List of Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha episodes

This article contains the episode listing for all the animation produced for Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha. The series consists of three separate seasons, the first two containing thirteen episodes and the third containing twenty-six.

In 2004, the first season under the title Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha (魔法少女リリカルなのは Mahō Shōjo Ririkaru Nanoha) was produced by the Japanese animation studio Seven Arcs containing thirteen episodes which aired between October 1 and December 24. Akiyuki Shinbo directed the first season. Seven Arcs would go on to produce the second and third seasons. The main plot for the first season is to give the audience a look into how the Nanoha universe operates and to set up the future relationship between the title character Nanoha Takamachi and the-then main antagonist Fate Testarossa. All of the episode names, except episode thirteen, end in "nano" (なの), a phrase meaning "it is" or "is it?" and generally considered friendly. This appears to be a play on Nanoha's name. This continues for the first eight episodes of season two, but does not appear after that, and is completely dropped for season three.

In 2005, the second season entitled Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha A's (魔法少女リリカルなのは エース Mahō Shōjo Ririkaru Nanoha Ēsu) aired between October 1 and December 24. The second season was directed by Keizō Kusakawa who would go on to direct the third season. The cast from the previous season returns and new characters are introduced to create a new plotline. A's is set six months after the events of the first season. A new battle system is introduced this season as well as a deeper look into how the Time-Space Administration Bureau operates.

In 2007, the third season with the title Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS (魔法少女リリカルなのはStrikerS Mahō Shōjo Ririkaru Nanoha Sutoraikāzu) began airing on April 1 and contained twenty-six episodes. Much of the main cast from the previous two seasons returns and new characters are once again introduced into the story. StrikerS is set ten years after the events of A's.

Overview

Series Episodes Original run
Series premiere Series finale
Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha 13 October 1, 2004 December 24, 2004
Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha A's 13 October 1, 2005 December 24, 2005
Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS 26 April 1, 2007 September 23, 2007
52

Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha (2004)

# Title Original air date
01 "Is This What You Call a "Mysterious Encounter?""
"Sore wa fushigi na deai nano?" (それは不思議な出会いなの?) 
October 1, 2004
Nanoha was just an ordinary third grader with no special skills when she heard a call for help. Then Nanoha comes to Yūno's rescue, and in doing so was given Raising Heart and awakened the power that had lain dormant inside of her. 
02 "My Magical Incantation is "Lyrical"?"
"Mahō no jumon wa ririkaru nano?" (魔法の呪文はリリカルなの?) 
