ViVid Strike!

The aggressive Fuuka Reventon often finds herself in fights as she struggles to make a living. One day, she gets into an altercation with gangsters that leaves her with injuries; luckily, martial arts champion Einhald Stratos finds Fuuka and brings her to a hospital.

Seeing potential in Fuuka's skills, Einhald encourages the girl to become a martial arts athlete and offers her a job at Nakajima Gym, where Einhald trains. Despite the kind gesture, Fuuka initially declines the proposal due to the bad memories it brings. She was once childhood friends with the now prominent martial arts athlete Rinne Berlinetta, but the personality of her fellow orphan shifted from kind and gentle to cold and cruel after being adopted by a prosperous family and starting martial arts.

Nonetheless, Fuuka soon accepts Einhald's offer and begins training under her—not only out of necessity but also out of the desire to defeat Rinne and make her realize how hurtful her behavior has become. Despite Fuuka's inexperience, Einhald and the other members of the gym have faith in her talent and efforts.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Vivio Main

Mizuhashi, Kaori Japanese

Berlinetta, Rinne Main

Ogura, Yui Japanese

Stratos, Einhald Main

Noto, Mamiko Japanese

Reventon, Fuuka Main

Minase, Inori Japanese

Jeremiah, Sieglinde Supporting

Nakatsu, Mari Japanese

Alpine, Lutecia Supporting

Kuwatani, Natsuko Japanese

Wezley, Rio Supporting

Kitamura, Eri Japanese

Timil, Corona Supporting

Fukuen, Misato Japanese

Nove Supporting

Saitou, Chiwa Japanese

Chevelle, Micaiah Supporting

Asakawa, Yuu Japanese

Nishimura, Junji Director, Episode Director, Storyboard

Yokota, Chikako Sound Director

Tanemura, Ayataka Episode Director

Tsuzuki, Masaki Script, Original Creator

Reviews

Aug 9, 2017

ktulu007

Recommended

The Nanoha franchise is one I've talked about a lot. I've reviewed the first series, As, StrikerS, Vivid and even the loosely connected Triangle Heart, which has been the only ungood one thus far. This week I'm going to look at Vivid Strike, which is a side story for Vivid. It was produced by Seven Arcs, the same studio behind everything else I've looked at except, oddly enough, Vivid itself. Let's see if it upholds the franchise's proud traditions of quality and les-yay. That excludes Triangle Heart, obviously.

Story:

Fuuka Reventon is an orphan with a propensity for trouble. We open with her getting into ... a fight with a bunch of ne'er do wells. When law enforcement arrives on the scene, she's forced to flee. She runs right into Einhald Stratos and manages to throw one punch before collapsing from injuries she sustained in her earlier altercation. Einhald sees potential in her and brings her into the Nakajima Gym, offering to coach her in martial arts. Fuuka eventually accepts, hoping to reconnect with her childhood friend, Rinne Berlinetta.

The only real narrative issue I have with this series is that it may abridge things too much. A lot of the stuff they skip over is totally justifiable. We don't need to see all the tournament fights. Especially when one of our main characters is going against some Rando and they're obviously going to win because it's a main character against someone who we're just now meeting. However, the unfortunate side effect of skipping over all but a few of those is that we don't get a proper arc for Fuuka and her development as a martial artist. We see her train with the other girls a bit and win a single match before we cut to the climactic fight betwixt her and Rinne. Which really isn't enough to give her a plausible chance. Instead, we get to be told how far she's come by other characters. Because that's just as good as seeing it.

That aspect aside, I do have a lot of praise for the story. The conflict between Fuuka and Rinne is really well handled. It acknowledges the mistakes that are made while also showing us the reasons behind them. The scenes showing Rinne's back story are actually highly poignant. The narrative being about these old friends and their trying to reconnect also provides a compelling tension to the narrative that was absent from the regular Vivid anime and using martial arts as a vehicle that could potentially make that happen really works to tie it in with the framework we've already got. I also do appreciate that the tournament doesn't go the way you would normally expect from this kind of series. The pacing is fairly well done, in spite of the aforementioned abridging issue. It has rising action, an intense climax and then adequate time to wrap things up from there.

Characters:

The character element has always been a strong suit for this franchise. This instalment is no exception. Fuuka has a strong student-master relationship with Einhald. There are a lot of nive little touches that give us insight into her character. The way she talks to the other girls, frequently using nicknames is one. The way she responds to Rinne when Rinne is talking about the lack of understanding other people have towards her is a big one. The dynamic of her and Rinne is the core of the series and it is actually superb. The flashbacks of them together show us very clearly why they mean a lot to each other and add weight to the reconnection plot. Their early interactions also illustrate both the difficulties of rekindling their connection and the yearning to rekindle it from both of them. Which makes things really interesting. I also do like the way it further develops the Vivid cast.

