hontou ni
1May/078

Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS transformation BGM

StrikerS 5 is all about the new henshin sequences for Fate, Nanoha, Subaru, Tiia, Erio and Caro - taking up almost 6 minutes (22%) of a 27 minute raw inclusive of 6 mins of lead-in, lead-out and advertisements. Speaking of adverts, just when I thought it was safe not to buy Megami Magazine 85 the GFX-BETA Medium Quality raw had this plug for a lovely Nanoha x Fate 69 poster which I hadn't noticed in the KH-11 recon data via Shingo or the AEW via Kurogane. Was that advert telling porkies? I really want to know because I'm not keen on No.85 but will have to succumb to Megami's evil power for that poster no tameni.

As seen from the headline screencap, I'll be waiting for the HQ version before posting on this episode proper though I am ever grateful for quick release LQ/MQ raws to feed my Nanoha habit this season - my thanks to moyism and GFX-BETA.

On the Nanoha x Fate front, the lines in that screencapped scene between Nanoha ("It's been a while since we've flown in the same sky, Fate-chan.") and Fate ("Un, Nanoha.") had all the qualities described by Mandy. There's a strong sense that their friendship is very stable and strong despite their work taking them to different planets - talk about long distance relationships! (Thankfully without time dilation a la Voices of a Distant Star.) But there's also a wistfulness from the separation - absence makes the heart grow fonder? - which makes this reunion all the more sweeter. And, of course, my twisted mind thought of Freud's Interpretation of Dreams where flying is a metaphor for sex. ;)

Finally, re: the topic line, Fate and Nanoha's henshin BGMs reprised their old scores. I have to say that I LOL'ed at Raising Heart setting up Nanoha's barrier jacket is "Aggressive Mode" - with her fierce eyes just before - it was pure White Devil. Subaru's tune was pure foot-tapping genki goodness. My favourite of the new BGMs too as it encapsulates what I think makes the Nanoha franchise AWESOME, that is, an unabashed cheesiness and shameless appropriation of shounen motifs dressed in shoujo clothes. It cheekily answers the two Cardcaptor Sakura genre disrupting questions of 'Where do the clothes come from?' and 'Where do the transformation poses come from?' with 'Duh, magical technology or something.' and '*Shrug* Who cares as long as it looks cheesy nostalgic cool?' respectively.

The music for Tiia made less of an impression on me. Even though it was pleasant, I couldn't feel anything particular 'Tiia' about it other than sounding 'serious'. What's a good tune for tsundere? ;) Really liked Caro's which had a really grand melody and a lovely, slightly exotic beat from striking what seems to be a bamboo or wooden chime (??). And Erio? Well, as Utamaru might have said: 'He's a boy. Who cares?' I've leave that to the shotacons. ;) Which is also why I've not included his audio extract in the following zipfile [removed] which will stay up for a few days or until my bandwidth's pips start squeaking whichever is earlier.

My favourite audio rip is still probably the Vestige intro from GSD when Kira is about to launch in Strike Freedom for the first time and that's all down to Rie Tanaka's (as Lacus) awesome bridge bunny-type line: "X-2-Oh-A Strike Freedom, hashin dozo!" What command presence her voice has got!

Related posts:

  1. Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS 14
  2. Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS 6
  3. Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS 9

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  1. DKellis
    May 1st, 2007 - 14:10

    I love Subaru’s theme music, but I keep associating it with the time when it played in episode 1, when Subaru was up against the boss training drone, and that Divine Buster/Broken Phantom attack.

    I am incapable of seeing Caro in her Barrier Jacket without thinking “White Mage”. That may be why I had a sort of “magical girl in fantasy anime” feel from her henshin.

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  2. Skane
    May 1st, 2007 - 15:06

    Erio’s BGM is actually my favourite amongst the four. It exudes a very strong sense of self-confidence, and the techno beat befits the fact that Erio has the most “noticeable” Device.

    Subaru’s henshin sequence is just full of GAR. Strange as it may sound. Her sequence is basically one long homage to various “Super Robots” anime, and her “transformation” is a direct adaptation of various robot-transformations. Heck, she even has the “G” gem, which is just missing the “G” on it.

    Caro’s BGM is also very appropriate as she is from a tribe of Dragon-summoners. So the “tribal” feel in her BGM suits her. Speaking of which… Caro was already summoning dragons at the age of six… and apparently a strong one too, which is why she got kicked out of her village… for being too strong. ^^;

    Not much to say about Teana’s one.

    Cheers.

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  3. Hafl
    May 1st, 2007 - 15:27

    All the music are good. But Elio’s is my favorite among them. I also really like Tiana’s, but it feels a little empty without hearing her in the background like in episode 3.

    After seeing Elio’s henshin I thought Caro would be clothed too… I forgot it’s an anime for fanboys.

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  4. Erica Friedman
    May 1st, 2007 - 16:06

    Hah!! I picked up a copy of that very megami. The 69 is broken by the pge, sadly, but i’ll reattach it for internet viewing – and the full poster of the commanders and Forwards is mighty spiffy – and fully clothed, which appeals much more to me.

    I’ll be sure to send you a copy of the pic when I get a chance to scan it in.

    And Tiana’s Henshin – laughably dumb.

    I was also offended on behalf of the sjota fans that we didn’t get Erio in exploding underwear. Where’s the parity here?

    Cheers,

    Erica

    Hungry for Yuri? Have some Okazu: http://okazu.blogspot.com

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  5. Mandy
    May 2nd, 2007 - 06:10

    Wow, first time I’ve ever been mentioned in a blog such as this. *blush*

    Nanoha and Fate kicking butt together made me happy. I wish we could’ve seen more of that, because that was pure badass. Or at least a slightly longer shot of the yellow and pink streaks dancing in the sky together, leaving destruction in their wake. >:D

    I didn’t really notice the BGM’s until you mentioned them. So I went back and re-watched the sequences and wow, the things you miss when you’re caught up in the moment. XD Loved Subaru’s one. Had an energy about it that really suits the girl. Tiia’s was nice, as you said, but definitely lacked the presence that Subaru’s had. Erio’s one made me think “Mama’s boy”. Not in a bad way, but I think it’s sweet how he emulates Fate in many ways. Caro’s BGM was reeeally nice. I’m usually not too into the cutesy loli characters (unless they kick major butt like Nanoha and Fate did in their loli days), but I was captivated by her henshin. As you and others said, very lovely and exotic.

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  6. Ashram
    May 2nd, 2007 - 13:17

    Oh ho! Thanks for the heads up on the extra poster in Megami 85…up until now I was on the fence between passing on this issue, but a third Nanoha poster in one issue made me order it just now.

    Also, is this season the usual 13 eps., or a full-length one? Last I looked I didn’t find any sure answer.

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  7. Stripey
    May 2nd, 2007 - 21:58

    Bro, your order for MEGAMI 85 is standby ready. Just a “setup” from you and I’ll turn you into a mahou shoujo make that call for the evil mag’s reservation.

    YES MY MASTER.

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  8. Zyl
    May 3rd, 2007 - 00:49

    Erica, thanks for the offer. I’ve gotten my grubby little paws on a nice scan already. ;) So the reason it wasn’t flagged by Shingo was because it *isn’t* a poster – it’s a centre illustration for an article instead??

    Ashram, according to ANN, StrikerS is scheduled for 26 episodes.

    Bro, SET UP! (Spare us all the Mahou Oyaji transformation though. :P )

    ( REPLY )

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