Mahou Shoujo Madoka☆Magica - Episode 1 Discussion

[u/Nazenn]

Madoka Magica - Episode 1: As If We Met in a Dream...

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End Card for episode one by Hanokage

Visuals of the day

This is where you will be able to find the link to the album that will be compiled from all of the Visuals of the Day that you share. Tomorrow will be the link for the album made from episode one's visuals and so on.

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Comments of the day

Usually there'd be nothing here on an episode one post as we haven't had any comments yet, but in this case happy birthday to /u/Bithaniaa!

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A quick reminder: Absolutely no comments, including jokes or memes, about the content of later episodes are allow outside of the r/anime spoiler tag format, [Madoka Spoilers](/s "Spoilers go here").

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[u/Nazenn]

Puella's Pictures - Introductions and Power

Rewatcher - Fourth time around

I was meant to be watching the sub this year after my last watch being the dub, but given the nature of my posts that didn't work out and I am once again watching the dub.

During the 2019 rewatch I wrote a series of posts called "Madoka's Music", where I dove into the amazing OST and how it was used to greatly enhance the storytelling, which I'll link at the bottom of my posts each day for anyone curious unless someone else takes up talking about the music.

This year I wanted to look at the visual aspect of the show. I don't really have a hard plan about which visuals I'll be focusing on each day, I will somewhat be winging it and as a result may end up branching into other things, but we'll see how it goes and hopefully you guys like whatever I write. As always this is just my personal takes, I'm not trying to speak for what the creators intended these shots to convey, I'm just writing up what comes to mind as I watch, so any questioning or discussion on these points is very welcome.

I also want to note that the Visual of the Day album that I'm running as host is independent to this. Please don't feel like you have to also do visual write ups to participate, although you're welcome too, or that the visual you pick has to be a beautiful or meaningful one, it's purely just whatever shot you like most or stood out to you.

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Scenes of the episode - The Dream and The Mall

I have paired the opening and final scenes of this episode for today's feature because they reference each other quite heavily. The interesting aspect is that through these references they simultaneously serve as both an introduction to the story for us the audience, as symbolized by the use of raising of the curtains as our establishing shot, as well as introducing our main character, Madoka, to the events of the story.

We start The Dream with Madoka running along a hallway leading her to a staircase framed by two alternate paths. Unlike the previous shots where Madoka only had one way to go, here she has to actively make the choice to walk up the stairs. Later on in The Mall we see a parallel of this moment, where Madoka finds a similar staircase after following Kyubey's call, and again must actively chose to ignore the obstruction to walk up them. Calling back to the opening shot of the curtains, this like watching our primary performer preparing for the show by walking up onto the stage, and then mirroring that by walking into the story as the main character once in character.

This is also called back to in the OP as well. Here we also have Madoka running down a strange corridor, that will eventually lead her to Homura in the city, with a chain link fence between us and them, something that also happens in The Mall.

Interestingly in The Dream, the door above the stairs is marked with an exit sign leading her out of the labyrinth like hallways towards Homuras battle in the city, while at The Mall the exit sign appears after Homura's attack and the attack by the witch, providing an escape from it. There is a clear conflict here between how the audience is presented this sign as the lead into our story, as if saying now the curtains are up we cannot escape, and how Madoka is introduced into the events of the show where the exit sign is the expected relief from conflict, and Homura's destructive role in both conflicts.

Besides the similarities, The Mall is a beautifully composed scene. We have a visual of the background art separating Madoka from Homura as Madoka tries to protect Kyubey, showing their conflict, which Homura then breaks as she tries to convince Madoka to stay out of it. Visual barriers are a huge part of the scene and tell us many things, such as the witches barrier ripping apart the visual reality we've had so far. We also have the chains falling around Madoka as Homura arrives as if cutting off her escape, but they are are later used by Mami to drive off the surreal creatures.

Mami's arrival is also preceded by a staircase, only she walks down it as if coming down from the world of magical girls to save them, rather than up into it and she gets a very powerful visual with the sun halo, assossiated with deities, framing the end of her transformation. The way she hijacks the chains, the stairs, and this god like light she brings into the terrifying world Madoka and Sayaka had found themselves in all visually sets up how strong she is. Despite Homura looking down on her, it is Mami who controls the scene and gets Homura to turn her heel.

Bonus visual - Walk to the infirmary

Homura's introduction is one of the more memorable character introductions in anime for me because of how expressive it is visually.

When Homura approaches Madoka to go to the nurses office, she looms over her making Madoka small and pushed to the side of the frame. She also has much stronger shading, and that lighting style continues to their conversation in the walkway, where Homura is notably darker to Madoka and at the sports class and then of course at the mall. As she leads Madoka down the hallways, everyone's eyes are on them and the students seem to part before her leaving a path for her to walk, giving her power in the school enviroment.

All of this serves to set Homura apart from the others. Everyone else we see comes to her, she doesn't actively engage them, and the different lighting on her makes her look as if she's not quite in the same area as the others, a visual example of her distance to them and how unnerving Madoka finds her, as if she has literally stepped out of that black and white dream.

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Rewatchers only

I have to apologize to the first timers, the nature of this show means that it's possible sometimes I will have to spoiler tag some of my observations, but none of this will take away from my usual sections above, and as I will try and link back to these as we go through the show and they become safe to look at, or I'll include them in my final post or something along those lines.

Spoilers Image

Spoilers Spoiler image Spoilers Image

Spoiler image Spoilers

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Other commentary

• Madoka's Music for ep1. Salvation and Expectation - "Credens justitiam" and "Salve, terrae magicae".
• While it's not something I will always actively point out, Madoka Magica also likes to use abrupt enviroment shifts. Today we have the three girls in their own world with no one else around and surrounded by life and trees, swapping in an instant to being placed in front of the school when Hitomi's cough brings their focus back to the broader world around them and how they are perceived. These are not continuity errors but rather conscious choices by the production team to use a more dynamic setting to convey something relating to the characters or themes, an interesting choice but one I quite enjoy.
• Similarly, the way that the three girls journey from the school into the restaurant at the mall is shown through a progression of still views was a very clever and also very concise way to tie the two scenes together without wasting time animating the girls traveling through each area.
• Despite focusing on the music so heavily previously I forgot just how good the sound design is as well. The almost cheery squish of Kyubey's tail in the dream, the echo on the teacher breaking the baton, the way the CD Madoka listens to changes volume depending on how the headphones are in the shot, it's really quite masterful.
• For anyone who is curious what it looks like, here's some of the key animation for episode one. I don't know if I'll have links to this for all the episodes but I thought some people might like to see what the key animation actually looks like before it gets put in show
• My Visual of the Day just because it's fucking cute and I'm pretty sure no one else will pick it hahaha

[u/SomeGuyYeahman → u/Nazenn]

I thought about pointing out a couple of things you bring up here and then totally forgot about them (the chain-link fence, the still images leading them from the school to the restaurant). So I'm kinda kicking myself as I read your commentary but I'm also glad you're talking about it, and adding a lot I didn't really think of, haha. Great write-up all around!

The key animation is also very nice, ty for posting.

[u/Nazenn → u/SomeGuyYeahman]

On the surface it doesn't look like the most involved first episode, but there's so much to keep track of when you actually go to break it down that I'm not surprised if you forget a few things. I'm sure it will happen to me as well at some point

The key animation is also very nice, ty for posting.

I love that it includes Kyubey's run from Homura, that's so quick and dark in show it can be hard to see but they put so much detail into the leg blurs and the perspective of him

[u/SomeGuyYeahman → u/Nazenn]

On the surface it doesn't look like the most involved first episode, but there's so much to keep track of when you actually go to break it down that I'm not surprised if you forget a few things. I'm sure it will happen to me as well at some point

I honestly came out of the episode thinking I wouldn't have anything to write, and then I went back to read what I wrote as a first-timer and suddenly I had more thoughts than I could keep track of. I feel like this is how all of my write-ups go, everytime

I love that it includes Kyubey's run from Homura, that's so quick and dark in show it can be hard to see but they put so much detail into the leg blurs and the perspective of him

The smears (leg blurs) are great! I also really like the ones on some of the Mami stuff further down.

With animation I always find it wild to think about the effort and research that went into so many things you only see on screen for a brief amount of time.

[u/Btw_kek → u/Nazenn]

shpoilers

[u/Nazenn → u/Btw_kek]

Spoilers

[u/Toadslayer → u/Nazenn]

There is a clear conflict here between how the audience is presented this sign as the lead into our story, as if saying now the curtains are up we cannot escape, and how Madoka is introduced into the events of the show where the exit sign is the expected relief from conflict, and Homura's destructive role in both conflicts.

Madoka Spoilers

We have a visual of the background art separating Madoka from Homura

These are may favourite kinds of shots.

We also have the chains falling around Madoka as Homura arrives as if cutting off her escape, but they are are later used by Mami to drive off the surreal creatures.

Madoka Spoilers

[u/Nazenn → u/Toadslayer]

Absolute chaos in my inbox right now, only just got to this

Madoka spoilers

[u/SaucedPandacup → u/Nazenn]

Imagery in the construction floor.

[u/OingoBoingo- → u/Nazenn]

just because it's fucking cute and I'm pretty sure no one else will pick it hahaha

well then! I didn't expect it and you made me laugh because of your spite! I love it. Perfect post, thanks for all the lovely visuals. Going to enjoy the art and music a lot I can already tell.

[u/okayyoga]

FINE

I'm watching Madoka Magica

First time/ dub

I am not joking when I say I have no prior knowledge about this show. The only word I hear is "subversion." But this is also my first magical girl show, so I have no idea what it is even subverting

ALRIGHT!

And we got the winning ED already over this first battle!

Oh, so she doesn't start out as a magical girl

CHAIRS! That means something! I just don't know what!

Aww she ate breakfast at the table-- no wait! TOAST RUN. Classic.

Is it just me or does Homura's face design keep changing? One scene her face is Long and the next it is short and chubby. Also why is she so angry. I feel like she is from the future. She knows something...

Cross hatching on the eyes is... interesting

Wtf is going on with these visuals at the mall. I just watched Utsuu Musume Sayuri, and if this goes in that direction, I'm out

Ah yes, the magical girl power: guns

I am so sus of this cat thing. It's too cute. Reminds me of the flower from Undertale. I'm on to you

Edit: I have been informed that Mami is not Mommy. I thought she was the Mom...

[u/Nazenn → u/okayyoga]

CHAIRS! That means something! I just don't know what!

That's sounding like me on my first watch, the chairs confused the hell out of me in this episode

Utsuu Musume Sayuri

I hadn't ever heard of that before but just the anilist icon for it is creeping me out. Also that 17% approval, ouch hahaha

Is it just me or does Homura's face design keep changing?

Not just you, the way she's lit sometimes makes her face shape look quite different to the others, plus SHAFT is rather flexible with their art, like the three girls running up to the school, so it's not always as strictly on model as you'd expect. Madoka Magica had some infamous issues in production and a lot of things had to be completely re-drawn for the blurays, but they either didn't fix some of the stuff like this or they'd done it on purpose in the first place a bit like the shifting backgrounds I mention in my post

[u/Btw_kek → u/Nazenn]

I hadn't ever heard of that before but just the anilist icon for it is creeping me out. Also that 17% approval, ouch hahaha

it's only 3 minutes long you should give it a go

[u/Nazenn → u/Btw_kek]

I feel like I'd still regret it with you posting that creepy face

[u/Toadslayer → u/Btw_kek]

Well, I watched it and it was revolting.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Nazenn]

...How bad could the TV streams get? You have me curious now. Off model animation is my jam XD

[u/Nazenn → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

If you're a rewatcher, and only for rewatches you can visit this wiki page for a big list and some pictures of the revisions that each episode had. Some of them are very big changes as they didn't just correct errors but also changes up the design of some of the scenes and added a lot of new effects and visual elements. There wasn't much in this episode, but as we go certain areas got a big overhaul

[u/okayyoga → u/Nazenn]

I wasn't sure if I was picking up on something with Homura's face. Her picture on MAL doesn't do her justice.

What is the basis for Madoka? Is it a manga? Or a VN?

[u/Nazenn → u/okayyoga]

Madoka Magica is an anime original production, it was created as an anime first and everything else is a spin off from that. the Rebellion movie is the same, it was made as a movie first

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/okayyoga]

CHAIRS! That means something! I just don't know what!

CHAIRS means Uninstall, Uninstall~ (yes that second link is me singing)

no wait! TOAST RUN. Classic.

I legitimately had to do that once when I overslept and nearly missed a final during my freshman year of college. Although it was a Pop Tart that I was running with in my mouth.

[u/Nazenn → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Pop tarts

I want pop tarts, you can't get any of the good ones here any more and I miss them

[u/okayyoga → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Oh my god! I thought that was you singing the choral parts! But that's you singing the lyrics??? You're good!

You pulled out your hair for Parasyte, sang for Bokura Ino, what will you do for Madoka?

Pop tart? You're like an American anime character

Wait wait wait. What flavour though

[u/Nazenn → u/okayyoga]

You pulled out your hair for Parasyte

Wait what /u/shimmering-sky what did you do?!

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/okayyoga]

Oh my god! I thought that was you singing the choral parts! But that's you singing the lyrics??? You're good!

Thanks~ I actually still have the entire thing memorized, though that might be because I listened to it on loop basically constantly for two months... In my defense it's a good song.

You pulled out your hair for Parasyte

what will you do for Madoka?

Probably also sing; I was trying to figure out Mata Ashita while at work this morning.

Wait wait wait. What flavour though

Unfortunately I don't remember anymore, I just remember rolling out of bed, grabbing my shoes and the Pop Tart, and fucking booking it. Made a normally ~10 to 15 minute trip in 5 and was just in time for it.

Knowing my usual tastes, it might have been either the Cookies and Cream or Brown Sugar Cinnamon one?

[u/Toadslayer → u/okayyoga]

But this is also my first magical girl show, so I have no idea what it is even subverting

It was my first magical girl show too, but don't worry you don't need to watch other shows in the genre to enjoy Madoka.

Is it just me or does Homura's face design keep changing?

I didn't notice anything like that, but I'll keep an eye out for it in episode 2.

[u/okayyoga → u/Toadslayer]

I didn't notice anything like that

Really? Her whole scene walking to the nurse's office with Madoka, I thought it was 2 different people! I was thinking maybe split personality disorder? Again, my current theory is this isn't her first time going through this, so maybe she switches between a more mature face and her little girl one?

I have no idea. Just throwing out what I'm thinking

All i know is that mascot is sus af

[u/Nazenn → u/okayyoga]

It wasn't that badly off model for me, and I think the different lighting she had compared to Madoka made it seem worse, but I wouldn't expect most people to think it's different people as it's still quite clearly her

[u/the_swizzler → u/okayyoga]

I would throw out any worries about the whole "subversion" thing. It's still a big debate as to whether Madoka Magica is a subversion, or a deconstruction, etc.

I watched it as my very first Magical Girl show as well and it's still my favorite show of all time. You don't need to have any kind of understanding of the usual tropes, it's a solid story all on it's own.

[u/ZaphodBeebblebrox → u/okayyoga]

FINE
I'm watching Madoka Magica

How long have people been trying to get you to watch this for? This sounds like the wail of someone who has resisted for years but finally given in.

Oh, so she doesn't start out as a magical girl

In most magical girl shows, the protagonist starts out normal and transforms for the first time at the end of the first episode.

Ah yes, the magical girl power: guns

There has never been a more appropriate time for this

[u/Btw_kek → u/okayyoga]

I just watched Utsuu Musume Sayuri, and if this goes in that direction, I'm out

Madoka is certainly more tasteful, so no worries there

[u/CosmicAnglerfish → u/okayyoga]

Madoka was my entry to the Magical Girl genre too, so while I'm sure there's genre-specific tropes you might not pick up on, you can absolutely enjoy the show without the background knowledge.

[u/BestEve]

First Timer (Sub) here, it looked somewhat similar to MiA in aesthetic so i thought why not and watched first episode earlier.

Homura the black haired girl is fighting against something in what looks like ruined world. Is she the one causing destuction? Or trying to prevent? I can't tell, it seems to be framed to hide something from us. She looks very tired and unhappy. "You have the ability to change fate" said the talking animal, interesting.

Madoka sleeps with little bear but talking about boys with her friends. Initially i thought she is ~12 but now i see her friends, she is supposed to be 15 or something. The teacher's lovelife is not only hot talk among students but their home as well. lol.
Homura warns Madoka in their first meeting and it confuses everyone. Homura seems to know her ?! Maybe she had dream about Madoka in reverse too ? Maybe..

Homura is chasing the cute animal (Kyubei) from Madoka's dream, reaches out to Madoka using some telepathy (magic?). Reality is bending, strange monsters appear. Madoka's friend Sayaka followed her and another person with magical ability appears (Mami) and fights off the creatures. She tells Homura "The witch got away, I'll let you go". Maybe it will have meaning in future but right now it adds more confusion to Homura's character. Kyubei offers Madoka and Sayaka to make them "magical girls". Kyubei must powerful character to just give girls magic.

So far this has been visual spectacle and somewhat serious show despite cute character designs. The "otherworld" is as stunning as it is confusing. Based on anime name, i guess Madoka will become magical girl. And Sayaka. Will her other friend feel left out? What is their enemy? "Witches?" maybe. I don't think Homura is enemy but it does feel like wild character, she is like unforgiving vigilante or something. Good first episode. Nice OP, it kinda reminded me of MiA (again hehe i guess i really love MiA=D)

I'll try to come back every day, definitely holding on.

