Senki Zesshou Symphogear XV

Humanity is finally confronted with the threat of the Custodians—the ancient, sentient species held responsible for cursing humanity to speak different languages thousands of years ago. The Symphogear wielders—Hibiki Tachibana, Tsubasa Kazanari, Chris Yukine, Maria Cadenzavna Eve, Kirika Akatsuki, and Shirabe Tsukuyomi—are sent to the Antarctic in order to retrieve an ancient relic. After securing it and rescuing the scientific staff present there from a Coffin, the automated defense mechanism protecting it, the relic is given to American researchers due to international agreements.

The criminal organization Noble Red, a remnant of the previously fought Bavarian Illuminati, starts targeting the relic. Will the Symphogear wielders and their supporting organization S.O.N.G. be able to foil the plans of the organizations conspiring against them?

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Tachibana, Hibiki Main

Yuuki, Aoi Japanese

Yukine, Chris Main

Takagaki, Ayahi Japanese

Kazanari, Tsubasa Main

Mizuki, Nana Japanese

Akatsuki, Kirika Main

Kayano, Ai Japanese

Cadenzavna Eve, Maria Main

Hikasa, Youko Japanese

Tsukuyomi, Shirabe Main

Nanjou, Yoshino Japanese

Kohinata, Miku Supporting

Iguchi, Yuka Japanese

Malus Dienheim, Carol Supporting

Minase, Inori Japanese

Kazanari, Genjuurou Supporting

Ishikawa, Hideo Japanese

Tûmân, Garie Supporting

Murase, Michiyo Japanese

Morii, Yuusuke Producer

Ono, Katsumi Director, Episode Director, Storyboard

Motoyama, Satoshi Sound Director

Hirano, Hiroki Episode Director, Storyboard

Reviews

Sep 28, 2019

SanaeK10

Recommended

[Note: This is a review that encompasses my feelings towards the entire series including XV]

Meteoroid falling, burning, and disappear, then...
In the distance, that day when the star became music...
Believe in justice and hold a determination to fist.
By shedding many tears, the reality you face is
Create a history, with a light God could not know.

What is Symphogear? For the longest time I've never bothered engaging myself in this franchise. I never understood what is was, and I was naturally repulsed by all things mecha. Now that the series is having its final season and its a dry season, I decided to finally give in and give ... Symphogear a try from the very beginning.

I wondered how have I missed out on the Anime of the Decade all these years.

I honestly didn't know what to expect watching the very first episode knowing absolutely nothing about the franchise. The show toyed with my emotions so much in that opening setpiece. When Kanade bit it I thought would be a grimdark Madoka ripoff ended up being one of the most life-affirming shows out there. A stunning display of idiocy and action that is both charming and captivating. It's confident in its strengths and parades its weaknesses proudly, a show that is both all style and all substance.

But most of all, it's a true roller coaster of emotions, and I don't use that term lightly. I laughed, I cried, I got frustrated at the ineptitude and stupidity of both the characters and the creators, but most of all, I loved. When the curse of Balal fell in place, songs still managed to bridge that gap and connect us all together.

The one emotion the series never fails to deliver is Hype. The surge of adrenaline and endorphins and all those chemicals in your brain whenever something awesome is happening onscreen is a rare treat in most other anime, but a constant occurrence in this series. The hype does occasionally fail to deliver, the heightened expectations can sometimes be too much, but still, when you hear Hibiki scream DATOSHITEMOOOOOO, you know she means business and join her in song.

And those songs are precisely what keeps Symphogear in the minds of many all this while. I'm not an idol anime person, I despise most idol anime and yet. And yet. The moment I hard Gyakko no Flugel for the first time right there on the idol concert, I was enthralled. I knew that regardless of how the series turned out, it would have great music. Covering many genres, the series has a diverse palette of songs ranging from Hibiki's celtic rock to Tsubasa's enka-inspired tracks, there's no shortage of variety. Yes there are songs that don't work well, but the ones that resonate far outweigh the occasional crap Ignite remix or whatever. XV is no exception to this, and, this is a rarity coming from me with regards to this series, but I actually fully enjoyed the OPs AND the EDs this time round.

The plot and story are fairly typical, but they feel like they belong in a JRPG. Every beat you'd expect is there, mini boss, dungeons, rivals, all those stuff. It's not particularly fantastic, but it works well. Not surprising seeing as Kaneko was a JRPG writer.

More specifically for XV, XV is mainly about redemption. Not just about the characters, but also in a meta sense. I certainly have had my gripes with GX and AXZ being particularly weak, but XV comes along and somehow redeems them both in my eyes and I just can't hate them anymore.

Symphogear has to be taken in as a complete package. It truly is more than the sum of its parts. Looking back, yes I can agree on all the flaws (some major) the series has had. Yet in spite of it all, across 7 years and 5 seasons. It's why I ultimately decided in awarding it with one of my rare 9s. Something this special, this inspirational, this long-lasting is truly an experience to behold. For better for worse, it is the definitive anime that represents the 2010s. It may not have ended in the way I wanted, and it may not have that one kiss I was looking for, but it filled the hole in my heart, and with it ending, the gaping wound in my soul may never heal.

Maybe, for now at least, I can say that the series ended with dignity. It wasn't perverted into a zombie franchise like Madoka or Fate, nor did it stumble hard in its final moments and is struggling to reclaim its past glory like Nanoha. It has its shortcomings, but thinking back, the journey to the end has been a satisfying romp throughout.

So what is Symphogear? It is a mecha-mahou shoujo-idol hybrid anime. It is Mizuki Nana's autobiography. It is an anime about fisting. It is 5 seasons and 7 years long and has captivated the hearts of many.

But most importantly, it is Believing in the Song of your Heart.

