Nanoha as Pure Maiden or Raging Lesbian? Comparing two MSLNS parodies
Fan works such as fan fiction and fan art are often popular ways to explore the possibilities of an anime series, particularly those with strong tangential possibilities and ambiguities. Doujin parodies are also a popular form of fan expression and the very best are often grounded in the original material with a deft twist that emphasizes a select few tendencies or tangents for comic effect. Two of my favourite 4koma-style parodies on the ongoing Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS anime are uproariously funny even though they differ fundamentally on the issue of Nanoha's sexuality and sexual orientation.
Probably the most popular parody four panel comics about Nanoha StrikerS is the StrikerS Nano! series by Mikage (??) at Lazy Days (Taida na nichijou), translations have been conveniently collected in a thread on the DamagedGoodz message board as well as by Kurogane.
The main dynamic here is Fate's barely concealed lust for Nanoha (established in the A's Nano! series by the same artist) but with the latter being so pure-hearted and naive that she somehow doesn't notice Fate's feelings; the dramatic irony is maintained throughout with Fate constantly failing in her attempts to seduce Nanoha. With the arrival of a competitor in the form of Subaru Nakajima, we can also delight in Fate's raging jealousy at the new chara-upstart. Other humour elements, such as Hayate's cosplay mania (derived from her designing the armours of her knights in A's) and Tiia's own unrequited feelings for Subaru (derived from her tsundere attitude towards her training partner) are also a constant source of merriment.
My other favourite is the Strike Out series at Entropy Max by Ramsus (which also has a fore-runner R'r series) is originally in Chinese and translations for 1-3, 4-6, 10-12, 13-16, 20-28 have appeared in the AnimeSuki forums. So far, its material has been drawn from the A's to StrikerS comics rather than the StrikerS anime but also takes a approach comparable to StrikerS Nano!'s style of starting with the first 1-3 panels adhering closely to the official material and then landing the punchline, based on the tangent taken, in the final panel.
In this universe, Nanoha and Fate are a couple but the humour comes from both reacting at the thought of the other being unfaithful. Fate is constantly worried and jealous due to Nanoha's playgirl tendencies which one could draw from her A's pursuit of Vita as well as her StrikerS ace pilot persona. So far, there's only one instance of Nanoha being jealous when she thought that Fate had cheated on her with Chrono while she had been hospitalized.
Given the ambiguity, in the official series material, so far about Nanoha's sexual orientation and the nature of her relationship with Fate, either tangents explored by the two parody works above seem plausible. Both succeed as parodies because the characters are still recognizable and the tangential tweak given to their characterizations has been very consistent in their respective universes; even when new elements (e.g. Subaru) are introduced, the reactions of the characters are also entirely plausible.
One thing I'd dearly like to see more of (but which I suspect would complicate the alternative characterisations tremendously) is MOAR Signum trying to seduce a Fate who does feel slightly torn - IMHO this would work well in both the StrikerS Nano! universe where Fate isn't having any luck in her quest to win Nanoha's heart (and body) as well as in the Entropy Max universe where Nanoha can also play the jealous lover role more often. I've only noticed a smattering of non-H fan art about Fate x Signum (including the infamous 'global warming' scene parodying Kaname's attempt to seduce Hikari in Strawberry Panic!) - which is surprising given the crackling tension between the two of them in A's as well as how Fate still seems easily unsettled by Signum's teasing.
The H-doujins, on the other hand, are really dangerous contraband, given the lolicon fanbase around the Nanoha franchise. -_-;; In any case, most H-doujins concentrate on the H(entai) rather than the h(umour) - [aside: which is why Gold Rush's work on the Hawke sisters is pure win, it's sexy but also oh so funny] - the only thing that's come close is Pon to Yukai na Nakamatachi's Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha P's [Please please don't ask me where/how to find it, I'm still mentally scarred from some of the shyte I had to wade through to get this gem] which is set in a post-A's context and where Signum does succeed in seducing a lonely Fate but they get caught in flagrante delicto:
Signum: By the way, Testarossa. *heh heh (??) ~~♥*
Fate: W...What is it? *shiver shiver (??)* *guilty*
Nanoha: I see... so that's what has happened.
