Changes: Magic circle

Revision as of 06:04, 8 May 2021

A magic circle (魔法陣 mahōjin) is a visual representation of the mana being shaped by a mage. It also accompanies Device booting and similar power-ups, and is composed of visible light often appearing just under the caster's feet and center of gravity. The circle's spin depends on the mana release frequency of the caster, and is white and glows the same color as their magic color. This is with the exception of some villains, whose circles are black and have a purple glow.

Function

According to A's manga, the shape of the magic circle is determined by the particular spell being cast. Because magic in the Nanoha universe is similar to the application of programs, each spell includes complex mathematical calculations, and the magic circles are the visual representation of the mage doing them.^[1]

Forms

Basic forms

The form of a mage's magic circle is determined by the magic system he or she practices:

The Midchildan system (ミッドチルダ式 Middochiruda shiki) uses a proper circle, with more concentric rings and squares inscribed in it. At the corners of each ring are the small Greek letters π (pi), δ (delta), ω (omega) and ν (nu).
The Belkan systems (ベルカ式 Beruka shiki), both Ancient and Modern, use a triangle, with four circles at its angles and the center. The outer circles contain abstract symbols, while the inner circle is inscribed with a cross.
The Inherent Skills of Combat Cyborgs use a circular IS Template (ISテンプレート Ai Esu Tenpurēto).^[2] Strictly speaking, it is an "energy control formation" (エネルギー制御陣形 enerugī seigyo jinkei)^[2] but not a kind of "magic circle" as Inherent Skills are cast with non-magical energy. It is also more technological-looking than the other magic circles, composed of solid blocks of colour and no symbols. In addition, the unique magic system used by Jail Scaglietti in StrikerS also shares the same patterns as its magic circles.
Practitioners of Formula Eltria use a magic circle known as Formula Plate (フォーミュラプレート Fōmyura Purēto)^[3] for their spells. In Reflection, the magic circle is known as Formula Circle (フォーミュラサークル Fōmyura Sākuru).^[4]
Eclipse virus carriers display a circle containing one 8-pointed star and five 10-pointed stars when casting spells/skills with Eclipse power/energy.

Variations

Within a same system, there could also be variations of magic circles:

Summon magic uses a magic square whose design is based on the system's regular magic circle.
Magic loop (環状魔法陣 kanjō mahōjin, lit. ring-shaped magic circle) appears around the caster's arm, fingers or Device in numerous spells or skills (mainly shooting or bombardment type), for strengthening and accelerating the mana charge. The loop generally has straight sides of same length, like the lateral surface of a cylinder. However in rare cases, the loop is like a circular frame with its sides like two concentric circles and its flat surface perpendicular to the caster's arm, fingers or Device (e.g. Starlight Breaker Multi-Raid, driving of Bible of Silver Cross).
Magic tape (帯状魔法陣 taijō mahōjin) is the flat and non-lateral version of magic loop, with same design but thick width. It has appeared in transformation scenes and as the "floors" for Wing Road and Air Liner.
For a specifically powerful Midchildan spell, an extra circular loop is added to the outside of a regular Midchildan Circle, making it a large-sized "double circle".
The Ancient Belkan Ceremonial Circle/Square also appears in the series a few times alongside the Wolkenritter.
A sighting ring replaces the magic loop for magic charge in Teana's Phantom Blazer.

Multi-system practitioners

Although this is uncommon, an individual who has mastered more than one magic system can manifest magic circles of different form, depending on the currently used system. For example, the summoners apparently only manifest their Squares when summoning extremely powerful creatures, and use regular Circles or Triangles otherwise. When Hayate Yagami casts Hraesvelgr with aiming assistance from Long Arch, it manifests with a Midchildan Circle rather than her usual Belkan Triangle. In the refined DVD version of A's, Hayate also has a Midchildan Circle under her feet and a Belkan Triangle for the muzzle in her Ragnarok spell.

