Senki Zesshou Symphogear XV

Humanity is finally confronted with the threat of the Custodians—the ancient, sentient species held responsible for cursing humanity to speak different languages thousands of years ago. The Symphogear wielders—Hibiki Tachibana, Tsubasa Kazanari, Chris Yukine, Maria Cadenzavna Eve, Kirika Akatsuki, and Shirabe Tsukuyomi—are sent to the Antarctic in order to retrieve an ancient relic. After securing it and rescuing the scientific staff present there from a Coffin, the automated defense mechanism protecting it, the relic is given to American researchers due to international agreements.

The criminal organization Noble Red, a remnant of the previously fought Bavarian Illuminati, starts targeting the relic. Will the Symphogear wielders and their supporting organization S.O.N.G. be able to foil the plans of the organizations conspiring against them?

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Tachibana, Hibiki Main

Yuuki, Aoi Japanese

Yukine, Chris Main

Takagaki, Ayahi Japanese

Kazanari, Tsubasa Main

Mizuki, Nana Japanese

Akatsuki, Kirika Main

Kayano, Ai Japanese

Cadenzavna Eve, Maria Main

Hikasa, Youko Japanese

Tsukuyomi, Shirabe Main

Nanjou, Yoshino Japanese

Kohinata, Miku Supporting

Iguchi, Yuka Japanese

Malus Dienheim, Carol Supporting

Minase, Inori Japanese

Kazanari, Genjuurou Supporting

Ishikawa, Hideo Japanese

Tûmân, Garie Supporting

Murase, Michiyo Japanese

Morii, Yuusuke Producer

Ono, Katsumi Director, Episode Director, Storyboard

Motoyama, Satoshi Sound Director

Hirano, Hiroki Episode Director, Storyboard

Reviews

Nov 10, 2023

MythicalV

Recommended

Do not let the scores deceive you, watch it for yourself, heck just listen to its OST. Do anything else, the experience is everything. You are an individual, but that means that those around you will do their best to reach you with thier songs.

This series holds a very special place in my heart, as not only was it basically my first hyper-obsession back in middle school, it also was the very first anime i went out of my way to watch on my own. This is also the show that brought Nana Mizuki to my attention, and many of her songs on this show ... are some of her greatest hits (ex. Synchrogazer, TESTAMENT). As of the time of writing, my respect of this show has gone on to be even higher, with so much of it's achievements being so novel, and unique even among the most popular shows out there. Every leading voice actresse in this show is capable of singing in an amazingly powerful yet unique voice, and every main character has a minimum of 2 unique songs, which is an unimaginable investment on the parts of the composers and the talents. Speaking of composition, the Music is also an amazing fusion of classic J-pop, synthwave, and rock, which occasionally combines with traditional instrumentality to create a wonderful tone that few other discographies have matched. Aesthetically, this show is also extremely ambitious and unique. The show takes the tried-and-tested formula of the classic Magical girl, and turns it on it's head by combining it with the two volatile ingredients of Sci-fi and mecha, resulting in the most Imaginative Costume designs i have seen, and will probably ever see. The sharp chrome edges combined with the glowing technostrips, as well as the frills generated in beautiful holography by the Ex-Drives are so memorable that even to this day, i have never forgotten any of the designs, and characters are so wonderfully accentuated by their Symphogears that they are engraved into my memory all the same. The Music still rings in my ears to this day, with the entire OST being warranted their own playlist within my daily listens.

Alright. I've complimented the show enough, the following is to really drive home the score, as well as to address skeptic ideas. Symphogear is extremely generic when it comes to theming. All of its lessons boil down to essentially the following: Even as we struggle to understand one another, even as we hurt each other, we should continue to fight to reach each other with not only our words, but our actions. This lesson may seem mild and bland after all these years, but Now more than ever, with the internet's rise of Hatred and Social deconstruction, this lesson rings out more than ever before, that despite everything, no matter what, we should, and we must reach out to everyone. Secondarily, a bland story with many plot holes does not warrant disrespect against the show at all. Even with all of its contrivance, inconsistency, and unsolved plot threads, The things this show did to make it unique, as well as all the work put into the show to make its risks bring reward, should be respected, and with all the recent shows that simply recycle ideas, the unexpected fusion and production of new, out-of-nowhere ideas should be revered and looked up to.

Ultimately, as this show says, we cannot understand each other, but I will still do my best to hope that my thoughts and feelings will reach those who read this, and will help them understand this show's merits, as well as to give this show a chance to capture their hearts as it has mine.

Reviewer’s Rating: 10

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Dec 4, 2020

JuneNephthys

Mixed Feelings

Following the panache of thrills and impassioned character-writing in AXZ, Symphogear XV had big shoes to fill. In my opinion, this season is a mixed bag. The beginning still carries in waves of residual oomph from the previous season, but the villains weren't as impactful and some of the plot fell in line with old narrative devices, that were implemented in past seasons. It didn't feel as fresh or inventive, but, it was an impressive feat, nonetheless!

⚠️ This review will have spoilers ⚠️

—Story/Characters

This season starts out with a bang, when a beautifully animated concert-duet between Tsubasa and Maria goes awry! The crowd is mercilessly slaughtered ... and Tsubasa is thrown into a bind, having an intense PTSD episode, remembering how her girlfriend, Kanade, had died in a similar fashion! It doesn't help that the malicious Millaarc has the ability to implant hypnotic suggestions into her victim's psyches!

