| Raising Heart Exelion[1] | |
|---|---|
 Raising Heart Exelion in Axel Mode | |
| Device profile | |
| Other names | Raising Heart |
| Master | Nanoha Takamachi |
| Gender | Female |
| Language | English |
| Classification | |
| Magic system | Mid-Childa |
| Type | Intelligent |
| Handling | Weapon Auxiliary control (SAFM) |
| Production | |
| Japanese name | レイジングハート・ エクセリオン (Reijingu Hāto Ekuserion) |
| First app. | Nanoha (ep.1) |
| Voiced by | Donna Burke |
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Raising Heart (レイジングハート Reijingu Hāto) is Nanoha Takamachi's Intelligent Device, and is upgraded to Raising Heart Exelion[1] (レイジングハート・エクセリオン Reijingu Hāto Ekuserion) in A's. She refers to Nanoha as "master" and only speaks English. Her magical color is magenta. As an intelligent device, she provides assistance and advice in the processing of magical attacks and fire control.
Name
Early fansubs rendered Raising Heart's name as "Raging Heart". The official spelling has since been confirmed as "Raising Heart" in the bonus information card that accompanied the anime DVDs. While the English release started out using "Raging Heart", it switched to "Raising Heart" later on; with the subtitles, only the first disc (containing the first five episodes) uses "Raging", but the dub only changes to the correct terminology upon the beginning of A's.
The different spellings exist because the character "ジ" is treated differently in different systems of romanizing Japanese. The seldom-used Kunrei system renders it as zi, while the more common Hepburn system renders it as ji. However, the consonant at the beginning of the syllable is neither English z, nor English j but a sound that does not occur in English; the closest English sound is that of j. Thus the English pronunciation of "Raging Heart" is probably the closest to the original Japanese pronunciation of the name. It is possible that the creators intended it to be the Device's name, and the final official English spelling is an artifact.
The word "heart" in her name stems from the fact that the original design of Raising Heart, as seen in the Lyrical Toy Box, did include a large heart-shaped crystal, which was replaced with a red sphere in the MGLN version.
Appearances
Standalone Flight Mode
So far, Raising Heart appeared in the original series, the A's manga, A's, StrikerS manga, StrikerS, and ViVid, and Force.
Raising Heart first appears in the first episode of the original series, carried by Yuuno Scrya (though it remains in Standby Mode and displays little power in his hands) before he gives it to Nanoha. In The MOVIE 1st, Yuuno is explained to be only a "Guest" user (外部使用者) instead of registering as her Master. For a Guest, only the searching and sealing functions could be used.
The exact origins of Raising Heart are a mystery. She was obtained by Yuuno by chance while exploring some ruins. No other users have been registered to her before Yuuno,[2] and her AI could not be activated fully before her acquisition by Nanoha.[3]
Raising Heart Exelion is the upgraded form of Raising Heart. In A's, after being badly damaged in the first engagement against Vita and Graf Eisen, she insisted on being retrofitted with the Belkan cartridge system. She is capable of a larger range of attacks with cartridges (loaded in magazines akin to those used in modern automatic weapons), and was officially renamed, though Nanoha still only addresses her informally as Raising Heart. When in battle Nanoha will generally call out her full name with the added Exelion.
In Force, Raising Heart Exelion is further upgraded to be able to assume the Standalone Flight Mode, since Nanoha needs both hands to control her Fortress and Strike Cannon simultaneously.
Forms
Primary continuity
Raising Heart has assumed following forms/modes in the primary continuity:
| Form | Description | Appearances |
|---|---|---|
| Raising Heart (レイジングハート) | ||
| Standby Mode (スタンバイモード) |
Raising Heart's unactivated form is a gem-like red sphere about 1.5cm in diameter. In this form it can perform some assistant magics as well as image training for Nanoha. | Nanoha (ep.1) — A's |
| Device Mode (デバイスモード) |
Raising Heart's default form, a white-and-pink staff capped by a red jewel suspended within a partial gold ring with two exhaust valves (somewhat resembling the staff used by Wavemasters in .hack). | Nanoha (ep.1) — A's |
| Shooting Mode (シューティングモード) |
The gold section of Raising Heart's head dematerialises, then reforms into a more square shape with two prongs. This form can use Divine Buster. | Nanoha (ep.3) — A's |
| Sealing Mode (シーリングモード) |
The head of Device Mode extends away from the main body, and two energy wings spread from the gap. This form can use Sealing and Starlight Breaker. | Nanoha (ep.2) — A's |
| Raising Heart Exelion (レイジングハート・エクセリオン) | ||
| Standby Mode (スタンバイモード) |
Identical in appearance to Raising Heart's original Standby Mode. This form can generate a Barrier Jacket without being released and is occasionally seen floating under its own power. In ViVid, it is usually seen with two light fins (similar to Flier Fin) while doing so. | A's (ep.4) — present |
| Axel Mode (アクセルモード) |
Mid-range high-speed combat mode. Identical to Device Mode, except for the addition of a Cartridge System resembling a rifle magazine. | A's (ep.4) — present |
| Buster Mode (バスターモード) |
Improved version of Shooting Mode. In StrikerS, the Accelerate Charge System is also available under this mode, with three mana wings.[4] | A's (ep.7) — present |