Gallery

Since the release of The MOVIE 1st in year 2010, certain magic circles have been re-designed, notwithstanding that the old ones may still be used, especially in manga for simplicity. The following summarizes magic circles seen in the Nanoha universe:

System	Regular	Summoning	Loop/Tape	Others
Midchilda (version 1)	Midchildan Circle	Midchildan Summoner Square	Midchildan Loop/Tape	Midchildan Sighting Ring
Midchilda (version 2)	Midchildan Circle		Midchildan Loop/Tape	N/A
Midchilda (version 2.5)	Midchildan Circle		Midchildan Loop/Tape	Midchildan Double Circle
Midchilda (version 3)	Midchildan Circle
Belka (version 1)	Belkan Triangle	Belkan Summoner Square	Belkan Loop/Tape (same as Midchildan)	Ancient Belkan Ceremonial Circle
Belka (version 2.5)	Belkan Triangle Unknown revision	Belkan Summoner Square	Belka Loop/Tape	Ancient Belkan Ceremonial Square
Belka (version 3)	Belkan Triangle		Same as version 2.5
Formula Eltria (version 1)	Formula Plate	N/A		N/A
Formula Eltria (version 3)	Formula Circle	N/A		N/A
Inherent Skills	IS Template	N/A	IS Loop/Tape	IS Frame Loop
Eclipse	Eclipse Circle	N/A	Eclipse Loop/Tape	Eclipse Frame Loop

References

^ Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha A's manga, chapter 4, page 6.
^ ^a ^b Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS, DVD Vol.5 Booklet (ep.14).
^ Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha A's Portable: The Gears of Destiny Sound Stage A.
^ Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Reflection, Comic Market 91 promotion website: Formula Circle is ~~(the magic circle of)~~ the magic system of Amita and Kyrie in Reflection.

External links

Magic circle in traditional magic

[1] Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha A's manga, chapter 4, page 6.

[StS5.14-2] Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS, DVD Vol.5 Booklet (ep.14).

[3] Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha A's Portable: The Gears of Destiny Sound Stage A.

