Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha

While perusing over titles in the magical girl genre it is almost impossible to miss that which is the Nanoha franchise these days. Touted by many as a revolutionary magical girl show with its Gundam like magical battles and its supposed expansive universe, Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha is certainly not lacking any hype.

However, as reactions may vary, I found this show to be quite the disappointment. This show can definitely be split into two halves.

The very beginning is typical enough for a mahou shoujo show, it certainly plays off the very roots of the genre with how Nanoha first finds and comes into contact with ... magic, but what the show does after that is where the problems arise. The story is very mundane, and lacks any attractive force to it. Almost set up like a monster of the week show, Nanoha does very little to entertain. I was left questioning what was so damn unique about this show when everything about it just seemed so uninspiring, flat, and just frankly boring. One thing is for sure though and that is I couldn't see what so damn exciting or riveting about the fights at this juncture compared to other mahou shoujos.

The show however does become much better in its second half or so when the character Fate Testarossa arrives. I was reaching the point of insurmountable rage about how this show could ever be considered such a classic in the genre when everything about it screamed boring. Fate, probably the best character in the show as far as I can see, injected this show with much needed life. Finally the universe in this show finally starts to be explored, even if just a little bit. There's a tangible conflict beyond finding little jewel shards. The conflict is exciting, and the events that unfold were nice to see. The relationship that Nanoha forms with Fate also becomes a very endearing one to behold.

Another major improvement in the show was the action. Finally it started becoming more exciting. It wasn't the most riveting action ever by any means, but it finally achieved a standard of reasonably entertaining. I do however criticize the action in this show for lacking any sort of mental exercise. The action mostly consisted of beam spamming, shields, and binds, all which were executed at random intervals and varying strength. There is no real strategy to each engagement, so I can hardly consider it top tier action.

However despite my positive comments on the second half, the jarring contrast between these two halves of the show is quite stark. Everything before Fate was a very light hearted mundane affair, but one of the things we're treated to in the second half is much darker (Compared to the first half) and it is hard to believe that this is the same show. It never really felt like there was a transition to this sort of violence and such as the show went along. Worst, it was only at this point that the show seemed like it really wanted to take itself seriously.

The reason I take issue with the show suddenly wanting to take itself very seriously is that it becomes rather hard to hold a strong enough suspension of disbelief over the course of this show. I often quip that this show's title should be Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Therapist Girl Nanoha, because really, Nannoha displays wisdom way beyond her years. She's shown to be like an adult at the prime age of 9. The way she talks to both foes and allies displays a mental maturity beyond many adults you see in real life.

Further things that arise over the course of the show that one must question is the incredibly weird family situation that Nanoha is in. The way they accept her going out at night without much suspicion, the way the mother lets Nanoha leave for months at a time with strangers for no good reason at all, is mind boggling. If a story wants to take itself serious, I also expect them to take care of such details seriously as well.

Unfortunately, despite the major improvements in the second half of the show, it nonetheless concludes in a disappointing manner. The final conflict delivered isn't the type of conclusion I thought it deserved, and many of the characters were shafted. There were a couple of nice moments between some of the characters at the end, but everything felt rather underwhelming.

Overall, Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha isn't a bad series. If it had focused more on the elements presented in its second half, had better execution, and other such touch-ups, I'm sure I would've considered this quite the nice show. As is though, it skimps out on too many corners its story and presentation, and the first parts of this were extremely boring. It is hard to see this as a great show, let alone the classic that many tout it to be.

This is both an overrated anime and a mahou shoujo, but is not a waste of your time.

Lyrical Nanoha (season one), in a few words, is a series that's very difficult to recommend, but if you can deal with the negatives, it could be worth investing time into. Let's start with the positives.

The series starts as a typical magical girl series with a focus on a "collect the items" mission and turns into something different by the end. There are a lot of great visuals and original songs here, and character designs tend to be mixed; Nanoha and Fate look great, but other characters fade into the background. The series somewhat mixes the slice-of-life genre with the magical girl aspect by giving ... Nanoha a rival in Fate, though this is later subverted. For what it's worth, Fate makes a great character for a variety of reasons; her character arc is extremely interesting and she gives many of the series its best moments. Her morality is genuinely questionable and human at times, and all of the actions in the series feel like they take place for a reason. Even Arisa and Suzuka are subverted early into the series and play a good role at providing an emotional core.

Nanoha's key goal (to become Fate's friend) is a very simple and innocent one and tells much of both girls' character through their reaction to the events in the series that unfold. It's also interesting that we see that despite being Nanoha's alleged rival, she doesn't seem to be battling out of freewill, nor out of resistance, and the reasons why become more complex as the season progresses.

Unfortunately, Lyrical Nanoha (Season 1 at least) is subject to a few issues that call into question the aforementioned positives. The show deals with mental and physical abuse at times, which can be disconcerting as some scenes are very graphic. There's also a considerable amount of nudity and fanservice given the young ages of the protagonists, which could be a factor that deters away some audiences as well.

Nanoha also suffers from pacing at times; despite being only 13 episodes, there is a great quantity of exposition in the series, as well as some filler episodes that don't really amount to anything or at worst, a minor character development that's never brought up again. However, I believe that Nanoha was able to pick itself up by the end, and episodes started to somewhat improve in various aspects. The first season receives a 6/10.

"It was a small incident that happened to me, Nanoha Takamachi, a girl who was supposed to be a third grader."
~Nanoha Takamachi, at the start of every episode of this series.

If this is a 'small' incident, I'm rather curious as to what defines a 'large' one.

Let us break this down.

