Strike Witches ~Season One~ Blu-Ray & DVD

The year is 1944 — but not the 1944 of history. The world is at war with the Neuroi: unidentified flying objects of alien origin that have been invading and destroying human civilization since 1939. Conventional military force has proven insufficient against them. Humanity's answer is the Strike Witches — girls with innate magical ability who can interface with Striker Units, mechanical leg devices that grant flight and amplify their powers, allowing them to fight the Neuroi in the air. Yoshika Miyafuji is a young healer from rural Japan who has refused to become a soldier. When she discovers that her father — believed dead — may be connected to a secret research project, she joins the multinational 501st Joint Fighter Wing, stationed in England and covering the skies over Europe. Her unit is an ensemble of witches from different nations: the cool Minna from Germany, the fierce Erica, the calculating Perrine from France, the enthusiastic Charlotte from America, the gentle Lynette from Britain, the childish Francesca from Italy, the quiet Sanya and her partner Eila from the east. Each has an animal familiar manifested as ears and tail. None of them wear pants. This is a deliberate and recurring creative choice.

Strike Witches is a 12-episode alternate history action comedy produced by Gonzo, directed by Kazuhiro Takamura, written by Tatsuhiko Urahata, scored by Seiji Toyama, and based on Fumikane Shimada's media mix franchise — artwork appearing across various publications and model kits before the anime adaptation. The series aired in Japan from July to September 2008. The franchise draws on World War II aviation history — each witch is modeled on a real historical ace pilot from her nation, with her abilities loosely based on their recorded combat characteristics. FUNimation released the Complete First Season on DVD in March 2010 and on a 5-disc Blu-ray + DVD combo on July 31, 2012. A S.A.V.E. edition followed February 11, 2014.

Notable Staff & Voice Talent

Director: Kazuhiro Takamura
Series Composition: Tatsuhiko Urahata
Original Franchise: Fumikane Shimada (Strike Witches media mix franchise)
Studio: Gonzo
Music: Seiji Toyama
Opening Theme: "Strike Witches ~Watashi ni Dekiru Koto~" by Yoko Ishida
Ending Theme: "Bookmark Ahead!" by Misato Fukuen, Saeko Chiba, Rie Tanaka, Kaori Nazuka, Ami Koshimizu, Chiwa Saito, Ayako Kawasumi, Mai Kadowaki & Yumi Hara

Japanese Cast:
- Misato Fukuen as Yoshika Miyafuji
- Saeko Chiba as Lynette Bishop
- Rie Tanaka as Minna-Dietlinde Wilcke
- Kaori Nazuka as Perrine H. Clostermann
- Ami Koshimizu as Charlotte E. Yeager
- Chiwa Saito as Francesca Lucchini
- Ayako Kawasumi as Erica Hartmann
- Mai Kadowaki as Eila Ilmatar Juutilainen
- Yumi Hara as Sanya V. Litvyak

English Dub Cast (FUNimation — ADR Director: Scott Sager):
- Cristina Valenzuela as Yoshika Miyafuji
- Cherami Leigh as Lynette Bishop
- Monica Rial as Minna-Dietlinde Wilcke
- Alexis Tipton as Perrine H. Clostermann
- Jamie Marchi as Charlotte E. Yeager
- Jad Saxton as Francesca Lucchini
- Luci Christian as Erica Hartmann
- Trina Nishimura as Eila Ilmatar Juutilainen
- Kira Vincent-Davis as Sanya V. Litvyak

Blu-ray / DVD Features (FUNimation Complete First Season, July 31, 2012)

- All 12 Episodes on 5 Discs (BD + DVD combo) — 300 Minutes
- Episode 12 Commentary
- Textless Opening & Closing Songs
- Trailers
- FUNimation Previews
- Note: S.A.V.E. BD+DVD edition also available (February 11, 2014)

Spoken Languages: English & Japanese Audio, English Subtitles

Edition Details

Japanese Title: ストライクウィッチーズ (Sutoraiku Wicchīzu / Strike Witches)
Original Japanese Broadcast: 2008 (July 3 - September 18, AT-X)
Runtime: 300 Minutes (12 Episodes, 5 Discs)
Director: Kazuhiro Takamura
Blu-ray + DVD Release Year: 2012 (U.S. Complete First Season, July 31 — FUNimation Entertainment)
Publisher: FUNimation Entertainment
Rating: TV-MA
Region: Region A / Region 1 (North America)
Genre: Action, Comedy, Science Fiction
Themes: Alternate History, Fanservice, Military, Witches, World War II Setting

Media assumed VG+ unless otherwise noted.

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