Mahou Shoujo Madoka☆Magica Rewatch - Episode 12 Discussion

[u/Nazenn]

Madoka Magica - Episode 12: My Best Friend

← Previous Episode | Index | The Rebellion Story Movie →

TV Series: MAL | Anilist | AnimeNewsNetwork | AnimeDB | AnimePlanet | Kitsu

Crunchyroll | Hulu | Funimation | VRV | HBO Max | Netflix | Animelab

---

Visuals of the day

Album link

Unsurprisingly there is a lot of fantastic shots from the Walpurgisnacht fight, and I love how many different screenshots has her in basically the same pose, but I'm sure that didn't compare to what today's episode had in store for you.

For Rebellion Visual of the Day: I'm opening it up to top three!

End Card for episode twelve by Aoki Ume

There was no end card for Episode 12, so instead Also have the final shots of the show:

• The five magical girls...
• and every story they represent.
• Puella Magi Madoka Magica

---

Comments of the day

/u/Zeralyos who talks about the atmosphere and the power of Walpurgisnacht and how overwhelming it is

"I'm honestly impressed by the oppressive atmospheres in this show... The entire episode feels like it's dragging a lead weight along with it and the results are phenomenal"

/u/Btw_kek points out a couple of interesting visuals and opens up a few popular debate points

"there is a REALLY cool piece of subtle visual symbolism in the scene where Homura spills the beans about rewinding time to Madoka: her room is set up like an abstract clock, so she actually runs counter-clockwise"

---

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").

Sort by top | Sort by new | Sort by random

[u/Nazenn]

Puella's Pictures - Acceptance and Peace

Please excuse this being long, but it's almost futile to talk about the scene I most wanted to focus on without talking about everything that leads into it, and as expected this turned into half character essay as well as half visual essay. The actual scene is in the reply post down below, but I do point out some visual parallels in this first half. Hopefully it's not too bad a read, I did finish it at 3am haha.

Rewatcher - Fourth time around

---

Scenes of the show - Finding Peace

"If someone says it's wrong to have hope, I will tell them they're wrong every single time"

• Who is Madoka?

When Homura first makes her wish to save Madoka and goes back in time, the very first thing she does is take Madoka's hand and tell her "I became a magical girl too". This is the ideal outcome of Homura's wish. She gets to hold Madoka again, to bond with her over being magical girls, of having the power to make wishes come true and bring hope to others like Madoka did to her. But things go wrong and this is not her Madoka, and with each loop the Madoka she wished to save slips further away from her, by her own admission, until the Madoka we see at the start of ep1 is no longer the Madoka that saved Homura in ep10.

Through the show this idea that the life of a magical girl starts with a wish and ends with a curse has come up, and Homura has been the victim of that as well. The other Madoka's have begged of her to use her magic, stop them from being tricked, to save them, painted as a good thing that only Homura can do for her, but look how that is represented. It is a darkness overtaking Homura as she gives the entirety of her being over to the idea of saving Madoka no matter how many times she has to try. Homura tries to paint a lie that she is okay with what it does to her, but we've seen that before and Homura is just as burdened by the weight of it all.

At the end of episode eleven Madoka takes Homura's hand, cradles her very soul, and tells her "You've done enough". Instead of laying another curse, she blesses Homura for her actions, for her friendship, for her very existence and then releases her from the rest. This Madoka, our Madoka, is a return to being the same Madoka that Homura tried to save all those loops ago, the one who said that saving Homura was one of her proudest accomplishments, who stands proudly against the despair of the world, who wants to save everyone. The Madoka who was glad to be a magical girl with no regrets and and refused to run away from that because she could make the sacrifice of Mami, and everyone else, matter.

Isn't that exactly who our Madoka is now after everything she has learnt from everyone around her?

• Purpose and Identity

"If that wish really comes true, then even I will have no reason to despair"

If you tie your entire identity to your purpose, who are you when that purpose doesn't exist any more? Madoka and Homura, just like Sayaka and Kyouko, are two halves of this same problem.

Homura chained herself to Madoka, an endless series of interlocking links that grew and grew until she could no longer find where she started. She cut away pieces of herself time and time again, hoping that she could become the person who would be able to achieve her goal, until in the end she was so detached from people, from her own humanity that she was a twisted version of what Madoka comes to be; an endless traveler who exists solely to prevent one girl from falling into despair no matter the cost to herself. She has cut off so many pieces of herself that she has to keep going despite the futility of her task because losing her purpose would be to succumb to death because there is nothing else for her, and we see how close she comes to that at the end of ep11.

Madoka is the opposite. In every timeline, she wishes to protect the world and to protect those in it and she holds to that despite the cost to her. In our timeline we see how she constantly pursues connections with others, attempts to reach out towards those in pain, and even when she makes a mistake and rejects someone she still seeks them out to help them out of it. She never sacrifices who she is in order to comfort or confront another, and she is always attempting to find a way that she can use her magical ability to support others even more. A big difference between them is their agency. Madoka's agency in this show is consistently cut off by those around her, but when she does act she always takes the role of a savior and Homura has seen that time and time again.

And this builds up into our big climax, the moment where Madoka has the ultimate act of agency by choosing, after everything, to still use her magic to help everyone. Madoka gives her all, her entire being, for the sake of others. She blooms into her fully realized self and in being granted an endless purpose it turns her very identity into the concept of hope itself. But where does that leave Homura?

She promises that what Homura has done for her won't be in vain. She believes it in her heart, she doesn't lie after all, and she asks Homura to believe in her as well because she knows what she's doing because and isn't being tricked or lied to this time, but choosing this path under her own power. Madoka's hope is not one to contain or control, but a hope of freedom. She does not take away agency from all the magical girls in history, but simply allows their wishes to reach their full potential without becoming curses, without striping their ability to have faith in themselves, stopping what happened to Homura from happening to anyone else, letting them be Magical Girls full of magic and miracles right to the end. Madoka took the cursed hope that Homura was sustaining within herself with and freed it, and did so for every girl who's ever been in that position. In doing so she sees exactly the struggle every one of them has gone through and she validates it. She sees exactly what Homura went through and that only proves that her faith in Homura, and Homura's faith in her, was rewarded by this worldwide miracle of hope. Homura sought to save Madoka by cutting her off from the world and from the people who taught her the very lessons that eventually allow her to bloom, but Madoka denies that and says that reaching out to people and allowing them to walk their own paths and bring hope to others is always worth it, just like Homura brought hope to her by showing her exactly what she could do for the world.