9/10

Reviewer’s Rating: 9

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Dec 4, 2020

JuneNephthys

Mixed Feelings

Following the panache of thrills and impassioned character-writing in AXZ, Symphogear XV had big shoes to fill. In my opinion, this season is a mixed bag. The beginning still carries in waves of residual oomph from the previous season, but the villains weren't as impactful and some of the plot fell in line with old narrative devices, that were implemented in past seasons. It didn't feel as fresh or inventive, but, it was an impressive feat, nonetheless!

⚠️ This review will have spoilers ⚠️

—Story/Characters

This season starts out with a bang, when a beautifully animated concert-duet between Tsubasa and Maria goes awry! The crowd is mercilessly slaughtered ... and Tsubasa is thrown into a bind, having an intense PTSD episode, remembering how her girlfriend, Kanade, had died in a similar fashion! It doesn't help that the malicious Millaarc has the ability to implant hypnotic suggestions into her victim's psyches!

While AXZ mostly focused on the struggles of Chris, Maria, and Hibiki... XV focuses on Tsubasa and Miku, as the spirit of the deadly artifact, Shem-Ha, takes control of the vulnerable Miku, once again! The grand conclusion to the franchise, starts out really strong! There's a powerful, inciting event that throws Tsubasa, and her relationship with Maria, for a loop; everyone gets lustrous, new transformations; and the build-up for the bad guys, makes it seem like they're the most menacing foes that the girls have had to face... but the velocity of XV's grand finale loses momentum, during the latter half of the series.

I would say, that the show starts losing speed after Tsubasa comes to terms with her family's brainwashing, and accepts her foster father, as her "real" Dad. Throughout the season, there are hints at Tsubasa's struggle with the echelon of power in her family unit. This season really expounds upon that and reveals that Tsubasa's struggle to find validation from her illiberal, Japanese traditionalist of a grandfather... stems from the fact that he's actually her biological father. It seems that to ensure that their bloodline would remain untainted, Genjūrō Kazanari slept with his son's wife, in order to conceive Tsubasa.

There's a nice moment, when Tsubasa's father protects her and she recognizes that it's okay to see someone, who is biologically her "nephew," as her actual parent. It was a sweet moment, even though Tsubasa has struggles with the expectations placed upon her by her grandfather and the subsequent mind control that Millaarc inflicts on her. As for the development with Miku, she feels turmoil, from being the outsider of the group... but in the last few episodes, her and Hibiki are able to vocalize how much they mean to one another.

In this season, the villains and the journey to save Miku were the weakest aspects, by far! The "Custodians" are like the automatons in GX, they are written to be threatening, but any deeper characterization of these antoagonizers is thrown overboard! Speaking of the automatons, the weakest bad guys from Season 3, Carol Malus Dienheim and the gang get brought back, and while the throwback moment is as nice as the shout-out scenes in Fate/stay night: Heaven't Feel... it doesn't really do anything to advance the plot. Everything we needed to know about these four, is already in the archives of GX! Their cameo doesn't really serve a sufficient purpose....

—Technical

Luna's Favorite Works by Each Respective Creator = ✅

Katsumi Ono (director), notable works:
* Beast Saga
* Girly Air Force ✅
* Hataraki Man
* Hypnosis Mic: Division Rap Battle — Rhyme Anima
* Isekai Izakaya: Koto Aitheria no Izakaya Nobu
* Master Mosquiton '99
* Yū☆Gi☆Ō! 5D's
* Yū☆Gi☆Ō! Arc-V

Commentary: Haven't watched many of Mr. Ono's discography, but his choreography in the Symphogear series is awe-inspiring! After the first season, I was unsure of whether I could get attached to any of the characters, but the later seasons are a Herculean fusion of some of the coolest action scenes in "Dragon Ball Z" with sweet, saccharine shōjo-ai! I play the mobile game for "Hypnosis Mic: Division Rap Battle," so now, I'm super stoked to try out the anime adaptation! Brilliant director!

