(L) Strike Witches TV (Mecha Musume)

[Fnights]

Mmm, the plot is good, chara design too, furry + mecha + chibi ftw. *_*

[Deathkillz]

Originally Posted by Cats

The fanservice may be exagarated, as has been mentioned, but as long as it doesn't go the faithfull etchii way I'm fine with whatever dresscode they wish to adopt. Panty (or w/e) shots never really ever bothered me; it's when they throw it in your face and make it into some important scene or some sort of so called character development that it gets annoying.

/agree'd
Til now they haven't forced any of the fact that the "service" of not wearing pants is focused for the sake of ecchi loving fans so I find it difficult to get the complaints that "zomg they aren't wearing pants! BURN!" when they haven't done anything wrong...yet. It's there and we see it but I don't think they should (and hopefully would) use it and throw it in your face.

[SuperKnuckles]

Originally Posted by serenade_beta

Wearing machines=OK Sorry, but I can't stand this concept...

And finally...
Wearing some kind of jet boots that cover the leg while sprouting animal ears and tail while wearing a swimsuit/bloomer/whatever while fighting strange creatures while making airplane sounds...
So absurd it's hilarious
But not hilarious in a good way

The OP and ED were nice though, mentally blocking out some parts.

Guess the best thing about this series is that it's only 12 episodes. It can hurry up, end, and let some new show take it's place...

Ouch, harsh aren't we? There's this concept of a 'fanservice show'. Clearly you are not its demographic. So cool down and ignore it if you want.

That said, I absolutely adore Humikane Shimada's fanservicey mecha-girl work, so clearly I will be following this show. Sky Girls surprisingly had a pretty good center story (though it was somewhat anti-climactic in its end) and I'm sorta sad to hear this one's going to be 12 eps. If it's that short, I'm just afraid they can't fully expose the story if it turns out to be any good. That said, it's more Shimada fanservice! What more can one ask for when it comes down to mecha girls? He's like a god in that realm.

[tigerwoods]

As of episode 1 this show is a NO. It is just the bad copy of Sky Girls, which wasn't so good.
And, why the hell are they always wearing swimsuits? Why the hell do they wear no skirt? Why the hell the nekomimi?

The only thing I liked was Sakamoto's VA.

[Kana Futayo]

Originally Posted by tigerwoods

As of episode 1 this show is a NO. It is just the bad copy of Sky Girls, which wasn't so good.
And, why the hell are they always wearing swimsuits? Why the hell do they wear no skirt? Why the hell the nekomimi?

The only thing I liked was Sakamoto's VA.

I haven't watched it yet but the fact that Gonzo did the animation made me hesitant on watching. I might as well give it an episode or 2 to decide.

So you mean that they're always wearing swimsuits inside and outside the military? and no skirts?
Oh noes, I dunno if I can take that much.

[SuperKnuckles]

Welcome to the wonderful world of Shimada fanservice! NO PANTS EVER. I guess that's only sound logic to anyone following his doujinshi work.

[tigerwoods]

They could've put a warning.

Anyway the animation is not that bad, but it recalls Sky Girls too.

[serenade_beta]

Originally Posted by SuperKnuckles

Ouch, harsh aren't we? There's this concept of a 'fanservice show'. Clearly you are not its demographic. So cool down and ignore it if you want.

Kekeke, harsh? Not at all. Just my honest opinion, and my first post in the thread. Should I have sugar-coated with or something?
Cool down... Never got heated up in the first place though. ( -_-)

[SuperKnuckles]

I never said sugarcoat. But you're expecting something truly great out of a fanservice anime? I think something is really wrong with that picture. It's obviously a love it or hate it genre more than anything else. Heck, actually that reminds me of Sekirei a bit but at least that show is aiming to become an action show or something. And really, the "Gonzo" tag seems to be scaring everyone for a good reason. I would think studios like Xebec would be itching for a new fanservice show after their slate of late and they'd probably do a better job at it.

