Brave Witches [Season 1]

Brave Witches Season 1: A Promising but Divisive Spin-Off Takes Flight

When Brave Witches first hit screens in 2016, fans of the Strike Witches franchise had high hopes. Produced by Silver Link, this spin-off follows the 502nd Joint Fighter Wing as they battle the alien Neuroi in 1944, right after the events of the original series. But did it soar to the same heights as its predecessor? Let’s dive into the fan chatter and see.

First off, the pilot episode wastes no time introducing new faces. Hikari Karibuchi, our protagonist, is a fresh recruit with big dreams and even bigger shoes to fill—her sister is a legendary Witch. Fans quickly latched onto her: “Hikari is cute, I like her already,” gushed one viewer. But not everyone was sold. Some compared her to Yoshika Miyafuji from Strike Witches, calling her a “failure” version of the original lead. Ouch.

The battle scenes? Mixed reviews. While some praised the “decent” designs, others ripped into the CGI. “The animations sucked, the CGI sucked,” ranted a long-time fan. Another agreed, noting the fight sequences felt “messy” compared to the smoothness of Strike Witches 2. It’s a shame, because the 2D art and character designs actually look pretty solid—Silver Link clearly put effort into those.

Then there’s the elephant in the room: fan service. Bath scenes and panty shots are par for the course in this franchise, but opinions split hard. One user argued, “Fanservice is not ‘dragging down,’ it’s the whole point of the anime.” Others begged to differ, saying it detracts from the story. Let’s be real—if you’re here for deep plot, you might be barking up the wrong tree. But if you love magical girls in skimpy outfits fighting aliens? You’re in heaven.

The biggest point of contention? Nostalgia. Strike Witches fans couldn’t help but compare. “I didn’t feel the charm I felt watching the strike witches long ago,” admitted one. The 501st’s absence stung—though a cameo from Sakamoto and a newspaper clip of Miyafuji gave diehards a glimmer of joy. Still, some saw potential: “Give these girls their chance. They deserve it,” a voice of reason chimed in.

Newcomers, though? They seemed to dig it. “Ive never seen Strike Witches but i really enjoyed this first episode,” said a first-timer. The show’s accessibility is a win—you don’t need to binge the original to follow along. That’s smart marketing, Silver Link.

So, is Brave Witches worth your time? If you’re a franchise vet, go in with an open mind. The first episode is a slow burn, but Hikari’s journey and the promise of more Neuroi battles might hook you. If you’re new? Jump right in—just don’t expect groundbreaking storytelling.

In the end, Brave Witches Season 1 is like a new recruit: rough around the edges, but full of potential. It might not reach the heights of Strike Witches, but for fans craving more magical aerial combat, it’s a decent fix. Let’s hope the rest of the season picks up the pace—these Witches have a war to win.

Final Verdict: 3/5 stars. A solid start, but it needs to find its own magic to stand out.

Note: All opinions are aggregated from MyAnimeList discussions. No AI was harmed in the making of this review.