Aoi Yūki as Hibiki Tachibana, notable roles:
* Tōru Ichii, A-Channel
* Nyx Megami, Accel World: Infinite∞Burst ✅
* Yoshiko Hanabatake, Aho Girl ✅
* Riko Mikogami, Anyamai Tantei Kiruminzū
* Tsugumi Aozora, Asobi Asobase ✅
* Hana Oshiroi, Ben-To
* Varel Jin, Blade & Soul
* Kayo Hinazuki, Boku dake ga Inai Machi ("Erased") ✅
* Tsuyu Asui, Boku no Hero Academia ✅
* Akiho Kōsaka, Boku no Kanojo ga Majimesugiru Sho-bitch na Ken ("My Girlfriend is Shobitch")
* Boogiepop and Tōka Miyashita, Boogiepop wa Warawanai (2019) ✅
* Mina Tepes, Dance in the Vampire Bund
* Arisa, Death March kara Hajimaru Isekai Kyōsōkyoku ✅
* Couvert Eschenbach Pastillage, Dog Days
* Tamaki Kotatsu, Enen no Shōbōtai ("Fire Force")
* Victorique de Blois, Gosick ✅
* Mihoshi, Gundam Build Fighters ✅
* Mayoi Ayasato, Gyakuten Saiban: Sono "Shinjitsu", Igi Ari! ("Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney")
* John, Hakumei no Tsubasa
* Konju, Kakumai to Mikochi ✅
* Nodoka Hanadera, Healin' Good PreCure ✅
* Jūbei Yagyū, Hyakka Ryōran: Samurai After
* Korone, Ichiban Ushiro no Daimaō
* Alice Blanche, Ikoku Meiro no Croisée ✅
* Serika Ginyūin, Kanojo ga Flag wo Oraretara ("If Her Flag Breaks")
* Kiriya Ubuyashiki, Kimetsu no Yaiba ✅
* Kino, Kino no Tabi: The Beautiful World
* Tomo Kunagisa, Kubikiri Cycle: Aoiro Savant to Zaregototsukai ("Zaregoto Series") ✅
* Murasaki Kuhōin, Kure-nai
* Giselle Collette, Last Exile: Ginyoku no Fam ("Last Exile: Fam, the Silver Wing") ✅
* Madoka Kaname, Mahō Shōjo Madoka★Magica ✅
* Diane, Nanatsu no Taizai ✅
* Tatsumaki, One Punch Man ✅
* Clementine, Overlord ✅
* Krul Tepes, Owari no Seraph ✅
* Aika Nakamura, Persona 4 the Animation
* Futaba Sakura, Persona 5 the Animation
* Iris, Pokémon ✅
* Maihime Tenkawa, Qualidea Code
* Mélie, Radiant
* Kasumi Midō Barnett, Ragnastrike Angels
* Fremy Speeddraw, Rokka no Yūsha ✅
* Shizuno Takakamo, Saki Achiga-hen: Episode of Side-A ✅
* Shizuno Urushibara, Seiken Tsukai no World Break
* Sunako Kirishiki, Shiki
* Noël Kannagi, So Ra No Wo To
* Toshiko Tatsuno, Soredemo Machi wa Mawatteiru ("And Yet The Town Moves") ✅
* Meme Tatane, Soul Eater NOT!
* Tika Blunche, Star Ocean: Anamnesis
* Kayo Fujikawa, Stella no Mahō
* Yūki Konno, Sword Art Online ✅
* Rino Tanaka, Tanaka-kun wa Itsumo Kedaruge ("Tanaka-kun is Always Listless") ✅
* Claire Cruz, Toaru Hikūshi e no Koiuta ("The Pilot's Love Song")
* Yōmu Konpaku, 東方 Niji Sōsaku Dōjin Anime: Musō Kakyō ✅
* Komachi Hikigaya, Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru. ("My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU") ✅
* Loup, Yakimochi Caprice
* Noa Takigawa, Yamada-kun to 7-nin no Majo ("Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches")
* Tanya Degurechaff, Yōjo Senki ✅
* Inaho Misora, Yōkai Watch
* Ichigo Amano, Yumeiro Pâtissière
* Mitsuko Yurizono, Yuri Kuma Arashi ✅
* Yutori Tanaka, Yutori-chan

Commentary: Ms. Yūki has become a strong amount of magnetism in the industry, even invoking a memorable presence in mobile games like Fate/Grand Order ("Shuten-Dōji") and Azur Lane ("Taiho")! I think that Ms. Yūki strong personality translates well in the case of Hibiki Tachibana, a cute girl that is strong-spirited and has a cosmic punch, that is practically unrivaled! Hibiki reminded me of my best girl in Girls und Panzer ("Miho Nishizumi") and for the most part, tries to her best to keep the peace. Aoi Yūki did a wonderful job at making her cute, charming, relatable, and a fighter! Excellent seiyū!

Nana Mizuki as Tsubasa Kazanari, notable roles:
* Nanase Kotobuki, "Bungaku Shōjo"
* Allison Whittington and Lillianne Aicasia Corazón Whittington-Schultz, Allison to Lillia
* Akiko, Aoi Bungaku Series
* Oboro Iga, Basilisk
* Kururu, Binzume Yōsei
* Saya Kisaragi, Blood-C
* Angelise Ikaruga Misurugi, Cross Ange: Tenshi to Ryū no Rondo
* Misaki Kirihara, Darker Than Black: Kuro no Keiyakusha
* Nanami Takatsuki and Ricotta Elmar, Dog Days
* Hannah, Dragon's Dogma
* Sieglinde Baumgarde, Dragonaut: The Resonance
* Cisqua, Erementar Gerad
* Wrath, Fullmetal Alchemist ✅
* Bi Fei, Gin no Guardian
* Lydia Carlton, Hakushaku to Yōsei
* Tsubomi Hanasaki, HeartCatch! PreCure! ✅
* Yu Minamoto, Ichigo 100%
* Kotoko Aihara, Itazura na Kiss
* Tsugumi Shibata, Jigoku Shōjo ("Hell Girl") ✅
* Sora Yamato, Jikū Tantei Genshi-kun
* Tiz, Jū Ō Sei
* Yin Fu, Ken En Ken: Aoki Kagayaki
* Roya, Kiba
* Yuno Rukina, Kiss Dum: Engage Planet
* Alois Trancy, Kuroshitsuji II ✅
* Janice Quatlane, Layton Kyōju to Eien no Utahime ("Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva")
* Nyamo Naamo, Love Hina
* Sayaka Mizushiro, Magical Canan ("Magical Kanan")
* Fate and Alicia Testarossa, Mahō Shōjo Lyrical Nanoha ✅
* Hotaru Shirakawa, Memories Off
* Mizuki Hibara, Mokke
* Magaret Liones, Nanatsu no Taizai ✅
* Hinata Hyūga, Naruto ✅
* Kaho Serizawa, Natsu-iro no Sunadokei ("Hourglass of Summer") ✅
* Shinobu, Ninin ga Shinobuden ✅
* Ann Takamaki, Persona 5 ✅
* Rue Kuroha, Princess Tutu ✅
* Yufa, Ragnarök the Animation
* Rin Ogata, RideBack ✅
* Moka Akashiya, Rosario to Vampire
* Pandora, Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas ✅
* Mave, Sentō Yōsei Shōjo Tasukete! Mave-chan
* Nana Suzuki, Shichinin no Nana
* Kanon Seena, Shining Tears X Wind
* Utau Hoshina, Shugo Chara!
* Morinas, Simōn
* Aria, Sister Princess
* Suzu Edogawa, Tactics
* Colette Brunel, Tales of Symphonia the Animation ✅
* Sylvette Suede, Tegamibachi ✅
* Neju Na Melmas, Tenchi Muyō! GXP
* Chizuru, Tokyo Marble Chocolate
* Sunao Konoe, Tsuyokiss
* Matsuki Akino, Wakaokami wa Shougakusei! ✅
* Maria, Witchblade
* Rina Ogata, White Album ✅