[4] Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Reflection, Comic Market 91 promotion website: Formula Circle is ~~(the magic circle of)~~ the magic system of Amita and Kyrie in Reflection.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-[[File:Circle.gif|frame|Mid-Childan Magic Circle]]
+[[File:Circle.gif|frame|An active Midchildan Circle]]
-The {{nihongo|'''[[magic]] circle'''|魔法陣|mahōjin}} is the visible manifestation of [[mana|magical energy]] being collected by a [[mage]] to cast a powerful spell. It also accompanies [[Device]] activation and similar power-ups. The circle is composed of intangible light and usually appears just under the caster's feet (even in [[flight]]), centered under his or her center of gravity. Depending on the amount of energy released, the circle may spin faster or slower. The circle is generally white with a glow depending on the caster's [[magic color]], with the exception of certain villain characters whose circles are black with a purplish glow.
+A {{nihongo|'''magic circle'''|魔法陣|mahōjin}} is a visual representation of the [[mana]] being shaped by a [[mage]]. It also accompanies [[Device]] booting and similar power-ups, and is composed of visible light often appearing just under the caster's feet and center of gravity. The circle's spin depends on the mana release frequency of the caster, and is white and glows the same color as their [[magic color|magic color.]] This is with the exception of some villains, whose circles are black and have a purple glow.
 ==Function==
-According to ''[[A's]]'' manga, the shape of the magic circle is determined by the particular spell being cast. Because magic in the ''Nanoha'' universe is similar to programs, each spell includes complex mathematical calculations, and the magic circles are basically the visual representation of said calculations.<ref>''Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha A's'' manga, chapter 4, [http://www.onemanga.com/Magical_Girl_Lyrical_Nanoha_As/4/06/ page 6].</ref>
+According to ''[[A's]]'' manga, the shape of the magic circle is determined by the particular spell being cast. Because magic in the ''Nanoha'' universe is similar to the application of programs, each spell includes complex mathematical calculations, and the magic circles are the visual representation of the mage doing them.<ref>''Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha A's'' manga, chapter 4, [http://www.onemanga.com/Magical_Girl_Lyrical_Nanoha_As/4/06/ page 6].</ref>
 ==Forms==
 ===Basic forms===
 The form of a mage's magic circle is determined by the [[magic system]] he or she practices:
-* The {{nihongo|[[Mid-Childa]]n system|ミッドチルダ式|middochiruda shiki}} uses a proper '''circle''', with more concentric rings and squares inscribed in it. At the corners of each ring are the small Greek letters {{wp|pi (letter)|π (pi)}}, {{wp|delta (letter)|δ (delta)}}, {{wp|omega|ω (omega)}} and {{wp|nu (letter)|ν (nu)}}.
+* The {{nihongo|[[Midchilda]]n system|ミッドチルダ式|Middochiruda shiki}} uses a proper '''circle''', with more concentric rings and squares inscribed in it. At the corners of each ring are the small Greek letters {{wp|pi (letter)|π (pi)}}, {{wp|delta (letter)|δ (delta)}}, {{wp|omega|ω (omega)}} and {{wp|nu (letter)|ν (nu)}}.
-* The {{nihongo|[[Belka]]n systems|ベルカ式|beruka shiki}}, both Ancient and Modern, use a '''triangle''', with four circles at its angles and the center. The outer circles contain abstract symbols, while the inner circle is inscribed with a cross. The Belkan Circle also appears in the series a few times alongside the [[Wolkenritter]], consisting of two overlayed Belkan triangles circumscribed by a circle.
+* The {{nihongo|[[Belka]]n systems|ベルカ式|Beruka shiki}}, both Ancient and Modern, use a '''triangle''', with four circles at its angles and the center. The outer circles contain abstract symbols, while the inner circle is inscribed with a cross.
-* The [[Inherent Skill]]s of [[Combat Cyborg]]s use a circular {{nihongo|'''IS Template'''|ISテンプレート|IS tenpurēto}}.<ref name="StS5.14">''Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS'', DVD Vol.5 Booklet (ep.14).</ref> Strictly speaking, it is an {{nihongo|"energy control formation"|エネルギー制御陣形|enerugī seigyo jinkei}}<ref name="StS5.14"/> but not a kind of "magic circle" as Inherent Skills are cast with non-magical energy. It is also more technological-looking than the other magic circles, composed of solid blocks of colour and no symbols.