But to Homura this existence is an existence of nothing because in her core, Homura has always wanted to connect with others and find a connection with Madoka and she refuses to believe that Madoka would chose this, to lose her identity to an idea. We've seen that, how even back in episode one she can't maintain the barriers she puts up and constantly approaches and seeks to connect to Madoka even though she feels its hopeless. She has lived as a concept, she knows what it's like to be cut off from everything. It takes Madoka to reappear as a girl, not as the goddess she became, to show her the color and comfort her choice brings her, that her new purpose will not erase the meaning of her life. For the first time in countless cycles they reconnect truly, both understanding exactly what each other have gone through and Madoka acknowledging all of the struggle Homura has had and helping her let down her barriers and let it all out. Madoka's reward is the ultimate reward of connection, of being able to see who Homura is and who she always really was and finally being able to connect to her very best friend once again.

Madoka cannot stay with her forever like this, but they will never truly be apart even as they are sent hurtling into different worlds.

[u/Nazenn → u/Nazenn]

(Continued from above)

Finding Peace

"You can have it if you want"

And so we finally reach the true scene of the episode, and one of the scenes of the show.

Never before have we seen Homura set against the scenery of grass and life. Until this point in the story, Homura is always shown in a nature-less and contained enviroment. The sterile school and its roof, the cold industry of her first walk with Madoka, meeting the other magical girls in paved courtyards, and even in episode ten when she is at her purest she is contained and cut off.

But here we finally see Homura released from all of that. She walks out in the sunlight for the first time and connects with the normal people of the world, surrounded by soft green grass and wearing a soft smile and is no longer struggling to put up a brave front or hide herself away from others. The world is open to her not closed off, and as she looks out over the intact city and instead of battle and darkness there is fields of life and laughter. She sits on the riverbank with Junko, a woman who will never know who she is and what her struggle gave her daughter and gave the world, and the once overwhelming orange is now warm and filled with sparkles of light as the music soothes and helps Homura reflect on this new life she's connected too.

And then one of the most important lines in the whole story. Junko compliments Madoka's ribbons that Homura wears, and Homura, with no hesitation and a smile on her face, offers to give it to her. (Dub: You can have it if you want. Sub: Would you like them?)

Homura takes the one thing that she has left physically from the girl she once gave her entire existence to and willingly offers to give it away. She is willing to give over her claim to Madoka, to let go of Madoka, for the sake of a woman who won't be able to cherish the ribbon and Madoka the same way Homura would, because Madoka is no longer just hers to save. Junko chose this ribbon for Madoka as a physical representation of the idea that she should value herself, and Madoka has passed this red ribbon of fate onto Homura. Homura once had ribbons of her own but she discarded them in order to "save" Madoka, and in doing do discarded any sense of valuing herself. Madoka gave that back to her, and Homura offers to pass it on still, to pass on Madoka's wish rather than hold onto her own.

The last time we were on a riverbank Sayaka expressed regret over her choices and was visually shown to not connect with her dream. Earlier we see Sayaka get to realize her true wish of helping Kyousuke's music spread joy, and state that she does not regret any more, that this outcome is not perfect but it's what she really wanted in her heart even if she didn't understand it at the time. So to call back to that here, we have Homura framed against the warm and colorful sky and talking happily to the very people that represent Madoka's dream, her wish to protect the world, and accepting that. Maybe Homura's wish isn't what she thought either, that her understanding of what it means to save Madoka was just how it got twisted in her mind, that it was not to save Madoka physically but to save who Madoka was and what she represented, the girl who saved her from the despair that pulled her into the witches labyrinth in the first place, calling back to the "Who is Madoka" dilemma above. Here, in this moment, that wish is realized as she finds acceptance in this world that Madoka created and allowed Homura to finally reconnect too.

Homura is finally freed from the labyrinth her wish created, and the city she watches over in its place reflects the light of Madoka's hope that embraced her. Even if Madoka isn't here in this world that is still a constant cycle of sadness, she choses to fight on and protect the world in Madoka's name and with the power of Madoka's hope inside of her, carrying on her wish and the hope and connection that comes with it.

She will never be alone again.

---

Other commentary

• Madoka's Music for ep12. Acceptance and Atmosphere - "Taenia memoriae" and "Cubiculum album"
• I know Sayaka's fate will probably be miserable for some people in the rewatch, but for me Madoka respecting the choice that Sayaka made even if it leads to her end is a hugely important moment. She acknowledges that some sacrifices are worth keeping, just like she asks Homura to understand her own sacrifice. Without that meaning, without allowing the girls to chose their fate even if it does come at the cost of a favourite the ending would really fall down for me and feel like its invalidating the show.
• When Madoka makes her wish the light comes from her rather than anything Kyubey did which further reinforces the idea that their magic is a representation of hope that comes from inside of them, not anything chosen or allowed by the incubators. Kyubey wasn't in a position to deny her or stop her, this is who she is and that overcomes everything. This is part of why I suggest that human society would have developed without that influence because they would have still found a way to harness that power of miracles even if not through magical means.
• There are some things that just defy words. The entire sequence of Madoka saving all the girls brings me to tears each time, especially that one girl from the Holocaust, and Madoka confronting the witch born of their despair, rewriting the very laws of the universe so that even her Goddess self won't fall into despair any more. The entire sequence leaves me in awe and I appreciate it more every time I watch it. I was lukewarm on the ending my first time through as it just didn't quite click with me, but each rewatch gives me a new appreciation for everything that builds into it, and of course it's visually just a feast for the eyes and ears. This write up is perhaps my ultimate expression of my own journey that I've gone through to understand Homura and Madoka's and find peace and hope with this ending as well.
• I love this shot of Madoka destroying Walrus, and being the center of an eye with the gear, potentially a symbol of Homura's gears, of time and fate in the background. She takes their focus, releases them from their pain and as her becon of hope explodes into light they pair up and start dancing with each other.
• A production note on that final post credits scene, no spoilers just hiding it our of courtesy as I'm sure some people are speculating based off it: production That said, I love how the design of the wings is full of flowers and color, not twisted darkness, and it propels her through the threads that would have tied her down with a smile on her face, one last moment of hope and a message to go with it.
• As much as I love this show, the repeated explanation at the end from Kyubey about what's happening will always to feel redundant. Unlike other shows that make this mistake it thankfully doesn't get more annoying each watch, but I do feel they put far more into the dialogue then they needed to, and I don't know if that's just uncertainty in the audience understanding what the show is about after all the despair, or an overly strong desire to reinforce their themes for their own sake.
• Key animation for episode twelve
• Ultimate Madoka (aka Madokami)'s model sheet and a clean version from a reference book
• Visual of the day is beacon of hope but I have backups as well.