Art:

the only real art issue I have with this one is that the transformation sequences remain rather sleazy in their usage of fan-service. It does, however, improve on a lot of my issues with Vivid. There's a lot less general fan-service. There aren't any overly fan-servicey outfits on display. We don't see Sister Chantez's stripper nun outfit, for instance. They manage to fight in their matches and keep their clothing intact because, I guess, Seven Arcs is better about that than A-1. I do generally like the character designs. Although, Fuuka looks a lot like IF from Neptunia. Did IF and Compa have a science baby? Come to think of it, Rinne looks a bit like Lady Blackheart but with Neptune's eyes. Did Noire and Neptune also have a science baby? Did the infants get left alone with Neptune and accidentally sent to another dimension? She probably responded to the justifiable anger by breaking the fourth wall and joking too. Joking tangents aside, the designs are striking and I do like that Fuuka bases her transformation off of her mentor. It's another of those little touches that tells us about her. The action sequences are really good. You can really see the force of the impacts and the animation is just highly polished. And all without having anyone's clothes torn apart. Almost like that was completely unnecessary, A-1.

Sound:

The performances in this are all great. The strongest come from our main duo voiced by Ogura Yui & Minase Inori. Sakura Ayane, Noto Mamiko & Mizuhashi Kaori also do particularly well. This series probably has the best soundtrack I've heard from Yoshikawa Youichirou. You may remember him as the composer for Iria & Green Legend Ran. Iria had good music as well, this just has really good music.

Ho-yay:

As this is the Nanoha franchise, there's a lot of les-yay. The vast bulk of it in this series is between Fuuka and Rinne. We don't see much of Vivio and Einhald's sapphic tension in this one and a lot of our previous couples (Nanoha & Fate, Subaru & Teana, etc.) don't show up. It's also heavily implied that Victoria has a thing for Rinne. Harry and Els allude to it during a conversation and Victoria just responds like it's completely natural. As she should. There's no shame in her having a crush on Rinne. I don't think she's going to win out over Fuuka in that regard, but I'm sure she'll get over it and find a nice girlfriend of her own eventually. After all, the population in this franchise seems to be ninety percent lesbians. No lack of selection there.

Final Thoughts:

Vivid Strike isn't just a marked improvement over Vivid. It's a really great series in its own right. The narrative of old friends trying to connect again after falling out really resonates. The action sequences are awesome. The acting is skilful. The relationship dynamic between our leads is amazing. It is, however, not a perfect series by any means. The transformation sequences are overly focused on titillation and Fuuka's coming into her own as a martial artist could have been much better handled. Still, I do recommend it for any fans of the franchise. Even those of you who were a bit disappointed with Vivid. Especially since I was as well. My final rating is still going to stand at a very solid 9/10. Next week I'll take a look at Bishoujo Yuugekitai Battle Skipper.

Reviewer’s Rating: 9

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Dec 17, 2016

LIQfilms

Mixed Feelings

Vivid Srike was the latest addition to the Nanoha franchise and can come across as kind of jarring for those viewers coming straight off from Nanoha Vivid expecting a direct continuation of the story as Vivid Strike is a side-story of Vivid's narrative taking place a year after the events of said show. Upon watching this show, it could also be kind of confusing since there was just a general lack of information surrounding this show anyway so trying to piece it together can perhaps be a little distracting upon your first viewing. However, despite being a side-story, the newly introduced characters are decently integrated ... into the narrative and fleshed out.

This season has a greater focus on two new characters in the franchise rather than Vivio or Einhald. If you were expecting Nanoha or Fate to make an appearance than you'll be disappointed. While Vivio and Einhald do have moments of development and some time to shine in their own fights and the such the narrative is, at its core, a tale of two orphan children called Fuuka and Rinne. After Fuuka is adopted by a couple she lives out a brief and happy period with her newly found Grandfather but runs into trouble with bullies at school who push her to her limits resulting in a situation in which she misses the passing of her Grandfather. She then beats the ever lasting SHIT out of the bullies and trains vigorously to become stronger and stronger. Her orphan friend, Fuuka, trains with the previously established characters from Vivid in order to defeat her friend and beat some sense into her. The story is a basic fighting tournament with the main focus of training hard to gain new abilities and using your fists in order to communicate with your opponent. While it is basic in plot structure, it's the characters that shine through an otherwise generic story.

There is a decent amount of time invested in both Fuuka and Rinne to make them feel more human and their backstories and motivations are both believable and have enough attachment to the narrative to make the narrative have more stakes and impact. Rinne's backstory was easily the most entertaining part of the anime and is given a decent amount of time to breath and spread its wings. You're able to easily understand why she behaves the way she does which makes her fights feel more real and emotionally heavier too. Fuuka, on the other hand, doesn't feel as fleshed out while still having a decent amount of personal engagement with the narrative. Fuuka doesn't go through the same amount of focus or development in the show aside from her power level increase. However, as a character it is easy to feel the emotional attachment she has with the narrative and thus easier to root for as an audience. It's the effective drama between these characters is the main thing that keeps the show entertaining and helps it to stand on its two feet.

While the plot does a decent job at fleshing out character back-stories and personalities it's still not something you've seen before to some better effect. This doesn't necessarily make Vivid Strike's story bad; just forgettable after you've finished watching it and the plot points are also rather easy to predict while you're watching it and you can pretty much guess which direction the show is going to go in. This can make your viewing experience of this show rather tedious as you already know what is going to happen as it follows a basic formula.

