After everyone in the Music Band squadron learns about Silvie’s true identity, they continue their tour. They are now in Greece as Mana and Maria get the spotlight.
If you can tell, Maria is good at teaching and instructing others, given her serious personality. Apparently, she is in charge of the practice. I find it interesting how Mana’s shield is a different color and bigger than anyone else’s. I find this aspect of Mana enjoyable, given her free-spirited personality. Her different shield color and size make this very obvious, although Maria doesn’t seem amused.
Of course, if it’s not apparent already, the pairings are becoming evident. Aira and Ellie stand out the most, along with Milasha and Aira, but there are others. Last time, it was Silvie and Jo, and now, we have Mana and Maria.
As expected, they are complete opposites, with Mana being free-spirited and Maria being a bit more formal. After all, she wants to revamp the program so the audience won’t become bored. While this will be difficult, I think the payoff is high, although Milasha points out Maria’s inability to fly well.
Still, it’s evident that Mana seems bored and doesn’t like how Maria is always angry. She also wants to practice flying Strikers more, although Maria doesn’t want to. They get into a disagreement as it’s obvious Maria wants to avoid flying, although Maria makes the formations. Mana hits this point home as she insists Maria teach everyone to fly. Maria ends up using her high rank to silence Mana.
During lunch, Mana acts a bit funny. She doesn’t ask for seconds as she usually does as she goes outside. It seems as if they are fighting like couples always do sometimes. Thankfully, Ginny went to Mana to give her food. As expected, Mana complains about Maria sleeping all the time. Most importantly, she seems upset over bringing up the rank. But yes, Ginny points out that Mana likes Maria as she asks about it.
Meanwhile, Maria has her formations approved by Grace as she notices something up. While Maria works on the formations, she realizes how difficult the formations she wants to do and crosses them out. Not too surprising since Maria doesn’t feel confident to do them with her poor flying skills. After all, Maria fell from the sky during practice, and Aira had to save her. Still, it’s sad that Maria crosses out and throws the formations she worked hard on out of the window. Things would be different if she had someone to help her shore up her weaknesses.
While Ginny and Mana show off their shields, they find paper flying. When Mana saws it, she was amazed by the formations and knew that Maria had made for them. Ginny and Mana collected all of them and arrived late at the meeting. Mana showed the formations and complimented Maria. As expected, Maria tears up as she reveals why she threw them out. It’s because she can’t fly well and can’t do something difficult. Maria wanted to aim high, but her inability to fly well with a Striker held her back.
In the end, I feel that Mana did the right thing and helped Maria as they went flying together. After all, if they can combine their strengths, Maria and Mana can pull off those stunts, and they did. Either way, it’s nice to see Mana assure Maria that as long she is with her, it will be okay. I must admit that the moment where they hold hands while the sunset is lovely.
Of course, it seems that Mana taught the girls how to change their shield’s colors. I find it hilarious how Aira struggles at this while others manage to do it. Either way, I wonder if Inori and Ginny will get the spotlight now that all the other pairings got it. We’ll find out next time.
And we have another couple embracing the classic tradition of hyper X (sort of) calm. I wish Mana X María all the best in their future together.
Haven’t watch Strike Witches yet, but it’s good that the pairings are still holding strong. Yes, hopefully Mana and Maria will have a nice future too.