Luminous Witches

Work In Progress This article is still under construction. It may contain factual errors. See Talk:Luminous Witches for current discussions. Content is subject to change.

Luminous Witches (2022)

Five long years after the Neuroi invaded Europe, with setback after setback and loss after loss, humanity's morale is at an all-time low. Determined to continue doing what she can, retired witch Grace Steward has been attempting to get more funding and resources for the Aviation Magic Band, but is making little progress with the disinterested League of Nations Air Force brass. Not willing to give up on her desire to bring some measure of happiness to the war-weary public, Grace sets out to recruit more members for the Band, which will ultimately number nine in addition to herself; the 72nd Joint Fighter Squadron soon earns the name Luminous Witches, and sets out on a world tour.

With a roster of witches who, for a variety of reasons are unable to serve on the frontlines, Luminous Witches is not as combat-focused as other elements of the World Witches universe. Instead, the 72nd JFS is effectively a combination of air demonstration squadron (akin to the more modern Red Arrows, Blue Angels, or Snowbirds) and USO Tour, entertaining civilian and military audiences alike with aerobatics and music. The story begins in March of 1944 as Virginia Robertson makes her way to London from her home in rural Scotland, having until then lived a simple farming life without real appreciation for her talents as a witch. The Luminous Witches visit many locations not previously featured in the Witches universe, and encounter many new and established characters during their mission to spread happiness through the power of music. For a world map featuring the Luminous Witches' world tour route, see the Talk Page.

Luminous Witches begins the same month as Strike Witches and takes place alongside as well as after that season, then continues parallel the first half of Brave Witches.

For more in-depth explanations of the lore and setting of the World Witches universe, see the first season's page.

Warning: Some descriptions and images are spoilers for the series, read at your own risk.

The following weapons were used in the anime series Luminous Witches:

Pistols

Tokarev TT-33

An Orussian officer at the LNAF meeting is seen with a holster for a Tokarev TT-33; the other officers, all of various nations, presumably have their own service pistols as well. The continued existence of the League of Nations is an excellent example of how much of the turmoil and political unrest of the real world 1920s/30s never came to pass in this universe.

Tokarev TT-33 - 7.62x25mm Tokarev

Grace Steward gives a passionate speech to the brass, which almost entirely falls on deaf ears. The flags on the far wall are those of (top) Liberion, Britannia, Fuso, Romagna, Orussia, Suomus, Gallia, Karlsland, New Zeeland, Dacia, (bottom) Venezia, Belgica, Ostmark, and Hispania. (Ep.1)

Rifles

Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mk III*

The Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mk III* makes two small appearances, more notably in the hands of a Britannian sentry at RAF Heston, as well as what is most likely also an SMLE slung over the shoulder of a Free Gallian soldier in his recently liberated homeland.

Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mk III* - .303 British

A Gallian soldier stands guard in front of a house, the starry sky no longer obscured by a Neuroi hive. (Ep.10)

The sentry with his Lee-Enfield No. 1. The distinctive nosecap and rear sight of the No. 1 can be made out, confirming it's not the later No. 4. (Ep.11)

Machine Guns

Browning M1918A2

In a flashback to Operation Dynamo in 1941, Captain Grace Steward and her two wingmen do what they can to cover the Dunkirk beachhead, armed with BARs. As with all witches, Grace is inspired by a real world military aviator; fitting her role in the story, she's based on actor and B-24 Liberator pilot James "Jimmy" Stewart, who would eventually retire as a brigadier general.

Browning M1918A2 - .30-06 Springfield

M1918A2 design artwork

Grace surveys the beach at Dunkirk, her BAR's flip-up rear sight visible. (Ep.1)

As Neuroi beams cut through the sky, Grace evades in her P-40B Warhawk striker. (Ep.1)

Grace fires back at the geometric invaders, her BAR raining shell casings all around. (Ep.1)

Captain Steward's blue-eyed wingman fires her own BAR, giving an excellent look at its receiver. (Ep.1)

Her purple-eyed wingman returns fire as well. Grace's two wingmen are unfortunately not named, rather unusual for a series with as many characters as World Witches. (Ep.1)

Several Neuroi explode into fragments as the trio maintains formation. (Ep.1)

Another look at the BAR's receiver and rear sight, as Grace orders them to turn for home. (Ep.1)

Her wingmen dejected, Grace promises they'll return to cover the evacuation as many times as possible, until every last soldier is safely out of Gallia. (Ep.1)

Grace's BAR spits fire, its rifling visible in this close-up. (Ep.1)

Shards of one more Neuroi falling past, Grace's BAR clicks empty, and the witches head for Britannia. (Ep.1)