny that there wasn't a single significant male character, even the construction workers in the beginning were faceless mustaches.
Even though all the main characters were women, it's fun to imagine which one of them would be wearing the pants in their respective relationships, figuratively speaking of course, because literally none of them wear pants; there's a lot of camel toe in this and sometimes they can't even be bothered to wear panties. It seems like all of the characters in this are ambiguously gay for each other so I'd recommend this book for LGBTQ+ manga enthusiasts. It feels like this entire book was written as an excuse for the final chapter to exist, which I'm sure everyone will get a kick out of, no matter their sexual orientation.
Cost: -$6
Tier list: C

[D.M. Dutcher · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a collection of short stories set in between the first and second Strike Witches seasons. They are mostly light, fluffy tales that tell what the witches of the 501st did after they were disbanded and before they were reunited. We see Shirley and Lucchini in Africa, getting into hot water with the local Witch unit. We see Perrine working in Gallia to help rebuild her homeland, and deepening her bonds with Lynn. Hartmann and Barkhome chase down a local legend, and Mio deals with the weakening of her powers.

Unfortunately they are too light and too silly at times to make the collection good. Don't get me wrong, if you're a Strike Witches fan you own this already, but as a stand-alone book it's just okay. The best thing is how it introduces characters you'll see in Season two and the Movie. Recommended for the SW fan only.

[Shiki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pre-story dari Strike Witches season 2. Buku ini dibagi menjadi 5 chapter, dimana masing-masing menceritakan kehidupan anggota 501st Joint Fighter Wing setelah perang Galiia selesai, sampai Romagna diserang yang menjadi awal dari season 2. Ketimbang action, lebih banyak drama dan humor di sini. Chapter favorit saya, sudah tentu, ketiga cewek dari Karlsland, dan kericuhan di base Afrika. Sedangkan kalimat yang paling 'mantap' di sini adalah;
"Nipaaaaaaa! Sapu hanggar, kek, apa kek, keluar sana! Dasar 'Crasher O'Hare generasi 2! Nari Tango sama apesmu, gih!" dan "Nipa...Kau itu...Serius, nih...BACA SITUASI, KEK!!" XD

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good series.