Note: For clarification, I will refer to this series as 'Lyrical Nanoha'. The titular character, I will refer to as 'Nanoha'. I hope this will ease confusion.

Story: 6/10
... Lyrical Nanoha's story is simple. There is no way around this fact. But in it's simplicity, it works quite well.
Our main character, Nanoha, comes across an injured ferret-like creature named 'Yuuno' with a strange bead, after thinking that she 'hears' it calling her. After a 'small incident', she ends up working for said creature to capture Magical McGuffins, known as Jewel Seeds. Using aforementioned bead, loaned to her quite generously by Yuuno, she is able to access typical Magical Girl clothing/armor and abilities, allowing her to more vigorously chase after said McGuffins.
But she soon comes across another Magical Girl who also is pursuing these Jewel Seeds for her own reasons, which are unknown to Nanoha. While this new girl is quite quick to battle, Nanoha is reluctant, wanting instead to use diplomacy to see if the two can work together. Even after getting her ass handed to her. And thus, Nanoha continues to try and break the cold outer shell of this new girl with 'sad eyes' and her familiar, to attempt to form a friendship.
Oh, and about midway through the season a Space-Navy ship shows up to destabilize the show. Between this, and one (two, depending on how you think of it) surprise turns in the middle-to-closing stages of the show, sums up the majority of Lyrical Nanoha.
By being simplistic in nature, it leaves itself little room for failure, and in addition, little room to actually break out in an amazing way. The 'twists' are dark and jarring, yes, but they are aimed more toward the characters and changing them then altering the overall story.

Art: 4/10
I was actually surprised as my rating for the art and animation for this series. Because all in all, it's not bad. But it never really shines. While the battle scenes are impressive, such impressiveness is based more around the characters and soundtrack. The animation never downright fails either, but it never really takes off. In addition, as this original series is now 12 years old, it's age is actually showing. And not in the 'graceful' aging way either.

Sound: 7/10
To make up for the mediocre art, the soundtrack kicks ass. The opening theme will burn into your mind during the short 13 episodes you spend with it. Nana Mizuki, who is the singer behind the opening, brings an energetic and anticipatory rush to your mind every time a new episode starts. This would become commonplace in this series, as many of her works pop up in the Lyrical Nanoha franchise as a whole, each of them shining in their own way. Sadly, on the other hand, the ED lacks any real memorability.
OP and ED aside, the in-show soundtrack not slouching. While it wouldn't exactly be fantastically memorable on it's own, it is well mixed into the show, emphasizing moments of combat wonderfully, subtly adding to the drama whenever a sudden reveal occurs, while setting the viewer at ease for the more relaxed sections. And it's a great supporter of the 'less is more' concept. The 'sudden twist reveal' in Episode 11 is musically built with faint piano keys and other moderately soft instruments, used more for subtly punctuating the first reveal then drawing on in an unrealistic silence, all the while staying quite calm. So while the soundtrack itself is only slighty-better then average, it's execution is wonderful.

Character: 6.5/10
The issue of Character in the Lyrical Nanoha franchise's first installment is something that could easily come hotly under fire. Interpretation of character development, depth, and backstory varies from person to person. One might view the titular character as a realistic 'everygirl with honor' thrown into an otherworldy scenario, while Fate would be an edgy 'Anti-hero' left-over from the nineties. Another person might view Nanoha as a two-dimensional heroine that would feel more at home in an action Shounen then a Mahou Shoujo, while Fate is a stunning portrayal of a girl with massive power cracking, and eventually breaking, under surmounting pressure.
(My personal viewpoint is that Nanoha is a simply written character for a simple story. No need to make a convuluted hero in a mostly simple story. Fate, while going through typical expected motions of a young girl in her scenario, goes through them with quite a level of believablity.)
The supporting characters become more bland and dull the farther they are from the main story. Yuuno and Arf, the secondary characters, are written quite well, as is the overall 'big bad'. Nanoha's family and friendS are more placeholders then anything else, filling in her 'normal' life without really adding anything, save for the typical 'Main character seems divided from the real world' occurrence that shows up in Magical Girl shows. (BUT HEY, HER PARENTS ARE SOMEWHAT INVOLVED IN HER LIFE! THAT'S AN IMPROVEMENT OVER 90 PERCENT OF ANIME RIGHT THERE!!!) . The Space-Navy's members are really...flat. This would get fixed in the following season, but they really have nothing behind them to make them memorable as characters.

Enjoyment: 8/10
Lyrical Nanoha nails it with it's enjoyment factor. By setting up the characters and music well, each confrontation is made amazing and memorable. The sudden twists have their effects punctuated with it's execution. As a moment of badassness occurs, one will likely find themselves fist-pumping and gasping as it occurs. The cutting points for each episode stradle that boundary of 'wanting more' and 'being satisfied' just right.
Granted, this enjoyment factor can easily go the other way. Someone who is overly familiar with Magical Girl tropes and/or is well versed in anime will likely be more detached from this series, seeing it just go through the motions.

Overal: 6/10
In short, Lyrical Nanoha survives more on great execution of it's spectacle and show then actual depth. And you know what? That's perfectly okay. As an individual show, Lyrical Nanoha is something that will likely excite you at first, and for some time you'll think 'danm, that was awesome'. After the initial awe finally wears off (assuming you didn't immediately jump into the next seasons, something I didn't have the privilege of doing), your recollection will be tempered, but upon review, all the small things that add up, along with the soul of the show, will make you recall why exactly you enjoyed this so much.
Would I recommend this series to others? I would, and I have. This isn't a waste of time. Sure, it's not 'over the top' like Kill-la-Kill, or 'deep and edgy' like Neon Genesis Evangelion. But it doesn't need to be. It sets out to tell a 'small' incident that occurred to a third grader, and executes it quite well.

