The beloved Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha franchise is celebrating its momentous 20th anniversary with a brand new anime series, Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha EXCEEDS Gun Blaze Vengeance. Fans can mark their calendars for an exciting premiere with a special hour-long broadcast set for July 4 at 25:00 JST (effectively July 5 at 1:00 a.m.) on Tokyo MX and BS11 channels. This highly anticipated return promises a fresh take on the magical girl genre while honoring the legacy of a series that has captured hearts for two decades.
A New Era of Peril and Heroism
Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha EXCEEDS Gun Blaze Vengeance plunges viewers into a world grappling with a terrifying threat. Thirty years prior, an unknown "invasive alien species" pushed humanity to the brink of annihilation. While a fragile safety has been achieved, the world remains in constant peril, a precarious balance between everyday life and impending collapse. Amidst this tense atmosphere, the "United Nations Investigation Agency EXCEEDS" stands as humanity's bulwark against both the alien species and catastrophic disasters.
The story centers on Shiina Kuze, a skilled hunter residing on the isolated island nation of Mizuho in the far east. Her duty is to eradicate the invasive species plaguing her island, yet her deepest desire is to live a peaceful existence alongside her sister, Setsuna. This stark contrast between a perilous world and a yearning for tranquility sets the stage for a compelling new narrative.
Stellar Cast and Esteemed Production Team
The anime boasts an impressive voice cast, featuring both fresh talent and familiar voices returning to their iconic roles:
- Azusa Tachibana as Shiina Kuze
- Rina Hidaka as Setsuna Kuze
- Yukari Tamura as Nanoha Takamachi
- Nana Mizuki as Fate T. Harlaown
- Kana Ueda as Hayate Yagami
- Asaki Yuikawa as Towa Yorumi
- Chiharu as Shiori Aizawa
- Aika Kobayashi as Yuuna Kitamori
- Ayasa Itō as Aoi Niina
- Hina Aoki as Yuzu Kodera
- Yuna Ogata as Nanoha's Raising Heart device
- Akinari Sato as Fate's Bardiche device
- Yukana as Rein Yagami
The creative team behind Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha EXCEEDS Gun Blaze Vengeance is equally distinguished. Franchise co-creator Masaki Tsuzuki returns as the original story creator and scriptwriter, ensuring a narrative deeply rooted in the series' spirit. Takayuki Hamana, known for his work on Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Reflection and Detonation, directs at Seven Arcs. Issei Aragaki, also from Detonation and Extreme Hearts, takes on the crucial roles of character designer and chief animation director, while Shūichi Kawakami is credited for the original character designs.
Electrifying Theme Songs
Music is an integral part of the Lyrical Nanoha experience, and this new series is no exception. Nana Mizuki, the voice of Fate T. Harlaown, lends her powerful vocals to the opening theme song, "CRIMSON BULLET." Notably, Mizuki herself penned the lyrics, continuing a tradition from previous Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha tracks, adding a personal touch to the franchise's musical landscape. The ending theme song, "Ephemeral," will be performed by Hina Aoki.
A Legacy of Magic and Action Continues
The Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha franchise first enchanted audiences in 2004 with its 13-episode television anime. Since then, it has expanded into four more television series, culminating in Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha ViVid in 2015 and the spinoff ViVid Strike! in 2016. The franchise also boasts a strong cinematic presence with two movies adapting the first two TV series, and two original films, Reflection and Detonation, released in 2017 and 2018 respectively. Beyond animation, the universe has grown through numerous manga, novels, and drama CDs, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of the magical girl genre.
The 20th anniversary celebrations extend beyond the new anime. A manga adaptation, Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha EXCEEDS, launched on Kodansha's Suiyōbi no Sirius service in April 2025, with Masaki Tsuzuki providing the original story concept and Shūichi Kawakami drawing the art. Additionally, Lyrical Selection, a television edit version of the Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha The MOVIE 1st and Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha the Movie 2nd A's anime films, began airing in October 2024, offering fans a chance to revisit classic moments.
This grand celebration of Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha's 20th anniversary with the premiere of Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha EXCEEDS Gun Blaze Vengeance promises a thrilling new chapter for both long-time fans and newcomers alike. Prepare to be immersed in a world of magic, fierce battles, and heartfelt bonds once more.
