1939 Europe
1939.
Humanity was faced with the sudden appearance of a mysterious foe.
They called it the Neuroi.
In the blink of an eye,
the Neuroi successfully invaded most of Europe,
stealing many people's homes and nations.
To combat the Neuroi, humanity developed a new weapon,
the flying Striker Units that could only be used by Witches,
girls with magical power.
Witches across the world gathered to use these Striker Units against the Neuroi.
A unit of these Witches was formed.
The Allied Forces' 502nd Joint Fighter Wing.
People called them the "Brave Witches."
Episode 1 "The Witch of Sasebo?"
1944 September
Fusou Empire Sasebo
Fusou Imperial Navy Hario Transceiver Station
Good morning!
Dad!
Here's your lunch.
Oh, thanks.
Well? Did you fix the receiver?
Yeah, he had it fixed in a jiffy.
Great!
That's my dad for you!
No telling when we might get an important message...
Engineer Karibuchi is our savior.
This transceiver station can reach all the way to South Sea Island, can't it?
Yes, it's Fusou's tallest radio tower.
Wow!
Sub-lieutenant Mizunuma, a message.
A message?
I see.
The Third Carrier Division will arrive in port this afternoon.
The Third Carrier Division?
That's my big sis!
Yeah, Sub-lieutenant Karibuchi Takami, the hero of Sasebo, is returning home.
All right!
My big sis is coming back.
I feel like I can pull it off today.
One!
Two!
Three—
I'm back!
Oh, my...
Couldn't quite make it across again today?
Forget that! They say Sis is coming back today!
Takami?
Things are always so sudden with that girl.
Because of her mission. She can't help it.
See you later!
Wait! You aren't changing?
It'll dry as I run!
Sasebo Aviation Preparatory School
Next! Akiyama!
Right.
Your body isn't keeping pace with the engine!
Ten laps around the courtyard!
Next! Watanabe!
Right.
I heard Sub-lieutenant Karibuchi is returning.
Yeah, from Allied Naval Training.
It's been three months.
She's so amazing.
I can't believe they assigned her to a carrier division!
Oh, yeah...
The next movie they're producing is based on her time in Europe, isn't it?
That's right!
She held off the enemy forces alone during the retreat from Libau!
She really is the hero of Sasebo!
Sub-lieutenant Karibuchi must be really sad to have a failure of a sister like you.
Misumi-san...
What? What does that mean?!
Just what I said.
Next! Misumi!
Right.
Don't let her get to you, Hikari.
Yeah.
A corkscrew maneuver!
That's an upperclassman's maneuver!
All right!
Next! Karibuchi!
Right.
I can do that, too!
She's spinning?
Hikari!
Ow...
Are you stupid?!
What moron falls from a sky without enemies?!
Give me twenty laps!
Right!
Pathetic.
I can't believe you're the little sister of Karibuchi Takami,
the hero of Sasebo.
You get Fs for grades.
Do you really think you can join a Witch unit?
I do! Is that wrong?
I'm going to be a Witch, like my sister!
You're an overly optimistic idiot.
Next! Kobayashi!
Right.
Principal Kitagou Fumika
Bye!
She's running again.
She has the most stamina out of the whole school.
If only her magic power were that strong...
The Wings of Libau
Big sis!
Hey! Hey—
I'm back, Hikari.
Welcome back, Sis!
Takami-chan's late.
I want to hear her talk about Libau again...
There she is.
What a nice car!
Well, she is the hero of Sasebo.
Hikari!
I'm back...
I'm home.
That's Takami-chan for you!
Sorry for all the fuss.
I'm sure you want to relax.
No, it's easier for me to relax like this.
Look at this, Sis!
The Hero of Libau
Ta-dah!
They're articles about you!
She saved them all.
That's embarrassing...
No, it isn't.
It's proof that you're doing a great job as a Witch
Oh, right! I have to check today's paper.
An article on Witches!
"Lieutenant Commander Sakamoto fights hard as a member
of the 501st Joint Fighter Wing, the Strike Witches."
Sis, do you know Lieutenant Commander Sakamoto?
I was with her during the retreat from Libau.
She was tough, but someone you could really respect.
Is she a Fusou Witch, too?
I don't know...
If a Fusou Witch were deployed to a Joint Fighter Wing,
it should have made the news...
It's been so long since I could relax in a bath!
Water is precious on a ship, right?
Yes.
Hey, Sis, show it to me...
Again?
Is it that fun to look at a scar?
But you got that scar fighting to protect everyone during the Libau retreat, right?
It's so cool!
That tickles!
Oh, yeah, Sis.
A new parlor opened near the station!
Your expedition's over, so you'll be in Sasebo for a while, won't you?
What's wrong?
Actually, Hikari,
when I got to port today, I received new orders.
