Let me just say this - Character Designs are a
big part of the reason why I became hyped up for Nanoha and Madoka, and they're also a big part of the reason why both are amongst my five all-time favorite anime shows/franchises.
Although, I will admit that way back when I first saw Mami's character design (before I even knew her name), I thought "Rifles?
Really?"
But viewing Unlimited Musket Works and Tiro Finale made those "rifles" much cooler to me, lol.