hontou ni
16Feb/0618

Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha A’s

Throw the cast of CardCaptor Sakura into a Final Fantasy movie with truckloads of flashy transmutations circles and you'll essentially get Magical girl Lyrical Nanoha A's; an entertaining duality of sweet innocence and wicked action.

Nanoha is a very neat package. For 13 eps, it bundles a coherent plot, mind-blowing action, pre-teen drama and a whole slew kawaii characters ranging from the lolicious (less than 9 years old) to the babelicious (20+). Personally I thought Nanoha's strength lay in her superb execution/balance of these various story elements. Not only is it a good mix (many poignant moments infused into frantic fighting), the scenes themselves are also very well executed treats with the action sequences, heart-stopping or the emotional parts, touching.

In story department, Nanoha hosts a simple tale and despite introducing a pantheon of new characters, it keeps good pace to finish off as strongly as it started. I was really glad that an entire ep was devoted to closing the series as opposed to most other action series that jam-packs their finale with epic battles only to hastily show floating helmets for their parting gift. There were also a few minor twists which were rather pleasant surprises and certainly added flavour to the story.

Action is the other major plus of Nanoha. The battles are fast/furious and occurs with a frequency that will shame Mai Otome. (Yes, there is more fighting in the final 3 eps of Nanoha than 18 eps of Otome put together) Breathtaking visual treats are these action sequences with Gundam styled mega-explosions and beautiful weapon upgrades (sprinkled with a generous dose of Engrish I might add). It probably also stands out since it features 9 year olds employing stylish battle stances with Final Fantasy flair and wielding ridiculous amount of firepower that would have sent Shinn Asuka whimpering in Lunamaria's arms. Yet throughout the raw brutal fights, they carry the demeanor of demure, sweet, innocent schoolgirls. A brilliant meld of sugar and power.

The character department is probably the weakest link of the series since their development though somewhat sufficient wasn't deep. However, Nanoha does have a lot to deliver in just 13 eps thus the slightly diminished character emphasis is understandable. It does however makes up for it with excellent character designs which makes so many of them adorable.. (For one, I was really smitten with Book of Darkness’s personification.)

Magical girl Lyrical Nanoha is a high quality production that masterfully blends elements of the saccharine mahou shoujo with cool shounen action. If you are of a pure heart and think nothing of naked pre-teen henshin sequences and the occasional tentacle monster, then Nanoha is perfect for finding the mahou shoujo in you. Highly recommended.

*screenies from ep 1

Related posts:

  1. Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS 4
  2. Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS 3
  3. Magical Girl Nanoha StrikerS 1

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Comments (18) Trackbacks (1)
  1. Kurogane
    February 17th, 2006 - 00:44

    The Nanoha series wins. At it’s heyday, I was camping in front of Tokyotosho and WinNY to get the latest raws, and I assure you, I’m damn lucky it was aired on Sunday’s….. if not, I’d have been in big trouble for class :P .

    I’m clamouring for a third season of Nanoha-tachi, even if they got delolified :P . Hayate-chan suki~~~

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  2. Stripey
    February 17th, 2006 - 00:56

    I would LOVE a 3rd installment since I prefer 15 yr olds to 9 yr olds ! I can identify with your addiction! I finished Nanoha in 2 sittings and am VERY thankful I only started after the series was complete :P

    Oh yes, Hayate’s hot too.. She reminds me a lot of Yamase of Maburaho whom I loved. Her henshin sequence was fantastically rendered. In fact, I thought she and Fate stole the show, despite the series being named after Nanoha :)

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  3. Kurogane
    February 17th, 2006 - 04:20

    Seriously, both of them do, though I prefer Hayate more over Fayt for now :) . Ueda Kana 4TW.

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  4. vexx
    February 17th, 2006 - 21:38

    I’m not a fan of magical girl shows in general …. this one knocks my socks off. The special effects, the music, the storyline of both seasons (wow… torture in a “kid’s show”) …. and all in a modest budgeted animation series. I have the OST of the original series and some of the music rivals that of Star Trek, Star Wars, or Warcraft… well constructed mood creation.

    The first two episodes .. the fight scenes explode … you really believe these people are trying to kill each other.

