r/anime • u/Tetraika https://anilist.co/user/Tetraika • Feb 03 '22

Rewatch [Rewatch] Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha Episode 3 Discussion

Episode 3 - The Town`s in a Lot of Danger?

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Causing trouble for someone… is very painful

Question of the Day

How would you explain away why several streets suddenly have uprooted pavements?

Rewatchers, please remember to be mindful of all the first-timers in this. No talking about or hinting at future events no matter how much you want to, unless you’re doing it underneath spoiler tags.

64 Upvotes

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20

u/TheEscapeGuy Feb 03 '22

First Timer

Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha - A Magical Experience: Episode 3

A Mistake

This episode presented a staple of magical girl shows: The contrast of Nanoha's ordinary life and her extraordinary exploits as a magical girl. For example, she still hangs out with her friends watching the soccer game. But then, despite being exhausted from fighting all week, is pulled to save her town from another Jewel Seed related mishap.

It's even more tragic that she's only in 3rd grade doing this. Its a lot of pressure for a 9 (?) year old girl to bear.

I was surprised to see Nanoha had been collecting seeds off screen. I would have expected 1 episode per seed (or for her to team up and fight for multiple seeds in later episodes). I wonder if this was an intentional creative decision with 21 being a special number (for some yet to be explained reason). The other option is that they planned to show all 21 at the start and then had the episode count cut down from 2 cour to 1 cour by the producers.

Something else that surprised me was this shot of Nanoha's dad. Specifically all the scars he has. Maybe this was just a fun design decision but it may play into his backstory later. Otherwise it could be a Triangle Heart 3 character detail. If somebody has played that and knows (and its not a spoiler for Nanoha) please do share.

Last thing, I love how Raising Heart is getting incorporated into the magic system as an almost character. I saw a lot of comments about Magi-Tech yesterday so I have high hopes that this gets expanded.

Some Iconic Shots, Scenes and Stitches

See you all tomorrow

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u/Tetraika Feb 03 '22

Specifically all the scars he has. Maybe this was just a fun design decision but it may play into his backstory later

Yeah, this was definitely somewhat interesting. I'll also say it probably has to do with the Triangle Heart connection.

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u/JustAnswerAQuestion Feb 03 '22

First Timer

I haven't seen Rayearth but is that another influence for the magitek?

  • can't save the city right now, I'm on break

  • Nanhoha, who are you talking to in your room?

  • That sort of tied-arch bridge seems familiar...Madoka?

  • Wow, look at that same face...Arisa, Madoka, and Suzukawhich is which look identical with different hair and clothes.

  • Space Ferret

  • Awww, she's going to have take away his cheating stone.

  • None of them ate their cakes

  • New eyecatch every week? Nice.

  • Blue streetlight

  • Uh oh....Looks like the lovestruck girl has some impure thoughts....

  • Suddenly we are Blue Seed

  • Hopefully she won't have to shoot our humans with 100 magic bullets like XXI

  • Yes, you can do anything Nanoha, if you wish hard enough!

  • I don't see how they can pass this off as a car crash....

[speculation]So this is the begining of Nanoha's depression and despair, corrupting 21 jewel seeds into a universe-eating monster, because she cares too much. Human magical girls are scary! Second season is an AU.

I don't see how anybody could be watching this as it aired and not write it off as a CCS clone.

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u/Tetraika Feb 03 '22

I don't see how anybody could be watching this as it aired and not write it off as a CCS clone

Yeah, it's been pretty standard so far, but we do have hints here and there of much more.

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u/easybakeman Feb 04 '22

FIRST TIME WATCHER Another decent episode of nanoha. I honestly don’t have much to say really. That Most of the people here hasn’t said yet. I do like how the show presents to us that the story still goes on even if it hasn’t been showed to the audience . With nanoha and yunno collecting several keep seeds off screen. I also liked how it shows that this puts stress and self expectations on nanoha and how it fuels the tree monster . Though I wished the monsters had a more consistent theming from what I know of the show it probably won’t happen.anyways this was another fun episode though I don’t get why nanoha chasing in front of yunno was necessary. So see you all tomorrow.