While AXZ mostly focused on the struggles of Chris, Maria, and Hibiki... XV focuses on Tsubasa and Miku, as the spirit of the deadly artifact, Shem-Ha, takes control of the vulnerable Miku, once again! The grand conclusion to the franchise, starts out really strong! There's a powerful, inciting event that throws Tsubasa, and her relationship with Maria, for a loop; everyone gets lustrous, new transformations; and the build-up for the bad guys, makes it seem like they're the most menacing foes that the girls have had to face... but the velocity of XV's grand finale loses momentum, during the latter half of the series.

I would say, that the show starts losing speed after Tsubasa comes to terms with her family's brainwashing, and accepts her foster father, as her "real" Dad. Throughout the season, there are hints at Tsubasa's struggle with the echelon of power in her family unit. This season really expounds upon that and reveals that Tsubasa's struggle to find validation from her illiberal, Japanese traditionalist of a grandfather... stems from the fact that he's actually her biological father. It seems that to ensure that their bloodline would remain untainted, Genjūrō Kazanari slept with his son's wife, in order to conceive Tsubasa.

There's a nice moment, when Tsubasa's father protects her and she recognizes that it's okay to see someone, who is biologically her "nephew," as her actual parent. It was a sweet moment, even though Tsubasa has struggles with the expectations placed upon her by her grandfather and the subsequent mind control that Millaarc inflicts on her. As for the development with Miku, she feels turmoil, from being the outsider of the group... but in the last few episodes, her and Hibiki are able to vocalize how much they mean to one another.

In this season, the villains and the journey to save Miku were the weakest aspects, by far! The "Custodians" are like the automatons in GX, they are written to be threatening, but any deeper characterization of these antoagonizers is thrown overboard! Speaking of the automatons, the weakest bad guys from Season 3, Carol Malus Dienheim and the gang get brought back, and while the throwback moment is as nice as the shout-out scenes in Fate/stay night: Heaven't Feel... it doesn't really do anything to advance the plot. Everything we needed to know about these four, is already in the archives of GX! Their cameo doesn't really serve a sufficient purpose....

—Technical

Luna's Favorite Works by Each Respective Creator = ✅

Katsumi Ono (director), notable works:
* Beast Saga
* Girly Air Force ✅
* Hataraki Man
* Hypnosis Mic: Division Rap Battle — Rhyme Anima
* Isekai Izakaya: Koto Aitheria no Izakaya Nobu
* Master Mosquiton '99
* Yū☆Gi☆Ō! 5D's
* Yū☆Gi☆Ō! Arc-V

Commentary: Haven't watched many of Mr. Ono's discography, but his choreography in the Symphogear series is awe-inspiring! After the first season, I was unsure of whether I could get attached to any of the characters, but the later seasons are a Herculean fusion of some of the coolest action scenes in "Dragon Ball Z" with sweet, saccharine shōjo-ai! I play the mobile game for "Hypnosis Mic: Division Rap Battle," so now, I'm super stoked to try out the anime adaptation! Brilliant director!

Aoi Yūki as Hibiki Tachibana, notable roles:
* Tōru Ichii, A-Channel
* Nyx Megami, Accel World: Infinite∞Burst ✅
* Yoshiko Hanabatake, Aho Girl ✅
* Riko Mikogami, Anyamai Tantei Kiruminzū
* Tsugumi Aozora, Asobi Asobase ✅
* Hana Oshiroi, Ben-To
* Varel Jin, Blade & Soul
* Kayo Hinazuki, Boku dake ga Inai Machi ("Erased") ✅
* Tsuyu Asui, Boku no Hero Academia ✅
* Akiho Kōsaka, Boku no Kanojo ga Majimesugiru Sho-bitch na Ken ("My Girlfriend is Shobitch")
* Boogiepop and Tōka Miyashita, Boogiepop wa Warawanai (2019) ✅
* Mina Tepes, Dance in the Vampire Bund
* Arisa, Death March kara Hajimaru Isekai Kyōsōkyoku ✅
* Couvert Eschenbach Pastillage, Dog Days
* Tamaki Kotatsu, Enen no Shōbōtai ("Fire Force")
* Victorique de Blois, Gosick ✅
* Mihoshi, Gundam Build Fighters ✅
* Mayoi Ayasato, Gyakuten Saiban: Sono "Shinjitsu", Igi Ari! ("Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney")
* John, Hakumei no Tsubasa
* Konju, Kakumai to Mikochi ✅
* Nodoka Hanadera, Healin' Good PreCure ✅
* Jūbei Yagyū, Hyakka Ryōran: Samurai After
* Korone, Ichiban Ushiro no Daimaō
* Alice Blanche, Ikoku Meiro no Croisée ✅
* Serika Ginyūin, Kanojo ga Flag wo Oraretara ("If Her Flag Breaks")
* Kiriya Ubuyashiki, Kimetsu no Yaiba ✅
* Kino, Kino no Tabi: The Beautiful World
* Tomo Kunagisa, Kubikiri Cycle: Aoiro Savant to Zaregototsukai ("Zaregoto Series") ✅
* Murasaki Kuhōin, Kure-nai
* Giselle Collette, Last Exile: Ginyoku no Fam ("Last Exile: Fam, the Silver Wing") ✅
* Madoka Kaname, Mahō Shōjo Madoka★Magica ✅
* Diane, Nanatsu no Taizai ✅
* Tatsumaki, One Punch Man ✅
* Clementine, Overlord ✅
* Krul Tepes, Owari no Seraph ✅
* Aika Nakamura, Persona 4 the Animation
* Futaba Sakura, Persona 5 the Animation
* Iris, Pokémon ✅
* Maihime Tenkawa, Qualidea Code
* Mélie, Radiant
* Kasumi Midō Barnett, Ragnastrike Angels
* Fremy Speeddraw, Rokka no Yūsha ✅
* Shizuno Takakamo, Saki Achiga-hen: Episode of Side-A ✅
* Shizuno Urushibara, Seiken Tsukai no World Break
* Sunako Kirishiki, Shiki
* Noël Kannagi, So Ra No Wo To
* Toshiko Tatsuno, Soredemo Machi wa Mawatteiru ("And Yet The Town Moves") ✅
* Meme Tatane, Soul Eater NOT!
* Tika Blunche, Star Ocean: Anamnesis
* Kayo Fujikawa, Stella no Mahō
* Yūki Konno, Sword Art Online ✅
* Rino Tanaka, Tanaka-kun wa Itsumo Kedaruge ("Tanaka-kun is Always Listless") ✅
* Claire Cruz, Toaru Hikūshi e no Koiuta ("The Pilot's Love Song")
* Yōmu Konpaku, 東方 Niji Sōsaku Dōjin Anime: Musō Kakyō ✅
* Komachi Hikigaya, Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru. ("My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU") ✅
* Loup, Yakimochi Caprice
* Noa Takigawa, Yamada-kun to 7-nin no Majo ("Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches")
* Tanya Degurechaff, Yōjo Senki ✅
* Inaho Misora, Yōkai Watch
* Ichigo Amano, Yumeiro Pâtissière
* Mitsuko Yurizono, Yuri Kuma Arashi ✅
* Yutori Tanaka, Yutori-chan

