Strike Witches [Light Novel] Translation/Discussion

[Onizuka-GTO]

wow. the novel has much more detail then the anime.

While i'm sad we don't get to see this animated, it does compliment the story universe, in that you have the sense of the global conflict.

It's a bit like star trek, they can keep adding new bits to the untold story of the witches,

i hope that ground infantry witches will show up in this novel! i know the new manga, feature the African campaign, ripe with armoured infantry ground witches.


ground infantry witches might also show up on the Orussia front! Battle of Kurst perhaps?!

Jadgerpanthers? Tigers? T34? IS Stalin Mark 1? so much to look forward too!

i hope so¬

[Guppy]

Originally Posted by Onizuka-GTO

i hope that ground infantry witches will show up in this novel!

Spoiler for novels up to vol. 3:

Although I may have missed a passing reference or two, I haven't seen any tank witch characters yet (although a ground-support Stuka squadron arrives in volume 2). Mostly the novels' focus has been on air combat, with an increasingly heavy side order of romantic comedy.

[Onizuka-GTO]

love romantic comedy.



i also like the added detail of the animal familiar which actually makes more sense, then the simplified version they show in the anime.

[selkirk]

Another chapter done, but for a different if related project.

I'm translating Der Stern von Afrika, the novelette that was included in the recent semi-official doujinshi, and chapter one is done. There is a fairly lengthy section on the course of the war which might be interesting, and there are also references to every form of SW produced so far.

Spoiler for references:

1. Suomus Independent Volunteer Squadron - novels
2. Joint Fighter Wing - Anime/OVA
3. Suwa Masuzu - First manga series, sister of Suwa Amaki (first manga) and Suwa Goshiki (first and second manga)
4. Sakamoto Mio - She's a Chuu-i here, while she's mentioned in passing as a Leutnant (Shou-i) in Novel 2 (1939-1940), and she's a Sho-sa in the anime in 1944.
5. Reval Air Combat Group - Where Takei from the second manga is stationed, though she's back in Fuso leading training.

Chapter 2 is about half a page long (this was 3 pages), so it'll be quick . The entire thing is only about 15 pages long, so I'll probably finish this then go back to Chapter 3 of the first novel.

[ShinigamiRukia]

Oh, this novel is great.
I hope it is okay to ask, is there somewhere I could purchase the novels?
Thanks.

[Onizuka-GTO]

Originally Posted by ShinigamiRukia

Oh, this novel is great.
I hope it is okay to ask, is there somewhere I could purchase the novels?
Thanks.

you can, but it's only in Japanese/Chinese(?)

so i suppose you can try japanese amazon

i would say yesasia, but i heard they stopped.

[Guppy]

Originally Posted by selkirk

Another chapter done, but for a different if related project.

Thanks again, selkirk! That's really good stuff.

Interesting that the 501st was on the drawing board for so many years, considering how little use they've actually been put to in the TV series. Then again, from what I've read, the manga depiction of those events seems much closer to the rest of the Strike Witches canon than the TV series, so perhaps we'll see more happen there.

Originally Posted by Onizuka-GTO

i would say yesasia, but i heard they stopped.

YesAsia say they can't get stock of any of the three novel volumes. Last I checked, amazon.co.jp had stock of novels 1 and 2. I think selkirk has since said they've got novel 3.

I'm planning to try Kinokuniya. In the meantime, an inexpensive stopgap can be had by purchasing the novels as e-books from:

http://dl.rakuten.co.jp/attr/92212948/da30_1.html

No illustrations, and you'll need to download Japanese reader software, but otherwise perfectly serviceable (and much more convenient than waiting for shipping from Japan).

[asaqe]

Originally Posted by selkirk

Well, it took longer than I expected because of some work-related junk, but chapter 2 completed. \o/

And various fanart/official art of novel characters.