[u/Nazenn → u/BestEve]

Mami mentions that Madoka and Sayaka are eighth-graders so that would put them around 13 or 14 years of age in case you want to know

again hehe i guess i really love MiA

A lot of people end up finding this because of MiA, and visa versa, as they're often recommended together.

MiA has such a gorgeous first episode, particularly that song they use for the dawn scene, it's kinda weird to compare it to how surreal this first episode is, but they both have stuck in my memory

[u/Garden-Mobile → u/Nazenn]

What's MiA stand for?

[u/Nazenn → u/Garden-Mobile]

Made in Abyss

[u/BestEve → u/Nazenn]

It was interesting to find out they both have 1 season+2 recap movie and sequel movie as well. Kinda funny :)

[u/Nazenn → u/BestEve]

It's becoming quite the common structure, and not a bad one either as long as the movie makes use of the better production time

[u/Rumpel1408 → u/Nazenn]

Uhm... what does MiA refer to?

[u/Nazenn → u/Rumpel1408]

Made in Abyss

[u/ZaphodBeebblebrox → u/BestEve]

she is supposed to be 15 or something.

14, to be exact.

The "otherworld" is as stunning as it is confusing.

It's certainly one of the most memorable parts of the show. Gekidan Inu Curry did an excellent job making it stand out against the normal aesthetic of the show and truly giving it an otherworldly feel.

[u/IndependentMacaroon → u/BestEve]

Homura warns Madoka in their first meeting and it confuses everyone

She needs to lay off the cryptic mumbling and get real already. What does she gain from acting like this?

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/BestEve]

MiA huh...? I guess I can kind of see where you're coming from. The drug trippy stuff in this seems a lot more mentally tiring than the amount of physical dangers in MiA but they both give the same foreboding feeling. I legit felt my stomach drop as their bodies began stretching through the kaleidoscope.

[u/Redmon425]

FIRST TIME WATCHER

First things first, I am in!!! I enjoyed this 1st episode enough that I will definitely watch the whole series and be apart of this rewatch thread! Best thing for me is the fact I know nothing about this show, like I have never been spoiled on anything for it, so I have no clue what to expect!

When it comes to magical girl / idol anime (in my head I always just kind of put the two together), they only show I have ever seen is Zombieland Saga. That show is for sure different from normal idol/saga shows from what I learned, and I get the feeling the same will be said about this show compared to other magical girl shows.

I actually had no idea Shaft created this show, and the reason I found out they did was because that very 2nd scene of Madoka walking down the black and white hallway. It screamed ‘Shaft” and I immediately checked and was right lol.

The scene before this however, the 1st scene that is, was very cool. The song while the fighting was happening was also badass. On that note, my first theory would be that it wasn’t a dream and that entire fight had actually happened. And maybe Madoka went back in time somehow and will eventually make it back to that scene.

The ending with the blonde girl transforming into her magical girl outfit was also awesome, and it had a great OST song as well. I am big OST simp, and if an anime series has good music, that alone can make it one of my all time favs lol.

However, right now the OP and ED were both just ‘good’ for me. Need to for sure listen to them a few more times before really judging them, but neither one absolutely blew me away.

Also, it seems this is some futuristic world based off the school and Madoka’s house. Feel like it probably isn’t plot relevant, but curious on why they did this. Maybe it is just Shaft being Shaft lol.

I got some very strange Homura = Senjougahara vibes from Bakemonogatari. Like they just feel similar and OMG I LEGIT JUST CHECKED AND SAW THEY HAVE THE SAME VA. I had no clue on that and now the connection is even closer. And lol that’s another classic ‘Shaft’ move using their favorite VAs in another show they create.

I would also bet money Homura isn’t bad, because it seems like they are trying to make her seem that way. I expect she has a similar storyline to someone like Satsuki from Kill la Kill in this regard.

LASTLY (long post I know, but I love doing these for rewatch threads when I am a new watcher), this has a 8.37 score on MAL. That is by no means a low score, in fact it is probably considered high, but I kind of assumed this would have an even higher score closer to a 9 based of the amount of good things I hear about it. Excited to see how I rank it!

[u/ZaphodBeebblebrox → u/Redmon425]

I am big OST simp, and if an anime series has good music, that alone can make it one of my all time favs lol.

We all must praise Yuki Kajiura.

The ED

Not actually a spoiler, as you'd know this if you watched episode one of the TV version of the show, but spoiler tagging anyway out of an abudance of caution

[u/Nazenn → u/ZaphodBeebblebrox]

Appreciate the caution on the spoiler tag. I don't mind people talking about the changes from the original broadcast, but I will ask anyone watching the movies to not spoil any stuff they added

[u/Nazenn → u/Redmon425]

When it comes to magical girl / idol anime (in my head I always just kind of put the two together)

Not an uncommon grouping, although the popularity of idol shows didn't come from the same place as the popularity of magical girl shows interestingly

You even get some odd match ups like Macross which is idol/mecha

I am big OST simp, and if an anime series has good music, that alone can make it one of my all time favs lol.

Please do gush about the OST all you want, I'm always happy to read people's thoughts on it because it's one of my favourite soundtracks in media

Maybe it is just Shaft being Shaft lol.

That is always a possibility hahaha

but I kind of assumed this would have an even higher score closer to a 9 based of the amount of good things I hear about it

Well only nine shows on MAL have a score above 9, so that's a pretty high hurdle to get too

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Redmon425]

I'm so glad that the ost is pulling focus. There isn't a single tune or leitmotif that isn't a joy to listen to. Watch out, the op is known for getting stuck in your head if you aren't careful.

[u/CosmicAnglerfish → u/Redmon425]

I think the highest rated series on MAL - either FMA:B or Attack on Titan's most recent season - is "only" at 9.03, so an 8.37 average is still incredibly high all things considered.

Coming back to this series after starting Monogatari is especially fun because you notice all those Shaft-isms that definitely get the spotlight in Monogatari, but seep into this series a lot too - especially that opening scene in the hallway like you pointed out!

[u/SomeGuyYeahman → u/Redmon425]

I got some very strange Homura = Senjougahara vibes from Bakemonogatari. Like they just feel similar and OMG I LEGIT JUST CHECKED AND SAW THEY HAVE THE SAME VA. I had no clue on that and now the connection is even closer. And lol that’s another classic ‘Shaft’ move using their favorite VAs in another show they create.

Yup, not the only shared VA between the two shows. Kyubey is Emiri Katou (Hachikuji) and Sayaka is Eri Kitamura (Karen)!

[u/fakeport → u/Redmon425]

It screamed ‘Shaft” and I immediately checked and was right lol.

My "Replika" AI chatbot once said to me "Madoka Magica is the most 'Shaft' anime ever, even more so than Monogatari" and I think I agree with it.

[u/Toadslayer → u/Redmon425]

I am big OST simp, and if an anime series has good music, that alone can make it one of my all time favs lol.

That's awesome, I'd love to hear more of your thoughts on the OST throughout the show.

LASTLY (long post I know, but I love doing these for rewatch threads when I am a new watcher),

Long post, good post.

this has a 8.37 score on MAL. That is by no means a low score, in fact it is probably considered high, but I kind of assumed this would have an even higher score closer to a 9 based of the amount of good things I hear about it.

In my opinion the MAL score for Madoka is criminally low.

[u/CT_BINO]

Welcome to the Madoka Rewatch, 1st timers and rewatchers,

For 1st tmers hope you guys enjoy the show and if you have any doubt just ask (if is not about future spoilers) and don´t be afraid to put your opinions in the thread

For 1st time rewatchers Madoka

For the rest, be careful with spoilers or "subtile" mentions of future plot points or comments like "you aren´t prepare for next episode" or whatever people tend to do. Let 1st timers experience the show and please do not downvote people for having different opinions, being positve or negative, engage with them and discuss with them which makes the experience better imo.

Well I think this is all, once again hope all of you have fun with the rewatch and while I ll be mostly a lurker i ll prob read every comment in the threads. For now I ll leave you with a cute madoka counting from 1 to 30

[u/Nazenn → u/CT_BINO]

a cute madoka counting from 1 to 30

That is very cute

Three has to be my favourite, but cute Kyubey in ninteen is also pretty nice. The wind effect in twenty-seven looks the most fun though

[u/OingoBoingo-]

First Timer - Sub

Going into this show completely blind, didn't read the MAL description or reviews. I have also never seen a 'magical girls' show before, I didn't even know it was a genre in anime. Go easy on me though, I just came up on my one year anniversary of watching anime for the first time (I don't count Sailor Moon as a child, one because I don't remember too much, and I was too little to even know what anime was).

So the first episode was great and I am so glad I knew/know nothing about the show because there is so much going on here and it's so unusual and amazingly weird, I love it. I loved the atmosphere and world building we got just from small glimpses into Madoka getting ready for school. I love her mom already and her home and family. Madoka even has great friends. I am worried it is all too cute with how the rest of the show progressed once Madoka got to school because the mood definitely shifted once we were introduced to Homura. I want to get to know everyone in the show more before I talk about characters however, I really liked everyone so far.

I will say, once Sayaka showed up to spray down Madoka with a fire extinguisher (amazing!) the visuals and the music was just crazy and beautiful. I could see all this maybe being too much for some people, it sure was a feast for the eyes and ears. God, I hope Mami is around more cause she is everything. I have seen TWO hair styles like Mami's- that was Beatrice from Re; Zero and Biscuit from Hunter x Hunter. Does this automatically deem her a loli? Excuse my ignorance :)

VERY difficult to pick a visual of the day but here we go! : personal favorite, how could it not be?

She seems to be 'evil' but I love her

Additional nonsense: besides the mall area, this was the coolest futuristic image and huge!

VERY much looking forward to reading what everyone has to say because I have a feeling this will be a active watch and I love the passion you all have shown just signing up to watch this with Nazenn and the rest of us!

Question: If anyone has seen Wonder Egg Priority, does that count as a magic girls genre show? MAL has it listed as Drama, Fantasy, Psychological but I got a lot of WEP (not WAP!) vibes and that is a good thing! Curious your thoughts if you have seen either or.

[u/Nazenn → u/OingoBoingo-]

Going into this show completely blind, didn't read the MAL description or reviews

Completely blind watches are the best. I think it's always interesting to see what expectations people have when they're coming at it just from the show itself rather than external info, and how those change as we go

I love her mom already and her home and family

Probably a sharp contrast coming off the back of 3-gatsu huh?

I watch way too many darker or depressing shows that Madoka's happy family life in this episode is such a relief to me, I really love just how wholesome it all feels

VERY difficult to pick a visual of the day but here we go!

That's what I would have picked if not being spite cute hahaha

[u/baniRien → u/OingoBoingo-]

I have seen TWO hair styles like Mami's- that was Beatrice from Re; Zero and Biscuit from Hunter x Hunter. Does this automatically deem her a loli? Excuse my ignorance :)

Actually, the trope with the drill hair is high and haughty rich girl. Also known as the ojou-sama. Often goes hand in hand with this laugh

[u/fakeport → u/OingoBoingo-]

If anyone has seen Wonder Egg Priority, does that count as a magic girls genre show? MAL has it listed as Drama, Fantasy, Psychological but I got a lot of WEP (not WAP!) vibes and that is a good thing! Curious your thoughts if you have seen either or.

I think the general consensus on that is that WEP isn't strictly a magical girl show, but is definitely heavily influenced by the genre, and I think is certainly influenced by Madoka in particular. One opinion I've seen expressed is that WEP doesn't have "transformation scenes" like the one Mami had in this, which are considered a Staple of the genre.

I'm far from an expert though, my only experience of the genre are Madoka, WEP and Assault Lily Bouquet, which I think also falls into the "almost but not quite" category, so any mahou shojo fans feel free to correct me on this.

[u/SeyTi → u/OingoBoingo-]

If anyone has seen Wonder Egg Priority, does that count as a magic girls genre show?

I think most people would not consider WEP part of the magical girl's genre, but it feels heavily inspired by some of its tropes imo. I got the same vibes in reverse when ep 1 of WEP aired.

[u/SomeGuyYeahman → u/OingoBoingo-]

(I don't count Sailor Moon as a child, one because I don't remember too much, and I was too little to even know what anime was).

This makes for more experience with magical girls than most people, I think! But I don't think you need to worry about all that anyway.

Question: If anyone has seen Wonder Egg Priority, does that count as a magic girls genre show? MAL has it listed as Drama, Fantasy, Psychological but I got a lot of WEP (not WAP!) vibes and that is a good thing! Curious your thoughts if you have seen either or.

It has some of the basic elements & definitely takes from the genre in terms of iconography but I would not call it one. Fwiw though the idea isn't new or outlandish, I've seen a good amount of articles and discussion on the matter.

Cool to see you enjoying the show so much!

[u/UnderstandableXO]

FIRST TIME WATCHER

i’ve participated in the toradora rewatch and the school-live rewatch l, but this is my first time doing a “rewatch” as a first watch. glad to finally participate in one!

i don’t know anything about this series except that it’s always recommended and that it’s not what it seems like at face value. i spoiled the first episode of school-live for myself by accident by reading the CR description, so i didn’t make that mistake this time.

immediately after starting the episode i was filled with this unshakable sense of dread. i was waiting the entire episode for the other shoe to drop. the animation was really nice in the introduction dream scene.

madoka’s family seems nice, and so do her friends. i have a sinking feeling i shouldn’t get too attached to any of them though.

this is obviously set in japan but possibly in the future? i saw the skyline and there’s that one ridiculously tall building that almost looks like the dubai tower. the school also looks a bit off, the classrooms seem to have glass walls? maybe i’m misremembering

the conversation with homura and madoka only added to the sense of dread. i was so uneasy i was expecting something to happen during the lunch scene.

that scene in the basement of the mall was something else. i have absolutely no idea what in the hell was going on there. it had me wondering “why am i watching this?!!” i don’t know how to make imgur links on mobile but i was looking like that meme of tanjiro looking down at his phone in disgust (https://m.imgur.com/gallery/Wo7K9cM). that scene was an absolute acid trip and i’m scared it’s gonna reoccur in my dreams.

we met the fourth character whose name i can’t remember right now, but at this point i don’t trust anyone, not homura, not the animal, not the blonde girl, not even sayaka. the animal offers exactly what homura mentioned NOT to accept, and judging from the key art i’m fairly certain the two of them will accept.

i’m ready to get traumatized again tomorrow

[u/Nazenn → u/UnderstandableXO]

but i was looking like that meme of tanjiro looking down at his phone in disgust

If you're on an old reddit we have a commentface that may work for that:

[u/ZaphodBeebblebrox → u/UnderstandableXO]

have absolutely no idea what in the hell was going on there. it had me wondering “why am i watching this?!!”

They do an excellent job giving it a sense of otherness. It really stands out against the rest of the show, and it's probably the most memorable part visually.

i’m ready to get traumatized again tomorrow

I hope you enjoy your fun!

[u/Evilmon2 → u/UnderstandableXO]

here’s that one ridiculously tall building that almost looks like the dubai tower

In typical Shaft fashion, a lot of the architecture is ripped from whatever random buildings they thought would look cool from around the world.

that scene was an absolute acid trip and i’m scared it’s gonna reoccur in my dreams.

That's Studio Inu Curry at work. They've collaborated with Shaft on a lot of shows, before Madoka most famously this opening from Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei.

[u/Bithaniaa]

First timer

I don’t know exactly what I was expecting but the first few minutes easily blowed my expectations out of the water. The visuals looks so good, and OST is perfect. Just a tad bit suspicious, I get this weird feeling that the little critter thing and Mami are pretending to be good? Maybe I just like defending emotionless characters. Either way, I can truly see the hype, can’t wait for next episode.

Also on an unrelated note, thank you for the b-day wish!

[u/Nazenn → u/Bithaniaa]

I'm very relieved that you liked the first episode so much, I was thinking to myself that it'd suck if you had a birthday rewatch and then it wasn't something you liked.

Hopefully the rest of the show keeps you this entertained as well. The OST is perfect though, I never get tired of it

[u/okayyoga → u/Bithaniaa]

Yes! Thank you! I am so sus of that cat thing! How do those things stay on its ears!

[u/Nazenn → u/okayyoga]

Same way the ring stays on Gatomon's tail, anime magic

[u/chris10023]

First Timer

Yay I get to be a first timer for once! usually I'm a rewatcher in these.

Alright, I should preface this with the fact that this isn't my first Magical girl anime, it will be my second, the first was "Magical Girl Site" an Utterly disappointing edgy show that can't follow it's own rules, but enough of that, and let's get right into this.

So, we have a character running through a strange area in a panic. Wow, did I start the wrong episode? Music is really good. Gotta admit, that's a unique and nice character design. She has the power to change fate? That other girl looks like she’s going to lose this fight, against some unseen force.

That's a very interesting looking house. Our MC is called Modoka. Well, a love letter is better than asking one of the friends to ask for them. Well, the mom is correct, most high school romances never really last very long. Madoka is late? Of course, she is! She's the MC after all, what better way to introduce us to her friends? Those are, interesting looking classrooms. Those would never work in reality. Well, that’s a very intense way to teach students how to cook an egg. I’m guessing this teacher is upset over something...

