Magical Girl Stoical Testarossa A’s

A few commenters in my post on the first season of Nanoha said that they preferred A's. It's not hard to see why as A's ramps up the shounen battles while preserving major elements of the previous season such as the absence of evil (the Book of Darkness' defence program doesn't have the capacity to exercise moral choice so I don't consider it to be evil), the protagonists trying to befriend their opponents (through combat!), the theme of loneliness and how power doesn't necessarily corrupt when wielded by the lolicious innocent.

While I enjoy shounen fighting, the thing I enjoyed most about the first season was the tension in Nanoha's relentless pursuit of Fate. Would have really liked to see their relationship developed more but, given the focused direction on fighting action in the 13 episodes, I was pretty satisfied with whatever yurilicious crumbs were offered. Mad thanks to Kurogane for highlighting the manga which really helped to flesh out the A's anime. That it made more of the Nanoha x Fate angle was also good. LOL

Fate was sooo gallant when she came to Nanoha's rescue, fulfilling her promise in the last episode of the first season when she said that the next time, she would be the one to save Nanoha.

Also loved how some plot devices were woven into the girls' relationship. If the Asura was already fitted with the Arc en Ciel, there wouldn't be any excuse for Fate to live just a stone's throw from Nanoha's house.

Or for her to attend school with Nanoha. Always like how they give each other just slightly hesitant yet meaningful looks, elements of seeking the other's approval as well as a conscious savouring of the moment of happiness.

OMG! Suzuka-chan and Arisa-chan have found out about our secret cosplay dates!

I also liked how the OP and EDs seemed to be Fate and Nanoha serenading each other respectively. Especially in 'Spiritual Garden' where Yukari Tamura was singing with her Nanoha voice; the ending frame above clearly indicates that 'my love' in the lyrics are addressed to Fate. The only thing that the art doesn't do to pile on the implications are the absence of lilies but, otherwise, the metaphor of the secret garden is a venerable one that Shizuma's surname (Hanazono) pays homage to and is also referred to the MariMite narrative lead-in ("Lilian Girls' School is a garden for maidens...") How the sudden blooming of the flowers around the postcard reminded me of Crimson Climax probably wasn't intended though. LOL

Although Amy teases Yuuno about Nanoha and there's a simmering rivalry between him and Chrono, there's even less development between the two boys and Nanoha than between her and Fate. I agree completely with Chrono (in Ch 7 of the manga) that Yuuno is merely Nanoha's familiar. On the other hand, Chrono is more like Nanoha's benefactor (in that he's in her good books because he looks after Fate) than potential boyfriend.

I was really surprised to learn from the manga that Nanoha is clumsy with sports (probably an impression I got from CCS that magical girls should at least be athletic but Raging/Raising Heart is probably a major factor in her improved mobility).

Hayate is really cute too. I like the design of her battle costume the most of the three girls as it's a good balance and has got armour plating. Nanoha's is a bit too prudish while Fate's is just made for sin. The kansai accent was a bit of a distraction though - there were times when I couldn't help thinking that she sounded like just a teensy bit like Osaka. Which then spilt over into thinking of Signum paralleling Sakaki, Vita paralleling Chiyo, Shamal paralleling Yomi (Eruru reference ROTF), Zafira paralleling Kagura, Reinforce paralleling berserker Tomo. As the stream of consciousness ran on, drawing on together the Mobile Student Osaka parody and the current Sea Slug Team banner, I can sooo imagine Kabitzin piloting that particular Gundam. LOL

The designs for Signum and Vita were also great. Former has got great poses for her hormat senjatah (salute with arms) and the snake form of Levantine is a favourite of mine though it could have been better animated (cf. Shizuru Fujino). As for the latter, really liked how her very gruff voice and manner contrasted starkly with her cute reluctance to show her desire to be mommy-ed by Hayate; a dichotomy that is nicely shown by the mix of cute and not-so-cute (eyes) in her bunny motif. There's some fanart about a Signum x Fate pairing but I tend to think of it as just friendly rivalry by battle maniacs that appreciate that aspect in each other.

Zyl: So you looking forward to StrikerS?
Stripey: Dun like their new uniforms. And they took out the two things that make the series special.
Zyl: Like what?
Stripey: The leads are loli.
Zyl: And second?
Stripey: They are loli.
Zyl: Section 376.
Stripey: And Fate will call Chrono "nii-san"! I think they will make a good pair.
Zyl: Dream on, man. Not Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha D.C. u noe. FATE X NANOHA FTW!

Related posts:

1. Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS 4
2. Magical Girl Nanoha StrikerS 1
3. Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha A’s