hontou ni » Nanoha StrikerS

The Disappearance of Nanoha Takamachi's Eyebags

Zyl — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 23:20:12 +0000

Left image from yesy fansubs and right image from Taedium's DVD rip. I really appreciate that yesy has completed the subbing of StrikerS especially doing their best within the constraints of the lower-than-usual quality of the raws too. The latter (right, from the DVD rip) is definitely brighter, sharper, and better looking - makes the DVDs better VFM. But as the title of the post suggests, I'm a bitty bit upset by the cleaning up of one detail which made me go OMG! in the first time round.

Upskirt.

Shoulder shrink.

Thumbnail and blood trail.

Round and round the mulberry bush~

At first, it was quite shocking to see Nanoha looking so physically weary but I really liked it as it matched Yukari Tamura's excellent voice acting and made Nanoha both more human (by showing her as obviously being emotionally vulnerable - which Vivo later brought out well) as well as bringing out her White Devil Instructor mode. This was easily my second most favouritest scene in StrikerS (the top spot being held by Ep 25's BLASTER THREE DIVINE BUSTER ownage of Quattro).

I think the original depiction was more powerful, though you could call it blatant, but it seems that Japanese fandom responded well to it too - see, for example, Chanomi's take which has the punchline of: 'No, waitaminute, why the second shot...?'

Bring back, oh bring back, oh bring back the eyebags for meeeeee! :3

Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS 26

Zyl — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 04:41:57 +0000

Let's just say that I'm sure Erio isn't using only his arms to hold Fate up.

Run away! Run away!

The Forwards rescue their Captains. Which I think is a great way to make them useful since they'd be a hindrance at best in a S+ and above fire fight. I suppose many will be disappointed that there isn't some kind of climatic battle with a Big Bad Boss in the last episode but then again in MSLN and A's, the bosses were dealt with in the penultimate episodes too and the final episodes were also used a wrap-up and forward to the future glimpsing.

Also being able to carry out your exit strategy is one of the most important parts of a battle. Otherwise Chrono would probably have been forced to do to Nanoha and Hayate what Gil Graham was forced to do to his dad (i.e. blast the latter's ship with Arc en Ciel after it had been taken over by the Book of Darkness).

Fans who wanted a repeat of A's probably also complained about how there was a lot of training in StrikerS made it boring or slow but Owen S has given a great defence of this. I agree that the training helped build up the characterization of the new cast. Furthermore, Erica has succintly pinpointed how the training made the powering-up believable and well deserved, a good balance between natural talent and the hard work to realize that talent (which was also the things that made Angelic Layer and Hikaru no Go enjoyable).

Despite her obvious bustiness and Becky voice, I still can't but think of Subura as a dude. Even after 26 episodes. -_-;;

When the motorcycle first appeared, Subaru mentioned that she often took rides with Teana when they were in basic training. Teana, you are a genius. What a great way to cuddle up to Subaru without making your desire all too obvious. Of course, it helps that Subaru is kinda duh about these things.

Sure that Teana doesn't mind but would prefer a cosier way of sleeping together. LOL

I was going to bitch about how the villians weren't very good because for heros to look good, they have to have worthy opponents but after a bit of reflection, my main problem was that there were too many of them and I couldn't even remember all of their names. The Doctor was a believable product of Al Hazard and showed the Three Test Tubes and Regius that Unlimited Desire cannot be contained, poetic justice with them being hoist by their own petards and demonstrating how the road to hell is paved with good intentions, the ends does not justify the means blah blah.

[Add: BTW as Erica has pointed out, the Doctor getting his combat cyborg to carry his Mini-Mes in their wombs was really really creepy. Definitely the mark of a really twisted villian. Just wait till the girls file multiple child support lawsuits for the smackdown!]

Comparing the structure of the good vs bad guys of the three seasons, in MLNS, there's the Real Baddy (Precia) and the Baddy Who Is Not Really Bad Who Gets Befriended (Fate). We get some of this structure again in A's with The Book of Darkness Defence Program and Hayate's Knights respectively. There wasn't much real befriending (other than Raising Heart style) in StrikerS other than Caro and Erio with Lutecia but I think that's appropriate because the previous two seasons were about 9 year olds whereas everyone else is older and less innocent.

Of course, there was also Agito and Signum becoming friends. I especially liked it how Signum felt Agito's warm heart during unison and how an initially very hostile Agito acknowledged her new partnership by calling out Signum's name clearly (again, another theme from the first two seasons where acknowledging the other's name is a defining step in starting the friendship properly).

I would also be really interested to find out more about the background behind Vice's friendship with Signum. Vice seems to have mentioned to Tiia that he's known Signum-neesan for quite a while. It's probably being covered in those MEGAMI-attached comics or the Sound Stages so would be grateful if anyone who knows could point that out to me.

I agree completely with Kurogane that Signum-neesan needs MOAR screentime. I would love to see a Tessa OVA-style about 'A Day of the Life of Lieutenant Signum at the TSAB' especially if she has a huge Shizuruesque crowd of fangirls who squeal 'Signum-oneesama~~~' whereever she goes. LOL

Looks like everyone is progressing along their desired Routes Of Advancement. But if I ever get to the position of being TSAB Test Tube, I will decree that Tsunderes Must Have Twin Tails as part of the uniform code. Teana, why has thou forsaken us? Unless of course she's already confessed to Subaru (before their postings separated them) and is no longer tsundere. Heh heh.