Commentary: Nana Mizuki is another very famous voice actress, having had lead roles in Mahō Shōjo Lyrical Nanoha ("Fate Testarossa") and HeartCatch! PreCure ("Tsubomi Hanasaki")! Ms. Mizuki conveys the anguished, yet distinguished nature of Tsubasa's character in a very charming and likable way! Over the span of the series, we deeply sympathize with her feelings of grief over her dead girlfriend, Kanade; as well as the struggle that she has, when pitted against the corrupt system that her wealthy family has implemented. Great character, great seiyū!

Ayahi Takagaki as Chris Yukine, notable roles:
* Kuro, Ao no Exorcist
* Kotoha, Arata: The Legend
* Suiren, Battle Spirits: Shōnen Toppa Bashin
* Daina Kurogami, Beyblade Burst
* Roana Dan, Blade & Soul
* Nene, Canaan ✅
* Takuto Tatsunagi, Cardfight!! Vanguard
* Nina Antalk, Chrome Shelled Regios
* Otome Asakura, Da Capo
* Jasmine, Deltora Quest
* Ferris Eris, Densetsu no Yūsha no Densetsu ("The Legend of the Legendary Heroes")
* Erika Karisawa, Durarara!! ✅
* Arrester Blanket, Fight Ippatsu! Jūden-chan!!
* Shungo Ninomiya, Goshūshō-sama Ninomiya-kun
* Manny Ambassada, Gundam: G no Reconguista ✅
* Hamiji, Hakkenden: Tōhō Hakken Ibun
* Hiiragi, Hanamaru Yōchien ("Hanamaru Kindergarten") ✅
* Jade, Hōseki no Kuni ✅
* Larimer, Jewelpet Magical Change
* Aoi Shindō, Koitabi: True Tours Nanto
* Tsubasa Kawai, Kyō no Go no Ni
* Henrietta, Log Horizon ✅
* Mitsuba Marui, Mitsudomoe
* Feldt Grace, Kidō Senshi Gundam 00
* Saki Mizukoshi, Natsu-iro Kiseki
* Mikoto Kuga, Norn 9
* Ein, Phantom: Requiem for a Phantom ✅
* Tobio Fūma, Sanjōgattai Transformers Go!
* Sumika Murasame, Sasameki Koto ✅
* Ami Kuroki, Seikimatsu Occult Gakuin ("Occult Academy")
* Mikako Satsukitane, Sora no Otoshimono
* Megumi Yamamoto, Special A
* Rika Shinozaki, Sword Art Online ✅
* Wakana Sakai, Tari Tari ✅
* Noe Isurugi, True Tears ✅
* Kira, Vampire Holmes

Commentary: Although, she hasn't had as many roles as many of the other voice actresses on this list, Ms. Takagaki does a damned good job at making Chris immensely likable! I don't think I've ever met one person who has remotely disliked her character! While being a hardcore tsundere, she's also very caring, kind, and empathetic; despite, her backstory and immense trauma during her stead as a villainess, in the first season! In my opinion, Chris is one of the best examples of a reformed adversary, and she kicks a lot of butt, too! Wonderful character and a phenomenal job overall, on the part of the seiyū and the writing team!

Yuka Iguchi as Miku Kohinata, notable roles:
* Arisa Hoshigaoka, Arata naru Sekai: World's/Start/Load/End ("World's End")
* Maria Takayama, Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai ("Haganai: I don't have many friends")
* Mako Nakarai, Bokura no ✅
* Honoka Sawada, Chibi☆Devi!
* Yashiro Hoshimiya, Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko ("Ground Control to Psychoelectric Girl") ✅
* Shima, Devidol!
* Sherry and Chelia Blendy, Fairy Tail
* Tamaki Irie, Ginga Kikōtai Majestic Prince
* Mako Reizei, Girls und Panzer ✅
* Suwako Moriya, Hifū Katsudō Kiroku: The Sealed Esoteric History ✅
* Myne, Honzuki no Gekokujō: Shisho ni Naru Tame ni wa Shudan wo Erandeiraremasen ("Ascendance of a Bookworm")
* Naeka Fujiwara, Kamen no Maid Guy
* Kaga, Tenryū, Tatsuta, Tone, and Chikuma — Kantai Collection ("KanColle") ✅
* Shizume Seo, Kara no Kyōkai ✅
* Natsuko Ishikura, Koitabi: True Tours Nanto
* Luea, Lady Jewelpet
* Chinatsu Morikawa, Lostorage Incited WIXOSS
* Rinna Fuwa, Mangaka-san to Assistant-san to the Animation
* Subaru Konoe, Mayo Chiki!
* Tsukihi Araragi, Monogatari (series) ✅
* Kaede Mizumo, Nyan Koi!
* Mitsuba Sangū, Owari no Seraph
* Crusch Karsten, Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu ✅
* Maho Misawa, Rō-Kyū-Bu! ✅
* Yū Sonda, Sakura Trick
* Hibari, Senran Kagura ✅
* Astarte, Strike the Blood
* Norie Okazaki, Tamayura
* Yuzuha Aigae, Tenshi no 3P! ✅
* Mea Kurosaki, To LOVEる ✅
* Librorum Prohibitorum Index, Toaru Majutsu no Index ("A Certain Magical Index") ✅
* Aiko Andō, True Tears
* Mirei Shikishima, Valkyrie Drive: Mermaid
* Aoi Yukimura, Yama no Susume ✅

Commentary: Despite everyone's dislike for Index's voice in "Toaru Majutsu no Index," I am a fan of Ms. Iguchi's discography! Her role as Miku Kohinata is doting and maternal, and it reminded me of her roles as Tsukihi Araragi in the "Monogatari" series! She has a very charming, earthly aura when she plays certain characters — when they're not ecstatic, they're often very practical like Crusch Karsten from "Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu"! Magnificent job in making Miku stand out, even though she starts out as a side character! Superb seiyū!