Commentary: Ms. Yūki has become a strong amount of magnetism in the industry, even invoking a memorable presence in mobile games like Fate/Grand Order ("Shuten-Dōji") and Azur Lane ("Taiho")! I think that Ms. Yūki strong personality translates well in the case of Hibiki Tachibana, a cute girl that is strong-spirited and has a cosmic punch, that is practically unrivaled! Hibiki reminded me of my best girl in Girls und Panzer ("Miho Nishizumi") and for the most part, tries to her best to keep the peace. Aoi Yūki did a wonderful job at making her cute, charming, relatable, and a fighter! Excellent seiyū!

Nana Mizuki as Tsubasa Kazanari, notable roles:
* Nanase Kotobuki, "Bungaku Shōjo"
* Allison Whittington and Lillianne Aicasia Corazón Whittington-Schultz, Allison to Lillia
* Akiko, Aoi Bungaku Series
* Oboro Iga, Basilisk
* Kururu, Binzume Yōsei
* Saya Kisaragi, Blood-C
* Angelise Ikaruga Misurugi, Cross Ange: Tenshi to Ryū no Rondo
* Misaki Kirihara, Darker Than Black: Kuro no Keiyakusha
* Nanami Takatsuki and Ricotta Elmar, Dog Days
* Hannah, Dragon's Dogma
* Sieglinde Baumgarde, Dragonaut: The Resonance
* Cisqua, Erementar Gerad
* Wrath, Fullmetal Alchemist ✅
* Bi Fei, Gin no Guardian
* Lydia Carlton, Hakushaku to Yōsei
* Tsubomi Hanasaki, HeartCatch! PreCure! ✅
* Yu Minamoto, Ichigo 100%
* Kotoko Aihara, Itazura na Kiss
* Tsugumi Shibata, Jigoku Shōjo ("Hell Girl") ✅
* Sora Yamato, Jikū Tantei Genshi-kun
* Tiz, Jū Ō Sei
* Yin Fu, Ken En Ken: Aoki Kagayaki
* Roya, Kiba
* Yuno Rukina, Kiss Dum: Engage Planet
* Alois Trancy, Kuroshitsuji II ✅
* Janice Quatlane, Layton Kyōju to Eien no Utahime ("Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva")
* Nyamo Naamo, Love Hina
* Sayaka Mizushiro, Magical Canan ("Magical Kanan")
* Fate and Alicia Testarossa, Mahō Shōjo Lyrical Nanoha ✅
* Hotaru Shirakawa, Memories Off
* Mizuki Hibara, Mokke
* Magaret Liones, Nanatsu no Taizai ✅
* Hinata Hyūga, Naruto ✅
* Kaho Serizawa, Natsu-iro no Sunadokei ("Hourglass of Summer") ✅
* Shinobu, Ninin ga Shinobuden ✅
* Ann Takamaki, Persona 5 ✅
* Rue Kuroha, Princess Tutu ✅
* Yufa, Ragnarök the Animation
* Rin Ogata, RideBack ✅
* Moka Akashiya, Rosario to Vampire
* Pandora, Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas ✅
* Mave, Sentō Yōsei Shōjo Tasukete! Mave-chan
* Nana Suzuki, Shichinin no Nana
* Kanon Seena, Shining Tears X Wind
* Utau Hoshina, Shugo Chara!
* Morinas, Simōn
* Aria, Sister Princess
* Suzu Edogawa, Tactics
* Colette Brunel, Tales of Symphonia the Animation ✅
* Sylvette Suede, Tegamibachi ✅
* Neju Na Melmas, Tenchi Muyō! GXP
* Chizuru, Tokyo Marble Chocolate
* Sunao Konoe, Tsuyokiss
* Matsuki Akino, Wakaokami wa Shougakusei! ✅
* Maria, Witchblade
* Rina Ogata, White Album ✅

Commentary: Nana Mizuki is another very famous voice actress, having had lead roles in Mahō Shōjo Lyrical Nanoha ("Fate Testarossa") and HeartCatch! PreCure ("Tsubomi Hanasaki")! Ms. Mizuki conveys the anguished, yet distinguished nature of Tsubasa's character in a very charming and likable way! Over the span of the series, we deeply sympathize with her feelings of grief over her dead girlfriend, Kanade; as well as the struggle that she has, when pitted against the corrupt system that her wealthy family has implemented. Great character, great seiyū!

