Nanoha - StrikerS - Episode 25 Discussion / Poll

[Nemesis]

Suggestion:7Arcs better announce its the end of the nanoha series to end our pain!

[Keroko]

Adr, it's not as if StrikerS was the worst that happened. Yes, it was not as good as it could have been but I find StrikerS to be much more entertaining then Season 1. Why would you want it to end instead of saying 'learn from your mistakes and try again with a season 4'?

[Dream_Traveller]

Just...look, your pessimistic attitude, constant, might I add, is rather annoying. We've already seen the series has faults, and we have addressed them, and others have bashed them, but there's only so much bashing we can do. Can't we just let it rest? It has flaws, every series does- and even though some of said mistakes are rather obvious, there's no need to go on saying, "Oh, well they should end the series just to end our pain".

I have watched the entirety of StrikerS, and, yes, I have noticed problems in areas, plot, animation, etc, but I didn't care- I watched it because I enjoyed it. You might think I'm sounding sappy, but I'm not one to bash stuff- I watch it because I'm a steadfast fan of the series, and, even though StrikerS does pale in aspects to its earlier counterparts, it's enjoyable for me.

Evidently, the Nanoha fan base hasn't waned, otherwise the show would've been canceled or so- if they make a season 4, which, in my opinion, at least, is highly likely, they can address missed problems and duly make amends. Nothing can be perfect, and no series can fully live up to the expectations- faults will always be present.

I'm not trying to sound offensive, but is it really necessary to flame a series and constantly bring up its bad points? In almost every episode thread, the only posts you've made are further criticism when we've seen the flaws- do you think that it's that impossible for Seven Arcs to fix their faults, should another season of Nanoha arise?

[Nemesis]

Just venting some frustration.

[BBM]

Well at least the DVDs will have better animation.

[FRS]

Originally Posted by Dream_Traveller

...
- do you think that it's that impossible for Seven Arcs to fix their faults, should another season of Nanoha arise?

IMO that will depend on the producers attitude, if they say "more fan service, less plot", Seven Arcs will have no choice.

[Nemesis]

Hmm.. what plot holes did they not cover up?

[Deathkillz]

Originally Posted by Keroko

Adr, it's not as if StrikerS was the worst that happened. Yes, it was not as good as it could have been but I find StrikerS to be much more entertaining then Season 1. Why would you want it to end instead of saying 'learn from your mistakes and try again with a season 4'?

Because it might end up worse then what we currently have?

As much as i like this series i think that it is being milked a bit too much. There is a reason why trilogies remain as three (Normally the plots becomes worse and worse as the writer(s) struggle to find something fresh to write about).

I would like to retain my previous epix impression of this series before strikerS :3

[Nightengale]

To be on fair ground, no matter how I look at this, it really felt like this series was made with the structure of leaving S4 to be easily possible.

Main characters weaking AMF plot-devices? One-trick ponies cyborgs? Flesh-and-blood links to Alhazred that's never really went into much detail? Introduction of new, worldly factions and details that thus far had been mostly only background stuff with little heavy storyline influence? Lack of any Air Force/Navy/Church elites involvement? The non-epicness of StrikerS?

It screams "plot element restraint."

Originally Posted by BBM

Well at least the DVDs will have better animation.

Doesn't make its storyboarding and visual direction any better, which really sucked in the last episodes, one reason clearly because of the battle's time-constraint, thus the need to shorten battles and ruin choreography.

[arkhangelsk]

Originally Posted by Dream_Traveller

Just...look, your pessimistic attitude, constant, might I add, is rather annoying.

With StrikerS, there's fun to be had with a pessimistic attitude. In fact, it may be the most fun thing left to do in the series.

Evidently, the Nanoha fan base hasn't waned, otherwise the show would've been canceled or so-

Retaining enough popularity to not have been slashed off the TV programming directly and having enough popularity to risk a Season 4 are two different things.

if they make a season 4, which, in my opinion, at least, is highly likely, they can address missed problems and duly make amends. Nothing can be perfect, and no series can fully live up to the expectations- faults will always be present.

Quite frankly, if I'm to assume that 7Arcs really gave their best in this series, I have to be on the pessimistic side.

Cut out NxF fanservice ... sure, they can do that. That's a very conscious decision and has little to do with their ability. Actually take more time to develop characters, sure.

However, I think they've written themselves into something of a corner. Probably the biggest mistake was to jump 10 full years. One of the hallmarks of good storytelling is character development, and in skipping 10 years of adolescence you kill a lot of possibilities in that arena.

The second biggest mistake was to move them so fully into the TSAB. As it turns out, the whole thing was too much for them. If they write a Season IV after Season III ... I just don't see them being able to handle it right. Mirificius and I will have many happy hours bashing the TSAB. It is somewhat fun but hardly what gives points to the show itself.

Quite frankly, their best chance for a season 4 is not to do anything big. Just do an OVA and fill it entirely with character development and light storytelling.

[Dream_Traveller]

I wasn't referring to you when I said "annoying", arkhangelsk, nor Mirificus, should he post here- that was directed at someone else. And I heed what you say here, and I also never "prohibited" bashing, as it were. Your comments on a possible S4 hold reason, too...perhaps an OVA is the best way to go about it.

[Nightengale]

Originally Posted by arkhangelsk

Retaining enough popularity to not have been slashed off the TV programming directly and having enough popularity to risk a Season 4 are two different things.

