Takai
11-15-2008, 09:09 PM
Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha
Reviewer: The Guiltiest Gear
Original Title: Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha.
Alternative Title(s): Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha.
Format: TV series, 13 episodes, complete.
Year(s): 2004.
Genres/Themes: mahou shoujo, sci-fi, action; seinen.
Animation Studio: Seven Arcs.
Director: Shinbo Akiyuki.
Original Author(s): Tsuzuki Masaki.
Number of Episodes Seen: 13/13
Introduction:
I happened across this anime by the stupidest of reasons - saw an avatar of Fate and Bardiche in scythe form, and SOMEHOW I managed to track down the title in a time before it was well known. At first I had it pegged as a typical magical girl anime, but about halfway through the first episode I noticed it was a bit of a sci-fi with the way Raising Heart (Nanoha's staff) looked more like a machine. And here's the kicker - they spoke Engrish.
Plot and Setting/Story: 7/10
The Plot is what you would expect of a magical girl anime. Elementary school kid comes upon a magical talking animal (in this case a ferret), gets magic powers and decides to help it in some way. In this series it's the sealing of jewel seeds. Magical objects from another world that can cause one's wishes to come true, which isn't always as good as expected.
From there it's like every other magical girl anime for a few episodes; then it abandons the monster of the week formula when Fate Testarossa appears. From there the focus shifts to the antagonists' point of few, their rivalry, and why Fate persists in acquiring all the Jewel Seeds.
I will say, however, that while it's of the magical girl genre, it's not that child friendly due to one abusive parent.
Characters/Character Development: 10/10
This anime has some of my favorite character development scenes around. Nanoha was originally a character who felt simply there with no real purpose for being around, but gradually changes.
There's also the relationship between Nanoha and Raising Heart, and Fate and Bardiche. Seemingly emotionless, they have their moments through encouragement and backup.
Art/Animation: 7/10
This anime is a bit wonky in some areas, but overall good animation. I say wonky but it was only noticeable in two instances: where it was supposed to be raining but wasn't, and Nanoha firing a beam diagonally upward while the beam traveled a straight line across the ground later. But those issues are fixed if you watch the DVD version. The art maintains a constant stream of quality throughout however.
Sample Screenshots:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/dragonmaster5/vlcsnap-2922417.png
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/dragonmaster5/vlcsnap-2923547.png
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/dragonmaster5/vlcsnap-2924950.png
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/dragonmaster5/vlcsnap-2927567.png
Music/Sound: 10/10
Where do I begin in this category... everything's so well done.
Well, let's start with music. This anime has a soundtrack divided between relatively cute, like the transformation theme, and dark and foreboding, like the theme for Fate and Nanoha's duels.
Then we have the weapons' voices; they speak nearly perfect English, and the voices have a filtering effect added to give them a robotic tone. Sound effects used for them when reconfiguring their bodies into other forms is perfect as well - fits their metallic nature.
Additional Comments or Warnings:
As this is a magical girl anime, you should expect to see a naked underage girl or two at some point; the plus side is they only use these scenes twice, maybe three times to save time. Also, it has slight yuri/shoujo-ai tones.
Overall Anime Rating: 10/10
It's not the usual magical girl anime and has a great deal of uniqueness.
Reviewer: The Guiltiest Gear
Original Title: Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha.
Alternative Title(s): Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha.
Format: TV series, 13 episodes, complete.
Year(s): 2004.
Genres/Themes: mahou shoujo, sci-fi, action; seinen.
Animation Studio: Seven Arcs.
Director: Shinbo Akiyuki.
Original Author(s): Tsuzuki Masaki.
Number of Episodes Seen: 13/13
Introduction:
I happened across this anime by the stupidest of reasons - saw an avatar of Fate and Bardiche in scythe form, and SOMEHOW I managed to track down the title in a time before it was well known. At first I had it pegged as a typical magical girl anime, but about halfway through the first episode I noticed it was a bit of a sci-fi with the way Raising Heart (Nanoha's staff) looked more like a machine. And here's the kicker - they spoke Engrish.
Plot and Setting/Story: 7/10
The Plot is what you would expect of a magical girl anime. Elementary school kid comes upon a magical talking animal (in this case a ferret), gets magic powers and decides to help it in some way. In this series it's the sealing of jewel seeds. Magical objects from another world that can cause one's wishes to come true, which isn't always as good as expected.
From there it's like every other magical girl anime for a few episodes; then it abandons the monster of the week formula when Fate Testarossa appears. From there the focus shifts to the antagonists' point of few, their rivalry, and why Fate persists in acquiring all the Jewel Seeds.
I will say, however, that while it's of the magical girl genre, it's not that child friendly due to one abusive parent.
Characters/Character Development: 10/10
This anime has some of my favorite character development scenes around. Nanoha was originally a character who felt simply there with no real purpose for being around, but gradually changes.
There's also the relationship between Nanoha and Raising Heart, and Fate and Bardiche. Seemingly emotionless, they have their moments through encouragement and backup.
Art/Animation: 7/10
This anime is a bit wonky in some areas, but overall good animation. I say wonky but it was only noticeable in two instances: where it was supposed to be raining but wasn't, and Nanoha firing a beam diagonally upward while the beam traveled a straight line across the ground later. But those issues are fixed if you watch the DVD version. The art maintains a constant stream of quality throughout however.
Sample Screenshots:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/dragonmaster5/vlcsnap-2922417.png
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/dragonmaster5/vlcsnap-2923547.png
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/dragonmaster5/vlcsnap-2924950.png
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/dragonmaster5/vlcsnap-2927567.png
Music/Sound: 10/10
Where do I begin in this category... everything's so well done.
Well, let's start with music. This anime has a soundtrack divided between relatively cute, like the transformation theme, and dark and foreboding, like the theme for Fate and Nanoha's duels.
Then we have the weapons' voices; they speak nearly perfect English, and the voices have a filtering effect added to give them a robotic tone. Sound effects used for them when reconfiguring their bodies into other forms is perfect as well - fits their metallic nature.
Additional Comments or Warnings:
As this is a magical girl anime, you should expect to see a naked underage girl or two at some point; the plus side is they only use these scenes twice, maybe three times to save time. Also, it has slight yuri/shoujo-ai tones.
Overall Anime Rating: 10/10
It's not the usual magical girl anime and has a great deal of uniqueness.