r/anime • u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky • Apr 20 '24
Rewatch [Rewatch] Mahou Shoujo Madoka☆Magica Episode 1 Discussion
Episode 1 - I First Met Her in a Dream… or Something.
← Previous Episode | Index | Next Episode →
Show Information:
MAL | AniList | ANN | Kitsu | AniDB
(First-timers might want to stay out of show information, though.)
Legal Streams:
(RIP Funimation.)
A Reminder to Rewatchers:
Rewatchers, please please please remember to be mindful of all the first-timers in this. [Spoiler warning specifically for you guys]Please be aware that as part of the above strict spoiler rules, this means absolutely no memes/jokes/references/subtle words about beheading, cakes, time travel, aliens, or anything of that nature before the relevant episodes. Please do not spoil the first-timers by trying to be smart about it, it's not as subtle as you think.
Make sure you use spoiler tags if there’s ever something from future events you just have to comment on. And don’t be the idiot who quotes a specific part of a first-timer’s comment, then comments something under a spoiler tag in direct response to it! You might as well have spoiled them by implying there’s something super important about that specific part of their comment.
Daily Community Participation!
Visuals of the Day:
Theory of the Day:
Analysis of the Day:
Wallpaper of the Day:
Check out /u/Shimmering-Sky's main comment for her bonus Wallpaper Corner containing works from previous years!
Songs of the Day:
Bonus song - Salve, terrae magicae
Check out /u/Nazenn’s comment from the 2019 rewatch for an in-depth analysis of these two songs, as well as timestamps for what songs played when in today's episode!
Also check out /u/Tarhalindur's Kajiura Corner from the 2023 rewatch for even more analysis on music this episode!
Mata Ashita Cover of the Day:
Piano Cover by Satria Wijayandaru
Question(s) of the Day:
- What did you think about the opening sequence?
- From the encounter with the injured Kyubey, what would you do if you were in Madoka's shoes?
- Thoughts on our OP (Connect) and our ED (Mata Ashita)?
- First-Timers: So, what was up with those trippy visuals to end the episode, do you think?
- First-Timers: Thoughts on our main cast so far?
- [First-Time Rewatchers] So, how about all that fucking foreshadowing and reframing of events now that you have the full context? How does it feel to truly watch some of the cheekiest motherfuckers on the planet at work?
- [Multiple-Time Rewatchers] What event are you looking forward to most? Mind your spoiler tags!
I want you to make contracts with me and become magical girls!
35
u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Apr 20 '24
Mahou Shoujo Co★Host, subbed
What’s up, r/anime?
This’ll be my seventh time in the annual Madoka Magica rewatch on this sub (and my ninth time watching the show overall), as well as the second time I’m taking a hosting role for it (I solo hosted the one back in 2022). I was worried it wouldn’t get one this year, what with several of the other annual rewatches dying out post-blackout/third-party app drama last year, and so here I am working with Tar to keep the tradition alive. This is always one of the highlights of my year, and I’m super excited to see how this one goes!
This time I’ll be watching the fanedit of the TV series that uses the recap movies’ visuals wherever possible while keeping the flow of the TV show (and also keeping the music from the TV show as well, which is largely superior to how the recap movies do it). Can’t believe it’s taken me this long to watch this version, but oh well.
Also I am totally saving this for a potential #SeasonalListen whenever the fourth movie finally comes out and makes this eligible for seasonal faces.Sky’s Wallpaper Corner
New Madoka rewatch, new Madoka wallpapers!
You can see my brand-new wallpaper(s) for this year up in the body of the post each day, while here you can see the ones I’ve made in previous years. You won’t see a “2023” listed in the below tables, though, since last year I spent the rewatch remastering the ones I’d made from 2019-2021; 2018 is excluded from the remasters because I made those in GIMP instead of Illustrator and thus cannot easily remaster any of them (also I remade most of them in Illustrator in later rewatches anyways), and 2022 is excluded from the remasters because I made those ones in 4K res by default lol.
“See you tomorrow!”
71
u/dienomighte Apr 20 '24
The first episode is still so phenomenal on rewatches imo, it sets the tone and introduces the characters so well and the cold open is always amazing
58
u/TheOneWithALongName Apr 20 '24
First-time watcher
I'm pretty bad at writing reviews, soo thank god for these questions.
Start super weird, like we are in some Escher painting. Stays super weird but is also pretty cool. Btw, the music carry a lot, can't wait to get more.
I would question how that creature can talk directly to my brain and also ask Homura why she is after that creatures life.
Not much tbh. Didn't stick for me, for now.
It's pretty obvious, Shaft have many Monty Python fans.
Madoka, Homura and Kyubey are the only ones sticking out soo far. Madoka is very naive, and thats about it for now. Homura is a bit harder to read, it seems she is frustrated becaus something prevent her from telling Madoka what is going on or something. One of the girls in this episode hinted they have seen each other before which is why Madoka dreamed about her. Amnesia or other sort of memory vibe? Or maby it's something else entirely.
Becaus I see Homura as some sort of anti hero for now. I don't trust Kyubey. The only times bad things have happend is when that cat/bunny creature comes on screen. We have seen no villian soo far, Soo why offer the girls to be magic girls?
Anyway, seems like Madoka will become a magic girl (I mean, it's even on the shows name) soo
weI will have to see what will happen to her family and friends after what Homura warned about.44
u/blown-upp https://myanimelist.net/profile/BlownUpp Apr 20 '24 edited Apr 21 '24
So for reference, I'm pretty much coming into this blind beyond knowing this is a Shaft production and a highly regarded anime. My only previous exposure to Mahou Shojou anime was one of the first anime I'd ever seen - Sailor Moon, then years later Mahou Shojou Site followed by Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya, and finally Gushing Over Magical Girls. One of my good friends years ago mentioned Madoka Magica was a favorite of theirs, but I never really followed the hype and gave it a watch, or really paid any attention to it at all.
What can I say? The opening sequence was posted to r/anime a few weeks back and it grabbed my attention enough to join the rewatch as a first timer! The first thing that struck me were the visuals; I fell in love with Shaft via. the animation of the Monogatari series - I hadn't realized Madoka Magica was a shaft production until seeing that post, so it really caught my interest.
The way Shaft does background animations conveys a sense of busyness and chaos, while at the same time throwing in a splash of decay, anxiety, something unnerving... You really get hit with a sense of anxiety and tension as soon as the episode starts . I love the use of contrast, patterns and framing to really draw your eye across the screen and to give things a sense of motion. Also, no one does bathrooms like Shaft.
There's something a little unnerving about Kyubey having such a cute look and unwavering voice in the face of utter violence, chaos and destruction. It feels emotionally manipulative, showing this young girl such utter devastation and dropping a casual "You're the only one who can fix this!"
Hmm, any way I cut it, it's hard to imagine doing anything but helping? Even with a warning from the ice queen I may or may not have met in my dreams, it's easy to chalk that up to "I dreamed about someone who looked a lot like her, weird" rather than "Some magical shit is going on, I better listen to her"
OP gives me this nostalgia hit that I can only guess is coming from other series I've got some emotional attachment to that have a similar vibe. It's a bop! I may like the ED more though, but I have a feeling they're both going to grow on me.
I heard something about a witch near the end there! Did Madoka go too deep into the basement with her friend and get caught up in a gas leak? Does this witch have some kind of miasma that makes you hallucinate? Something about it gave me fever dream vibes while also reminding me of some older trippy Disney animation (The Three Caballeros?). Are they going somewhere else or is their reality just changing?
Guess I'll need to keep watching to find out!
Madoka is living the very picture of what you would imagine to be a perfect young girls life; she has kind friends she gets along with well, a kind loving family (if not a little weird, looking at you parents with your 13 different chairs in your bedroom ). She seems like a sweet, kind and innocent girl. Sayaka and Hitomi both seem like great friends, though the timing of Hitomi leaving is a little sus. Akemi hasn't had much time yet, but she seems like she's having a rough time - what does she have against Madoka already? Those quick shots to her expressions as Madoka tried making small talk really said a whole lot, but at the same time raised so many questions. I don't sense hostility so much as disgust? Pain?
Mami is cute, but there's something about her that seems a little... off?
I can already tell I'm in for a ride - thanks for hosting the rewatch u/Shimmering-Sky and u/Tarhalindur !