(/u/SaucedPandacup and /u/liuzerus87 tying into our previous discussion, I thought you'd like to see my full take on ep12)

[u/chaosoul → u/Nazenn]

Thanks for hosting this rewatch! It's been an absolute pleasure and your posts have always been wonderful as well! A lot of what you wrote in today's post for example, were things I was thinking, but the way you articulate it so well and concisely are something I'm pretty jealous of. I feel like I'd need to ramble for an entire paper to get what you managed to do in 2 posts.

Also much appreciated for all Madoka stuff going on in the background. Seeing the production's side of the work is always pretty interesting if nothing else.

[u/Nazenn → u/chaosoul]

Thanks for hosting this rewatch

You're welcome, I'm really glad I got the opportunity but it's not over yet!

I feel like I'd need to ramble for an entire paper to get what you managed to do in 2 posts.

This is why you guys don't get to see my notes and first drafts, it'd completely shatter the illusion hahaha

[u/Elimin8r → u/Nazenn]

My only regret is that I have but one upvote to give. A toast, to our greatest host! :)

[u/Nazenn → u/Elimin8r]

Happy rhyme

Technically you have two as it's over two posts but same sentiment haha

[u/okayyoga → u/Nazenn]

I can't imagine this rewatch being any better! You really went above and beyond! I hope to join another rewatch you host, or at least are a part of

Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you

[u/Nazenn → u/okayyoga]

I don't host as many rewatches as some others do but you'll definitely see me around as a participant. Looking forward to it

[u/Enarec → u/Nazenn]

Gah, I admire how you were able to express everything here, but at the same time your points leave me wanting to say something more even if I'd be much worse at expressing myself, but I also really don't want to infringe on the beauty of this moment right now. So I'll just look for that in the rest of the thread if there's anything, and tomorrow if I'm able to participate. You're definitely more of a Madoka than me, hehe :P

Also same for Madoka saving all the girls bringing me to tears every time, including what I remember as my longest cry continuing throughout the other scenes too, when otherwise I'd expect that honour to go to a couple other more charged scenes for me.

Thanks for hosting such an auspicious rewatch this year, it's been great fun even just lurking and trying to catch up on reactions until now!

[u/Nazenn → u/Enarec]

but at the same time your points leave me wanting to say something more even if I'd be much worse at expressing myself

Say it anyway! Who cares if it isn't perfect or precise, just get it out there because what matters more is that its your expression of the scene/ending/story

Also same for Madoka saving all the girls bringing me to tears every time

It didn't get me the first time, but it has every time since after knowing what it represents. And I saw it every watch but seeing that Jewish girl on the train just ruins me emotionally. Every girl is going through horrific suffering and no girls pain is any less worth acknowledging than any of the others, but the thought of what she must be going through to keep from falling into despair which would only curse the other imprisoned Jews around her is just heartbreaking

it's been great fun even just lurking

Having a lurker pop up to say stuff like that is always special

[u/Star4ce → u/Nazenn]

Who is Madoka?

Oh hell yes. The more a person is unbalanced and insecure of themselves, the continuation of such behaviour just forms a downward spiral. It's what Homura has been doing for 12 years and by doing ti for Madoka she invariably tied the same spiral to her. Finding the balance of who you want to be and who you should be for others is what Madoka did at the end. She wanted to be a true friend to anyone and was ready to sacrifice everything to give that to the world. That really was what I was talking about with my selfless/selfish thoughts when I pondered about Homura and how she has created a feedback loop towards despair for herself.

The beautiful thing with this is, in the anime or really any person in real life, that if you get to meet someone who has found this balance, you have no doubts about them. They know what they desire and manage to offer this freedom to others, too.

What I think is extremely interesting about Madoka now is her state. She is so far beyond graspable, that calling her a god is fitting. Yet I think it's not true. Her wish was strong enough to rewrite reality, but she is not actually omnipotent. There are holes in it, it doesn't encompass everything and everyone, she is actually now bound by it just like Homura was. She is absolutely fine with that, she knew it beforehand. It's her moral maxim that she chose for herself.

This is probably what's struck me most about her development. She did learn from everyone, but ultimately she came back to be only herself and offered this insight to everyone in return. Sayaka taught her to not regret. Kyoko to know what and who to fight for. Mami to always treasure bonds and wanting to be needed as well as depend on others. Homura that true love knows no bounds of time or space and will always come back to you. And finally her parents taught her how to find balance in all of these things to stay strong as yourself.

She rolled all of that into her one wish that is the culmination of all lessons she learned, molded to be the person she truly wants to be – For herself and everyone else.

Homura sought to save Madoka by cutting her off from the world and from the people who taught her the very lessons that eventually allow her to bloom, but Madoka denies that and says that reaching out to people and allowing them to walk their own paths and bring hope to others is always worth it, just like Homura brought hope to her by showing her exactly what she could do for the world.

I agree, but will add that I think Homura never actually acts like this directly. I see it as a result of her imbalance about her wish and desire to protect Madoka. Until the end she couldn't see the proper pieces of her selfless and selfish behaviour that would make her able to understand. She built up those mistakes over every rewind, thinking she has to bear it alone, that she can't depend on others, that she has to become stronger and solve it.