The payoff, however, isn't from this first season. This first season establishes characters and makes them familiar. They become much more enjoyable and personable in the following two seasons, and there is where the payoff is, as they become much more fleshed out, people that you can recognize beyond their archetypes and tropes. It's a good start to a great franchise.
So my final word is: If you even somewhat liked Lyrical Nanoha, jump into the next season(s). That's where the payoff comes in.

Story: It's another magical girl anime. Story begins with a normal 3rd grade school girl finding a ferret named yuno, which gives her red jewel seeking her spiritual power as assistance. But to yuno's surprise her powers are greater than he imagined and so her maneuvers with the magic staff. Yuno explains her that due to his fault he lost some jewel shards, which can emit lot of destructive energy. So she says will help him. Later on she owns the search for the safety of her town's people but not only for yuno.

Characters: The only strong character for me in this anime is ... Chrono of Time-space bureau. He seems to be a child but his knowledge and composure were out of his age.

Art: It's the only plus point of the anime besides music.

I am not at all satisfied with this anime for the following reasons:

1. lot of Fanservice. There is no need to show naked girl while transforming and the clothing of most of the female characters is awkward.

2. The protagonist and all other characters which have significant role to play in battles are mere 8 year old children.

3. The story seemed to be rushed so that it could be wrapped up quickly. Here again crying for some one (fate) who just become a friend like crying for departing a loved one.

4. Story is not explained well (for example one of the school friend's of Nanoha has heated argument with her and their relationship and liking for one another is also weird.)

5. Nanoha leaves her parents with saying WHAT REASON ( the narrator just says something as her explanation for leaving to her mother ; but we are not sure what she actually told her mother even at the end)? it's not clearly showed in the anime. Her father says from now on you do not have to worry about me since i will only be the cafeteria owner. What and why are they worried? Nanoha's brother and sister's proximity seems a puzzle. So far in Japanese anime that i have seen brother and sister maintain some distance right.

Finally i think this season is not so important and is DEFINITELY NOT WATCH WORTHY with kids as the animator deliberately showed too many awkward scens, nude images that despised me but the only thing kept me watch it till the end is my mom who ( also despised these scenes) wanted to see how the story will unfold at the end. But the end is not satisfactory.

First things first. My "reviews" system is explained on a blog entry. Which can be found through my profile.
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✦Story
A trademark magical girl anime, I liked it. Especially considering I have soft spot for magic that consists of circles and runes. And aside that soft so charm type magic but thats another topic. Anyhow, the story was okay. It wasn't anything special or bad. It was fine, maybe back when it aired it was great, but I picked this franchise up just recently so it didn't impress me as much. Probably biggest complaint of the story was, that it felt quite moronic at times.

✦Art&Sound
Again, not sure ... how it was for the date it aired, as there are lot of better art/animation anime at this point and on top of that considering how much Anime I've seen it might be hard to impress me at certain styles of animations. Anyhow, the animation and art was okay. Art was derpy at times but animation felt nice. Magic was also nice to look at

Sound, Nana Mizuki, enough said. Good music, OST with presence and overall felt quite nice.

✦Character
Bright and happy-go-lucky family and cheerful friends with counterpart of "evil" and one dimensional "dark" characters. Wasn't bad, wasn't good. Just nothing special. And I'm not fond of overly energetic and happy-go-lucky squad.

✦Enjoyment&Overall
Should have watched this magical girl anime many years ago, now I feel spoiled a bit. It's a trademark magical girl anime with cool magic circles and runes with animal familiars and talking weapons. In it's simplest and rawest form, a good magical girl show. Point being, it almost got 7 for me, but somehow It didn't amuse me enough. Nevertheless, enjoyable start of a franchise that I'm going to binge watch.

As a old and long time magical girl fan I can say this series isn't intended for magical girl entusiasts because in the first 3 episodes the series does the generic and clliché things in the story (sometimes imitating a lot Cardcaptor Sakura) but after that is very clear this is a series not intended for everyone but mainly for boys because it shows soft fanservice and the main focus in the story is the action and the fighting not the drama and romance someone is expecting in magical girls series.
The characters are fine for an action series but not so deeply developed sometimes they ... feeel a little generic being similar to some stereotypes in shounen series.
If you look it as shounen action series it's enjoyable by its action and visuals, the character designs have its own style but the characters besides the protagonist sometimes look alike.
In sounds nothing spectacular but it uses the stock SFX in shounen anime very well with some "Engrish" used for the magical powers.
The story seems that it could had gone further and deeper making it more complete but I suppose because the short length of 13 episodes they had to resume and end the story very quickly.
In conclusion don't watch it if you're looking for a standard magical girl series, watch it if you're looking for a magical girl series turned shounen action series.

I watched two old shows from 2004 this year. Mai-Hime and just recently, Nanoha S1. While Mai-Hime was an outdated show that wasn't easy to sit through, Nanoha can be described as a certified classic and one that deserves its reputation and legacy.

I never knew anything about the series beyond "it's that show with the lesbian couple and daughter" and only really watched the Reflection and Detonation movies (and not really liking either). The humble beginnings of the series from an eroge spinoff that actually has a half-decent plot and enjoyable characters (I hated everyone in the two films) was surprising to say the least.

There's ... a charming simplicity to S1 that you don't really see anymore, be it in the same franchise or otherwise. This leads to a good focus on what the show wants to tell you. The first half is pretty much a bait-and-switch introduction slice of life thing before the genre shift in episode 7. I love it, even the calm OP and ED remain the same, leading to great moments where a cliffhanger ending cuts straight to the super happy cheerful ED.