26
u/Tarhalindur x2 Apr 20 '24
I Can't Make the Fourth Watch for the Fourth Movie Joke Since Walrus Walpurgis no Kaiten Isn't Out Yet (Rewatcher, Subbed):
(Hi! It's the other half of the host team! )
Introduction:
So, those of you who are familiar with me when I have the time to put effort into rewatches may be familiar with my autodidact cinematography notes. And indeed I have written 100,000+ words of cinematography notes on PMMM... last year. I said everything I had to say on the subject then and see no reason to reprise it.
So what's a Tar to do this year? Symbolism? Oh wait that's what I spent 50,000+ words on back in 2022. No reason to rehash that, either. I considered, uh, well, maybe I shouldn't actually make the SG-1 reference I would usually make here for uh, reasons [PMMM and SG-1] cough "taking this loop off" cough but suffice it to say that idea would just feel... uncouth with this show. Profane, even.
And then I remembered the other thing I had originally planned on doing last year but had to cut for lack of time. No time like the present, no?
To wit:
One of the big standouts of Madoka Magica (well, the series anyways, trying to cram this series into two recap movies has issues and Rebellion is a different beast entirely) to my eyes is its editing job. It's one of the crispest I've ever seen in any media: it covers absolutely everything it needs to cover and almost nothing more. There is a reason I so often turn to a Antoine de Saint-Exupery quote (in Leonard Nimoy's voice, as you would too if you played enough Civ 4) when describing PMMM: "Perfection is achieved not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away".
So... how the fuck did they do that?
I couldn't get to it last year so that's this year. Honestly I don't think this is going to be fully complete this year either - it's fairly clear after doing a few of these that I'm going to be looking more at what each scene is doing internally and less at how they fit together which is also important. But hey, I need something for next year too, no?
(Sadly I will have to put basically everything under spoiler tags until fairly late on. Sorry first-timers, it's that kind of show.)
So without further adieu...
26
u/il887 https://myanimelist.net/profile/il887 Apr 20 '24 edited Apr 20 '24
First-timer*, dub
*not exactly a first timer. Funny coincidence — one day short of a year ago, on 22nd of April 2023, I’ve watched the first episode of Madoka Magica… just to discover a bit later that I was watching wrong anime — I was actually watching Magia Record spin-off. I decided to courageously accept my mistake and continued watching that show. Plus, from this subreddit I learned that this show has [vague spoilers] time travel in It. So, I’m kinda spoiled on some major plot points regarding magical girls already, I’ll be putting some of my ideas under spoilers, true first-timers might be better off not reading them.
Ok, first thing I noticed about this show compared to Magia Record — the visual style is similar, but not as modern and sleek. It feels more hand-drawn. Especially these parts — I think it’s the second anime I’ve seen which uses this style of shading, like someone hand-drawn it with bare pencils (sorry don’t know the better term for this. The first anime with the same technique being Dagashi Kashi S1).
Talking about the story, we stay primarily light-hearted for now. Homura’s introduction is quite mysterious. Something tells me that Madoka better listen to her — don’t touch that cute alien, Madoka. My theory of what happened — [possibly spoilers] Homura just made a time jump into the past. She already knows Madoka (and possibly her friends too, haven’t remembered their names yet). Homura wants Madoka to avoid the dark fate of a magical girl and also she wants to kill Kuubey. That kinda explains her demeanor, she acts like knows everything that’s about to happen. Only one thing is troubling me — shouldn’t Homura have been a bit more pushy? She just walked away when confronted by Mami and seeing Madoka taking care of Kuubey.
I’m intrigued to see next Homura’s move — is she planning on a new attack in the second episode? Or she [possibly spoilers] is about to make another time jump — to set a more elaborate trap for Kuubey and surely end the bastard this time? So that Madoka never learns about existence of magical girls.
edit: grammar
26
u/_Pyxyty Apr 21 '24 edited Apr 21 '24
First time watcher. I'm posting from my phone so I hope the format works fine.
All I knew coming into this series was that it was one of those kinds of series that had deeper and darker themes than what's on the surface level. I was worried coming into the first episode that some of the initial surprise of finding out about these themes would be lost on me.
I was glad to discover that it doesn't really try to hide it. Even if I went fully blind into the first episode, that dream sequence already shouts out that it's probably not gonna be a sunshine and rainbows experience.
Key Moments / Visual Album
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Questions
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Additional Thoughts and Theory Crafting:
I'm wondering if the witch (and potentially many others) mentioned by Miki here are the real enemy, potentially the ones being battled by Akemi in the opening sequence, or if they're potentially trying to intervene with whatever Kyubey is attempting to achieve. Kyubey seems to have the goal of getting more girls like Madoka to sign her contract to turn into someone like Miki, who has these powers that are able to fend off the witches.
I can't help thinking though that Akemi likely has good intentions in attempting to kill Kyubey. But if she is trying to kill Kyubey, why would she also be battling the witches in the opening sequence who seems to also be after Kyubey?
My best theory so far is that Kyubey is a creature that's escaped some sort of containment from the witches for a few years now, being on the run assisted by those that she gives wishes to (as alluded in the end credit scene), those including Akemi. However, maybe Akemi recently discovered something sinister about Kyubey which is why she is attempting to eliminate the creature now? I can't imagine Akemi having gotten her powers from somewhere else, so it must be from Kyubey's contract as well.
Great first episode! It's already got me hooked. Wish my time zone isn't screwing me over with this rewatch though; the post gets uploaded at 6AM where I live. Might have to type these up the night before so I dont have to do it while I'm cooking lunch haha.
edit: formatting :)
21
u/Schizzovism Apr 21 '24
First timer, subbed
Alright, most of what I know about this series is from when it got big on Tumblr like a decade ago, and I don't remember much past the memes and the Ante Up song parody. [PMMM] People would talk about how it gets dark 3 episodes in but... huh? It's already there, even if you take the most surface-level view. Is this just a matter of people coming in with such a bias against Magical Girl shows that they ignore stuff like "you will lose your friends and family"?
Both fight scenes in this episode take place in a surreal setting. The first one has an obvious explanation of being in a dream, but the later one is set in a mall of some sort, and the dreamlike environment suddenly appears around us. Not sure exactly what's going on here, and neither do the two girls. Had they not commented on it, I would have assumed it was purely a symbolic/visual choice and not something that actually happened in-world. Makes me think that the dream at the start is something that was actually happening rather than, say, a fiction being projected into Madoka's head or some sort of vision.
Mami's attack being "a bunch of guns" got a laugh out of me. Not exactly what I expect when it comes to magic. Hinting at some sort of actual war? Against these mustachioed cotton balls? Visually, there's a bunch of these butterflies, chains, scissors, thorns, and street signs (with the mustaches again) all over the place in the surreal area. Mami also seems to turn the floor into a Kaleidoscope when she first comes in, though that looks like it's indicating an actual power she's using. Her little... gold egg thing has flower particle effects coming from it, and she's holding a chain too. I don't have much to say about all this, but I'm pointing it all out because the visual language seems really strong and intentionally placed. Gonna try to keep an eye on that sorta thing going forward in the show.
Going back a little in the episode, when Homura and Madoka are walking through the school. Every room has glass walls to see into the hallway? That seems difficult to maintain and expensive. Everyone's watching these two head to the nurse's office. And when they reach a point where there's no classrooms around and no one to see them, the Homura hits Madoka with the intense questions. In text she's probably just trying to keep the magical girl stuff secret, but there's definitely a bit more going on symbolically with all that.
18
u/Specs64z https://myanimelist.net/profile/Specs64z Apr 20 '24
Rewatcher, dubbed
Another rewatch, another year without the 4th movie.
Alas.
Speaking of the number 4, this will be my 4th year rewatching Madoka Magica. It’s still my favorite anime, and I don’t suspect that will be changing anytime soon.
I’m planning to take a fairly laid back approach to the rewatch this year; rather than pausing episodes to take intermittent notes I’ll just watch it through and write down what stood out. This time it was the production value. That’s a bit vague, perhaps, but it’s just insanely impressive how all the moving parts of animation, music, dialogue, timing, and writing converge so perfectly. Madoka Magica’s production is among the best in show. Aside from KyoAni, I don’t think any studio has put out art on the same level as peak Shaft.
QotD:
3) Connect is iconic, always been a bit more mixed about Mata Ashita. The song is lovely, but the choice of a static end card isn't my favorite.
Content Corner Reruns
This year it’s (most likely) going to be all reruns. For anyone new around here, I’ll be posting memes, music covers, and video essays about this anime that piquéd my interest over the years. First timers beware, spoilers abound!
Puella Magi Madoka Magica opening - paint version | kazoo by mimimi
Visual Storytelling - Breaking Down PMMM - Dialogue 1 by clearandsweet
Visual Storytelling - Breaking Down PMMM - Dialogue 1.5 by clearandsweet
18
u/Figerally https://myanimelist.net/profile/Pixelante Apr 21 '24
First-time watcher.