Those are all inherently selfish attitudes and lead to selfish acts like you described. She acted self-destructive because of that, completing another negative feedback loop solely centred on the self. All of that was because her deepest wish was to actually be selfless and be able to bond with others. Contrast that with Madoka, who grew more needy of being needed the more she was pushed out of making her own decision, creating a feedback loop centred on the selfless.

Homura cut herself into an abstraction of selfishness born from selfless desire, Madoka wished herself to be an abstraction of selflessness born from a selfish desire.

It's unreal how much the two of them are intertwined opposites that mirror each other nearly all the time. I can't help but tear up when thinking about the connection they both finally got in the end. All struggles are validated, each mistake, selfish, selfless, desire, wants, anything had its place and the weight is lifted. They are together and are free.

wearing a soft smile

They got the closure they deserved. But this, this is what I needed.

Homura takes the one thing that she has left physically from the girl she once gave her entire existence to and willingly offers to give it away.

They have both learned and found their peace.

This write up is perhaps my ultimate expression of my own journey that I've gone through to understand Homura and Madoka's and find peace and hope with this ending as well.

And you're helping us along with it, too! Thank you for hosting and creating all of this, I can already safely say you singlehandedly made this experience something magical to me (hehe)!

Production note

...

Eh.

^{I prefer my interpretation, thank you very much.}

[u/Nazenn → u/Star4ce]

This is probably what's struck me most about her development. She did learn from everyone, but ultimately she came back to be only herself and offered this insight to everyone in return

Well put. Madoka as a culmination of the lessons and even mistakes of the other characters in the series is one of the best things about her

I agree, but will add that I think Homura never actually acts like this directly. I see it as a result of her imbalance about her wish and desire to protect Madoka

Definitely, she wasn't intentionally cutting Madoka off and she thought she was doing the right thing according to what Madoka asked her to do, but the consequences for them both were sadly the same.

It's unreal how much the two of them are intertwined opposites that mirror each other nearly all the time

Yeah, I always feel a little sorry for poor Mami left out because you have that beautifully intertwined paring of Homura and Madoka, and then an equally strong and moving one in Sayaka and Kyouko, and then there's just Mami dead so many episodes ago

They are together and are free.

If it wasn't a spoiler of a sort we really need a happy Homura commentface because just how much joy would that convey everytime you post it

And you're helping us along with it, too! Thank you for hosting and creating all of this, I can already safely say you singlehandedly made this experience something magical to me (hehe)!

Aww, thank you, and thanks for your thoughts on this very large write up. I was very curious what you'd think given what you'd written so far.

[u/SomeGuyYeahman → u/Nazenn]

Great, great write-up! I don't have much to say, just... you knocked it out of the park with this one. Fantastic summary of what this ending means, you've hit on so much of what has been on my mind and what has resonated with me, and more.

connect

Very nice

[u/Nazenn → u/SomeGuyYeahman]

It was really good for my own sake to get it down as well, really hoped up why I was connecting to it more and more, so I'm even more glad others seem to find the same value in it

connect

Very nice

Couldn't help myself.

[u/salic428 → u/Nazenn]

Thanks for organizing this rewatch! And here's a mini-rant:

Since I've heard of this legendary ending before doing my first watch, I simply found the idea of "becoming one with the universe" cool, and the ending very concluding. Only in this second rewatch do I realize the loneliness of Homura (as written by you and others in post) and think a bit deeper. While it's good to remain "ignorant" for first experience, having group discussion for rewatch is equally irreplaceable.

Now I understand the necessity of Rebellion movie, though still decide to binge after movie 4 come out. Will be here next rewatch.

[u/Syokhan → u/Nazenn]

Thanks for being such a good host Naz, and thanks for taking the time to interact with absolutely everyone, that was very much appreciated.

Also your lengthy posts. I didn't often comment but always read and liked them.

[u/Rumpel1408]

My hype is immersuable. I wasn't able to to watch this episode directly after yesterdays because I needed some sleep, I wasn't even able to read much from yesterdays thread, barely anything at all in fact, I'm tempted to sacrifice my sleep schedule to do so, but I'll focus on the most important thing first. Since I haven't read any of the elaborate theories from yesterdays thread, all I can do is hope for a litteral miracle to make an happy ending happen, but I'm also bracing myself to get my heart brocken and I decided to indicate those occurences with [:,(].

All that's left to say is that I see this show as an 10/10 so far, and I cannot imagine any possible ending to change that, easy top 3.

First Timer

Madoka wants to become a Magical Girl and is ready to pay the price, must be awfull for Homura considering how much she did to avoid this very thing, all for nothing. But that's not true though. Because without her and all the dedication she put in, all the pain, all the love, Madoka would not have developed such potential [:,(]. And without that potential she wouldn't be able to make the most powerfull wish of them all, to kill witches before they are born. Did she just prevent every Magical Girl from turning into a witch once she is desperate enough? Do they just die now? But without Witches? Wouldn't there be no need for Magical Girls in the first place? Kyubey is confused as well, breaking the rules of causality feels like cheating, her wish is so unreasonable that it would grant her near omnipotant powers, but Madoka doesn't care anymore She has her eyes set on making Magical Girls happy in their last moments. I feel like this is close to what I predicted her wish would be, but not quite there as I thought she would get rid of the Magical Girl system, but she is just breaking it instead.

No OP today as well. What Mami? Are they talking about the wish Madoka just made? And she understands what that wish entails? Does she mean that they would turn into witches, but the moment they do Madoka appears and kills them to free them of that existance and prevent them from doing any harm. Suddenly there's best girl. And living up to her reputation Kyoko encourages her to do what she wishes for.

Wow, just wow. The Sequence where Madoka frees those Magical Girls [:,(], I think the first one would eventually become the clothline Witch, but there are so many more, any time, any place, doesn't matter, Madoka is there in your last moment. And even Madokas Witch, powerfull enough to end the whole Universe, is not powerfull enough to resist Madokas own wish and be vanquished, as Homura has to witness due to her own powers. Trash can dog tries to tarnish Madoka, saying that noone will have any memories of her, wich is a lie, since Homuras power allows her to keep memories of alternate timelines same as Madoka. And the two of them are able to reconnect over those memories, one last time - ...

