Strike Witches 3: Road to Berlin Episode 1: First Underwear Part Drei

Looks like another early screening got subbed. You know what that means.

Note: Keep in mind Road to Berlin is set after the events of the movie, meaning it’s Season 1, 2, OVA (Operation Victory Arrow), the movie and then Road to Berlin. Readers who have either forgotten events or not marathoned the series to this point are advised to do so before proceeding.

They’re baaaaaaack.

We kicked things off with a summary of what the show is about: Alien invaders called Neuroi invaded the Earth in 1939 and conquered most of Europe. The only ones strong enough to oppose them were gifted teenage girls called “Witches”, armed with “Striker Units”, aka special propeller engines equipped on their legs, to engage the aliens in epic dogfights.

Witches are best known for the following: Incredible magic, expert military and aerial combat skills, kemonomimi and most importantly, the refusal to wear pants due to the Striker Units’ inconvenience. Some wear leather tights or skirts but it makes little difference.

After a reminder of the 501st Unit’s badassery we joined the former Major, now Liutenant Commander, Mio Sakamoto on her way to a school in Helvetia to meet a familiar face.

It of course was the legend herself, Yoshika “RAMBO” Miyafuji!. The reason why she was there would be elaborated in a bit.

Let us cherish the few moments throughout the show Mio lets her hair down. Oh, and yes. Pants are a sign of “adulthood” in this franchise. Mio’s in her early 20’s. Plus “adulthood” means losing your magic, because Magical Girl rules. That and her sword.

Anyway RAMBO invited Mio to check out the circus, especially a cool polar bear act.

Coincidence of all coincidences this was the exact day the polar bear went on a rampage. Someone we will get to in a bit was in trouble and RAMBO took immediate action to protect her. She used her power to sense what was wrong with Mr Bear and was able to calm him down. He had a toothache.

Now we can talk about RAMBO’s new friend (and potential new harem girl alongside Lynette, Shizuka and Michiko), Althea. RAMBO kept her Witch powers a secret from her. She explained the reason for not using them was due to her losing them before (See late S2 and the Movie for details) and wanting to study up on medicine just in case. Althea’s father served in the military and hyped her up to one day help the 501st Unit. She mailed letters to him but one day they stopped coming. RAMBO suggested calling him via radio, which worked.

Their happy call was cut short. There was a strange iceberg. Strange in that it seemed to be chasing her dad’s “Doge” class battleship.

RAMBO being RAMBO requested permission to investigate. Mio remembered how stubborn and devoted RAMBO was to being a superheroine and granted it. However, RAMBO didn’t have a Striker Unit. There was a nearby hangar but the Striker was covered in spider-webs. Yup, that old. Of course RAMBO had main protagonist powers so it was no trouble for her. She had 2+ seasons of character development after all.

Before RAMBO headed out the group overheard Papa mention the iceberg. She asked if it could be a Neuroi but Mio said there was no such thing as an “Aquatic Neuroi”…

We end the episode with RAMBO in trouble against the gargantuan Iceberg Neuroi. Ah, and the 501st kinda sensed her presence as she flew toward the Doge. Hopefully they took the hint, investigate the “mystery flyer” and come to RAMBO’s aid

Man have I missed this show. Good to have it back. Not only that but in Winter 2020 we have Luminous Witches too so S3 won’t be the only no pants aerial combat goodness we’re getting.