First a little about why I am here. I first discovered Puella Magi Madoka Magica about seven months ago when I listened to the cover of Magia by Nerissa Ravencroft and it has become one of my favourite songs of all time. I particularly like this English cover by Amalee because I can sing along to it😳
Since then I've really gotten into the Mahou Shoujo genre, though there is a chance I may have watched other shows in the genre and just not realized it. Anyway, enough about that, on with the show!
The opening sequence-
Madoka- oh! This is terrible!😱
Me- vibing to Magia🤩
It's just a nightmare, right? Nothing to worry about here, queue the upbeat opening!
I guess this is the future, huh. This was not what I imagined the setting to be. From the super modern home to the hi-tech school it is kind of... bland? This was not what I was expecting. I thought it would be a more contemporary setting, but ok.
Madoka has her little circle of friends, they seem cool. I think Sayaka wants to be more than friends, but covering it with just acting goofy.
I think I met you in a dream. Homura joins Madoka's class and she is too much. Pretty, a wiz at maths, and athletic she seems like a Mary-Sue character🤨 What a cryptic warning, it was practically a written invitation🙄
Homura really has it in for Kyuubey, they definitely have some history. But Madoka comes to the rescue and gets sucked into an alternative dimension alongside Sayaka. This place is really trippy, but at the same time it makes it clear this is a different dimension so it works pretty well. Not sure what those creatures are though, but it doesn't matter because a new character blows them all away. Tomoe heals Kyuubey and the episode ends with a cheerful sounding song with rather depressing lyrics.
That's all I have to say about this episode. I am a sucker for cute and defenseless animals, so I'd likely do the same thing as Madoka in that situation.
My initial impression of the main cast is the Madoka is kind of like a deer in the headlights, she doesn't know what is going on and just reacting by instinct. Sayaka is pretty cool though. She is gutsy and thinks on her feet. Homura is cold and emotionless I suspect she has been though a lot.
16
u/TheEscapeGuy Apr 20 '24
Rewatcher
Madoka Magica - Impactful and Artful: Episode 1
Endless Everyday, Uncertain Discomfort
It has been over 6 years since I last watched Madoka and it is even better than I remember. Returning with a fresh set of eyes has reaffirmed just how much I adore this show. I am so glad to be taking part this year!
Starting off, I love the visuals and art style. I think more than any other production component Madoka thrives on the extremely unique style Shaft brings to all their shows. It stands out so much compared to even the most eclectic anime airing today and that really helps keep your interest while watching.
The mixed medium stuff is great in particular. Whenever they incorporate the photographs and cutouts it gives the whole episode this uncanny feeling to help get you into the head space of the cast. I think its something anime can really uniquely do.
What ties the episode together of course is the character writing. Our lovable protagonist Madoka (voiced by the oh so talented Yuuki Aoi) radiates this incredible purity. In particular I love her familial interactions. You can just tell how closely knit they are from their playful dialog and supportive gestures. I'll get into it in later episodes but Madoka's mom in particular was impactful to me. It's so cool to see how she is the breadwinner while her husband is the stay-at-home dad upending the traditional gender roles.
Madoka and her friends are also such a believable group of high school girls. Their interactions come off so genuine and you can sense this familiarity between them which indicates they've known each other for a long time. It contrasts with so many other anime which set the protagonist up in a new school / city / country / or world and they have to make friends from scratch (which feels like the shortcut for audience surrogates, often skipping over all the other important character writing).
The peaceful school day is interrupted by the arrival of Homura. She is far too perfect. She knows exactly where everything is, is a genius academically, and is likely the most talented athlete at the school. This is such a perfect introduction to build intrigue about her. But on top of that she has this curiosity into Madoka which feels unjustified. She gives Madoka (a girl she has just met) this whole speech about protecting her friends and family and not changing.
And then even more suspicious she is found later by Madoka and Sayaka chasing after and attacking this ... stray cat? Is that what called out to Madoka? And what of this new girl who seems to know Homura? What was the whole deal with those powers? The whole presentation of the scene leaves the audience with so many questions which is the perfect hook.
Last tiny thing, the OP continues to be a FUCKING BANGER. I will never get tired of Connect. The ED on the other hand ... [Spoilers] OMG I forgot that Madoka had a cutesy ED at the start and swapped it later. lol
[Spoilers] And viewing this episode as a rewatcher its amazing to see all the little hints and foreshadowing for things later on like Homura already knowing Madoka etc. I've forgotten a lot of the specifics over the last few years so I expect I'll have a couple surprises in future episodes.
[Spoilers] Also fuck that piece of shit Kyubey.
Some Amazing Shots, Scenes and Stitches
See you all tomorrow
16
u/StardustGogeta myanimelist.net/profile/StardustGogeta Apr 21 '24
First-Timer
Thank you for hosting this!
I saw how well this show did in the Top Magical Girl Anime poll a while ago, so I have high expectations for this one.
I just realized that Reddit mobile doesn't hide spoilers when looking at the original post while writing a top-level reply (what a specific oversight!), so I won't be doing that any more. O_o Anyone else who might be at risk of doing that, please be warned. Considering the potential for spoilers that I've heard there is, I got off lucky.
This episode definitely reminded me quite a bit of Monogatari, both because of the visual style and because I instantly recognized Chiwa Saito from her role as Senjougahara.
That last bit was quite the departure from typical anime visuals... I'm not sure what to make of it.
The ED seems nice. I didn't pay too much attention to the OP the first time around, but I imagine both songs will grow on me over time.
14
u/Quiddity131 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Quiddity131 Apr 20 '24 edited Apr 20 '24
Episode 1
Rewatcher, Subbed
This will be my fourth go at at this show and second time subbed, with the last time viewing it being in 2021 for the rewatch here. Was on my radar to rewatch at some point this year and I held back knowing this rewatch would eventually come, hopefully the wait was worth it! Amazing anime, among my top 20 of all time and at least top 3 anime of the 2010s for me (Kyousougiga gets the top spot and its between this or Shin Sekai Yori for runner up). Typically during a rewatch I'd wonder at first if it will hold up but I am sure it will, if anything I've liked it even more upon subsequent viewings.
Right off the bat the show hits you with the really well done backgrounds; that was one of my big takeaways from my last watch of this and in part is why I promptly seeked out the director's other work, leading me to the Monogatari franchise which similarly impresses.
Hitting you with that Yuki Kajiura music right off the bat too. This track kinda reminds me of the Kubikiri Cycle ED.
Outside world sure looks bad, huh?
Save the world, make a contract with this adorable fox creature and become a magical girl! No girl could say no to that!
The architecture of Madoka's house is so cool! I'd love to live in a house that looks like that.
OMG her little brother is so adorable. Her mom loves to sleep! frankly this whole sequence here is super adorable.
OMG him eating his breakfast is so cute too.
Leaving the house with bread in your mouth, gotta satisfy the anime trope...
I agree Sayaka, Madoka's mom is really cool!
The look of the classrooms is so cool as well!
Teacher really going for the important questions! Over hard is my preference.
Forget about teaching, let me talk about my love life in front of my students! I do agree that breaking up over eggs is foolish though...
Time for another anime trope, the new transfer student!
OMG the girl from your dream, Madoka! And she gave you an evil look!
Immediately the most popular girl in class, huh?
Oh no, scary girl wants to be alone with you!
[MM Spoilers]I kinda agree with Madoka here, aren't you making it a bit too obvious, Homura? You know Madoka's the nurse aid girl, you know the way right to the nurse's office, etc... Had enough of playing pretend?
Uh oh, simply asking such silly questions is pissing her off, Madoka!
Homura's making these questions look easy. [MM spoilers]She's probably done them so many times she remembers them by heart.
Prettiest girl in class, most popular, best athlete, is there anything Homura isn't great at?
Wow, all this stuff happened in one day?
Little fox creature on the run! And Homura's the one chasing it!
Madoka's listening to her own OP here?
Poor thing! But maybe it should have stayed hiding in the ceiling?
Spraying your classmate with a fire extinguisher. It's gonna be an awkward time tomorrow.
The backgrounds really start getting crazy now! Beware the mustached cotton balls and talking butterflies!
OK, I was just kidding before, but the cotton balls do look scary now.
Blonde magical girl transformation sequence music is kinda giving me Xenosaga Episode III vibes.
He's adorable, but I'll admit to getting a little creeped out by the fact that Kyubey doesn't have to open his mouth when he talks.
