A brand-new TV anime in the beloved Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha franchise, titled Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha EXCEEDS Gun Blaze Vengeance, has been announced with a planned debut in 2026. This marks the first new TV anime project for the series since Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha ViVid in 2015 and the first new animated project since the Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Detonation movie in 2018.
The announcement was made as part of the franchise’s 20th-anniversary celebration, exciting long-time fans with the prospect of a new chapter in Nanoha Takamachi’s story.
What We Know About Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha EXCEEDS Gun Blaze Vengeance
The upcoming anime will be produced by Seven Arcs, the studio behind previous Nanoha installments. Masaki Tsuzuki, the franchise creator and writer, is credited with the original story and screenplay for EXCEEDS Gun Blaze Vengeance. Takayuki Hamana is returning to direct the series, while Issei Aragaki is handling character designs and serving as chief animation director, with Shuichi Kawakami providing original character planning.
While specific plot details remain under wraps, the title suggests a narrative focusing on explosive action and a pursuit of vengeance, themes that have been present throughout the Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha universe.
Celebrating Two Decades of Magical Girls
The Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha EXCEEDS Gun Blaze Vengeance announcement is a cornerstone of the franchise’s extensive 20th-anniversary initiatives. The Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha series first debuted in 2004 as a spin-off from the visual novel Triangle Heart 3. It quickly gained a dedicated following for its unique blend of magical girl tropes with intense combat, military-esque ranks, and a focus on interpersonal relationships.
A Look Back at the Nanoha Anime Timeline
Over the past two decades, the Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha franchise has expanded significantly across various media:
- TV Series: The original Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha (2004) was followed by Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha A’s (2005), Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS (2007), and Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha ViVid (2015), along with the spin-off ViVid Strike! (2016).
- Theatrical Films: The series also saw four theatrical films: Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha The Movie 1st (2010), Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha the Movie 2nd A’s (2012), Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Reflection (2017), and Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Detonation (2018). The first two films were retellings of the initial TV series, while Reflection and Detonation featured original stories.
- Manga and Other Media: The franchise has also produced numerous manga adaptations, drama CDs, and video games, further enriching its lore and character development.
Companion Manga and Ongoing Celebrations
In addition to the new anime, an original manga titled Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha EXCEEDS launched in April 2025 on Kodansha’s Suiyōbi no Sirius (Wednesday Sirius) service. Masaki Tsuzuki is drafting the original story concept for the manga, with Shuichi Kawakami handling the art. This manga portrays a 13-year-old Nanoha Takamachi actively working as a mage.
The 20th-anniversary projects also include “Lyrical Selection” or “Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha 20th Anniversary Selection,” a television edit of Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha The MOVIE 1st and Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha the Movie 2nd A’s, which began airing in October 2024.
Fans can anticipate more details regarding the story, characters, and exact release date for Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha EXCEEDS Gun Blaze Vengeance as the 2026 debut approaches.
