「結成ストライクウィッチーズ」 (Kessei Sutoraiku Uicchizu)
"The Strike Witches Come Together"

(Watashi de Aru Tame ni)
"To Be Who I Am"

Much like the first season, the story breaks away from the laid back pacing and picks up drastically in the final two episodes. Mio's fading powers are one focus, as is the all-out attack on the Neuroi Hive hovering above Venezia airspace. The real surprise? The Yamato has been equipped with a device that transforms it into a Neuroi for the task.

500 overs

Itou Shizuka's a witch! So it turns out that "500 overs" isn't in reference to a huge increase in Erica's kill count, but her one-to-one win-loss ratio against a fellow Karlsland witch back in her Air Force days, Hanna-Justina Marseille.

(Ashita ni Kakeru Hashi)
"The Bridge to Tomorrow"

For a Perrine-centered episode, I wasn't expecting this one to double up as a full-out beach one as well. I'm not complaining though, because when it's in high definition it puts season one's offering to absolute shame.

(Tsubasa wo Kudasai)
"Please Give Me Wings"

We're only at episode eight and AIC Spirits has already opted to cut out the opening in favor of a more movie-like introduction to the long-awaited new Striker Unit. Yoshika's magical abilities have outgrown her A6M Zero, forcing her to upgrade to the J7W1 Shinden, a.k.a. "Magnificent Lightning".

(Mozomozo Suru no)
"It's Squirming About"

Whether intentional or not, there's a lot of mirroring between this sequel and the first season. It's almost like a homage or sorts given the two years in between, with this episode taking a page right out of the seventh episode then.