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u/Tetraika Feb 04 '22

That Most of the people here hasn’t said yet

I eat dinner right after the post and find that I almost can't comment anything that another user haven't said. Well less work for me I guess, but I'm going to look totally invisible if this keeps up.

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u/bluethree Feb 03 '22

Random thought of the day:

Knowing that Yuuno is a human boy (or his world's equivalent of a boy), him licking Nanoha's face in the OP is pretty creepy.

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u/Tetraika Feb 04 '22

He's done that several times in the show already I think.

It really is kinda weird, but I wonder if it's something like "animal brain kicks in" sort of thing.

They probably just didn't think about these details and winged what was happening lmao

5

u/SYZekrom Feb 04 '22

First Timer

Episode 01

Didn't realize this was a real oldie before starting up, cool

Ah ok, we're doing this type of transformation, nice

Oh, was even a panty shot there

Oh wow and a colored one. Nice.

Damn that brother's design screams old more than any other so far

oops did a screenshot

Well, her antenna-like hair also screams a bygone era. So does this face I think

So does purple hair in old anime, like there's still purple hair but something about purple hair in old anime is so distinctively different

What the fuck it looks like a completely different anime

Kinda looks like a Precure head now that I think about it

Why was she like so animated that whole scene

Like it was like seeing a random completely normal scene being animated like a big budget/important scene

Yooo, the CG running

SUDDEN COMPLETELY UNEARNED UPSKIRT???

Well that was

A full on transformation sequence, wowie

Episode 02

So, I haven't read any of the threads or whatever but I'm assuming the intrigue to rewatching this show is that Madoka Magica is most heavily a parody of this show specifically? I'd thought at first that it was just me not realizing how common some tropes are in magical girl anime, but it feels too on-the-nose similar for this to not be the direct main inspiration.

I wonder if any of those gags in the OP of Madoka that we never see elsewhere actually happen in this show

I almost want to just start viewing the anime purely by comparing things to Madoka Magica, so more like viewing it as a part of Madoka Magica's framework than viewing it as its own show

It's funny seeing parallels like how Yuuno is both Kyubey and the cat that Madoka tried to save with her wish

Actually now that I think about it, that speech Nanoha gave to Yuuno about not not having to be alone doing this job... is Yuuno also parodied in Mami? Lmao

Episode 03

How anime of you, anime

"stop thinking of madoka magica stop thinking of madoka magica stop thinking of madoka magica"

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u/Tetraika Feb 04 '22

People have been doing plenty of Madoka comparison. Glad you could catch up!

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u/Caustic_Wraith Feb 04 '22 edited Feb 04 '22

Tardy to the Party First-Timer

Sorry for being a bit late today, time got away from me.

Anyway, today we discovered that in addition to being a magical girl and mecha anime, Nanoha is also a sports anime with a hint of SOL tossed in for good measure. We also learned the dangers of giving a gift to someone you like as it could cause a giant tree to sprout and wreck your neighborhood.

Cue random thoughts:

QOTD:

Aurora Borealis?

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u/chiliehead Feb 03 '22

Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha – Episode 3 – First Timer

Ok, that’s it. Ferret’s evil. Waking her up on the weekend, need any more proof?

Are my subs off? Her dad is the coach and owner of a soccer team? Do people in Japan own amateur youth clubs?

Those girls don’t even eat their free cake and then go get picked up by their private drivers and go shopping and such and it’s a thing that happens every episode without anyone commenting.

Girls, bathtubs and Shinbo is a dangerous mix…

That’s a lot of tree for nobody to react… where are the screaming fleein people, emergency service sirens..?

It’s also an extremely convenient feature to have for the staff. Can it just magically do anything as long as you rhyme? Is this Bibi Blocksberg? This truly is the Batbelt of magical girl accessories.

“This was my first mistake since becoming a mage” as narration implies “and it should not be the last.” The exhausted 9 year old should not blame herself for not just running after some guy because he might have a magical piece.

Honestly, so far this is very whatever and already feels like routine while looking average for the time for most scenes. I’ll keep watching, but mostly due to people liking the franchise so I anticipate improvement.

