hontou ni Stripey Insists Sisters Cry Oniichan Now

Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS Sound Stage 03: Episode 18.5

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!

Related posts:

1. Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS Sound Stage 4 – Episode 27
2. Nanoha A's Sound Stage 02
3. Nanoha A's Sound Stage 01