Ayahi Takagaki as Chris Yukine, notable roles:
* Kuro, Ao no Exorcist
* Kotoha, Arata: The Legend
* Suiren, Battle Spirits: Shōnen Toppa Bashin
* Daina Kurogami, Beyblade Burst
* Roana Dan, Blade & Soul
* Nene, Canaan ✅
* Takuto Tatsunagi, Cardfight!! Vanguard
* Nina Antalk, Chrome Shelled Regios
* Otome Asakura, Da Capo
* Jasmine, Deltora Quest
* Ferris Eris, Densetsu no Yūsha no Densetsu ("The Legend of the Legendary Heroes")
* Erika Karisawa, Durarara!! ✅
* Arrester Blanket, Fight Ippatsu! Jūden-chan!!
* Shungo Ninomiya, Goshūshō-sama Ninomiya-kun
* Manny Ambassada, Gundam: G no Reconguista ✅
* Hamiji, Hakkenden: Tōhō Hakken Ibun
* Hiiragi, Hanamaru Yōchien ("Hanamaru Kindergarten") ✅
* Jade, Hōseki no Kuni ✅
* Larimer, Jewelpet Magical Change
* Aoi Shindō, Koitabi: True Tours Nanto
* Tsubasa Kawai, Kyō no Go no Ni
* Henrietta, Log Horizon ✅
* Mitsuba Marui, Mitsudomoe
* Feldt Grace, Kidō Senshi Gundam 00
* Saki Mizukoshi, Natsu-iro Kiseki
* Mikoto Kuga, Norn 9
* Ein, Phantom: Requiem for a Phantom ✅
* Tobio Fūma, Sanjōgattai Transformers Go!
* Sumika Murasame, Sasameki Koto ✅
* Ami Kuroki, Seikimatsu Occult Gakuin ("Occult Academy")
* Mikako Satsukitane, Sora no Otoshimono
* Megumi Yamamoto, Special A
* Rika Shinozaki, Sword Art Online ✅
* Wakana Sakai, Tari Tari ✅
* Noe Isurugi, True Tears ✅
* Kira, Vampire Holmes

Commentary: Although, she hasn't had as many roles as many of the other voice actresses on this list, Ms. Takagaki does a damned good job at making Chris immensely likable! I don't think I've ever met one person who has remotely disliked her character! While being a hardcore tsundere, she's also very caring, kind, and empathetic; despite, her backstory and immense trauma during her stead as a villainess, in the first season! In my opinion, Chris is one of the best examples of a reformed adversary, and she kicks a lot of butt, too! Wonderful character and a phenomenal job overall, on the part of the seiyū and the writing team!

Yuka Iguchi as Miku Kohinata, notable roles:
* Arisa Hoshigaoka, Arata naru Sekai: World's/Start/Load/End ("World's End")
* Maria Takayama, Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai ("Haganai: I don't have many friends")
* Mako Nakarai, Bokura no ✅
* Honoka Sawada, Chibi☆Devi!
* Yashiro Hoshimiya, Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko ("Ground Control to Psychoelectric Girl") ✅
* Shima, Devidol!
* Sherry and Chelia Blendy, Fairy Tail
* Tamaki Irie, Ginga Kikōtai Majestic Prince
* Mako Reizei, Girls und Panzer ✅
* Suwako Moriya, Hifū Katsudō Kiroku: The Sealed Esoteric History ✅
* Myne, Honzuki no Gekokujō: Shisho ni Naru Tame ni wa Shudan wo Erandeiraremasen ("Ascendance of a Bookworm")
* Naeka Fujiwara, Kamen no Maid Guy
* Kaga, Tenryū, Tatsuta, Tone, and Chikuma — Kantai Collection ("KanColle") ✅
* Shizume Seo, Kara no Kyōkai ✅
* Natsuko Ishikura, Koitabi: True Tours Nanto
* Luea, Lady Jewelpet
* Chinatsu Morikawa, Lostorage Incited WIXOSS
* Rinna Fuwa, Mangaka-san to Assistant-san to the Animation
* Subaru Konoe, Mayo Chiki!
* Tsukihi Araragi, Monogatari (series) ✅
* Kaede Mizumo, Nyan Koi!
* Mitsuba Sangū, Owari no Seraph
* Crusch Karsten, Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu ✅
* Maho Misawa, Rō-Kyū-Bu! ✅
* Yū Sonda, Sakura Trick
* Hibari, Senran Kagura ✅
* Astarte, Strike the Blood
* Norie Okazaki, Tamayura
* Yuzuha Aigae, Tenshi no 3P! ✅
* Mea Kurosaki, To LOVEる ✅
* Librorum Prohibitorum Index, Toaru Majutsu no Index ("A Certain Magical Index") ✅
* Aiko Andō, True Tears
* Mirei Shikishima, Valkyrie Drive: Mermaid
* Aoi Yukimura, Yama no Susume ✅

Commentary: Despite everyone's dislike for Index's voice in "Toaru Majutsu no Index," I am a fan of Ms. Iguchi's discography! Her role as Miku Kohinata is doting and maternal, and it reminded me of her roles as Tsukihi Araragi in the "Monogatari" series! She has a very charming, earthly aura when she plays certain characters — when they're not ecstatic, they're often very practical like Crusch Karsten from "Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu"! Magnificent job in making Miku stand out, even though she starts out as a side character! Superb seiyū!

