English Dub Review: Brave Witches “If You Want to Fight, Get Stronger!”

Show strength in this review of Brave Witches.

During the events of Brave Witches “The 502nd Joint Fighter Wing,” Hikari joined the 502nd fighter wing, nicknamed the Brave Witches. While he befriended Nipa, Naoe presented herself as a rival. Season 1, Episode 4, “If You Want to Fight, Get Stronger!” comes as a series turning point.

Unlike her sister Takami, Hikari remains weak. Her superiors doubt Hikari’s competence in battle. As such, trainer Edytha challenges Hikari to climb a massive pillar to retrieve a hat from its highest point. But there’s a catch: Hikari can only use magic to climb.

Despite her weakness, Hikari eventually learns through the guidance fo Edytha, to channel her magic. She’s accepted into the ranks of the Brave Witches, and almost immediately gets whisked off into battle.

There’s a lot I enjoy about Brave Witches. It’s simply a fun show that embodies a lighthearted air. The music is cheery, characters likable, and the designs are neat with an alternate history steampunk vibe that I’m a total sucker for.

Yet Brave Witches occasionally feels disjointed. In “If You Want to Fight, Get Stronger!” there’s a concern over Hikari’s suitability on the battlefield. Or in the battle air rather. But immediately after completing the challenge posed to her, and not without aid from her trainer, she’s sent straight into battle. I know this is fantasy, even this appears too fantastical for a universe of magic.

Additionally, the fan service feels incredibly unnecessary and creepy. Especially when taking into account how young Hikari is, the panty shots are that much more disturbing. It’s disappointing to see such an enjoyable, fun-filled show plagued by such fan service.

Nevertheless, these fan service moments are still pretty sparse. As for the unbelievable elements, just suspend your disbelief even further than you already have to. “If You Want to Fight, Get Stronger!” is a strong episode in that it officially brings Hikari into the ranks of the Brave Witches. Former nemesis Naoe evolves into a friend. Plus, Contact Eye, or the ability to view a Neuroi’s core, gets explained further. This lends insight into the universe or Brave Witches and makes it feel increasingly realistic. I like learning lore, and this was a pleasant touch.