There is a lot to appreciate in this, from direction to scene composition, the show remains interesting to watch today as it was back then. Attacks are slow and weighty, which is honestly surprising coming from Symphogear and Reflection/Detonation.

Of course, watching this after having experienced Symphogear does warrant a lot of unfair comparisons but its easy to see where Symphogear (and even Madoka) took its inspirations from. From something as simple as Nanoha and Fate exchanging ribbons, to character behaviours and archetypes, Nanoha really set the standard for all and its influence can be felt in other shows even today.

That said I'm not the biggest fan of the show. The scenes can drag on for too long and I dislike how they handled the climax leading to a weak resolution of plot. Again, Symphogear really gave me impossibly high expectations for what a mahou shoujo/mecha can do, and it does a lot of things Nanoha does but a lot better.

Still, as a pioneer and a trendsetter, Nanoha is certianly an interesting curiosity at the very least and a definite classic for dark mahou shoujo stories.

6/10

The "Mahō Shōjo Lyrical Nanoha" is very unique, some might say that it was genre-bending at the time of its release. Before "Lyrical Nanoha" made its debut, the only place that you could really expect to find magical girls and spaceships in the same continuity would be on a videotape... playing an obscure, '90s OVA. This series made the idea of arcane magic having a scientific equation more of a mainstream idea, and lead to more technologically-enhanced mahō shōjo shows, like "Senki Zesshō Symphogear" and "Vividred Operation"!

⚠️ This review of Mahō Shōjo Lyrical Nanoha and Mahō Shōjo Lyrical Nanoha: The Movie 1st will contain spoilers ... ⚠️

—Story/Characters

Right off the bat, I would suggest skipping to the film version of Mahō Shōjo Lyrical Nanoha, if you don't want to commit to a full-length series. I, myself, watched the TV version of the "Lyrical Nanoha" story first, and aside from the catchy melody of the opening theme ("Innocent Starter") — the film retelling is better in every way: better animation quality and a cohesive visual direction, deleted scenes that make the series more poignant, and ※superior audio quality, plus it trims some of the episodic fat off of the runtime of the series!

※I watched the Mahō Shōjo Lyrical Nanoha: The Movie 1st BD and the 2K visuals are mind-boggling! Especially, the reframing of the last battle between Nanoha and Fate was really, really good!

The movie adaptation is like a video game that has less fetch quests! So now, let's dive into the narrative of the first "Lyrical Nanoha" series! Nanoha Takamachi is an average girl that gets granted magical powers by an inter-dimensional ferret. Yes, that's actually the plot. Like the story of "InuYasha" (except exponentially shorter), Nanoha and her rival, Fate Testarossa, battle to collect "jewel seeds" — Fate engages in conflict on behalf of her evil scientist of a mother ("Sailor Moon S" inspired?) while Nanoha is trying to help her talking, ferret friend (who is part of a Time-Space Bureau). Along the way, Fate and Nanoha begin to fall and love, and Fate — knowing only a life of physical abuse and neglect, begins to question what she's really fighting for.

It turns out that Fate is a clone of her mother's ("Precia Testarossa's") real daughter, and that she had made Fate in a desperate attempt to replace her deceased daughter, Alicia, but while a human body can be cloned, a soul cannot. This leads to Precia forcing Fate to fight deadly battles in order to collect the "jewel seeds" and form the Philosopher's Stone, so that she can resurrect her daughter from the dead! She doesn't have any feeling of love or affection for Fate, but Fate sees her as a mother, because she's the only family that she's ever known. There's a dream scene with Fate, in Episode 12: "When Our Fate is Sealed" — while in the "Garden of Time," Fate imagines a life where her and Alicia are both living as sisters, and Precia is what one would imagine to be a normal mother. In the film version of this scene, I cried like a baby, it was so sad!

The story ends with Precia's plot being foiled and her loudly declaring that she never loved Fate. Another very sad moment. And then a woman ("Lindy Harlaown") working for the Time-Space Bureau decides to adopt Fate. Living in separate dimensions, Fate and Nanoha exchange ribbons to remember each other by, ahem, like the last episode of "Mahō Shōjo Madoka★Magica"! Akiyuki Shinbō's fingerprints are all over this plot, without the grimdark edge of Gen Urobuchi looming over! For an anime that is an alternate universe, spin-off of an eroge series ("Triangle Heart")... it has a really good scenario and a cast of memorable characters, despite that!

Luna's Favorite Works by Each Respective Creator = ✅

Akiyuki Shinbō (director of "Mahō Shōjo Lyrical Nanoha"), notable works:
* 3-Gatsu no Lion (series)
* Arakawa Under the Bridge (series) ✅
* Cossette no Shōzō
* Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko
* Detatoko Princess
* Fate/Extra: Last Encore
* Ginga Ojō-sama Densetsu Yuna: Shin'en no Fairy ✅
* Hidamari Sketch (series)
* Katteni Kaizō
* Kōfuku Graffiti
* Kubikiri Cycle: Aoiro Savant to Zaregototsukai
* Mahō Sensei Negima!: Mō Hitotsu no Sekai
* Mahō Sensei Negima!: Shiroki Tsubasa Ala Alba
* Mahō Shōjo Lyrical Nanoha ✅
* Mahō Shōjo Madoka★Magica ✅
* Mahō Shōjo Madoka★Magica (film series) ✅
* Maria†Holic (series) ✅
* Mekakucity Actors
* Metal Fighter Miku
* Monogatari (series) ✅
* Natsu no Arashi! (series)
* Negima?!
* Nisekoi (series)
* Ojōsama Sōsamō
* Paniponi Dash!
* Sayonara Zetsubō Sensei (series) ✅
* Shihaisha no Tasogare
* Shin Hurricane Polymar
* Shina Dark: Kuroki Tsuki no Ō to Sōheki no Tsuki no Himegimi
* Soredemo Machi wa Mawatteiru
* Soreyuke! Uchū Senkan Yamamoto Yohko (series)
* Tenamonya Voyagers
* The SoulTaker: Tamashii-gari
* Triangle Heart: Sweet Songs Forever
* Tsukuyomi: Moon Phase
* Uchiage Hanabi, Shita kara Miru ka? Yoko kara Miru ka? ("Fireworks")

