Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha terminology

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This is a glossary of terms from the anime and manga series Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha, and its sequels Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha A's and Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS.

Contents 1 Magic 1.1 Device 1.1.1 Intelligent Devices 1.1.2 Storage Devices 1.1.3 Armed Devices 1.1.4 Unison Devices 1.2 Familiars 1.3 Knight 1.4 Linker Core 1.5 Lost Logia 1.6 Mage 1.7 Magic classification 1.7.1 Attack spells: Mid-Childa system 1.7.2 Attack spells: Belka system 1.7.3 Capture spells 1.7.4 Ceremonial spells 1.7.5 Defensive spells 1.7.6 Force field spells 1.7.7 Support spells 1.8 Magic system 1.9 Triggers 2 Places 3 Time-Space Administration Bureau 3.1 Positions and ranking 3.2 Technology 4 References

[edit] Magic

[edit] Device

A device in the Nanoha universe denotes a staff or rod employed by a mage. It has been shown in the series, however, that a mage need not use a device to use magic; examples include Yūno Scrya and Lindy Haraoun. In their inactive states, devices have varied forms, from marble-like crystal spheres to cards. When activated, the device may transform its structure depending on the type of magic that the mage intends to cast. As magic "spells" are defined as "programs" in this series, the device can act similarly to electronic storage media, recording and recalling the spells that the mage has cast. Devices are primarily used as weapons in the Nanoha series, whether through the use of combat magic or through swinging the devices themselves.

Devices have an auto-repair mode when inactive, and will automatically deactivate if the damage inflicted is significant. Particularly severe damage can warrant both the auto-repair mode and reactivation to replace components within the device.

Four types of devices are recognized in the series as of 2006: Intelligent Devices, Storage Devices, Armed Devices, and Unison Devices.

Auto guard

The magic spell that automatically activates if the mage is under attack but cannot respond due to surprise or injury.

Cartridge system

Cartridges are capsules (shaped like blank rifle rounds) containing compressed magical energy. When used in a device, it releases that energy all at once, providing a significant boost in power. Intelligent Devices are not usually able to handle cartridge systems, due to the potential instability, and the strain on the user.

Full drive

The most powerful form of an Intelligent Device.

[edit] Intelligent Devices

Intelligent Devices, as the name implies, incorporate sophisticated artificial intelligence in their programming, enabling them to have some degree of autonomy.

If an Intelligent Device does not "agree" that a maintenance operation is complete, it can persistently manifest its "displeasure" with an error code. Both Raising Heart and Bardiche, after severe damage from the Wolkenritter's Armed Devices, raise code E203 and request the TSAB to install a CVK-792-compatible system—more precisely, the Belka-type cartridge system—into their systems.

Raising Heart (レイジングハート, Reijingu Hāto^?)

Nanoha's intelligent device. She refers to Nanoha as "master" and speaks only in English. Her magical colour is magenta. She has three "modes": Device Mode (initial appearance), Shooting Mode (for casting Divine Buster), and Sealing Mode.

As an intelligent device, she provides assistance and advise in the processing of magical attacks and fire control. Her special attack is Starlight Breaker and the auto-guard is Protection.

The name was romanized as Raging Heart in the fansubs, but the bonus information card that accompanied the anime DVDs reads "Raising Heart".

Voice: Donna Burke

Raising Heart Excelion^[1] (レイジングハート エクセリオン, Reijingu Hāto Ekuserion^?)

In A's, after being badly damaged in the first engagement against Vita and Graf Eisen, Raising Heart insisted on being retrofitted with the Belka-type cartridge system. She is capable of a fuller range of attacks with cartridges (loaded in magazines akin to those used in modern automatic weapons), and was officially renamed (though Nanoha still only addresses her as Raising Heart). Her three forms are called Accel Mode, Buster Mode, and Excelion Mode.

In the manga, Nanoha comments that Raising Heart is "so finely tuned in her functions that the [TSAB] maintenance staff has a hard time with her."

Bardiche (バルディッシュ, Barudisshu^?)

Fate's intelligent device. He refers to Fate as "sir" despite her gender, and also only speaks English. His magical colour is yellow. Like Raising Heart, he has three "forms": Device Form, Scythe Form, and Sealing Form.

Voice: Kevin J. England

Bardiche Assault (バルディッシュアサルト, Barudisshu Asaruto^?)