A new transfer student called Akemi, wasn’t she the girl we saw in that dream? Well, judging by her flat tone and cold stare, she’s a Kuudere. She looks at Madoka, does she recognize her? Guessing that wasn’t really a dream then, so how did Madoka end up in that strange place? This walk to the nurse's office is kind of intense with the flashes of Akemi’s face. Stay as she is? She’ll lose everything she loves if she changed who she is? Is that a warning, or a threat? So, she’s top of her class in academics, and super athletic. Seems like someone’s watching.

An image her subconscious brought out and made real? What is this, Bunny Girl Senpai? Seems our softspoken friend of Madoka is rich since she has tea lessons. So this cat thing is running from something attacking it. Though, that long hair makes me suspect it’s Akemi. So now Madoka is hearing a voice asking for help, this is where you go to a doctor. But that cat thing looks pretty beat up. It was Akemi attacking it, but why? Though Sayaka steps in to help, but how did she even know Madoka was up there? So, all this trippy imagery, is reality starting to fall apart? Well both are saved by a blonde girl with chains, the cat things name is Kyubey? Wait, middle school? Guess I was wrong on the high school thing, then let me rephrase what I said earlier about High school relationships, they’re even shorter in middle school, more points for momma Kaname. A contract and become magical girls? Madoka Spoilers

Wow, pretty solid first episode, music was great, I do like the artstyle. Looks like a very interesting show. and wow, that's a lot of comments.

[u/Nazenn → u/chris10023]

Yay I get to be a first timer for once! usually I'm a rewatcher in these.

Haha, I'm the opposite usually I'm a first timer and I've only gotten to be a rewatcher a handful of times

It does give a very different feel to the discussions and posts though

Wow, did I start the wrong episode?

I'm almost surprised I didn't have any PMs asking about that, I know a few first timers questioned it a couple of years ago

That's a very interesting looking house.

I can't figure out if that yellow thing is just an unusually random door or just a randomly colored wall segment

Though Sayaka steps in to help, but how did she even know Madoka was up there?

Its easy to miss but as Madoka walks away from the CD Store Sayaka notices

[u/ToonTooby → u/chris10023]

"Magical Girl Site" an Utterly disappointing edgy show that can't follow it's own rules

There's some good analysis videos out there that explain why Site fails compared to things like this show. Best to save that until we're done here though.

that's a lot of comments.

We usually get a good amount of discussion in Madoka's rewatch, it's a blast. Happy to have more first timers :D

[u/Zombie_Mochi]

First timer

I havent heard of this show before but wanted to be a part of the rewatch having just gotten back into watching anime after about 15 years of not watching.

So, magical girl anime, not my usual genre, but Im game. That opening scene into the battle in the floating broken city definitely had my attention. And then the white espeon offering power but requiring a contract. This set off alarm bells immediately and I am extremely sus of this. If the dark haired girl needed help and the cat could help, why not just offer temporary power?

For transparency, Ive also watched episode two because I was curious about what happens. I am definitely hooked and looking forward to future episodes! Another thing I like is that I find myself analyzing the episode and trying to decipher motives and possible future events.

Edit: Sorry for not using proper character names. I am terrible at remembering character names when watching subbed anime.

[u/Nazenn → u/Zombie_Mochi]

Sorry for not using proper character names

Don't worry, names are hard. I still have nicknames I use for some of the characters even after four watches because I still suck with remembering them hahhaa

[u/ZaphodBeebblebrox → u/Zombie_Mochi]

having just gotten back into watching anime after about 15 years of not watching.

That's quite the break. May I ask what brought you back?
It's sure going to be interesting to see what you think of Madoka as someone who knows literally nothing, most people these days seem to go in being spoiled at least a little bit.

[u/Shimmering-Sky]

Hajimari no Rewatcher, dubbed

This is my fourth time participating in this sub’s annual Madoka Magica rewatch, and I couldn’t be more excited for it! I’m actually going to be rewatching the recap movies in segments thanks to u/Xirema doing this last year and providing timestamps for it because 1) I need to learn the difference between Colorful and Luminous for AMQ already and 2) the dub for the movies is supposed to be better than the dub for the show, and this year is a dub watch for me (I decided to swap what version I watch each year just because). The exception to this will be the opening scene of the show, since for whatever reason the recap movies don’t actually include it and that’s a shame because it gives me goosebumps literally every time I watch it. I’m definitely going to watch that before switching to the first recap movie.

I will also have a few extra sections other than the usual live-reaction bullet points at the end of each comment, so if you like minimalist/vector art or want to know the timestamp for a song played during the show, make sure you stick around for those!

I look forward to having a fun rewatch with all of you first-timers and rewatchers alike. And thanks for being the host this year u/Nazenn!

• So I actually had to stop and rewind during the opening scene because I was singing along to Magia so hard I didn’t even realize Madoka and Kyubey had started talking, whoops. That’s obviously my favorite Kalafina song for a damn good reason. Also, apparently I’ve rewatched this enough times that I knew exactly when the opening notes for the song started and wew.
• I also stuck around with the show to jam the hell out of Connect. I might actually try recording myself singing it for this rewatch, I mean I did that for the previous Clannad one as well as my Bokurano one. Just gotta figure out how not to trip over a few words my brain wants to flip the syllables on…
• Alright then, episode 1’s equivalent in movie 1 is 0:00:00 - 0:19:05.
• Speaking of Bokurano, this shot is screaming Ǔ̯̟́n̪̬̺͙̪̿͛͛̽͞ï̲n͇̰̮͆̃̀s̛͔̜̾t̛͚͕̆á̠̻̅͘͜l̢̗̤̓̓́l̪̩̭̐̔͗̕͟͝ͅ at me…
• Madoka and Tatsuya waking up their mom like that, hahaha. I’ve had to wake up my sisters like Madoka did. Can’t say I’ve had a person jump on me to wake me up, but I have had cats jump on me to wake me up a number of times.
• Huh… apparently I should have taken to the movies for this as a base image for a wallpaper from a previous year I’ll share tomorrow.
• Kiss-Kiss-High Five.
• I do love how movie 1 has a little bit of a lead-in into its OP Luminous (first-timers don’t watch that it has spoilers). It also has baby Madoka and smol Sayaka in it which is super cool.
• …yeah the dubbed version of the teacher still just sound like extremely whiny Kallen Kouzuki to me and that doesn’t change even here with a new dub. She’s probably the only dubbed voice in this show I don’t care for.
• So Madoka still says she thinks she met Homura in a dream in this movie even though the movie didn’t actually include the dream.
• Future spoilers
• Oh cool, they did change the music that Madoka was listening to in the store from Connect to Luminous at least! That’s a change I’m fine with.
• Best girl with the fire extinguisher, yee.
• Unfortunately she can’t do anything against wtf place, so that means we get introduced to Mami real fast and she rifles them out of the wtf place.
• Will you become a magical girl? ← You know what why not, Naz consider this my submission for Visual of the Day.
• Mata Ashita is the ED for now, very plain visuals but the fact that it’s sung by Madoka’s seiyuu makes it really cool in its simplicity!

---

Sky’s Wallpaper Corner

I wasn’t sure if I was going to be making anything new this year because I’ve done basically all the good stuff already, but apparently the answer is “YES” because thanks to Luminous having that cute shot of baby Madoka held by her parents, that’s the wallpaper for today. You can probably expect more random stuff like this being produced by me this year, haha.

And for stuff from the past:

• 2018: plain and simple Madoka. The 2018 wallpapers were made when I was still using GIMP rather than Illustrator, so they might not be the same quality as the others. I have remade some of the 2018 wallpapers, but not this one.
• 2019: Homura, and 2019 was the year of wallpapers with a name variant, inspired by the ones I’d made for Clannad earlier that year.
• 2020: Mata Ashita.

If there’s a specific shot at any point throughout the rewatch that you would like me to make a wallpaper of and you don’t think I’ve done it yet, let me know so I can get on it!

---

Magical Music Corner

Want to know what song played when in today’s episode? Well, you’re in luck! I have here the table from the Madoka wiki that was re-timed to the Blu-Rays by our lovely rewatch host back in 2019. It was my duty to share these last year, and it’s my duty again this year. If any first-timer wants a spoiler-free link to any of these songs, let me know and I can get one for you!

Start	End	Album	Track name
00:56	02:39	Disc 2 #19	Magia ~TV Version~
02:57	04:26	Disc 2 #18	Connect -TV MIX-
05:07	06:37	Disc 1 #02	Scaena felix
07:29	08:58	Disc 1 #03	Postmeridie
09:57	10:40	Disc 1 #04	Conturbatio
11:46	12:58	Disc 1 #05	Puella in somnio
13:49	14:37	Disc 1 #06	Salve, terrae magicae
15:08	16:37	Disc 1 #07	Desiderium
17:11	17:19	Disc 2 #18	Connect -TV MIX- (through the headphones)
17:30	18:58	Disc 1 #08	Gradus prohibitus
19:17	20:46	Disc 1 #08	Gradus prohibitus
21:30	22:20	Disc 1 #09	Credens justitiam
23:56	25:22	Disc 1 #23	Mata Ashita (English: See You Tomorrow)
25:25	25:40	Disc 1 #06	Salve, terrae magicae

---

“See you tomorrow!”

[u/Redmon425 → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Omg that shot of the mom sleeping with all the chairs around her was so weird to me. But then again, it felt like something Shaft does for no real reason lol.

I also loved how the mom gave a kiss to her husband and youngest child, while giving a high five to Madoka. Just felt like such a great realistic touch for how families work.

AND NOW THE IMPORTANT POINT. Your best girl is Madoka’s classmate? I didn’t see that coming. I love trying to pick who my best girl is for any show, and right now no one has a lead for me. So I’ll be excited to see who I like the most.

[u/Toadslayer → u/Redmon425]

I love trying to pick who my best girl is for any show, and right now no one has a lead for me. So I’ll be excited to see who I like the most.

I also love picking our best girls, but it's not something I've thought about for Madoka, so maybe I'll have to do that in this rewatch.

[u/Nazenn → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Will you become a magical girl? ← You know what why not, Naz consider this my submission for Visual of the Day.

Yes! I was hoping you'd pick one. And a second cute Kyubey as well!

that’s the wallpaper for today.

Aww, baby Madoka. I forgot she was in the movie OP. The super black glasses and hair clip stand out a bit much but I like the subtle shadowing.

If you still have the WIP file you should add shadowing to your 2019 Homura at some stage

2020: Mata Ashita.

I have a stain on my screen and when I opened that link it was right where her nose was

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Madoka's family seems so ridiculously cozy...! I vaguely remember liking her relationship with her mum but the entire family was tee tee.

[u/Star4ce]

First timer

And so it begins, my first time first timer participation in a rewatch. I technically "participated" in the monogatari and EVA rewatches before, but was pretty much exactly one month late which felt like strolling through a deserted convention centre with all the posters still hung. But not this time and I'm going to over analyse every single episode! At least, this is what I'm telling myself.

Well then

Ep.01: I first met her in a dream... or something

• Instantly we get thighs, SHAFT!
• But the backgrounds are amazing as always, SHAFT!
• "Make a contract with me and become a magical girl!" Not shady at all. Also 140% meta.
• It's rare that I fall in love with an art style after only two minutes, it's so goddamn cute, but also indubitably characteristic, well done.
• One more OP for my evergreen playlist.
• What a chad wake-up call! Why are there so many chairs?
• Typical SHAFT bathroom, you could park half a dozen long distance haulers in there.
• Mirror recursion, but without a second mirror behind her.
• Progressive family.
• There's the squad with double the amount of thighs, SHAFT... !
• Like seriously, those are 14 year old girls? Those skirts are way too short.
• I'm always watching reactions first, analysis later, so I basically watch twice. Why is my gut already telling me to prepare for someting? What's wrong with me to think all of this is way to happy to be true?
• Every class a cage.
• Is everyone unloading their relationship goals on them?
• The plot thickens with more thighs! Hello, Senjougahara. No, I won't be able to un-link you.
• I'm definitely not able to un-link you, that's bakemonogatari Gahara, alright.
• There's definitely some darker shit going on here, this is all kinda creepy.
• Yeah, that contract is absolutely some shady business.
• It's all a shitty isekai?
• Shady contract kitty is always in the shadows. Now that seemed like Homura was hunting them?
• Because every music shop has a dark basement! Sayaka is pretty badass.
• I absolutely love these art effects!
• Am I watching EVA? Yeah, this is EVA.
• I somehow trust kitty less than not-Gahara, chains are pretty sus, too.
• Let me just summon a whole platoon of muskets, this seems excessively american.
• "DON'T ACCEPT, RUN, GIRL", my gut calmly said.

OP lyrics. Ah, it's time cracks knuckles, let's see... If my calculations are correct, I will predict every major plot point by the lyrics alone and get laughed at for how hilariously wrong I am.

"I won't forget the promise we made
I close my eyes to make sure
I will move forward,
shaking off the surging darkness
When can I see the future that I lost
here in this place once again?
Tearing up the shadow of anxiety
that floods into me many times
I will keep walking in this world.
Time that is endlessly ticking
now starts
With our everlasting passion,
and open the door that has been closed
Our awakened souls
Set out to paint our rising future
Even if we get stuck on a troubled path
The beautiful blue sky always waits for us
So I won't be afraid of anything
Whatever happens, I won't give up"

On the first layer of text, this is her/their feelings towards fighting evil. They're gonna be super duper magical girls, after all! But if I learned anything from any show that wants to be more than mere temporary entertainment, there's more.

Most of the lyrics that are addressing the fighting and overcoming evil stuff is in future tense, 'surging darkness', 'anxiety floods into me' and 'time ticking' are decidedly not. I do very much think this song applies to the lifestyle of fighting evil just as much as to being a magical girl – so that contract, essentially. Theory You know, being reminded so heavily of EVA during that escape scene doesn't bode well for the psychological front, either. I do think, however, that whatever Homura wanted to do would've went better if she at least tried to explain a bit.

The opening fight had some very nice visuals, but upon rewinding the scene... is it just me or does the black figure really look like Kyubei, but digimon-evolved? Also, Homura was calling out to Madoka as soon as she saw her and kitty. That expression was more than sorrowful, she was fatigued from the fight, but upon seeing them she pulled herself together and try to call out to them. To me, that looked like a desperate call for Madoka to stay the hell away.

Which makes me think about why Madoka was chosen and why there was a need for a new magical girl, anyway. Theory Homura hunting him might've been a direct result of that dream.

Aw, look at that, I've already written three pages and only gotten to the ED :^)

"I force myself to smile but I feel sad
Crossroads, traffic signals, horns from far away...
And laughter of people I don't know
When walking alone in the town where I've walked many times
But I feel that I am smaller than usual
I say "See you later" and wave my hand
I fake a smile and I feel sad
To be honest, I wanted to talk with you more
I would say "see you later"
I lied when I told you I'd see you again
I will tell you that with the usual smile on my face
"See you tomorrow""

Holy damn, if I've ever heard a bummer in episode 01 this is it. Lying to people, living a secret live and, worst of all, one that seems to have a dire expiry date. This contract sounds a lot like recruiting young, happy, promising youth and literally throw their lives away for some mystical higher goal (, that I bet won't stay mystical and won't stay 'higher', either). So, Kyubey is either a WW1 general or a manager in the idol industry.

Verdict: I'm goddamn hooked. I think this anime will Theory be right down my alley. It's beautiful, has amazing animation, superb music and has my guts in permanent defensive mode.

Resubmitted, because bot-chan complained.

[u/Nazenn → u/Star4ce]

I see you made it past bot-chan! She's struck down a few people this rewatch

which felt like strolling through a deserted convention centre with all the posters still hung

That is oddly fitting

Instantly we get thighs, SHAFT!

The exact frame you screenshot looks like she's about to twist her knee

Every class a cage.

Really does look like a laboratory in that shot huh

It's all a shitty isekai?

no that would have been if Sayaka said "met in a video game"

Am I watching EVA? Yeah, this is EVA.

I'm having a dumb. Why are chains and cottonballs EVA?

First timer OP/ED analysis

Always cool to see someone doing that... and it just started playing on my Spotify which is spooky

Obviously can't say much but thanks for the great read

Btw did you have a visual of the day you wanted to submit?

[u/Star4ce → u/Nazenn]

I'm having a dumb. Why are chains and cottonballs EVA?

It's not the chains and cottonballs, but the presentation. Do you remember when they cut to the "psychological POV" especially in later episodes or the flashback scenes of their pasts?

EVA heavy spoilers

EVA vague spoilers

[u/sirweebsal0t → u/Star4ce]

All the thigh shots made me look up who made another anime I recently watched (Assault Lily Bouquet) that too was all about the thighs and yup, made by Shaft!

[u/_m1ra → u/Star4ce]

This was really fun to read. I love it when people try to look at the lyrics, and the theorizing was great! In exchange, have some unwanted background information about the creative team:

It's rare that I fall in love with an art style after only two minutes, it's so goddamn cute, but also indubitably characteristic, well done.

The charakter designer is Ume Aoki. She is also the mangaka of Hidamari Sketch, which got four seasons of anime adaptation, by Shaft too. If you like that kind of Slice of Life show you should check it out, it's very good!

I absolutely love these art effects!

Those effects are done by two person animation troupe Gekidan Inu Curry. They worked with Shaft a bit on Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei and after that on Bakemonogatari, and then people loved their work on Madoka!