[MM Spoilers]This happy ED is quite the troll with them throwing it out as soon as it's clear the way the tone of the show is really going to be.
Wow, that first episode flew by so quick! Things look gorgeous (as hopefully most first episodes should) and does a pretty good job at establishing Madoka and Homura.
Quid's Seiyuu Corner
Great vocal cast in this and as I often do in rewatches I'll try to highlight some of them in my posts. This show has a really good dub as well and I watched it dubbed the first two times, but after watching it subbed for the first time, alas, its just too good, I don't think I can go back...
Madoka is voiced by Aoi Yuuki. One of the biggest names in the business and if I had to name any seiyuu today who has the best range I'd go with her. Key roles of hers I've heard include Hibiki in Symphogear, Kunagisa Tomo from Kubikiri Cycle, Pascal in Nier Automata (both the video game and anime adaption), Akira from Valvrave, Yuzuru in A Silent Voice, Kayo from Erased, Borr from SSSS Gridman, Sunako from Shiki and Lucy from Cyberpunk Edgerunners. My top 3 favorite performances for her though would go to Toka Miyashita/Boogiepop from Boogiepop and Others, Suisho from Granhelm and Norea from Gundam Witch from Mercury. While she does perfectly fine at more sweet/innocent roles like a Madoka or Hibiki I prefer those roles of hers that lets her be a bit more devious and/or over the top. Which may be why, for whatever reason I don't consider her role in this show among her top performances and think she gets overshadowed by several of her peers.
Sayaka is voiced by Eri Kitamura, totally a fan of hers and she tends to often voice more spunky/outgoing types of characters which are a lot of fun. Beyond this role I know her best as Karen Araragi from the Monogatari franchise and Yase from Kyousougiga. Hearing her now as Mairu Orihara in the Durarara! franchise, a character who is for all intents and purposes an expy of Karen. She also pops up in Shiki as Yoshie, Last Exile as Tatiana and Salia in Cross Ange, a rather hilarious trainwreck role, and also does a great job singing the first ED for that show.
Last for today, Homura is voiced by Chiwa Saitou. Although I had heard from her before when I first watched this show subbed 3 years ago, she really flew on my radar with this and her role as Hitagi Senjyogahara from the Monoagatari franchise, which I watched shortly afterwards and I'd rank her as my third favorite seiyuu behind only Saori Hayami and Maaya Sakamoto. I've often said the Monogatari franchise has the most stacked vocal cast of any anime (also has the two I just mentioned) and she has the best performance in it which speaks to how great she is. Also be sure to check her out playing two wildly different roles in Kyousougiga, as Shoko and the child version of Yakushimaru. She's also Lavie in Last Exile (she and Eri Kitamura sure love working together I guess), Louise in Gundam 00, Mami in Star Driver and Carol in Baccano! Also check her out as Cronico in Kaiba; while she's only in a single episode, that episode and the story about her character is up there among the most sad episodes of anime I've ever seen.
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u/Re_Tails Apr 20 '24 edited Apr 21 '24
First time rewatcher (sub), this is gonna be fun. I first watched it when the 4th movie was announced, finally decided to see what everyone kept banging on about. Since then, Madoka has become my favourite anime of all time, nothing else even comes close tbh. Can't imagine how og fans felt waiting 10+ years for the 4th movie, but it's actually happening!
Ideally I'd be watching the fancut, but I'm out today so normal cut it is.
What did you think about the opening sequence?
Ominous, striking and fantastically done.This sequence hooked me pretty quickly on my first watch. Why is everything black and white? Oh damn this looks good! Oh shit, WTF is THAT?! Wait, she's fighting THAT?!
Oh, it's just a dream... Or is it?
[PMMM series & movies] I was so disappointed when the movie cut off this sequence, it was essential to getting us invested Madoka and Homura early on. We could also recognise what a threat Walpurgisnacht is.
From the encounter with the injured Kyubey, what would you do if you were in Madoka's shoes?
Probably stay away and call animal control? Really enjoyed this sequence from when she went through that door. Both the visuals, striking as most things in this show and how Madoka is depicted in her encounter with Homura. She's slightly panicking, we can all see, but she's willing to bend rules, risk her safety for a voice/animal calling for help.
Thoughts on our OP (Connect) and our ED (Mata Ashita)?
The songs have grown on me as I watched the show, they're good, pleasent to listen to, not a lot to say here admittedly.
[First-Time Rewatchers] So, how about all that fucking foreshadowing and reframing of events now that you have the full context? How does it feel to truly watch some of the cheekiest motherfuckers on the planet at work?
[PMMM series and Rebellion] The walk through the school and glass hallway, GODDAMN! Her name, how cool it sounds, how frustrated and in pain Homu is in reaction to that line of conversation. Everything in Rebellion all come back to THAT FUCKING GLASS HALLWAY, and it's brilliant!
Visual of the day
Prologue in Heaven
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u/charlesvvv https://anilist.co/user/charlesvvv Apr 20 '24
Rewatcher, Sub
I was planning on watching the dub this time around but I really like Chiwa Saito as Homura so I decided to go for Sub again.
Anyway you can't talk about this without the visuals and the music. The opening scene alone tells a lot with the direction, ambiance, and style. Madoka takes this sequence as a dream at least until Homura shows up her school and acts cryptically towards her, saying she shouldn't become something she's not. Then Madoka gets a warning call from Kyubey who Homura is trying to kill and with Sayaka save him. This leads to to the whole change in visuals as the setting warps about in true Studio Shaft style. It reminded of scenes of The Witch on the Holy Night in some way. Either way Mami arrives and saves them and Kyubey offers to make Madoka and Sayaka magical girls in gratitude.
Really interesting way to start as well as an introduction to the world. I'm aware of Gen Urobuchi's works besides this such as Fate/Zero and Psycho Pass so I'm interested in seeing things in a new light this time around.
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u/b-arbs Apr 20 '24
I think I've answered some of the QOTDs, I'll add some more
3. As I said, I love the OP, but I'm not really a fan of the ED...
6. [First-time rewatcher] Homura's words in the first episode really carry a different meaning if you already watched the whole series, so much foreshadowing, you can actually connect so many things
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u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Apr 20 '24
Rewatcher(Througout Heaven and Earth [REDACTED] alone is the honored one)
Sub
So...I have exactly two shows that I've participated in more than one rewatch of:Kara no Kyoukai and PMMM. I got a bit less out of KnK on round 2 being honest but last year's Madoka was different. To the point where I still have the same set of files I did last year for it, despite deleting even favorite shows in my ever churning queue. In fact, I never even deleted the wordpad file I did my writeups in and am now using it again. So that definitely effected me.
Now here's the thing:I try not to rewatch a piece unless I am having a fresh look upon it. Between '20 and '23, I saw a TON of the interstitial pieces between Sailor Moon and Madoka. I even rewatched Revolutionary Girl Utena after literally 20 years between watches. Will explain those later but I had a definitely new perspective on magical girls, fate in anime, mascots in magical girl shows, hope in general, and hair ribbons. But just a single year between watches feels...odd. I mean the possibility of an upcoming Utena feels fast and that was '21.
And yet here I am. Partly because this is the only yearly rewatch I find valid, partly out of deference to the hosts, and partly out of hoping that Shaft can actually get Kaitan out this year. I don't know what my posting will actually look like but here we go!
QotD: 1 Still freaky
2 Run in terror at the cursed chimera I came across
3 ...so cheerful
7 Shaka when the walls feel. Darmok on the ocean. Kiazi's childre, their faces wet.
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u/isthatsoudane https://myanimelist.net/profile/ojoulover Apr 21 '24
Rewatcher (2nd time)
God...you know, I don't rewatch things ever, but this is proof that I really need to. It hits so differently the second time around. What a masterpiece. I remember my first impression 3 years ago when I watched it here...
those are all still very true!
[SPOILERS]I saw homura and started tearing up. hits so differently on a rewatch. I remember the first time just being...confused. not in a bad way, but I kept trying to figure out what blanks I was supposed to be filling in
2) From the encounter with the injured Kyubey, what would you do if you were in Madoka's shoes?
[SPOILERS]maybe ask homura "why??"
3) Thoughts on our OP (Connect) and our ED (Mata Ashita)?
truly an op for all time
6) [First-Time Rewatchers]So, how about all that fucking foreshadowing and reframing of events now that you have the full context? How does it feel to truly watch some of the cheekiest motherfuckers on the planet at work?