+* The [[Inherent Skill]]s of [[Combat Cyborg]]s use a circular {{nihongo|'''IS Template'''|ISテンプレート|Ai Esu Tenpurēto}}.<ref name="StS5.14">''Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS'', DVD Vol.5 Booklet (ep.14).</ref> Strictly speaking, it is an {{nihongo|"energy control formation"|エネルギー制御陣形|enerugī seigyo jinkei}}<ref name="StS5.14"/> but not a kind of "magic circle" as Inherent Skills are cast with non-magical energy. It is also more technological-looking than the other magic circles, composed of solid blocks of colour and no symbols. In addition, the unique magic system used by [[Jail Scaglietti]] in ''StrikerS'' also shares the same patterns as its magic circles.
+* Practitioners of [[Formula Eltria]] use a magic circle known as {{nihongo|'''Formula Plate'''|フォーミュラプレート|Fōmyura Purēto}}<ref>''Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha A's Portable: The Gears of Destiny Sound Stage A''.</ref> for their spells. In ''Reflection'', the magic circle is known as {{nihongo|'''Formula Circle'''|フォーミュラサークル|Fōmyura Sākuru}}.<ref>''[[Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Reflection]]'', Comic Market 91 promotion website: Formula Circle is <s>(the magic circle of)</s> the magic system of Amita and Kyrie in ''Reflection''.</ref>
-* [[Eclipse]] virus carriers display a '''circle''' containing a 10-pointed star when casting spells/skills with Eclipse power/energy.
+* [[Eclipse]] virus carriers display a circle containing one 8-pointed star and five 10-pointed stars when casting spells/skills with Eclipse power/energy.
-* Practitioners of {{nihongo|Formula Eltria|フォーミュラエルトリア|fōmyura erutoria}} (e.g. the [[Florian]] sisters), a magic system from [[Eltria|a different world]], use a magic circle known as {{nihongo|'''Formula Plate'''<ref>''Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha GOD Sound Stage A.</ref>|フォーミュラプレート|fōmyura purēto}} for their spells.
 ===Variations===
 Within a same system, there could also be variations of magic circles:
-* [[Summon]] magic, regardless of school, apparently uses a magic '''square''' based on the caster's normal magic circle.
+* [[Summon]] magic uses a magic '''square''' whose design is based on the system's regular magic circle.
-* A {{nihongo|"magic '''loop'''"|環状/帯状魔法陣|kanjō/taijō mahōjin}} appears around the caster's arms or devices in numerous spells or skills (mainly shooting or bombardment type), which is used for strengthening and accelerating the magic charge. Flat and broad versions of the loops also appear as the "floors" for [[Wing Road]] and [[Airliner]].
+* {{nihongo|Magic '''loop'''|環状魔法陣|kanjō mahōjin|lit. ring-shaped magic circle}} appears around the caster's arm, fingers or Device in numerous spells or skills (mainly shooting or bombardment type), for strengthening and accelerating the mana charge. The loop generally has straight sides of same length, like the lateral surface of a cylinder. However in rare cases, the loop is like a circular '''frame''' with its sides like two concentric circles and its flat surface perpendicular to the caster's arm, fingers or Device (e.g. [[Starlight Breaker Multi-Raid]], driving of [[Bible of Silver Cross]]).
+* {{nihongo|Magic '''tape'''|帯状魔法陣|taijō mahōjin}} is the flat and non-lateral version of magic loop, with same design but thick width. It has appeared in transformation scenes and as the "floors" for [[Wing Road]] and [[Air Liner]].
+* For a specifically powerful Midchildan spell, an extra circular loop is added to the outside of a regular Midchildan Circle, making it a large-sized "'''double circle'''".
+* The Ancient Belkan Ceremonial Circle/Square also appears in the series a few times alongside the [[Wolkenritter]].
 * A '''sighting ring''' replaces the magic loop for magic charge in [[Teana]]'s [[Phantom Blazer]].
 ===Multi-system practitioners===
-Although this is uncommon, an individual who has mastered more than one magic system can manifest magic circles of different form, depending on the currently used system. For example, the summoners apparently only manifest their Squares when summoning extremely powerful creatures, and use regular Circles or Triangles otherwise. When [[Hayate Yagami]] casts [[Hraesvelgr]] with aiming assistance from [[Long Arch]] it manifests with a Mid-Childan Circle rather than her usual Belkan Triangle. In the refined DVD version of ''[[A's]]'', Hayate also has a Mid-Childan Circle under her feet and a Belkan Triangle for the muzzle in her [[Ragnarok]] spell.