Fate: Nano... This is...
Nanoha: I don't really understand that sort of thing but...
Nanoha: ...you looked really happy.
Fate: Na... ;_;
Signum: Mistress Hayate... it seems that you've completely forgotten what you said last night [when she was getting drunk with Leti].
Hayate: You're a pervert, Signum.
Could Signum have been the third party in the Nanoha x Fate relationship between A's and StrikerS!? In any case, even though I'm a staunch Nanoha x Fate supporter, this series (and the fan works) needs MOAR Signum-oneesama scenes!
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May 5th, 2007 - 01:24
Considering how big the bed is, they can fit in hayate, vit, signum and shamal with no problems.
May 5th, 2007 - 03:15
You forgot another great doujin where Nanoha is the crazy lesbian driver…Doing all sorts of stuff to poor Fate…
Site: http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~seema40010/
Proof? check out the latest work(From ep 5 no less): http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/3269/grp0505024719dc8.jpg
May 5th, 2007 - 03:18
Heh, reading this made me realize how much I’ve internalized A’s Nano jokes, and its take on the N-F relationship in particular.
And regarding ‘more Signum-oneesama’- hope springs eternal.
May 5th, 2007 - 11:21
Xellos-_^, big bed 4tw.
Demon Eyes, ah thanks so much. I couldn’t remember who was the artist who did that particular take on NxF after danbooru went down. I can’t help but sweatdrop after seeing how I share 40010prototype’s fondness for Yuki Nagato and Nao though.
Opticalmaser, the tweaks by A’s Nano just fit so well and probably explains why it’s so popular, when I see certain scenes in the StrikerS anime I can already imagine what how he’s going parody it e.g. Ep 5 – when the newbies land on the train and Rein explains how their barrier jackets have been designed…
May 5th, 2007 - 11:41
The scary thing about “A’s Nano” and “StrikerS Nano” is that some fans actually BELIEVE that they are canon. ^^; It is awesome, and yet scary at the same time.
(I am on the verge of hurling if I have to explain to another F&N-shipper that no, “A’s Nano” is not evidence of their Yuri-relationship)
Then there are the times when I post pages from THE canon manga, “A’s Manga” or “A’s to StrikerS”, and people think it is a work of fanfiction. ^^; So frustrating when you are trying to get a good discussion going. ^^;
Natch.
May 6th, 2007 - 02:31
I think it was made fairly clear (or at least really heavily hinted) in A’s that Nanoha and Fate have the most interactions with Vita and Signum respectively. I’d say that to Nanoha (for example), her Best Friend Forever listing would go something like Raising Heart, Fate, Vita, then Hayate, in that order. (I would have put Arisa and Suzuka higher than Hayate around the time of A’s, but with StrikerS, I’m not so sure.) Nanoha chose Vita for a second-in-command for Forward Stars, after all.
Fandom culture would dictate that characters who spend lots of time together inevitably get paired up. I’m guessing that Nanoha/Vita is a great deal more likely than, say, Nanoha/Shamal, just as Fate/Signum is also plausible. However, the Nanoha/Fate contingent is so vocal that I think everything else gets drowned out. (Like Arisa/Suzuka, for instance.)
I’m trying to figure out if A’s Nano is responsible for the whole Chrono “Erosuke” thing, though. It’s the first place I’ve seen it in, and I didn’t get any “ero-jiji” vibes from him in the series proper, but I could just be dense.
(I kind of miss the storyline of R’r, personally. Especially the consequences of Yuuno’s experience with Kashimashi 2.0, Chrono’s Death Note, Magical Girl Arisa and Suzuka…)
May 7th, 2007 - 00:59
Thanks for pointing those parodies out, those are hilarious…
May 9th, 2007 - 22:00
Clueless Nanoha is always welcome but naughty Nanoha has a certain charm as well.
The first page is brought to us by Zyl’s Love Love Desu artist and for those who might not understand the wacky way the Japanese language plays with numbers, Fate’s phone number can be read as 090 7(Na)NO8(Ha) 10V3. ~_^