Cocomuyo

The Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha franchise has unveiled a new key visual, promotional video, cast details, and story outline for its upcoming 20th anniversary anime, Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha EXCEEDS: Gun Blaze Vengeance. The announcement was made via the franchise’s official website, alongside confirmation that the series will premiere in July.

The newly released promotional video is backed by Nana Mizuki’s song “Never Surrender,” marking another major musical contribution from one of the franchise’s most iconic voices. Longtime fans will also recognize the return of the core cast, reinforcing the anniversary project’s connection to Nanoha’s roots.

Azusa Tachibana voices Shiina Kuze, a high school student living on a remote island in the far east. Sharing a quiet life with her sister Setsuna, Shiina is also part of the local hunting association, a group responsible for eliminating the invasive alien species threatening the island.

Rina Hidaka voices Setsuna Kuze, Shiina’s younger sister and an exceptionally bright elementary school student. Proud of handling the household chores and tending their vegetable garden, Setsuna plays a quiet but vital role in maintaining their everyday life on the island.

Asaki Yuikawa voices Towa Yorumi, a mysterious young woman who operates in the shadows of society as a feared “Majin,” or demon, whose true motives remain largely unknown.

The following four characters are mysterious young women who support Towa from the shadows.

• Chiharu voices Shiori Aizawa, one of Towa’s backers whose presence hints at a larger, unseen network operating behind the scenes.

Aika Kobayashi voices Yuuna Kitamori, another of Towa’s shadowy supporters, whose calm demeanor masks her involvement in the forces working behind the scenes.

Ayasa Itō voices Aoi Niina, one of Towa’s enigmatic backers, distinguished by her quiet presence and an air of secrecy surrounding her role.

Hina Aoki voices Yuzu Kodera, the final member of Towa’s group of backers, completing the circle of mysterious young women who operate behind the scenes in support of her plans.

Returning Cast

• Yukari Tamura as Nanoha Takamachi
• Nana Mizuki as Fate T. Harlaown
• Kana Ueda as Hayate Yagami

Set thirty years after a mysterious “invasive alien species” first appeared and pushed humanity to the brink of extinction, Gun Blaze Vengeance takes place in a fragile world where survival has been secured—but only barely. While humanity continues its daily life by turning a blind eye to the ever-present danger, the United Nations Investigation Agency EXCEEDS operates behind the scenes, fighting invasive species and large-scale disasters threatening global collapse.

The story centers on Shiina Kuze, a hunter living on a remote island in the eastern nation of Mizuho. Tasked with exterminating invasive species, Shiina longs for a quiet life alongside her sister Setsuna, unaware of how deeply she is tied to the conflicts shaping the future of the world.

Franchise co-creator Masaki Tsuzuki is credited as the original story creator and scriptwriter for the new anime. Direction is once again handled by Takayuki Hamana, returning after helming Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Reflection and Detonation, with animation production at Seven Arcs. Issei Aragaki serves as both character designer and chief animation director, while Shūichi Kawakami provides the original character designs.

Beyond the anime, the anniversary project continues to expand across media. The manga Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha EXCEEDS launched in April 2025 on Kodansha’s Suiyōbi no Sirius platform, with Tsuzuki drafting the story concept and Kawakami handling the artwork. The 20th anniversary celebrations also include Lyrical Selection, a television edit of The MOVIE 1st and The Movie 2nd A’s, which began airing in October 2024.

First launched in 2004, Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha has grown into a long-running multimedia franchise spanning television series, theatrical films, manga, novels, and drama CDs. With EXCEEDS: Gun Blaze Vengeance, the series steps into its third decade while introducing a darker, more mature chapter to Nanoha’s legacy.