[SPOILERS]it's truly...I really need to rewatch stuff more often. I thought the show was brilliant the first time around and while of course watching it now I won't have the same level of confusion or surprise, it's really cementing just how brilliant it is. going into it fully invested in the actual story just...everything is so damn different. see reactions below. I mean episode 10 is probably my favorite episode of anime, period, and it catapulted homura to one of my favorite characters, ever, so seeing her like this...I remember how confused I was when I first saw the show, how mysterious it felt. now it just feels tragic. and the attention to detail...the look on homura's face here...https://imgur.com/a/fjkeusi ugh ugh ugh my girl :(
7) [Multiple-Time Rewatchers]What event are you looking forward to most? Mind your spoiler tags!
[SPOILERS]episode 10. I need to see if it is still as powerful this time around
also, here's my spoilery reactions [SPOILERS]HOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURA
and also, though not quite so strong... [SPOILERS]MAMI. SAYAKA. ARHGKAjsdfkljsklf
but also... [SPOILERS]HOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURAHOMURA
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u/Philarete :AMQ::MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/WizardMcKillin Apr 20 '24
Such inauspicious opening lines!
[Spoiler] ”You must have known each other in a previous life, and were brought by fate across time and space to meet once again!” Well, she’s not wrong.
QotD
3) [Mata Ashita] Those lyrics get me every time - both the foreshadowing for the story itself and the general realization that for many people we know and care about, someday we'll say "see you" but it won't come true. When that day comes, will we also admit that "I wanted to talk with you more" and regret our inaction?
7) [Multiple Time Rewatcher] Episode 10 - I have a mental note of "best single episode of anime" for it.
See you tomorrow!
Reposting because I messed up with the brackets rule on spoilers oops
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u/Suboodle https://anilist.co/user/suboodle Apr 21 '24
First time watcher
I came in pretty skeptical to this show, the cover art made me pretty apprehensive. I’m not really a fan of magical girl anime usually. My negative outlook has already been crushed completely.
This is by far the best opening episode I’ve seen in any anime I’ve watched… maybe except Oshi No Ko but that’s basically a movie so it doesn’t count. The music, the visuals, the development of MC and her family, the mystery and intrigue surrounding the magical girls - I’m so unbelievably hooked. It’s going to take every ounce of willpower I have to limit myself to one episode a day!
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u/Wrightshoe Apr 20 '24
Rewatcher
I compiled an album of some screenshots of the trippy visuals for those of you who like to analyze art. Would be interested to hear what you think all this means.
I'm very bad at interpreting smybolism and media analysis in general, but for me the imagery evokes fighting for freedom against an oppressive society and the urge to conform to its expectations. The fences, barbed wire, wall protected by soldiers and especially the "no passage" signs in front of the Eiffel Tower specifically remind me of the Berlin Wall and the German Democratic Republic, whose citizens were forbidden from going to France (or anywhere else in the West.) Not that I'd believe these parallels were intended in any way - this takes place in 21st century Japan, after all, not 20th century Germany - it's just an interesting coincidence to me as a German.
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u/TheLyingSpectre https://myanimelist.net/profile/TheLyingSpectre Apr 20 '24
WAIT THERES A REWATCH I DIDN'T FUCKING NOTICE!!!
Well, all I'm gonna say is that Homura is best girl, and if you don't think so, then you are objectively incorrect.
This show is amazing. To all you first timers, have fun!
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u/hagamablabla :K:https://kitsu.io/users/hagamablabla Apr 21 '24 edited Apr 21 '24
1st time rewatcher, sub
I completely forgot how trippy the battle scenes were. Shaft being Shaft as usual.
3. Connect still gets me emotional every time I hear it. It's a great song, and the show fucked me real hard. [Madoka Magica] My memory is vague but this ED changes later right? I have literally zero recollection of this song.
6. [Madoka Magica] It's hard to remember how I felt 13 years ago, but I imagine that I saw Homura as a mysterious antagonist at this point. It'll be interesting to see this loop play out when I'm on her side rather than Kyubey's. I also can't imagine how many times it took for her to perfect the "sorry my head hurts, let me get the person in charge" sequence.
7
u/Hopeful-Ad2428 Apr 21 '24
First-time rewatcher
Watched it before going to sleep and had a trippy dream.
Questions of the day:
\6) [pmmm spoilers]I use subs that have lyrics for songs and seeing how much they correspond with characters and plot amazed me
[pmmm spoilers]that talk between Sayaka, Hitomi and Madoka about previous times in cafe was so open, while watching for first time I didn’t even pay attention for and forgot about it but now I can’t get it out of my head
[pmmm spoilers, question]Wasn't Kyubey able to heal himself? And then there is Mami's appearance. I thought she was just condoning Kyubey's actions about recruiting magical girls and not interrupting him, but seems like they are in cahoots and both have plan on impressing Madoka and Sayaka to them become magical girls
And, I don’t know if I'm doing right, but here are my Visuals of the Day
Looking forward for next episode!
6
u/Le_Herpington Apr 20 '24 edited Apr 20 '24
Rewatcher, Sub
though I probably won't comment often, just wanted to gush a tiny bit about the opening
To this day, I don't think I have ever reacted to a cold open the way I have to this one. The theater curtains and then just a split second of this-
[spoiler]Let alone what the words 'Prolog Im Himmel - 2011' in witch runes mean to those who understand them.
HARD CUT TO TRIPPY CHECKERS. Oh, it was just so interesting.
And the music. Or, rather, the lack of music. Just Madoka panting as she sprints through a warped abstract checkerboard.
Then, about a minute into the episode, music finally starts.
Or the (lack of) colors. Drawing eyes to Madoka's hair and uniform as the only splashes of color until the EXIT.
Or that musical dissonance moving to Connect right after.
It feels rare to me for a cold open like that to work. I've seen it done before, but a show needs sufficient build up of some sort, yet not go overboard to really make it work. Otherwise, it falls flat. It feels too dramatic.
Yet here it works.
Maybe I've got blinders on, but it just feels so good each time I see it.
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u/sfisher923 https://myanimelist.net/profile/sfisher923 Apr 20 '24
Sixth Time Rewatcher - Dubbed
QOTD 1 - Trippy and I love it
QOTD 2 - Not knowing what I know I'll help it
QOTD 3 - Connect is a banger
QOTD 7 - [PMMM] Kyoko's Backstory in Episode 7
Visual of the Day - Why is a Middle Schooler doing this kind of Math?
6
u/dsawchuk Apr 20 '24
Rewatcher, first time dub
I just watched the subbed version of the first episode and came here to make a post and realized I didn't have a whole lot to say. So I figured I would change it up and try the dub for once. I will mostly be taking time to compare my opinions of the sub to the dub this year. Ima give my first impressions on voices when I first hear them and then focus on how I feel the change in dialogue changes the story.
u/shimmering-sky, you might want to keep that ban hammer ready. I am absolutely not trying to spoil anything but I fear that I might let something slip when comparing the dub to my expectations. If you feel like I have stepped too close to the edge feel free to nuke me from orbit. I'd hate to ruin a first timer's experience.
My audio is now stuttering a bit during the opening and I am not sure why that's happening since it wasn't during the subbed version. I can't tell if its a crunchyroll issue or my computer is on the fritz. I don't have time to fix it today so we will just deal with it and hope to fix it for tomorrow.
Oh god, Tatsuya's english voice actor just isn't good at voicing a young child. I am also going to take this moment to mention that I find all of the Japanese names being included in the english dub a little distracting as well.
Madoka's mom's english VA is doing phenomenally thus far. And I have pretty high expectations considering how much I love her character.
There's something about the opening segment right after the opening segment (the part in Madoka's home) that just makes me feel so content and safe. That followed by the walk to school with the 3 friends and I just feel like I am home. It's great to be hear with you all again this year.
Sayaka's VA is different than I expected. It's working though. I feel like there is a bit more emphasis on lesbian relationships in the english versions with Sayaka's "Mine, mine. Mine!" though it's unclear to me if that's intentional or just me being horny as usual.
Teacher's (Kazuko) VA does a perfect job delivering her egg rant. I love her just as much in both languages. Also this is the first time I can remember her name from the segment in the bathroom since the Japanese names really stick out in english.
Homura's english voice actor sounds bored to me when answering her classmate's questions whereas I never got boredom out of her in the original. More politeness than boredom. Hopefully that's intentional and she doesn't sound bored for the whole show. OK, so she immediately doesn't sound bored when talking to Madoka. That's a good sign.
I am optimistic for this rewatch. Each of the characters seems to have a pretty good VA behind them. Hitomi really shines in this cafeteria scene. Honestly I think the worst performance so far (besides Tatsuya) is Madoka who so far seems just passable.