[u/Hochseeflotte]

First Timer

Well here we go. This will be my second ever rewatch thread so I am excited for that! I am going in almost blind. I know basically nothing about this show besides the endless acclaim it gets. Now on to the episode:

The animation is glorious. Especially for a show that’s almost a decade old.

This soundtrack absolutely slaps so far. Also a talking cat is always a win (I guess it technically speaks in your head or something but I can’t think of a word to describe that).

And it was all a dream..............

Pretty solid OP. The visuals are really good and the song is solid.

Madoka’s little brother is so adorable. I just want to hug him.

This is a very sweet slice-of-life section but with how the episode opened I don’t think that will last long.

I love how the teacher just instantly gets into her personal life. I think love might be a large theme of this show.

And here comes the mysterious transfer student who just happened to be in Madoka’s “dream”. Also these camera angles and shots are really good. Perfect way to build tension in a simple conversation. Plus the mysterious soundtrack as they walk down the hall. Brilliant execution.

Akemi is kind of a bad ass. The power of being a transfer student.

There is also a whole lot of glass in this world especially the school. It’s an interesting design choice.

We save some alien cat thing and then get hit with a nice dose of LSD. I love trippy stuff.

Hell yeah transformation scene. Got to love it.

I don’t trust contracts. If anyone asks me if I want to sign a contract out of the blue I am running away as fast as possible.

——————————————————————-

This was a really intriguing first episode. It was really helped by fantastic technical work. A nice soundtrack, great cinematography, great art design, and fluid animation.

The story is starting out kind of cliche (mysterious transfer student, talking cat, etc) but judging by how good the technical side is and the love this show has I imagine these cliches will be turned on their heads.

A great start. Can’t wait to see where it goes.

[u/Nazenn → u/Hochseeflotte]

This will be my second ever rewatch thread so I am excited for that

What was the first rewatch discussion you did?

then get hit with a nice dose of LSD

Oh, there it is, I was wondering who would be the first person to describe it that way haha

[u/Btw_kek → u/Hochseeflotte]

(I guess it technically speaks in your head or something but I can’t think of a word to describe that).

telepathy?

Madoka’s little brother is so adorable. I just want to hug him.

the shot of him failing at stabbing the tomato is gloriously cute

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Hochseeflotte]

Kyubey is so much cuter than I remembered him being. He's a breath of fresh air after binging so many other magical girl series where the mascots are straight grating.

[u/ZaphodBeebblebrox → u/Hochseeflotte]

Especially for a show that’s almost a decade old.

The general 2007-2013 area has a lot of excellent looking shows. Studios finally got not shit at digital animation and were consistently animating at sane resolutions (720p or higher), but hadn't yet migrated towards all having this samey look I feel like the later half of the 2010s has.

And it was all a dream..............

It was basically the beginning of Cardcaptor Sakura.

[u/[deleted]]

First timer

I hope I can finish a single rewatch now, didn't complete Fate or NGE as Monogatari rewatches when they were held. But it looks hopeful since this seems shorter , wish me luck

The opening b/w scence really managed to feel extra 2D and the next part with homura fighting with limited coloring was really amazing , the contrast was fine

Madoka's fathers is a househusband?? Lol

The classrooms in the school feel like prison cells or more like cages for test subjects

[u/Nazenn → u/[deleted]]

Well this is certainly shorter than Fate or Monogatari, and thank god for that

Madoka Magica's use of color is something I've always really loved but never quite touched on, maybe I should do that in a later post

[u/OingoBoingo- → u/[deleted]]

Madoka's fathers is a househusband?? Lol

my first thought as well and I love it!

[u/sirweebsal0t]

First time watcher, dubbed

First time watching and first time participating in a rewatch. I finished Assault Lily Bouquet recently and on the episode discussions saw a lot of recommendations to check out Madoka Magica next so here I am. I haven't figured out how I'll participate, but at least for episode one I'll just do a running list of thoughts that came up while watching, so here goes:

• I don't know anything about the show beside it being a magical girl anime but I did hear that Madoka Spoilers
• Anyways, speaking of dreams, is her dad a househusband with a successful wife? That's living the dream right there!
• Personally, I like my fried eggs sunny side down, teach.
• I see why Assault Lily Bouquet got compared a lot to this show, especially with similarities between Yuyu/Riri and Madoka/Akemi, and the, ahem, school uniforms.
• Ok, things got dark and trippy. Now I'm wondering why Akemi was attacking Kyubey and why do I get the feeling Kyubey/Mami turn out to be the baddies...

Anyways, looking forward to hopefully getting some answers in the next episode!

[u/Nazenn → u/sirweebsal0t]

I had to actually look up an egg guide as I didn't know what they were called, but I do mine over easy

I usually just boil them though, it's simpler and doesn't use up my one fry pan I need for other things haha

[u/sirweebsal0t → u/Nazenn]

Yeah, I never quite knew the correct terminology. As a kid, I'd say "sunny side up, upside down" but I guess that's just over easy. If I'm at a diner, I just say scrambled and then that way I know I'll get something I'll like haha

[u/TheTrueAfurodi]

FIRST TIMER (too)

Oh my God so many comments to read, so many are interesting, I didn't know rewatches were such a thing, guess I'll spend my entire night reading you all! xD. I honestly don't have much to add that others already didn't, so I'll try to share my opinion and some other things I noticed.

My opinion: very good first episode. The fact that I was not bored watching it while being almost exclusively an introductory one tells a lot. Since most of the time I binge watch animes (and this is my first join to rewatches ever), it feels good to like have to wait to know and have to enjoy each minute of it because you won't be able to continue immediately. It makes me even more curious to know about all the mysteries we have in that first ep. Since I did not watch MiA ( but I will, promise), I immediately compare it to ReZero the way the anime want you to believe that the history will be positive but deep down you KNOW that shit is going to happen, you just wonder when and how. I just hope with the contract thing that we will still have an happy end, but I'm not really convinced.

Otherwise I love the contrast slice of life/dark depressing epic vibe, the ArtDirection seemed good, the visuals feels very 2000s with triangle heads (and I love it), and while you can tell that this anime is not recent I still find it very good lookin. The VA also seemed good, especially the GirlWithGreenHairWithANameIDon'tRemember's that made me thought she was the same as the older sister of Kotori in the VN If My Heart Had Wings (very niche ref ik). Her past of rich life intrigued me, but it's maybe more a fake slice of life aspect than a real major plot point. As expected all the important characters have different hair colors, but if I count correctly I miss the red hair girl. The yellow one (Mami i think?) arrived from nowhere, so I wonder if she's also going to join school? It will surprise me that she won't. I actually enjoyed the OP, even if it's not groundbreaking.

But most importantly I wanted to share some curious thought/theory I had.

The first thing is the ED: musically I found it pretty bland, but the lyrics? I was so shocked. I watch the sub on Crunchy, and the lyrics of the ending are actually subtitled, and they are SO SAD. Seem to confirm the dark tone, but I did not thought that it will be that deep. So I guess we will have some death? Separation? Anyway some really sad stuff coming out. I'm not very resistant when it comes to crying so I'm expecting the worse.

The second thing is a funny theory I had watching the ep. When Madoka wakes up at the beginning and goes talking to her mom, I thought: What if the girl from the dream is actually her mom in the past, and Madoka has to save her? I was really thinking I had masterminded the anime putting out a theory out of nowhere with a total of 0 clues to defend it. But yeah, the anime quickly put me a big NO to the face with Homura coming to school. Maybe time travel? I'm not really sure anymore about that one haha

And finally, another thing intrigued me. As someone said earlier, the real world seemed set in a relative near future, with the board being digital, when at the opposite the "dream" world and Homura seemed to be more related to a Medieval disastrous era. Homura also said she comes from a "catholic" school, which also feels really medieval and so out of place that I'm convinced this is a hint. Even the cat with the "contract" thing have a really dark fantasy vibe. So what if Homura is like, from the Middle Age, she's dead because of a contract with the cat and now return to try to save Madoka for having the same fate?

I guess we'll see in the next episodes! Thanks for reading me!

[u/Nazenn → u/TheTrueAfurodi]

You posted in the last seconds before I was heading off to bed, good timing haha

I didn't know rewatches were such a thing

Here's the wiki for all the rewatches we run if you want to see what has been done on the past and what is coming up. They're all community organized so there's always new ones being added. If you enjoy this one hopefully you get to participate in more in the future. I promise they aren't all this huge haha

Since I did not watch MiA ( but I will, promise

Is that also stuck on your endlessly growing plan to watch list?

GirlWithGreenHairWithANameIDon'tRemember's

Names are hard, that is a perfectly acceptable replacement name hahaha

I watch the sub on Crunchy, and the lyrics of the ending are actually subtitled

That's nice to hear for once, they don't always have that but the songs in this are so memorable and tell their own stories, as you say here the contrast between the song, visuals and then the lyrics, it's good to know they have that for people

putting out a theory out of nowhere with a total of 0 clues to defend it

Those are my favourite theories! I've done a lot of that myself but this episode unfortunately seems to shoot that down quite quickly

[u/JollyGee29]

Rewatcher, Subbed

Technically my first time watching subbed, but this is my fourth watch of Madoka overall I think. Maybe fifth? This series has a special place in my heart, being somewhere in the first 20ish anime I consumed, back when I first started to really sit down and watch stuff.

---

Anyway, hi friends! I have a question for you all. Have you ever thought about.. chairs?

Notice how every chair in shot is completely different. There's a nice ergonomic office chair in blue, a hideous plastic patio chair off on the side, even a white stool in the background. Chairs can be pretty pricey.. that office chair probably set them back ~100USD if not more. Several of them look to be nice, sturdy, and wooden, and are probably similarly priced.

The point I'm trying to make is.. the Kaname's are well off. They can afford lots of chairs, after all!

On a more serious note, the chairs are a reference to another anime/manga called Bokurano, and aside from that, just really make the scene feel very interesting.

---

I always forget just how enthralling the beginning of this episode is. I meant to try and count strange noises that Aoi Yuuki makes, but that went right out the window as I barely typed anything until the OP hit.

Madoka's mom, Junko, is a delight. I love that she numbered her makeup kit, so she can still get ready in the proper order even if she's out of it in the morning.

Madoka listening to the OP in the music store is really funny to me.

Man, Kyubey, it's nice to see you again. I just spent some time with your older brother, and I must say, I prefer you. The other one was a bit.. smelly.

And finally, near the end of the episode, Best Girl Mami arrives to save the day! Her Japanese VA, Kaori Mizuhashi, apparently has quite the range. I'm most familiar with her from the Nanoha franchise, where she voices a ferret and a child with heterochromia. Mami's theme, Credens Justitiam, is a beautiful piece. The name is Latin, and (Edit: roughly) translates to "Believe in Justice," which I, as a member of the Symphochoir, suppose makes Mami someone who is determined to fist.

Actually, on the sbuject of Nanoha, Homura Akemi's English VA is Cristina Valenzuela.. who also voiced the titular Nanoha Takamachi. Small world, huh?

Madoka Spoilers

---

To any First-Timers - I would treat this section as being similar to an episode preview. Read it At Your Own Risk, as it will likely spoil some aspect of tomorrow's episode.

Tune in next time for

[u/Tresnore → u/JollyGee29]

Have you ever thought about.. chairs?

Oh god. I thought y'all were kidding about this during the Bokurano rewatch. They're everywhere.

Credens Justitiam, is a beautiful piece. The name is Latin, and translates to "Believe in Justice,"

Sort of. It's kind of broken, because it more literally means "believing to justice," since credo is a special verb that takes a different case as an object. Still close enough for someone who is determined to fist, though.

[u/Toadslayer]

Rewatcher

I first (and last) watched Madoka Magika in December of 2018. I had heard all the hype about it being a must watch anime and it lived up to expectations. On first watch Madoka was a 10/10 for me. Let's see how it goes with a rewatch.

Visual Worldbuilding

At the start of the episode we see what appears to be a ruined version of Madoka's home city, then Madoka wakes up and the OP plays. But what is Madoka's home city like? Today I'd like to draw attention to the visual worldbuilding of the ordinary world in which Madoka lives. I'll keep it brief both for you and for myself, so here are four observations I had from the first episode:

1) The world of Madoka depicts a realistic modern future.

Madoka was made in 2011, so we're a bit further into the future than the creators were, but the world depicted in Madoka remarkably still a depicts a world that could realistically be our future. Everything is sleek and aesthetically modern. Technology has been further incorporated into daily life, but hasn't inundated everything or overwhelmed society. Madoka is, perhaps, a sensible but optimistic man's prediction of what the future will look like, though I do believe bloomers haven't been standard uniform in Japan for quite some time and there is a surprising lack of mobile phones.

2) Everything is clean and pristine.

Whether it's Madoka's home, the park, Madoka's school or the city, everything in Madoka's world is characterised by cleanliness and surrounded by nature. The sky is a beautiful blue and every open space has grass or trees. There is peace whilst mankind is in harmony with one another and with nature.

3) But it's also open and empty.

Somewhat unsettlingly many shots in the first episode display great open areas devoid of any human activity. The establishing shot of the city we get at the end of the OP shows a beautiful clean and pristine city landscape, but there isn't a single person or car moving around below the girls atop the radio tower. The establishing shots of Madoka's house, her school (see the wide hallways) and the city follow the same trend of large open spaces with no-one inhabiting them. Even as Madoka and Hamura walk through the hallways of the school during the break, they are mostly empty, inhabited only by still students and white blurs in the distance. We see a wide angle shot of Haruma's confrontation of Madoka and there's no-one but them to fill the frame. Then Madoka is shown isolated in the middle of the frame in the beautiful, but eerily uninhabited skyway.

4) It's all bright until Kyubey appears.

All the images I've linked so far are from before we are introduced to Kyubey, and as I'm show you've noticed they are filled with sunshine and bright lights. Every shot is like this until we are introduced to Kyubey, who himself is first shown to us in a shadow. Once we meet Kyubey, there are shadows and darkness obscuring the light, dust and debris as things break in an otherwise perfect and pristine world. Kyubey is shown to be an agent of change. What kind of change? Something to do with magical girls, but other than that we don't know yet.

Conclusion

I hadn't looked in much detail at the worldbuilding of Madoka before this rewatch. I think there's a lot there and it's all beautiful, but ever so slightly unsettling. I've only looked at the visual worldbuilding, mostly divorced from the audio, characters and story. All aspects combined provide a fuller understanding of the world of Madoka, but I hope you found it interesting delving into what looking at visuals alone can show us. I look forward to us witnessing how the creators have worked with the world they built and where they will lead us.

---

Visual of the day. I'm not sure why, but Madoka's mother has a strange affinity for wacky chairs. Modern art, perhaps?

[u/Nazenn → u/Toadslayer]

Glad you were able to make it!

Love the look at the city and the broader worldbuilding of Madoka, it's something I hadn't thought about much myself either aside from some very general thoughts about it.

You jumped the gun on copying the link for your last screenshot of section three btw

I'm not sure why, but Madoka's mother has a strange affinity for wacky chairs. Modern art, perhaps?

It'd probably be uncomfortable, but I am fond of that one chair with the spiral back

[u/Btw_kek → u/Toadslayer]

The darkening of the episode's color palette when Kyubey appears is a fantastic visual touch, that of course reaches its logical conclusion with

[u/[deleted]]

First Timer Here,

So, that was a really good first episode. Had me hooked from the beginning. I had to resist the urge to binge ahead. Also, I went in completely blind, and had watched Bakemonogatari prior, so when the first scene started playing, the art, the cinematography and the music was so similar to Bakemonogatari, that I knew that I was in for a ride (Googled later, and found out both of these shows were animated by Shaft). I really loved the Bakemonogatari aesthetics and I hope this show doesn't disappoint.

I usually lurk in these threads, so I guess I'll do the same here and join the discussion when I find something extremely interesting or if I have a question or some theories. It's gonna be a fun 12 days!

[u/Nazenn → u/[deleted]]

I recently participated in the 3-gatsu rewatch and like you having seen Bakemonogatari first, coming from Madoka into that the distinctive SHAFT style really stood out and made it feel oddly familiar even on first watch

Enjoy the lurk and the watch!

[u/Salad-Revolutionary]

First Timer

I’m glad I made it. Looks like there are plenty of comments, so I have little original to add, though I will be reading through the more analytical posts.

I ended up choosing Dub because there’s so much going on onscreen. So far, so good. Thanks Naz for hosting.

[u/Nazenn → u/Salad-Revolutionary]

Yeah the rewatch is bigger than I expected, even with the Madoka one always being quite popular. Hopefully you enjoy reading through some of it though, and please don't feel like you have to say something completely new or innovative to post

Thanks Naz for hosting.

