What They Say:
Mio’s hair is getting a little long, but is it safe to let anybody in the 501st cut it?
The Review:
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers)
As I’m covering about a dozen simulcasts this season, trying to do most of the half-length shows and all the short-form series, Strike Witches was one that I’m struggling with the most. Which continues to frustrate since I like the characters and concept and have from its goofy ass start. But the fundamental structure of this series is broken and that continues to make the slice of life elements hard to really work with and enjoy as everything is simply overdone. I’m almost amused that I find it easier to forgive the simpler/weaker animation over the structure of it but the show works hard to undermine itself.
The initial focus on Mio’s hair getting long does lead to some amusement as we see her trying to cut it with her sword only to have Mina in a panic stopping her. That shifts to Mina helping her cut it but when Miyafuji walks in it looks like a seppuku sequence, which was delightful in the reactions and just how to showcase it. There’s some decent humor as the episode goes on in the first couple of minutes about the haircut aspect and more of the girls showing up and getting just a little confused by what’s going on. When we do get the moment of Miyafuji cutting Mio’s hair, it’s a perfect bit and I really did want to see everyone get the same kind of standard cut just to see how awkward it would all look.
In Summary:
The back half works into its own separate storyline but the shift comes across as unnatural and the celebration aspect of it gets lost along the way as they get ready for a party. There are nice moments, such as Miyafuji enjoying the sounds of preparation only to hear the arguing dominate, click as it has her wishing the Neuroi would attack. But there’s not a lot to connect with here with the narrative shift. The opening half has its moments just because it makes for some amusing visual gags and that’s half of what I want out of a short-form comedy.
Grade: C
Streamed By: Funimation