Spoiler for space:

Special magazine (Sneaker) insert:

Toranoana DVD 1-3 preorder special:

There's hardly any artwork of the novel characters around, and that Katharine pic is the ONLY one not of Tomoko (at least that I've found). D:

Shame not much fanart of Beurling, I kind of like her maverick attitude.

[selkirk]

Originally Posted by asaqe

Shame not much fanart of Beurling, I kind of like her maverick attitude.

Change 'not much' to 'none' . Too bad, too. She's probably my favorite character.
Heck, even Ursula got fanart before her...

Originally Posted by Guppy

YesAsia say they can't get stock of any of the three novel volumes. Last I checked, amazon.co.jp had stock of novels 1 and 2. I think selkirk has since said they've got novel 3.

I'm planning to try Kinokuniya. In the meantime, an inexpensive stopgap can be had by purchasing the novels as e-books from:

http://dl.rakuten.co.jp/attr/92212948/da30_1.html

No illustrations, and you'll need to download Japanese reader software, but otherwise perfectly serviceable (and much more convenient than waiting for shipping from Japan).

Well, Amazon.jp seems to have 3rd novel back in stock again, but now the 2nd novel is out of stock .
Yesasia seems to have book 3 in stock again, but I wouldn't trust their "availability" <_<. Books 1 and 2 are out of stock.
Toranoana seems to still have small amounts of the doujinshi available as well.


Anyway, chapter 2 of Der Stern von Afrika is done. Like I said, it's really short so don't expect much.

[ShinigamiRukia]

Thanks for the help guys.

[Hessi]

Thanks for those translations, i nearly check daily if there is something new .

I really like the fact that the people doing the books/anime have a lot of background knowledge and seem to have really read up on the pilots they portray. Best example is chapter 2 that was recently translated, it refers to a scene that is not on Marseilles wiki page, but in his biography (this is how I remember it, and do not have the book around currently):

Marseille had just transfered to Africa, and when transfering to the front airfields, he crashed his Me 109 when it developed mechanical problems. His commander, who was not really fond of him back then told him to find a way to get to his new post on his own (expecting him to need a few days to arrive). Marseille, being pretty straightforward, approached a german Oberst and asked to lend his car to get to his unit. The Oberst being a bit baffled at this young officers total lack of proper military protocol but nevertheless impressed by his audacity, lend him his car, but told him he had to get at least 50 kills to be worth it. Marseille agreed, took the car, and arrived at his new airfield far sooner than anyone expected him.

[selkirk]

Originally Posted by Hessi

Thanks for those translations, i nearly check daily if there is something new .

I really like the fact that the people doing the books/anime have a lot of background knowledge and seem to have really read up on the pilots they portray. Best example is chapter 2 that was recently translated, it refers to a scene that is not on Marseilles wiki page, but in his biography (this is how I remember it, and do not have the book around currently):

Marseille had just transfered to Africa, and when transfering to the front airfields, he crashed his Me 109 when it developed mechanical problems. His commander, who was not really fond of him back then told him to find a way to get to his new post on his own (expecting him to need a few days to arrive). Marseille, being pretty straightforward, approached a german Oberst and asked to lend his car to get to his unit. The Oberst being a bit baffled at this young officers total lack of proper military protocol but nevertheless impressed by his audacity, lend him his car, but told him he had to get at least 50 kills to be worth it. Marseille agreed, took the car, and arrived at his new airfield far sooner than anyone expected him.

Huh. Never would've thought that it'd be a real event.

Chapter 3 done. Another short chapter, featuring Gunther Rall.

[asaqe]

Ah, what a shame...at least until the Gonzo realises the potential of merging both novel and anime together (although Elizabeth will not likely appear in actual combat since by then she would be 24, way over the recommended age of using a striker unit.). And whats makes Elizabeth so awesome?

And anyone got the Novel 2 and 3 illustrations?

And also, a note of reference in the relationship chart, Lynette is related to Elizabeth in some way apparently.