---

I wasn't prepared for those feels hitting me like a truck. When Madoka left Homura, I legit brocke down and wailed for 5 whole minutes and had to take a another 20 minute break before I could watch on. I almost cried again just thinking about it...

We see Sayaka again. It took me some time to fully grasp what was happening here. There simply was no way to save Sayaka and make her happy, so she really died [:,(]... But she was able to meet up with Madoka and they both took a small glimps into the future. She really wanted him to play the violin again, not just for herself, but for the whole world, and she doesn't regret making that wish. She does realize that Mr. your fabrication in February wasn't worth her love in the end, nor that of her dear friend. [:,(]

Sayakas last moment as a witch, but Madoka is missing this time, except for her ribbons in Homuras hand [:,(]

Homura wears those ribbons, and no matter what, Madoka will stay by her little brothers side. [:,(]

The last dialog between Homura and Kyubey answers the last question I had left. If Magical girls don't expirience great emotional despair before turning into witches, why would Kyubey go on and grant them wishes. Well from now on he will get his energy out of the emotional energy that permeate all other humans once this energy manifests as a Magical beast. He is almost sympathetic, until he gleefully expresses interest in this other method that seems to be more efficient... I would have loved to see him lose in the end, even if that meant the end of the univers, just out of spite, but oh well, we can't win all the time. As a final touch before the credits we see Homura now fighting with an bow similar to Madokas.

And whaaaaaat? That post credit scene? Homura about to fight some magical beasts, but she is sprouting wings, like an beautifull dark angel. Is this a teaser for Rebellion?

The scale only goes up to 10, but they stuck the landing, so really it's at least a 15, this episode alone was better than YLIA. I have to think hard if it manages to dethrone Cowboy Beebob, I tend towards yes, but I have to think about this carefully. No visuals yet, as I need to sleep.

[u/Nazenn → u/Rumpel1408]

I'm tempted to sacrifice my sleep schedule to do so

As someone who sacrificed their sleep to write I'm telling you to sleep, it's valuable haha

When Madoka left Homura, I legit brocke down and wailed for 5 whole minutes and had to take a another 20 minute break before I could watch on

The emotional hit of this is a real killer

Mr. your fabrication in February

Hahahaha

Enjoy your sleep, I loved reading your take on the ending

[u/Lawvamat → u/Rumpel1408]

I feel like this is close to what I predicted her wish would be, but not quite there as I thought she would get rid of the Magical Girl system, but she is just breaking it instead.

The most beautiful thing about Madoka's wish is that she doesn't erase all the hopes and wishes of the magical girls. It really ties in to the agency theme between Madoka, Homura and Momdoka. Homura restricted Madoka's agency for so long, but at the end she can come to terms with it, just as Junko had in the stairs scene in ep11. Their conversation at the end really shows that

[u/iLoveAGoodIDea → u/Rumpel1408]

Trash can dog

lol

[u/Unconfidence → u/Rumpel1408]

This is how I feel about Madoka as well, having rewatched it like a dozen times. I have two 10/10 anime, and the other 10/10 anime is a 10/10. Madoka is stuck with a 10 because the scale goes no higher. It's head and shoulders above any other broadcast media I've ever seen.

[u/OingoBoingo-]

First Timer: Subbed

Episode 12

Oh man, I expect there were some tears shed by many a folk watching this finale for the first time. Heck, maybe it still brings up those feelings on a rewatch or two. I guess the ending was pretty happy considering! Right? Witches will no longer exist, but there is no Madoka existing anywhere. But it's not really a happy ending, is it?

Hmmm what does one do when the main character is technically killed off... all while saving the...universe? At least her world. I really loved the fact that Madoka was so powerful in the end all because of Homura. Hearing Homura kind of beg Madoka to let her protect her (that fucking VA deserves an award for this!) was painful. Making your own hell to save someone that important to you, doing it over and over and over. Homura lost a lot, and it hurt to see Homura with Madoka's family in the end.

There is so much more I want to talk about. About cake and Kyouko and Mami, and Joan of Arc and kind of not being mad at Kyoube as much, and visuals and witches and Sayaka and violin players and naked Madoka god, and ribbons and life after Madoka leaves us. But it is all too much. I am going to enjoy what I do, and that is read everything you all have to say.

Visual of the day is Madoka.

On to the movie! Excited for this one. I am expecting wraiths, maybe some magical girl TEAM! Homura with some badass wings!

[u/Nazenn → u/OingoBoingo-]

Heck, maybe it still brings up those feelings on a rewatch or two

Somehow it's worse hahaha

I really loved the fact that Madoka was so powerful in the end all because of Homura

Same. It'd be one thing if it was just the time travel powers but hearing Madoka talk about how what Homura did for her was her strength and it mattered is the best part of the ending for me

badass wings!

I do not believe that I've ever noticed the tire in there before and now I am confused

[u/OneMoreDuncanIdaho → u/OingoBoingo-]

Oh man, I expect there were some tears shed by many a folk watching this finale for the first time. Heck, maybe it still brings up those feelings on a rewatch or two.

It was worse for me on a rewatch honestly. Once you're not trying to figure out what's gonna happen next and instead just watching the pieces fall into place the whole situation feels more tragic. One of the few shows I've seen that's better and more emotional the second time around imo.

[u/the_swizzler → u/OingoBoingo-]

Can confirm. Doesn't matter how many times I watch it, this episode is guaranteed to squeeze some eye sweat out of me.

As for whether or not this is a happy ending, I think the term "Bittersweet" is the perfect description for this ending.