| Exelion Mode[1] (エクセリオンモード) |
The head of Buster Mode widens and extends away from the body, its prongs move closer together, and a set of fins sprout from the gaps. The end result resembles a golden spearhead set with a jewel, which generates two sets of energy wings when in use. The butt of Exelion Mode is a equipped with a rocket engine as part of its Accelerate Charge System. This form can use Exelion Buster. | A's (ep.11) — StrikerS |
| Exceed Mode (エクシードモード) |
Replacement to Exelion Mode in StrikerS, which is assumed to be the "reinforcement" to Raising Heart's frame Amy Limietta spoke of in A's. | StrikerS (ep.12) — present |
| Blaster Mode (ブラスターモード) |
Addition to Exceed Mode with three levels. The first level increases Nanoha's power dramatically while damaging the health of both her and the device. The second and third levels generate Blaster Bits (two and four respectively) which can duplicate her spells or attack independently, at the cost of increased strain. | StrikerS (ep.23) — present |
| Standalone Flight Mode (単独飛行形態 Tandoku Hikō Keitai) |
Resembles a larger version of a Blaster Bit. While still fulfilling all her functions as an Intelligent Device, Raising Heart floats in the air and can be used as a magic "staff", a mobile shield, or a cutting weapon using the new blade edges. The need for such upgrade arose because Nanoha's new Strike Cannon requires both hands to wield.[5] | Force (ch.11) — present |
The Exelion Mode may have been named after either a battleship from Gunbuster or Excellen Browning from Super Robot Wars. Supporting the latter, Nanoha's Barrier Jacket resembles Excellen's mech the Weissritter, and after the airing of A's, Super Robot Wars introduced a character named Haken Browning in a possible reference to Bardiche's Haken Form.
Blaster System's Blaster Bits are based on the bits and funnels used in Mobile Suit Gundam. As the weapons of Amuro Ray's ultimate mecha, this would seem the logical extension of Nanoha's "Gundam-like" design.
Movie continuity
The available forms/modes have been altered slightly in the movie continuity:
| Form | Description | Appearances |
|---|---|---|
| Raising Heart (レイジングハート) | ||
| Standby Mode (スタンバイモード) |
Equivalent to Standby Mode of the original series. | The MOVIE 1st — The MOVIE 2nd A's |
| Device Mode (デバイスモード) |
Equivalent to Device Mode of the original series. Blue parts are added to the neck and tail of the staff body. | |
| Canon Mode (カノンモード)[6] |
Fills the function of Shooting and Sealing Modes of the original series. Besides the extra blue and white parts, there is also an extra 180°-turnable trigger unit (firing grip) on the neck of the staff body. | |
| Raising Heart Exelion (レイジングハート・エクセリオン) | ||
| Standby Mode (スタンバイモード) |
Equivalent to Standby Mode of the original series. | The MOVIE 2nd A's |
| Axel Mode (アクセルモード) |
Being the upgrade of Device Mode; equivalent to Axel Mode of the original series. | |
| Bustercanon Mode (バスターカノンモード) |
Being the upgrade of Canon Mode; equivalent to Buster Mode of the original series. | |
| Exelion Mode (エクセリオンモード) |
Being the Full Drive of Raising Heart Exelion; equivalent to Exelion Mode of the original series. | |
Functions
| Upgrade | Description | Appearances |
|---|---|---|
| Auto Guard (オートガード) |
Nanoha's Auto Guard spell is Protection. | Nanoha — present |
| Cartridge System (カートリッジシステム) |
Belkan Cartridge System CVK792-A, hextuple automatic type. | A's (ep.4) — present |
| Magazine (マガジン)[7] |
The "rifle magazine" used for reloading in the Cartridge System. Also used as a sub-grip in Buster Mode. | A's (ep.4) — present |
| Accelerate Charge System (A.C.S) |
Allows rapid acceleration while in Exelion/Exceed Mode. When active, Raising Heart generates 6 light wings and a Strike Flame bayonet from her tip. | A's (ep.11) — present |
| Blaster System (ブラスターシステム) |
Enhances powers greatly at the cost of the lives of caster and Device. The research of the system is already started at the time of the Unbreakable Dark Incident (post-A's).[8] | StrikerS (ep.23) — present |
| Blaster Bits (ブラスタービット) |
Drones capable of independent attack which resemble the head part of Raising Heart, made from the same materials as her frame. | StrikerS (ep.25) — present |
Raising Heart's special attack is Starlight Breaker. In the manga, Nanoha comments that Raising Heart is "so finely tuned in her functions that the TSAB maintenance staff has a hard time with her."
References
- ^ a b c Raising Heart Exelion is the official name as per Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha A's DVD Device Card and Nanoha Force. It is commonly mistranslated as Raising Heart Excelion/Excellion based on japanese kana. "Exelion" applies to the name of her specific form too.
- ^ Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha The MOVIE 1st pamphlet. Scan (Japanese).
- ^ Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha MOVIE 1st THE COMICS Sequence 1-4 (chapter 8, page 7).
- ^ Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS Official Fan Book.
- ^ Magical Record Lyrical Nanoha Force NEXT, Design 01.
- ^ Canon Mode is shown on the gem in The MOVIE 1st, while Cannon Mode is used in MOVIE 1st THE COMICS.
- ^ Adopted from Nanoha's conversation in A's episode 11.
- ^ Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha A's Portable: The Gears of Destiny, Sequence 06 Battle 3A.