Ah well, the return of Ferret-kun. Too bad you're not a co-parent to Vivio, just an uncle-type person. Aroduc clearly dislikes Vivio but I think Vivio is BRILLIANT because of how she has brought us the beautiful sight of Nanoha-mama AND Feito-mama FTW.

Vivio has also managed the not inconsiderable achievement of cheering up Nanoha and then encouraging Fate. She's got some good instincts. Can't really say the same about Nanoha who seems to be a bit duh about these things - e.g. Fate chiding her for her overly tough love for Vivio after her fall (which was then brought back in full force after Vivio tries to stand after taking a full unlimited Starlight Breaker) and also Fate explaining to Nanoha why Vivio was feeling anxious when Nanoha was leaving for her duties at Land Forces HQ. Poor FEITO, I just get the feeling that she herself is at the receiving end of a lot of Nanoha's duhness. Thus I agree with Kurogane that Constantly Cutely Fretting Fate is more uke while Nanoha is more seme in their relationship.

My motivation for watching StrikerS, other than to see MOAR Signum coolness, was Nanoha x Fate. There were a few moments when my faith was shaken, especially at the start. But then they moved in together and even share a big bed. And had a tearful cuddle on the rooftop (courtesy of Vivio's kidnapping). But for me, the definitive 'proof' (ambiguous as always) was how Mary seemed to assume that Nanoha and Fate were already a couple and had taken the next step of (biologically) having a kid together.

In conclusion, StrikerS has left me a happy Zaku. Bring on a Signum OVA please!

Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS 22-25

Zyl — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 23:22:03 +0000

Fate's many faces of consternation.

I was quite shocked at how easily Fate got trapped. Though it wasn't as bad as Vita getting stabbed through the chest from behind or Teana being injured, out-numbered and cornered, it was still pretty bad and unexpected. Mainly because she's FEITO, you wouldn't expect her to be so beat down.

And then there's not much about Fate in Ep 23 and it's only in Ep 24 when she has her mind battle with the Doctor and revisits her trauma of not being loved by Precia. I'm not sure how much of Freudian psychology is applicable to women but the Doctor was able to use Fate's mom fixation to break her down mentally, even managing to depict her love and compassion for Erio and Caro as a twisted reaction that still ultimately perpetuates Precia's behaviour towards her but now through Fate herself.

Damn, that was one hell of a guilt trip. Then again, it might have been worse if the Doctor told her that Nanoha only loved her for her hot loli body, is no longer interested and is going to marry Yuuno. orz

Fortunately for Fate and her fans, her kids use the Free Will Defence to get her out of funk. Much delight too as she changes into her New Skimpy Sonic Form with twin Riot Zamber blades.

I LOL'ed and then cheered when Fate delivered the smackdown on the evildoers. There was almost a thong flash after she batted the Doctor with the flat of Bardiche Zamber. 0_0

FULL THROTTLE. I've been amazed at how much Teana has grown as a character. She was an annoying brat and I cheered when Signum gave her the Fist but now I'm in admiration of how, despite being the Forward with the least powerful and/or special magic, she took down three Numbers on her own. I guess being the most intelligent of the four newbies also helped tremendously. The Mai Nakahara voicing helped too.

I was almost waiting for the captured Number to see through Teana's spiel about how she knows a combat cyborg who can laugh and love and accuse Teana of having feelings for Subaru and then Tiia going all tsundere. LOL

Very nice to see Shamal and Zafira get the better of Otto. Would have been even better if we had a StrikerS Nano!-esque scene with Shamal then forcing Otto into various kinds of cosplay while Zafira looks on, thinking that it's better the Number than him having to undergo the Pet Dog Treatment again.

I may disagree with your inter-dimensional crimes, but I will defend to the death your right to mis-attribute this quote to Voltaire.

Of course, Nanoha shows how She The Ultimate Weapon is. Also nice to know that Arf has been getting babysitting experience by looking after Chrono and Amy's twins. Definitely part of FEITO's plans to ensure that they can still enjoy hot dates after Vivio joins the matrimonial home.

Putting her foot down.

Sometimes the light at the end of the tunnel isn't the exit, it could be a train coming towards you. Or a Blaster Three Divine Buster.

I was cheering when Nanoha's Wide Area Search found Quattro, the Number Four realizing that she's in deep shit and then going down to a Divine Buster with a scream of "IYAAAA~~~" She was easily the most unlikeable of the combat cyborgs, mainly because of how smug she was and derisive towards even her fellow Numbers. Such a marvellous scene, I rewatched it quite a few times. Though not nearly as many times as the Lucky Star cheer-dance.

Being the sort of person who saves his strawberry until the end of his shortcake, it's time to sing the praises of Signum-neesan who finally gets more screentime. Her coily attack getting owned by Zest/Agito was a bit of surprise because she's also an S rank, though unison with Rein does have the benefit of not flashing her panties (what colour after unison?) as she plummets to the ground.

Agito's also had the hots for Signum ever since she saw Levantein go into demonic fiery sword mode. Neat foreshadowing of the Signum x Agito unison in the final episode.

Lots of inevitable jokes about Signum letting her hair down but I don't care, Signum-neesan is AWESOME. It was a good fight; rather neat ending for Zest because he was dying anyway and Signum's the most worthy warrior he's met thusfar and so the most suitable person to end his life. Did I mention that Signum is awesome?

I enjoyed the final episode too. But am waiting for a better raw before I post on it.