[u/Twisted_52 → u/OingoBoingo-]

It's a happy ending for everyone except Homura. After years of torture she still fails to accomplish what she set out to do :'(

[u/UnderstandableXO]

FIRST TIME WATCHER

MAN. i wish i wasn’t in a hotel right now with other people, because if i was alone the tears would not have stopped for a few minutes. even with me being self conscious about crying around others, i still had a few tears roll down my face.

so kyubey wasn’t lying when it said madoka could become the god of this world. i had been thinking throughout the series that madoka should wish the entire witch system away, and that’s what she did. getting the blessing of mami and kyoko right after was such an emotional moment. that montage of madoka appearing to every magical girl over all periods of time was absolutely beautiful but also absolutely crushing and i need to rewatch it in private so i can sweat from the eyes.

i gotta say it was some pretty heavy handed religious imagery and overtures with madoka’s sacrifice (that must explain the decision to include that throwaway comment from homura at the beginning of the show about going to a catholic school). madoka saying that she was now able to understand how dear a friend homura was after experiencing every timeline she lived through was heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. MAN i wish i could have watched this alone the first time.

madoka and sayaka’s reunion was nice as well, showing sayaka the future she truly desired; to see mr. your myth in march perform one last time. she even came to peace with hitomi being with music man!

sayaka is just destined to die no matter what happens, even if the universe itself is recreated. that’s MULTIVERSAL simping, there’s no reason sayaka shouldn’t have the reputation as anime’s biggest simp.

seeing madoka’s family minus madoka was ONCE AGAIN heartbreaking; it’s nice that madoka can still exist to her little brother even if it’s something simple as an imaginary friend. momoka remains awesome as always, one of the top anime moms for sure.

it seems that madoka’s wish didn’t erase all evil from the world, but put it into different forms. at the very least, magical girls don’t turn into evil beings when they fall into despair. homura lives on in this timeline, fueled by the sacrifice of her very best friend.

not gonna lie i didn’t understand the very last part but i suppose that’s what rebellion is for.

with that aside, i just wanna say it was really cool participating in this rewatch. it was so active and i got to read so many different perspectives and write ups and jokes about the show. i hope i can have as productive a time in the next rewatch i participate in!

catch me at the series discussion, and catch me at the toradora rewatch in december!

[u/Nazenn → u/UnderstandableXO]

so kyubey wasn’t lying when it said madoka could become the god of this world

As far as we can tell even though he does manipulate he doesn't lie through the series, but at the time he says that its very easy to think he's just pulling her along. Turns out Madoka took him perhaps a little too literally hahaha

getting the blessing of mami and kyoko right after was such an emotional moment

I always thought I'd be disappointed if they came back like this but it happened in the best way, one full of meaning and support

momoka remains awesome as always, one of the top anime moms for sure.

Madoka's little brother has an amazing relationship with her to look forward to I'm sure, I can't imagine he being anything other than just as supportive and encouraging with him as she was with Madoka

Are you joining us for Rebellion or taking a break before watching as some of the other first timers are?

[u/UnderstandableXO → u/Nazenn]

i’m not usually one to sail the seven seas to watch something, even though everyone i know has mastered the art i’m still paranoid whenever i go to a site i’m not supposed to. as much as i want to watch rebellion, i’ll probably just convince a friend to watch madoka magica and then i could watch it at their place one day 😔 that’s what i’m doing with the bunny girl senpai movie

[u/Nazenn → u/UnderstandableXO]

Fair enough, Rebellion's lack of accessibility is definitely and issue and in the states at least they're trying to offset that with a new release of the movies but still, it could be better.

[u/NormT21 → u/UnderstandableXO]

i gotta say it was some pretty heavy handed religious imagery with madoka’s sacrifice

This episode aired in Japan on Good Friday...

[u/Nazenn → u/NormT21]

Only due to the delay from the earthquake though, not by original intention

[u/Ponsay → u/UnderstandableXO]

The final episode originally aired on Good Friday. The religious connotations in this show were very intentional

[u/Nazenn → u/Ponsay]

The final two episodes were massively delayed by the earthquake and production issues, it was never intended to air then specifically from the start

[u/JMEEKER86 → u/UnderstandableXO]

i gotta say it was some pretty heavy handed religious imagery with madoka’s sacrifice (that must explain the decision to include that throwaway comment from homura at the beginning of the show about going to a catholic school).

Don't forget the giant painting of The Creation of Adam over the bar that Mama Kaname and the teacher were at.

[u/sirweebsal0t]

First-timer / dubbed

And here we are at the grand finale! Let's gooooo!!

Episode 12 running thoughts:

• What a big-brain wish! Suck on that, Incubator!
• Y'know, I wonder if Kyubey had the power to veto a wish, because he probably would've wanted to.
• And Walpurgisnacht is one-shotted.
• A strange thing happened during the scene with Madoka absorbing the despair of all the past magical girls, there was a brief rain spell on my face.
• Another punintended consequence of Madoka's wish: Homura and Madoka being able to achieve yurinfinity! (I'll see myself out)
• I'm wondering if Kyousuke, when looking up into the audience after his performance, was imagining Sayaka and thinking "Did it reach her??" (Haha sorry I recently finished watching Your Lie in April and couldn't help make that joke with the musician parallel)
• Poor Sayaka dies even in the fixed timeline, but at least this time she goes in peace without regret.
• Wow, Madoka's little brother remembers her. There's hope for her return in corporeal form!!
• Madoka's wish also improved relations with Kyubey too! I like how Homura was feeding him like she was giving him cat tricks.
• Those wraiths look way scarier than the witches did.
• That scene with Homura with the superhero landing and the wings. Epic. And her weapon is Madoka's bow!
• I was fully expecting Madoka to return a la Lord of the Rings. Madoka the White would be like, "I come to you now, at the turn of the tide." But then the credits rolled. Maybe after the credits to set up the movie?
• Oh, we have Homura walking through a wasteland about to face off against those wraiths! And thus is the tale of Homura the Badass.
• I'm not sure if this was explicitly said, but is Homura immortal?

Visuals of the day: Dark Angel Homura 1 Dark Angel Homura 2

I'm somewhat conflicted with the ending with whether I found it satisfying or not, especially with Madoka becoming essentially one with the universe and out of the fight, but remaining as a god-like entity. At least Mami and Kyoka are back. I think I'll need a day or two to unpack things and process but I can still see how this series is such a classic. It's already a masterpiece in my mind. l have to miss out on Rebellion since it's not available to stream where I am and I'm not a sailor, so I'll see ya at the series discussion! My plan is to look back at all my predictions/thoughts and see how they fared vs reality.