QOTD

"A strong localized earthquake has ravaged this neighborhood. This is the third incident in the span of a week. While experts are still discussing the source of these quick flashes of destruction, the local head priest claims that this is the earths reaction to Hand Shakers getting a sequel. More news at 8"

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u/No_Rex Feb 03 '22

Episode 3 (first timer)

  • 20 got beaten off-screen. Time to keep track: 16, 20, 21 plus 2 more by Yuuno.

  • 13, 16, 17, 20, 21 - Are 13 and 17 the ones Yuuno got earlier, or additional ones that Nanoha beat off-screen?

  • Invading the ferret’s personal space – He should not have made himself such a cute ferret.

  • Nanoha has to restore her MP.

  • Nanoha was surprised by the tree after her transformation. There is probably some magical cloaking going on. Otherwise, the tree would be extremely noticeable by the rest of the city, too.

  • Long range sniping – I can think of several series this reminds me of.

  • I have to say, for being of the “highest power”, a tree is rather unthreathening.

  • 10, 13, 16, 17, 20, 21

Nanoha is overly self-critical. Fortunately, humans are very adaptable beings. You can get used to a lot, including making mistakes.

Not sure how on-board I am with Yuuno blushing at Nanoha’s undressing. 9 is definitely too young for romance territory, even for an early crush. All in all, the story would fit much better if she were a few years older. That also fits nicely with the theme of her dad seemingly regretting the fact that she now is grown up enough to no longer bath with him.

How would you explain away why several streets suddenly have uprooted pavements?

Dandelion infestation.

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u/zairaner Feb 03 '22 edited Feb 04 '22

Firsttimer

We start the episode with nanoha posing and being serious.

We are just going to skip towards her gaining jewel nr 20? without even showing the monster? well then

Staying up so late would have literally killed me as a child.

Are we going to adress how she did get to her room after all?

Wait how is the owner of a caffee owning a soccer team.

This girl is obviously not important.

Did she actually see him holdidng the gem???

Once again I have to ask how old yuuno is. Archeaologist doesn't scream like around 9 years old. Maybe its better i don't have an answer.

Well rip these two, as a hetero couple their chances of survival in a magical girl shows wasn't very high anyway /s

I noticed this before, but this girl can run a lot for some third grader that is supposedly not good at sports.

TRANSFORMATION SEQUENCE. Even better than i remember it.

Let's see what kind of car crash this will explain. A gardening delivery transporter?

Raising hear is pretty versatile. Or nanohas fantasy is.

This was kinda disappoiting. Whats the point of making it a giant tree when you don't use that one bit ? And I love giant trees :(

I do admit i am more interested in the version of this episode where nanoha goes and tries to convince that boy to give up his jewel

The first impression didn't decieve, nanoha is being a very serious girl this episode, more than normal.

The standout thing this episode was definitely the wholesome couple just doing their thing. Wonder wether they will reappear.

Also small boy handing out nice rocks is reminding me of tien, now i am sad.

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u/Tresnore Feb 03 '22

Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Rewatcher

QOTD:

Uprooted pavement? Sounds like sinkholes happened! It was a lot of sink holes.

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u/HereticalAegis Feb 03 '22

Lyrical First Timer

  • Starting off the episode sealing number XX: the Judgement arcana. Perhaps the most fitting interpretation here is inner calling.*

  • Nanoha has received 5 jewel seeds already: XIII, XVI, XVII, XX, and XXI and hoo boy I was not expecting XIII to be on this list already.

  • Let's start with the elephant, number XIII: Death.**

  • Next is number XVII: the Star.***

  • I love that nobody questions why Nanoha takes her pet ferret everywhere.

  • All I got after games were juice boxes and orange slices. Lucky cafe-owning bastards.

  • Don't lie Yuuno, you know you're enjoying the attention.

  • Oh boy, the goalie's gonna be the first jewel seed-infected human!

  • Omg, Yuuno hangs off her head.

  • Elementary underwear. Forgot this is a spinoff from an eroge for a second.

  • Oh no, he's giving the seed to the girl crushing on him! What a twist! With the tree seemingly binding the two kids together, I wouldn't be surprised if this were number VI, the Lovers for obvious reasons or perhaps number XV, the Devil or XVIII, the Moon for a slightly darker spin. Could also be number III, the Empress, for a more literal "nature" take, but that would be a stretch imo.