Yoko Hikasa as Maria Cadenzavna Eve, notable roles:
* Hana Suguruno, 7 Seeds
* Hibiki Tenshō, Aikatsu Friends!: Kagayaki no Jewel
* Nanako Saeki, Aku no Hana ✅
* Tio Clarce, Arifureta Shokugyō de Sekai Saikyō ("Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest")
* Tomoe Udagawa, BanG Dream ✅
* Farnese de Vandimion, Berserk ✅
* Fighter, Bikini Warriors
* Erica Blandelli, Campione!: Matsurowanu Kamigami to Kamigoroshi no Maō ✅
* Kiyono Amahara, Chu-Bra!!
* Ayano Kōsaka, Code Geass: Akito the Exiled ✅
* Sakura Sakurakōji, Code:Breaker
* Kyōko Kirigiri, Danganronpa ✅
* Sakie Satō, Demi-chan wa Kataritai ("Interviews With Monster Girls") ✅
* Brioche d'Arquien, Dog Days
* Hina Tachibana, Domestic no Kanojo
* Freya, Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru Darō ka ("Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?") ✅
* Ao Gennai, Frame Arms Girl
* Kei Kugimiya, Ginga Kikōtai Majestic Prince
* Aya Akabane, Gokujo
* Miu Osawa, Hagure Yūsha no Aesthetica
* Kurumi, Hal
* Emi Yusa, Hataraku Maō-sama! ("The Devil is a Part-Timer!") ✅
* Rias Gremory, High School DxD
* Junko Hattori, Ichiban Ushiro no Daimaō
* Inōnoshishi ("Warrior of the Boar"), Jūni Taisen ("Zodiac War") ✅
* Mio Akiyama, K-On! ✅
* Kyōko Sonan, Kenzen Robo Daimidaler ✅
* Seraphim, Kore wa Zombie Desu ka? ✅
* Diana Cavendish, Little Witch Academia ✅
* Saki Takamiya, Long Riders!
* Emiru Hazaki, M3: Sono Kuroki Hagane ("M3: Mortal Metal Memories")
* Sanae Mokuō ("Ruler"), Mahō Shōjo Ikusei Keikaku ("Magical Girl Raising Project") ✅
* Iris, Mahō Shōjo Lyrical Nanoha: Reflection ✅
* Angelina Kudō Shields, Mahōka Kōkō no Rettōsei ✅
* Anne, Manaria Friends ✅
* Folna, Merc Storia: Mukiryoku no Shōnen to Bin no Naka no Shōjo
* Yua Nakabeni, Miru Tights
* Lafter Frankland, Kidō Senshi Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans ✅
* Lucifer, Monster Strike
* Minami Kawashima, Moshidora
* Kō Yagami, New Game! ✅
* Stephanie Dola, No Game No Life ✅
* Jeanne Kaguya d'Arc, Nobunaga the Fool ✅
* Ruri Fujika, Piace: Watashi no Italian
* Saitō, Pokémon (2019) ✅
* Seiten, Queen's Blade: Grimoire ✅
* Saki Nagatsuki, Rō-Kyū-Bu! ✅
* Nashetania Loei Piena Augustra, Rokka no Yūsha ✅
* Maya Kumashiro, Seikimatsu Occult Gakuin ("Occult Academy")
* Hana Katsuragi, Seikon no Qwaser
* Shino Amakusa, Seitokai Yakuindomo
* Mitsuhide Akechi, Sengoku Collection ✅
* Maria Cadenzavna Eve, Senki Zesshō Symphogear ✅
* Ryōbi, Senran Kagura
* Mammon, Sin: Nanatsu no Taizai ("Seven Mortal Sins") ✅
* Hiyori Kazane, Sora no Otoshimon ("Heaven's Lost Property") ✅
* Pitohui, Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online
* Mira Yamana, Trinity Seven
* Satan, Umineko no Naku Koro ni ✅
* Izumi Takanashi, Working!! ✅
* Sayuri Muranushi, WWW.Working!!
* Kaede Saitō, Yama no Susume ✅

Commentary: Ms. Hikasa is very good at creating a duality of good and evil in Maria Cadenzavna Eve. In the past, I have described Yoko Hikasa as a type of sexy, temptress archetype! She has often voiced demons, very evil characters (Nashetania Loei Piena Augustra in "Rokka no Yūsha" and Nanako Saeki in "Aku no Hana" are a couple of examples), and even representations of Satan herself! Maria starts out very much an anti-hero, she has a Spawn cloak, and an undying loyalty for her controllers; but, despite this, deep down... Maria is very caring, and the protectiveness that she feels for Kirika and Shirabe, eventually extends to her other friends, as well! Even in later seasons, Ms. Hikasa is alarmingly good at conveying Maria's fight between her newfound morality and her brainwashed upbringing! Great character, wonderful seiyū!