In A's, after being badly damaged in the first fight with Lævatein, Bardiche also is retrofitted at his request with a revolver-style cartridge system and like Raising Heart, was officially renamed (like Nanoha with Raising Heart, Fate just calls him Bardiche). His three forms are called Assault Form, Haken Form, and Zamber Form.

[edit] Storage Devices

Despite infrequent appearances, Storage Devices are actually much more commonly used among mages than intelligent devices - the general type is also used by Bureau regular enforcement officers. These lack the AI of intelligent devices, and have a single form, besides the non-battle shape taken in civilian form (like Raising Heart turning into a jewel; S2U, specifically, becomes a playing card). On the other hand, they supposedly process magic faster and the mage can't become overly dependent on the AI.

S2U

Chrono's storage device. S2U is named for "Song To You" from the Lyrical Toy Box version of Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha.

Durandal

A new storage device that is optimized for freezing an opponent.

[edit] Armed Devices

Graf Eisen (グラーフアイゼン, Gurāfu Aizen^?)

Vita's device, also called the "Iron Count (鉄の伯爵, Kurogane no Hakushaku^?)". It appears to have no programmed gender, and speaks only German. Its general purpose form is a two-sided hammer that distantly resembles a polo mallet and handles up to 4 circular bombs (Swallow Flyer), or create a massive sonic shockwave (Iron Howl) as a distraction. Expending cartridges, it can also transform into a rocket-powered hammer with a sharpened tip, or change it's own size.

Voice: Tetsuya Kakihara.

Laevatein (レヴァンティン, Revantin^?)

Signum's armed device, also called the "Demon's Flaming Blade (炎の魔剣, Honō no maken^?). It appears to have a personality but no programmed gender, and speaks only German. Also known as Levantine in the fansubs. The name may be a reference to Lævateinn, of Norse mythology. Its regular form is a sword. Expending cartridges, it can transform into a chain-whip or a bow.

Voice: Tetsuya Kakihara.

Klarwind (クラールヴィント, Kurāruvinto^?)

Shamal's armed device, translated as "Clear Wind". These four rings are never used for combat, but can create portals, find Linker Cores and heal allies.

Voice: Alexandra Haefelin.

Schwertkreuz (シュベルトクロイツ, Shuberutokuroitsu^?)

Hayate's device, also called the "Sword Cross (剣十字, Kenjūji^?)", is categorized as an armed device in the merchandise. In the A's manga epilogue, Amy Limietta refers to it as "version 8"^[2]. It has been revealed in an interview^[3] and in the DVD accompaniment materials that this is in fact Hayate's staff device used in A's episode 12.

[edit] Unison Devices

The Unison Device (融合型デバイス, Unizon Debaisu^?) is the most sophisticated design of device in the Belka magic system that takes the Intelligent Device idea to the extreme. The device is given a body and free will, and the power to "unite" with its user (this act of uniting called Unison Mode), thereby granting extensive control and management of his or her abilities and power. However, due to the incompatibility with many practitioners, and incidents where the device took control of its user, Unison Devices never became a viable product.

Reinforce

Reinforce is a Unison Device, and the master program of the Book of Darkness. When the book was completed in episode 10, she merged with Hayate but largely was in control until Hayate reiterated her position as the device's master. Hayate, when she separated the viral defensive program from the rest of the Book and turns the spirit into a more normal-looking version of her familiar form, gives her the name Reinforce and takes her on as a partner. Reinforce's special attack is Ragnarok Breaker.

Reinforce II

Reinforce II (simply called Reinforce by Hayate) is Hayate's unison device in the A's epilogue and StrikerS manga. She is also known as a "control device (管制デバイス, kansei debaisu^?)", meaning that she helps Hayate organize and control her magic abilities. This function may be comparable to the AI programmed into the intelligent devices Raising Heart and Bardiche, but Reinforce II also has the heart and will characteristic of the Wolkenritter, and can manifest a hologram of herself as a chibi version of the original Reinforce. Reinforce II carries a blue book called the "Book of the Heavens (蒼天の書, Sōten no sho^?)", which is apparently a storage medium for magic spells. She refers to Hayate as "Meister Hayate".

[edit] Familiars

A familiar in the Nanoha universe is a magical creature that is created by a mage, based on an animal form. The process of creation is not known in detail, but in Arf's case, Fate created her when her former self was on the brink of death^[4]. A familiar may be granted a specific purpose upon creation, and will vanish or expire once this purpose is fulfilled.

