Correct me if I'm wrong, but your point here, based on the above, seems to be that the only reason Nanoha and Fate didn't do any "couple-love" stuff, is because it wasn't the focus of the show at the time (due to being young, etc.). Which is a partially valid point. But as I've pointed out that, even though Nanoha is about family rather than relationships, they haven't shied away from them, since we had the aforementioned Chrono/Amy (who had some teasing moments in A's) and Griffith/Lucino(who had Shari recognize their feelings). So, despite it not being the focus, they did find small moments to emphasize a connection between the characters. There are plenty of manga and sound stage stuff that fill the gaps of the anime, so there is plenty of opportunity.

One of the ways I recognize that there is some relationship potential in the show(if there is not kissing or declarations or such), is to see if other characters in the show see the feelings of others. In this way, Since Shari saw it, I believe it. You'll want to be careful, then, because both Amy and Fate have recognized that Yuuno has feelings for Nanoha(Fate has even said that she cheers Yuuno on in this regard!). Although, conversely, it seems fairly likely Nanoha is ignorant of this and doesn't seem to have feelings for anyone (she's married to her job, if anything, heh).

Let me restate to be clear: I have no problems with NanoFate, or people thinking they look like they'd make a good couple, or writing them as a couple (I even have a few fics that do this pairing). There is subtext there that can be interpreted that way. But there is no real evidence they feel anything more than friendship towards each other. And given that the show hasn't had much of a problem developing actual relationships, I see nothing that would hold them back if they decided to do that. And as noted, there is much stronger evidence for Chrono/Amy, Griffith/Lucino, and Teana/Subaru. Hell, there is even stronger evidence for Nanoha/Yuuno, but AS doesn't take that as canon, either. Despite the fact that Amy, Fate, and Hayate are all aware of Yuuno's feelings.

I'll just respond to this part, because I get the feeling that you haven't read/heard the sound stages, but... there is a strikers Sound Stage where Subaru does say "I love you" to Teana. Granted, it was the "suki" form of the word which can just iterate a strong like, and not necessarily love, and Teana promptly gets angry and says "Shut up! People might misunderstand you!" But that's more than Nanoha and Fate have done. So while that can also be explained away as Subaru just admiring Teana as a dear friend, if anyone is lesbian in this show, Subaru would be it. Especially considering Nanoha and Fate have never referred to each other as anything other than "tomodachi" ie, friend/best friend.

Although I do find it interesting that you find hugging and kissing to be 'explicitly sexual' but not groping. :P Let me tell you, that when you are in a relationship with a girl who loves you, yes, you can play around. Kissing, hugging, groping, etc. The dynamic is much different as opposed to just friends.

Oh, lastly I'll say that, yes, Chrono/Amy and Griffith/Lucino were information dumps, but we could see possibilities early on (especially if you read the manga). Shari realized Griffith and Lucino had feelings for each other, for instance, and made it a point to help set the two up. There is quite a bit of extra material out there that covers it, although since the anime focuses more on the concept of family, it doesn't cover actual romantic relationships much.

While this is true, it's not like they've totally avoided such things, either. Chrono and Amy got married and had kids. Griffith and Lucino got married. While not the focus, they are there. So if the staff had wanted to form an actual lesbian relationship, they could have done so (we are talking about a company that has done a lot of hentai, and does quite a bit of fanservice).

When I said it was about families, and more to the point, about different kinds of families, I do honestly believe they meant to show the formation of a family, that lacks any sort of romance or sexual aspects. Just like Fate adopts Caro, Nanoha, Fate and Vivio form a kind of odd family, but one in which two close sisters raise a child. It's as if to say, "Hey, a family is more than just the typical thing you see on TV. There are many ways, all equally valid, for people to come together into a family-like unit."

It's partially why I'm kinda against the lesbian aspect... because I feel it takes away from the accomplishment done here. Actually, Nanoha (kinda like Fate), is more of a single mother, so it is more like two mothers supporting each other to make their lives work better. I think that is an interesting concept and, that is taken away from by saying that *have* to be lesbians to make it work. There are many single mothers out there, and it is possible, and kudos to the show for saying that a single mother, adopting a small child, isn't a bad thing. It's a similar argument I get from people strongly into NanoFate who find out that Yuuno is involved in some of my fics, and say something like, "Why does Nanoha NEED a man? Why must a woman have a man? Why can't you just let the relationship be between two women?" And I'd say, "Why must Nanoha have anyone at all? Why can't she be a single mother?"

And the show doesn't shy away from lesbianism, either. "Rainbows are straighter than Subaru," after all. So while this comedy has no overt horror, it is there in small doses, and I must conclude that the intent of a plot point was comedy, and not horror. But as I've also said, I'm fine with people taking that angle; just try not to claim it is factual, anymore than trying to claim that Acous is Chrono's secret lover, even though the two are close.

And luckily, I do know some NanoFate people (who are actual lesbians!) who are cool with Yuunoha, or with Nanoha as a single mother, in addition to NanoFate. Hell, some of them tried to post Future Tense (which has no overt lesbianism) to nanofate.us because they liked it so much, but the owner of the site, Haru, deleted it (even though it has, according to most people, one of the best Nanoha/Fate chapters they've read). So if you wonder why I'm a little peevish about this concept, it is because I hate seeing even NanoFate people being slapped down for supporting an alternate interpretation.

Heh, you're free to do so. I, and quite a few others on the board, tend to lean toward Heterosexual Life Partners. In fact, Nanoha and Fate are listed as part of the trope in the anime/manga section!

So, while I can see fics taking their relationship in a homosexual direction (and yes, there is enough subtext to play off that interpretation), I don't tend to see them that way currently. If anything, I see it as them perhaps having feelings for each other deep inside, and just haven't acted on it. But otherwise, I see them like many other "bromances" with buddy cops and such.

Plus, having been around the block a few times, it kinda unnerves me when people see "closeness" as "obviously romantic." Two people can't just be close without any romantic or sexual tension? I tend to find this attitude from those who haven't experienced such closeness in their lives, so obviously they would have no experience spotting it. I have, so I guess that just makes me more reluctant to actually call something a romantic relationship, without explicit evidence (such as a mouth to mouth kiss).

Partially, but I left it a bit vague because as you noted, artificial insemination was also a possibility. In short, a man was still needed somehow.

Not really; it was more heading things off at the pass. I just get tired of people picking up vague things and twisting them to proclaim that the real truth is that "this" couple is canon. I have no problems with people who like the pairing, and prefer it. Just in those that choose to warp vague data points to proclaim they have the greater truth.

It's vague for a reason (Tsuzuki prefers trolling the fanbase), and a big test I use, is to reverse the genders. What if two male actors joked about carrying the baby for their partner? And told a journalistic that they played their buddy cop routine as a married couple?

I don't think so. It's just that the flame wars in the past could get pretty nasty and people tend to err on the side of caution.

For the record, AnimeSuki doesn't have a problem at all with the Nanoha/Fate pairing, whatever the NanoFate.us site or elsewhere tells you. What we do have a problem with is people being intolerant of pairings, be it NanoFate or anything else.

Well, "random" in this case translates to "whatever the hell the animators feel like making it spin at that particular moment". ^^

Yeah, but still, IIRC Alicia was said to have some magical talent, if nowhere near Precia or Fate's...

As to your question, I don't think there is a definitive answer to it. I vaguely recall that some spells summon two circles, which rotate in different direction, while others' circles rotate faster or slower and even change direction...

Good afternoon, I thought it be best to move out of the thread to here.

To be honest, I have no idea why the ">" function isn't working. I've never used it before in the forum or in the wiki.