[DmonHiro]

This show seems like a VERY bad copy of Sky Girls. Character designs? Check. Mecha girls? Check, but at least in sky girls they had something that at wa at least a little bit intimidating. Tails? Check. Giant evil flying enemies? Check.

Blatant ripoff? Doube check. GONZO........why must you oscilate between good and crap? And you have WAY more crap too


.........seems like Sekirei?......i'm gonna pretend I didn't hear that...so I don't start a flame war

[houkoholic]

Originally Posted by DmonHiro

This show seems like a VERY bad copy of Sky Girls. Character designs? Check. Mecha girls? Check, but at least in sky girls they had something that at wa at least a little bit intimidating. Tails? Check. Giant evil flying enemies? Check.

Blatant ripoff? Doube check. GONZO........why must you oscilate between good and crap? And you have WAY more crap too

You do realise that Strike Witches came BEFORE Sky Girls right? Strike Witches' history goes back to 2005. Originally in 2006 due to Gonzo's financial problems which led to their delay of them getting Strike Witches out before Sky Girls, which Konami yanked the character designer of Strike Witches to make Sky Girls anime for them to cash in first. in Japan, all the fans were crying over the fact that Strike Witches got delayed and named Sky Girls the bad rip-off. Now they're rejoicing that it's finally here. Some even claimed they've waited for 3 years (from the original announcement of the Strike Witches OVA).

The Gonzo hate is getting ridculious, at least get your facts first before spewing off.

[SuperKnuckles]

Strike Witches did have a very similar launch schedule since they tried to go head to head with the OVA's alongside Sky Girls. It's almost like Hollywood movies releasing similar themed movies at the same time amongst rivals. Which is all the more strange since the character/mecha designer for these shows is the same.

And by comparing Sekirei, I only mean it in the way of combining fanservice with action. Obviously, Sekirei seems to have the biggest budget out of all three anime I just mentioned and an actual manga to base it off of. Both Sky Girls and Strike Witches were apparently inspired by the mecha-girl-doujinshi in Shimada's works. I thought Sky Girls were good because of how mellow and borderline sweet it was. And the machines, however unrealistic, did show some utilitarian/specialist role as mecha. Strike Witches? Looks like it's all fanservice mode ahead. Personally, I don't really mind since that's all I expect out of it anyway. I'm sure most anime fans wouldn't appreciate it the same way a doujinshi fan might.

Originally Posted by houkoholic

You do realise that Strike Witches came BEFORE Sky Girls right? It was due to Gonzo's financial problems which led to their delay of them getting Strike Witches out before Sky Girls, which Konami yanked the character designer of Strike Witches to make Sky Girls for them to cash in first. in Japan, all the fans were crying over the fact that Strike Witches got delayed and named Sky Girls the bad rip-off. Now they're rejoicing that it's finally here. Some even claimed they've waited for 3 years (from the original announcement of the Strike Witches OVA).

The Gonzo hate is getting ridculious, at least get your facts first before spewing off.

Interesting point because I did hear about some delays about it, but I guess the Sky Girls crew did lift the chara designer that way. But yeah, the Gonzo hate is a bit overboard. Gonzo-unease I can understand, but with a small fanservice show, all they need is the action and fanservice and decent production. I keep hearing about the bad writing, but then again... fanservice show, doesn't really need much of a 'writing' to begin with. It'd be nice, but I almost think that'd be wishing too hard.

[houkoholic]

FWIW, Strike Witches has a novel adaptation which is still ongoing. There were also mangas as well. The whole Strike Witches Project dates back much further than Sky Girls overall.

Also the draw of Strike Witches is the fact that the Striker Units are based on real life WW2 airplanes. While the guns are actual real life counterparts. The design were hugely popular with the miltary otakus (a fairly decent sized crowd within the general otakusphere) who are into the finer points such as these.

EDIT: The characters themselves are also based on WW2 ace pilots. Heck you can almost say it's like Ikkitousen.