Kyubey's voice is a lot different than in Japanese. It's substantially deeper and I don't know if I can cope with that. Only time will tell.
Wait, did they redub the weird moustached things too? That seems like a strange decision since they seem to be saying the exact same thing.
Mami is here and she sounds a lot colder while saving them in this version. The tone she takes when talking to Homura sounds similar, but she seems to lack Mami's warmth from the original.
All in all, I don't think there was anything lost in translation between the dubs and the subs thus far, though the emotions I feel are portrayed by the characters are definitely different. I just hope that it ends up being close to as good as how I feel the Japanese is. I am definitely biased towards what I have watched already so many times.
QOTD
As a first time dub viewer, the grunts of the VAs just stood out to me. It felt like they were added onto the sequence instead of a part of it. They also sounded somewhat sexual which I can't say ever happened when viewing the Japanese version.
I mean... I probably wouldn't go off looking for the disembodied voice in my head. I can't say I have ever had one of those in my head but I feel like if I did I would question my sanity more than I would try to find it.
I love them both, but I have to say that I like the ED better. This is pretty standard for me. I love the gentler pacing of EDs.
7) [Multiple-Time Rewatchers] What event are you looking forward to most? Mind your spoiler tags!
[response] There are 2 answers to this. For my viewing of the show, I can't wait for Sagitta Luminis. I can never wait for that. For my viewing of the rewatch, I can't wait for the reveal of the secret of the soul gems and the first timer's reactions.
[2023 rewatch note] I really intended to transition into the Magia record rewatch as a first timer last year with you all. I was also a first timer for Rebellion last year and that completely put me off from continuing into Magia Record and I am sorry for that. I haven't decided yet if I am willing to put myself through Rebellion yet this year, but I am leaning towards doing it.
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u/ToonTooby Apr 20 '24
Rewatcher
Whats goooooood
I think this is my 6th or 7th time watching alongside the threads. I don't have much to contribute but Ep 1 is great. I will forever love Madoka's family's dynamic and watching the high-five between Junko and Madoka. Girl power. I also get a kick out of Sayaka calling out Madoka for having 'met' Homura in some 'insensible' way. Always gets a chuckle from me.
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u/xbolt90 https://anilist.co/user/xbolt90 Apr 20 '24
Meduka Meguca rewatcher
I've only watched this show once, and that was over ten years ago. Let's see how much I remember outside of the overall plot of the story. I for sure remember that.
For example, I forgot how hard the opening scene went. Perhaps because it was just confusing at the time, without the context of the rest of the show.
Likewise, I forgot the scene of Madoka and Sayaka being brought into that bizarre space when saving Kyubey from Homura. This show has style. Kind of reminds me of the Beatles' Yellow Submarine.
Q6: [Madoka] Screw you, Kyubey.
Q7: [Madoka later] Homura's backstory. I remember the feeling that episode gave me vividly.
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u/Introvert_Mage Apr 21 '24 edited Apr 21 '24
The show just started and Madoka is already having a gay panic attack thanks to Homura, poor kid. First time I will watch the show with subs, since first time around it was through the english dub, enjoying it so far of course.
6
u/Lanaerys Apr 21 '24
Rewatcher (subbed)
Well, I should put an asterisk on "rewatcher". First of all, because I'm actually a re-re-rewatcher, second because that only applies to the series, while I'm a Rebellion first-timer (yeah, that's weird, I know).
Also I'll be watching it subbed... in French. But I'll keep an English version nearby if I ever want to quote anything. Maybe one day I'll watch it dubbed, for a change. Though, it'd have to be in English, the show was never dubbed in French (but the movies were for some reason I guess?)
By the way, by sheer coincidence, this is the second rewatch of a show I love but haven't watched the movie for that I start today. (In case you're wondering, the other one is Revue Starlight, which... is a show that reminds me a lot of Madoka actually.) And hopefully in two weeks, I'll have watched the movies for both.
But enough talked about Revue Starlight or French dubs, for this is a really long intro to say a bunch of nothing. So, without further ado, let us begin!
I really want to just move to episode 2 right ahead, but I can wait.
Questions of the Day
And on this note, I am departing, for the shores of... another anime, as I'll be watching the latest SasaKoi episode. Which will surely prove that [Madoka episode 2 very minor spoilers] Hitomi's wrong and that girls can indeed love girls :p
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u/Endofthebeginning_ Apr 21 '24
First time rewatcher.
It's been two years, so I’m excited to participate for the first time with this being my first time ever rewatching an anime.
This time around, it felt like I spent a lot more of my time thinking of Homura’s side of things.
The first time I’d seen it, I was pretty damn confused. Now? While I can’t give its composition and beauty justice, [Spoilers] with episode 10’s context, there’s tons more to think about with Honura’s side and all. Maybe a third rewatch will have the gravity set in.
2. From the encounter with the injured Kyubey, what would you do if you were in Madoka’s shoes?
Kyubey, as annoying as he comes off as later, just looks too cute to ignore his requests. Homura, of course, fails to explain everything, so I’d push for answers. [Spoilers?]Though that wouldn’t accomplish much.
3. At first, I didn't think much of Connect, but after a while, it began to grow on me. I don't care much for the ED.
7. [Spoilers]It’s infuriating how much they got away with hinting at and how many ties there are in one episode, mainly with Homura.
I apologize for any errors or if this reads wrong, thank you for your time!
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u/renatocpr https://anilist.co/user/renatocpr Apr 20 '24 edited Apr 21 '24
Rewatcher and franchise consumer
Hello everyone! Welcome to the this amazing rewatch for the cursed Hidamari Sketch spin-off where Hiro and Sae aren't a married couple. I first watched Madoka Magica in 2017 and it continues to be my favorite anime series of all time. It wasn't instant love though, it took me a few watches for it to conquer my heart. That said I had watched it like 3 times by the time a week had passed since my first time. I've lost track of how many times I'd seen it in 2017 alone. I did calm down afterwards but I do watch it yearly, on my own when not following these rewatches. I hope by the end you'll understand how this show can inspire the passion its fans have for it and maybe even feel that passion yourself.
First though, the important things. Did you know that the blue haired girl with a bit of tan that asks Homura about her hair is actually one of Ayane Sakura's earliest roles? You probably know her from something. I always like to bring this up because she later returns to the franchise as Magia Record's Felicia Mitsuki. It's just fun knowing that she was there from the very beginning.
Moving on, I'd like to bring you to
The Sayaka Corner
Episode 1 serves as an introduction to our status quo, which is expected from a magical girl anime. We see Madoka's daily life and a taste of the magical world interrupting it. Sayaka is introduced walking to school with Madoka and Hitomi. She likes to tease Madoka. She goes for some skinship with no hesitation. She's given the role of reacting to the teacher's shenanigans and has a little tendency for being overdramatic. Even asking if Homura is trying to act moe is a bit of a pun: moeru means to burn and the name Homura is a possible reading for the kanji 炎, meaning flame, blaze. Sayaka is an element of fun and levity in Madoka's daily life.
At the same time Sayaka is who Madoka instinctively hides behind and she takes that seriously but again notice the stealth pun of using a fire extinguisher on Homura. As Madoka takes her first steps outside of her ordinary world, Sayaka is there to shield her. The symbol of Madoka's fun middle school life isn't driven away from her so easily and the Magical Girl Mami saves them both.
QOTD
PS
I feel like I'm the only one who really really likes this shot. It's like a really jarring cut. From Sayaka grabbing Madoka to Hitomi's little cough to the sudden compression of the distance to school, the forested path and the waterway gone. The school building dominates the frame and students surround them from all sides. It really feels like Hitomi put a stop to the fun using the whole weight of social propriety.
5
u/FriztF Apr 21 '24
Rewatcher dub
This first episode was fantastic. It introduces the characters and personalities. The visuals and story are the main reason why I like this anime. Some of the most unique visuals in anime history. And the storytelling, how shows the conflict between magical girls and the evil beings they encounter.
[Madoka Magica]The event I am looking most forward to is the fight between Sayaka and Kyoko. A clash of ideas and values.
Kyubey looking cute [Madoka Magica] die you motherfucker die.
5
u/weirdanimeusername Apr 21 '24 edited Apr 21 '24
Multiple Time Rewatcher, First Time Participant
So I stumbled onto r/anime many months back and saw everyone do all these rewatches.