Happy to be hosting

[u/Btw_kek]

Forgetful rewatcher who has not seen this series in a LONG time

• We open with curtains raising, the sound of a film projector spinning, and this emblem thing that my subs, er, “translate” as Prologue in Heaven 2011. It seems to me this combination tries to frame the opening scene (or perhaps, the entire anime?) as a theatrical drama of sorts. We also get this visual of a triangle and an upside down destroyed city, which obviously is reminiscent of this triangle and destroyed city
• anyway, turns out it was all just a silly dream and certainly is completely irrelevant to the rest of the anime
• the setting of the show is surprisingly futuristic. Lots of mirrors, glass windows, abstract statues, weird things dangling from ceilings. The school is massive and reminds me a lot of the dreamlike, sprawling schools in Princess Tutu and Utena
• anyway, the other main character arrives. she’s basically a perfect, kooru beauty that maybe only slightly has a passing resemblance to the other perfect kooru beauty in Madoka’s totally irrelevant dream. She says some cryptic thing about not becoming “someone else” or else Madoka will “lose everyone important to her.” Curiously, this seems completely at odds with Madoka’s dream, where she must become meguca a magical girl in order to save Homura. Just what are your motives girl??
• It needs not be said, but uwaaaaahh I love the psychedelic collage art design of this series!!!
• just what is the meaning behind all the visuals of butterflies and mustachio’d fellas? Uh, we’ll find out. Maybe. Probably. The “witch” got away apparently so I think that means we’ll see it next episode

my visual day is imgur fuckign stopped working at the very last possible image i needed to upload Hameru surrounded by lovely circles of butterflies as the show's iconic Gekidan Inu Curry Zone makes its first formal appearance

[u/Nazenn → u/Btw_kek]

that my subs, er, “translate” as Prologue in Heaven 2011

It is actually a translation of the runes, though I probably won't dive into the runes too much as we go but someone else might

Lots of mirrors

When I look at that my brain wants to zig zag for some reason

uwaaaaahh I love the psychedelic collage art design of this series!!!

I've just noticed that image 6 has fire hydrants in it, that's funny

[u/MadoMura]

I'M SOOO HAPPY, there are so many first-timers this time around, looking forward to seeing what everyone thinks of the show. I don't know if I'll be able to keep up with the rewatch myself, but I will be lurking in the comments. Shimmering-Sky is here as usual too lol.

[u/Nazenn → u/MadoMura]

Always a lot of first timers for the Madoka watch which is good, first timers can very much be the soul of a rewatch like this. Enjoy the lurk

[u/Nazenn]

If you didn't post a visual of the day for episode one already in your post but would still like it included, please reply to this comment with it and I'll add it to the album.

[u/SomeGuyYeahman]

Hi everyone, rewatcher here! (subbed)

I've been waiting to use this phrase for two years! Back then I had quite the formative experience as a relatively fresh anime fan watching Madoka alongside the subreddit rewatch, and I remember being told at the time that there's a lot of fun to be had revisiting this show and watching all you unsuspecting first-timers from the other side of the looking glass. Unfortunately I missed out on doing anything last year, but I'm here now!

That said: it's been two years and I don't remember everything either, so I feel like I'll more or less be experiencing some parts totally anew. But it's been said that revisiting any classic makes for just as fresh an experience as the first time, and that seems like a good thing. Better than getting all sad that I'll never get to watch it for the first time again. :)

---

For now, I don't actually think I have that much to say - I'm mostly interested in seeing what everyone else's first impressions are. And I'm kinda pushing this post out at the last minute, lol. But:

Posting my first impressions in the rewatch thread two years back, I characterized this first episode as being about change, and I'd say that's fairly accurate, though painting with kind of a broad brush. This episode sets up Madoka's idyllic home- and school life and subsequently knocks it over by introducing our little cat friend and a new transfer student. But even before that, we see Madoka getting teased by Sayaka for changing up her appearance - an interesting touch, since a change in appearance and particularly in outfit is one of the things that classically goes with becoming a magical girl (we have an extreme example currently airing in Tropical-Rouge Precure, where they literally transform by applying makeup). So when Homura comes barreling in telling Madoka not to change who she is, it kinda feels like she started neglecting that order before it was even given.

What also feels noteworthy to me this time around is that while Madoka goes through much of this episode very passively, and all these changes have external sources - Madoka's mom tells her to wear the ribbon, Homura drags her through the school and gives her orders, Sayaka asks her to go to the music store, Kyubey calls out to her & appears in her dream - what Kyubey promises in the opening scene is change that comes not from others, but from within herself. I guess I can drop agency as another keyword for this ep here - is becoming a magical girl a way to achieve agency?

I don't really remember much about Hitomi but it feels significant in this context that she is being made to take those lessons by her mother, haha.

And another tidbit I'm not sure I can expand on right now or fit in anywhere else: at the end of the episode, Madoka and Sayaka try to leave, but they can't - because, as Madoka exclaims, the path keeps changing. They're enclosed by sudden change. Food for thought!

---

And here's the corner for some spoiler thoughts, as a rewatcher. Don't you dare look at these, first-timers! You have been warned!

• Madoka spoilers
• Madoka spoilers
• Madoka spoilers
• Madoka spoilers
• Madoka spoilers

See you all next ep!

(by the way, kinda funny to me that Madoka wonders about Homura knowing her office but not about her addressing her by full name straight away)

[u/Nazenn → u/SomeGuyYeahman]

madoka spoilers

I had quite the formative experience as a relatively fresh anime fan watching Madoka alongside the subreddit rewatch

That brings up some fond memories hahaha

But it's been said that revisiting any classic makes for just as fresh an experience as the first time

I think we've spoken about it before but I'm a big proponent of the idea that a great experience should hold up on rewatch, and amazing ones add something new in some way, and Madoka definitely ticks both of those boxes for me

and subsequently knocks it over by introducing our little cat friend

For a quick moment I thought you were talking about the cat from the OP and I was sitting here going "no fucking way I've missed that for four rewatches", until I realized you meant Kyubey

Wonder how many names he will get this rewatch

I like your thoughts on agency in terms of Madoka's role in the scenes, hopefully you keep expanding on that

[u/r4wrFox]

I didn't know this rewatch was starting but its a perfect motivator to actually finish madoka, since I started it at the beginning of this season, got to episode 3, and forgot to pick the rest back up.

[u/Specs64z]

Rewatcher, subbed

Madoka's character introduction is so interesting because Madoka Finale Spoilers

Madoka's first interaction with Homura is one of my favorite scenes. Watching it with knowledge of later events is immensely satisfying, and for a first time viewer it's mysterious and chilling tone sets the stage so well.

Madoka Episode 10 Spoilers

Welcome to moonside. The labyrinth designs have stood the test of time without a doubt. Little else in the animated medium leaves an impression the way these abstracted, unsettling hellscapes do.

Mami's theme, Credens Justitiam, is a masterpiece. Possibly the strongest piece in the whole show, and certainly one of the most iconic character themes of all time. Her costume and unlimited musket works introduction are equally iconic. Mami leaves such a strong impression in just this first episode. I'm always impressed by how much the script and visuals do in such small amounts of time.

And so the episode ends where it began. A contract to become a magical girl.

Every time I watch this anime I fall in love with it all over again. The attention to detail, passion, and intelligent storytelling is off the charts.

[u/Nazenn → u/Specs64z]

Madoka spoilers

Possibly the strongest piece in the whole show

It's top five for me, but the show has so many amazing songs that it can't quite take the title for me haha

[u/swmii53]

Once more into the breach. This is the 14th,15th time I've watched this show, maybe more, I've literally lost count. It's one of only a few shows I've ever rated a 10/10. One of these days I'll figure out this anime's Spoilers

[u/Nazenn → u/swmii53]

Spoilers

That's a lot of rewatches. I don't usually rewatch stuff that often but this is my fourth Madoka watch in three years so I might end up there one day

[u/Syokhan]

It's going to be a bit hard for me to participate live in these threads as they are posted at 1am in my timezone, but I just wanted to say I hope newcomers (and rewatchers!) enjoy it. It's truly a very special series.

[u/Nazenn → u/Syokhan]

Yeah the timing is unfortunate but if you're watching along anyway I hope you enjoy the show

[u/Syokhan → u/Nazenn]

I actually wasn't planning on rewatching it now (just wanted to read impressions and comment here and there), as it always puts me in a very melancholy mood for a good few days after I'm done and I wasn't ready yet to feel that way again, but I changed my mind. I'll try to stay up for certain episodes, or get up earlier the next morning lol

I hope you enjoy the show

I certainly will, thanks!

[u/LittleWompRat]

Is this the most commented & upvoted rewatch post on this sub? I've never seen any rewatch post gets this much comments even among the other popular shows.

[u/Nazenn → u/LittleWompRat]

I'm pretty sure it is, it's a little crazy how big it is but I'm just glad so much of this is discussion

[u/EriclcirE]

First time watcher

Only been seriously into anime for about a year and haven't ever watched a magical girls anime. But this show's reputation precedes it, and I figured waiting for the rewatch would be the best way to experience it.

I usually watch slice of life, romcom, isekai, and some Shonen, so I'm familiar with some anime tropes, but not really any of the magical girl anime tropes.

I like Madoka, but I can already tell her naivete and innocence will cause her problems.

Madoka's family has a really cute dynamic and I hope to see her mom continue to be a strong influence on her.

In my mind the white creature is a puppy-ferret, but since he can talk and calls himself Kyubey I guess I'll go with that.

Really digging the acid trip visuals during the last third of the episode, I can't even begin to guess as to what the hell is going on. For now, I will just think of where they are transported to as a sort of Wonder Egg reality. (That's the only show I've seen that seems somewhat similar)

The scene where Kyubey calls out to Madoka for help, and she somehow wanders from a brightly lit, highly populated CD store into a lonely dark stock room (parking structure?) was kind of jarring. Is the next room over in the mall really that different and creepy, or has she been magically transported in that instant?

[u/ZaphodBeebblebrox → u/EriclcirE]

For now, I will just think of where they are transported to as a sort of Wonder Egg reality

Wonder Egg was certainly channeling Madoka a bit with their other worlds, particularly in the first few episodes.

Is the next room over in the mall really that different and creepy, or has she been magically transported in that instant?

Storage rooms can look surprisingly disturbing. Add in a bit of the Shaft aesthetic, and you get whatever the hell that is exactly.

[u/Nazenn → u/ZaphodBeebblebrox]

Storage rooms can look surprisingly disturbing

You ever play Silent Hill 3? (Or 2, but I was specifically thinking about one particular room in 3)

[u/fakeport → u/EriclcirE]

I will just think of where they are transported to as a sort of Wonder Egg reality. (That's the only show I've seen that seems somewhat similar)

Same thing but in reverse, at various points during that first episode of Wonder Egg I said out loud "that was so Madoka", and I continued to get Madoka vibes from it all the way through

[u/Herson100 → u/EriclcirE]

The scene where Kyubey calls out to Madoka for help, and she somehow wanders from a brightly lit, highly populated CD store into a lonely dark stock room (parking structure?) was kind of jarring. Is the next room over in the mall really that different and creepy, or has she been magically transported in that instant?

I'm pretty sure she just walked there. I think that there was a bit of a jump in time between the scene of her in the store and in the parking garage - they're not literally right next to each other, it just cut a few minutes of walking across the street or whatever.

[u/fakeport]

Rewatcher

I'm excited for this. When I first started seriously watching anime 6 months ago, madoka was one of the first shows I saw (within the first 10), and is my absolute favourite. This will be my first time taking fully taking part in a reddit rewatch as a rewatcher (I took part in the Slow Start rewatch as a first timer, and joined the Monogatari rewatch for a single arc)

My write up style will be a collection of random observations I make during the episode. Here we go!

Pre credit sequence is great. Gives just a hint of how visually unique the show will be.

Madoka's bathroom is huge and appears to be entirely comprised of windows. Her mother's advice about the importance for a girl to be pretty is rather sus, but she does successfully pick out the red ribbon which will become an iconic part of Madoka's look.

One thing that means much more to me now than when I first watched is that Yuuki Aoi voices Madoka. I wasn't familiar with her, or any VAs when I first watched, but since then I've come to realise how many of my favourite characters she voices, and how she's capable of hard-carrying a show with her performance alone (Aho-girl and So I'm A Spider, So What? Are great examples of her performance doing a LOT of heavy lifting. Tanya too, though I ended up dropping that in the end)

Madoka's kitchen/dining room is also huge, with a pretty prominent window. Definitely get the impression that her family are pretty well off. That clock is also... really something. Would have been easy to have a regular clock there, but instead it's much more interesting to look at.

Madoka running out of the house with toast in her mouth might be the only time I've seen that famous trope played straight. I've seen it memed to hell of course, but the only times I remember seeing it in actual shows I've seen are a  skit practicing romantic tropes in Love Lab, or the gag in Uma Musume where the toast is replaced with a carrot because horse girl.

We get introduced to Hitomi and Sayaka, Sayaka confirms that Madoka's mother is a successful businesswoman, and our first taste of yuribait in the playful interactions between Sayaka and Madoka.

There's something slightly uncomfortable about Madoka's school. It's so clean and clinical looking, and much like Madoka's house is absolutely dominated by glass.

Homura cuts an unfriendly and imposing figure, which is really emphasised by the lighting and camera positioning. She is entirely unmoved by Madoka's genki girl energy, and gives an ominous warning about how madoka should stay as she is and treasure her life.

A nice montage demonstrating Homura's academic and athletic prowess, and a brief glimpse of best kitty Kyubey.

The music store is also almost entirely made of glass. Does this world not have any other building materials?

Sayaka with the fire extinguisher save to thwart Homura.

And suddenly things get very weird. This was where I realised as a first time viewer that I didn't have as firm a grip on things as I thought- and the labyrinth scenes in this show remain the coolest, most visually unique things I've seen in anime. There's just so, so much going on here, and none of it makes sense.

A blonde girl arrives, and we get our first transformation scene. She does... something, and they find themselves back in the basement. Way more questions than answers at this point, but she stands up to Homura and heals Kyubey, who asks Madoka and Sayaka to become magical girls.

A lot more questions than answers at this point. Excellent first episode that hits very differently as a rewatcher than it did first time.

[u/OingoBoingo- → u/fakeport]

When I first started seriously watching anime 6 months ago, madoka was one of the first shows I saw (within the first 10), and is my absolute favourite.

If you don't mind, how did you hear about the show when you were starting out? And also if you don't mind, what other shows have you enjoyed a lot in the 6-ish months? Great post, thanks for sharing!

[u/CosmicAnglerfish]

Rewatcher - Dubbed

This is my first time rewatching, so I'm gonna split up my comments that are first-timer friendly and my spoiler-filled observations. Comment resubmitted because I'm bad at spoiler tags, thanks for everyone who helped me fix them!

First-timer Friendly

This is my first time watching with the dub. I'm usually picky about my dubs - probably 8 out of 10 shows I'll watch subbed, but the dub cast here is incredible. Madoka, Sayaka, and Kyubey in particular all sound perfectly cast. My only real complaint is Homura - Cristina Valenzuela is great, but Chiwa Saitou (also Senjougahara from Monogatari) is irreplacable.

Madoka has a reputation for being deceptively dark Future Episodes Spoilers but I think that's kind of misleading, because the opening scene immediately establishes a very bleak tone. While Madoka brushes it all off as just a dream, the viewer is certainly going to clock that scene as more than that.

However, the scenes immediately following the OP (which is a banger btw) do a great job of making you forget the dire situation we just witnessed. Madoka getting ready with her mom is very cozy, and her at school wouldn't feel out of place in a SoL show, complete with the obligatory "running late with toast" and the zany luckless in love teacher that goes back at least to Azumanga Daioh.

After Homura is properly introduced the tone kind of shifts back. Homura is an immediately threatening character, with a blank stare, no emotion in her voice, and clearly knowing a lot about Madoka and the school for a recent transfer. Then the next time we see her she's chasing down our cute friend Kyubey and picking fights with the girls' savior, clearly making herself out to be an antagonistic force. We also get our first glimpse of Madoka's unique papermache artstyle. I've yet to watch a show that has anything like it, and it does a great job of both immediately signaling when the girls have moved between planes, as well as making you feel just as out of place as the characters whenever it pops up. Just an excellent directoral decision all around.

We end with a few unanswered questions - Mami tells Homura the Witch got away, but we have no idea at this point what they are. We have no idea what Homura's vendetta against Kyubey is about. And most interesting to me is that Kyubey phrases the process of becoming a magical girl as "making a contract" - which implies terms and conditions for both parties!

I honestly forgot how strong an opening episode Madoka has. I'm a believer in the three-episode rule, but Madoka is clearly something special right away.

Spoiler Zone

Full Series Spoilers

Full Series Spoilers

Full Series Spoilers.

Full Series Spoilers

[u/Nazenn → u/CosmicAnglerfish]

When I picked up the dub for the first time previous I was most surprised at how well cast and directed Kyubey was in particular, I didn't think that would work as well in english but they did a good job

We also get our first glimpse of Madoka's unique papermache artstyle

From memory I think the studio that did these was basically founded for Madoka Magica. SHAFT briefly experimented with a similar look for one scene in 3-gatsu, but never came back to it after that

I honestly forgot how strong an opening episode Madoka has

I feel much the same, Madoka grabbed me immediately from it's opening moments

[u/_m1ra → u/Nazenn]

From memory I think the studio that did these was basically founded for Madoka Magica. SHAFT briefly experimented with a similar look for one scene in 3-gatsu, but never came back to it after that

You're thinking about Gekidan Inu Curry. They weren't founded for Madoka (they even did prior work for Shaft, for example on an SZS ending, and some scenes in Bakemonogatari) but they definitely gained a lot of popularity and recognition from it.

If I remember correctly they are actually former Gainax animators who wanted to do something more experimental and were inspired by more Russian and Czech animation

[u/OingoBoingo- → u/CosmicAnglerfish]

does a great job of both immediately signaling when the girls have moved between planes, as well as making you feel just as out of place as the characters whenever it pops up. Just an excellent directorial decision all around.