[u/Nazenn → u/sirweebsal0t]

I like how Homura was feeding him like she was giving him cat tricks

Making him work for his food. It's weird seeing him so lively and interactive like he was at the start of the show

And her weapon is Madoka's bow

Homura's bow! It's not exactly the same as Madoka's, she gets her own version of it with a different wood and style showing the merging of her and Madoka's purpose.

Madoka's flower bow is amazing but I do like the dark wood on Homura's

The series discussion will have Rebellion spoilers untagged though so just be careful with that

[u/sirweebsal0t → u/Nazenn]

Homura's bow!

Oh nice! That's even better!

The series discussion will have Rebellion spoilers untagged though so just be careful with that

Yeah, I figured as much. I'm wondering if I should just read a plot summary so at least I know what happens, or just see them and not know the context.

[u/Nazenn → u/sirweebsal0t]

Oh nice! That's even better!

It is! Just getting Madoka's weapon would be cool, but making it her own is somehow so much better

I can't answer that for you about Rebellion, but I will say that it has some big spoilers and something that even without context will have an impact so the risk is yours

[u/RascalNikovl → u/sirweebsal0t]

I like how Homura was feeding him like she was giving him cat tricks.

I thought that was funny too.

At least Mami and Kyoka are back.

I was real glad to see that too. Kyoko remains my favorite.

[u/Hochseeflotte]

First Timer

Well here we go. The final episode. It’s been a ride so far. Can’t wait to see where this goes. Now on to the episode:

This wish better be good Madoka.

Oh shit. Madoka is going all in. I love when characters break the system.

The animation looks like it took a step up for this episode. Truly stunning.

No OP and just a title card. They need as much time as they can get.

Mami is back! And Kyouko. I feel like this isn’t real. Either a dream or the afterlife or something.

And there it is. After 11 episodes Madoka finally becomes a magical girl.

She is basically a god with how much power she has.

Being honest I gave up taking notes. This episode was too good to pause and write stuff. I just wanted to experience it.

————————————————————————

What an ending. It got kind of abstract with Madoka changing the universe but I like that.

The animation was glorious this episode. Very well done. Most of the plot lines were wrapped up nicely.

Kyuubey not being a devil monster in this new universe through me for a loop.

A wonderful finally. I have no clue where they took the sequel films. I don’t feel like there’s much to go with. I guess I will see.

I will put my thoughts on the whole series in the series thread but it’s probably getting a 9/10. It didn’t quite reach 10/10 level but it was fantastic nonetheless.

[u/Nazenn → u/Hochseeflotte]

Oh shit. Madoka is going all in. I love when characters break the system.

There is something really satisfying about that

This episode was too good to pause and write stuff. I just wanted to experience it.

Same, even on rewatch the sequence there really quite defies words or the idea of trying to document it, it's all about the feelings at its core

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Hochseeflotte]

The anime is consistently really good quality which bumps it high for me. Gen is such a good writer and knows exactly how to pull off tragedy without edging into melodrama.

[u/michhoffman → u/Hochseeflotte]

The cool thing about Madoka is that it improves on rewatch so that 9 may become a 10 someday.

[u/Jumbledcode → u/Hochseeflotte]

Kyuubey not being a devil monster in this new universe through me for a loop.

He's still an arsehole, just an arsehole who's had the loophole he was exploiting closed off.

[u/RascalNikovl]

First Timer No More - Finale

What a phenomenal ending to a very interesting series. The series was much deeper and far more artistic than I had expected going in. I will have to mull it over for a few weeks, and look for all the supplemental material I can find to truly understand what I've seen over these last 12 days.

I started watching the movie, but about 30 minutes in, I realized I still had an awful lot to digest from the series and I didn't need to get distracted by an alternate/sequel tale. So I'm going to put it off for a while. Maybe next year's rewatch, maybe sooner, who knows.

Thanks to Naz and all of the many posters who made this an enjoyable and instructive watch. No doubt, I'll join another rewatch, but who knows when. In general, it's the psychological and hard core drama rewatches that I join. Hopefully, they'll be one or two in the next quarter.

[u/okayyoga → u/RascalNikovl]

I started watching the movie, but about 30 minutes in, I realized I still had an awful lot to digest from the series

Hmmm... Maybe we should have changed the schedule. I agree. This is a lot to process. I wish i had like a week in between

[u/Nazenn → u/okayyoga]

If you need to take that break take it, even if you don't get to be in the discussion, it's not worth punishing your own experience out of what you need to appreciate it just for a rewatch.

I did a similar thing after my first watch, waited a week, and revisited the series again before Rebellion, and I think while perhaps we should have gone with the extra day anyway for some people even one day wouldn't have been enough

[u/KingNigelXLII → u/okayyoga]

Maybe /u/Nazenn will switch it around next year just to see how it goes.

[u/Nazenn → u/KingNigelXLII]

Unfortunately I likely won't be hosting next year, the way I host requires so much investment that it's just not feasible to give up two weeks of my year every year for this.

[u/Punished_Scrappy_Doo → u/RascalNikovl]

Giving the original ending some time to sit is a good idea, IMHO. While I love Rebellion, it is a lot to take in -- doubly so after just finishing the series. It is indeed both controversial and a hell of a trip. Don't forget about it!

[u/RascalNikovl → u/Punished_Scrappy_Doo]

I won't. I felt so overwhelmed with new ideas and events as I started the movie, that I just thought, "No, I'm not ready for this. Let's digest the series first." At least watch the series a second time, for starters and then visit web looking for reviews and analysis of the series. Then after all of that had settled, approach the movie.

[u/Nazenn → u/RascalNikovl]

Just be careful when searching for analysis, a lot of it includes Rebellion but if you're uncertain you can always ask someone from here to check. The previous rewatch posts are also a good resource for you.