October 8, 2004
Nanoha defeats her first monster, showing incredible talent, and joins Yūno on his quest to find the magical Jewel Seeds. 
03 "The Town's in a Lot of Danger?"
"Machi wa kiken ga ippai nano?" (街は危険がいっぱいなの?) 
October 15, 2004
A Jewel Seed mutates into a giant tree, but Nanoha locates and seals the seed. 
04 "A Rival!? Another Magical Girl!"
"Raibaru!? Mō hitori no mahō shōjo nano!" (ライバル!?もうひとりの魔法少女なの!) 
October 22, 2004
Nanoha meets Fate, a rival for the Jewel Seeds, and is defeated. 
05 "This is a Town of Hot Water, Uminari Hot Springs!"
"Koko wa yu no machi, Uminari onsen nano" (ここは湯のまち、海鳴温泉なの) 
October 29, 2004
Fate and her familiar Aruf challenge Nanoha at a hot spring. 
06 "Feelings that Can't Be Understood?"
"Wakari aenai kimochi nano?" (わかりあえない気持ちなの?) 
November 5, 2004
Arisa suspects that Nanoha is hiding something and becomes angry with her. Nanoha faces Fate again, in an attempt to convey her feelings to her. 
07 "Is This a Third Magician?"
"Sannin me no mahō tsukai nano?" (三人目の魔法使いなの?) 
November 12, 2004
Fate's mother, the real villain is revealed, and she is seeking the Jewel Seeds to go to Al Hazard. Nanoha and Fate fight again, but the two are interrupted by Chrono Harlaown, a mage from the Time-Space Administration Bureau. 
08 "There's A Really Big Crisis?"
"Sore wa ōi naru kiki nano?" (それは大いなる危機なの?) 
November 19, 2004
After Fate escapes, Nanoha joins with the Time-Space Administration Bureau. Yūno reveals his human form to Nanoha. 
09 "The Decisive Battle Above the Ocean!"
"Kessen wa umi no ue de nano" (決戦は海の上でなの) 
November 26, 2004
When Fate tries to use a dangerous method of gathering the six Jewel Seeds in the ocean, the TSAB plans to ambush her once she is finished and weakened, but Nanoha intervenes to help Fate overcome the process. 
10 "Everybody's Separate Heart-felt Vows"
"Sorezore no mune no chikai nano" (それぞれの胸の誓いなの) 
December 3, 2004
Aruf attacks Precia in anger over how she treats Fate, but is defeated and thrown out. She transports to Earth and joins Nanoha. Nanoha visits her friends and family, to sort everything out, and decides to have one final battle with Fate. 
11 "Memories That Lie Beyond Time"
"Omoide wa toki no kanata nano" (思い出は時の彼方なの) 
December 10, 2004
Nanoha and Fate battle for all the Jewel Seeds, Nanoha is the victor, but Precia steals Fate's Jewel Seeds back, and reveals to Fate that she is a clone of her dead daughter Alicia. 
12 "The Time of the Sealing of Our Fates"
"Shukumei ga tojiru toki nano" (宿命が閉じるときなの) 
December 17, 2004
In the final battle, the TSAB march on the Garden of Time. Fate joins the battle to help Nanoha. 
13 "Call My Name"
"Namae o yonde" (なまえをよんで) 
December 24, 2004
Precia falls into the dimensional void after her attempt to reach Al Hazard fails, and the heroes evacuate the Garden of Time before it is destroyed. Fate stays with the TSAB to be tried for her crimes, although she is expected to be given leniency considering the circumstances. Nanoha and Yūno say their farewells to the TSAB and they both head home. Fate meets with Nanoha, and the two officially become friends. 

Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha A's (2005)

# Title Original air date
01 "The Beginning Comes Suddenly"
"Hajimari wa totsuzen ni nano" (はじまりは突然になの) 
October 1, 2005
Nanoha, who is awaiting Fate's return, is ambushed by Vita and Graf Eisen for her Linker Core. Vita gains the advantage by using magical cartridges to increase her weapon's power. At the last minute when all seems hopeless Fate, Aruf and Yūno arrive. 
02 "Once Again, the Storms Battle"
"Tatakai no arashi, futatabi nano" (戦いの嵐、ふたたびなの) 
October 8, 2005
Nanoha and Fate fight the much stronger Wolkenritter (Cloud Knights), and in the end Nanoha loses her Linker Core to the enemy while both Raising Heart and Bardiche are in severely damaged states. 
03 "Reunion and Relocation"
"Saikai, soshite ohikkoshi nano!" (再会、そしてお引っ越しなの!) 
October 15, 2005
With what happened to Nanoha the Arthra crew has been assigned the mission of stopping the Wolkenritter, and with the Arthra being upgraded the captain's team consisting of Admiral Lindy, Chrono, Amy and Fate move into Nanoha's neighborhood for the time being. At the end of the episode Raising Heart and Bardiche demand a new and dangerous modification to their design. 
04 "Our New Power, Start!"
"Arata naru chikara, kidō nano!" (新たなる力、起動なの!) 
October 22, 2005
Hayate's condition worsens, the TSAB corner the Wolkenritter in a barrier so Nanoha and Fate can take them on, to Nanoha and Fate's surprise Raising Heart and Bardiche begin a different Set Up. Amy tells them that their devices have been upgraded from Raising Heart to Raising Heart Excellion and from Bardiche to Bardiche Assault. 
05 "It was a Small Wish (part 1)"
"Sore wa chiisa na negai nano (Zenpen)" (それは小さな願いなの (前編)) 
October 29, 2005
Signum breaks into the TSAB barrier to help out her teammates with a fight soon following. Nanoha and Fate gain the advantage over their opponents, but a mysterious man arrives to help, and Shamal sacrifices some of the Book of Darkness's pages in order to destroy the barrier and allow the Wolkenritter to escape. It is revealed that the Wolkenritter are programs of the Book of Darkness. 
06 "It was a Small Wish (part 2)"
"Sore wa chiisa na negai nano (Kōhen)" (それは小さな願いなの (後編)) 
November 5, 2005
Signum and Shamal recall coming into Hayate's service, and how the love she showed them caused them to develop emotions. While she asked them not to fight, they eventually realized that unless the Book was completed, her life would be endangered, and decided to gather mana for that purpose. 
07 "With the Broken Past and Present"
"Kowareta kako to genzai to nano" (壊れた過去と現在となの) 
November 12, 2005
Fate and Nanoha again confront Signum and Vita, trying to get them to reveal their motivations. The mysterious man protects Vita from Nanoha's attack, and then intervenes in Signum's fight with Fate, stealing Fate's Linker Core and incapacitating her. 
08 "The Decision of Heartbreak and the Courageous Choice"
"Kanashī ketsui, yūki no sentaku nano" (悲しい決意、勇気の選択なの) 
November 19, 2005
Hayate's condition worsens, and she is hospitalized after collapsing at home. The TSAB realize that the Book of Darkness is going to kill Hayate upon its completion. Nanoha and Fate visit Hayate in the hospital through Suzuka, a mutual friend. 
09 "Christmas Eve"
"Kurisumasu ibu" (クリスマス·イブ) 
November 26, 2005
Chrono continues his research on the Book of Darkness. On Christmas Eve, Nanoha and Fate give Hayate a surprise visit, and encounter the Wolkenritter in the hospital room, learning of their connection to her. The groups fight that night on the hospital roof, but two masked men intervene, drain the Wolkenritter's Linker cores and summoning Hayate to the roof while disguised as Nanoha and Fate, and kill Vita in front of her to force her to awaken the Book of Darkness. 
10 "Destiny"
"Unmei" (運命) 
December 3, 2005
Hayate is engulfed by the Book's power. Chrono fights the masked men and discovers that they are the Lieze Twins, Admiral Graham's familiars, and that Admiral Graham had planned for Hayate to complete the Tome of Darkness in order to seal it and her away. While Arisa and Suzuka learn the truth about Nanoha and Fate, Fate gets absorbed by the Book of Darkness. 
11 "A Gift For Christmas Eve"
"Seiya no okurimono" (聖夜の贈り物) 
December 10, 2005
Fate is trapped in a dream of an ideal life with Alicia and a sane Precia, but manages to break free and then activates her full drive Zanber Blade. While on the outside Nanoha activates her full drive Excellion Mode despite the fact that it could destroy Raising Heart. Hayate reaches out to the Book of Darkness, renaming it Reinforce and becoming the first person to wake up when the Book of Darkness had been completed. 
12 "Night's End, Journey's End"
"Yoru no owari, tabi no owari" (夜の終わり、旅の終わり) 
December 17, 2005
Hayate regains control of Reinforce, and revives the Wolkenritter. The Wolkenritter and Hayate team up with Nanoha's group to defeat the corrupted defense program of the Tome of Darkness. 
13 "Stand By Ready"
"Sutanbai redī" (スタンバイ·レディ) 
December 24, 2005
Although the danger is averted, the potential for the corruption to return remains, and Reinforce gives up her existence in order to prevent that. Hayate and the Wolkenritter join the TSAB, and Nanoha tells her family about what she has been doing as a mage. Six years later, Nanoha, Fate and Hayate are in middle school, with Hayate having a second Reinforce by her side. 

Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS (2007)

# Title Original air date
01 "Wings Towards the Sky"
"Sora e no Tsubasa" (空への翼) 
April 1, 2007
The story starts by showing an airport in Mid-Childa on fire. Inside the airport, as a statue was about to crush a little girl, Nanoha flies in and saves her. Four years later, Subaru Nakajima and Teana Lanster are taking a test to increase their rank from C to B. During the test, Nanoha, Fate, Hayate, and Rein observe their progress. Near the end of the test, Teana injures her ankle, but they don't give up and with Teana riding on Subaru's back, Subaru races for the finish line. They cross the finish line but they were going so fast that they would've crashed into a wall if Nanoha hadn't saved them. In the end Subaru reunites with Nanoha after four years. 
02 "Sixth Mobile Division"
"Kidō Rokka" (機動六課) 
April 8, 2007
Subaru and Teana are informed that they have failed their promotion exam, but are given another chance by Nanoha and Reinforce to take the exam again in a week. In the meantime, they are told about the Sixth Mobile Division, which is a special division about to be formed and led by Nanoha, Fate, and Hayate and are asked to join. Erio and Caro make an appearance and meet for the first time. At the end we see Vita, Shamal and Zafira destroying gadget drones and talking about the new unit. 
03 "Gathering"
"Shūketsu" (集結) 
April 15, 2007
Hayate's dream of this new unit has finally been realized and the training begins for the new recruits. We meet new faces like Griffith Lowran, Alto Krauetta, Vice Granscenic, Shario(Shari) Finieno and Lucino Liilie are introduced which gives insight into the new villain's plot involving the Lost Logia named Relic. 
04 "First Alert"
"Fāsuto Arāto" (ファースト·アラート) 
April 22, 2007
Subaru, Teana, Caro, and Erio are still enduring hard training with Nanoha, but soon their training will be complete. Subaru and Teana are given new devices to aid them and Erio and Caro are given upgrades to their devices and the power-limiting feature is explained to them. Afterwards, the Sixth Mobile Division must act on their first mission. 
05 "Stars and Lightning"
"Hoshi to Ikazuchi" (星と雷) 
April 29, 2007
This episode marks the first mission of the new teams, as they battle several gadget drones and a new model gadget drone to recover a Lost Logia. Subaru and the others get to test out their new and/or improved devices. Part of Caro's past is revealed, as well as her true ability to summon dragons. Someone is monitoring them from a lab, gathering data mostly on Fate and Erio, who have a connection with "Project F". 
06 "Progress"
"Shinten" (進展) 
May 6, 2007
Stars and Lightning undergo further training, intended to enhance their strengths and skills. Meanwhile, Hayate requests the aid of Major Genya Nakajima's 108th Ground Forces Battalion to assist Mobile Division 6 in investigating smuggling routes. Fate and Shari discover that a Doctor Jail Scaglietti is implanting Jewel Seeds into the Type-3 gadgets. 
07 "Hotel Augusta"
"Hoteru Agusuta" (ホテル·アグスタ) 
May 13, 2007
The Sixth Mobile Division monitors, and provides security for, the Hotel Augusta, where works of art, including lost logia, are up for auction. Teams Stars and Lightning face gadget drones, and another summoner who has ties to Dr. Scaglietti. Feeling inadequate compared to the strength of many of the other Section 6 members, Teana tries a dangerous tactic to prove her worth, and almost hits Subaru. 
08 "A Two Person Wish"
"Negai, Futari de" (願い、ふたりで) 
May 20, 2007
Following the averted friendly-fire incident at the Hotel Augusta, Teana throws herself into intensive training, and it is revealed that she is struggling to fulfill the dream her brother once had of becoming an enforcer. Subaru joins her, and they devise a dangerous strategy for their next combat exercise with Nanoha. The strategy fails, and when Teana tries to attack Nanoha, Nanoha shoots her and knocks her unconscious. 
09 "An Important Experience"
"Taisetsu na Koto" (たいせつなこと) 
May 27, 2007
