※This isn't explicitly stated in the script, but there is official art of them in wedding dresses together. Not to mention that they're living together intimately and are raising a daughter. How much more subtext do you need?
⚠️ This review of Mahō Shōjo Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS will contain light spoilers ⚠️
—Story/Characters
The first half of the series had me hyped: all of the old characters are ten years older and taking a group of younger characters under their wing, AND they're raising an orphaned child as their own! After Fate Testarossa's acquired adoration for conventional, little girl things, i.e. stuffed animals and dresses, after the end of her first arc — I kind of expected her to be the more traditional, stay-at-home mother figure; but, NANOHA actually ends up taking that position, while Fate is more work oriented! I mean, I guess it isn't like Nanoha is any less feminine than Fate, she just has the most broken power level and skill set in the universe!
This installment has an atmosphere that screams what if the "Muv-Luv" militia had magic powers, instead of mech suits! Some of the skills that were used as final attacks in the first two seasons, like Nanoha's Starlight Breaker, are now used more conventionally, like instead of charging up to fire a huge laser beam at a bad guy, Nanoha will just use it to blast through walls. She could be a magical girl firefighter, with that level of practicality! Despite Hayate having god-like abilities in "A's", she seems to be more designated to the role of an office worker in this season.
I thought the plot point with Vivio being a clone of "Sankt Kaiser" and being used as a vessel to activate the Saint's Cradle was kind of lame; it seemed like forced drama to have Fate and Nanoha become attached to her, and then have her kidnapped and used as a damsel. The inheritance of all of that power also seemed translucent with its attempt to make the all-powerful Nanoha and Fate's daughter have a way to somehow adopt a portion of their magnanimous abilities, despite not actually being related to them! Maybe, I've just consumed too many other fictional stories, but I kind of rolled my eyes at that point, because it appeared to be thinly veiled, sequel bait.
More than anything this series felt like an extended universe bookend, that was saying "here's references to the previous series with the characters that you liked all grown up, now we'll dump a bajillion more girls and effeminate boys for you to fawn over in the up-coming sequels"! It reminds me of all of the Marvel crossovers! I get that this franchise is acting as an enterprise, by branching out and showing off how cool the world is, but can we just get one really good story with a few new characters? Not a gaggle of generic background characters, that each have their own individual backstory in the canon, I mean, even the 東方Project girls were released in a series of individual game installments!
Luna's Favorite Works by Each Respective Creator = ✅
Keizō Kusakawa (director), 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: The Movie 1st ✅
* 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, 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!
Kana Ueda as Hayate Yagami, notable roles:
* Paladin, Bikini Warrior
* IF, Chōjigen Game Neptune, localized as "Hyperdimension Neptunia" ✅✅
* Rin Tōsaka, Fate/stay night ✅✅✅
* Momo Kawashima, Girls & Panzer ✅✅✅
* Chikage Izumi, Hagure Yūsha no Aesthetica, localized as "Aesthetica of a Rogue Hero"
* Yūko Morigaya, Hina Logi: From Luck & Logic
* Neon Nostrade, Hunter x Hunter (2011) ✅✅✅
* Hazumu Osaragi, Kashimashi: Girl Meets Girl
* Yuiko Hawatari, Loveless ✅✅
* Yumi Fukuzawa, Maria-sama ga Miteru, localized as "Maria Watches Over Us" ✅✅✅
* Kurumi Momose, Paniponi Dash!