Yoko Hikasa as Maria Cadenzavna Eve, notable roles:
* Hana Suguruno, 7 Seeds
* Hibiki Tenshō, Aikatsu Friends!: Kagayaki no Jewel
* Nanako Saeki, Aku no Hana ✅
* Tio Clarce, Arifureta Shokugyō de Sekai Saikyō ("Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest")
* Tomoe Udagawa, BanG Dream ✅
* Farnese de Vandimion, Berserk ✅
* Fighter, Bikini Warriors
* Erica Blandelli, Campione!: Matsurowanu Kamigami to Kamigoroshi no Maō ✅
* Kiyono Amahara, Chu-Bra!!
* Ayano Kōsaka, Code Geass: Akito the Exiled ✅
* Sakura Sakurakōji, Code:Breaker
* Kyōko Kirigiri, Danganronpa ✅
* Sakie Satō, Demi-chan wa Kataritai ("Interviews With Monster Girls") ✅
* Brioche d'Arquien, Dog Days
* Hina Tachibana, Domestic no Kanojo
* Freya, Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru Darō ka ("Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?") ✅
* Ao Gennai, Frame Arms Girl
* Kei Kugimiya, Ginga Kikōtai Majestic Prince
* Aya Akabane, Gokujo
* Miu Osawa, Hagure Yūsha no Aesthetica
* Kurumi, Hal
* Emi Yusa, Hataraku Maō-sama! ("The Devil is a Part-Timer!") ✅
* Rias Gremory, High School DxD
* Junko Hattori, Ichiban Ushiro no Daimaō
* Inōnoshishi ("Warrior of the Boar"), Jūni Taisen ("Zodiac War") ✅
* Mio Akiyama, K-On! ✅
* Kyōko Sonan, Kenzen Robo Daimidaler ✅
* Seraphim, Kore wa Zombie Desu ka? ✅
* Diana Cavendish, Little Witch Academia ✅
* Saki Takamiya, Long Riders!
* Emiru Hazaki, M3: Sono Kuroki Hagane ("M3: Mortal Metal Memories")
* Sanae Mokuō ("Ruler"), Mahō Shōjo Ikusei Keikaku ("Magical Girl Raising Project") ✅
* Iris, Mahō Shōjo Lyrical Nanoha: Reflection ✅
* Angelina Kudō Shields, Mahōka Kōkō no Rettōsei ✅
* Anne, Manaria Friends ✅
* Folna, Merc Storia: Mukiryoku no Shōnen to Bin no Naka no Shōjo
* Yua Nakabeni, Miru Tights
* Lafter Frankland, Kidō Senshi Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans ✅
* Lucifer, Monster Strike
* Minami Kawashima, Moshidora
* Kō Yagami, New Game! ✅
* Stephanie Dola, No Game No Life ✅
* Jeanne Kaguya d'Arc, Nobunaga the Fool ✅
* Ruri Fujika, Piace: Watashi no Italian
* Saitō, Pokémon (2019) ✅
* Seiten, Queen's Blade: Grimoire ✅
* Saki Nagatsuki, Rō-Kyū-Bu! ✅
* Nashetania Loei Piena Augustra, Rokka no Yūsha ✅
* Maya Kumashiro, Seikimatsu Occult Gakuin ("Occult Academy")
* Hana Katsuragi, Seikon no Qwaser
* Shino Amakusa, Seitokai Yakuindomo
* Mitsuhide Akechi, Sengoku Collection ✅
* Maria Cadenzavna Eve, Senki Zesshō Symphogear ✅
* Ryōbi, Senran Kagura
* Mammon, Sin: Nanatsu no Taizai ("Seven Mortal Sins") ✅
* Hiyori Kazane, Sora no Otoshimon ("Heaven's Lost Property") ✅
* Pitohui, Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online
* Mira Yamana, Trinity Seven
* Satan, Umineko no Naku Koro ni ✅
* Izumi Takanashi, Working!! ✅
* Sayuri Muranushi, WWW.Working!!
* Kaede Saitō, Yama no Susume ✅

Commentary: Ms. Hikasa is very good at creating a duality of good and evil in Maria Cadenzavna Eve. In the past, I have described Yoko Hikasa as a type of sexy, temptress archetype! She has often voiced demons, very evil characters (Nashetania Loei Piena Augustra in "Rokka no Yūsha" and Nanako Saeki in "Aku no Hana" are a couple of examples), and even representations of Satan herself! Maria starts out very much an anti-hero, she has a Spawn cloak, and an undying loyalty for her controllers; but, despite this, deep down... Maria is very caring, and the protectiveness that she feels for Kirika and Shirabe, eventually extends to her other friends, as well! Even in later seasons, Ms. Hikasa is alarmingly good at conveying Maria's fight between her newfound morality and her brainwashed upbringing! Great character, wonderful seiyū!

