Dated 5 April 2006: Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha
When it first started airing, I dismissed Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha as being a horrible ripoff of Cardcaptor Sakura. Yeah, it turns out I was way wrong. Both it and its sequel Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha A's are actually kinda awesome, to tell you the truth.
Nanoha.
Fate.
Fate > Nanoha.
(Fate has a cape with a giant collar AND had a terrible life. This contest was a boat race.)
Standing in circles magic? Check. People shouting out the names of their attacks before unleashing them? Check. Battle costumes? Check. MAGIKAL GIRLS KICKING THE SHIT OUT OF EACH OTHER? Checkmate.
In other news, both Shakugan no Shana and the end of Mai-Otome were also great.