+Although this is uncommon, an individual who has mastered more than one magic system can manifest magic circles of different form, depending on the currently used system. For example, the summoners apparently only manifest their Squares when summoning extremely powerful creatures, and use regular Circles or Triangles otherwise. When [[Hayate Yagami]] casts [[Hraesvelgr]] with aiming assistance from [[Long Arch]], it manifests with a Midchildan Circle rather than her usual Belkan Triangle. In the refined DVD version of ''[[A's]]'', Hayate also has a Midchildan Circle under her feet and a Belkan Triangle for the muzzle in her [[Ragnarok]] spell.
 ==Gallery==
+Since the release of ''[[The MOVIE 1st]]'' in year 2010, certain magic circles have been re-designed, notwithstanding that the old ones may still be used, especially in manga for simplicity. The following summarizes magic circles seen in the ''Nanoha'' universe:
-<gallery widths="120">
+{| class="wikitable"
-Mid-Childan Circle.png|Midchildan Circle
+!System !!style="width:125px;"| Regular !!style="width:125px;"| Summoning !!style="width:125px;"| Loop/Tape !!style="width:125px;"| Others
-Caro's Square.jpg|Midchildan Summoner Square
+|-
-Belkan Triangle.png|Belkan Triangle
+|Midchilda<br/>(version 1)
-Lutecia's Square.jpg|Belkan<br> Summoner Square
+|Midchildan Circle<br/>[[File:Mid-Childan Circle.png|thumb|left|120px]]
-IS Template.png|IS Template
+|rowspan="3"|Midchildan<br/>Summoner Square<br/>[[File:Caro's Square.jpg|thumb|left|120px]]
-Formula Eltria.png|Formula Plate
+|Midchildan Loop/Tape<br/>[[File:Mid-Childan Loop.png|thumb|left|120px]]
-EC Circle.jpg|Eclipse Circle
+|Midchildan<br/>Sighting Ring[[File:PhantomBlazer.png|thumb|left|120px]]
-Belkan Circle.jpg|Belkan Ceremonial Circle
+|-
-Mid-Childan Loop.png|Midchildan/<br> Belkan Loop
+|Midchilda<br/>(version 2)
-ShindoKen.png|IS Energy Loop
+|rowspan="2"|Midchildan Circle<br/>[[File:Mid-Childan Circle M.jpg|thumb|left|120px]]
-</gallery>
+|Midchildan Loop/Tape<br/>[[File:Mid-Childan Loop M.png|thumb|left|120px]]
+|N/A
-In the [[Continuity#Movie|movie continuity]] and in ''[[ViVid]]'' anime, certain magic circles have been redesigned.
+|-
-<gallery widths="120" captionalign="left">
+|Midchilda<br/>(version 2.5)
-Mid-Childan Circle M.jpg|Mid-Childan Circle
+|Midchildan Loop/Tape<br/>[[File:Mid-Childan Loop M2.png|thumb|left|120px]][[File:Movie 2nd Mid-Childan Loop scan.png|alt=Mid-Childan Movie 2nd magic loop|left|thumb]]
-DSC8209.png|Mid-Childan Circle (alternative)
+|Midchildan<br/>Double Circle<br/>[[File:Midchildan Double Circle.png|thumb|left|120px]]
-Mid-Childan Loop M.png|Midchildan/<br> Belkan Loop
+|-
-Mid-Childan Loop M2.png|Midchildan/<br> Belkan Loop<br> (in a spell)
+|Midchilda<br/>(version 3)
-Belkant Triangle Movie.png|Belkan Triangle
+|Midchildan Circle<br/>[[File:Midchildan Circle Ref.png|thumb|left|120px]]
-Belkan Square.png|Belkan Ceremonial Square (instead of Ceremonial Circle)
+|
-</gallery>
+|
+|
+|-
+|Belka<br/>(version 1)
+|Belkan Triangle<br/>[[File:Belkan Triangle.png|thumb|left|120px]]
+|rowspan="2"|Belkan<br/>Summoner Square<br/>[[File:Lutecia's Square.jpg|thumb|left|120px]]
+|Belkan Loop/Tape<br/>(same as Midchildan)
+|Ancient Belkan<br/>Ceremonial Circle<br/>[[File:Belkan Circle.jpg|thumb|left|120px]]
+|-
+|Belka<br/>(version 2.5)
+|Belkan Triangle<br/>[[File:Belkant Triangle Movie.png|thumb|left|120px]][[File:BELKA V2 MASTER fandom.png|alt=Belka Movie 2nd magic triangle, unknown revision|left|thumb|120x120px|Unknown revision]]
+|Belka Loop/Tape[[File:Belka magic loop M2nd.png|center|thumb]]
+|Ancient Belkan<br/>Ceremonial Square<br/>[[File:Belkan Square.png|thumb|left|120px]]
+|-
+|Belka<br/>(version 3)
+|Belkan Triangle<br/>[[File:Belkan Triangle Ref.png|thumb|left|120px]]
+|
+|Same as version 2.5
+|
+|-
+|Formula Eltria<br/>(version 1)
+|Formula Plate<br/>[[File:Formula Eltria.png|thumb|left|120px]]
+|N/A
+|
+|N/A
+|-
+|Formula Eltria<br/>(version 3)
+|Formula Circle<br/>[[File:Formula Circle.png|thumb|left|120px]]
+|N/A
+|
+|N/A
+|-
+|Inherent Skills
+|IS Template<br/>[[File:IS Template.png|thumb|left|120px]]
+|N/A
+|IS Loop/Tape<br/>[[File:ShindoKen.png|thumb|left|120px]]
+|IS Frame Loop<br/>[[File:IS Template Loop.png|thumb|left|120px]]
+|-
+|Eclipse
+|Eclipse Circle<br/>[[File:EC Circle.jpg|thumb|left|120px]]
+|N/A
+|Eclipse Loop/Tape<br/>[[File:EC Loop.jpg|thumb|left|120px]]
+|Eclipse Frame Loop<br/>[[File:EC Circle Loop.jpg|thumb|left|120px]]
+|}
 ==References==