Familiars are, generally, fiercely loyal to their masters (to the point of breaking the law), but may have the liberty to question the motives of their masters^[4]. Familiars apparently retain some instincts of their "past lives": for example, Arf is voraciously carnivorous^[5]. Familiars also have the ability to transform into their animal form, and in their humanoid state will have the ears and tail of the animal they are based on. The familiar can, however, hide these features if necessary^[6].

Familiars are also linked to their masters empathically and are dependent on the magical power of their masters. The more lifelike and complex the familiar, the greater the necessary power upkeep. It follows, then, that a familiar will perish should his or her master die. The light novels reveal that the master may choose to sever the empathic link.

The use of familiars may be a feature of the Mid-Childa magic system. In episode 05 of A's, Zafira insists that he is a "guardian beast" (although Arf retorts that there's no difference), but later he refers to his rival as a "fellow beast of protection"^[7]. Alternatively, the difference may simply be that of nomenclature, just as Belka system practitioners are called "knights" as opposed to Mid-Childa "mages", despite the fact that both are users of magic.

Known familiars^[8]: Arf, Liese Lotte, Liese Aria, Rinis.

[edit] Knight

The word knight (騎士, kishi^?) denotes a practitioner of the Belka magic system, especially those who have mastered the style and techniques of the system. The Wolkenritter (Signum, Vita, Shamal, and Zafira) are all considered Belka knights.

In the A's epilogue, Hayate Yagami is called a "mage knight (魔導騎士, madōkishi^?)", although it is unknown whether she has mastered both Mid-Childa and Belka systems.

[edit] Linker Core

A linker core is the internal source of magical power for a magic user in the Nanoha universe.

Linker cores are frequently mentioned in A's, particularly because of the Book of Darkness. In order to complete the pages of the book, it must absorb magical power from a linker core. However, it can only drain a particular core once, and the Wolkenritter must then find another target^[9]. Some extraterrestrial or extradimensional creatures apparently have linker cores or some other similar magic source, as they are also targets of the Wolkenritter.

[edit] Lost Logia

The term lost logia refers to artifacts or technologies from a highly-advanced civilization that collapsed in the Nanoha universe past. Many of the lost logia are unstable or dangerous, and the Time-Space Administration Bureau (TSAB) is charged with their recovery and supervision. Other than the Jewel Seeds, one other lost logia is used in the Garden of Time: a red jewel in a reactor that powered the drone guards.

Jewel Seed

One of twenty-one crystalline artifacts, each with its own serial number. Allegedly, these had the power to grant wishes, although in the series they are highly unstable and prone to cause violent disturbances in the host it fuses with and in its environment.

The Scrya clan originally discovered the Jewel Seeds, and Yūno Scrya was in charge of their excavation and transport. However, during an accident in the transport process, the Jewel Seeds were scattered in Uminari City and the surrounding area.

The Book of Darkness (Buch der Dunkelheit)

The "Book of Darkness (闇の書, Yami no sho^?)", also known as the "Book of the Night Sky (夜天の魔導書, 夜天の書, Yaten no madōsho, Yaten no sho^?)", is an ancient artifact that had been under TSAB investigation several years prior to the events of Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha A's.

The Book of Darkness may be more accurately described as a collection of artifacts and technologies. In addition to the Book itself, which is a storehouse for stolen knowledge and spells, it includes the Schwertkreuz device, the Wolkenritter guardian knights and their devices, and the master program/Unison Device that Hayate later names Reinforce.

[edit] Mage

The word mage (魔導師, madōshi^?) is used to refer to a practitioner of the Mid-Childa magic system in the Nanoha universe, although the less formal magician (魔法使い, mahōtsukai^?) is used synonymously. The phrase magical girl (魔法少女, mahō shōjo^?) is mentioned sparingly in the series itself (despite being a part of the titles), usually in Nanoha's monologues.

Nanoha has been called a "bombardment mage (砲撃魔導師, hōgeki madōshi^?)" and Yūno a "force field mage (結界魔導師, kekkai madōshi^?)", but apparently there is no formal classification according to a mage's specialties. A mage is ranked, however, according to the skill and magic power.

