A JSDF command which took the far-sighted measure of hiring Strike Witches creator Shimada Fumikane to create mascot characters for its army, navy and air force recruiting efforts is reporting huge success.
Okayama prefecture JSDF forces hired Shimada Fumikane (who happens to reside in the prefecture) to design the girls in the summer.
The “three moe girls” now feature on pamphlets, a calender and the official site of the command in question, and the military reports running out of materials at many of the events they were distributed at, with patriotic volunteers even approaching them for more art.
90,000 postcards and 6,500 calenders later, the forces claim volunteers in their prefecture have increased “20%.”
The base is however silent as to just how many of these eager souls go on to actually join up (Japan’s tiny military tends to be oversubscribed), or for that matter are top recruiting material, but Strike Witches fans could not be happier…
Helma, is that you??? Why are you in the JASDF?
when is japan going to stop kidding us with the moe army stuff and start building gundams and zakus?
When will YOU stop believing in fantasies?
As much as i like the idea, I think the new threat China has posed lately has done more to help revive some patriotism in Japan and thus boost recruitment rather than the mascots.
All part of the current effort to revive Japanese imperialism. KanColle, Arpeggio, Girls und Panzer — all are getting funded because old rightists with money want to return to the “good old days,” and young men love girls and guns. Remember, this didn’t work out so well in the end last time.
The Nationalists don’t have imperialist desires. They wish to increase the military because of (a)the threat from China (and the suspicion that the US would back down in a confrontation), (b) they find it shameful that Japan can give so little aid when called upon by their allies (when the US asked for aid in the Middle East, Japan could only send a token force), and (c) because they would like to see military service raised to an honorable position when most Japanese consider it a dumping ground for those who can’t make it in the business world.
It’s hilarious to see the seventh pic of the air force moe girl & her short dress while there’s a Army woman strolling in the background w/ a dress crossing her Knees!