Strike Witches RtB, Episode 3: What the Two of Us Can Do

Shizuka officially joins the 501st JFW and struggles with fitting in. Yoshika struggles against a new challenge too.

Episode 3 – “What the Two of Us Can Do”

Hmm.

How many times is Strike Witches going to make Yoshika lose her magic? This time, she has “unstable magic pressure.” Instead of running laps to keep fit, why not do some magic streaming exercises and practice adjusting the flow during sudden drops and rises? Strike Witches appears to be using the common superhero tactic of taking out the strongest fighter for long periods of time because the fight scenes would be boring otherwise. This is the entire premise of One Punch Man. If we get an interesting storyline at the end of Yoshika’s containment, like the origins of her magic or how she might be different because she’s the daughter of the inventor of Striker Units, it would be worth relying on this familiar device. Please, give us something. As much as I enjoy watching Yoshika’s domestic skills add a slice-of-life element to Strike Witches, I’d rather see more of her ultimate fighter scenes during a dogfight. The writers gave us a taste of what to expect during the previous episode for the latter part of the season and I’ve become impatient for more.

Logistically, we are at a pause in the overall story of Strike Witches, so hamstringing Yoshika while the port at Antwerpen undergoes repairs makes sense. This also allows the other girls we haven’t seen for many years to have adventures and share their moments of relationship development. Let the yuri flow! First up is Shizuka Hattori, whose hero-worship of Yoshika will cause her strain as she sees how awesome her new buddies in the Strike Witches are and how she can’t compete with the tender affections of Lynette Bishop. Nobody can beat that one true pair of Yoshika and Lynne. The other girls can only bask in the bright glow of their S-Class yuri levels.

Heh.

Ha! This “General Patton” has a golden gun. His old buddy “General Bradley” tells him to calm down. Say goodbye to those worthless Helvetian Striker Units. Say hello to Shizuka! It’s time to see what the 501st base looks like. That’s a long runway for Striker Units… Minna’s first order of business is to tell Barkhorn to show self-control. Noted. And duly ignored at the first opportunity, I’m sure. Many jokes. Nothing’s changed between the characters. Good! The transfer student is nervous about making her introduction to the class… Shizuka made the quintessential Strike Witches opening – blatant crotch shot! Shizuka advertises her flexibility… Not the greatest of first impressions, but Shizuka relieved any nervous tension in the room. And Shizuka gets to hold hands with her very own senpai Yoshika!

Lynne takes Yoshika and Shizuka on a tour of the base. The two Fuso witches fly the same Striker Units. They’re a pair. Shizuka is so happy! Barkhorn lights up the firing range. Strike Witches better feature the bathroom often and repeatedly. It’s already started! Lucchini has nice Shirley-sized bathtub cushions. Shirley is fast, like always, to make a flirty play at Shizuka. Yoshika surveys her new domain. She’s going to like this kitchen. Cute girls cutely tour an air force base. The private garden in yuri paradise will be where we’ll find Lynne and Perrine. Shizuka shock! Yoshika and Lynne were like that? Yes, and always have been. That’s how Lynne knew how to decorate their room. Shizuka looks sad that she’s not closer to Yoshika.

Ooh. Flight training. Shizuka sees the difference in experience between her skills and the heroes of the 501st. Ouch. At least Shizuka mastered the reflexive shield before crashing into things. Here we go! Following witches fly in third person perspective! Perrine handles the service for tights fans. The mock dogfight highlights Yoshika’s overpowered skills. That huge honking shield placed so far away is unfair! Karma takes over. What happened to Yoshika’s magic?

The eye catches feature Shizuka Hattori joining the famous 501st JFW Strike Witches.

Minna needs to ground Yoshika due to “a drop in magic pressure.” Hey, whatever works to take the OP witch offline until the final battle, right? Minna explains that because Yoshika is a huge ball of magic, her magic pressure regulation didn’t matter before, but since the doctors don’t know how she regained her magic power, they also don’t know if Yoshika’s unstable power relates to that. In short, she can’t fly because it’s too risky. Barkhorn cares about Yoshika, but she also seems desperate because she needs her to help free Karlsland. Those aren’t conflicting emotions but amplifying emotions. Hartmann knows what’s up. Shizuka just had a fleeting moment of flying with her hero and now that’s taken away from her.

Yoshika is back to running. Why? She needs to do something. Yoshika’s magic is unstable and now Shizuka’s focus is unstable too. Shizuka had a nightmare and when she woke up, she found Yoshika trying to force magic into her flying boots. Yoshika hasn’t changed. Lynne hasn’t either. She made a snack for her! They’re already an old married couple.

Yeesh. Strike Witches is back to Neuroi of the week already? Cute girls shoot black hexagon skinned future military concepts shooting red lasers cutely… Eh, I saw three units on that Neuroi, and it only split into two? It will be a while before the Strike Witches realize the hidden third unit is the real danger. Yoshika and Shizuka will be the key to ending the threat. Also, Shizuka will discover the thing that she can do for Yoshika. These are the Neuroi fights I’m used to, where they exist only to help solve the Strike Witches’ relationship problems.

The Strike Witches don’t usually see Neuroi show up and then run away without destroying something first. Except for that Iceberg Neuroi last week… These Karlsland Neuroi are smarter than the average Neuroi. There’s the third one, coming in low like a B2 bomber. Only Minna remains to protect the base, but Yoshika and Shizuka want to help. Nice. Flashbacks to Strike Witches the Movie where Yoshika wanted to beat Neuroi with a pipe. Hey, these two “half witches” can become a whole one! It’s Shizuka’s dream come true. Lynne-chan NTR… Hand holding, so lewd!

Oh yes! Minna’s tight burgundy butt is up in the air! Yoshika Shizuka gattai! Successful operation. Yoshika likes Shizuka’s “pressure” on her back. Yoshika’s such a player! Har! Shizuka outranks Yoshika. Commissioned pilot officer outranks noncom sergeant, I guess. To be continued, where Shirley makes an homage to The World’s Fastest Indian.

Strike Witches Road to Berlin streams on Crunchyroll and VRV.