Ask John: Why the Strike Witches Hate?

Question:
Why do so many anime fans hate Strike Witches?

Answer:
For the benefit of anime fans who may be only now learning of the Strike Witches anime series since it’s new domestic DVD release from FUNimation, I’ll explain the controversy surrounding the show as objectively as I can. The 2008 Strike Witches TV series was produced by animation studio Gonzo, once a powerhouse producer but in recent years financially troubled. Gonzo has produced a number of very highly regarded anime titles, including Full Metal Panic, Vandread, Last Exile, Saishuheiki Kanojo, and Samurai 7. However, by 2008 Gonzo had become primarily associated with high profile but underwhelming productions including Blassreiter, Kurogane no Linebarrel, and Dragonauts ~ The Resonance. So expectations for the Strike Witches TV series weren’t especially high. Furthermore, the show stars cute girls that inexplicably refuse to wear pants and sprout furry animal ears and tails whenever they use magic. They also happen to tote heavy artiliary. From superficial appearances, the show is obviously designed to pander to the sexist, stereotypical characteristics which countless critics cite as contributing to the steady decline of anime’s creativity and audience appeal. In other words, based on appearances alone, Strike Witches seems to be the epitome of everything that’s considered wrong with contemporary anime.

Not unexpectedly, the show became a popular hit upon its Japanese broadcast. With all the fan service evident in it, the bigger surprise would have been if the show had not become popular. The series’ Japanese DVD release became the best selling Gonzo production in years. The fact that the Japanese limited edition DVDs included panties seemed to only increase the critical assumption that the show was succeeding by merely pandering to the most crude instincts of Japanese otaku. However, in reality, a significant portion of the show’s success is attributable to the fact that the series is actually very good. Beyond its obvious visual appeal, Strike Witches benefits from its interesting and diverse cast of well personified characters, an interesting story, and above average quality animation. But despite its strengths and qualities, Strike Witches remains an easy target for critics searching for a scapegoat to exhort as an illustrative example of the perceived superficiality of the modern anime industry.