I’ve bought Limited Edition DVDs before but this is the first time that I wanted the extra more than the DVD itself (my favourite so far is Paradox Spiral); I really enjoy the above-mentioned (post title) track so much – it’s the BGM for the kick-off for the Shiki vs Fujino battle on the bridge and it’s been replaying endlessly on my Winamp.

And I wouldn’t have bought the R2 DVD of the third movie, Remaining Sense of Pain (痛覚残留), if I hadn’t already downloaded the fansub. Kara no Kyoukai’s dialogue is really difficult to follow raw – to my ears, it’s comparable almost (but not quite yet) to Ghost in the Shell in terms of level of difficulty.

Given my extremely limited listening comprehension, I’m now asking myself what possessed me to buy the first of The Garden of Wanderers and The Garden of Listeners drama CD series. And it’s probably because I judged the CDs by their covers – they look hilarous! Would appreciate any pointers to other blogs and forums that discuss them.

P.S. re: The FT front page

Animated response: Tokyo fair salutes global growth Booth assistants pose at the Tokyo International Anime Fair, an exhibition of the animation productions whose popularity in Japan has now started to spread abroad. This year’s fair featured displays from 14 companies in China, which participated for the first time, and others from US, Canada and Europe (Reuters)

©2012 hontou ni sou omou?. All Rights Reserved.

2. November Riot Force Six. End of newbie training session by Nanoha and Vita. Former tells them to prepare for night training simulation while latter comments that they still have a way to go. Signum remarks that the trainers are hard on the rookies as always. Shamal says that Zafira is back in the hospital, resting. Vice goes to visit Zafira. Some kids are fussing over the big dog-wolf.

3. 108 Battalion Ginga, Genya and Mary. They talk about sugar and milk in tea. Mary reports that ? are fine and that Subaru must be happy being with her friends at Riot Force Six.

4. Stars Squad’s Vacation Plan. Tea is moaning about how she can’t take the training anymore. The others nag/cheer her on. The four tuck in for chow. They discuss the latest mock battle. Erio and Caro remind Tea and Subaru that they have vacation time. They are *shokku* and go to talk to Vita who confirms it. Subaru plans to visit her mom’s grave while Tea plans to visit her brother’s grave. It turns out both graves are in the same Port Fall 19 memorial garden cemetery and are really close to each other (24 vs 16). Tea wonders why.

5. Nanoha-mama and Vivio. Shamal gives the all clear for Vivio’s latest medical checkup. Nanoha says that her studies in Midchilda and Belkan magic are progressing well. Vivio says that she also can do (something else – summoning magic?) too. Well, she’s still a Saint King clone after all. Vivio proudly announces that she is attending the St Hilda Magic School.

6. Hayate and Verossa. Verossa has brought Hayate tea to her work. Hayate teases Verossa for being a slacker while Verossa says she is too busy. Hayate says she needs to wrap up the loose ends and gives all the credit for the Relic/Scaglietti case to her Aces and Strikers, noting that she even had to be rescued by the rookies. Verossa reminds her that credit is still due to her, that she should take a good rest and that Carim and her oniichan, Chrono, are both worried about it.

7. Chrono and Genya. Teleconference, grumbles about the usual inter-service rivalry limiting cooperation between the Navy and Army. Genya says that it’s worth it for their loved ones to carry on the good fight.

8. Lightning Squad. Erio and Caro complete their report to Fate. Comparison between Vivio and Nanoha with their relationship with Fate.

9. Ocean Detention Facility. Erio and Caro visit Lucetia there. Lucetia wonders about her future, they talk about her limiter and imminent move to a remote world. Erio and Caro are worried that she will be alone but Lucetia reveals that Alphino is awake and that she will be with her mom. She thanks them for saving her, her mom, and her summoned bugs.

10. Stars Squad, Heading Out. Vita holds the fort while Nanoha heads off on leave with Vivio. Rein has, apparently, been teaching Vivio new words. Tea (and Subaru) borrow the bike from Vice again; Tea promises to get souvenirs for Vice, Alto and everyone in Maintenance.

11. St Hilda Magic School. Nanoha and Vivio met Sister Schach who welcomes them to the Belkan mission school. They use ‘gokigenyou’ greetings! Schach introduces the new transfer student to the other students. Nanoha was a bit anxious about Vivio’s first day but is relieved to see that she fits in among the other kids really well. Schach explains the escalator system. Carim calls to check in. Nanoha and Vivio chat, latter is keen to start school, Nanoha confesses that she’ll be lonely while Vivio is at school. Vivio says that Nanoha-mama will be fine because Nanoha is a good girl LOL. They promise to enjoy their holiday.