Commentary: Mr. Shinbō's work on the first installment of "Mahō Shōjo Lyrical Nanoha" is less of a reflection of his contemporary resume (with Studio Shaft), and more similar to his work on past ventures, like "Galaxy Fräulein Yuna"! There are semblances of his distinctive style, especially in areas that are given more financial leeway, like with the OP and first episode storyboards. Some of the intimate facial shots would later become an iconic, Shaft staple, and some of the "transformation scene" techniques — with all of their glitz and polish, were then, later reinvented in Mr. Shinbō's more famous magical girl series, ※"Mahō Shōjo Madoka★Magica"! Mr. Shinbō paved the granite walkway for the franchise; he and his team made the first series a success, so that the successors could have a chance to shine! I personally thought that Mr. Keizō Kusakawa handled the series better (with the films and A's), but Akiyuki Shinbō was pivotal for the show to gain traction! Iconic director, great job with the first season!

※Kind of strange when you think about it, because Nanoha and Fate have a similar dynamic to Madoka Kaname and Akemi Homura in "Mahō Shōjo Madoka★Magica"!

Keizō Kusakawa (director of "Mahō Shōjo Lyrical Nanoha: The Movie 1st"), notable works:
* Action Heroine Cheer Fruits
* Ahiru no Sora
* Aho Girl
* Akuma no Riddle ✅
* Asura Cryin' (series)
* Campione!: Matsurowanu Kamigami to Kamigoroshi no Maō
* Dog Days (Season One) ✅
* Fūka ✅
* Genei wo Kakeru Taiyō ✅
* Happy Sugar Life ✅
* Inukami! ✅
* Inukami! The Movie: Tokumei Reiteki Sōsakan Karina Shirō!
* Jūō Mujin no Fafnir
* KanColle Movie ✅
* Kantai Collection: KanColle ✅
* Mahō Shōjo Lyrical Nanoha A's ✅
* Mahō Shōjo Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS ✅
* Mahō Shōjo Lyrical Nanoha: The Movie 2nd A's ✅
* Mondaiji-tachi ga Isekai kara Kuru Sou Desu yo? ✅
* Rō-Kyū-Bu! ✅
* Rō-Kyū-Bu! SS ✅
* Rō-Kyū-Bu! Tomoka no Ichigo Sundae ✅
* Sekirei
* Sekirei: Pure Engagement

Commentary: Mr. Kusakawa is less celebrated than he should be; the man can direct some very visually striking animation scenes — if you haven't watched the "Kantai Collection" film, I would suggest giving it a try, it is a gorgeous, hour-long slice of animation! I would say that his lack of popularity with English audiences is partially due to his focus on leading very niche projects, that are more popular with the "moe otaku" crowd, rather than appealing to your everyday, run-of-the-mill, anime-watching normie. The original GAME for "Kantai Collection" has never even received an international release, and I doubt that it would garner much of a following if it did, since "Azur Lane" has already wormed its way into the hearts of EN players! Despite being a very talented director, he doesn't normally land projects with highly-skilled animators or writers; that's the whole reason why "Akuma no Riddle" sunk! And he is typically designated to lower budget studios, but when he is granted a large sum of expendable income, like with the repackaged "Mahō Shōjo Lyrical Nanoha" films, his finesse really shows! Keizō Kusakawa is an incredible director, I would suggest "Mahō Shōjo Lyrical Nanoha," "Rō-Kyū-Bu!", or "Kantai Collection" as an entry point into his shows ("Mondaiji-tachi ga Isekai kara Kuru Sou Desu yo?" is pretty dang enjoyable, too)! The fight scenes are polished in the film and the emotional scenes brought me to tears, so kudos to Mr. Kusakawa and his animation team for the amazing amount of strife that they put into the project!