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  5. Stripey
    February 19th, 2006 - 09:10

    Kurogane: I also would like to see the new Reinforce in action… kawaii! :) and… OMG! I just checked out Ueda Kana san… to just realise that she’s Tohsaka Rin and Kohaku too! truly…. Ueda Kana FTW!
    vexx: Yeah in fact I found season 1 more disturbing with the whipping…. The music is one of its greatest strengths indeed! Thanks for reminding me about it. :) It really psyches us up during the battles! I think it’s the music that gives it the Final Fantasy feel, even more so than the furious action.. :)

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  6. crimson
    February 19th, 2006 - 09:39

    sounds like a neat series. I should get it soon :P

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  7. Stripey
    February 19th, 2006 - 09:52

    Pls do Crimson. I believe you will enjoy it :) Try to catch Season 1 first though :)

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  8. crimson
    February 19th, 2006 - 19:17

    there’s a season one?
    i thought lyrical is like a standalone 1 series 12 episode package :P

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  9. Stripey
    February 20th, 2006 - 06:09

    Yes there’s season 1 :) It’s good too though I prefer the 2nd :)

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  10. A Nanoha fan
    March 14th, 2006 - 23:55

    About the character department being the weakest link, I would just like to mention that there are also 3 Audio Drama CDs for Nanoha A’s (and 3 other for Nanoha’s first season) called “Sound Stages,” aside from the Soundtrack and Opening and Ending CDs.

    These Sound Stages provide a lot of character development and interaction that is not present in the anime. Of course, you need to know japanese to understand, but even with little knowledge they are easy to understand. They are really fun to listen to. I love the Hayate scenes with her Knights! Vita-chan and Signum fighting = instant win. ;) Sound Stage 03′s audio scenes take place after the final battle, and before the time jump! Be sure to check it out!

    One last thing. There is also a short Nanoha A’s manga (7 chapters) called Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha A’s The Comics, which has even MORE extra scenes and information about our favorite characters. One of the first chapters features Nanoha and tells us how she trains to become a better mage. I was particularly impressed when they showed how Nanoha had to endure the power of Raging Heart, as it drained her magical power with even the slightest movement of her body everyday, and that its incredible how someone her age is able to withstand it. Nanoha, you’re so cool! :D

    Oops, I think I wrote a bit too much. Great review. I pray everyday for us to get a third season! See ya :)

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  11. Stripey
    March 15th, 2006 - 06:05

    Thanks so much for the highlight! :) I will definitely check out the manga. As for the drama CDs, I’m not sure if my primitive Japanese would be sufficient but I’ll give it a shot too. :)

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  12. DrmChsr0
    April 6th, 2006 - 08:39

    Well, for a joke story in a H-game, this turned out pretty well.

    I confess I am a Nanoha fan.

    Nothing like 3 nine-year-old female gradeschoolers turning into highschool hotties.

    I now see the light. Lolis will become hotties. And Vita’s personality sucks.

    I am a convert.

    Also, if you look around the imageboards, there’s an endearing fancomic series that pokes fun at the series. It’s what got me into Nanoha in the first place. Not recommended if you do not want to spoil your impressions of the characters. (Good Lord those Japanese.)

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  13. NikKi
    August 25th, 2006 - 18:18

    A great anime. It’s not like thoes other typical mahou shoujo’s, with the glitter defeating their enimies and such. But high powered beams, detailed magical circles, great animation, mind blowing battles, great music, cute characters, and so much more. I would recommend this to any anime fan.

    I own both seasons. And im looking foward the the 3rd offical season thats going to air in 2007. All characters will be 15. Its going to be great to see a more experienced Nanoha =D

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  14. frozenvoltz
    August 31st, 2006 - 02:40

    true, looking forward to 2007 too. Well different from some though i prefer more sights of nanoha ………….. having quite gotten over it of hayate’s “sudden barge in”………….. Another thing which fans are excited about. TO have a 15 yr old nanoha and co. I am almost 80% sure of that. To add on: “nikki nice timing though, your comment was sent in on my birthday”..

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  15. xflopsyx
    October 19th, 2006 - 15:40

    Where do i get the OST for Mahou shoujo lyrical nanoha and Mahou Shoujo lyrical Nanoha A’s … i was searching for it for a while already….

    ps. new series comming out…Mahou shoujo lyrical nanoha StrikerS

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  16. Kula
    December 15th, 2006 - 23:58

    I esp like Fate! She rocks! Nanoha rocks!!!

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