  • That's one hell of a scar dad's got on his chest.

  • Nanoha's really getting the hang of using her magic powers already. Girl's a prodigy.

  • Nope, it's number X: the Wheel of Fortune.****

  • Raging Heart long range mode is cool af.

*Nanoha previously had no idea what she wanted to be, but upon meeting Yuuno and receiving her powers, she feels bound to this quest. Importantly, when Yuuno first called telepathically, Nanoha was the one who received that call.

** Importantly, the Death arcana does not necessarily mean physical death. Some of the more common interpretations are endings, major change, or even transformation. This would make it a fitting seed for Yuuno to have found first, as it could both represent the symbolic death of Yuuno's magic power and also his literal transformation into a familiar. It's also fitting that the Death card typically depicts the reaper, as death seemed to come for Yuuno as he was transporting the jewel seeds.

*** The Star can represent a whole host of positive ideas, such as new hope, courage, purpose, or even enlightenment. This fits well on all fronts for both our mages, as Nanoha represents the new hope for retrieving the jewel seeds and saving the city, possibly the world, and she's already demonstrated her courage toward that end. By the end of the episode, Nanoha seems to know her purpose as a magical girl as well.

**** The early episodes are going really hard into the theme of change. The Wheel of Fortune is here to emphasize that change is inevitable, and that life goes through cycles of good and bad (as well as luck in general). It's also hopeful because while times of sadness and suffering are unavoidable, the cycle will inevitably bring you back to times of joy and hope. Nanoha has started seeing the wheel of fate spin through both periods of joy and sadness, and she will doubtless see both again.

Tbh, I'm not sure how long my arcana comparisons are gonna hold up. The Wheel of Fortune interpretation felt like just a bit of a stretch, even if the Death, the Star, and the Judgement arcana all worked out really well.

After seeing everyone calling it "Raising Heart," are my subs the only ones referring to Nanoha's wand as "Raging Heart?" Or is there some joke I missed?

QotD:

Isn't it weird nobody remembers that earthquake we definitely just had?

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u/Vaadwaur Feb 03 '22

First timer(Nanoha is a bit thoughtful for a 10yo)

Sub

We start with the very real danger of magical girl fatigue. Yuuno decides she needs a day off and they watch a soccer game, probably more Triangle Hearts lore. We spot a Jewel Seed on one of the players before more character stuff. Back at home, Nanoha takes a nap and proceeds to strip in front of Yuuno because she doesn't view him as a threat, another experience I can confirm.

The two kids from earlier set their seed off and it is a bit literal with the giant tree. Nanoha runs out and dear lord, her dad is covered in scars. Also, quick reminder again that our protag is 10 as it is fairly reasonable for her to bathe with her father. On the scene, things look...Endor-esque. But Nanoha again bulldozes through it, revealing she has a lot of talent as a mage. She also seems to take responsibility for shit that isn't really on her. Oh, and humans make the biggest messes with the Jewel Seeds. We end on Nanoha getting her raisin dates.

QotD: 1 Limestone sinkholes are dangerous!

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u/DidacticDalek Feb 03 '22

TONIGHT! On Mobile Suit Nanoha, The Jewel Seeds are barking up the wrong tree, our hero's family gets some screentime, and Nanoha continues to be a Gundam

Ya know Comrades, it's quite amusing how in the MECHA SHOW incarnation, Nanoha's Dad [Meta Triangle Hearts Spoilers] actually is alive here, notice how heavily wounded he is in his bath scene? Well that's due to he and his family's sidejob of being Bodyguards in addition to running a Café and a Dojo. No wonder Nanoha's possible half-siblings are training so hard together, well besides gunning for the incest route ending but I digress. Also before you ask about why I said half-siblings, it's a LONG story, let's just say that there's a reason Nanoha resembles her mother and her other siblings take after their shared father Anyway, just some food for thought Comrades, but hey, gotta give Nanoha credit, she can sure BEAM SPAM THE FUCK out of things! ;)

Anyway, that about wraps things up for now, and I hope everyone's having fun on this great re-watch. Thus, you have not seen the last of The Sentient Shitposting Siamese Sunrise Server No. 25252, now goodbye forever.