Ai Kayano as Kirika Akatsuki, notable roles:
* Akari Kawamoto, 3-Gatsu no Lion ✅
* Futaba Ōki, Amanchu! ✅
* Mikono Suzushiro, Aquarion Evol
* Anya Dostoyevskaya, Aria the Avvenire
* Kaga and Atago, Azur Lane
* Hana Mutō, Captain Earth
* Kanade Ōe, Chihayafuru ✅
* Ponoka, Choboraunyopomi Gekijō Ai Mai Mii ✅
* Anna Clément, Code Geass: Akito the Exiled ✅
* Mikan Tsumiki, Danganronpa 3
* Maihime Shirayuki, Dokyū Hentai HxEros
* Mimi, Flip Flappers ✅
* Megumi Sakura, Gakkōgurashi! ("School Live") ✅
* Saori Takebe, Girls und Panzer ✅
* Moka Hoto, Gochūmon wa Usagi Desu ka? ("Is the Order a Rabbit?") ✅
* Nana Hayashida, Golden Time ✅
* Inori Yuzuriha, Guilty Crown ✅
* Yuyuko Saigyōji, Hifū Katsudō Kiroku: The Sealed Esoteric History ✅
* Diamond, Hōseki no Kuni ✅
* Mayaka Ibara, Hyōka ✅
* Emi Kaidō, Infinti-T Force ✅
* Aoi Sakurada, Jōkamachi no Dandelion ✅
* Hibino Shiba, Kamisama Dolls ✅
* Akane Mahōgasawa, Kanojo ga Flag wo Oraretara ("If Her Flag Breaks")
* Kanae Kochō, Kimetsu no Yaiba ✅
* Juliet Persia, Kishuku Gakkō no Juliet ✅
* Lalatina Dustiness Ford, Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo! ("God's Blessing on This Wonderful World!")
* Millia il Velch Cutrettola Turan, Last Exile: Ginyoku no Fam ✅
* Mogana Kikaijima, Medaka Box ✅
* Zenna Zabi, Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin ✅
* Chisaki Hiradaira, Nagi no Asu kara ✅
* Shiro, No Game No Life ✅
* Ai Fuyūmi, Ore no Kanojo to Osananajimi ga Shuraba Sugiru ("Oreshura") ✅
* Erika, Pokémon Masters ✅
* Chizuru Hishiro, ReLIFE
* Muginami, Rinne no Lagrange
* Akane Kajiya, Romantica Clock
* Utaha Kasumigaoka, Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata ("How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend") ✅
* Kokomi Teruhashi, Saiki Kusuo no Ψ-nan ✅
* Mashiro Shiina, Sakura-sō no Pet na Kanojo ✅
* Leila, Sayonara no Asa ni Yakusoku no Hana wo Kazarō ("Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms") ✅
* Hitoe Uemura, Selector Infected WIXOSS
* Kirika Akatsuki, Senki Zesshō Symphogear ✅
* Yomi, Senran Kagura ✅
* Ruki, Senryū.
* Lucy Yagami, Servant x Service
* Meili Zhou, Shin Chūka Ichiban!
* Rinko Ogasawara, Shirobako ✅
* Ryōko Sakaki, Shokugeki no Sōma ✅
* Haru Estia, Soul Worker: Your Destiny Awaits
* Karila Hatsuse, Stella Jogakuin Kōtō-ka C³-bu
* Mei Tachibana, Sukitte Ii na yo. ("Say I Love You")
* Mako Saitō, Super Seishūn Brothers
* Alice Zuberg, Sword Art Online ✅
* Alisha Diphda, Tales of Zestiria ✅
* Kanae Mitani, Tamayura
* Yuyuko Saigyōji, 東方 Niji Sōsaku Dōjin Anime: Musō Kakyō ✅
* Mamako Ōsuki, Tsūjō Kōgeki ga Zentai Kōgeki de Ni-kai Kōgeki no Okaasan wa Suki Desu ka? ("Do You Love Your Mom and Her Two-Hit Multi-Target Attacks?") ✅
* Sumire Kisaragi, Twin Angel Break
* Kasumi Takamiya, Witch Craft Works
* Anna, Yakusoku no Neverland ("The Promised Neverland") ✅

Commentary: Ai Kayano is known for having a sugary sweet voice and that translates well into Kirika's character. She's straight-forward and typically the most unassuming girl out of the group. She's simplistic and often even hard-headed, but she always means well, and she will risk her life for her partner, Shirabe! Ms. Kayano did an excellent job with this character, S-tier performance!

Toshino Nanjō as Shirabe Tsukuyomi, notable roles:
* Sonia, Berserk ✅
* Naoto Miura, Clockwork Planet
* Koko Tsukishima, Da Capo
* Gankyō Kūrubiyūtei, Joshiraku
* Eri Ayase, Love Live! ✅
* Matsuri Sengen, Mahō Shōjo Taisen
* Robu, Neko no Robu
* Panpaka, Panpaka Pants Movie: Bananan Ōkoku no Hihō
* Nene Kurio, Penguin Musume♥Heart
* Akiho Senomiya, Robotics;Notes
* Lise Hohenstein, Schwarzesmarken ✅

Commentary: Ms. Nanjō has less speaking roles with the archetypically kūdere, Shirabe, but when she does has a time to shine—she's sweet, smart, and insightful! Very good casting choice, Toshino Nanjō needs more roles!