Mage ranking

One of 11 "letter grades": in increasing order, F, E, D, C, B, A, AA, AAA, S, SS, SSS. Like similar grading systems, the grade may have a plus or minus. Typically, the TSAB armed forces are ranked A, and officers are ranked AA to S.

[edit] Magic classification

The Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Visual Fanbook, a Nanoha universe guide book, provided the first system of classification for the various spells seen in the anime series. Apparently other categories have appeared in the manga series, describing each spell in detail as they are thrown.

[edit] Attack spells: Mid-Childa system

Area-of-effect type

This type categorizes all attacks that affect targets within a general area. Examples include Thunder Rage and Eternal Coffin.

Bombardment type

This type denotes any attack that fires a cone or stream of energy. This includes "collection type^[10]" spells such as Starlight Breaker. While Barrel Shot may appear to be a bind type capture spell, it is categorized as a bombardment spell.

Melee type

This type affects attacks that directly use the device as a weapon. Melee type spells include "energy blade type" (described in the fanbook) spells such as Scythe Slash.

Shooting type

Spells of this type are guided (like Divine Shooter) or aimed (like Photon Lancer) at targets.

[edit] Attack spells: Belka system

Bombardment type^[10]

The two Belka system spells Mistelteinn and Ragnarök are defined as bombardment type spells.

Magic-enhanced attack type

As the Belka system prefers melee attack over other magic types, spells of this type, such as Raketenhammer, enhance the attack power of the device, or expand its attack capabilities.

Shooting type

As Mid-Childa shooting type spells.

[edit] Capture spells

Capture spells inhibit or attempt to inhibit a target's freedom of movement and the use of action triggers.

Bind type

Bind type spells directly inhibit the movement of the target by specifically attaching themselves to the target. Bind type spells may prevent movement outright, as in Restrict Lock, or contain the target's mobility, as in Chain Bind.

Cage type

Cage type spells surround the target in an immobile prison.

[edit] Ceremonial spells

There are fewer ceremonial spells seen in the series than any other spell type, and are thought to be the most complex. Considerable time or magical power is needed to cast such spells, and they may have long arias as passphrases. Examples include Thunder Fall, and the first Reinforce's final spell.

[edit] Defensive spells

Defensive spells are specifically designed to protect the caster from attack magic or melee attack.

Barrier type

These spells erect defensive barriers such as Protection. Generally they can defend a wide range of directions, but are relatively easy to break.

Field type

Not to be confused with force field spells below, field type spells directly affect a magic user's Barrier Jacket.

Shield type

This type describes spells that generate powerful shields. In contrast to barrier type spells, shield type spells can only guard in one direction, but are much more difficult to penetrate.

[edit] Force field spells

In contrast to defensive spells, force field spells apparently have more varied roles, from protecting property and civilians from collateral damage, to confining enemy magic users to a predetermined area.

Circle type

These force fields originate from a magic circle, which can be placed by the caster at any location. An example is Yūno's Round Guarder Extend.

Area type

Area type force fields affect a large region, and generally are much more powerful than circle type fields. The imprisoning field used by the TSAB Armed Forces in A's episodes 04 and 05^[11] is one such type of field.

[edit] Support spells

As of 2006, these are the three known support spell categories. There are also a large number of uncategorized support spells, ranging from telepathy, shapeshifting, and sealing.

Increase type

Directly heals or replenishes the target.

Decline type

Presumably, spells of this type lower the target's defenses. However, the known spells of this type directly target other magic spells and attempt to deactivate them. An example is Bind Break.

Transport type^[10]

Spells of this type include movement enhancement spells such as Flier Fin, as well as teleport spells.

[edit] Magic system

The magic system refers to the style and methodology of a practitioner's abilities and devices. Two systems are recognized in the series: the Mid-Childa system, and the Belka system.

The Mid-Childa system is the prevalent form of magic in the Nanoha universe until the reappearance of the Wolkenritter in A's. Although much is known about the classification of its practitioners' spells, there is little information about its background or history.

The Belka system is an offshoot of the Mid-Childa system, and its practitioners often eschew ranged attacks for anti-personnel melee combat tactics. One of the defining features of the Belka system is the Armed Device, which incorporates a cartridge system to dramatically boost the magical power of its user^[12].

[edit] Triggers

A trigger, as the name implies, is something that initiates or triggers a magic spell. Four types of triggers are recognized in Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Visual Fan Book.