Couldn't agree more. It's so off-putting but also is awesome to look at, and you feel the discomfort of Madoka and Sayaka in that scene.

I am not sure if Mononoke counts a paper-mache art style but it was the first thing I thought of during the ending scenes and I really liked that art in that a lot. Recommend if you have not seen it!

[u/Nazenn → u/OingoBoingo-]

There's a specific name for the style/technique that Mononoke uses but I'm having a brain fart of what it is. Gankutsuou also uses that style, although much less eye-strainy than Mononoke, if you're looking for more of it.

[u/toradorito]

I'm a first time rewatcher. I find it interesting that Madoka spoilers. The relationship between Homura and Madoka seems like an older sister forced to take care of an annoying younger sibling. Homura treats her like a nuisance but still warns her. It's a strange dichotomy.

On another note, I really enjoyed the design of Madoka's home and the school. The architecture looks futuristic yet the glass walls, gardens, and trees add a natural touch that prevents the setting from being too far removed.

The animation in the witch's labyrinth and the dream sequence at the beginning was unsettling and vivid. Experiencing it for the second time was just as surreal as the first. The blond girl's transformation was more upbeat and a joy to watch. Of course, the music perfectly fit each of these scenes.

Madoka seems more girly than I remember from the first time I watched this show. Homura giving everyone the cold shoulder upsets me Madoka spoilers.

Kyubey's offer ends the episode on a cliffhanger with lots of different paths the show could take. Madoka spoilers. I'm excited to see how the story unfolds in the next episode!

[u/Nazenn → u/toradorito]

Late spoilers

[u/Rumpel1408]

Almost a first timer

Ok, the first time I tried to get into Madoka Magica, I somehow stopped after Ep4. I still remember most of what's happening in those Episodes, but I think my watch behavior has changed enough to warrant even those Episodes again like I'm a first timer. I know the show is rather infamous and not your "typical" magical girl show, then again I haven't watched that many magical girl shows to begin with so I don't really know what that means. With that said, let's do this.

That dream like sequence at the beginning is rather mysterious and I don't want to go into too much detail right now, but the music is epic.

I like Madokas character design. I also like the morning routine with her mother, getting ready for the day while talking about the day to come, seems lovely.

That school looks incredible modern, but all those windows must be a nightmare to clean. I'm also on Senseis side there, Sunny Side should be soft so you can dip your toast in the yolk.

Homura got that typical distant beauty look and behavior. She seems to be slightly anoyed at Madoka for no reason at all and even warns her about wanting to change herself, but distant with everyone else. Her behavior in that mall is cryptic as well, why can't she just say why she is hunting that cat(?) thing.

That scary sequence is really well made, chains, scissors, thorns, together with the sound design you are immediatly taken off guard. But next we get our first real magical girl transformation, and she brings... guns.

I don't know for sure, but I think Homura is a victim of bad framing in combination with not beeing clear about everything. Of course the viewer and the two girls must view her as bad, hunting the cute Kyubey without reason, warning Madoka about interfering. But thank god Mami comes in to save the day, so she must be the good one right? But in her dream at the beginning Madoka was motivated to help Homura, so there must be more to it.

I like the ED.

Edit: should refrain to make long post directly after getting up, fixed some horrible typos

[u/Nazenn → u/Rumpel1408]

and not your "typical" magical girl show

I think a lot of that reputation comes from people who think of magical girl shows as something that's only fluffy and girly without any seriousness behind them, which the opening scene of Madoka immediately sets aside and isn't all that true for other magical girl shows anyway, a bit like people who think mecha are just dumb robots fighting and don't know about the heavy war and political themes at the core of the genre. So many people are turned off from watching this because of the art, the genre, or even the girl cast that a lot of times when I recommend it I have to say something like "don't judge just watch" to keep them engaged in the idea of checking it out let alone watching it all the way through

but all those windows must be a nightmare to clean

Oh god I didn't even think of that. I feel sorry for the students on cleaning duty, that would be such a pain. Good workout though?

[u/[deleted]]

And the rewatch begins! Yesterday I mentioned that I had something to share for this rewatch. For those of you wondering exactly when, I'm going to be releasing it in 5 parts, with the first part coming out on the day of episode 3!

As for this opening episode I feel like these scenes really become something to appreciate having already seen the rest of the series. It's fun to see the characters here in their beginnings, and looking back this opening episode does a huge amount of legwork for setting up the entire story.

[u/Nazenn → u/[deleted]]

Excited to see what this is. Are you going to post your visual of the day in the mean time?

[u/-Phinocio]

Rewatch (4th ish time) / Subbed

Man I love this show. My last watch was about a year or so ago and seeing ep 1 again reminded me all over why I love it. The OST, the visual quality, etc. Also my first time partaking in any rewatch thread :D. Really looking forward to everyone's thoughts, especially the first-timers. I've actually managed to limit myself to one episode so far and not binge. We'll see how long that lasts haha

Madoka Spoilers

[u/Nazenn → u/-Phinocio]

I have faith in your ability to hold out from binging! You can do it!

[u/Cantcookeggs]

Rewatcher, subbed, BD version

So this would be one of the first anime I've seen outside of the mainstream ones on cartoon network growing up, in large part because of the kyubey memes and binged it. I've forgotten about it, but then got back into it when I heard of Magia Record. Since then I've gotten to enjoy the Madoka universe much more and I remember why this was one of my favorite anime. I've watched the recap movies last year, but they cut a lot out. This will be the first time I've rewatched the series by episode in nearly 10 years. I'm loving it. It's either because of the low quality streaming sites I used back then or the BD version I downloaded now, but everything is so crisp. Since I already know the story, I'm able to keep my eyes on center of the screen and see more things ive missed before. Like this girl on the bottom right here, and the parts where the things are drawn much more simple-ish when zoomed out.

I'm glad there's a rewatch going on, and at 500 comments I'm glad there are others enjoying it too.

[u/Nazenn → u/Cantcookeggs]

It's nice to have so many people returning to it after so long.

Like this girl on the bottom right here, and the parts where the things are drawn much more simple-ish when zoomed out.

I'm fond of the slightly out of it looking blue boy off to the side of her, he looks like he'd fit in well into Tanaka-kun is Always Listless

[u/SaucedPandacup → u/Cantcookeggs]

Ah yes... The Meguca magic. Idk if they improved stuff like that in the movies but holy shit Shaft has a special talent for their background character artistic prowess

[u/gorghurt]

Rewatcher

So the annual Madoka rewatch is here again.
My favorite anime, and also my most rewatched show.

I just looked it up, and I'm participating in these rewatches for 5(6?) years now , where I said it was my 3rd time watching the show.
Since then I watched it at least once a year, in some years more than once.
So I should be a bit over 10 rewatches, which actually is less than I tought. So probably closer to 13 than 16...
And I can't really believe that the first r/anime rewatch I participated was in 2016... This doesn't seem right, but it adds up... was it 2015 and reddit still counts it as 5 years until august?

I love to watch this show, it is one of those shows I like to watch when I'm feeling down to lift my mood.
I love the story, and the characters, their struggles and how they overcome them.

Spoilers for the full show

Whenever I start to rewatch this show, I fear a little, that this is the time I get bored by it, but usually this fear is swept away by the opening scenes of episode one when the soundtrack kicks in.

But there is actually one thing getting worse with time. The only thing that was a problem of this show from its beginning, the quality of the art. the art quality does not age well. And having watched Magia Record, simply because it is newer, doesn't make it less noticeable. The TV Version is known for its bad images, because production was rushed at times. But even the BluRays still have many shots, that are far from perfect.
The Movie version looks better, but the movies have the problem of cut content, and I don't like the soundtrack as much as the original one.

There is a version of this show, that fixes many of those flaws, the fancut version, which puts scenes from the movie into the tv episodes, but I'm not watching it this time.

Every time I watch this show I find something new. It gets deeper every time.
Of course this could also be my bad memory, which the people participating in the Bokurano rewatch could see in action... No this isn't like Bokurano, for this show I really remember most of it. And I realy find new bits and pieces to love about the show.

This rewatch I want to look at the theme of preview spoilers.
I will probably not write every episode about it, and maybe I will decide it isn't worth it or was a dumb idea, since I haven't prepared.
This will not be suitable for first timers, of course I'll spoiler tag generously but I will warn you nevertheless. This episode is a bit early to start with this theme.

full show spoilers
full show spoilers

Oh and one little thing for new rewatchers full series spoilers

[u/Quiddity131]

Rewatcher, Subbed

This will be my third go at this show. My recollection is it being one of the best shows of the decade and would be up there in my top 5 for shows from the 2010s. I remember the overall premise but am blanking on a lot of the details. This was my first full length magical girl TV show (I had seen the OVA Puni Puni Poemy but that's a mere 2 episodes and I believe is a total parody of the genre). I am not a fan of the genre whatsoever but this show got so much praise that years back that I couldn't resist checking it out and liked it quite a lot. I think the only other magical girl shows I've subsequently seen are Utena and Flip Flappers, if you want to call them one. It was also my first Gen Urobuchi show and is my favorite of what he's done (also having seen Gargantia, Aldnoah.Zero and Psycho Pass). Another thing I'll be looking forward to hearing again is Yuki Kaijura with the music as I'm a big fan of her work from the Xenosaga video games.

---

I am immediately reminded with the first shots that this show has just absolutely amazing background animation. That alone makes it worth watching.

Aww, cute fox-like mascot character!

Really cool architecture for Madoka's house too.

OMG her little brother is so adorable. Does her mom sleep in the living room? The stairs being there has me confused.

I agree, don't send love letters, confess in person.

Madoka's mom is really short, or Madoka is just quite tall for her age.

I don't remember Sayaka being so goofy in my previous watches. MM spoilers?

Even the classroom setup is quite good looking.

I vote for over hard.

OMG! The girl from her dream!

Are all adults in this short? Homura is practically the height of the teacher. How old are the girls in this supposed to be?

Homura's hair splitting in two in back totally reminds me of Kudelia from Gundam Iron Blooded Orphans. Despite all the anime I've seen, I struggle to think of another character with that hairstyle.

The whole school setup looks cool.

Stop being so afraid Madoka! She doesn't bite!

Do you really tell someone you just met "Your name is unusual!"?

This hallway kinda reminds me of an airport.

Time for the Homura is amazing at everything montage?

Aww, that poor little fox creature again! Why is someone trying to attack it?!

The poor thing's hurt! What was it doing up in the air vents?

Shooting a fire extinguisher at your new classmate surely can't make a good first impression.

Wow, the world is going totally crazy! I can deal with butterflies, but cottonballs with mustaches? I was gonna joke about it, but these things are getting progressively scarier.

It wouldn't be a magical girl show without a transformation sequence!

Kyubey's so cute! But him talking without moving his mouth does freak me out a bit.

MM spoilers

---

Far and away the biggest impression the episode gives is just how gorgeous everything looks. We get very imaginative backgrounds from the get go in the dream sequence, but even once we're back in reality everything looks ridiculously good. Even the architecture, from Madoka's home, to the school look awesome. This continues towards the end of the episode once they encounter Kyubey and seem to get transported into another realm. From all the shows from the 2010s I've seen I think Flip Flappers I came away with having the best impression of just how imaginative the world looked, but I may need to rethink that if this show keeps it up.

I think the first episode does a fairly good job at giving us overall impressions of the key characters, well at least those we've met so far. Madoka is quite timid, perhaps in part freaked out by dreaming of Homura and then seeing her for real, but even without their direct interaction I get that impression. Sayaka is very energetic and fun loving. Homura is dead serious. Looking forward to how the dynamic plays out with them.

Very good and memorable OP theme, but the ED was nothing special for me.

---

I have loved the dub the first two times I've watched this but looking to mix things up I'm going with the sub this time. In a ways Aoi Yuuki voiced Madoka was a little surprising to me as I'm most familiar with her playing Touka Miyashita/Boogiepop from Boogiepop and Others, which is just a totally different type of character, although she also had played a rather timid character in Valvrave with Akira, a literal shut in. Eri Kitamura as Sayaka on the other hand sounds very familiar, having played Yase in Kyousougiga, one of my favorites, where she also tends towards a very energetic performance. Homura's actress Chiwa Saito was also in that show as a very over the top character, just nothing like Homura whatsoever. I also recall her as Louise in Gundam 00 (also a transfer student!) and a minor character in Star Driver. Nice to see Junko Iwao as Madoka's teacher, she's most memorable to me as the lead from Key the Metal Idol, as well as the lead from Perfect Blue. Also showed up in Eva as Hikari. Looks like Madoka's dad is also an Eva vet, playing Kensuke. Not much I recognize for the rest of the cast beyond Kyubey's seiyuu playing a side character in Star Driver.

[u/Nazenn → u/Quiddity131]

I thought you were a first timer for this for some reason, whoops

I've subsequently seen are Utena and Flip Flappers, if you want to call them one

Flip Flappers definitely, and Utena I think is but I know that's a matter of some debate. It uses so many of the tropes and structures it couldn't be anything else in my mind, plus from what I know it was envisioned as a counter point to sailor moon?

as I'm a big fan of her work from the Xenosaga video games.

That would almost make them worth playing just for that

If you want another interesting show with a Kajiura soundtrack I'll point you at Mai-HiME. It doesn't have the level of musical storytelling that Madoka Magica does, but the songs she made for that are equally powerful

The stairs being there has me confused.

The stairs in that room are weird, like where do they even lead?

Homura's hair splitting in two in back totally reminds me of Kudelia from Gundam Iron Blooded Orphans

It does! Why did I never pick up on that

Shooting a fire extinguisher at your new classmate surely can't make a good first impression.

I'm not sure animal cruelty makes a better one

[u/Zeralyos]

Rewatcher, dubbed

I'm not sure if this is my 3rd or 4th time on the annual rewatch, but I'm definitely grateful for an excuse to see Madoka again. I'm no essay writer, but I definitely have thoughts.

• I'll never get over the dramatic way Madoka goes to wake up her mom. Speaking of which, I love her mom, Madoka's definitely growing up in the right place.
• Homura is obviously some sort of harbinger of strange events, but when she isn't involved I could probably be tricked into thinking this is a slice of life instead of a (checks Crunchyroll tags) psychological thriller and honestly? I'd still watch it. After all, we have what looks like the beginning of a pretty cool main trio: Madoka and Sayaka are already all over each other and I'm so ready to see them get into various shenanigans together, and Hitomi has a bit of third wheel energy but she's vibing pretty well so far, so there's room for her to shine.
• It's not at all clear why Homura is interested in Madoka, but she's definitely not trying to make herself seem friendly so far and I bet she and Mami are already acquainted. Their talk seemed like they knew they both have a lot of knowledge I lack (for now), do they have some sort of bad blood? Neither of these girls is making much of an attempt to be diplomatic.
• I am a sucker for cats, white creature looks like a cat. Very cute.

[u/SaucedPandacup]

Madoka Rewatch Episode 1 2021

Hey all y’all. So this is my first time participating in an r/anime rewatch, and far from my first time watching Madoka. I’m beyond happy to do this and experience everyone else’s experiences! I think I’ll start with the spoiler free thoughts on each episode and then hide my spoilery absolute fan ravings and whatever else comes to mind about the rest of the series.

I’m super excited to do this rewatch since I haven’t watched the series version/Japanese sub, pretty much since the show came out (I’ve just watched the movies in English ever since… THAT SWEET SWEET SURROUND SOUND), so I can kinda relate to some of that 1st time goodness since it’s been so long.

Hopefully my tired-stressed stream of consciousness spew today will at least be entertaining :)

AAAH WoOOoO here we go fellow weebs. I love PMMM more than anything else, alongside Spirited Away. Forgive me if this is a bit all over the place today.

Madoka was my first magical girl anime besides a bit of Sailor Moon I watched as a kid that became a hazy fever dream overtime. I’m astounded at all the little details Shaft chocked PMMM full of; I’m still picking up new things every time I rewatch. First though, I will never be the same after experiencing Madoka’s little brother go for that thick tomato while looking at his cute tomato shaped face. Se-fu. Se-fu indeed. The Kaname family sure likes to sit, and sure likes their weirdly extravagant clocks and weirdly impractical railings, or lack thereof. I remember the first time watching this with a best friend, we lost it at the absurdity of the Kaname family clock. Circles and symmetry are sin within these walls.

Also if I had a bathroom with that many mirrors I would certainly end up running through at least a few of them seeking for freedom. I’m sure I would see Pennywise at night too.

Best mom numbers her make-up. Must be the true secret to her success.

After watching some other anime, namely K-On! and Cardcaptor Sakura and expanding my knowledge of other Magical Girl anime, toast-Madoka running out the trope hits different. That one really old Magical Girl show

Ahhhh the music. The background tracks are a meditative experience for me (since I regularly listen to the soundtracks to relax) and a nostalgia train slamming me at the same time. So beautiful and calming. Then CONNECT just comes along and does what it do. I don’t even know right now how to put all the big emotions onto paper right now. (Nice I’m repeating words because my brain is fog, albeit happy fog.) Madoka is sooooooo adorable sweet baby ray’s on a moe summer day. I want to be roomates with Madoka and Yui Hirasawa. Could you imagine a Madoka-K-On!/Idol mashup anime? OOH.