Teana wakes up in the infirmary many hours after being on the receiving end of Nanoha's attack. She and the other young recruits learn about Nanoha's past and how she almost died several years ago on a mission due to having overextended herself, causing Teana to understand Nanoha's training methods. 
10 "Sixth Mobile Division's Day Off (Part 1)"
"Kidō Rokka no aru Kyūjitsu (Zenpen)" (機動六課のある休日(前編)) 
June 3, 2007
Subaru, Teana, Caro, and Erio are on their vacation. Suddenly, Erio senses a magical presence, and follows it. To Erio and Caro's surprise, they see a girl coming out of the sewers with a relic case on her leg. 
11 "Sixth Mobile Division's Day Off (Part 2)"
"Kidō Rokka no aru Kyūjitsu (Kōhen)" (機動六課のある休日(後編)) 
June 10, 2007
Nanoha, Fate, Shamal, Teana, and Subaru come to aid Caro and Erio. Erio, Caro, Teana, and Subaru go down the sewer to investigate. They meet up with Subaru's sister, Ginga, but things take a turn for the worse when Lutecia attacks in the sewers with the powerful insect Garyu. 
12 "Numbers"
"Nanbāzu" (ナンバーズ) 
June 17, 2007
Everyone is under attack, and Hayate comes to help. Lutecia and her companions come to get the relic, while Numbers cyborgs Quattro and Dieci attack the helicopter with the girl. The forwards manage to capture Lutecia, but Sein manages to rescue her and retrieve the relic case, only to later discover that the forwards had already removed the contents. 
13 "Reason for Living"
"Inochi no Riyū" (命の理由) 
June 24, 2007
Explained how Agito joined Lutecia and the reason why Hayate created Mobile Section Six as a way of addressing a prophecy in the Saint Church. 
14 "Mothers & Children"
"Mothers&Children" (Mothers&Children) 
July 1, 2007
Nanoha decided to be Vivio's temporary guardian and Fate volunteers to assist her. 
15 "Sisters & Daughters"
"Sisters&Daughters" (Sisters&Daughters) 
July 8, 2007
Ginga transfers to Mobile Division Section Six where she begins to train with the forwards. The episode also gives some insight into the Numbers. 
16 "That Day, Sixth Mobile Division (Part 1)"
"Sono Hi, Kidō Rokka (Zenpen)" (その日、機動六課 (前編)) 
July 15, 2007
Sixth Mobile Division is on a mission to protect the TSAB Public Press Conference. The commanders, including Nanoha, Fate, Hayate, and Signum are inside without their devices, which they entrust to the forwards. Meanwhile, Jail Scaglietti and his Numbers, along with Lutecia and Zest, are working on their plan. 
17 "That Day, Sixth Mobile Division (Part 2)"
"Sono Hi, Kidō Rokka (Kōhen)" (その日、機動六課 (後編)) 
July 22, 2007
Sixth Mobile Division is engaged battle with Scaglietti's group of terrorists. Vita fights against Zest and is defeated. Fate fights Tre and Sette, who cryptically hint at her connection with Scaglietti. Ginga is severely wounded and is captured by several of the Numbers, causing Subaru to go into a rage and severely injures Cinque. The enemy forces destroy the Section 6 HQ and capture Vivio. 
18 "Wings, Once Again"
"Tsubasa, Futatabi" (翼、ふたたび) 
July 29, 2007
After the attack on the 6th Division Headquarters, Hayate decides to move all the units on to the Arthra. It is revealed that the Nakajima family had adopted Ginga and Subaru a long time ago since they were experimental Type-0 Cyborgs, the Numbers' predecessors. Although they still needed the maintenance treatment like the other cyborgs until now, they were still treated kindly as normal girls. Nanoha tried to act the same as before in front of the whole squad but couldn't hide it when Fate asked her. Fate tried to comfort the crying Nanoha saying that they will definitely rescue Vivio. The numbers talk about how strong Subaru was and the episode ends with a terrified Vivio crying out for her Mom while Scagiletti is about to experiment on her. 
19 "Cradle"
"Yurikago" (ゆりかご) 
August 5, 2007
After Subaru recovers from her injuries, she moves onto the plan for Mach Caliber to be powered-up in order to endure her cyborg power. At that time, Scaglietti and his comrades are working on the next step of their plan involving Vivio's power. It is also shown that Ginga has seemingly joined Scaglietti as number 13. 
20 "Infinite Desires"
"Mugen no Yokubō" (無限の欲望) 
August 12, 2007