Good Seiyū Work = ✅

Really Enjoyed the Seiyū's Performance = ✅ ✅

One of Luna's Favorite Performances OF ALL TIME = ✅ ✅ ✅

Yukari Tamura as Nanoha Takamachi, notable roles:
* Michiru, Air
* Mine, Akame ga Kill ✅
* Mayu Watanabe CG-3, AKB0048 ✅ ✅
* Remon Yamano, Ano Natsu de Matteru ("Waiting in the Summer") ✅ ✅
* Asuha Tōhara, Astarotte no Omocha!
* Chihaya Ikaruga, Asu no Yo'ichi! ("Samurai Harem")
* Yamada, B-gata H-kei
* Koko Ninna-Nanna, Bōkyaku no Senritsu
* Fear Kubrick, C³
* Honey Kisaragi, Cutey Honey Universe
* Sakura Kisaragi, Da Capo
* Kaoru Tsunashi, Danna ga Nani wo Itteiru ka Wakaranai Ken ("I Can't Understand What My Husband Is Saying")
* Nia, DearS
* Dōnyatsu, Dōnyatsu
* Moro, Dotto Koni-chan
* Hikaru Saitō, Futarigurashi
* Chiharu, Fūun Ishin Dai☆Shogun
* Ranpha Franboise, Galaxy Angel ✅
* Saki Hanano, Gintama ✅
* Rino Rando, Gokujō Seitokai
* Io Euclase, Granblue Fantasy the Animation ✅ ✅
* Rika Furude and Frederica Bernkastel, Higurashi no Naku Koro ni ✅ ✅ ✅
* Rika Furude and Ōka Furude, Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Rei ✅ ✅ ✅
* Ruru Amour, Hug tto! PreCure
* Ai, I: Wish You Were Here
* Iori Minase, iDOLM@STER Xenoglossia —stand-in for Rie Kugamiya
* Maiko Tamaki, Interlude
* Tabane Shinonono, IS: Infinite Stratos ✅ ✅ ✅
* Rinne Ohara, Island ✅
* Haruka Minazuki, Kaitō Tenshi Twin Angel
* Mai Kawasumi, Kanon ✅ ✅
* Tomari Kurusu, Kashimashi: Girl Meets Girl
* Togame, Katanagatari ✅ ✅
* Nui Harime, Kill la Kill ✅ ✅
* Komaki Asagiri, Kujjibiki Unbalance
* Excel, Kurokami the Animation
* Elizabeth Midford, Kuroshitsuji ("Black Butler") ✅ ✅
* Yotsuba, Kyokugen Dasshutsu Adv: Zennin Shibō Desu Prologue
* Choco, Last Period: The Journey to the End of the Despair ✅
* Finis, Last Song
* Midori Sugiura, Mai-HiME
* Lu Amano, Miami Guns
* Ink Nijihara, Moetan
* Nightingale, Monster Strike
* Shuri Wakatsuki, Myself;Yourself ✅
* Muromi-san, Namiuchigiwa no Muromi-san
* Tenten, Naruto ✅
* Jibril, No Game No Life ✅ ✅
* Ringo Kinoshita, Nōrin ✅ ✅ ✅
* Kanako Kurusu and Meruru, Ore no Imōto ga Konnani Kawaii Wake ga Nai ✅ ✅ ✅
* Masuzu Natsukawa, Ore no Kanojo to Osananajimi ga Shuraba Sugiru ("Oreshura") ✅ ✅ ✅
* Akazukin, Otogi Jūshi Akazukin
* Zesshi Zetsumei, Overlord II ✅
* Misha, Pita Ten
* Clala, Quiz Magic Academy: The Original Animation
* Priscilla Barielle, Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu ✅ ✅
* Kanami Yuta, s.CRY.ed ✅
* Chiyo Yumehara, Saiki Kusuo no Ψ-nan ✅
* Hayari Mizuhara, Saki Zenkoku-hen ✅
* Beatrix Brehme, Schwarzesmarken ✅
* Eva-R, Seikon no Qwaser
* Tiriel, Shakugan no Shana ✅
* M4 SOPMOD II, Shàonǚ Qiánxiàn ("Girls' Frontline") ✅
* Ellis Valentine, Shinkon Gattai Godannar!!
* Kazane Shishidō, Sora wo Kakeru Shōjo
* Suzuha Amane, Steins;Gate (series) ✅ ✅ ✅
* Saku Tōyama, Tantei Opera Milky Holmes
* Ai Kunugi, Teizokurei Daydream ("Ghost Talker's Daydream") ✅
* Frederica Bernkastel, Umineko no Naku Koro ni ✅ ✅ ✅
* Michiru Munakata, Uta-Kata ✅ ✅
* Hisako Ichiki, X-Men
* KōRyū, AnRyū, and TenRyūJin — Yūsha-Ō GaoGaiGar Final

Commentary: Ms. Tamura is an incredibly talented seiyū; as a testament to their legendary performances in the "Lyrical Nanoha" franchise, both she and Nana Mizuki (voice of "Fate Testarossa") received honorary voice actor Nendoroids, that Good Smile Company released after the original production of the Nanoha Takamachi and Fate Testarossa figures! Their collection performances (in the first two series particularly), are just that monumental! I would compare Ms. Tamura's role in "Lyrical Nanoha" to her roles as Michiru Munakata ("Uta-Kata") and Io Euclase ("Granblue Fantasy the Animation"), though Ms. Tamura is one of the most versatile voice actresses, when it comes to the variety of characters that she's voiced over the years! Fantastic work with the character!

Nana Mizuki as Fate Testarossa and Alicia Testarossa, 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 ✅ ✅ ✅
* Tsubasa Kazanari, Senki Zesshō Symphogear
* 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: The one word that I would use to describe Nana Mizuki as Fate Testarossa is: heartfelt. Ms. Mizuki is able to alter her glass masks between the abused, little girl to the fiercely, cold magic user in a matter of seconds; despite Fate's fractured persona, the performance came off as organic and natural, and nothing seemed forced. I would say that this was Ms. Mizuki's "career-defining" role, and the adulation and recognition that the character receives is well-deserved! Compelling character, by far, the greatest performance in the first series!

