At the end of last season it looked like Major Sakamoto lost her ability to generate a barrier able to block Neuroi attacks. Just as long as the Neuroi or something worse doesn’t come back, she’d be fine. Bring on season 2 and the Neuroi are back. Oops. Actually, no, not oops, but a sweet opportunity to make her more legendary. This is what episode 2 does. Instead of raising a barrier, Major Sakamoto raises the blade she forged to cut down and deflect attacks. She’s a Jedi now (screencap grabbed from Random Curiosity).
During the first season of Strike Witches I understood Sakamoto’s awesomeness via how the rest of the 501st viewed her, but I kind of felt she was just as skilled as the Karlsland aces. Witnessing Mio slice through a Neuroi beam down the length of it and then through the Neuroi? Magical. I’m with you on that front, Perrinne. Mio using the blade to channel magic was setup well enough to feel natural and cool, instead of isn’t that convenient.
For me, forging the blade and the self transformation from a barrier witch into a blade witch rockets Sakamoto from a character I sort of liked to one of my favorite Strike Witches. I’m so glad they went the find another way to win route instead of throwing her into the despair route. Generally, that’s what I find appealing about Strike Witches beyond the knuckle dragger’s joy of rump, gunfire and demolition in the same frame. The witches find ways to be awesome.
Side note, the battle with the Neuroi re-uses the awesome battle animation from the first episode, putting it into context and caps it with Sakamoto’s finish. I guess that’s how AIC balanced the budget for a very slick fight scene. Use it again. It was just as good the second time around.
I had totally forgotten the whole issue with Sakamato until it was brought up again in the episode.
I’m quite surprised though, I was almost certain she was going to be relegated into a full support role for the second season. I agree with you, using the sword and making up for the lack of barriers works quite well for her.
I thought the same thing about her being more of a support role like Mina, except less flying.
I liked the scene where Sakamato pierced the Neuroi in her white swimsuit and landed in Yoshika’s arms ;D.
Sakamato doesn’t need to block the lousy beams anymore she’ll strike through them and and penetrates the Neuroi in one go.
.-= Fabienne´s last blog: Queens Gate Alice =-.
That’s why she’s awesome.
Mio has gradually become my favorite character in Strike Witches. I was quite pleased to see that not only will she be sticking around but she leveled up xD Can’t wait for the next episode
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I’d bet that during the planning sessions for the second season, one of the goals was to build Sakamoto up. The first season focused on Miyafuji, plus with the storyline debuffing her and with the top ranks of the 501st dominated by the Karlsland witches, Sakamoto might not have gotten the full glory they would have wanted the ace Fuso witch to have.
I also noticed some scenes reused animation, but it didn’t take away from the experience at all. Sakamoto just got more awesome and SW2 has so far done nothing but make me love Strike Witches even more than before.
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