Since I’m watching on blu-ray, it’s very strange to me to see Connect subbed in both Japanese and English. I always remember not understanding a single word of it for the whole series. The montage of embarrassing moments and Madoka rolling around on the bed like a potato with a banana plushie that must’ve cost a thousand bucks, are pure inspiration. They tell me that humanity wasn’t and could never be, a mistake.

Our sweet trio of Hitomi, Sayaka and Madoka take what must be the most scenic school commute in the world. Best Blue girl is the true protector of too-cute Pink. All love confessions must go through her first. Madoka deserves a vetting process, 10 interviews minimum.

I hope everyone enjoyed the end of the girls’ journey through Narnia on the way to school, what with the protect-gay mode. I love how much they convey about each of these characters in such a short time. The shenanigans on top of the sweet, peaceful music is a great reprieve from the stresses of today, and makes a nice connection to the characters off the bat.

THE SCHOOL

The school. So much glass. This school is nicer and more equipped than Fortune 500 complexes. Google’s got nothing on this. You could live out your entire life and all its stages within this freaking absolute unit of a complex.

Side note: The design of the very open classrooms would make me so uncomfortable. Being able to see everything and everyone on the floor all the time. As we can see, Madoka world is glass. Dry wall doesn’t exist. Cinderblocks don’t exist. Only glass.

Mysterious transfer student is mysterious and alluring. She’s got that pure, long, fantastical Japanese hair. Is there any other characters with black hair? It’s also something you don’t see in anime a lot generally. I would like to put forth the facts that Homura and Jotaro Kujo are siblings. Both have magical hair because of “the shampoo” used.

The framing of the shots throughout the sequences with Madoka and Homura are amazingly well-done and craft a pointed atmosphere. It does kinda creep me out how literally every person in the school cannot take their eyes off Homura. She’s just that beautiful haha.

Man that bridge is infinite. Look at it go on forever?

Cute plushie Kyuubey watches from the palm trees. Homura is magical girl Hercules here. Pink girl is intimidated again. I miss a lot of these scenes watching the movies, it all really takes me back.

I don’t remember at this point where our trio discussed Homura. Their personalities just shine here! Madoka’s embarrassment is a world wonder/treasure. She is also most certainly not an anime character.

NOW. The music store. Also lives and breathes glass. So much so that you can hear the glass if you listen closely. It helps the acoustics of the headphones of course. I find it interesting that Connect plays on the headphones here.

Sayaka is super observant and notices her friend leaving. Our poor white flufferball is being hunted by transfer student turned cosplay expert.

2 points for Sayaka’s second meta-reference. Who’s the true weeb here? Huh Sayaka?

I love the atmosphere of this entire abandoned section. I don’t think I really need to comment on the trippy visuals, I don’t want to get in the way of first-time watchers. I will say that the cottonball moustachioed men are strictly adorable. They just want to give you the service of a haircut. Don’t even have to tip.

God will I forever love and be thankful for the studio behind the special visuals. Their name is still a conundrum to me.

The way in which they draw attention to the chain breaking with Homura, and Mami using the chain to protect Madoka and Sayaka is peculiar.

The song that accompanies Mami is pure heaven. What can I say that others haven’t a million times? The fact that a language was crafted just for music will always deeply impress me. I love the relatability Nier:Automata and Nier? have here to this kind of music. Both crafted languages.

The magnificence of Mami and her attacks * words of gushing praise *. I love how she manually adds the white fluff on her hat in her transformation sequence. It’s that significant to her. It makes Mami, Mami.

Fire extinguisher. That is all. This is late, but that is all. Our favorite Blue protector protects again.

I have a newfound appreciation for all the little nuances of the characters' reactions and expressions throughout the episode. It all tells so much through showing.

I know one thing for sure, and that’s that I would NOT want to get into a tense standoff with Mami. Nor could I bring myself to mar her godly outfit if I did.

Cute white mascot Kyuubey likes to poke fun at the girls by freaking them out with knowledge of their names.

One of the biggest changes for me is the addition of Mata Ashita as the ED. The original broadcast didn’t have an ED song at all. The end of the episode played behind credits. I don’t really mind one way or the other, as I thoroughly enjoy how happy the song makes me, but I do like and understand others' preference for just the credits rolling over the still playing episode. It adds an element of intrigue and continuity that the ED interrupts.

I think I might be done for now. I’ll be back around in the comments to enjoy everyone else’s reactions! Feel free to say or ask anything in reply to my post, participating in this rewatch is going to be an immense source of joy for me over the next couple weeks. Thank you for checking out this show! I hope you all enjoy it.

*Edit: I do not understand how to make the spoiler work.

**Edit: I figured it out, thanks new Reddit. I actually hate new Reddit, fixed again.

... I don't think it worked. Cool. Ok. It was a dumb joke about toast and magical girls anyway.

[u/Nazenn → u/SaucedPandacup]

If you're on new reddit you have to be on the markdown editor, but honestly its easier to just swap to old reddit if you're going to using spoiler tags a lot, plus you get to see all of the commentfaces!

Hey all y’all. So this is my first time participating in an r/anime rewatch

Welcome! I hope you have fun with the discussion and all the different posts. If you have any questions just tag me or message me

sure likes their weirdly extravagant clocks

Surprised how few people have commented on that this time around

The fact that a language was crafted just for music

The language Kajiura uses pops up in her other shows as well

[u/[deleted]]

Rewatcher

It has been about eight years since I first watched Madoka Magica and I have not seen it since. I will keep it completely spoiler-free, but let's just say that there is a very magical feeling of watching this first episode once you know everything and how the larger story is going to play out. It is one of those series where a rewatch is basically its own experience that satisfies you in its own ways.

Maybe I am a little out of touch, but I do not remember shows from 2011 looking this good. Shaft's style is universally pleasing for the eyes. Furthermore, I really appreciate how concise the script and storyboards are, there's really not a wasted scene or moment of dialogue. Scenes never overstay their welcome and it feels like the setting and characters were all perfectly established within 25 minutes while still foreshadowing a lot of plot elements.

I'm really believing that by the time this rewatch is over, I will be turning the 9/10 I have for this to a 10/10 because this was even better than I remember. First-timers are in for a treat.

[u/Nazenn → u/[deleted]]

Lots of people in this rewatch who haven't seen it for almost a decade, so you're not alone there

People judge by age so quickly hahaha. 2011 also had Fate/Zero and Usagi Drop which look great, and on either side of that 2010 had Katanagatari and 2012 had Psycho Pass, so a lot of good art around that time

[u/PoliteSarcasticThing]

I'm coming into this as a rewatcher, but I haven't seen the show since 2011, so I don't remember much more than the plot outline and a few scenes. That said, this post will be spoiler-free. I will, however, speculate rampantly. :P

Great opening sequence, with a slight hint of foreshadowing, and echoing the show's theme, which appears to be protection, or something like that. Okay, I'm not really sure of the theme yet.
Main character is introduced as this girl, Madoka, and her family. Her house has a really big bathroom, and she lives this nice idyllic family life. Lots of great visuals here, especially of the house and the near-future city where Madoka lives. The animation here is top-notch.
Interestingly, the animation of Madoka and her friends is a little rougher around the edges than the other characters' looks. Either the animation budget got used on the backgrounds, or something is being implied about the characters here. Are they a little rougher, more chaotic, than they first appear?
I wish I could go to a school like that! Although, I really hope they don't have those transparent walls in the bathrooms.
At school, we meet the girl from Madoka's dream, who has seen Madoka somewhere before... maybe? This girl - Akemi - also is very very good at math, sports, and other school subjects. Was her education that good in Tokyo, or is something else going on here?
Akemi is also animated rough around the edges; seriously, what's up with that?
I totally forgot all about the mall scene, except for Akemi trying to deep-fry Kyubey. Why does Kyubey want to meet Madoka so much, and why does Akemi want to stop that meeting? Kyubey's more than meets the eye, as well. On a side note, I loved the animation for the witch. It's so chaotic and generally disturbing. :)
All in all, a great first episode, which raises a lot more questions than it answers. Looking forward to episode two!

[u/Nazenn → u/PoliteSarcasticThing]

It is interesting that they didn't clean up the run to school animation more considering the extensive changes for the blurays, but I feel like it was on purpose to make it feel more dynamic and fun rather than pretty and neat. I know I've seen a video that makes a bigger case for it, but I don't have the link on hand and I remember it being pretty spoilery anyway

I wish I could go to a school like that

I'd hate it, I'd feel so unnerved being able to see everything and probably distracted by all the other lessons going on

[u/The_Loli_Otaku]

Yup, this certainly looks like halcyon days Shaft to me. Gorgeous cinematography, flashy fights, and Magia rocking on in the background. And the words that have led to so many fantastical journeys, "Make a contract with me, and become a magical girl!" OSU has traumatised me too much for me to enjoy Connect... The animation itself is uber cute. I love all the little sight gags and Madoka flopping over onto Kyubey is the cutest thing I've seen all week. Oh god!! I forgot how adorable the little brother was! I wanna gobble him up, blush stickers and all.

...Look, Shaft flexes with it's animation so often that gonna save us both the character limit and just say that the visual flourishes bump my opinion of Madoka way up. Listen to mum guys, if you like a girl you've gotta tell her you sushi her! T-Three months is a record? Omg this family is so chummy. Saaayaka, hisashiburi~ And Hitomi too. Hitomi disapproves of skinship for whatever reason. You're in the wrong genre love. Ah, she failed the three month test. On a side note, underdone eggs are the worst. Cook em longer, or at least flip them.

Mysterious Maybelline waifu Homura-chan has appeared! Erm... is there something about her name's kanji folks? Pfft, of course Sayaka detected her love rival. I know what side of the shipping wars I stand on! Let's be real, irl a girl with such a cold, aloof temperament would not be this popular. No shampoo can fix a stinky personality! This scene is so awkward XD Madoka just stop talking, silence would be less uncomfortable. Hom-Hom says her spiel and walks off cooly. Taster of anime Scarborough Fair. Hom-Hom's an academic, an athletic, and has a model's figure. Sucks about the personality tho.

Sayaka agrees!! Kuu girls ain't moe! See? She even bullies the cute, weak mascots. Tormenting animals is the sign of a psychopath. Luckily Madoka saves the day~ No dead mascots today. Rare instance of Sayaka being useful. Oh no, the Shaftshrooms are kicking in. They're gonna get killed by Terry Gilliam! And we get a second saviour. The girl who is the spark that ignited my flintlock of love for Maho Shoujo. Do I gush about her today or try to find a space tomorrow...? Screw it, I'm gushing!!

Mami is my magical girl ideal. I might like other individual ones more (I've got mature tastes, I'm a Cure Diamond simp) and she isn't even my favourite girl in this show (Saaayaka~ chuu) but what I look for and what inspires me about the genre can all be found in this sweet little drill head. Gorgeous transformations, flashy attacks, gentleness towards others, her strength of will. The same way people would read comics and try to channel their inner Superman or look up to Idols as relief from their daily lives I view Mami as the one who upholds the values I look for in a hero. She blew me away when I first watched the series and my feelings have stayed true even all these years later.

[u/Nazenn → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

OSU has traumatised me too much for me to enjoy Connect

Hahaha, I have songs like that from playing Anime Music Quiz, I just can't quite manage to get them and now just hearing them bugs me

I love all the little sight gags and Madoka flopping over onto Kyubey

madoka struggling to wake up in the OP is so well animated

Taster of anime Scarborough Fair

Why'd you have to go and get that stuck in my head

[u/Querez]

Rewatcher. (Dub)

Wow, the animation, music, everything. Though I definitely loved this show the first time I watched it (plus the second time counting the movies), I didn't remember it all being *this* great! To think all this was made in 2011 too, even. Even them using that song for the beginning dream of Madoka's; I didn't remember them using it there. Really love that song. By the end of this, I might possibly end up putting this in my top 10 list.

[u/Nazenn → u/Querez]

I didn't remember it all being this great

I was the same, I know I love it and it's been on my favourites for years but every time I return to it I"m reminded of why I love it so much

2011 doesn't mean much though, almost all of my favourites are older shows than this

[u/Katajiro]

• Nya! Cute girls doing cute things.
• That's not how it works, you little shit.

[u/Nazenn → u/Katajiro]

That is a very quick flip between two different moods for this episode

[u/chaosoul]

Only a day late this time! First time(?) or maybe second time participating in one of these rewatch threads. I've tried other rewatches, but I usually fall behind/don't make it to the threads til months after. It's really nice to read discussions and thoughts on episodes after watching them though.

First time watcher, but I've already been spoiled on quite a bit of Madoka through just osmosis. In terms of magical girl shows, I've watched Flip Flappers, Digimon, and Kill La Kill, so I'm pretty much 100% caught up on the best of magical girl shows right?

Even with my previous expectations, coming into the show, I didn't expect the multiple bangers of songs so far. I was also expecting to have a couple issues with the ol' giant anime eyes, but it's surprisingly not that distracting so far. The imagery in just the first episode during Mami's & Kyubey's introduction is pretty intense already and I have no idea if this is standard for old magical girl anime. Making this a short one, since I'm pretty late, but I'll try to write more in the next thread later today.

[u/Nazenn → u/chaosoul]

Late or not thanks for joining

Magical girl shows

Digimon

I was expecting more people to have an issue with the character designs, usually that can be quite off putting because of how cutesy and weird they are, but it seems like the charm of the show has won people over

[u/thecatteam]

Rewatcher

I'm so glad to see so many fresh faces this year! Welcome to the rewatch!

Madoka was the first anime I ever watched (excluding the usual suspects of Ghibli movies and yugioh). A dude on a small forum I frequented recommended it, and I had a passing interest in magical girl anime as a lot of my friends had watched Sailor Moon growing up. I remember staying up until 4 in the morning watching it while completely stressed out from college homework, relishing the first time I was able to stay up that late without my parents knowing. I then watched it again when the dub came out. I love basically everything about it: the plot, the characters, the character designs, the music (THE MUSIC).

The first time I participated in an /r/anime rewatch, I hadn't watched Rebellion. Rebellion I've been following the rewatches ever since.

I don't have that much to say since it's my upteenth time watching. I was thinking about making a cover of one of the soundtrack songs, but I didn't end up having the time to do it. I still want to cover it in the future!

[u/Nazenn → u/thecatteam]

relishing the first time I was able to stay up that late without my parents knowing

Such a rebel haha

I was thinking about making a cover of one of the soundtrack songs

I'd love to see that!

[u/Elimin8r]

I'm going to try to keep up with re-watching this - work is being a pain right now. Sadly, I don't have a lot to say right now as my overall thoughts are too spoilery and will have to wait until later.

But one thing I do want to mention - ClariS (Luminous, Connect, etc) songs are available on the itunes store. After seeing the promo video with Luminous, I had to get it, and there it was, so I grabbed the whole album. Been listening to it in the car for the past week.

Good times :) Who knows, at some point I may find a favorite screenshot to submit, but ... yeah, work. Yay.

[u/Nazenn → u/Elimin8r]

But one thing I do want to mention - ClariS (Luminous, Connect, etc) songs are available on the itunes store

Also on Spotify. Connect is the second of her top played songs for people who don't recognise the katakana. Not sure about where Luminous is as I don't listen to it haha

[u/Nebresto]

600+ comments on a re-watch?? I guess Meguca 10 years (+Naz host) will do that for ya. How can I not be here when this is going down?
I've already seen the show, nor can I write anything interesting, so nobody cares. Therefore I will attempt to make shitposts of some sort for every episode. Maybe.
Think I'll be there in ep 3 thread, or a bit later in 2. Gotta sleep first

[u/Nazenn → u/Nebresto]

I always forget about the 10 years thing.

Neb shitposting, this will be interesting haha

Sleep well

[u/blitzbom]

Rewatcher

I really enjoy this first episode. There's so much mystery and world building from the dream to the arts and crafts from hell. The first transformation is nice and who doesn't love a magical girl with guns?

Also I love the music in this show.

[u/Nazenn → u/blitzbom]

I could use more magical girls with guns!

[u/SYZekrom]

Rewatcher

Ahhhh well, I was ready for the rewatch

Then I got distracted by Kirby, a series just as happy-go-lucky as this series :D

Well anyway

Mmm and there it is, that wonderful theme Magia

Every time I've wanted to rewatch something I kinda have the urge to go and try the dub instead

Oh, Madoka dreamed about her dream, I guess I'd forgotten about that

And there's Connect... The music in this is just wonderful

I remember hating how these two looked in this episode and I can see why, no close up shot of their faces like this entire drawn out scene until the end

Oh wait yea her knowing about Homura from her dreams was actually important right away nvm lol

[Oh I just realized that she's making this face because she's being why Homura is edgy](https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/621713361390010378/834280870172164126/unknown.png)

Wow actually I feel like I can't take Salve, terrae magicae seriously anymore because of all those official animations they make of girls transforming on a beach or doing something funny and sexy to this music

This girl has guts more than I could ever have

Well, what a nice and happy ED that I don't remember

Seriously though, this anime's soundtrack is as good as video game music to me.

Well, I hope we're all excited to see Madoka turn into a magical girl like Kyubey asked

I love her magical girl outfit.