However, one thing the show did pretty well were the fight sequences. There is a lot of emotion poured into each of the fights which makes them feel as if there is more narrative stakes but it also makes them feel more exciting. The animation and fights themselves were pretty solid, my favorite being between Vivio and Rinne which does a decent job at developing both characters throughout the fight. The final fight between Fuuka and Rinne was also pretty good for both thematics and a good end product for a season of tension building between the two. However, there are some secondary fights which are glossed over entirely and the final fight between Rienhald and Fuuka may have left you kind of disappointed if you did want to see it. A first for the Nanoha franchise, I believe, is the inclusion of blood and teeth being knocked out during the fights. This not only makes the fights feel more realistic and gritty but it can perhaps come across as jarring for any veteran fans of the show although this was never a problem for me. It never gets to the point where it becomes stupid shock factor either, which I liked.

As for overall music it was fine. The opening is generic catchy pop that you'll forget after you've heard something similar and the battle OST does a fine job. Overall Vivid Strike is a decent addition to the Nanoha series with some good action, decently fleshed out cast but the series also remains fun. It doesn't take too much to feel the emotional weight of the narrative and the character's involvement in said narrative. This series works because of the boat loads of heart the characters have in the Nanoha franchise. If you're a Nanoha fan you'll get a kick out of it.

(Part of LIQfilms 12 Days of Christmas - Day 5)

Reviewer’s Rating: 6

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Jan 23, 2021

JuneNephthys

Not Recommended

This is a "Lyrical Nanoha" series without the titular character, Nanoha Takamachi, and Fate Testarossa. Though their daughter Vivio is still carrying their legacy like a torch, without those two, this just isn't a "Nanoha" series! In "ViVid Strike!" the magical element is mostly ameliorated and the show becomes a series about little girls brawling in a boxing ring! Yes, this might as well be the moe version of "Ashita no Joe"!

⚠️ This review of ViVid Strike! will contain light spoilers ⚠️

—Story/Characters

The main conflict of the series is between two childhood friends that are foils of one another. One is a fiery, determined girl ... and the other, in their separation has her heart icebound by a series of traumatic events. I won't go into spoilers about it here, but Rinne gets bullied so badly that it ends in an absurdly violent scene that is comparable to certain moments in series like "Blood-C" and "Higurashi no Naku Koro ni" because of the hardcore brutality. And the aggressor of that situation doesn't get arrested or expelled from school? Okay, because that's believable!

So, those unfortunate events lead to Rinne Berlinetta becoming a Fate Testarossa proxy, they even have twin ribbons in their hair! Despite the introduction of more cute girls, like in the original "ViVid", there's only enough characterization to care about Fūka and Rinne (and there is a nice fight scene with Einhart Stratos and Vivio in the season finale). Since Einhart is practically the only character that I care about in the "ViVid Strike!" series, her acting as a mentor to Fūka was a nice change of pace, like "StrikerS" it seems like the subsequent generations of girls learn from the main characters of seasons passed!

—Technical

Luna's Favorite Works by Each Respective Creator = ✅

Junji Nishimura (director), notable works:
* Bakuon!! ✅
* Basilisk: Ōka Ninpōchō
* Bermuda Triangle: Colorful Pastrale
* D-1 Devastator
* Dog Days' (Season Two) and Dog Days'' (Season Three)
* Dr. Typhoon
* Fūjin Monogatari
* Glasslip
* Hamelin no Violin Hiki
* Kishin Dōji Zenki and Kishin Dōji Zenki Gaiden: Anki Kitan (OVA)
* Koitabi: True Tours Nanto
* Kyō kara Maō!! (Season One, Season Three, and OVA — "Kyō kara Maō! R") ✅
* Nurarihyon no Mago
* Pro Golfer Saru (series)
* Ranma ½ (eps 70 to 143) ✅
* Saga-ken wo Meguru Animation
* Samurai Deeper Kyō
* Senkaiden Hōshin Engi
* Simōn
* Taiho Shichau zo: The Movie ("You're Under Arrest: The Movie")
* True Tears ✅
* Urusei Yatsura — Assistant Director ✅
* Vlad Love

Commentary: Mr. Nishimura is a really big hit or miss. His work on "Ranma ½", "True Tears", and "Urusei Yatsura" was impressive, but he also did series like "Glasslip", "Samurai Deeper Kyō", and "Bermuda Triangle: Colorful Pastrale" — I'm sure you got the idea if you know ANYTHING about "Glasslip"! I would say that "ViVid Strike!" is more middling, but it leans on the spectrum of bad. There are certain shots and fight scene choreography that shows his finesse in the industry, so I mostly blame the script writing or the lack of inventiveness in the later volumes of the "ViVid" manga. For what he could accomplish, I think that Mr. Nishimura did a pretty good job with this series!