Well, late-night slots aren't there to attract ratings to begin with unlike say, doroku slots or golden time slots. They're mainly advertisements for merchandises and DVDs.

Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS 22,177 (2+) (Seven Arcs)
2007/07/25 22,609 Vol. 1 (Three episodes up to current volume)
2007/08/22 21,745 Vol. 2

If this keeps on a consistent 18k~22k basis, (( they mostly do, even if quality drops )), it's enough to sign 2 seasons, much less a S4.

Originally Posted by arkhangelsk

However, I think they've written themselves into something of a corner. Probably the biggest mistake was to jump 10 full years. One of the hallmarks of good storytelling is character development, and in skipping 10 years of adolescence you kill a lot of possibilities in that arena.

The second biggest mistake was to move them so fully into the TSAB. As it turns out, the whole thing was too much for them. If they write a Season IV after Season III ... I just don't see them being able to handle it right. Mirificius and I will have many happy hours bashing the TSAB. It is somewhat fun but hardly what gives points to the show itself.

As for the first point, clearly they were going for new dimensions of character development for the Aces. Nanoha for her apparent 'one of the sky' character in a more soldier-like outlook, yet keeping touch with her gentle, yet sometimes hard-to-communicate with others aspect of her self. Didn't really go anywhere substantial to effect any drama on her part. Vivio's effect on her was more 'fluffy' than 'emotionally touching.'

Fate? Emotional insecurity and fear, most notably at her aspects of being a guardian, mother/sister-figure, and her connections to the children she hopes will have a better life, as partially addressed in SS02. Sadly, anime went with Great Mother Testarossa with her supreme maternal skills at 19 years old, and the last bit of her character development in 24 felt forced.

Hayate? Military tool? Inexperienced commander? Burden as a leader? Saint Church connections? FORGET ABOUT IT.

While 10 years is indeed a lot of wasted opportunity, they were pretty mature being 9 year olds to begin with. However, clearly what they were trying to aim for in their new aspects of character development, clearly failed to deliver, ending up making them feel stale and boring as characters in StrikerS.

As for the 2nd point, they're already restricting themselves even within TSAB-storytelling grounds by emphasising solely on Mid-childa and GF, since they can't really do a show if Nanoha's in the Air Force, Fate's in the Navy while Hayate alone is handling RF6, along with other things.

Though if I think about it, maybe Hayate alone as the main character for StrikerS as RF6's sole leader-figure would've been a much better idea...

[Tormenk]

Idea: S4 to take place in between the 10 year timeskip between A's and StrikerS.

Fill in Nanoha recovery story, Fate's anxiety on her side, Hayate and Knight scenes.
10 years is alot of time so it is possible to take their pick on whatever events they choose to develop. Perhaps develop the trio's friendship, which we have never seen much of and maybe even show events leading up to StrikerS. Besides, I doubt we have to worry about too many characters, as was the case in StrikerS.

[felix]

13 eps of that would be sweat. I want to see Nanoha on missions as a rukie and some of the Midget missions.

[Estavali]

Originally Posted by Cats

13 eps of that would be sweat. I want to see Nanoha on missions as a rukie and some of the Midget missions.

The rumored and never-came-to-be Hayate OVA. She deserves that much after StrikerS.

[BBM]

What I hope for the 4th season.

Setting: Mostly everyone back on earth on vacation.
Enemy: Precia and Alicia Testarossa with support from Al Hazard.
Episodes: 13



But an OVA about Hayate & Rein would also be nice.

[Jimmy C]

Originally Posted by Tormenk

Idea: S4 to take place in between the 10 year timeskip between A's and StrikerS.

Never going to happen. They made the timeskip for a reason. Think, what is the greatest consequence of StrikerS' setting?
As a full-time working adult, Nanoha is no longer living with her parents, she's not even on the same planet anymore. That means they no longer need to show her parents and siblings.
While Nanoha fans love this series, Triangle Heart fans have been trying to remove this albatross from the neck of their franchise. Now that that's happened, I doubt we'll ever see any Nanoha series set before she moved out. And Sound Stages don't count.

[Nemesis]

Sigh... jsut wish the writer wrote out erio and caro

[Deathkillz]

Originally Posted by BBM

What I hope for the 4th season.

Setting: Mostly everyone back on earth on vacation.
Enemy: Precia and Alicia Testarossa with support from Al Hazard.
Episodes: 13



But an OVA about Hayate & Rein would also be nice.

er no...too much cheese for my taste

dead villians should remain DEAD!

Im all up for the time skip thing but the chances are low :/ Duno about a 13 ep season but a couple of OVA should do the trick

[Keroko]

Originally Posted by Jimmy C

Never going to happen. They made the timeskip for a reason. Think, what is the greatest consequence of StrikerS' setting?
As a full-time working adult, Nanoha is no longer living with her parents, she's not even on the same planet anymore. That means they no longer need to show her parents and siblings.
While Nanoha fans love this series, Triangle Heart fans have been trying to remove this albatross from the neck of their franchise. Now that that's happened, I doubt we'll ever see any Nanoha series set before she moved out. And Sound Stages don't count.

I don't see why they could not. The Mai universe did a 300 year timeskip and is currently has an upcomming OVA that goes back a few years.

And why would Sound Stages and Manga (which also has features of the years between A's and StrikerS) don't count?