Ai Kayano as Kirika Akatsuki, notable roles:
* Akari Kawamoto, 3-Gatsu no Lion ✅
* Futaba Ōki, Amanchu! ✅
* Mikono Suzushiro, Aquarion Evol
* Anya Dostoyevskaya, Aria the Avvenire
* Kaga and Atago, Azur Lane
* Hana Mutō, Captain Earth
* Kanade Ōe, Chihayafuru ✅
* Ponoka, Choboraunyopomi Gekijō Ai Mai Mii ✅
* Anna Clément, Code Geass: Akito the Exiled ✅
* Mikan Tsumiki, Danganronpa 3
* Maihime Shirayuki, Dokyū Hentai HxEros
* Mimi, Flip Flappers ✅
* Megumi Sakura, Gakkōgurashi! ("School Live") ✅
* Saori Takebe, Girls und Panzer ✅
* Moka Hoto, Gochūmon wa Usagi Desu ka? ("Is the Order a Rabbit?") ✅
* Nana Hayashida, Golden Time ✅
* Inori Yuzuriha, Guilty Crown ✅
* Yuyuko Saigyōji, Hifū Katsudō Kiroku: The Sealed Esoteric History ✅
* Diamond, Hōseki no Kuni ✅
* Mayaka Ibara, Hyōka ✅
* Emi Kaidō, Infinti-T Force ✅
* Aoi Sakurada, Jōkamachi no Dandelion ✅
* Hibino Shiba, Kamisama Dolls ✅
* Akane Mahōgasawa, Kanojo ga Flag wo Oraretara ("If Her Flag Breaks")
* Kanae Kochō, Kimetsu no Yaiba ✅
* Juliet Persia, Kishuku Gakkō no Juliet ✅
* Lalatina Dustiness Ford, Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo! ("God's Blessing on This Wonderful World!")
* Millia il Velch Cutrettola Turan, Last Exile: Ginyoku no Fam ✅
* Mogana Kikaijima, Medaka Box ✅
* Zenna Zabi, Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin ✅
* Chisaki Hiradaira, Nagi no Asu kara ✅
* Shiro, No Game No Life ✅
* Ai Fuyūmi, Ore no Kanojo to Osananajimi ga Shuraba Sugiru ("Oreshura") ✅
* Erika, Pokémon Masters ✅
* Chizuru Hishiro, ReLIFE
* Muginami, Rinne no Lagrange
* Akane Kajiya, Romantica Clock
* Utaha Kasumigaoka, Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata ("How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend") ✅
* Kokomi Teruhashi, Saiki Kusuo no Ψ-nan ✅
* Mashiro Shiina, Sakura-sō no Pet na Kanojo ✅
* Leila, Sayonara no Asa ni Yakusoku no Hana wo Kazarō ("Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms") ✅
* Hitoe Uemura, Selector Infected WIXOSS
* Kirika Akatsuki, Senki Zesshō Symphogear ✅
* Yomi, Senran Kagura ✅
* Ruki, Senryū.
* Lucy Yagami, Servant x Service
* Meili Zhou, Shin Chūka Ichiban!
* Rinko Ogasawara, Shirobako ✅
* Ryōko Sakaki, Shokugeki no Sōma ✅
* Haru Estia, Soul Worker: Your Destiny Awaits
* Karila Hatsuse, Stella Jogakuin Kōtō-ka C³-bu
* Mei Tachibana, Sukitte Ii na yo. ("Say I Love You")
* Mako Saitō, Super Seishūn Brothers
* Alice Zuberg, Sword Art Online ✅
* Alisha Diphda, Tales of Zestiria ✅
* Kanae Mitani, Tamayura
* Yuyuko Saigyōji, 東方 Niji Sōsaku Dōjin Anime: Musō Kakyō ✅
* Mamako Ōsuki, Tsūjō Kōgeki ga Zentai Kōgeki de Ni-kai Kōgeki no Okaasan wa Suki Desu ka? ("Do You Love Your Mom and Her Two-Hit Multi-Target Attacks?") ✅
* Sumire Kisaragi, Twin Angel Break
* Kasumi Takamiya, Witch Craft Works
* Anna, Yakusoku no Neverland ("The Promised Neverland") ✅

Commentary: Ai Kayano is known for having a sugary sweet voice and that translates well into Kirika's character. She's straight-forward and typically the most unassuming girl out of the group. She's simplistic and often even hard-headed, but she always means well, and she will risk her life for her partner, Shirabe! Ms. Kayano did an excellent job with this character, S-tier performance!

Toshino Nanjō as Shirabe Tsukuyomi, notable roles:
* Sonia, Berserk ✅
* Naoto Miura, Clockwork Planet
* Koko Tsukishima, Da Capo
* Gankyō Kūrubiyūtei, Joshiraku
* Eri Ayase, Love Live! ✅
* Matsuri Sengen, Mahō Shōjo Taisen
* Robu, Neko no Robu
* Panpaka, Panpaka Pants Movie: Bananan Ōkoku no Hihō
* Nene Kurio, Penguin Musume♥Heart
* Akiho Senomiya, Robotics;Notes
* Lise Hohenstein, Schwarzesmarken ✅

Commentary: Ms. Nanjō has less speaking roles with the archetypically kūdere, Shirabe, but when she does has a time to shine—she's sweet, smart, and insightful! Very good casting choice, Toshino Nanjō needs more roles!

