Nanoha StrikerS 2-3

It seems I can’t quite keep up with the episodes given my limited spare time (considering also I have the second book of The S.T.E.A.L. Saga to take care of), so here I am with a recap of the last two episodes of Maho Shojo Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS.

Episode 2 presents us with more flashback material from the incident where Subaru got rescued by Nanoha. The reason for such a trigger is that Hayate reminds Fate about how she saved Subaru’s sister during the same incident.

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Once the matter is settled, Hayate then goes on saying that since there had been a lack of forces during the incident (Nanoha and Fate helped there, but they were on vacation to see Hayate), she had plans to create a new division to handle a variety of problems, from incidents to recover artifacts from ancient civilizations (Lost Logia, first mentioned in the Maho Shojo Lyrical Nanoha A’s to StrikerS manga). Of course, Nanoha and Fate approve her decision unconditionally.

Back to present, where Hayate has finished explaining the matter to Teana and Subaru. Nanoha then comes in and gives them the test results: they failed, but they will able to retake the exam without waiting for months.

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Cue to Signum, who is going to fetch Erio Mondial and Caro Ru Lushe, two other members for the upcoming division. We get to see a special ability from Erio and the fact that Caro has a pet dragon. The episode finishes with Vita fighting some enemies and Subaru and Teana going back to take the exam.

Episode 3 has another “preparation” feeling to it, as it starts with Hayate and Reinforce Zwei getting an office for the new unit (that now is officially existing). Shortly afterwards, Hayate gives a speech to the staff and to the members of the new unit. While Nanoha, Subaru, Teana, Erio and Caro go for some heavy-duty training, Fate and Hayate take a helicopter (equipped with an Intelligent Device) in order to talk with the higher-ups of the organization.

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Nanoha and mechanic staff member Shario Finerio direct the training, which involves taking out several magic enemies equipped with a nullifying field. Needless to say, the first attempts of the four new people aren’t exactly succesful (but, and this is something that I really liked, they try to find ways to cooperate, instead of arguing). Meantime, Hayate and Fate warn the rest of the Bureau about a new type of Lost Logia, the Relic, which apparently is being researched and used by someone illegally, potentially causing a lot of incidents.

Back to Subaru and friends, they manage to win by coordinating their efforts properly.

[]({{ site.url }}/images/2007/04/nanoha3_2.png)

At the end of the day, Hayate sums up the positive reactions to the creation of the unit to the book’s four protectors (Vita, Signum, Shamal and Zafira), and in the end, a happy Nanoha expresses her satisfaction about the recruits (although they’re all dead tired) to Fate.

Overall, I can say I’m satisfied. As I expected, the pace of the episodes is slower than the previous _Nanoha _series, but that was to be expected. I predict quite a bit of character development in the upcoming episodes, especially of the new recruits but not only that, given that Nanoha and Fate get reasonable screen time.

Some people said that StrikerS is not focusing on the right characters: I don’t think so, because of a series of reasons:

1. Nanoha and Fate got quite a deal of development in the first two series;

2. A’s to StrikerS deals with most of the events between the two series;

3. The screen time is quite evenly distributed among the characters, something that surprised me (I used to think that Nanoha would be almost non-existent in the series)

4. Nanoha, Fate et al. are quite too powerful as characters;

5. It’s still too early to decide, we’re only at the third episode.

Animation wise episodes 2 and 3 are decent, though sometimes there are a few drops in quality, but luckily nothing too bad. Overall I’m pretty satisified with the series so far, and I look forward to watching the next episode.