Good Seiyū Work = ✅

Really Enjoyed the Seiyū's Performance = ✅ ✅

One of Luna's Favorite Performances OF ALL TIME = ✅ ✅ ✅

Inori Minase as Fūka Reventon, notable roles:
* Itsuki Nakano, 5-tōbun no Hanayome ("The Quintessential Quintuplets") ✅
* Maya, Animegatari
* Hibiki Iga, Basilisk: Ōka Ninpōchō
* Uki Yamazoe, ChäoS;Child ✅✅
* Mo Ritika Tzetzes Ura, Comet Lucifer
* Ruruka Andō, Danganronpa 3 ✅
* Hestia, Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru Darō ka ("Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?") ✅✅
* Meiza Endust, Endro
* Hidomi Hibajiri, FLCL Progressive ✅
* Lico, Futago no Mahōtsukai Lico to Gli
* Mirai Nazukari, Futsū no Joshikōsei ga [Locodol] Yattemita.
* Tapris Sugarbell Chisaki, Gabriel DropOut ✅✅
* Yuki Takeya, Gakkōgurashi! ("School-Live!") ✅✅✅
* Chino Kafū, Gochūmon wa Usagi Desu ka? ("Is the Order a Rabbit?") ✅✅
* Renkin Arthur, Hangyukusei Million Arthur
* Nagisa Aizawa, Jitsu wa Watashi wa ("Actually, I am...")
* Aries Spring, Kanata no Astra ("Astra Lost in Space") ✅
* Ciel Kirahoshi, Kira☆Kira☆PreCure A La Mode ✅✅
* Jun Naruse, Kokoro ga Sakebitagatterunda. ("The Anthem of the Heart") ✅✅✅
* Reines El-Melloi Archisorte, Lord El-Melloi II Case Files: Rail Zeppelin Grace Note ✅✅
* Suzune Tanahashi, Love Lab
* Mana Asuha, Luck & Logic
* Ayana Sakanagi ("Swim Swim"), Mahō Shōjo Ikusei Keikaku ("Magical Girl Raising Project") ✅✅
* Aurora Suya Rhys Kaymin, Maōjō de Oyasumi ("Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle")
* Merc, Merc Storia: Mukiryoku no Shōnen to Bin no Naka no Shōjo ("Merc StoriA: The Apathetic Boy and the Girl in a Bottle")
* Shakirov, Military!
* Chamille Kitora Katjvanmaninik, Nejimaki Seirei Senki: Tenkyō no Alderamin ✅✅
* Akane Segawa, Netoge no Yome wa Onnanoko ja Nai to Omotta? ("And you thought there is never a girl online?") ✅
* Chidori, Nobunaga no Shinobi ✅
* Mashiro Amatsuki, One Room: Second Season
* Moka Mihime, Ragnastrike Angels
* Meteora Österreich, Re:Creators ✅
* Rem, Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu ✅✅
* Great Mazinger, Robot Girls Z
* Saori Kidō, Saint Seiya: Saintia Shō ✅
* Shōko Makinohara, Seishun Buta Yarō wa Bunny Girl Senpai no Yume wo Minai ("Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai") ✅
* Carol Malus Dienheim, Senki Zesshō Symphogear ✅
* Chito, Shōjo Shūmatsu Ryokō ("Girls' Last Tour") ✅✅✅
* Somali, Somali to Mori no Kamisama ("Somali and the Forest Spirit")
* Noel, Sora no Method
* Mari Tamaki, Sora yori mo Tōi Basho ("A Place Further Than The Universe")
* Kahoru Suzuhara, T7S Longing for Summer Again and Again: Harukaze
* Yume Tzubakuro, Toji no Miko ✅✅✅
* Chizuru Takano, Tsurezure Children
* Nekone, Utawarerumono: Itsuwari no Kamen ✅✅
* Senri Teshima, W'z ✅✅

Commentary: Ms. Minase has a wonderful voice, I've already talked about her talents in depth in my "Senki Zesshō Symphogear GX" review, but she is a very enigmatic actor. Her breath of finesse can make a simple character seem more extraordinary, and I would say that this is definitely the case with Fūka Reventon's character! I would compare this bold, hard-hitter to her characterization, while voicing Hestia ("Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru Darō ka") and Nekone ("Utawarerumono: Itsuwari no Kamen"), since both of the characters break her usually subdued typecasting shell and are more boisterous or exuberant! Incredible work!

Yui Ogura as Rinne Berlinetta, notable roles:
* Hermit, .hack//Quantum
* Gunmaken, 47 Todōfuken R
* Alma V, Aru Zombie Shōjo no Sainan ("Calamity of the Zombie Girl")
* Rom, Chōjigen Game Neptune ("Hyperdimension Neptunia") ✅
* Minori Gakesaka, Dogeza de Tanondemita
* Tomo, Fumikiri Jikan
* Onna Shinkan ("Priestess"), Goblin Slayer ✅✅
* Tsukiko Tsutsukakushi, Hentai Ōji to Warawanai Neko.
* Katase, High School DxD ✅✅
* Mayuki Hiiragi, Hinako Note
* Zashiki Warashi Niko, Hōzuki no Reitetsu ✅✅
* Homare Kagayaki ("Cure Étoile"), Hug tto! PreCure ✅✅✅
* Hikari Sakurada, Jōkamachi no Dandelion
* Aya Ōgai, K: Seven Stories
* Yūko Shionji, Kamisama no Memochō ("Heaven's Memo Pad") ✅✅
* Amatsukaze, KanColle Movie ✅✅
* Sana Futaba, Magia Record: Mahō Shōjo Madoka☆Magica Gaiden (TV) ✅✅✅
* Uori Mukae, Ongaku Shōjo (TV)
* Kyōka, Princess Connect! Re:Dive ✅✅✅
* Tia Kleis, Regalia: The Three Sacred Stars
* Hinata Hakamada, Rō-Kyū-Bu! (series) ✅✅✅
* Hiyori Kotobuki, Saikin — Imōto no Yōsu ga Chotto Okashiinda ga.
* Toki Onjōji, Saki Achiga-hen: Episode of Side-A ✅
* Mana Namori, Schoolgirl Strikers: Animation Channel
* Alice Kurobane, Shadowverse (TV)
* Beelzebub, Sin: Nanatsu no Taizai ✅✅✅
* Relia, Star Ocean: Anamnesis
* Tomalin, Teekyū (series) ✅✅
* Ayaka Kamine, Tsurezure Children
* Isht Karin Orte, UQ Holder
* Kokona Aoba, Yama no Susume (series) ✅✅✅
* Azumi Kagamihara, Z/X: Ignition