12. Port Fall Memorial Garden. Subaru places flowers on the graves of Tea’s family. While Subaru goes to place flowers on her mom’s grave, Tea has a private moment reporting to her family. Likewise Subaru reports to her mom. Both acknowledge that they have a long way to go but are giving it their all.

13. Hayate and Vita. Hayate tease Vita, former ends up toppling on top of the latter (see cover image). Vita complains that Hayate is heavy, Hayate says that’s so rude! They recount the danger on the Saint’s Cradle; Hayate thanks Vita for her efforts and, likewise, Vita thanks Hayate and Rein for saving her.

14. Crimson Flower. Vita image song.

15. Agito and Signum. Vita and Hayate are sleeping when Signum returns and chats with Shamal. Signum places a call to Agito. She shows her old photos and data about Zest. Agito needs more time to think about Zest’s last request. Hayate and Vita drop in and ask after Agito who thanks them. They welcome her to visit sometime.

16. Ocean Detention Facility ~Numbers~ Sisterly bonds are reaffirmed and they talk about a possible life and some freedom in the world outside.

17. End of Vacation. Stars One, Three and Four are back. Apparently the bike causes butts to hurt. LOL

18. Lindy, Erio and Caro. Lightning’s turn for vacation. Lindy looks forward to seeing Fate, Erio and Caro. The latter two’s reassignment is discussed.

19. The Two’s New Assignments. Rein calls for Subaru and Tea on the intercom. Hayate briefs them; Tea has passed the first round for Enforcer training while Subaru has been accepted for Rescue Scout training. Subaru is happy but it’s her first time to be separated from Tea who says they can still visit each other from time to time; also notes that Subaru will part with her admired Nanoha.

20. Scars. Nanoha’s medical checkup by Shamal. Seems that she still suffers from pain from the use of Blaster. But Nanoha will manage and wants to pass on her techniques to the newbies: Starlight Breaker for Tea, Shooter for Caro, Charge Drive for Erio, and ACS as well as Divine Buster for Subaru. Nagging by Shamal who rightly notes that Nanoha will still do whatever she feels she needs to do regardless of what her friends say.

21. The Four’s Thoughts. Training with the newbies assisted by Vita and Signum.

22. The Four’s Resolution. Nanoha EXCEED vs Subaru Full Drive. Fate vs Caro. Vita vs Tea. Signum vs Erio. They are urged to grow stronger so that their teacher can pass more and higher level skills to them. Subaru breaks Nanoha’s Protection with one strike; Nanoha is pleased and both charge up for another clash. Shamal and Hayate notes how happy Nanoha looks. Caro is in line for A while the other three are heading for AA rank.

23. To The Real. Newbie Four image song.

24. Blue Sky. Fate concludes with how everyone will remember their days in Riot Force Six. As she finishes composing her email (to Subaru) as Nanoha and Vivio arrive to pick her up for their family day out.

25. Endless Chain. FEITO image song.

Generally it was a nice listen though none of the drama tracks stood out in particular for me. Like the final episode, there wasn’t much Nanoha x Fate love love, or Tea tsundere. Mai Nakahara’s vocalization of Tea’s complaining was great though. Overall, definitely felt like a concluding note, closing the StrikerS chapter.

©2012 hontou ni sou omou?. All Rights Reserved.

One of the things that I enjoy about the Nanoha franchise is how the supporting merchandise ties in with the main storyline in the anime. While I didn’t need them to understand the anime, the manga inserts in MEGAMI as well as the MEGAMI Sound Stage injected lots of interesting details into the Nanoha universe. As with the first and second seasons, Sound Stage drama CDs are a mainstay of such tie-in/supporting goods. See Kurogane for summaries of the first and second StrikerS Sound Stage. For Sound Stage 03, there was a disappointing lack of Nanoha x Fate love-love subtext but at least there was a fun Subaru x Teana exchange:

1. Warship Asura – The Captains. Fate and Nanoha discuss the transfer of Riot Force 6′s HQ to the Asura, joined later by Hayate who recalls how the Asura has many memories for them. Worries about sitting in Lindy’s old seat but Fate reassures her that it suits her.

2. Main Office – Reinforce Zwei and Mari ~ The Dream Rein Sees. Rein is recovering well but has been having a sad and lonely dream. Message from Vita: Zafira is still unconscious but not in danger. Rein wonders about Agito and Zest.

3. Lakeside – Lutecia and Co. Otto talk to Zest, Agito and Lutecia. After she closes the channel, Agito vents about how she hates the combat cyborgs. Lutecia says that they have promised to help her find the relic she needs after this incident. Agito’s been having bad dreams lately and hasn’t been able to rest well. Lutecia feels sorry for No.6, asks Zest about No.5 (Cinque).