Noriko Hidaka as Shem-Ha Mephorash, notable roles:
* Shiine, Akazukin Chacha
* Terumi Amano, Ankoku Shindenshou Takegami
* Constance Bonacieux, Anime Sanjūshi ("The Three Musketeers")
* Kazumi Endo, Aoki Densetsu Shoot!
* Retsuya Ichimoji, Bakuso Kyōdai Let's & Go!! MAX
* Sumire, Baoh Raihōsha ✅
* Miwa Yamada, Chi's Sweet Home ✅
* Nate River ("Near"), Death Note ✅
* Masumi Sera, Detective Conan ✅
* Jean Roque Lartigue, Fushigi no Umi no Nadia ✅
* Kitarō, Gegege no Kitarō: Kitarō's Ghost Train
* Ichigeki Danpei, Honō no Tōkyūji: Dodge Danpei
* Kikyō, InuYasha ✅
* Kagetsu, Kashō no Tsuki ("Moon of The Fiery Night")
* Ursula Callistis, Little Witch Academia ✅
* Mikage Matsunaga, Miracle☆Girls
* Rene Ai, Ninja Senshi Tobikage
* Usugumo, Oedo wa Nemurenai!
* Bellemere, One Piece ✅
* Peter Pan, Peter Pan no Bōken
* Dominator, Psycho-Pass ✅
* Akane Tendō, Ranma ½ ✅
* Mariko and Yuriko Ozono, Rockman.EXE
* Sōjirō Seta, Rurōni Kenshin ✅
* Erica Fontaine, Sakura Taisen: École de Paris
* Tomoko, Shin Kujakuō
* Bakabon no Mama, Shinya! Tensai Bakabon
* Sahari, Sōsei Kishi Gaiarth
* China, Spirit of Wonder
* Aphrodite, Suite PreCure♪
* Shibei Inue, The Hakkenden
* Sōshi Yukimi, Tobe! Isami
* Satsuki Kusakabe, Tonari no Totaro ("My Neighbor Totoro") ✅
* Noriko Takaya, Top wo Nerae! Gunbuster ✅
* Buburina, Totsuzen! Neko no Kuni Banipal Witt ("Catnapped")
* Minami Asakura, Touch
* Noriko Hakushika, Yūkan Club

Commentary: It's kind of surreal that Akane Tendō ("Ranma ½") and Kikyō ("InuYasha") have the same voice 🤔 With that aside, Ms. Hidaka is talented veteran in the industry. It's clear from how many lengthy shows she's been apart of, that she's no new-comer to voice acting! Her performance as the main villain, Shem-Ha Mephorash, the spirit that possessed Miku... gives off a strong spiritual vibe. While the writing in this season, may have not made her not the most grandiose ne'er-do-well in Symphogear, especially when stacked against compared to some of her contemporaries... she is really able to invoke the ambience of a cosmic entity! Excellent voice actress!

Aimi Terakawa as Millaarc Cranstoun, notable roles:
* Kasumi Toyama, BanG Dream! ✅
* Kazumi Tokiwa, Futari wa Milky Holmes
* Tomoya Mizuhara, Onee-chan ga Kita ("My Sister Came")
* Moa Torii, Saikin Imōto no Yōsu ga Chotto Okashiinda ga. ("Recently, My Little Sister is Unusual")

Commentary: I only know Ms. Terakawa as Kasumi Toyama ("BanG Dream!"), so I thought that her portrayal of Millaarc Cranstoun was the strongest that I had ever seen from her! Kasumi is a genki, cloud-cuckoolander... and while I do enjoy that character, it was nice to see her spread her wings and try her hand at a malevolent villainess, instead! Wonderful work! The "concert massacre" send cold shivers down my spine!

M・A・O ("Mao Ichimiya") as Vanessa Diodati, notable roles:
* Misaki Shirogane, Action Heroine Cheer Fruits
* Fubuki, Azur Lane ✅
* Bela, Bem ✅
* Chiaki Sakata, Chūko Video-ya no Onna Tenin X ("Used Video Shop's Female Shop Clerk X")
* Françoise Arnoul, Cyborg 009 VS Devilman ✅
* Lin, DD Hokuto no Ken ✅
* Hikari Yagami, Digimon Adventure tri. ✅
* Vorona, Durarara!! ✅
* Iris, Enen no Shōbōtai ("Fire Force") ✅
* Papika, Flip Flappers ✅
* Yūri Wakasa, Gakkōgurashi! ("School-Live!") ✅
* Anzu Yamasaki, Gantz:O ✅
* Doll, Gekidol
* Kazumi Schlierenzauer, Gokukoku no Brynhildr ("Brynhildr in the Darkness")
* Narmaya, Granblue Fantasy ✅
* Zero, Gunjō no Magmell ("Magmel of the Sea Blue")
* Wilma Etol von Asgahan, Hachinan tte? Sore wa Nai deshō! ("The 8th son? Are you kidding me?")
* Haru, Henki Shōjo
* Dreamcast, Sega Hard Girls ("SeHa Girls")
* Hinako Sakuragi, Hinako Note
* Emilia, Hōkago Saikoro Club
* Claire Harvey, Hundred ✅
* Koharu Hondōmachi, Id:Invaded
* Akane Kōmoto, Jitsu wa Watashi wa
* Sayaka Miyata, Keijo ✅
* Yukina Shirahane, Kuromukuro
* Mutsumi Oribe, Kyochū Rettō
* Aoko Nakamori, Magic Kaito 1412 ✅
* Naville, Monster Hunter Stories: Ride On ✅
* Melascula, Nanatsu no Taizai ✅
* Kyō Goshōin, Netoge no Yome wa Onnanoko ja Nai to Omotta? ("And you thought there is never a girl online?") ✅
* Yui Hanasaka, One Room ✅
* Haruna, Onsen Yōsei Hakone-chan ("Hot Springs Fairy Hakone-Chan")
* Nicole Ascart, Otome Game no Hametsu Flag shika Nai Akuyaku Reijō ni Tensei shiteshimatta... ("My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!")
* Chiemi Honda, King's Game
* Aika Suzuki, Phantasy Star Online 2 the Animation
* Percorine, Princess Connect! Re: Dive ✅
* Kyōko Esumi, Re-Kan!
* Mage Bilstein, RErideD: Tokigoe no Derrida
* Imu Rifuta, Saiki Kusuo no Ψ-nan ✅
* Kyōko Eqūleus, Saint Seiya: Saintia Shō ✅
* Saraka Tsukai, Seikaisuru Kado
* Saraato, Seisen Cerberus: Ryūkoku no Fatalités
* Renge Komadori, Sekai Seifuku: Bōryaku no Zvezda ("World Conquest Zvezda Plot") ✅
* Azuzu Komagome, Senyoku no Sigrdrifa ("Warlords of Sigrdrifa")
* Shion Kyōzuka, Slow Start ✅
* Homare Onishima, Sōnan Desu ka? ("Are You Lost?") ✅
* Shion, Tensei shitara Slime Datta Ken ("That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime")
* Fumika Sagisawa, The iDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls ✅
* Suzuka Konohana, Toji no Miko ✅
* Meguru Amatsuki, Twin Angel Break
* Luluco, Uchū Patrol Luluco ✅
* Mao Kurokawa, Wakaba*Girl
* Fierté, Z/X: Ignition