Commentary: Ms. Ogura has been famous for having an incredibly adorable voice, being typecast as mostly mascots and archetypal loli characters, so her more edgier performance comes as a surprise! I would compare the role as Rinne Berlinetta to Homare Kagayaki ("Hug tto! PreCure") and Sana Futaba ("Magia Record: Mahō Shōjo Madoka☆Magica Gaiden"), because both of these characters are still very lovable, but they have a darker side to them! Amazing performance, as always!

Mari Nakatsu as Sieglinde Jeremiah, notable roles:
* Erika Takato, Ginga e Kickoff!!
* Quincy, Jūgo Shōnen Hyōryūki: Kaizokujima de! Daibōken
* Kinue Atago, Saki Zenkoku-hen ✅✅
* Nanami Aoyama, Sakura-sō no Pet na Kanojo ✅✅✅

Commentary: Ms. Nakatsu has a very refreshing voice (it seems that she has settled down, married, and posts about her son regularly), though she seems to have retired from the industry earlier than most other voice actors! I really loved her as Nanami Aoyama ("Sakura-sō no Pet na Kanojo"), so it's a shame! Great job!

Kanae Itō as Miura Rinaldi, notable roles:
* Kokone Kurisu, Aikatsu!
* Eris, Asobi ni Iku yo! ✅✅✅
* Rikka Amatsuka, Baby Princess 3D Paradise 0 [Love]
* Sena Kashiwazaki, Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai ("Haganai: I don't have many friends") ✅✅
* Midori, Divine Gate
* Sturm, Granblue Fantasy ✅
* Ohana and Satsuki Matsumae, Hanasaku Iroha ✅✅✅
* Akane and Homare Kinesaki, High School Fleet ✅✅
* Amethyst, Hōseki no Kuni (TV) ✅✅✅
* Elucia de Lute Ima, Kami nomi zo Shiru Sekai ✅✅
* Tairikuōkami ("Gray Wolf"), Kemono Friends ✅✅✅
* Tsubaki Hibino, Kyō — Koi wo Hajimemasu
* Fumino Serizawa, Mayoi Neko Overrun!
* Nana Astar Deviluke, To LOVEる ✅✅✅
* Nobuna Oda, Oda Nobuna no Yabō
* Carrot, One Piece ✅✅✅
* Erika Shinohara, Ōkami Shōjo to Kuro Ōji ("Wolf Girl & Black Prince")
* Ringo Akai, Ōkami-san to Shichinin no Nakama-tachi
* Haruka Niimi, Photokano
* Meganee Akai, Hye In, and Kaname Chris — Pretty Rhythm (series)
* Airi, Queen's Blade (series) ✅✅✅
* Amil Manaflare, Shining Hearts: Shiawase no Pan ✅
* Sanae Nagatsuki, Shinryaku! Ika Musume ("The Squid Girl")
* Amu Hinamori, Shugo Chara ✅✅
* Asuna Harukaze, Softenni
* Mihoshi Akeno, Sora no Manimani
* Kanon Kanase, Strike the Blood
* Yui, Sword Art Online ✅✅✅
* Mari Mizukoshi, T.P. Sakura ~Time Paladin Sakura~ Jikū Bōeisen
* Kōme Suzukawa, Taishō Yakyū Musume.
* Ruiko Saten, Toaru Kageku no Railgun (series) ✅✅
* Tsubasa Sonokawa, Tsubasa to Hotaru
* Mitomo Rokuya, Yumekuri

Commentary: Ms. Itō is one of my favorite Japanese voice actresses, she brings such a charming presence to each and every role that she plays! Though the character of Miura doesn't really stand up to the stronger presences of Fūka and Rinne, her performance makes the void characterization an enjoyable spectacle to behold! I would compare her performance as "Miura Rinaldi" to her more youthful sounding characters like Yui ("Sword Art Online") and Nana Astar Deviluke ("To LOVEる"), while her older form is more of an Airi ("Queen's Blade") or Eris ("Asobi ni Iku yo!")-type of role! Fantastic and talented seiyū!

