I noticed that there doesn't seem to be a thread about Nanoha (a great magical girl series, in my not-so-humble opinion), and since I know at least two members like the show (myself and Comartemis), I decided to start my first forum thread. Mainly so that the two of us will, hopefully, avoid potentially high-jacking other threads
Here are some questions I'd like to ask those that have seen and enjoyed this three season series. What first attracted you to it? In your opinion, what sets this series apart from other magical girl series? What did you think of the characters, both 'heroes' and 'villians'?
Here are my personal opinions and thoughts on the series.
I had seen it mentioned several times, both here and at other forums, and finally had the time to satiate my curiosity. My first stop was actually the wiki article on Nanoha (Nanoha) and what I read there really piqued my interest. While at first glance it seemed to be a standard magic girl show, the references to technology caught my attention. The more I read, the more interesting the show became. (On a side note, the fact that Zac from ANN seemed to have an intense dislike for the show added a bit to my interest as well, if for no other reason than to find out why he disliked it.)
For me, there are several things that set this series apart. The biggest is the use of technology to aid in casting spells. While there are several magic girl series that have something like it, I can't think of one in which it's used to the extent that it is in Nanoha. It isn't just magic-powered tech, but the integration of technology and magic. While not quite as obvious in the first season, both the second and third season show this. The most obvious example can be found in the various Devices used in the series, particularly Nanoha's Raising Heart and Fate's Bardiche, both of which are called Intelligent Devices (see here to read more about Devices). Added to that is the introduction of the Cartridge System in the second season. It just delighted me to see magic-girls with rifle-like magazines and/or revolver-style speed loaders (and loose rounds) sitting on their bedroom desk. I just smiled and said to myself, "Ok, now this is different!"
A second point of divergence for me was the combat. While the first season is fairly standard magic-girl combat (with the extreme exception of the final Nanoha/Fate battle), the other seasons' battles are much more shonen-like than I would expect in a magic-girl show. It's not just who has the more powerful attack (though there is quite a bit of that), but who uses their spells (and they are spells, not just magical attacks) to the best effect that determines who wins. There are actually some tactics used is these battles! The best example I can think of is actually the previously mentioned Nanoha/Fate battle. You can actually watch that fight and see where each made both good and bad tactical decisions.
Another point is the characters, particularly Nanoha. She actually trains herself, without any prodding from the outside. She actually wants to improve! The very first episode of the second season has a scene showing her practicing her magic, without resorting to the potential 'crutch' that her Device could become. Each of the characters has true depth, and are explored. Fate grows from a tormented pawn into a woman anyone can respect. All of the characters are interesting in their own right, and the story never seems to drag as they are explored and fleshed out. Even the 'villians' are interesting (with the possible exception of most of the bad guys in StrikerS) and have, at least to them, a 'good' reason for what they are doing (particularly the Knights in the second season).
Well, this post has gone on for long enough, so I'll just end it here.
P.S. Ok, I lied! This is to Comartemis: "You might have your wall-scroll, but I already ordered my Nanoha
and Fate figures! So nya, nya!"