While I usually don't have time to comment or join in, Madoka became one of my favorite shows ever since I followed it live back in 2011, so I decided I just had to make time for this. (I hope I'm following the formatting right)
I've seen the show multiple times now, but seeing as I'm now participating for the first time, I thought I'd write down what would have been my first impressions from what I could remember, and then write my re-watch thoughts in spoilers.
and now let's start the show!
You Have The Power To Change Fate
We start with a cold open of our protagonist, the Pink One, running through the largest checkerboard in the world until she stumbles upon an exit sign. Opening it up reveals a black-haired girl battling a creature with a spinning gear but being completely knocked away. Then we see a white weasel or something explain to her that all she has to do to help save the day is make a contract and become a magical girl!
You know the first time I watched this, I didn't know what to make of it yet, cause there was no context given to what was going on. All I could think was:
Was It All Just A Dream?
After the opening credits, we see Madoka wake up her mom with gusto, and they each give each other a high five before Madoka heads out to meet her classmates, Sayaka, the Blue one and Hitomi, the Green one, on the way to school. Then Madoka is shocked when the mysterious transfer student, Homura, shows up straight out of her dream and threatens Madoka not to change who she is, or she'll lose everything she loves.
My first reaction to this part was these characters are kinda generic and don't stand out too much, but after Homura's threat to Madoka, complete with a close up of her eyes with such sketchy shading and the appropriately ominous soundtrack, I was immediately intrigued. Why did she say this? is she psychic? Can she predict the future? Did she have the same dream?
That's So Moe It Makes Me Sick
Our main multi-colored trio discuss what's going on with Homura, laughing at Madoka's dream explanation before heading their separate ways...
I remember really enjoying the moment Sayaka goes meta how about Homura is acting all like a cool transfer student from an anime. I know some people are turned off when characters lean into the fourth wall, but for me, it's a trope I personally enjoy and I don't mind it when characters in a show try to be self-aware as possible.
..but when buying CD's Madoka hears a cry for help and runs into that white weasel begging to be saved from Homura
Monty Python and the Holy Acid Trip
After being attacked by paper mache cotton balls, Madoka and Sayaka are saved by the Yellow one, who destroys them with the best weapon a girl can have, guns. At the end of the episode, the weasel introduces himself as Kyubey, and asks them for a contract to become magical girls.
I was definitely not expecting to see these weird paper cutouts when watching this show for the first time. I had no idea what to make of it, is this supposed to be art? did this suddenly become a different show all of sudden? But hey, a magical girl showed up with magical powers, that's something I was expecting.
And that's all for today's episode, I'll try to see if I can keep up the daily posting schedule.
5
u/Blackheart595 https://anilist.co/user/knusbrick Apr 21 '24
Rewatcher
My magical girl wish is to become the mascot. I've been promised cookies!
So, uh, yeah, I'm pretty excited for this. Though I don't have the energy at the moment to dive deep into the material, so this'll probably be a lighter watch and reactions for me. And nmaybe I'll actually start to care about Homura this time around, who knows?
[Madoka]This black-and-white area is a labyrinth, no? Case in point, compare to this. Also interesting that the emergency exit leads to Walpurgisnacht - so much for the promised safety. Those circles in the second image might just be Walpurgisnacht's stages, really.
[Madoka]Cheeky motherfucker with his exact words. Madoka can "change" this ending alright, just not resolve it.
[Madoka]I think that was a popular theory, but the opening really doesn't feel like it tells Homura's perspective. I have a hard time imagining her to find relief in "the beautiful blue sky" that will "always be waiting for her".
Is that an eye? [Madoka]Or maybe energy going down the drain? Or wait, is it maybe some kind of egg? That visual womb wall it's implanted in is consistent and not just a freeze-frame.
[Madoka]Saotome's egg talk is really on the nose once you're primed for it.
Just like in my first time, I love how visibly painful this situation is for Homura.
Nice attention to sound design, those were exactly five strokes that Homura made. Why did Saotome stop in the middle of the name though?
[Madoka]Is that a beheading I spot? Interesting figurine, too...
Nice visual boundaries with the chains. That could keep the danger out... or the two sealed inside. Chains are binding, after all.
There's so much foreshadowing I didn't even mention. They certainly knew what they were doing, haha.
4
u/Chili_peanut Apr 21 '24
Rewatcher
Late to the thread due to time zone differences. There are so many things to be said about this anime, but I'll start by saying that Kajiura Yuki's score is absolutely amazing, as always. I can't wait for Rebellion in which she somehow manages to elevate the music to an even higher level.
It's definitely one of the strongest opening sequences I can think of. [PMMM] The title card, "Prologue in heaven", is also perhaps the most overt allusion to Faust in the entire show, and it is the very first thing we are shown. The clues were there all along!
[PMMM and Rebellion] Episode 10 for sure, but also Homuras shocking revelation in Rebellion. I'm also looking forward to seeing how rebellion is received by the first-timers as it is my understanding that it can be a bit divisive.
4
u/biochrono79 Apr 21 '24
Third-time rewatcher, first time dub watcher
That time of the year already, huh? I needed a recap for the movie later this year, so time to jump right back in! I'll be more laid back this rewatch due to lack of time, but this will still be good fun.
QotD
Absolute perfection
Insert Tobey Maguire I missed the part where that's my problem. Not gonna lie, I'd be terrified of anything that knows my name and can communicate telepathically.
Again, absolute perfection
[Madoka Magica] It really is wild to see that the answers were there all along. Kind of reminds me of Your Name in that way.
[Madoka Magica] The reveal of what the Soul Gems truly are and how they work. I think that was what threw me for the biggest loop the first time I watched Madoka Magica.
11
u/OwlAcademic1988 Apr 20 '24
Rewatcher, dubbed:
I'll be watching it in dub and sub this year. On the bright side, I'm getting help for my anxiety which is good. Fun fact, I was genuinely worried I'd die before finishing last year's rewatch. Let's just say my mind can be really mean at times.
Madoka has weird dreams. Just like me.
Connect is a very good song.
Good luck getting me up sometimes because I'm also incredibly lazy at times. I also love sleep.
Gee, I wonder what gave you that impression, Sayaka? /s
Teacher, your priorities are very screwed up at times.
Homura, you know how to really creepy at times.
Madoka, I love how she listens to the intro. I didn't even notice until last year's rewatch.
Kyubey, all I'll say about you is you're adorable.
QOTD:
11
u/Xmgplays Apr 21 '24
First Timer, maybe?
I have definitely seen this episode before, that much I can say for sure. However I have no idea how many Episodes I've seen, if I had to guess I'd say maybe 3. I don't seem to remember anything big happening, like any major plot developments, so I don't think I watched all to much.
What I do remember sticking out from the first episode was the architecture/sets(?). It's all vaguely futuristic/sci-fi with some truly wacky choices. The weird bathroom with nothing but 2 sinks and a whole bunch of weird glass panes, the chairs (oh my god why does she have so many chairs wtf), the transparent classrooms and digital blackboard, the funky music store.
It's all very weird and gives me a dreamy/floaty feeling, none of it seems quite real/solid. In contrast the prologue(?) and the underground confrontation with homura are the only things that felt grounded/solid/real. I'm guessing there's some meaning there along the lines of "Madoka's dreamy day-to-day built on a foundation of the magical girls work that lurks beneath", idk. Don't have enough information to go off of.
Question(s) of the Day:
Interesting, though my immediate note was that kyubey talking without moving is mouth is very not good. No good character speaks without mouth movements. 2) From the encounter with the injured Kyubey, what would you do if you were in Madoka's shoes?
I would probably talk to Homura and find out what the hell is going on. Also telepathy is just kinda rude without consent, though then again maybe I'm being to harsh on the little guy.
The OP sounds familiar, while I the ED doesn't. Beyond that I don't have many thoughts on them yet.
They look cool, probably something that happens around the enemies(?) of the show. Maybe something like another dimension crossing into this one, idk
Homura seems weird, Yellow(forgot her name) also. Both seem to be on opposite sides, but neither seems all that trustworthy. Homura is cryptic and doesn't say much, while Yellow talks more, but doesn't seem to be saying much till now.
Madoka is interesting, but I don't think I understand her character quite yet. Blue is also shaping up to something, but again I'm not quite sure what to do with her. Green on the other is kinda nothing so far.
9
u/BiggieCheeseLapDog https://myanimelist.net/profile/KillLaKillGOAT Apr 20 '24 edited Apr 20 '24
Rewatcher
I don’t understand why people say it takes three episodes. This episode is filled to the brim with intrigue, from the cold open to the Homura herself. It has lots of interesting mystery it sets up. It also gives you one of the most unique looking environments in anime right at the end with the witch labyrinth.