Jail Scaglietti has awakened the Saint's Cradle, an ancient Belkan weapon controlled by Vivio. The TSAB, with Sixth Mobile Division, are going to stop it. There is also the first movement of No.2, Due, as the spy inside the TSAB. 
21 "Decisive Battle"
"Kessen" (決戦) 
August 19, 2007
From Yūno's research, The Saint's Cradle is expected to be unstoppable if it reaches orbit and absorbs the power of two moons. Nanoha and Vita invade the Cradle, Hayate attempts to deal with the units outside, and Fate attacks Scaglietti's hideout. Signum and Rein go to battle Knight Zest and Agito, while the forwards fight the cyborgs and Lutecia on the ground. 
22 "Pain to Pain"
"Pain to Pain" (Pain to Pain) 
August 26, 2007
Nanoha is on her way to the throne room where Vivio and Quattro are supposed to be. Vita is struggling on her way to the machine room, fighting with gadgets. Fate starts her battles in Scaglietti's HQ with Tre, Sette and Scaglietti himself. Meanwhile, Teana is trapped on her own against the three of the Numbers. Subaru fights against Ginga, who was re-programmed, and Caro and Erio are fighting against Garyū and Lutecia. 
23 "Stars Strike"
"Stars Strike" (Stars Strike) 
September 2, 2007
Nanoha reaches Vivio after easily defeating Dieci, but Quattro taunts the two, and Vivio activates a rainbow shield, which Quattro calls the Saint's Armor, an extremely powerful shield. Meanwhile, the barrier around the building where Teana is fighting is broken when Shamal and Zafira capture Otto, and Teana defeats the three Numbers with help from Vice. Subaru struggles against her sister, and recalls her previous reluctance to fight, but resolves to save Ginga, and manages to defeat her. 
24 "Lightning"
"Raikō" (雷光) 
September 9, 2007
This episode reveals that Subaru and Lutecia's mothers were once under Zest's command, but died when he went against orders and attacked Scaglietti's hideout. Zest asks Regius who was responsible, but Due kills him before he can answer, and Zest kills Due. Erio and Caro manage to overcome Lutecia and Garyū. Fate's resolve is initially undermined by Scaglietti's claim that she is using Erio and Caro for her own fulfillment, but she is encouraged by hearing from the two of them, and defeats him, Tre and Sette. 
25 "Final Limit"
"Fainaru Rimitto" (ファイナル·リミット) 
September 16, 2007
The Final Limiter of the dangerous Blaster Mode of Raising Heart is released, and Nanoha shoots through the Saint Cradle, defeating Quattro. Vivio temporarily regains control of herself, and Nanoha manages to defeat her and cause her to regain her senses. While the Cradle has lost its operator and had its main power source destroyed, it still continues to rise with Nanoha, Vivio, Hayate and Rein inside, prompting the people on the ground to rescue them. 
26 "To the Promised Sky"
"Yakusoku no Sora e" (約束の空へ) 
September 23, 2007
Subaru and Tea help evacuate Nanoha and the others from the Cradle, and the fleet, under Chrono's command, destroys the ship. Scaglietti and some of the older Numbers are incarcerated, while the rest are sent to a rehabilitation facility along with Lutecia and Agito. Nanoha officially adopts Vivio as her daughter. Section 6, having its original purpose completed, disbands, and everyone separates. Fate returns to her duties as an enforcer with Shari and Teana as her aides, Erio and Caro continue with their partnership and return to the Outlands Environmental Squad. Griffith and Lucino return to the Interstellar Navigation Branch of the main office while Vice returns to being a sniper and Alto becomes an army helicopter pilot. Hayate returns to lead special investigations along with the wolkenriiter and their newest family member Agito. Vivio enrolls in the St. Hilde School of magic while Ginga leads a special rehabilitation program for the numbers. Lutecia moves to an uninhabited planet for care along with her summon beasts and mother. Subaru joins the Disaster Prevention Squad and works to save lives in the harshest conditions and as for Nanoha, she rejected all the promotions given to her for the sake of her current job as a Aerial Tactics Combat Instructor in HQ. 

References