I just now discovered that someone at the Tropes site did a page for Strike Witches. And it's really good. (via comments, found via.)

Among other things, they attempt to retcon the pantslessness. One explanation: the Strike Witches can't wear pants because they get in the way of wearing the Striker Units. And the Strike Witches have become famous and are idolized by girls all over the world, who have started imitating the pantslessness. I don't buy it, but it's a nice try.

It turns out that what I once referred to as "Embracing the Stupid" is known to the Tropes page as "Refuge in Audacity". I dunno; I think I like my name better.

A different observation: they pointed out that the story in Strike Witches is pretty much a replay of the Battle of Britain. I should have realized that; as soon as I read it I kicked myself.

UPDATE: I did not know about this:

Despite being a show about 13-20 year old girls in panties fighting an evil alien threat, many WWII references were made in both moefied and non moefied ways. The example of Erica Hartmann stealing panties was Hitler's hat being taken by Ace Pilot Eric Hartmann.

Posted by: Steven Den Beste in General Anime at 10:47 AM | Comments (8) | Add Comment
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1 "Embracing the Stupid" is not only more accurate but funnier as well.  I've used it not only in the context of entertainment but of real life as well (it works just fine for things like the "Big Three" bailout).  However, the tropes folks seem to be trying for a mock formal sound to their headings, sort of like the episode titles for the Genshiken anime  (eg: "Aspects of Behavioral Selection in Interpersonal Relationships").
Still, I like yours much better and they should concede and replace "Refuge in Audacity" immediately. Never let pride stand in the way of making things better.

Posted by: Toren at December 30, 2008 03:23 PM (j76hy)

2 "Embracing the Stupid" does sound funnier and I think applies better to media tropes (and our times), but at least you should hand it to them for that nice justification.

Posted by: Jaked at December 30, 2008 07:34 PM (9/9Mk)

3 One explanation: the Strike Witches can't wear pants because they get in the way of wearing the Striker Units.

I actually proposed that very thing back in July.  I'm not sure if I should be proud or ashamed that I put that much thought into it.

Posted by: Wonderduck at December 30, 2008 07:49 PM (sh9fy)

4 I like "Embracing the Stupid" myself. Is there a way to suggest the title of the trope be changed to that? If not, it does remind me of Weird Al Yankovic's "Dare To Be Stupid".

Posted by: TheBigN at December 30, 2008 08:36 PM (PTFfr)

5 I don't really think so because the name of the trope is also its URL, and they cross link a lot. You'd have to find all the places that used the old name and change them. Sounds like a hassle. Probably not worth it.

Posted by: Steven Den Beste at December 30, 2008 09:23 PM (+rSRq)

6 There is a way to do it with redirects, but I don't know how.

Posted by: metaphysician at December 30, 2008 10:17 PM (h4nEy)

7 There are two or three ways to do that, but none of them would fix the visual mismatch between the linking text and the page being linked to.

Posted by: Steven Den Beste at December 30, 2008 11:38 PM (+rSRq)

8 Well, I think you can edit the page  to make it say "a.k.a. 'Embracing the Stupid'" if you want.

Posted by: Jaked at December 31, 2008 06:10 AM (N6Jlz)

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