[Torri_fay_torren@hot]

Originally Posted by asaqe

Ah, what a shame...at least until the Gonzo realises the potential of merging both novel and anime together (although Elizabeth will not likely appear in actual combat since by then she would be 24, way over the recommended age of using a striker unit.). And whats makes Elizabeth so awesome?

And anyone got the Novel 2 and 3 illustrations?

And also, a note of reference in the relationship chart, Lynette is related to Elizabeth in some way apparently.

It's her attitude. She's cool. Bad A without even trying. And she is the only one that looks close to Tomoko in skill level.

[selkirk]

Well, might as well post this here as well.

Originally Posted by selkirk

In the third novel, Maresciallo Giuseppina Cenni (aka "The Non-Commissioned General) goes through something similar.

Spoiler:

After getting shot down behind enemy lines in Karlsland, the Neuroi captured her and brainwashed her before sending her back. The Allied Human Forces don't know she is brainwashed, and send her to the less intense battlefields of Suomus to recover. Originally a brilliant ace, she's mostly emotionless and confused, with no memory after her accident, but she seems to learn almost too quickly once in Suomus...

Eventually, the squadron finds out that the Neuroi have been using Giuseppina to learn and copy human tactics, sending them back to the Neuroi in order for them to train up pseudo-witch copies of the Suomus squadron. Haruka also gets kidnapped and brainwashed to fight for the Neuroi, and she actually holds her own against Tomoko. Beurling comes up with the idea that a huge emotional shock might knock Haruka out of it, and comes up behind Tomoko with her ghurka knife...

Anyway, there's a scene or two where the Neuroi communicate directly into the mind of the brainwashed troops. There's no actual physical manipulation though, just mental.

Spoiler for Book 3, end of chapter 7:

Beurling approached Tomoko, who was desperately fending off Haruka in her Ki-44.

"Hey, Tomoko. One second."

"What now!? Stop looking around and help me here!"

"This is hopeless. Stop it."

"What? What makes you think it's hopeless!? Just you watch. I'm Tomoe-Gozen of the Fuso Sea after all. I can be just as good as this Haruka!"

It seemed Tomoko was already well past the point of no return. She was really getting her feathers ruffled by being trounced by Haruka, who was like a pupil to her.

"Trust me, just close your eyes for a bit."

"Why!? And we're in the middle of a dogfight right now! I'm not going to close my..."

"Do what she says, okay?"

Katharine flew up to Tomoko's side as well.

"What are you doing!? Let go of me!"

Katharine pinned down Tomoko's arms in spite of the latter's fervent protests, and nodded.

"Well then, Professor, it's your show."

Beurling flashed a glance quickly in Haruka's direction. Giuseppina, Ursula and F/O Elma were advancing on Haruka's position in a feint, but it looked like it would not be much help. Haruka was heading straight towards their own position, where they were stationary targets. It was likely she meant to deal with their own group first.

Which was exactly what Beurling had hoped for.

"Hurry up, let go of me! Or else we're done for!"

"We're going to give Haruka a bit of a shock."

Tomoko flapped her arms about, struggling to break free. Beurling smoothly slid her gurkha knife free of its sheath.

"Wha...! Hey wait! A bit of shock, you can't mean... don't tell me you're going to skewer me with that!? You're right that it might be a bit of a shock, but! You can't be serious! Right!?"

"Sorry."

Immediately after that terse answer, Beurling's ghurka knife flashed in a long arc. Without thinking, Tomoko closed her eyes.

"Hiii!"

But... she didn't feel pain anywhere on her body.

As Tomoko slowly opened her eyes, she noticed a cool breeze playing across her body. When she finally saw herself, she cried out in horror.

"Noooooooooooooo!"



Haruka readied her 20 mm autocannon as she continued her steady approach towards Tomoko's group.

'I wonder why I'm aiming my autocannon at F/O Tomoko?'

As if she were in a dream, Haruka thought to herself in a daze. The next moment... the voice that had been echoing through her mind earlier told her the answer.