* Anastasia Hoshin, Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu, localized as "Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-" ✅
* Honami Takase Ambler, Rental Magica
* Luna Shirogane, Ryūsei no Rockman, localized as "Megaman: Star Force"
* Saki Miyanaga, Saki ✅✅✅
* Fumika, Shigofumi ✅✅✅
* Heidemarie W. Schnaufer, Strike Witches: The Movie ✅✅
* Kareha Suzuka, TOKKÔ
Commentary: Ms. Ueda is known for having a very youthful, yet mature presence. This is the character of Hayate Yagami in a nutshell, she is very naïve and pure because of her age, but her terminal illness has given her an emotional complexity that makes her wise beyond her years. I would compare her role is "Nanoha A's" to her roles as Fumika ("Shigofumi") — I will avoid going into spoilers here, though this explaining the character of Fumika is difficult without stepping into a minefield of them, but put simply, she is a Shinigami that lost her mortal life at a young age and has seen a lot of things... there, I simplified it to the best of my ability, now go watch "Shigofumi"! I would also compare her performance as Hayate Yagami to Neon Nostrade ("Hunter x Hunter"), if you know how brutal the world of Hunter x Hunter, you would know that a cute girl would simply not just exist within that realm, and Saki Miyanaga (the titular character of "Saki"), she comes off as boyish and unsophisticated, but she's actually a mahjong genius! Incredible performance!
Kaori Mizuhashi as Vivio, 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, 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: Fate and Nanoha's daughter have the same voice actress as Nanoha's ferret companion, Yūno Scrya, from the ※first series! Ms. Mizuhashi has a talent of making the child version of Vivio impossibly adorable, while the adult version can kick some major butt! I would compare her voice as child Vivio to her roles as Michiru Matsushima ("Grisaia no Kajitsu") and Akane Suzumiya ("Kimi ga Nozumu Eien"), because they're more youthful-sounding, whereas Vivio's older self can be comparable to roles like Mami Tomoe ("Mahō Shōjo Madoka★Magica") and Miyako ("Hidamari Sketch"). Great job with the character!
※He's in all the other iterations, too, but he's more of a pivotal character in the first arc.
Chiwa Saito as Subaru Nakajima, notable roles:
* Konoha Inōe, "Bungaku Shōjo"
* Yona, Akatsuki no Yona ✅ ✅
* Aika S. Granzchesta, Aria the Animation
* Schierke, Berserk (2016) ✅ ✅ ✅
* Miina, Brave Story
* Sigyn Erster, Break Blade
* Paya Livingston, Dai Mahō Tōge ✅ ✅
* Yuki Saegusa, Dance in the Vampire Bund
* Aoi Asahina, Danganronpa 3 ✅ ✅
* Neneko Izumi, DearS
* Nanoha, Double Circle
* Chloe von Einzbern, Fate/kaleid liner Prisma☆Illya ✅ ✅
* Kirie Kojima, Girls Bravo
* Inugami, Gugure! Kokkuri-san ✅ ✅
* Tatenashi Sarashiki, IS: Infinite Stratos ✅ ✅
* Chroniko, Kaiba ✅ ✅ ✅
* Tama Hitotsubashi, Kamichu!
* Chitan Tsubōchi, Katte ni Kaizō
* Kemeko, Kemeko Deluxe!
* Natsumi Hinata, Keroro
* Kokoro, Kokoro Toshokan
* Riko Aida, Kuroko no Basket ✅ ✅
* Lavie Head, Last Exile ✅ ✅ ✅
* Nureha, Log Horizon ✅ ✅ ✅
* Homura Akemi, Mahō Shoujo Madoka★Magica ✅ ✅ ✅
* Louise Halvey, Kidō Senshi Gundam 00
* Hitagi Senjōgahara, Monogatari (series) ✅ ✅
* Ayame Akimo, Mōsō Kagaku Series: Wandaba Style
* Nancy Lee, Ninja Slayer From Animation
* Adele Roland, Nishi no Yoki Majo: Astraea Testament
* Rebecca Miyamoto, Paniponi Dash!
