Genres

Strike Witches takes place in a world similar to Earth, but where magic exists. Magic abilities appear almost exclusively among young women, and usually disappears with age. However, these abilities are generally limited to raising a simple protective magic field, or moving objects slightly at a distance, or for some, flying on a broom. Then, in the 16th and 17 centuries, humanity entered into an age of discovery, highlighted by the Britannian witch Jamie Watt's invention of the magic engine, a steam-powered mechanical device which could boost a witch's natural magic powers several times over, which could then be used to drive all types of machinery. The magic engine was soon put to use in all forms of industry and transport, increasing production to levels previously thought impossible.

However, together with this huge increase in magic usage, sightings of the Neuroi, enigmatic lifeforms which had been spotted on scarce occasions for centuries, also began to increase exponentially. Appearing in countries all over the world, the Neuroi spread a noxious miasma, putrefying the land and consuming all types of metals, and they began encroaching on human territory. Normal soldiers could do nothing against that miasma, and humanity was on its last legs, with no choice but to retreat time and time again. It was then that it was discovered that a witch's protective field could block the miasma, and with the power of a magic engine, witches joined the battlefield. With the ability to easily wield weapons which would normally be far too heavy, imbue their attacks with magic, fly through the air freely, and block enemy attacks with magic fields, witches began to turn the tide against the Neuroi invasion. These witches, together with the Striker Units they wore, were known as "Strike Witches".

In 1939, as the European mainland faced the crisis of a Neuroi invasion of unprecedented scale, Imperial Army and Navy Witches from the far off Fuso Empire were sent to the battlefield as volunteer soldiers. One such Imperial Army Witch, Anabuki Tomoko, an ace and hero to the people after her outstanding service during the Neuroi raid known as the "Fuso Sea Incident", had been expecting to be sent to Karlsland, where the heaviest fighting was going on. However, she was instead deployed to the northernmost extreme of Europe, Suomus. There she meets the rest of her future fellow squadron members, none of whom had ever made a name for themselves in their former countries, instead being treated nearly like outcasts, half-baked witches without any talent or motivation. It's now up to the "Misfits Squadron", or officially the "Suomus Independent Volunteer Air Squadron", to find out how they can stand up to the Neuroi menace.

(Source: Baka-Tsuki)

Fifteen years ago, those living in Outer Space went to war with people still on Earth. During the battles of the 7th Space War, it was found that certain human beings had mysterious arcane abilities, powers of the mind to control and forsee. These gifted people were called Newtypes. They were valuable to both sides of the war; the Earth Federation designed the Flash System which allowed a Newtype pilot to control a horde of unmanned MS, called Bit-Mobile Suits.This was an effective weapon, but sacrificed the lives of many Newtypes.

Space fought back for principal, believing the effect of living in Space heightened every human ability and eventually created the prized power of a Newtype, who was not something to use as a tool for war. But in the end, mankind was its own downfall. During the final battle, the Space Revolution Army (SRA) crashed numerous colonies into the planet Earth, with a devastating effect.

Millions died as a result of the colony drop. Those that were fortunate enough to find refuge in a Shelter were both blessed and cursed; they wouldn't see the sun again for four years. The rest that made it through had to endure and suffer with living on a ruined planet, plagued by an endless winter and an ever-changing, chaotic atmosphere. With that, the war had ended. For now. But everyone who continued to live on was possessed by that tragic war, and the word "Newtype"...

The year is After War 0015, and life on Earth is finally on its way to creating a more perfect world, except for the ruthless mercenaries who use mobile suits to make a living raiding; called Vultures, some of these people are merely chasing money, while others are running from the past. Enter 15 year old Garrod Ran, an orphan of the war. He is a lively and friendly boy who is trying to survive in the wake of the war, living off his daring-do's and knowledge of MS. Because of this, Garrod is hired to rescue a kidnapped girl from a Vulture ship, called the Freeden, and its stoic captain, Jamil Neate.