"...Training."

Right.

This is 'training'. I need to train up my skills for F/O Tomoko and 'everyone' in the squadron. Like a stream of water flowing through the cracks in a cliff.

'I am that cliff.'

Someone was speaking in Haruka's mind.

'Become the cliff, acquire their skills.'

Tomoko's group was right in the gun's sights.

The girl with long, black hair in the very center of the crosshairs entered Haruka's line of sight. Who is that? That's F/O Tomoko. Even though the answer had just drifted to the surface of her thoughts, there was not even the slightest doubt in Haruka's mind about what she was doing.

'Flight Officer Tomoko.'

When she heard that name, her chest tightened in pain.

I wonder why?

Haruka approached closer and closer to the black-haired flight officer. She was struggling violently, her arms pinned to her side. I wonder what she's doing. That isn't like her.

'Eliminate them.'

That voice echoed out in her mind once again.

That's right, if they're going to be like that, there's no point in 'training' any more.

Haruka's finger began pulling back on the 20 mm autocannon's trigger.

But... she couldn't.

I wonder why? I was pulling the trigger so easily just earlier.

That black hair, it's triggering something in me.

What?

'Eliminate them.'

The voice echoed through her mind. But Haruka could not pull the trigger. That black-haired girl... she is everything to me. If I were to lose her... I wouldn't be me.

Something changed in her mind.

'Why is that person everything to you?'

Just as she was about to answer the question in her mind... it happened. The gray-haired girl standing in front of Tomoko lashed out, the knife in her hand flashing.

Haruka sucked in her breath.

The next moment, as the scene in front of her unfolded... the mist clouding her thoughts was blown away.



"To, To, Totototototo, Tomoko Chuuuuuuuuuuuu-Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!"

With her 20 mm autocannon still at the ready, Haruka came flying straight into Tomoko's chest. Without thinking, Tomoko groaned.

"Uoof."

"AAaaaaaah! Nothing can beat this look! Bare skin and a Striker!!!"

Tomoko had had the miko outfit she wore as a flight uniform cut clean through by Beurling, and was now splendidly attired in nothing but a Striker.

Flying in the sky, naked... Tomoko turned bright red, as the extent of her situation dawned on her.

"Be-Beuuuuuuuuuurliiiiiiiiiiing..."

Without even turning away from Tomoko's hate-filled glare, Beurling pulled out a cigarette from her pocket, and lit up.

"Well, it was just an idea, but I never expected it'd work this well."

[asaqe]

Wish we had the image just for that

[Torri_fay_torren@hot]

Originally Posted by selkirk

Well, might as well post this here as well.

Spoiler for Book 3, end of chapter 7:

Beurling approached Tomoko, who was desperately fending off Haruka in her Ki-44.

"Hey, Tomoko. One second."

"What now!? Stop looking around and help me here!"

"This is hopeless. Stop it."

"What? What makes you think it's hopeless!? Just you watch. I'm Tomoe-Gozen of the Fuso Sea after all. I can be just as good as this Haruka!"

It seemed Tomoko was already well past the point of no return. She was really getting her feathers ruffled by being trounced by Haruka, who was like a pupil to her.

"Trust me, just close your eyes for a bit."

"Why!? And we're in the middle of a dogfight right now! I'm not going to close my..."

"Do what she says, okay?"

Katharine flew up to Tomoko's side as well.

"What are you doing!? Let go of me!"

Katharine pinned down Tomoko's arms in spite of the latter's fervent protests, and nodded.

"Well then, Professor, it's your show."

Beurling flashed a glance quickly in Haruka's direction. Giuseppina, Ursula and F/O Elma were advancing on Haruka's position in a feint, but it looked like it would not be much help. Haruka was heading straight towards their own position, where they were stationary targets. It was likely she meant to deal with their own group first.

Which was exactly what Beurling had hoped for.

"Hurry up, let go of me! Or else we're done for!"

