News
Idol Witches Anime Project Reveals New Luminous Witches Title, 2 More Characters
posted on by Crystalyn Hodgkins
The official website of the World Witches franchise revealed more details about the Ongakutai Witches (Idol Witches, temporary title) television anime project on Saturday. The anime's full title is Renmei Kūgun Kōkū Mahō Ongakutai Luminous Witches (Allied Air Force Magical Idols Luminous Witches).
The website also revealed two more characters: (Note: name spellings are not confirmed)
Aira Payvikki Linnamar, nickname Aira, 16 years old. Her familiar is an arctic wolf, and she sings vocals. She is the idol group's sole ace Witch who left the front to join the group after a certain incident. She is close friends with Elly.
Eleonore Giovanna Gassion, nickname Elly, 16 years old. Her familiar is a house cat, and she sings vocals. She's the type who can't leave others alone if they're in trouble, and her speech and conduct is very frank. She can talk to cats.
The anime will premiere in 2021. The story centers on a unique squadron of "Witches who don't fight." Instead, the squadron sing and perform music to protect the smiles of those who have been driven out of their hometowns by the Neuroi.
Humikane Shimada drew the character designs for the new Witches. Shimada and Projekt World Witches are credited with the original work. Shouji Saeki (episode director and scriptwriter for Strike Witches and Strike Witches 2) directing the anime and handling the series composition. Shinya Murakami is credited for the "Witches series literature." Kadokawa is producing the music.
The cast for the previously revealed witches includes: (Cast and character name spellings are not confirmed, from left to right in image above)
- Ami Aimoto as Lyudmila Andreyevna Rouslanova
- Mai Narumi as Virginia Robertson
- Minako Hosogawa as Inori Shibuya
An idol group based on the new project will debut in 2019.
The overall franchise's story centers on an alien invasion by beings known as the Neuroi. The only way to damage and ultimately defeat them lies in Witches, girls who possess magical powers and are capable of wielding Striker Units that enhance their abilities and allow them to maneuver in the air. The characters in the franchise are often based on real-life aerial aces from various nationalities.
The series is based on illustrator Humikane Shimada's mecha-girl illustrations, and Shimada is credited as the original creator and character designer for the franchise. The mixed-media franchise began with a manga in 2005, and a light novel series in 2006, both of which focus on different characters from the eventual Strike Witches anime. The anime premiered in 2008, and it spawned a sequel, a film, and an OVA series. The franchise also spawned the Brave Witches anime in October 2016, as well as numerous spinoff manga, novels, and games.
The new World Witches Series 501 Butai Hasshinshimasu! TV and online anime series will premiere in 2019, and the Strike Witches: Road to Berlin TV anime will premiere in 2020.
