Among the varied impetus for picking up this series were to build up background knowledge for the coming of StrikerS, Stripey’s constant nagging and the possibility of yuri. As far as I can tell, this series about the adventures of Fate Testarosa as she tries to recover the Jewel Seeds on behalf of her mad mom (> FMA). Fate-chan is eventually redeemed by the love of the eponymous side-character-heroine of the series. Huzzah.
Yeah well, there’s two guys who compete for the affections of the eponymous side-character-heroine (ESCH) but they haven’t got a hope. ESCH’s interaction with them has hardly any tension at all - she treats one like a pet and the other as a convenient ally in her quest to get Fate-chan’s “friendship.” For all of ESCH’s irritating qualities, at least she’s persistent - chasing after Fate-chan all the way from episode 4 onwards after being entranced by her beautiful yet sad eyes. ESCH’s mind is so completely preoccupied by Fate-chan that the blonde half of her existing harem throws a major tantrum, leaving the purple half to mediate.
The girl gets the girl and all’s right with the world.
Even though it’s quite wrong and possibly even illegal, Fate-chan has got the dibs over ESCH in terms of character design. Black and red is always a classic combination. The big bad cape (Edna Mode’s objections notwithstanding), gloves, leggings and swimsuit-like bodysuit (with red strips to highlight the bust area) combined with little miniskirt don’t cover crucial erogenous zones like the shoulders (SCGS 4tw) and upper thighs.
Nana Mizuki also does a fantastic job with Rei-like vibes. Quiet characters like Rei Ayanami and Yuki Nagato are seen to be popular because their ‘emptiness’ seems to allow fans to impose their own fantasies on them. I beg to disagree, at least on my own behalf. It’s because they are quiet (rather than loud and obvious) that looking out for subtle variations in their tone and behaviour is so much more rewarding. The voice acting of quiet main characters is also often more difficult as attested to by Houko Kawashima when she played Kirika in Noir - it’s difficult to get right and the artistry is fabulous when it is. The OP song, innocent starter (sung by Nana Mizuki), is also terrific - am always a sucker for big electric guitar rifts. Even felt that Bradiche Engrish > Raging Heart Engrish.
Overall, not great animation production values, not big on the character designs (especially the Rumiko Takahashi style mullets and cockerel tops) except for Fate-chan, average script (LOL for the riposte to CCS in Ep 1 and when the spaceship appeared), the whole lolicon-pandering was pretty disturbing but I guess a good sprinkling of implied yuri makes everything ok. åˆæ ¼ (pass)!
Onward to Nanoha As! Then your journey to the Dark Side would be complete. :)
The second season is so much better. It takes all of 2 episodes for ESCH to be gutted like a fish. :-p
Holy shit. Zyl hasn’t watched Nanoha before?!!
No wonder he’s still worshipping Luna.
Makes me wonder what Kinsella would say about Nanoha.
And yes, after watching Nanoha, I got very very confused. I couldn’t stop watching though. Fate *is* very cool. Nanoha A’s is also very cool, but the first two episodes are the best IMO.
Watch season 2, it will blow you apart. You’ll chuck Luna aside.
FATE-CHAN PWNS JUU.
The first season is so-so, especially if you aren’t into lolicon. The second season is much better, which far more Little Girls Kicking Ass (and Getting Their Assess Kicked) and much more yuri potential.
Watch A’s immediately.
I didn’t even watch the first season (I watched A’s) after reading various comments like that.
Bro, Together we will rule the galaxy? Emperor Stripey and Darth Zyl. LOL
AC, I don’t dislike Nanoha but Fate-chan is just too kawaii…
Kurogane, Tsubaki, there’s plenty I haven’t watch *embarrassed* Lunamaria was the character that got me started on animeblogging so she’ll always retain a special place in my heart. It also helps that Lunamaria is legal. LOL
cherius, she’d probably say: “Lolicon show” - she’s written quite a bit about the loli-craze in the 1980s too.
HitorikiriShadow, LGKA 4tw!
Seth, as I’m watching this series from the Fate x Nanoha angle, I felt that I would miss out the foundation of their relationship if I skipped the first season. And I’m glad I didn’t.
Zyl: Glad you liked it. Welcome to the club. Also… … …
http://ashitahadocchida.sakura.ne.jp/
Here thar be funneh Nanoha and A’s related comics :V (Japanese onry)
Fate is one horny lesbian little girl :V
The first season was kinda boring, but the second season like exceeded every possible expectation. Soooooooo good.