Kaori Mizuhashi as Yūno Scrya, notable roles:
* Purple Thorn, Accel World ✅
* Taeko Minazuki, Ai Yori Aoshi ✅ ✅
* Ai Aino, Aria the Animation
* Minami Shimada, Baka to Test to Shōkanjū ✅
* Altines, Busō Shinki
* Len, Carnival Phantasm ✅
* Pepper, Chicchana Yukitsukai Sugar ("A Little Snow Fairy Sugar")
* Ayumu Aizawa, Circlet Princess ✅
* Vivian Jones, Eikoku Koi Monogatari Emma ✅ ✅ ✅
* Sara Shirogane, Futakoi
* Chika Ogiue, Genshiken ✅ ✅ ✅
* Michiru Matsushima, Grisaia no Kajitsu (series) ✅
* Miyako, Hidamari Sketch ✅ ✅ ✅
* Kasumi Haruno, Kasumin
* Akane Suzumiya, Kimi ga Nozumu Eien ("Rumbling Hearts") ✅ ✅ ✅
* Haruto Mizushima, Kin'iro no Corda: Blue♪Sky
* Mifuyu Kiba, Koi to Senkyo to Chocolate
* Yūno Scrya and Vivio, Mahō Shōjo Lyrical Nanoha —series ✅ ✅ ✅
* Mami Tomoe, Mahō Shōjo Madoka★Magica ✕ Magia Record: Mahō Shōjo Madoka☆Magica Gaiden (TV) ✅ ✅ ✅
* Laharl, Makai Senki Disgaea ✅ ✅
* Janet van Dyne ("Wasp"), Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers
* Tio Plato, Minna Atsumare! Falcom Gakuen
* Ōgi Oshino, Monogatari —series ✅ ✅
* Pikaia, Pikaia!
* Fel, Prism Ark
* Mimika, Puka Puka Juju
* Elina Vance, Queen's Blade (series) ✅ ✅ ✅
* Meiru Sakurai, Rockman.EXE ("Megaman.EXE")
* Yagyū, Senran Kagura ✅
* Agnes Bōlange, Shukufuku no Campanella ✅
* Aya Fujisaki, To LOVEる ✅

Commentary: Ms. Mizuhashi does a wonderful job at making Yūno Scrya an adorable and likable, little boy-type of character (there are less of those than one might think)! It's kind of odd, because she goes on to voice major sex symbols in the anime collective, like Mami Tomoe ("Mahō Shōjo Madoka★Magica") and Elina Vance ("Queen's Blade")! I would compare her role as Yūno to Laharl ("Makai Senki Disgaea")! Great performance!

Natsuko Kuwatani as Arf, notable roles:
* Himiko Kudō ("Lady Poison"), GetBackers
* Kyaia Furan, Isekai no Seikishi Monogatari ("Tenchi Muyo! War on Geminar")
* Tweedledee, Kiddy Grade
* Alister Agrew, Last Exile
* Kanako Urashima, Love Hina Again
* Michiru Mamiya, Magikano
* Yue Ayase, Mahō Sensei Negima! (series)
* Ryōko Asakura, Suzumiya Haruhi no Yūutsu ✅✅✅
* Suiseiseki, Rozen Maiden (series) ✅✅✅
* Satomi Kanbara, Saki (series) ✅
* Kasuga, Sengoku Basara
* Karen, Sister Princess
* Hina Kusunose, True Love Story
* Silvia, Viewtiful Joe
* Yae Shinatsuhiko, Yozakura Quartet
* Sae Kawano, Yurumates (series)

Commentary: Ms. Kuwatani is vastly underrated and should be getting more roles, although I don't know if she's still apart of the voice-acting industry. I would compare her role as Arf to Ryōko Asakura ("Suzumiya Haruhi no Yūutsu") and Satomi Kanbara ("Saki"), since her character in "Lyrical Nanoha" an anti-hero that is both loyal beyond belief and ferociously protective over Fate. Great job!

Mikako Takahashi as Chrono Harlaown, notable roles:
* Hitomi, Appleseed VIII
* Louise Bubby, Chocolate Underground
* Tuile, Chōjūshin Gravion ✅
* Leerin Marfes, Chrome Shelled Regios
* Ayaka, Crystal Blaze
* Sakura Mizukami, D-Frag!
* Rebecca Anderson, Dog Days (series) ✅
* Reverie Metherlence, Erementar Gerad
* Nanami Moriyama, Fate/kaleid liner Prisma☆Illya 2wei Herz! ✅
* Suzuha Amanosuzu, Future Card Buddyfight (series)
* Tsu Terakado and Sadaharu, Gintama (series) ✅✅✅
* Yuzu Koyama, Girls und Panzer ✅✅
* Rushuna Tendō, Grenadier: Hohoemi no Senshi
* Ayumi Yamada, Hachimitsu to Clover ✅✅✅
* Rika Akiba, Hanbun no Tsuki ga Noboru Sora ("Looking Up At The Half-Moon") ✅
* Ayumu Nishizawa, Hayate no Gotoku!
* Shirayuki Hotogi, Hidan no Aria
* Elena and Eeta, Hunter x Hunter (2011) ✅✅
* Hakugen Rikuson and Teni Shizen, Ikkitōsen (series)
* Sayo Tomoe, Keitai Shōjo
* Izumi Makihara, Kemeko Deluxe!
* Caro Ru Lushe, Mahō Shōjo Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS and Mahō Shōjo Lyrical Nanoha ViVid ✅✅
* Rosalie Claudel, Mai-Otome and Mai-Otome Zwei
* Ayako Takasu, Mamoru-kun ni Megami no Shukufuku wo! ("Venus to Mamoru!")
* Chisato Tanuma, Maria-sama ga Miteru (series) ✅✅✅
* Nyami, MonHun Nikki Girigiri Airō Mura G
* Saya and Saizō, Peace Maker Kurogane
* Nowi, Queen's Blade (series) ✅✅✅
* Adelicia Ren Mathers, Rental Magica
* Kuniko Hōjō, Shangri-La ✅✅
* Jun Shiomi, Shokugeki no Sōma ✅✅
* Rodoreamon, Simōn
* Kusuha Mizuha, Super Robot Taisen OG the Animation (series)
* Tsubasa Watatsumi, Tactical Roar
* Sakuno Ryuzaki, Tennis no Ōji-sama
* Akiho Sairenji, To LOVEる✅✅
* Patchouli Knowledge ("Pachurī Nōreji"), 東方 Niji Sōsaku Dōjin Anime: Musō Kakyō ✅✅✅
* Rita Sior, Wellber no Monogatari: Sisters of Wellber
* Montmorency Margarita la Fère de Montmorency, Zero no Tsukaima (series)