Kaori Mizuhashi as Vivio, notable roles:
* Purple Thorn, Accel World ✅
* Taeko Minazuki, Ai Yori Aoshi ✅ ✅
* Ai Aino, Aria the Animation
* Minami Shimada, Baka to Test to Shōkanjū ✅
* Altines, Busō Shinki
* Len, Carnival Phantasm ✅
* Pepper, Chicchana Yukitsukai Sugar ("A Little Snow Fairy Sugar")
* Ayumu Aizawa, Circlet Princess ✅
* Vivian Jones, Eikoku Koi Monogatari Emma ✅ ✅ ✅
* Sara Shirogane, Futakoi
* Chika Ogiue, Genshiken ✅ ✅ ✅
* Michiru Matsushima, Grisaia no Kajitsu (series) ✅
* Miyako, Hidamari Sketch ✅ ✅ ✅
* Kasumi Haruno, Kasumin
* Akane Suzumiya, Kimi ga Nozumu Eien ("Rumbling Hearts") ✅ ✅ ✅
* Haruto Mizushima, Kin'iro no Corda: Blue♪Sky
* Mifuyu Kiba, Koi to Senkyo to Chocolate
* Yūno Scrya, Mahō Shōjo Lyrical Nanoha —series ✅ ✅ ✅
* Mami Tomoe, Mahō Shōjo Madoka★Magica ✕ Magia Record: Mahō Shōjo Madoka☆Magica Gaiden (TV) ✅ ✅ ✅
* Laharl, Makai Senki Disgaea ✅ ✅
* Janet van Dyne ("Wasp"), Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers
* Tio Plato, Minna Atsumare! Falcom Gakuen
* Ōgi Oshino, Monogatari —series ✅ ✅
* Pikaia, Pikaia!
* Fel, Prism Ark
* Mimika, Puka Puka Juju
* Elina Vance, Queen's Blade (series) ✅ ✅ ✅
* Meiru Sakurai, Rockman.EXE ("Megaman.EXE")
* Yagyū, Senran Kagura ✅
* Agnes Bōlange, Shukufuku no Campanella ✅
* Aya Fujisaki, To LOVEる ✅

Commentary: Fate and Nanoha's daughter have the same voice actress as Nanoha's ferret companion, Yūno Scrya, from the ※first series! Ms. Mizuhashi has a talent of making the child version of Vivio impossibly adorable, while the adult version can kick some major butt! I would compare her voice as child Vivio to her roles as Michiru Matsushima ("Grisaia no Kajitsu") and Akane Suzumiya ("Kimi ga Nozumu Eien"), because they're more youthful-sounding, whereas Vivio's older self can be comparable to roles like Mami Tomoe ("Mahō Shōjo Madoka★Magica") and Miyako ("Hidamari Sketch"). Great job with the character!

※He's in all the other iterations, too, but he's more of a pivotal character in the first arc.

Mamiko Noto as Einhart Stratos, notable roles:
* Karen Minamino, AIka
* Fiona, Allison to Lillia
* Mayumi Fujimiya, Aquarian Age
* Felicità, Arcana Famiglia
* Azusa, Azusa Otetsudai Shimasu!
* Alice Gehabich, Bakugan Battle Brawlers
* Saya Irino ("Black★Gold Saw"), Black★Rock Shooter ✅✅✅
* Makie Otono-Tachibana, Blade of the Immortal
* Takami Komoda, Bokura no ✅
* Lilica Evette, Burn Up Scramble
* Kotomi Ichinose, Clannad ✅✅
* Satomi Anzaki, Dear Boys
* Yukihime, Dororon Enma-kun Meeramera ✅✅✅
* Jil, Druaga no Tou: The Aegis of Uruk ✅
* Yuka, Elfen Lied
* Mavis Vermillion, Fairy Tail ✅✅✅
* Satellizer el Bridget, Freezing
* Alex Benedetto, Gangsta.
* Yukinari Sasaki, Girls Bravo
* CAL-141, Halo Legends
* Mitsuki Ikuta, Hit wo Nerae!
* Aya Tōjō, Ichigo 100%
* Ana Coppola, Ichigo Mashimaro ("Strawberry Marshmallow") ✅✅✅
* Rin, InuYasha ✅✅
* Ai Enma, Jigoku Shōjo ✅✅
* Ayano Satō, Joshikōsei: Girl's High
* Neiro, Kaiba ✅✅✅
* Aoi Kannazuki, Kaibutsu Ōjo
* Kōta Oyamada, Kanokon
* Fujino Asagami, Kara no Kyōkai ✅✅✅
* Sawako Kuronuma, Kimi ni Todoke ✅
* Kyoko Asahina, 北へ。 ～Diamond Dust Drops～
* Emi Kizaki, Kurogane no Linebarrels
* Nodoka Miyazaki, Mahō Sensei Negima!
* Ōka Sayama, Manyū Hikenchō
* Shimako Tōdō, Maria-sama ga Miteru ✅✅✅
* Yuri Takikago, Mawaru Penguindrum ✅✅✅
* Rin Asogi, Rin: Daughters of Mnemosyne ✅✅✅
* Anna Liebert, Monster ✅✅✅
* Shizu Murasume, TO LOVEる ✅✅
* Tsukiko Sagi, Paranoia Agent ✅
* Inia Sestina, Muv-Luv Alternative: Total Eclipse ✅✅✅
* Narue Nanase, Narue no Sekai
* Akira Sakura, Shadow Star Narutaru ✅
* Moriko Morioka, Recovery of an MMO Junkie ✅
* Saeko Okuyama, Niji-iro Hotaru: Eien no Natsuyasumi
* Haruka Nogizaka, Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu
* Ririka Nishizono, Occultic;Nine
* Fūka Yamagishi, Persona 3
* Tomoe, Queen's Blade ✅✅
* Nayu Hasegawa, Rō-Kyū-Bu! ✅✅✅
* Aria, Saint Seiya Omega
* Yakumo Tsukamoto, School Rumble
* Iona Urazoe, Selector Spread WIXOSS
* Kenshin Uesugi, Sengoku Collection
* Limone, Simōn
* Matsuri Shihō, Sola ✅✅✅
* Yuki Sōya, Taishō Baseball Girls
* Noel Hiiragi, Tansu Warashi.
* Aisa Himegami, Toaru Majutsu no Index ✅
* Esther Blanchett, Trinity Blood ✅✅
* Benten, Uchōten Kazoku ✅✅✅
* Rinko Jerrard, The Law of Ueki
* Masane Amaha, Witchblade ✅✅
* Kotori Monō, X ✅✅
* Hazuki Azuma, Yami to Bōshi to Hon no Tabibito ✅✅
* Kaori, Yojōhan Shinwa Taikei ✅✅
* Megumi Hasegawa, よみがえる空 -Rescue Wings-
* Tiffania Westwood, Zero no Tsukaima
* Kotone Sasaki, Zettai Junpaku♡Mahō Shōjo

