Symphogear is a fun, music-heavy anime that blends a lot of generic action elements together in a new way. Though it has some darker moments, it is overall a light, fun anime that can be enjoyed by anyone.
Sympogear is set in a more-or-less modern Japan. The primary differences are the existence of powerful ‘relics’ which can be awakened through song, and the existence of eldritch abominations called ‘Noise’.
The noise are impervious to conventional weaponry and turn humans to ash on contact, so battle songstresses wielding relics manifested as weapons and armor do battle with them. Anime being what it is, only grade-school girls are ‘compatible’ with relics.
Start with idol singers. Add yuri and elements from Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, Madoka Magica, and Blue Exorcist and blend on high.
Table of Contents
1. Symphogear (2012)
- Episodes: 13
- Aired: Winter 2012
With the coming of spring, Hibiki Tachibana and Miku Kohinata start their first year in high school school at the prestigious Lydian Music Academy. That their idol, the singer Tsubasa Kazanari, also attends Lydian is just an added bonus. Neither of them know that their lives are about to change forever. Neither of them know that the first, awakening beat is almost upon them.
2. Symphogear G (2013)
- Episodes: 13
- Aired: Summer 2013
The second season of Senki Zesshou Symphogear.
The sky is waiting.
With their normal lives secured, the Symphogear wielders join a Japanese-American research initiative. Each, living their own lives, has been given a single order: protect Sacrist S. As a completed relic, it is of upmost importance to both Irregular Threat Response and the American Federal Institute of Sacrists, and now, the wielders must escort it to the American military base in Iwakuni. The operation should have gone smoothly with both sides now cooperating. But a dark storm during the night hid a new threat until it was almost too late: the Noise. And with the doors of Babylon’s treasury thrown wide, they have only increased in number. But then, amidst the rising dissonance of a destruction brought on by the Noise’s alien anatomy, a girl’s voice raised in song thunders out, as though piercing through them. “This is my Gungnir!” The cry of the first known human to fuse with a relic, Hibiki Tachibana.
The Noise flooding in, their movements orchestrated. The specter of the one pulling their strings looming above them. And then, the songs. The curtain rises on a new clash between mere melodies, and songs through which these girls’ blood flows.
3. Symphogear G: Senki Zesshou Shinai Symphogear (2014)
- Episodes: 2
- Aired: Winter 2014
Shorts released with the Blu-ray and DVD releases of Senki Zesshou Symphogear G.
4. Symphogear GX (2015)
- Episodes: 13
- Aired: Summer 2015
The third season of Senki Zesshou Symphogear.
Following the events of Senki Zesshou Symphogear G, Hibiki Tachibana, Tsubasa Kazanari, and Chris Yukine continue to operate under the command of Genjuurou Kazanari. Meanwhile, Maria Cadenzavna Eve, Kirika Akatsuki, and Shirabe Tsukuyomi are taken into protective custody. With peace restored, everyone returns to their daily lives; however, the appearance of the alchemist Carol Malus Dienheim and her subordinates—the “Autoscorers”—threatens to draw everyone back into a conflict.
Armed with a strange and magical power, Carol wishes to initiate the apocalypse and bring destruction to the world… and she is willing to sacrifice everything to do so. Against this mysterious new foe, the six Symphogear wielders must rise to the challenge in order to protect what they hold dear. However, will Carol and her Autoscorers prove to be too much to handle in this fight to protect the fate of the world?
5. Symphogear GX: Senki Zesshou Shinai Symphogear (2015)
- Episodes: 4
- Aired: Fall 2015
Shorts released with the Blu-ray and DVD releases of Senki Zesshou Symphogear GX.
6. Symphogear AXZ (2017)
- Episodes: 13
- Aired: Summer 2017
The fourth season of Senki Zesshou Symphogear.
Hibiki Tachibana has defeated many powerful enemies, saved countless innocent lives, and escaped from numerous desperate situations, but she is currently finding herself unable to escape from her most desperate situation yet—summer homework! Although her high school life is relatively unremarkable, her career as a member of the military organization S.O.N.G. is anything but. Using powerful, ancient armor known as Symphogear, Hibiki and her teammates work with the United Nations to deal with international disputes and disasters.
During a mission briefing at headquarters, Hibiki is made aware of a mysterious organization known as the Bavarian Illuminati, who has been responsible for several major disasters in the past and currently operate in the war-torn country Val Verde. Together, Hibiki and her team infiltrate one of the Bavarian Illuminati’s manufacturing plants and free hundreds of slaves. Exposed, alchemists Saint-Germain, Cagliostro, and Prelati reveal themselves as the organization’s top brass, and—using alchemical powers—declare a global revolution while sacrificing thousands of lives. Faced with yet another threat to the world’s survival, Hibiki and her allies must confront the Bavarian Illuminati in their most difficult and destructive battle yet.
7. Symphogear AXZ: Senki Zesshou Shinai Symphogear (2017)
- Episodes: 4
- Aired: Fall 2017
Original short episodes featuring characters in super-deformed style. Bundled with Blu-ray/DVD volumes 3 to 6 of the anime.
8. Symphogear XV (2019)
- Episodes: 13
- Aired: Summer 2019
The fifth season of Senki Zesshou Symphogear.
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?
9. Symphogear XV: Senki Zesshou Shinai Symphogear (2019)
- Episodes: 4
- Aired: Fall 2019
Original short episodes featuring characters in super-deformed style. Bundled with Blu-ray/DVD volumes 3 to 6 of the anime.