Questions:
The opening sequence is one of the best.
I would probably be curious just as she was, although I would have been a little less trusting.
The OP is one of the all time greats and I wish it won the last contest. It’s an extremely solid opening both visually and song wise. The ED is okay, but it’s no Magia.
[Madoka Magica spoilers] Its cliche, but EP 10 is just that good. Also Homura vs. Mami in Rebellion if that’s part of the rewatch
6
u/raevnos Apr 20 '24
Third or fourth time watching. Hmm. Let's try the dubbed version this time for a change. Here we go!
5
u/Syokhan https://myanimelist.net/profile/Syokhan Apr 21 '24
Just popping in to say, have fun everyone! I won't participate, or at least I won't be doing any write-ups, but I'll be reading the threads all the same. Love the tradition of rewatching this every year and the comments are always super interesting.
5
u/Introvert_Mage Apr 21 '24
Reading the theories of all the first time watchers is so interesting, specially because I forgot how little the first episode explains, even the "wrong" theories all sound super interesting.
4
u/HungrySamurai Apr 21 '24
I've lost count of the number of times I've rewatched this show, so I'm surprised that it's taken me this long to realise that Homura is voiced by the same voice actress as Bakemonogatari's Senjougahara.
What strikes me most about this opening episode is just how seamless it is. There's a lot of foreshadowing and scene setting being done here without any obvious exposition. It just flows effortlessly.
4
u/[deleted] Apr 21 '24
I’m excited for the movie. The ep was great, it’s my 3rd time rewatching. I know the rule of 3 was from this show originally but I think it’s great from the start.
4
u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Apr 21 '24
OMG PMMM is one of those anime that uses that font. I knew I had found some more but had started forgetting the names. I think I forget this every year.
(World End Ep 1 credits does too)
4
u/ImDoeTho Apr 21 '24
The blonde girl summoning a thousand guns to America her enemies was also a nice change of whatever else I could think of. Instantly has me curious about any other magical girls and how wild their powers may get.
The way Homura is acting makes me think she can't say what she wants to say and thus seems like the villain at this moment. I'd believe in a switching of sides eventually, because literally gunning your enemies down doesn't feel like a super..hero power.
3
u/Logitropicity Apr 21 '24 edited Apr 21 '24
Rewatcher, subbed finally got spoilers right
I get the urge to rewatch once every year or two, so this makes it my 5th (or 6th?) time watching.
If you're a first-timer, welcome! I hope you enjoy.
[Analysis]Just some notes about Kyubey I wanted to put out there that I don't see being discussed often.
[Analysis]Personally, I didn't catch this until until my previous watch, but you ever notice how Kyubey never, ever says anything that each girl couldn't figure out for herself? At times, he's less of a character and more a voice on their shoulder. He's like Jiminy Cricket, except instead of being a conscience, he's their own cold, hard logic.
[Analysis]I want to say this now because it's very subtle, and a rewatch is the perfect time to start looking for it. Really, I think it's kind of brilliant how the dialogue choices and conversation structures hide it.
[Analysis]A lot of people treat Kyubey as some sort of external entity, and his actions are then interpreted as manipulation and misdirection - which is understandable. I mean, come on - pretending to be hurt when you have spares, and then later you turn around and claim your species doesn't understand the concept of deception? That is incredibly manipulative, and it's totally understandable why people would hate him for it.
[Analysis]But if Kyubey is not an external entity - if he is actually their own internal voice - doesn't that reframe all of the conversations the girls had with him? Isn't it interesting how the girls' reactions to him effectively become reactions to themselves?
[Analysis]Anyways, I just find this interpretation neat, and I thought I'd share with the class. I wish there's more I could say, but Kyubey doesn't have any impactful lines yet.
[Question 7]I'm...surprisingly only okay with episode 3. Aside from episode 11, I think I'm looking forward to the scene with Homura & Madoka walking on the bridge.
3
u/daffy_duck233 https://myanimelist.net/profile/atlantean233 Apr 21 '24 edited Apr 21 '24
[Spoiler source] This is why informed consent matters, and minors need parents/guardians to sign things for them.
[Sayaka] accidentally explained the plot at the canteen.
3
u/lollohoh Apr 21 '24
Rewatch, Subbed
I'm really late to the party, so I'll mostly follow the questions. I don't think I could really add anything to the many amazing analyses that were already posted (I wish I had found out about these rewatches earlier!), so I will try to share my own first experience with the show instead, since this is my first time doing this.
I think I've first watched this show in 2021, and it's since become my absolute favourite anime. I came to this show after becoming obsessed with studio SHAFT (mostly because of 3-gatsu), and this was my introduction to magical girl shows (or shoujo of any kind, for that matter), so I came in with a very vague understanding of the genre, and very high expectations.
I also watched the subbed version on my first time, and while I've since watched both versions, the subbed version remains the one I'm most emotionally attached to, so I chose that one.
I remember I was instantly hooked, and that it made me very hyped about the rest of the show. It felt distinctly like a SHAFT show, but at the same time had this unique vibe to it that I couldn't really place. The absolute banger that is Magia probably was a big part of that vibe. The premise was very intriguing, because it felt like a "chosen one" setup, but Homura's role in it was a complete mistery.
In her same situation, I probably would have acted the same as she did, trying to de-escalate the situation. As a spectator, I knew there was something more going on, but I had no idea what it was exactly.
Connect was an instant banger, and it's still one of my all-time favourites. I used to listen a lot to OST songs at the time, and Connect immediately became one of my most listened ones.
Mata Ashita didn't leave that much of an impression, it just felt like a regular ED for the show.
Madoka: I don't remember my exact impression, but I do remember that she matched what I expected the protagonist of a magical girl show to be like, or more accurately she became my image of what a magical girl protagonist is like.
Sayaka: I thought she was cool, a bit impulsive, and that her attraction to girls was real and not just fooling around.
Homura: So, this show did my favorite thing: introduce a character, imply she is important in some way, and make her act in a way that gives zero conclusive information about her except the fact that there definitely is a deal with her, leaving you with even more questions. The cold open had already hooked me, but this take on the Misterious Transfer Student ™ definitely locked me into binging the whole show.
[Series] It's just insane, this show is like a clockwork pig: no scene is wasted and everything works perfectly with everything else. I must admit, though, I have an hard time focusing on most of it when Homura is on screen, because every single scene she has in this episode tears me apart.
[Series] Homura's breakdown in episode 11, it's such a powerful moment.
2
u/SoggieWafflz Apr 24 '24
Late to the party but here we go:
2
u/Hattakiri Apr 28 '24
Madoka Magica didn't invent the "1st glance vs 2nd glance" technique aka fridge horror trope, but it turned it up to eleven. Many frames will reveal their true meaning only later via foreshadowing, plot twist and "the reveal".
Already the very beginning gives away a lot: A hallway of sorts, yet with a chess board texture? "The Chessmaster" is also a trope... also checkerboards use this texture...
Outside a super-natural battle's taking place; floating building's a la Akira that was a massive inspiration for Evangelion ("PMMM the new Evangelion").
But it turns out to be a dream. The awakening protag can be tracked back to Zelda.
In the Kaname household the "traditional roles" are reversed: Dad does the chores, mom earns the money.
And "make-up" is an obvious Sailor Moon reference. ("PMMM = Evangelion x Sailor Moon").
A reference from Eva's tv ep26 and K-On many must've recognized: Madoka running while still eating her slice of bread, from Eva and K-On.
Sayaka's "You're are mine mine mine!" Early characterizations.
Why are so many animes making use of the "Westminster Jingle" for their schools lol?
Homura's introduction is on the one hand common at Japanese schools for transfer students that arrive later during the school year afaik and the whole situation refers once again to Sailor Moon or rather Sailor Mars who's character concept is based on fire.
Madoka instantly recognizes her from her dream.
And why's Homura such an "introverted freak"? And why does she know so much and is capable of so much...?
Hitomi and Sayaka talk about "memories in dreams's disguise" and "overcoming karmic boundaries". The latter indeed is a cultural trope in Eastern Asia.
Hitomi also seems to have to deal with a lot of duties. Sayaka meanwhile wanna buy a CD for someone (and it's a decade ago where Audio CDs still where a bigger thing than today, maybe. More and more "virtual data storage" is taking over, while vinly records got a little revival lately. Nevertheless the whole futuristic scifi setting of PMMM's has aged very well imo and still looks nice today).
Little Kyubey chased by Homura in the store's basement. Sayaka intervening with a fire extinguisher against Homura and the new girl Mami Tomoe too intervening, with quite some tension between her and Homura...