"We're going to give Haruka a bit of a shock."

Tomoko flapped her arms about, struggling to break free. Beurling smoothly slid her gurkha knife free of its sheath.

"Wha...! Hey wait! A bit of shock, you can't mean... don't tell me you're going to skewer me with that!? You're right that it might be a bit of a shock, but! You can't be serious! Right!?"

"Sorry."

Immediately after that terse answer, Beurling's ghurka knife flashed in a long arc. Without thinking, Tomoko closed her eyes.

"Hiii!"

But... she didn't feel pain anywhere on her body.

As Tomoko slowly opened her eyes, she noticed a cool breeze playing across her body. When she finally saw herself, she cried out in horror.

"Noooooooooooooo!"



Haruka readied her 20 mm autocannon as she continued her steady approach towards Tomoko's group.

'I wonder why I'm aiming my autocannon at F/O Tomoko?'

As if she were in a dream, Haruka thought to herself in a daze. The next moment... the voice that had been echoing through her mind earlier told her the answer.

"...Training."

Right.

This is 'training'. I need to train up my skills for F/O Tomoko and 'everyone' in the squadron. Like a stream of water flowing through the cracks in a cliff.

'I am that cliff.'

Someone was speaking in Haruka's mind.

'Become the cliff, acquire their skills.'

Tomoko's group was right in the gun's sights.

The girl with long, black hair in the very center of the crosshairs entered Haruka's line of sight. Who is that? That's F/O Tomoko. Even though the answer had just drifted to the surface of her thoughts, there was not even the slightest doubt in Haruka's mind about what she was doing.

'Flight Officer Tomoko.'

When she heard that name, her chest tightened in pain.

I wonder why?

Haruka approached closer and closer to the black-haired flight officer. She was struggling violently, her arms pinned to her side. I wonder what she's doing. That isn't like her.

'Eliminate them.'

That voice echoed out in her mind once again.

That's right, if they're going to be like that, there's no point in 'training' any more.

Haruka's finger began pulling back on the 20 mm autocannon's trigger.

But... she couldn't.

I wonder why? I was pulling the trigger so easily just earlier.

That black hair, it's triggering something in me.

What?

'Eliminate them.'

The voice echoed through her mind. But Haruka could not pull the trigger. That black-haired girl... she is everything to me. If I were to lose her... I wouldn't be me.

Something changed in her mind.

'Why is that person everything to you?'

Just as she was about to answer the question in her mind... it happened. The gray-haired girl standing in front of Tomoko lashed out, the knife in her hand flashing.

Haruka sucked in her breath.

The next moment, as the scene in front of her unfolded... the mist clouding her thoughts was blown away.



"To, To, Totototototo, Tomoko Chuuuuuuuuuuuu-Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!"

With her 20 mm autocannon still at the ready, Haruka came flying straight into Tomoko's chest. Without thinking, Tomoko groaned.

"Uoof."

"AAaaaaaah! Nothing can beat this look! Bare skin and a Striker!!!"

Tomoko had had the miko outfit she wore as a flight uniform cut clean through by Beurling, and was now splendidly attired in nothing but a Striker.

Flying in the sky, naked... Tomoko turned bright red, as the extent of her situation dawned on her.

"Be-Beuuuuuuuuuurliiiiiiiiiiing..."

Without even turning away from Tomoko's hate-filled glare, Beurling pulled out a cigarette from her pocket, and lit up.

"Well, it was just an idea, but I never expected it'd work this well."

This is latter own in the series? AAHHHH I can't read this!!!!! Must....re...sist... NOOOOO!!!!!

Other note. I really like this series. There is so much detail put in place. The fights are great.

[Bluejay]

Ahhhh, Please tell me this project isn't dead!!! I love this novel!

[selkirk]

It's not. Been busy.

[Torri_fay_torren@hot]

Originally Posted by selkirk

It's not. Been busy.

It's fine we understand