Post originally by Michael Hopcroft at 2003-11-29 00:00:32
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Here are some of the shoujo mecha series that inspired Seraphim guard to do Steel Roses:

VISION OF ESCAFLOWNE: A fortune-telling teenage girl from Earth is swept into another world, just in time for an apocalyptic war in which her visions will play vital part. In the process, she is torn between Van, prince of a shattered kingdom and controller of the powerful mecha escaflowne, and Allen, a dashing, chivalours and very handsome nobleman from a rival kingdom, who are forced to become allies to prevent their world from being destroyed.

MAGIC KNIGHT RAYEARTH: CLAMP's masterpiece about three girls from Tokyo transported to a fantasy world -- which they must save by rescuing its "pillar" from captivity. Along the way they gain fabulous powers, make startling discoveries about themselves, and finally get their hands on powerful "Machines" (sentient mecha of near-devine power). I haven;t seen the second series, but the first ends on one of the most unflinchingly tragic notes I've ever seen in shoujo.

SAKURA WARS: Steam-powered spirit mecha piloted by gifted women (and one extarordianry guy) defend 1920's Tokyo from a demon invasion, while maintaining the cover identies of an all-female theatrical troupe. originally a video game, this has spawned manga, an OVA series, a TV series and a theatrical film -- all of which are available on DVD. The theme song is classic just by itself.