Commentary: Ms. Noto gives Einhart Stratos the same bright-eyed, ingénue-type of demeanor as Renge has in "Non Non Biyori"! Her character is so charismatic and mesmerizing to watch, her staple lines of introducing her name, brought joy to A-1's somewhat "botched" production of the show! I would compare this role to her other voices in "Muv-Luv Alternative: Total Eclipse" as Inia Sestina, and "Ichigo Mashimaro" as Ana Coppola! She's now known for playing mostly sexy characters, but her brief stints as more cute characters really worked for her, as well. Amazing performance, as always!

Misato Fukuen as Corona Timil, notable roles:
* Eri Shinkai, AIka R-16: Virgin Mission and AIka Zero
* Asuka Kurashina, Ao no Kanata no Four Rhythm ✅✅✅
* Konta Tsukino, Bakukyū Hit! Crash B-Daman
* Misao Amano, Battle Programmer Shirase
* Chibiusa and Black Lady, Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon: Crystal
* Tearju Lunatique and Eve, Black Cat (TV)
* Nene and Nono Motoe, Blood-C
* Himiko Toga, Boku no Hero Academia ✅✅✅
* Rika Shiguma, Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai ("Haganai: I don't have many friends")
* Ivan Whisky ("001"), Cyborg 009: Call of Justice
* Iria Fukumune, Dakara Boku wa, H ga Dekinai. ("So, I Can't Play H!") ✅
* Yin, Darker Than Black (series) ✅✅
* Patty Lowell, Devil May Cry
* Saki Mikajima, Durarara!! (series) ✅
* Anzu Kadotani, Girls und Panzer ✅✅✅
* Rinne Amagane, Hells
* Natsume and Nakayama, Hidamari Sketch ✅
* Iggy, JoJo no Kimyō na Bōken Part 3: Stardust Crusaders ✅✅✅
* Utao Kuga, Kamisama Dolls ✅✅
* Ayumi Matsuoka, Kyochū Rettō
* Mahmu Yuzuki, M3: Sono Kuroki Hagane
* Hikage Miyauchi, Non Non Biyori ✅✅✅
* Langley, Pokémon: Best Wishes
* Kurumu Korono, Rosario to Vampire
* Misora Hibiki, Ryūsei no Rockman ("Megaman Star Force")
* Miyuki Hoshizora ("Cure Happy"), Smile PreCure ✅✅✅
* Seri Tatekami, Sōkyū no Fafner: Dead Aggressor
* Eruka Frog, Soul Eater
* Yoshika Miyafuji, Strike Witches ✅✅✅
* Edna, Talea of Zestiria ✅
* Momoe Okonogi, Tasogare Otome x Amnesia
* Konjiki no Yami ("Darkness"), To LOVEる ✅✅✅
* Maika Tsichimikado, Toaru Kagaku no Railgun (series) ✅
* Shiruku Koharuno, UG☆Ultimate Girls
* Hime Yarizakura, Yozakura Quartet

Commentary: Ms. Fukuen gave a performance that was similar to her role in Smile PreCure (as Miyuki Hoshizora "Cure Happy"), because despite the series leaning on the ledge of lower quality, her cute, zestful acting made Corona the second best character, after the supreme best girl of the ViVid series: Einhart Stratos! I would compare her delightful persona in this show to her role as Konjiki no Yami ("To LOVEる"), though less on the kūdere side — she still plays a character that is the trifecta of adorable, attractive, and a strong fighter! I would also compare her to Asuka Kurashina ("Ao no Kanata no Four Rhythm"), because her genki-energy metaphorically drips through the screen. Ms. Fukuen is a great seiyū and gets far too little recognition in English-speaking countries for the fantastic work that she does!