Aria (詠唱, Eishō^?)

A long incantation, required for complex or powerful techniques. Arias often include a mage's personal incantation, such as Nanoha's "Lyrical! Magical!"

Command phrase

A short command to the device. For example, Fate's command phrase for her shooting skills is "Fire!". In cases where a mage does not need an incantation to activate a skill, the device may bark the command in his or her stead.

Action trigger

A motion, usually a distinctive swing of the device. Action triggers usually accompany command phrases.

Device activation

The activation sequence for an Intelligent Device. Depending on the skill or talent of the user, this may require a complex passphrase.

[edit] Places

Garden of Time

This refers to a small asteroid-like structure, that is the residence of Precia and Fate Testarossa during the time of the first season. It is well-hidden from the TSAB, as they could only locate the small hideout by tracing Precia's transport spell.

Mid-Childa

This is the home world of the Haraoun family and the Scrya clan, and is home to a technologically advanced society. The capital is called Cranagan (クラナガン, Kuranagan^?)^[13].

Uminari City (海鳴市, Uminari City^?)

This is the home town of the Takamachi, Bannings, Tsukimura, Yagami, and (later) Haraoun households.

[edit] Time-Space Administration Bureau

The Time-Space Administration Bureau, abbreviated TSAB or Bureau, is an interdimensional security force^[14] formed by a joint union of several worlds, including Mid-Childa. They also monitor cultural growth and provide disaster relief to each world^[15].

[edit] Positions and ranking

Admiral

Presumably the highest rank in the Bureau. Admirals are given administrative roles, including ship command. Although the advisor and commissioner Gil Graham, ship commander Lindy Haraoun (and later Chrono Haraoun), and Bureau HQ staff officer Leti Rolan are all referred to as Admiral, it is unclear, as of 2006, whether there is a further hierarchy among those of this rank.

Known members: Lindy Haraoun, Gil Graham (A's; retired in epilogue), Leti Rolan, Chrono Haraoun (A's epilogue, StrikerS manga).

Commissioned Officer (執務官, Shitsumukan^?)

Commissioned officers in the TSAB are the lead investigators in incidents under Bureau jurisdiction, akin to detectives in modern police hierarchies.

Known members: Chrono Haraoun, Fate T. Haraoun (A's epilogue, StrikerS manga).

Tactical Instructor (戦技教導官, Senjutsu Kyōdōkan^?)

Similar to military and police special forces instructors, tactical instructors in the TSAB provide additional training to the Bureau's armed forces in combat strategy and techniques. They are considered among the best of all the mages in the Bureau.

Known members: Nanoha Takamachi (A's epilogue, StrikerS manga).

Special Investigations Officer (特別検査官, Tokubetsu Kensakan^?)

This is Hayate Yagami's title in the A's epilogue and StrikerS manga.

Contract Mage (嘱託魔導師, Shokutaku Madōshi^?)

Contract mages are "hired" by the TSAB, however the Bureau requires an intensive examination before contract mages are approved to work in Bureau matters. Fate Testarossa, after the Precia Testarossa incident, underwent this examination primarily to be able to meet Nanoha sooner.

Known members: Fate Testarossa (A's).

TSAB Armed Forces (武装隊, Busōtai^?)

The armed forces are both the main line of defense for the Bureau, as well as its corps of peace officers, although they bear some similarity to American police SWAT teams.

[edit] Technology

Arc-en-ciel (アルカンシェル, Arc-en-ciel^?)

The most powerful weapon of the TSAB investigative vessel Asura (and as of 2006, the only known weapon of the Asura). Called a "magic cannon (魔導砲, madōhō^?)", it destroys a region with a radius of over 100 kilometers around the target point by distorting the time-space of that region. Because of its great destructive potential, it can only be fired with the ship commander's key. In this way, it serves a deus ex machina function common to leader ships in science fiction series, such as the Chrono Break Cannon on the Elsior in Galaxy Angel.

[edit] References

Nanoha
Series: Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha | A's | Strikers | Triangle Heart (original source)
Characters
Main: Nanoha Takamachi | Yūno Scrya | Fate Testarossa | Arf | Hayate Yagami
Wolkenritter: Vita | Signum | Shamal | Zafira
Others: Precia Testarossa | Chrono Haraoun | Minor characters
Other
Misc: Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha terminology