* Anita King, R.O.D -The TV- ✅ ✅
* Kotori Kanbe, Rewrite ✅
* Komachi, Samurai 7
* Tsurugi Yagami, Sasami-san@Ganbaranai ✅ ✅ ✅
* Chihiro Uomi, Seitokai Yakuindomo
* Imu, Senran Kagura ✅
* Mao, Shining Teas X Wind
* Honoka Mutsu, Stella Jogakuin Kōtō-ka C³-bu
* Francesca Lucchini, Strike Witches ✅ ✅ ✅
* Hazuki, Tsukuyomi: Moon Phase ✅
* Tenko, Ueki no Hōsoku
* Futaba Yoshinaga, Yoshinaga-sanchi no Gargoyle
* Miku Miyama, Zettai Shōnen
Commentary: Ms. Saito has become a very famous voice in the industry, her voices as Homura Akemi ("Mahō Shoujo Madoka★Magica") and Hitagi Senjōgahara ("Bakemonogatari") are the roles you can mention to the majority of people, and they'll be able to identify her voice! Ms. Saito's voice in "StrikerS" is very spirited and tomboyish, I would compare her performance in this series to Tatenashi Sarashiki ("IS: Infinite Stratos") and Francesca Lucchini ("Strike Witches"), both are energetic girls with masculine energy, though Tatenashi tends to be more on the promiscuous side! Great voice actress, to my surprise, I actually preferred Subaru over the other new protagonist, Teana, despite the fact that the MAI NAKAHARA plays her character!
Mai Nakahara as Teana Lanster, notable roles:
* Rena Kunisaki, .hack/Legend of the Twilight Bracelet ✅
* Chitose Nanbu, Amaenaide yo!!, localized as "Ah My Buddha"
* Hatsune Otonashi, Angel Beats! ✅✅✅
* Akagi, Azur Lane ✅✅✅
* Felli Loss, Chrome Shelled Regios
* Nagisa Furukawa, Clannad ✅✅
* Chisa Yukizome, Danganronpa 3: The End of Kibōgamine Gakuen ✅✅✅
* Thanast Useim Ruki Miu Sia Nostal Ren Naguregyug ("Miu"), DearS ✅
* Haruka Niekawa, Durarara!! ✅
* Juvia Lockser, Fairy Tail ✅✅
* Reika Rikudō, Fate/Apocrypha ✅✅
* Rena Ryūgū, Higurashi no Naku Koro ni, localized as "When They Cry" ✅✅✅
* Watashi, Jinrui wa Suitai Shimashita, localized as "Humanity Has Declined" ✅
* Karin Hanazono, Kamichama Karin ✅
* Nanami Yasuri, Katanagatari ✅
* Mai Tokiha, Mai-HiME ✅
* Yui Takamura, Muv-Luv Alternative: Total Eclipse ✅✅✅
* Anna Aoi, Chōjūshin Gravion
* Aono Morimiya, Sola ✅✅✅
* Nagisa Aoi, Strawberry Panic ✅✅
* Morgan, Tears to Tiara ✅
* Reimu Hakurei, 東方 Niji Sōsaku Dōjin Anime: Musō Kakyō ✅✅✅
* Morgan, Tears to Tiara ✅
* Yashirō Shimogamo, Uchōten Kazoku, localized as "The Eccentric Family" ✅✅✅
* Yuzuha, Utawarerumono ✅✅✅
Commentary: The feminine sharp-shooter, as Ms. Nakahara is with all of her other great roles, she delivers with Teana Lanster! I would compare her role as the more pragmatic and thoughtful of the two girls in the buddy cop duo, to Reimu Hakurei ("東方Project"), Reimu is honest and pragmatic to the point of being seen as a jerk, and Yui Takamura ("Muv-Luv Alternative: Total Eclipse"), the First Lieutenant in Japan's Imperial Royal Guard that also descends from a distinguished, samurai family... meaning that she's a hard cookie to crack! Amazing performance, as always!
Mikako Takahashi as Caro Ru Lushe, 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!
* 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 can wear a variety of glass masks, ranging from the subdued and cynical to the face of a spirited, young girl! In this anime, it is the latter, as she plays the adorable, young Caro Ru Lushe! I would compare the role to her voices in "Queen's Blade" as Nowi and "Hunter x Hunter (2011)" as Elena and Eeta! Great work!