4. Scaglietti’s Base – The Sisters. Cinque has recovered consciousness, most of the combat cyborgs are relieved. There’s an explanation about how some of the Numbers are clones based on an original person, others are ‘pure’ and not copied from another person. Nove seems especially found of Cinque. Quattro deserves a slap as usual, complains about how everyone seems to like Cinque more even though she’s more senior. Cinque returns to sleep. Nove talks about getting revenge on the orange haired illusionist, Wendi and Deed comment on how Nove seems to have a reason to fight. They talk about how they’d like all the sisters to be happy and safe.

5. Agito – Thoughts of journey. Agito recalls how she was named by Lutecia. Agito recalls how she came up with Lutecia’s nickname of Lulu, in the context of trying to get the latter to eat soup that she made! In lieu of a lord, she wants to look after her benefactors, Zest and Lutecia. For now, that’s fine.

6. Main Office Medical Treatment Centre. Subaru is sends a message about how her arm is recovering and not to worry. She’s visited by her dad. She says she’s prepared to face the combat cyborgs again and won’t fail again. Tea comes in as Major Nakajima has to leave for work. They talk about revealing the truth about Subaru’s body to the chibikko (Erio and Caro) and Subaru having to have a good talk with Mach Calibre. Cross Mirage Mode 3 is a long range attack.

Subaru then remarks about how Teana seems so steady / reliable (?) that she wonders if it’s a dream which brings out Teana tsun-tsun for great comedy. Give give give!!! Subaru says that she likes the Tea that is angry, stupid and violent as well as the Tea that is kind, frank and strong. And that she wants to be a better combi partner for Tea. Let’s try harder together! Tea marvels at she could pre-empt Subaru in saying such an embarrassing things so easily. [Gah, you are sooo leading her on, Subaru! / Embarrassing remarks are not allowed! Ehh~~~]

7. The Wings of Two People. Teana Lanster (Mai Nakahara) image/insert song. Sooo…. who’s the other person, Tea? :3

8. The Will of the Ancient Belkan Book of Darkness and Guardian Knights. Rein II dreams of Reinforce I, Signum, Shamal, and Zafira discuss the completion of the Book for Hayate’s sake with an out-station Vita being impatient about all the babbling. Everyone seems frightened and anxious. Hayate discusses Rein’s above-mentioned dream with Mari, probably due to Rein’s link to her linker core.

9. Thoughts of You. Hayate Yagami (Kana Ueda) image song.

10. Infinity Library – Yuuno, Verossa and Schach. Ferret-kun discuss the Saint’s Cradle. Verossa and Schach find it hard to believe that something so huge and ancient can still be deployed. Verossa makes an emergency call as a result.

11. Main Office – Vita and Rein. Rein apologizes to Vita for failing Eisen and Vita but Vita tells Rein that they had been well-protected. No regrets, face forward! Rein wants to hear about the Knights’ past.

12. Saint Church Hospital – Shamal and Zafira. They discuss the Guardian Knight system and the linkage to the first Reinforce and the changes now.

13. Asura – Office Space. Nanoha and Fate discuss preparations for limiter release and the Blaster system. Fate frets. Nanoha changes the topic to Fate’s Sonic Form.

14. Asura – Erio, Caro and Fate. The chibikko arrive and Fate goes to meet them. They discuss Caro’s use of boost-up and overload. The chibikko discuss how Fate and Bardiche as well as Nanoha and Raising Heart work well as respective teams. Signum’s told them something (??) about Fate’s Sonic Form so they pledge to protect her. ‘Signum-fukutaichou hidoi na~~’ : says Feito. LOL

15. Asura – Yuuno and Nanoha. The ferret talks to Nanoha via comms channel. Yuuno says that he worries about Nanoha and Fate but understands their feelings. [Not sure about the following part:] But Fate will stop Nanoha from being reckless? That Fate and Nanoha’s positions are now reversed?? Nanoha is so touched she sniffles and says she feels better.

16.Vita and Shamal. Shamal is relieved that Vita is feeling better.

17. The Blessing Wind. Rein talks backward compatibility. Flashback to a young Hayate making breakfast for the Knights. They all tease Shamal about being terrible at household work include forgetting her point card at the supermarket. Rein II finally realizes that this and the dream were memory recordings from the first Reinforce for her and to entrust her to be strong for Hayate and the Knights.

18. The Wish of the Azure Sky. Rein wakes up, apparent that she’s been crying. Everyone teases her about waking up in time for food. Rein II determines to protect this blue sky and this family.

19. A Small Promise. Reinforce Zwei (Yukana) image song.

20. Next Time. Blurp for the Sound Stage 04 which deals with the aftermath of the Jail Scaglietti incident. Looking forward to that!

©2012 hontou ni sou omou?. All Rights Reserved.