This is the anime that would expand the definition of what one could consider a magical girl or a magical staff, and challenge typical characterisation of villain and hero. It also features fantastic cinematography and framing, paired with easy to follow editing, doing away with frenetic cuts between characters and action and animating it's battle scenes with beautiful, over-the-top magic sequences.
Paired with a killer soundtrack featuring inserts by Nana Mizuki, this is an unforgettable anime.
While the series itself is beginning to be forgotten, the importance of this anime can never be overstated. Without Nanoha, there wouldn't be a Bakemonogatari, a Madoka or an Arakawa Under the Bridge.