Marina Inōe as Erio Mondial, notable roles:
* Kyōko Kōda, 3-Gatsu no Lion ✅
* Tsukasa Kiryu, Akaneiro ni Somaru Saka
* Chloe Morisu, Akanesasu Shōjo
* Valt Aoi, Beyblade Burst
* Momo Yaoyorozu, Boku no Hero Academia ✅
* Yozora Mikazuki, Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai ("I Don't Have Many Friends")
* Narvi Stryze, Break Blade
* Tsubasa, Busō Shinki Moon Angel
* Ibuki, Chaos Dragon: Sekiryū Seneki
* Meguru, Chōjikū Robo Meguru
* Kakeru Todoroki, Chōsoku Henkei Gyrozetter
* Cossette d'Auvergne, Cossette no Shōzō ✅
* Ami Kawamura, Danbell Senki
* Nana, Darling in the FranXX ✅
* Tōka Yatogami, Date A Live ✅ ✅ ✅
* Tagiru Akashi, Digimon Fusion
* Chiffon Fairchild, Freezing
* Mutsuki Uehara, Gakuen Utopia Manabi Straight!
* Mina Tsukuda, Getsumen To Heiki Mina
* Asaemon Ikeda, Gintama
* Iba Himuro, Gokujō!! Mecha Mote Iinchō
* Haruka Nanase, Hagure Yūsha no Aesthetica
* Rei Miyamoto, High School of the Dead ✅ ✅
* Kirihime Natsuno, Inu to Hasami wa Tsukaiyō ("Dog & Scissors")
* Laura Bodewig, IS: Infinite Stratos ✅ ✅ ✅
* Natsuru Senō, Kämpfer
* Monaka Noguchi, Kite Liberator
* Inaho Enoki, Kyochū Rettō
* Sakura Mamiya, Kyōkai no Rinne (TV)
* Mio Tsuzuki, Loups=Garous
* Matsurika Shinōji, Maria†Holic ✅ ✅ ✅
* Kana Minami, Minami-ke
* Sodachi Oikura, Monogatari series ✅ ✅ ✅
* Iroha Tsuchiura, Onii-chan no Koto nanka Zenzen Suki ja Nai n da kara ne!! ("Because I Don't Like My Big Brother At All!!")
* Makina Sakamaki, Plastic Nee-san ✅
* Yūta Iridatsu, Punch Line
* Rio Rollins Tachibana, Rio: Rainbow Gate!
* Chiri Kitsu, Sayonara Zetsubō Sensei ✅✅✅
* Rebecca Randall, Seikoku no Dragonar ("Dragonar Academy")
* Tsukiumi, Sekirei
* Alicia Melchiott, Senjō no Valkyria ("Valkyria Chronicles")
* Pheles, Shakugan no Shana
* Armin Arlert, Shingeki no Kyōjin ✅ ✅
* Kyōko Mogami, Skip Beat! ✅
* Nao Midorikawa ("Cure March"), Smile PreCure ✅ ✅
* Rakuta Koga, Suteki Tantei Labyrinth ("Fantastic Detective Labyrinth")
* Yōko Littner, Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann ✅ ✅
* Iku Kasahara, Toshokan Sensō ✅
* Jessica Ushiromiya, Umineko no Naku Koro ni ✅ ✅ ✅
* Yumiko Miura, Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru. ("My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU") ✅ ✅
* Shigeru Kanmuri, Yakitate!! Japan
Commentary: Ms. Inōe usually plays beautiful, young women but, in "StrikerS", she plays a little boy! The only other little boy role that I can recall seeing her in, is when she voices Armin Arlert in "Shingeki no Kyōjin", and I would say that the inflection that she uses with the two is quite similar, since they are effeminate and can be feisty, when they get angered. Incredible work!
Conclusively, the main problem with "StrikerS" is that it was too ambitious and didn't have a linear direction. I usually don't mind stories like this terribly much, after all I'm a fan of franchises like 東方Project and Kantai Collection, I like shows with a lot of characters, but each character has to have a memorable arc and a time to shine; you can't just garbage pile THAT many character onto us and expect us to care about ANY of them. Apart from the returning cast members, the only people that I actually did have an investment in is a) the original cast and b) Subaru and Teana — the other characters just gravitated around them, like trash orbiting around a planet! I give "Mahō Shōjo Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS" a 4/10, I enjoyed parts of it, but it was too overzealous and tried to do too much, instead of sticking to a core component of a single narrative!
Rating: ★★☆☆☆