Commentary: Ms. Takahashi has the same weird juxtaposition as Kaori Mizuhashi (voice of "Yūno Scrya"), where she starts out playing the role of a little boy character and then transitions into more, well, provocative roles! I would compare her role as Chrono Harlaown to Elena and Eeta ("Hunter x Hunter"), Yuzu Koyama ("Girls und Panzer"), and Nowi ("Queen's Blade")... since those characters are more boyish and androgynous than the rest. Great work!

Aya Hisakawa as Lindy Harlaown, notable roles:
* Skuld, Ah! My Goddess ✅✅✅
* Mune-Mune, Abenobashi Mahō☆Shōtengai ✅
* Shana T, Al Caral no Isan
* Megumi Hisakawa, Alien 9 ✅
* Miyuki Haneda, Aozora Shōjo-tai ("801 T.T.S. Airbats")
* Minamo Kurosawa, Azumanga Daiō
* Rei Kon, Bakuten Shoot Beyblade ✅✅
* Ichino Yanagida, Battle Athletess Daiundōkai ✅✅
* Ami Mizuno, Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon ✅✅
* Kissu, Bōken Ō Beet ("Beet the Vandel Buster")
* Hassan, Byston Well Monogatari: Garzey no Tsubasa ("Garzey's Wing")
* Keroberos, Cardcaptor Sakura ✅✅✅
* Carol Mudagolas, Carol
* Marina Oki, Cosmo Warrior Zero
* Aimi Koenji, Dark Cat
* Bulma, Dragon Ball Super
* Yuki Sōma, Fruits Basket (2001) ✅✅
* Yae, Ganbare Goemon ("Legend of the Mystical Ninja")
* Maki Umezaki, Geobreeders
* Serena, Gin'iro no Olynssis: Tokito
* Becky Farrah, Gunsmith Cats ✅✅
* Yuri Tsukikage ("Cure Moonlight"), HeartCatch PreCure ✅✅✅
* Palutena, Hikari no Megami ✅
* Layla B. Simmons, Idol Project
* Yōko Nakajima, Jūni Kokuki ("The Twelve Kingdoms")
* Chris, Kōryū Densetsu Villgust ("Armed Dragon Fantasy Villgust")
* Kanako Shijo, Kōryū no Mimi: Mina no Shō
* Lindy Harlaown, Mahō Shōjo Lyrical Nanoha ✅✅
* Sumire Kasugano, Mahōtsukai Sally 2
* Yōko Mano, Mamono Hunter Yōko
* Shizuka Nakamoto, Marriage: Kekkon
* Vinca, Mushrambo
* Chloe, Noir
* Kappii, Ontama!
* Claudia McCunnen, Phantom: Requiem for a Phantom ✅
* Hardy Newland, Power Dolls
* Takius, Ragnarök the Animation
* Haruka Shitō, RahXephon ✅✅
* Shizuka Nakamoto, Sailor Victory
* Mira Ackerman, Shinkon Gattai Godanner!!
* Miki Kaoru, Shōjo Kakumei Utena ✅✅
* Ryōko Balta, Tenchi Muyō! GXP
* Midori Saejima, Tenshi Nanka ja Nai
* Tomoko Hoshina, To Heart ✅✅
* Kaoru Niimi, Uchū Senkan Yamato 2199 ✅✅✅
* Hinoto, X ✅✅
* Ororo Munroe, X-Men

Commentary: Unlike Precia Testarossa, Lindy Harlaown is the likable mother — in "The Wizard of Oz" terms, the Good Witch of the North, as opposed to the Wicked Witch of the West. Her voice is very sweet and is similar to any young-looking, attractive mother in anime (the "ara ara ma"-type). I would compare Ms. Hisakawa's role as Lindy Harlaown to Kaoru Niimi ("Uchū Senkan Yamato 2199") and Pautena ("Hikari no Megami"). Both are voluptuous, older women that are on the side of good — that's the only reason that I excluded Claudia McCunnen from "Phantom: Requiem for a Phantom"! Fantastic work!

Rei Igarashi as Precia Testarossa, notable roles:
* Kanzeon Bosatsu ("Merciful Goddess"), Gensōmaden Saiyūki (series) ✅

Commentary: Ms. Igarashi doesn't seem to have had many other roles, her performance in Gensōmaden Saiyūki is similarly as husky and cold, as her role as the antagonist in "Lyrical Nanoha"! Great performance, albeit not very sympathetic, except for when Fate's backstory is revealed!

Conclusively, this series is still hailed highly today because, even now, there isn't anything quite like it. Not only is there a canonical, yuri romance but there are themes of child abuse, dimensional travel, and it ponders the philosophical question of whether human cloning should ever be an ethical option for the bereaved. The "Lyrical Nanoha" anime is a ground-breaking series that everyone should try, at least once, that is... if little girls duking it out with magical powers and well-choreographed sakuga scenes is your thing! I give Mahō Shōjo Lyrical Nanoha (TV) a 6/10 and Mahō Shōjo Lyrical Nanoha: The Movie 1st a solid 8/10!

Rankings:

Mahō Shōjo Lyrical Nanoha ★★★☆☆

Mahō Shōjo Lyrical Nanoha: The Movie 1st ★★★★☆