Orders?
I'm being deployed to Europe.
Europe?
Witch The general term for girls who can use magic. Once they obtain that power, they grow ears and tails of animals and birds, and their powers and strengths varies. These abilities first appear in their teens, and decreases as they become adults, so the image of them being girls is rather strong. However, there are very rare cases where some can continue to use their powers after becoming adults.
Good morning, Mom.
Morning.
Where's Hikari?
I'm being deployed to Europe.
Sis is going away again.
Hikari!
Sis!
Try leaping off the air, before you feel the water on your feet.
Hikari?
That was close...
Everyone...
As you know, the situation in Europe is grim.
They need more Witches, and they need them now.
Thus, our school will take a volunteer for deployment to Europe.
Deployment to Europe?
Since you will be a student, you won't be deployed to the far front lines.
But the mission won't be easy.
If you're interested, raise your hand.
You're the head of the first-year class...
Misumi Mia.
I'm only a first-year student, but I believe my skill will more than suffice.
I volunteer, too!
First-year Karibuchi Hikari!
You?
I want to go to Europe, too!
Very well.
In three days, we'll hold a selection exam to see who is best qualified.
A selection exam?
That's right.
If I beat Misumi-san there, I can go to Europe!
But are they that desperate for Witches?
You aren't even out of school yet.
Even Takami waited until she was out of school to join the military.
But by my age, she'd graduated!
Because she was given special promotions.
Aren't you always telling me a Witch should strive to serve others?
Why can't I go?!
I'm a Witch, too!
Hikari...
Wait, you two!
Hikari...
Every day, I've been running the same course that you ran.
I've been doing the same training.
I thought if I could cross the sea like you,
maybe I could catch up to you.
If I flunk the exam, I'll give up.
A weak Witch in Europe will just cause problems for everyone.
But I don't want to give up without doing anything!
Sure, good luck, Hikari.
We will now begin the exam to determine who goes to Europe.
The exam is modeled on an actual battle.
Both participants will be given weapons
and asked to complete tasks within the allotted time.
If you can't pass through the checkpoints
or clear the exam in time, you will fail.
If both participants pass,
the faster one will be chosen for deployment.
Ready!
I don't like those clouds.
European skies aren't exactly gentle.
That's true.
This exam's a waste of time.
There's no way you can beat me, and you know it!
We won't know that until we try!
Then, I'll make you understand!
Not even close.
Two Witches are approaching.
Third Carrier Division Admiral Oosawa Yoshizaburo
Fusou Imperial Navy Lt Commander Shindou Mie
Admiral, is there any point in sending an inexperienced student to Europe?
We can't ignore Europe's demands.
There's no telling when our country will become a war zone.
And you also started as a beginner, didn't you Shindou-kun?
They're here.
She's moving pretty well.
Is that Sub-lieutenant Karibuchi's younger sister?
Yes.
It's going to storm.
The enemy won't always fight when we want them to.
The rain is getting in my eyes...
My clothes are heavy!
She's getting closer?
She isn't dropping her speed in this weather?
How does she have so much stamina?
Almost... Almost!
If I don't decrease the magical power I'm using, she'll catch up.
I need to get closer to the water's surface and build some lift!
Just one more checkpoint!
She pulled away again.
At this rate...
Watch out!
Message from the final checkpoint.
Neither Misumi nor Karibuchi arrived.
What?
Misumi-san!
Karibuchi-san...
One!
Two!
Three!
Karibuchi...
Ow...
Misumi-san!
I'm so glad.
Karibuchi-san...
Thank you for saving me.
I didn't...
I... I crossed the sea.
I did it.
I did it!
I did it, Misumi-san!
Thank you!
What?
She managed to cross that sea?
Since neither of us made it back in time,
we both failed the exam.
You seem kind of happy, Hikari...
I failed the exam,
but I feel I've grown a little closer to you.
I'm going to work even harder, so I can fly with you!
Yeah.
I'll be waiting!
Good morning!
The sub-lieutenant's with you today?
Good morning.
Here's your lunch, Dad.
Oh, thanks.
Incoming message, Sub-lieutenant.
It's for Hikari-chan.
For me?
It's from the Navy General Staff.
"Karibuchi Hikari has passed her exam.
Prepare for deployment to Europe."
Is this...
You did it, Hikari!
You passed! We can go to Europe together!
Passed...
I passed?
It's because you worked so hard.
I did it! I did it!
I did it!
At the same time, a new Neuroi nest was being established in Europe.
To Be Continued
With much expectation and hope in our hearts, Sis and I head to Europe.
But suddenly the Neuroi attack.
Wait, Sis! I'll fight with you!
Next time, on Brave Witches: Take Flight, Chidori!
Episode 2 "Take Flight, Chidori!"