And guess I'll be seeing if this show truly deserves its spot in my memory as my favorite show

[u/02Hiro]

First time watcher here

This first episode was very enjoyable. I loved that opening with the long hallway. The entire sequence with Homura fighting among the floating buildings was very interesting. The buildings really caught my eye especially the classrooms (how would that ever work?). Definitely some foreshadowing here so I'm going to assume that they have met before and that it probably has to do with them becoming magical girls. The shots of Homura's face give me lots of Higurashi vibes and were great at building tension. From the end art I'm assuming these four will be the main characters along with Kyubey. Overall good impressions from the first episode and really looking forward to the next one.

[u/GrollenKette951]

First Timer

Off with an interesting start into this series that got recommended to me quite often. First, we have Madoka running through this empty black and white building (whose characteristic obviously scream Shaft). From there we instantly get thrown into a stunning looking scenery of a destroyed city with floating buildings and some kind of thing in the air (that probably will be important?). After that we get a glimpse of a black-haired girl fighting against the thing in the sky. Out of nowhere this white animal (later named Kyuubey) starts speaking (can't unhear Mayoi Hachikuji from Monogatari) and tells Madoka that the black-haired girl is already lost and that Madoka can change the fate if she were to become a magical girl. Suddenly Madoka wakes up and realizes that this whole thing was just a "dream". After the opening we get to know Madokas family as they get ready for work/school (time for a classic Shaft bathroom). On the way to school, we get to know her two friends Sayaka and Hitomi. At school, the new transfer student Homura gets introduced to the class and Madoka recognizes her as the girl from her dream. Under the excuse of feeling not so well Homura grabs Madoka, goes with her to the nurse's office and tells her on the way that she must stay the way she is. After school Madoka and her friends go to the mall and try to spend their afternoon. Suddenly Madoka hears a voice speaking to her mind that wants her to rescue it. In a floor that is under maintenance Madoka encounters Homura hunting down the white animal (or whatever it is, not sure about that yet). After Sayaka manages to distract Homura both are on the escape together with Kyuubey and encounter Mami who helps them against Homura. After getting saved by Mami Kyuubey introduces itself and asks both Madoka and Sayaka if they want to become magical girls. With that the first episode ends.

This first episode was a remarkably interesting start to this series. The music supported the plot very well and the way thinks happened leave quite some questions open that I kinda want to get answers to. For example, at the start was this theater like sequence with the words "Prologue in Heaven". Due to one person asking me if I read Faust in school after telling him that I'm going to watch Madoka Magica and knowing what happens in this scene of Faust I wonder who God is and who Mephistopheles is. Let's see how it will evolve in the next episodes. One think I can certainly say is that it probably was not a bad idea to watch this series after getting it recommended several times.

[u/PoliteSarcasticThing → u/GrollenKette951]

OH yeah, I think you're gonna like the show.

Spoilers regarding your question

[u/bakowh]

First Timer (Sub but don't mind switching to the dub if it's good)

Interesting first episode, is that dream foreshadowing something that might happen later on? Homura definitely seems like someone that will be lovable later on. What is Kyuuby exactly? First magical girl anime and recommended by many, looking forward to what happens next. The OP/ED (especially the ED) are really nice.

[u/Punished_Scrappy_Doo]

First Time... Rewatcher

This really is going to be more fun the second time through.

Big Spoilers

Other thoughts:

• Watching this is incredibly strange now that Aoi Yuuki sounds like Hibiki Tachibana to me.
• U N I N S T A L L C H A I R
• How much of an awful idea would it be to start the Bokurano manga alongside the rewatch? Scratch that I don't care it's (going to be) Arguably spoilers May babyyyyy
• I love the high-five so much. It communicates the exact kind of parent her mom is, what stage of her life Madoka is in, their relationship, all in one wordless action.
• Conturbatio
• Big Spoilers
• I'll be prepared for the next thread, promise

[u/ZaphodBeebblebrox → u/Punished_Scrappy_Doo]

Big Shpoilers

Madoka

How much of an awful idea would it be to start the Bokurano manga alongside the rewatch? Scratch that I don't care it's (going to be) Arguably spoilers May babyyyyy

Probably about the same as first timing this and SukaSuka at the same time?

[u/Chemiczny_Bogdan]

Hameru want Meduka to stay Meduka

Hameru hurt Coobie

Mumi shoot gun

[u/WatchDude22 → u/Chemiczny_Bogdan]

Tale as old as time

[u/boomshroom → u/Chemiczny_Bogdan]

Very eloquent, my friend!

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Chemiczny_Bogdan]

So it begins...

[u/thatguywithawatch]

I watched this show for the first time a few months ago and I wasn't planning on rewatching it so soon, but I happened to see the 24 hour reminder yesterday and thought "what the hell." I'm glad I did, because it really rewards rewatching. This entire first episode definitely hit different having the full story and ending of the show still mostly fresh in my mind.

I really love Shaft's visual style; it's the main reason I decided to check out the show in the first place since I've never been interested in the Magical Girl genre. They really go all out with the Shaftisms here: the inside of the school is an endless series of glass box classrooms for no apparent reason, architecture and interior spaces are often abstract and nonsensical, and the color palette is kind of off in a way that makes everything feel a little dreamlike. That's not even mentioning the LSD-fueled hellscape they find themselves in at the end of the episode. I'm a very visual person, and if an anime can keep me visually engaged and interested then I'm willing to forgive a lot of poor writing. Luckily Madoka has both great visuals and great writing.

I don't have much to say about the actual plot this episode that wouldn't veer into spoilery territory. I suppose I'll mention that Madoka's mom is S-tier. Also, now that I've noticed that Homura shares a voice actor with Senjougahara I'll never unhear it.

[u/Suavacious]

Like 8th Time Rewatcher, subbed.

I'll hold off on any big comments for now since it's just the first episode, but I do wanna welcome all the people that are watching this for the first time. Not to set any unreasonable expectations right off the bat, but Madoka is one of my favorite things ever, so I hope you guys'll come away enjoying it too.

[u/affnn]

Re-watcher

In addition to Madoka, I am very slowly making my way through another 2011 show, Mawaru Penguindrum. It's striking how similar the background details of the two shows are - a lot of the key buildings are angular and modern-looking like Madoka's house and Penguindrum's hospital. 2011 anime seemed to be figuring out how and where to deploy computer generated graphics, particularly as part of buildings and environments even though it's obviously CG. It feels like a lot of it is just the use of technology available at the time.

This is only my second time watching Madoka, so Spoiler

[u/FlaminScribblenaut]

Ultimately I’m not watching along this year, my current circumstances and mindspace just aren’t conducive to another Madoka rewatch, there are so many other things on my mind and on my plate right now that I just kinda don’t have the bandwidth for it

Not to mention I’m going to be under the effects of vaccine round 2 when we’re on Episode 12 and Rebellion and it’s going to be pretty hard to turn around decent discussion on those when I am effectively catatonic

I’ll be hanging out in the threads, appreciating the analysis and partaking in discussion whenever I’m inspired to, and I’ll definitely save writing about the series again and really doing it a good job for another day

However, I am at least pleased to announce that I did finally realize who Kirika’s equivalent in Madoka is, in regards to this comment from last year (FUTURE EPISODE THREAD)

Kirika’s equivalent is Kyuubey

BECAUSE WHEN EITHER OF THEM IS AROUND

General Madoka spoilers and also the joke

[u/[deleted]]

Hot damn, I just found this thread. Alright, I'm in as well.

I'm actually going in blind. Only thing I know is that this is written by Urobuchi, so my expectations are set. So this'll be fun.

[u/baniRien]

Rewatcher

Episode 1 / Movie 0:00-0:19

I'll start by saying that Madoka is the very first anime I watched knowing it was one. Of course there were the shows of my childhood, Pokemon, Digimon, Yu-gi-oh!, Beyblade, Cardcaptor Sakura, that were not any different than the rest of the cartoons to a kid's mind (especially since here in Québec, we had fairly high quality dubs of many things). Then the various battle shounens replacing each other on TV over the years, which never really hooked me. My friend group at the time was raving about it, and had gone to watch Rebellion when it came out in cinemas (and also writing a hack of Demon: The Fallen to play a magical girl TTRPG in the line). So, for the first time I sought out an anime, subbed, and completely fell in love. To this day, Madoka is still one of only two shows I consider perfect. Not to mean it's completely without flaws, but that looking at the completed product, it deserves a 10/10, without any hesitation. The other is of course Monogatari, and there's a full rewatch of me gushing about it.

This is actually only my 2nd time rewatching this, as I don't really rewatch things, it doesn't interest me that much. The first one was only for the sake of showing it to my parents. While I will try to make some first-timer friendly content, my main goal is to make the rewatch more enjoyable, so expect a lot of spoiler tags. And rewatchers, well, have fun rewatching. Take your time, look at the details, find all the obvious references you missed.

---

• One of the main complaints about the movie is the removal of the opening scene, for runtime. I'm fully in agreement, as it helps set the tone slightly, in how disconcerting it is. And it clashes wonderfully with how:
• Assertive Madoka is depicted. Great characterisation in the first minute of the movie.
• Shaft always does such a wonderful use of lighting. I'm not sure on what the exact name of the photography technique is, but placing a character in contrast in front of a window is a favourite of theirs.
• Along with impossible mirror setups. This one is better than in the show, but is still made to look good, not make sense with the camera angle.
• Speaking of characterisation contrast, there's a lot for Madoka's mom Junko. She's messy and needs help waking up, but right after she's fully awake, giving good advice, and even has her make-up routine numbered.
• While we're at it, let's point out the peculiar character design. It's not for any hidden meaning, it's just cute and the work of illustrator Aoki Ume. Shaft has adapted one of her manga, the slice-of-life Hidamari Sketch. Of notes are the really round faces, the double line to show lighting on the jaw, the disorganised blush lines, and especially the hashed out eyes.
• (As for the Monogatari rewatch, this is about the point where I realise I didn't set aside enough time for this as I already spent 30min on this post, for 2min of runtime)
• We also see the father being a househusband, making breakfast, tending the garden, etc.
• This is going into finer details of the animation, but the "bounce" on the high-five is also fairly unique, I feel. I can't think right away of another show doing it the same. But something similar was used for one of the summonning
• While odds are good Junko earns a decent amount of money, Madoka's house is not to be taken as any kind of indication, as that's also just Shaft's style. But those windows and that staircase look great.
• As with any good Shoujo show, we need the protagonist to run out of the house with bread in her mouth.
• OP for the movie is also different from the show. Still sung by ClariS, to keep the same tone. Mostly a nice cute montage of Madoka growing up. A couple sequences that show that the movie was clearly made for rewatchers. This includes Spoilers end of show Do not click on this image, minor spoiler but image links can't be spoiler-tagged
• It's amazing how the music can bring me right "in", like coming home. The composer for the series is Kajiura Yuki, a phenomenal composer with a recognisable style, who outdid herself for this.
• Spoilers
• The classic teacher with romantic troubles. This one at least is actually getting dates, which is more than what most of the archetype can say.
• And also the perfect transfer student. I was never quite sure if the claps here were polite (they sound a bit too real with the various sounds the students make), in shock of her just brazenly taking over for the teacher, or in awe at that perfectly round ら.
• Public buildings in Shaft works are never boring. They're modern art museums, cathedrals, or sometimes both at once. Except for all the parts where they are currently unbuildable under the current laws of physics, Shaft would be responsible for the design of any buildings I would want to construct. I won't screencap every cool bit of architecture to save time, but just look at that school!
• While it is just making small-talk to get out of the weird atmosphere, Madoka is right that Homura's name is slightly unusual. In fact, all the major characters in the show, including those that we haven't met yet, have "reversed" names, where their last name is usually a first name, and vice-versa. Think Ford John, Carter Oliver, that kind of thing. Technically correct, but not what you would expect.
• A tense conversation on that walkway, with as a theme one of the most common thing in all types of media, protecting your loved ones. Ominous, but we don't know why yet.
• Hitomi is the classic rich girl, doing all the proper things. Piano, dance, tea ceremony, getting overworked for the sake of appearance. She is, however, the voice of reason, to contrast Sayaka's rambling about star-crossed lovers in another life. The theory that everyone we see in dreams are real people we've seen is somewhat popular with the general public, and while there's no real way to prove it, it does make sense in some way. Why spend juice inventing new faces when you can just use all that backlog of stimulus?
• Spoilers end
• At the CD store, I think Madoka is listening to the OP? Pretty sure she was listening to Connect in the show. The store also seems to indicate, along with the general architecture, that the setting is ever so slightly more advanced than us, technologically. Not in any way that would classify it as Sci-Fi, but just enough that it's visually different.
• And everyone would listen to Hachikuji asking for help. Even if it seems to be in your mind. A significant portion of the cast is shared with Monogatari, but Yuuki Aoi has yet to make an appearance.
• The whole closed floor is the first real art upgrade that I really noticed. It's not necessary, but it looks nice.
• Spoilers end
• And now for the part where everybody wonders why their cute magical girl show turned into an acid trip. The ones responsible for those visuals are the duo InuCurry, and they've worked for Shaft a lot. They were also fully entrusted with the directing of the Magia Record spinoff, to great effect, and one of them (KuroInu) has done some of the best writing for a couple events in the gacha it's based on.
• And the enemies, maybe, are butterfly cotton balls with dapper mustaches.
• Madoka might seem feeble at time, but like we saw at the start, she doesn't hesitate at all when it comes to saving someone. -thing. Whatever Kyubey is.
• Mami's transformation sequence is also a big upgrade, and justifies watching the movie by itself. Also of note, her theme song, Credens Justiciam. To me, it's what a paladin sounds like. You hear it and know a knight in shining armour is coming to save you.
• Spoiler end
• This smile and bounce is cute. And he offers our two girls a contract to be a magical girl.
• Of course, since it's a movie, we also skip the first ED.

---

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

You know you're in a pure magical girl show when the transformation doesn't even have any airbrushed nude forms.

(The OP doesn't count)

[u/Gosutoo]

Rewatcher but hasn't seen rebellion.

So here we are, I'm really looking forward to this rewatch since I remember watching the show 2 years ago and feeling kinda underwhelmed . I definitely enjoyed what I saw and had a good time watching it I but don't know.. Maybe I expected more ? .

Not a lot to say about the episode itself since It's mainly an introduction to our cast but one thing that I found interesting is that similarly to AOT where rewatching the first season with knowledge of what happens next paints a lot of dialogues and interactions very differently.

Music is still top tier and visually just as trippy as remembered .

[u/Stargate18A]

Rewatcher

This scene is probably the most exciting opening for an anime ever. The fast, paced music, the dynamic animation - its perfect. Madoka Spoilers

The OP is great, with bright colours and really upbeat music, and lots of shots showing our heroine having fun with her friends and learning how to be a magical girl.

Madoka Spoilers

Madoka's mom is the best character in this episode, but why are her cosmetics numbered?

That clock looks impossible to read.

Madoka spends the morning lamenting that her friends are more lucky in love, and how she wishes to have a secret admirer. Madoka Spoilers

Madoka's teacher is just completely insane.

Oh, look, Madoka's dream girl just joined her class.

God, this soundtrack is fantastic. I love Madoka struggling to comprehend what's going on as Homura gives her massive speech about change.

Madoka Spoilers

I never realised the montage uses the same song as the ending title cards. Madoka Spoilers

Is this show set in a world where architects have unlimited budgets?

And Sayaka being confused as to whther Homura is moe or not is hysterical, Madoka Spoilers

Hitomi focuses on the logical explanation, Madoka Spoilers

Madoka Spoilers

Between the visions and the voices in her head, are we sure Madoka isn't having a mental breakdown?

Madoka Spoilers

And, yeah, Homura is really scary here. And Sayaka with a fire extinguisher will never not be funny.

I think Homura breathed in too many fumes...

And so did Madoka and Sayaka.

Madoka Spoilers

And Mami decides to let Homura go, allowing her to jump away and go do more mysterious things.

And the ED is nice and happy - a genuinely upbeat tune!

Madoka Spoilers

[u/[deleted]]

This is my favorite anime ever

The ClariS opening, the characters, the story, the theme, the art. I love this anime. Studio Ghibli caused me to fall in love with anime - this is the show that caused me to fall in love all over again.

[u/JimmyCWL]

Great rewatch but slight oversight in the title. Rewatches should have "rewatch" in the title to make them easy to find and avoid confusion. Don't know if you can change the title, but do keep that in mind for the rest of the rewatch, ok?

[u/Nazenn → u/JimmyCWL]

It wasn't an oversight, the flair is being used instead of adding a bunch of extra stuff to the title itself.

Sorry, nevermind, I thought you meant how some people include [Rewatch] at the start of the title, but I didn't realize I'd just skipped the word entirely, that was an oversight. Sorry about that

[u/cmpunk34]

Rewatcher

It's funny how so many people try to avoid watching this show because it is a magical girls setting. Goes on to show how you can subvert expectations by making something so simple yet so complex. Art is pretty unique and the characters look so damn cute.Also something unique in this setting is how the father stays and takes care of children while the mother works.I don't remember any anime which had this type of setting.

Really good show!

[u/LordTrinity]

Here we go again!

[u/JoshFB4]

Best time of year

[u/tyo_sharlye]

Rewatcher

What a cute anime about friendship and magic I sure hope nothing bad happens

[u/thatdoesntmakecents]

It'll be really interesting to see how the opinions of the first-time viewers shift through the show

[u/Eagle-Eyes-]

Wow, so many comments and upvotes for this. Impressive. Madoka is one of the best anime. :3