The Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha franchise is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a brand new anime series titled Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha EXCEEDS Gun Blaze Vengeance. The announcement includes the unveiling of the main staff and a teaser visual, marking the first major anime project in the series since the 2018 film, Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Detonation. This highly anticipated addition to the Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha universe promises to bring intense action and a dynamic storyline to both long-time fans and new viewers alike.
Key Staff Announced for Nanoha EXCEEDS Gun Blaze Vengeance
A seasoned team of familiar staff members is reuniting to bring magical girl Lyrical Nanoha EXCEEDS Gun Blaze Vengeance to life. The key staff includes:
- Original Story and Screenplay: Masaki Tsuzuki, the co-creator of Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha and author of the DOG DAYS manga.
- Director: Takayuki Hamana, known for his work on Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Reflection and Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Detonation.
- Character Designer and Chief Animation Director: Issei Arakaki, who has worked on Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Reflection as a co-chief animation director and Extreme Hearts as character designer and co-chief animation director.
- Character Planning: Shuichi Kawakami, the artist behind the Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha INNOCENT manga.
The anime will be produced by Seven Arcs, the studio that has been involved with the franchise since its beginning.
Masaki Tsuzuki: The Visionary Behind Nanoha
Masaki Tsuzuki’s return as the original story creator and scriptwriter ensures that the new anime will stay true to the core themes and spirit of the Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha series. His deep understanding of the characters and world will undoubtedly bring a fresh and exciting perspective to the new installment.
Takayuki Hamana’s Direction: A Blend of Action and Emotion
Takayuki Hamana’s experience directing previous Nanoha projects makes him an ideal choice to helm Gun Blaze Vengeance. He is expected to deliver the series’ signature blend of high-octane magical battles and heartfelt character interactions.
Issei Arakaki and Shuichi Kawakami: Crafting the Visuals
With Issei Arakaki and Shuichi Kawakami on board for character design, fans can expect a visually stunning anime that stays true to the established aesthetic while introducing fresh and exciting elements.
Teaser Visual: Nanoha and Fate Return with New Devices
The newly unveiled teaser image features the franchise’s iconic heroines, Nanoha Takamachi (voiced by Yukari Tamura) and Fate T. Harlaown (voiced by Nana Mizuki), wielding new devices. The visual exudes a commanding presence, hinting at the intense and dynamic storyline to come. The combination of “Gun,” “Blaze,” and “Vengeance” in the title suggests a darker and more action-packed direction for the series.
Nanoha and Fate: The Enduring Duo
The teaser visual confirms that Nanoha and Fate will once again be at the center of the story. Their strong bond and contrasting personalities have always been a highlight of the series, and fans are eager to see how their relationship evolves in Gun Blaze Vengeance.
New Devices, New Powers
The heroines’ new devices hint at an upgrade in their magical abilities. These new tools will likely play a crucial role in the battles and challenges they will face in the upcoming series.
A New Manga Series: Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha EXCEEDS
In addition to the anime, a brand-new original manga titled Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha EXCEEDS will begin serialization on April 16th. The manga is written by Masaki Tsuzuki and illustrated by Shuichi Kawakami. It will be serialized in Kodansha’s Wednesday Sirius, appearing on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month. Ahead of its release, the first 18 pages of the manga have been brought to life in animated form and are currently being showcased at the ongoing “Lyrical☆Store NANOHA 20th Anniversary Lyrical Collection” event. The key visual teases the story: “Nanoha Takamachi is 13 years old.”
A Two-Pronged Celebration
The new manga and anime series demonstrate the franchise’s commitment to expanding the Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha universe and providing fans with a variety of content to enjoy.
Exploring New Storylines
The manga will likely delve into new storylines and explore different aspects of the Nanoha universe, potentially introducing new characters and expanding on existing lore.
Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha: A Legacy of Magical Action
The Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha series began in 2004 as a TV anime and has since evolved into a multimedia franchise spanning manga, games, and films. It follows Nanoha Takamachi, an ordinary third-grade student whose life changes dramatically after she acquires magical powers, setting her on a path of fateful encounters and epic battles. The series is known for its blend of magical girl tropes with science fiction elements, creating a unique and engaging world.
A Brief History of Nanoha
- Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha (2004): The original TV series that started it all.
- Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha A’s (2005): A direct sequel where Nanoha and Fate face off against the Book of Darkness and its four guardians.
- Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS (2007): Set 10 years later, with Nanoha and Fate mentoring younger generations of mages as part of the Time-Space Administration Bureau (TSAB).
- The Movie Series (2010–2018): Retellings of the original series (Nanoha: The Movie 1st and 2nd A’s), followed by new stories such as Nanoha Reflection (2017) and Nanoha Detonation (2018).
- Magical Record Lyrical Nanoha Force (2010): A darker manga spinoff focused on post-StrikerS events.
The 20th Anniversary Project
To celebrate the franchise’s 20th anniversary, a commemorative project was launched in July of last year. As the first phase of the 20th anniversary project, under the title of “Lyrical Selection,” TV-edited versions of two films — Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha The Movie 1st (2010) and Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha The Movie 2nd A’s (2012) — were broadcast starting in October 2024.
What to Expect from Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha EXCEEDS Gun Blaze Vengeance
Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha EXCEEDS Gun Blaze Vengeance promises to be a thrilling new chapter in the Nanoha saga. With a seasoned team of staff members and a darker, more action-packed storyline, the anime is poised to capture the hearts of both longtime fans and newcomers alike. The new series is the first since the 2018 film Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Detonation. According to early reports, Nanoha is 13 in the plot description, and with the anime’s official timeline, she is now an official agent of the Time-Space Administration Bureau. That would mean that Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha EXCEEDS: Gun Blaze Vengeance takes place in the ten years between Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha A’s and Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Strikers.
A Welcome Return
For fans who have been waiting patiently for a new Nanoha anime, Gun Blaze Vengeance is a dream come true. The series has been largely dormant for almost a decade, making this announcement all the more exciting.
High-Quality Animation and Action
With the talented staff and Seven Arcs at the helm, viewers can expect stunning animation and thrilling action sequences that push the boundaries of the magical girl genre.
A Deep Dive into Character Relationships
The Nanoha series has always been praised for its strong character development and complex relationships. Gun Blaze Vengeance will likely delve deeper into the bonds between Nanoha, Fate, and other key characters, adding emotional weight to the action and adventure.
With both a new anime and manga on the way, the next phase of Nanoha’s magical journey is set to begin. More details about the project, such as the story and characters, will be revealed in the future.