Noriko Hidaka as Shem-Ha Mephorash, notable roles:
* Shiine, Akazukin Chacha
* Terumi Amano, Ankoku Shindenshou Takegami
* Constance Bonacieux, Anime Sanjūshi ("The Three Musketeers")
* Kazumi Endo, Aoki Densetsu Shoot!
* Retsuya Ichimoji, Bakuso Kyōdai Let's & Go!! MAX
* Sumire, Baoh Raihōsha ✅
* Miwa Yamada, Chi's Sweet Home ✅
* Nate River ("Near"), Death Note ✅
* Masumi Sera, Detective Conan ✅
* Jean Roque Lartigue, Fushigi no Umi no Nadia ✅
* Kitarō, Gegege no Kitarō: Kitarō's Ghost Train
* Ichigeki Danpei, Honō no Tōkyūji: Dodge Danpei
* Kikyō, InuYasha ✅
* Kagetsu, Kashō no Tsuki ("Moon of The Fiery Night")
* Ursula Callistis, Little Witch Academia ✅
* Mikage Matsunaga, Miracle☆Girls
* Rene Ai, Ninja Senshi Tobikage
* Usugumo, Oedo wa Nemurenai!
* Bellemere, One Piece ✅
* Peter Pan, Peter Pan no Bōken
* Dominator, Psycho-Pass ✅
* Akane Tendō, Ranma ½ ✅
* Mariko and Yuriko Ozono, Rockman.EXE
* Sōjirō Seta, Rurōni Kenshin ✅
* Erica Fontaine, Sakura Taisen: École de Paris
* Tomoko, Shin Kujakuō
* Bakabon no Mama, Shinya! Tensai Bakabon
* Sahari, Sōsei Kishi Gaiarth
* China, Spirit of Wonder
* Aphrodite, Suite PreCure♪
* Shibei Inue, The Hakkenden
* Sōshi Yukimi, Tobe! Isami
* Satsuki Kusakabe, Tonari no Totaro ("My Neighbor Totoro") ✅
* Noriko Takaya, Top wo Nerae! Gunbuster ✅
* Buburina, Totsuzen! Neko no Kuni Banipal Witt ("Catnapped")
* Minami Asakura, Touch
* Noriko Hakushika, Yūkan Club

Commentary: It's kind of surreal that Akane Tendō ("Ranma ½") and Kikyō ("InuYasha") have the same voice 🤔 With that aside, Ms. Hidaka is talented veteran in the industry. It's clear from how many lengthy shows she's been apart of, that she's no new-comer to voice acting! Her performance as the main villain, Shem-Ha Mephorash, the spirit that possessed Miku... gives off a strong spiritual vibe. While the writing in this season, may have not made her not the most grandiose ne'er-do-well in Symphogear, especially when stacked against compared to some of her contemporaries... she is really able to invoke the ambience of a cosmic entity! Excellent voice actress!

Aimi Terakawa as Millaarc Cranstoun, notable roles:
* Kasumi Toyama, BanG Dream! ✅
* Kazumi Tokiwa, Futari wa Milky Holmes
* Tomoya Mizuhara, Onee-chan ga Kita ("My Sister Came")
* Moa Torii, Saikin Imōto no Yōsu ga Chotto Okashiinda ga. ("Recently, My Little Sister is Unusual")

Commentary: I only know Ms. Terakawa as Kasumi Toyama ("BanG Dream!"), so I thought that her portrayal of Millaarc Cranstoun was the strongest that I had ever seen from her! Kasumi is a genki, cloud-cuckoolander... and while I do enjoy that character, it was nice to see her spread her wings and try her hand at a malevolent villainess, instead! Wonderful work! The "concert massacre" send cold shivers down my spine!

M・A・O ("Mao Ichimiya") as Vanessa Diodati, notable roles:
* Misaki Shirogane, Action Heroine Cheer Fruits
* Fubuki, Azur Lane ✅
* Bela, Bem ✅
* Chiaki Sakata, Chūko Video-ya no Onna Tenin X ("Used Video Shop's Female Shop Clerk X")
* Françoise Arnoul, Cyborg 009 VS Devilman ✅
* Lin, DD Hokuto no Ken ✅
* Hikari Yagami, Digimon Adventure tri. ✅
* Vorona, Durarara!! ✅
* Iris, Enen no Shōbōtai ("Fire Force") ✅
* Papika, Flip Flappers ✅
* Yūri Wakasa, Gakkōgurashi! ("School-Live!") ✅
* Anzu Yamasaki, Gantz:O ✅
* Doll, Gekidol
* Kazumi Schlierenzauer, Gokukoku no Brynhildr ("Brynhildr in the Darkness")
* Narmaya, Granblue Fantasy ✅
* Zero, Gunjō no Magmell ("Magmel of the Sea Blue")
* Wilma Etol von Asgahan, Hachinan tte? Sore wa Nai deshō! ("The 8th son? Are you kidding me?")
* Haru, Henki Shōjo
* Dreamcast, Sega Hard Girls ("SeHa Girls")
* Hinako Sakuragi, Hinako Note
* Emilia, Hōkago Saikoro Club
* Claire Harvey, Hundred ✅
* Koharu Hondōmachi, Id:Invaded
* Akane Kōmoto, Jitsu wa Watashi wa
* Sayaka Miyata, Keijo ✅
* Yukina Shirahane, Kuromukuro
* Mutsumi Oribe, Kyochū Rettō
* Aoko Nakamori, Magic Kaito 1412 ✅
* Naville, Monster Hunter Stories: Ride On ✅
* Melascula, Nanatsu no Taizai ✅
* Kyō Goshōin, Netoge no Yome wa Onnanoko ja Nai to Omotta? ("And you thought there is never a girl online?") ✅
* Yui Hanasaka, One Room ✅
* Haruna, Onsen Yōsei Hakone-chan ("Hot Springs Fairy Hakone-Chan")
* Nicole Ascart, Otome Game no Hametsu Flag shika Nai Akuyaku Reijō ni Tensei shiteshimatta... ("My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!")
* Chiemi Honda, King's Game
* Aika Suzuki, Phantasy Star Online 2 the Animation
* Percorine, Princess Connect! Re: Dive ✅
* Kyōko Esumi, Re-Kan!
* Mage Bilstein, RErideD: Tokigoe no Derrida
* Imu Rifuta, Saiki Kusuo no Ψ-nan ✅
* Kyōko Eqūleus, Saint Seiya: Saintia Shō ✅
* Saraka Tsukai, Seikaisuru Kado
* Saraato, Seisen Cerberus: Ryūkoku no Fatalités
* Renge Komadori, Sekai Seifuku: Bōryaku no Zvezda ("World Conquest Zvezda Plot") ✅
* Azuzu Komagome, Senyoku no Sigrdrifa ("Warlords of Sigrdrifa")
* Shion Kyōzuka, Slow Start ✅
* Homare Onishima, Sōnan Desu ka? ("Are You Lost?") ✅
* Shion, Tensei shitara Slime Datta Ken ("That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime")
* Fumika Sagisawa, The iDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls ✅
* Suzuka Konohana, Toji no Miko ✅
* Meguru Amatsuki, Twin Angel Break
* Luluco, Uchū Patrol Luluco ✅
* Mao Kurokawa, Wakaba*Girl
* Fierté, Z/X: Ignition