Eri Kitamura as Rio Wezley, notable roles:
* Yui, Angel Beats! ✅
* Koharu, Bakumatsu Gijinden Roman
* Sawako Machida, Bernard-jō Iwaku. ✅
* Saki Yūtenji, Bihada Ichizoku
* Kagari Izuriha ("Chariot"), Black★Rock Shooter ✅✅✅
* Saya Otonashi, Blood+ ✅
* Anji Zo, Bloodivores
* Mina Ashido, Boku no Hero Academia ✅
* Liliana Kranjčar, Campione! Matsurowanu Kamigami to Kamigoroshi no Maō ✅
* Rimi Sakihata, ChäoS;HEAd ✅
* Kirika Ueno, C³
* Uni, Hyperdimension Neptunia
* Yuka Mochida, Corpse Party
* Jessica Kaios, Danball Senki W
* Adélaïde Grand Marnie, Dog Days
* Mairu Orihara, Durarara!!
* Aquarius, Fairy Tail ✅✅
* Miki Aono, Fresh PreCure! ✅
* Seira Hoshikawa, Genei wo Kakeru Taiyō
* Darjeeling, Girls und Panzer ✅✅✅
* Mahiro Yasaka, Haiyore! Nyaruko-san
* Saitō ("Bea"), Hakumei no Tsubasa ✅
* Renko Usami, Hifū Katsudō Kiroku: The Sealed Esoteric History ✅✅✅
* Saya Takagi, Highschool of the Dead ✅✅
* Okō, Hōzuki no Reitetsu ✅✅
* Myōsai Kakōe, Ikkitōsen
* Kitsunemen no Onna, Kiitarō Shōnen no Yōkai Enikki
* Rin Kokonoe, Kodomo no Jikan ✅✅
* Yui, Koharu Biyori
* Hibiki Sakata, Kuma Miko
* Dōji Yase, Kyōsō Giga
* Tatiana Wisla, Last Exile ✅✅
* Anna Rochefort, Le Chevalier D'Eon ✅✅
* Mitty, Made in Abyss ✅✅✅
* Kotone Oribe, Magical Suite Prism Nana
* Sayaka Miki, Mahō Shōjo Madoka★Magica ✅✅
* Kanade Suzutsuki, Mayo Chiki!
* Karen Araragi, Monogatari (series) ✅✅
* Eve Neuschwanstein, Needless
* Iori Wakabayashi, Oji-san to Marshmallow
* Rie Maezono, One Off
* Arashi Nikaidō, Onii-chan dakedo Ai sae Areba Kankeinai yo ne!
* Nao Takanashi, Onii-chan no Koto nanka Zenzen Suki ja Nai n da kara ne!!
* Chisato Mizusawa, Osake wa Fūfu ni Natte kara
* Miu Takanashi, Papa no Iukoto wo Kikinasai!
* Sunao Moriyama, Potemayo ✅✅
* Alleyne, Queen's Blade ✅✅✅
* Akane Senri, Rewrite ✅✅
* Tsunehisa Amago, Sengoku Collection
* Homura, Senran Kagura ✅✅
* Cerberus, Shingeki no Bahamut ✅✅
* Lucifer, Sin: Nanatsu no Taizai ✅
* Kureha Suminoya, So Ra No Wo To
* Kotone Sawanatsu, Softenni
* Aki Shiina, Sunohara-sō no Kanrinin-san ✅
* Juri Han, Super Street Fighter IV ✅✅
* Kirie Kanoe, Tasogare Otome x Amnesia
* Hamyuts Meseta, 戦う司書 The Book of Bantorra
* Tony, Terra e... (TV) ✅✅
* Bimajo, Time Bokan 24
* Ami Kawashima, Toradora ✅
* Chiester 410, Umineko no Naku Koro ni ✅✅
* Yachiyo Todoroki, Working!! ✅
* Nene Odagiri, Yamada-kun to 7-nin no Majo (TV)
* Leopard, Yoru no Yatterman
* Bahamut, Zettai Bōei Leviathan

Commentary: Ms. Kitamura did a great job at making the least memorable member of the new quartet have a bold presence, in the face of the other cute girls. I would compare the role of "Rio Wezley" to her performances as Karen Araragi in the "Monogatari" series, boyish and can pack a mean punch, and Yui ("Angel Beats"), single-fanged characters unite! Her pep and cuteness helps animate the series, with the rest of the girls! Great job!

Conclusively, this series is another fighting shōnen-style, action series — just like the original "ViVid"... except that this one has a rivalry, but the magical girl transformations and combat sequences just err more on the side of extreme, every girl has an adult form (inherited from an ancient spirit) now and the fighting is more aggressive. If you're looking for a mindless fighting series with cute girls, then this might be your cup of tea. But, it was less of what I look for in a compelling story (aesthetically appealing as it may be), so ultimately I rate "ViVid Strike!" a 3/10!

Rating: ★★☆☆☆

Reviewer’s Rating: 3

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