Commentary: Ms. Ichimiya is famous for being typecast as really attractive, bishōjo characters; and Vanessa was no exception to that rule. In fact, I thought she was the "best girl" character, out of the new trio. I couldn't bring myself to like Millaarc, after she brutally slaughtered all of those innocent people during Tsubasa and Maria's concert and Elsa was kind of plain, so, naturally Vanessa is the best option. She's beautiful, has a sultry voice and figure, and a teasing personality! What's not to love? Excellent seiyū!

※Bonus: I don't know if I'm the only one who conceptualized this idea but, to me, I thought that her android characteristics and costume were very similar to some of Shōtarō Ishinomori's (creator of "Cyborg 009") female characters!

Kana Ichinose as Elsa Bete, notable roles:
* Tuesday, Carole & Tuesday
* Ichigo, Darling in the FranXX ✅
* Yuzuriha Ogawa, Dr. Stone ✅
* Marlya Noel, Fairy Gone
* Myra, Grandblue Fantasy ✅
* Yutoria, Shachō, Battle no Jikan Desu! ("Shachibato! President, It's Time for Battle!")

Commentary: Ms. Ichinose hasn't been cast in terribly roles, but I have enjoyed the few I've seen her in. Hers is not as distinctive as some of the other voices, but it's very cute. I would say that her best role, from what I've seen, is Ichigo ("Darling in the FranXX") because there was more depth and dimension to that character, compared to some of her other performances. Great job!

Overall, Senki Zesshō Symphogear XV has a decent conclusion. The romantic moment with Hibiki and Miku holding hands under the Aurora Borealis, worked well as a touching epilogue to the franchise. The moments of introspection with Tsubasa and Miku is what made this season come together, so seeing Miku experience such a beautiful phenomenon with the person she cherishes the most, was a satisfying conclusion to her character arc. I rate Senki Zesshō Symphogear XV (Season Five) a 6/10, it's a series (among many others), that I plan to eventually purchase on Blu-ray!

Rankings:

Senki Zesshō Symphogear (Season One) ★★☆☆☆

Senki Zesshō Symphogear G (Season Two) ★★★★☆

Senki Zesshō Symphogear GX (Season Three) ★★★☆☆

Senki Zesshō Symphogear AXZ (Season Four) ★★★★★

Senki Zesshō Symphogear XV (Season Five) ★★★☆☆

From Best to Worst:

1. Senki Zesshō Symphogear AXZ
2. Senki Zesshō Symphogear G
3. Senki Zesshō Symphogear XV
4. Senki Zesshō Symphogear GX
5. Senki Zesshō Symphogear

Reviewer’s Rating: 6

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Dec 26, 2020

InoueOrihime

Not Recommended

Funny

So, I watched Symphogear for the first time before this season was out, time passed, then I found out this came out, so I rewatched all of it before I picked this up.

I wanted to say a lot of things about it because Hibiki is a character I adore, Chris is dear to me, and I overall enjoyed the show up to this point. But then this came out and, hm, how to put it.

I'm Jewish. I know not to expect too much about ethno-religion sensitivity when dealing with media from Japan but this was far and beyond what I'm used to as someone who's ... consumed anime, manga and game content for over two decades now. Setting aside how even using some of the names they did is outright sacrilege, everything about it was offensive, from who the big bad was, through their motivations, to how they 'spread' themselves, to the symbol they used when casting spells...
I know a lot of people couldn't care less about this sort of thing, but after enjoying four seasons, this felt like stinging betrayal. Now, sure, I can't say whether or not they handled everything up to this point better, these are not my sensitivities so I can't comment about that. But this last season was nothing short of antisemitic. Judaism isn't a dead religion, it's not some ancient tradition and culture anime series can use however they want, least of all to vilify like this.

Just really had to get that off my chest. A very bitter ending to a franchise I otherwise enjoyed, and I'm grateful it looks like it's over

Reviewer’s Rating: 3

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