Commentary: Ms. Ichimiya is famous for being typecast as really attractive, bishōjo characters; and Vanessa was no exception to that rule. In fact, I thought she was the "best girl" character, out of the new trio. I couldn't bring myself to like Millaarc, after she brutally slaughtered all of those innocent people during Tsubasa and Maria's concert and Elsa was kind of plain, so, naturally Vanessa is the best option. She's beautiful, has a sultry voice and figure, and a teasing personality! What's not to love? Excellent seiyū!

※Bonus: I don't know if I'm the only one who conceptualized this idea but, to me, I thought that her android characteristics and costume were very similar to some of Shōtarō Ishinomori's (creator of "Cyborg 009") female characters!

Kana Ichinose as Elsa Bete, notable roles:
* Tuesday, Carole & Tuesday
* Ichigo, Darling in the FranXX ✅
* Yuzuriha Ogawa, Dr. Stone ✅
* Marlya Noel, Fairy Gone
* Myra, Grandblue Fantasy ✅
* Yutoria, Shachō, Battle no Jikan Desu! ("Shachibato! President, It's Time for Battle!")

Commentary: Ms. Ichinose hasn't been cast in terribly roles, but I have enjoyed the few I've seen her in. Hers is not as distinctive as some of the other voices, but it's very cute. I would say that her best role, from what I've seen, is Ichigo ("Darling in the FranXX") because there was more depth and dimension to that character, compared to some of her other performances. Great job!

Overall, Senki Zesshō Symphogear XV has a decent conclusion. The romantic moment with Hibiki and Miku holding hands under the Aurora Borealis, worked well as a touching epilogue to the franchise. The moments of introspection with Tsubasa and Miku is what made this season come together, so seeing Miku experience such a beautiful phenomenon with the person she cherishes the most, was a satisfying conclusion to her character arc. I rate Senki Zesshō Symphogear XV (Season Five) a 6/10, it's a series (among many others), that I plan to eventually purchase on Blu-ray!

Rankings:

Senki Zesshō Symphogear (Season One) ★★☆☆☆

Senki Zesshō Symphogear G (Season Two) ★★★★☆

Senki Zesshō Symphogear GX (Season Three) ★★★☆☆

Senki Zesshō Symphogear AXZ (Season Four) ★★★★★

Senki Zesshō Symphogear XV (Season Five) ★★★☆☆

From Best to Worst:

1. Senki Zesshō Symphogear AXZ
2. Senki Zesshō Symphogear G
3. Senki Zesshō Symphogear XV
4. Senki Zesshō Symphogear GX
5. Senki Zesshō Symphogear

Reviewer’s Rating: 6

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Sep 28, 2019

Zerity

Not Recommended

"Even if that's true" -Hibiki

That phrase, every time I hear that damn phrase in hibiki's annoying voice I just wanna take a gun load it with explosive bullets and shoot myself. After torturing myself through 65 episodes it finally comes to an end. It should be obvious I am not a fan of this series. With that said I do think this is the best season yet.

However it's still by no means a good series. Throughout all the bs plot devices and cringy twists that they throw at you that seem to come out of nowhere it's hard to find anything good in this ... series. I will say the music is good, and the transformation scenes are amazing to watch and fun as hell. One of the main reasons I did not like this series or any of the series in general is because I knew nothing was gonna happen of importance. The only time I was actually hyped was when hibiki's arm was gonna be bitten off, but then she just regrows another one. Even in this series, Carol's minions make a cameo to help her out, they were just used to stir up hype and be used as fodder for Carol to make it to were she had to be. Many things like this happen throughout the series of convenient bs that just appears outa nowhere.

I will say the main reason I liked this season better was because of the villains. This time they weren't overpowered at the start and then through the power of the series ending the main character end up beating them at the end because they need to. They were weak. They were getting whooped by the main characters. When they did lose or win it made sense, and seeing them grow in the series was really fun to watch. Beside that though everything else was still really bad. The plot twists were not exciting everything just felt dull and bland.

When it comes to the characters I can't say I like them at all. Especially Hibiki, though I did like Maria and Kirika at the very least. They were all one dimensional, stereotypical, and boring. I don't wanna shit on them to much mainly because I care to little for them anyways to want to do that.

In conclusion, there was really nothing of value I found while watching the 65 episodes this series has. There are a few good merits this series has but it was not worth the watch. If you can make it past season one and enjoy it I think you will honestly love this series, so give it a try if you haven't already, you'll either hate it or love it.

Reviewer’s Rating: 1

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