[Deathkillz]

Oh gosh the flames

And let me just say that some of you seems to have forgotten that the suit that the sky girls wore also didn't come with pants

But I suspect that most of this is Gonzo hate anyway rather than whats being shown (which is no way in hell offensive in anyway...want offensive service? look at Kanokon)...whatever ~

[SuperKnuckles]

Originally Posted by houkoholic

FWIW, Strike Witches has a novel adaptation which is still ongoing. There were also mangas as well. The whole Strike Witches Project dates back much further than Sky Girls overall.

Also the draw of Strike Witches is the fact that the Striker Units are based on real life WW2 airplanes. While the guns are actual real life counterparts. The design were hugely popular with the miltary otakus (a fairly decent sized crowd within the general otakusphere) who are into the finer points such as these.

EDIT: The characters themselves are also based on WW2 ace pilots. Heck you can almost say it's like Ikkitousen.

Very informative. Thanks.

I was always more into the guy's more fantastical suit designs, so I didn't know the WW2 buffs were into it too. Pretty wild if I must say so myself.

Originally Posted by Deathkillz

Oh gosh the flames

And let me just say that some of you seems to have forgotten that the suit that the sky girls wore also didn't come with pants

But I suspect that most of this is Gonzo hate anyway rather than whats being shown (which is no way in hell offensive in anyway...want offensive service? look at Kanokon)...whatever ~

I dunno, I LOVED Kanokon's insanely offensive fanservice. lol.

But the thing with Strike Witches is that the girls' casual/officer-wear also has no pants. Like that woman doctor with lab coat and a tight bikini bottom.

[Sakome]

I normally don't post on these forums alot but I feel the need to defend this show.

What intrigues me about Strike Witches more than Sky girls (which I still have to finish) is the influence from RL weapons and airplanes/tactics. I heard that the influence may even go as from famous pilots as well though that might have just been something I heard. There is a bigger cast of characters as well and the characters are cute and likeable so far.

The animation, characters, VA and mecha were high quality. I really liked the action and flying they showed so far. It could have a huge potential for military/flight fans and show it to a new audience. Mecha Musume is a little fetishy but it still is great. A cute girl decked out in
military weapons/armor flying around as if it was a actual plane. That magic twist to this show could make this a great hybrid of military, flight and mahou shoujo rolled into one if they keep it up. There could be some epic dog fights or more group battles.

The fanservice is is definetely there which might turn some people off, I was taken aback too by the lack of pants. Some camera angles were a little much. But when compared to other shows with fanservice espacily recently (Kanokon, Ikkitousen) this is pretty tame. The loli demographic might turn people away but a show like Nanoha at first was loli and it was huge success. If I had to guess on a reason why they don't wear pants, its because of aerodynamics.

Good first episode overrall, pacing, story/characters have huge potential. I hope the action gets pumped up more than what I've seen so far of Sky Girls. Hope it keeps up.
OP/ED is a little catchy and VA is good, I think one of the girls its a debut for her? Anybody clarify that one?

[Deathkillz]

Originally Posted by SuperKnuckles

But the thing with Strike Witches is that the girls' casual/officer-wear also has no pants. Like that woman doctor with lab coat and a tight bikini bottom.

And like that is an excuse to go RAGEEE at

Besides...

Originally Posted by Sakome

If I had to guess on a reason why they don't wear pants, its because of aerodynamics.

Best logic I've heard all day

And think the VA is Erika Nakai

[FlareKnight]

So got around to checking out the first episode. Definitely the no pants thing really stood out. Maybe with the world in danger they are trying to save money on fabric . But just part of the series so that's that.

Did enjoy the part after the OP with them attacking the neuroi. Nice variety in the weapons and some nice manoeuvring at least from my perspective. Will be keeping track of the series and see how it all turns out.

[DmonHiro]

I don't care who has the biggest hsitry, who has what novel..bla bla bla. Since Sky Girls aired first, people will label Striker Witches as a ripoff. It's only natural to think as the one you saw first is the original. And technicly, it is, since it aired first.

[Jiyuu]

strike witches ova came before the sky girls anime..

thats like saying "well i didn't watch eva till the movie, its just such a raxhaphon ripoff!!"
thats plain dumb.