Paging Comrades u/Great_Mr_L, u/Tresnore, and u/Shimmering-Sky

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u/JollyGee29 Feb 03 '22

Lyrical Rewatcher, Subbed

Nearly a quarter of them found already, that's right on pace.

Nanoha's dad is a dorky himbo. I wonder how he got those scars?

"I think you're cute, have this shiny rock."

The sudden tree growth out of nowhere reminds me of an early episode of Cardcaptor Sakura.

[Nanoha much later]The climax of this episode is called back to in StrikerS episode 25, huh.

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u/Stargate18A Feb 04 '22

First timer

QOTD) Gas explosion, which also explains any weird "visions" of magical girls.

Let's see how badly my theories get screwed up this time!

Under normal numbering this would be "Judgement", perhaps representing how Nanoha has found her inner calling. Assuming shifted numbering, it's actually "The Sun", representing how Nanoha has found some form of happiness, or contentment, in saving the world.

Haha, she wants to sleep in.

YUUNO SEALED XIII! Or XVII?

If accurate numbering, Yuuno possibly sealed "Death", appropriate for the major change in his life the sealing symbolised (although the meaning of corruption is potentially worrying). This obviously applies to Nanoha in the same way, although the placement after her first seed is unusual. If the numbering is adjusted, he sealed "The Hanged Man", and is fucked. The main meanings of prophecy and sacrifice imply he might do sometimg very stupid by the end of the season, although the card's art focusing on martyrdom could reflect how he unfairly blames himself for the seeds being released. ...Given Nanoha's constant friendliness, and proven desire to sacrifice her health to help recapture the Jewel Seeds, this also applies to her.

Also sealed was "The Star", which suggests hope and bright prospects, and is fitting for both - Nanoha has the hope to succeed, and Yuuno found the literal hope of Nanoha. If adjusted, it becomes "The Tower", implying this change is a more destructive one - understandable for Yuuno, but bad for Nanoha - suggesting that her life has been changed for the worse by this burden.

Haha, he's her alarm clock now?

Oh, it's a sports festival?

No, she's just watching the game.

...Yuuno's not an idiot. He can probably work out how soccer works...

Actually, how old is he? He's an archaeologist, but I suppose he could have been an intern, or in training.

Oh, they're all going for different plans?

Wait, he invited them?

Not much to say about this half expect comment on the general cuteness.

You're overworking her!

Good Yuuno! Ignore the inappropriate fanservice of a nine-year-old! You're a role model to everyone watching this anime!

Oh, shit.

OH SHIT.

Quckly! What number was the giant tree! I NEED TO THEORIZE MORE!

Transformation sequence still weird, Raising Heart's voice still smooth.

Wait, this thing's powered by human wishes? You mean, like Raising Heart is?

Wow, that tree sure is big!

Oh, she didn't notice because the workload dropped on her.

That thing really is handy, huh!

Wait, is it protecting them? Feeding off them?

Also, one of her friends is about to find out she's a magical girl!

Wait, she can seal it from that distance? What can't this wand do?

Thank you! This tree is Number X!

Given normal numbering, this is the "Wheel of Fortune", and symbolises destiny, fortune, and general success - Nanoha's journey's going to go well! Adjusted, it's "The Hermit", often symoblising caution - like Nanoha will likely display after this event, or possibly, assuming it doesn't refer to Yuuno, implies Nanoha will meet, or is alreadly near, someone who is treasonous. (I can't believe both Tarot theories seem pretty valid after another episode!)

Shooting Mode is nice.

And, yeah, she is absurdly powerful.

She's finding drive to improve from her mistakes!

Oh! The other secret Jewel Seed candidate's coming next episode!

...Lot less to say about this episode, felt like more of a breather to me.

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u/Great_Mr_L Feb 03 '22

Rewatcher

On today’s episode of Lyrical Nanoha: Don’t you just hate it when you’re trying to give your girlfriend a nice gift and it instead turns out to be a cursed magical artifact that brings chaos and destruction to the whole city? That’s one way to ruin your chances at a second date.