But Garrod soon finds out that this job is entirely not what it seems; that the girl, Tiffa Adill, is actually a powerful Newtype, able to dream the future. And when Tiffa shows Garrod the Gundam X, Garrod can do nothing but bear witness to the suddenly changing times. He may learn that people's true intentions run far deeper, and that the Vultures and Captain Jamil Neate are their only hope for surviving the coming age, and the birth of the New Earth Federation.

Must mankind repeat the tragic mistake of the past?

Having supposed to have sank after a desperate battle, Aircraft Carrier Zuikaku opens her eyes to discover that she has become one of the young girls known as 'Ship-girls.' Having becoming one of the 'ship-girls' possessed with the powers and memories of the War of the Past, Zuikaku and her elder sister Shoukaku reunite, and through the man known as the Admiral, she comes to terms with the existence of humanity's enemy: the Abyssal Ships. She resolves to protect this world that is so similar to that of her memories and embarks once more onto the battlefield—and must experience and confront the implications of her own cruel fate.

(Source: Baka-Tsuki)

Included one-shots: In the Grinder, Umi no Rikuwashi, 8-gatsu 19-nichi no Sensou

Hiroyaki Kuze, part of the Ground JDSF, was assigned to the fleet of JDSF ships being sent as reinforcements to a UN mission. The flagship of the fleet is the Aegis-class Destroyer Ibuki. However, on their way a girl with wings transported their fleet to another world—a fantasy world of swords and magic...

(Source: Baka-Tsuki)

Included one-shot:
Volume 2: Sensuikan Igou X (Submarine I-X)

The story of Gundam F91 revolves around teenage space colonist Seabook Arno, his friend Cecily Fairchild, and the efforts of the Cross Bone Vanguard militia, led by Cecily's grandfather Meitzer Ronah, to establish an aristocracy known as "Cosmo Babylonia."

In keeping with Gundam tradition, the civilian Seabook is forced by circumstance to pilot the F91 Gundam, coincidentally designed in part by his estranged mother, Dr. Monica Arno.

(Source: Wikipedia)

An anthology comic of Heavy Object by various mangaka.

A young man has left Tokyo for Istanbul to meet his mother and find his long-lost father. But instead, he finds that he's fallen headlong into somebody else's rebellion!

Jiro Manabe hasn't seen his parents since he was a child. He doesn't know what to expect, except that his mother is Turkish and his Japanese father mysteriously disappeared when he was almost too young to remember. When a stranger appears who can take Jiro to his mother, the mysteries that Jiro has come to solve only grow deeper. Is a drug-addled belly dancer Jiro's mother? Why and where did Jiro's father go? And perhaps most importantly, why are army troops trying to gun them down?

(Source: Dark Horse)

The end of 1943. Shirakawa, a fighter pilot who fought in various parts of the world, finally returned to Tokyo. He has just been transferred to the Imperial Army Air Test Center. After a long absence, Shirakawa tries to resume his family life with his wife Mariko.

(Source: Éditions Delcourt, translated)

Lipton joins the Second Kukulcan Corps. He longs to ride the Kukulcan in the sky with his fellow Kukulcan airmen, while unifying with these other soldiers in slightly lecherous behavior during this youthful story. And while the Kukulcan Corps are an all-male society, Lipton learns that the soldier he bunks with, Tsubasa Chino, is actually a woman? This flying fantasy love comedy could actually become a romance manga!

(Source: Beaglee Inc.)

The day another world erodes Tokyo, the capital becomes a battlefield. Where is the limit of battle?

(Source: Kadokawa, translated)

A collection of stories centered around Azur Lane.

"Tokyo Mercenary Soldiers Co., LTD." This is a private military company that cracks down on the violent criminals who are infest Tokyo. An eye for an eye. A tooth for a tooth. A supernatural ability for a supernatural ability. Supernatural investigation battles to open a new era, begin!

(Source: Kodansha, translated)