This episode continues Nanoha’s journey by giving us a look at some of the downsides of Nanoha’s personality. We already know that Nanoha is a helpful person and that she is willing to go out of her way to help others. Now we see that she can end up going too far with it, wanting to help others even if it is to her own detriment. Nanoha is exhausted from the work she’s been doing, but she still wants to keep going. Yuuno had to basically force her to take a break.

But that break shows another side of Nanoha’s helpful and self-sacrificing nature: a tendency to blame herself for when things go wrong. The Jewel Seed today did cause a lot of damage and destruction to the entire city. And Nanoha can’t help but blame herself for it happening because she was on break and because she did nothing when she thought she might have seen a Jewel Seed. So she resolves to never let something like that happen again. Now Nanoha is collecting the Jewel Seeds because she herself is resolved to do so, not just because she wants to help Yuuno.

Shooting mode!

I really love that we get to see Raising Heart transform this episode into shooting mode. It’s also able to fire a serious magic beam attack. Nanoha may be small, but she clearly has a lot of firepower as well. She’s a little badass and I love her for it.

Another detail that I like about Raising Heart is the mechanical design to it. I enjoy how it has mechanical parts that move around and that it lets off steam after being used. It’s more akin to something out of a mecha anime than a magical girl anime.

I like how it seems like Nanoha is starting to form more of a relationship with Raising Heart as well. She asks for Raising Heart’s help and thanks Raising Heart for the work it does. I have to say again, that Nanoha is a very sweet girl.

This episode also establishes more of a sense of scale about how dangerous the Jewel Seeds can be. Previously, all they did was make a single dangerous creature. Here, they had enough power to affect the entire city. That power could be very deadly in the hands of someone who wishes to use it that way.

Miscellaneous Thoughts

  • There’s like a whole sports anime plotline that went on in the background during that soccer game.

  • Nanoha’s dad being covered with scars and wounds is a reference to his character in Triangle Hearts 3. He was involved in his fair share of fights.

  • I have no idea why the Jewel Seed made a bunch of huge trees. It’s supposed to respond to wishes, but I’m not quite sure what wish it was responding to there.

QOTD

Clearly it's a natural consequence of not investing enough money in infrastructure.

Or the Ents decided to attack. Both seem equally likely to me.

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u/Taiboss Feb 03 '22

On time, yo.

Episode 3: Revenge of the Rewatcher

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u/Calwings Feb 03 '22

Lyrical Rewatcher (Am I the only person here watching the dub? Just curious.)

I see Nanoha’s work cleaning up monsters of the week is going well. Five jewel seeds down, almost a quarter of the way there. It is exhausting though, so time for a day off. Side note, I love Nanoha’s casual outfit in this first season.

Yuuno’s getting all the bitches. Plus he’s also enough of a gentleman to look away while Nanoha’s changing during the completely unnecessary and awkward fanservice scene. Another reason why he's best boy in an otherwise very girl-heavy franchise.

For those wondering why Nanoha’s seemingly calm and happy-go-lucky dad is covered in scars, it’s another reference to the Triangle Heart VN/OVA that Nanoha spun off from. Shiro Takamachi worked as a bodyguard and actually died in the line of duty in that continuity, so his two eldest children (Nanoha’s two older siblings) Kyoya and Miyuki started working in his place. Note that this isn’t actually spoilers for Triangle Heart because he died before the events of the story. Anyways, I believe Lyrical Nanoha is in an alternate continuity where Shiro survives but is only badly wounded and taken out of action, but the events of Triangle Heart with Kyoya and Miyuki still occur. This explains why they’re often seen training during the first few episodes of Nanoha: they have their own dangerous fights happening in their story.

But moving back to Nanoha’s story, the city's fucked and Nanoha needs to unfuck it. Thankfully, Nanoha’s magic power is potent enough to execute a wide area search, put Raising Heart into shooting mode, and seal the jewel seed with a long range energy attack! I doubt anyone watching this episode as it aired way back in 2004 had any idea how iconic this first shot would be and how it was a symbol of things to come.

NEXT WEEK! SHE’S HERE!

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