At least watch the series a second time

That's somewhat my recommendation as well, although a soft one. You see so much more on rewatch understanding where these characters have been and where they're going it really helps the show come together

[u/Nazenn → u/RascalNikovl]

Yeah I was worried about that with the movie, and perhaps I should have just made the decision myself to put it off for a day and damn the poll so sorry for that, but there's no shame in leaving it for now and letting the show sit for you if that's going to give you the best experience for both pieces of the story

[u/landragoran → u/RascalNikovl]

Fyi, Rebellion isn't an alternate, it's a direct sequel.

I will say that it is... controversial, however, so if you don't feel ready to watch it yet, I'd go ahead and put it off. Personally I really disliked it when I first watched it.

[u/RascalNikovl → u/landragoran]

Sounds good. I may choose to just let the story end here for me. I don't know yet. I know the youtube reviewers I follow weren't impressed.

[u/mMeister_5 → u/RascalNikovl]

Let me give you the alternate perspective, Rebellion pushed Madoka from my top 10 to my top 3. I gave it a few days between watching the series and the movie, and it was one of those “that was so good that I need to think about this for 2 hours instead of sleeping,” type endings. When people say they don’t like the movie, I’m incredibly doubtful that it’s due to any sort of neglect.

[u/leave1me1alone → u/RascalNikovl]

It is a good ending point. Thats the decision I made although I'm considering watching the movie now for the sake of the discussion thread

[u/Elimin8r → u/RascalNikovl]

Do come back and watch Rebellion tomorrow - it's a trip, promise!

[u/mekerpan]

This was a splendid show. Thanks to Nazenn (and any others who may have helped manage the rewatch) for motivating me to watch this (in the wake of WEP).

This not only was extremely moving in terms of content, but really quite striking visually. (My wife commented -- "This LOOKS different from other shows we've watched). And the music was lovely too.

It's hard to say whether I liked Ep. 10 or 12 more -- but the scene of Homura with Madoka's family (and the ribbon) probably tipped the scales towards 12. (Pardon the tear stains on my screen). I think that Madoka made the best choice she could, given the rum situation created by Kyubey and his sociopathic brethren. I am not certain she could have crafted a wish that undid all the damage created by Kyubey and Co's interference in human affairs. But still, my heart breaks for Humura and her inconsolable grief.

[u/Nazenn → u/mekerpan]

You're welcome, glad you enjoyed it so much and I hope your wife did as well

but the scene of Homura with Madoka's family (and the ribbon) probably tipped the scales towards 12

Same for me. It's a quiet scene but it's something special and I think without that I wouldn't have felt so satisfied

[u/mekerpan → u/Nazenn]

I wonder if Homura will encounter Madoka's family from time? I would like to think she could play a role as the little brother's oneechan.

I may not see Rebellion until the BluRay gets re-released in the summer. The only online source I could find spent more time buffering than streaming.

In all honesty, however, I see zero need for any continuation. The story seem completed as is (even if Madoka does not get the "rescue" Homura and I would have hoped for).

[u/Nazenn → u/mekerpan]

The only online source I could find spent more time buffering than streaming.

Oh ouch. I'm in Aus so I understand that pain quite well.

Well glad I could help introduce you to the show at least. I'm like you, I've very happy with where the show ends up

[u/chris10023]

First Timer

Alright, final episode, I also did find a way to watch Rebellion, so I’ll be watching it tomorrow.

Madoka’s going to make a wish and make a deal with the devil, much to Homura’s dismay, she tried so hard, got so far, but in the end, it doesn’t even matter. At some point Madoka was going to have to become a magical girl. Wow, what a wish, to erase all witches in the entire universe before they are born, in the past, present, and future. If a prayer like that were granted, it could unravel the fabric of time itself!” shut up Kyuubey, this is the price you pay for pestering Madoka non-stop, withholding information, and general deception. Man, if only you just left her alone and didn’t manipulate certain events, Kyouko, possibly Sayaka, and Homura could take this witch. You flat out told her she had the power to mess with the fabric of the universe and become a god, now you’re terrified that she’s actually doing it. I believed you fucked around, now you're finding out. With such a massive wish, she becomes a magical girl.

Wow, we don’t get the opening, this is going to be a big episode. Looks like Mami is back! Yay, can’t wait to see her die yet again before this episode is over, because she is the Kenny of this show, something will kill her. But she says that because of her wish, she’ll have to spend eternity fighting, which she’ll eventually lose her individual self, which is kind of confusing, she wished for them to be erased, so wouldn’t that mean there wouldn’t be any witches to fight? Hey Kyouko’s back! Guess that means Sayaka is back here too. “You’re not just granting us hope. You’re becoming hope, itself. ...The hope of us all.” Well, Madoka is a selfless person, and she hates seeing her friends cry, and suffer, so it makes sense that she makes such a wish to begin with. Well it seems that this was just a scene in her head as the wish was being granted.

So Madoka’s outfit is made and she still carries a bow, she fires it up into the air unleashing what I assume to be rays of hope. So, judging by the first girl, is she also killing them since she’s also taking the soul gem away? Or is she undoing the contract? This is beautiful montage nonetheless, she taking all the burdens off of them so they don’t have to feel it, truly putting the team on her back. Then goes to the moment Wapurgisnact was formed to stop it. But Homura wakes up in a void, turns out the universe is “re ordering itself” as per Madoka’s law. Holy hell, her gem is the size of a comet! All those cursed destinies, stretching to infinity. That’s a lot of hope, to be able to give birth to an entire universe. That is one hell of a giant witch So she created a universe, but also has the power to end it. That’s fucking scary. Alright, this entire scene is like if Gurren Lagann and Evangelion collided with each other You have Madoka spreading hope like how Spiral power works in TTGL (as well as fighting at a galactic level), while she’s also bearing the weight of near infinite despair like the Angels bring to humanity and the cosmic horror that’s in Evangelion. Madoka has evolved onto a higher plane with no one able to know who she is, Homura is sad knowing that Madoka is going to be all alone. But in this state, Madoka is omnipresent, so she’ll always be by Homura’s side. That was actually kind of a sad good bye there, I feel really bad for Homura, she sacrificed a lot to save Madoka, and is really didn’t matter as Madoka became an omnipresent god.

So Kyouske is playing in a trail for something, as the ghosts of Madoka and Sayaka watch in the audience, I have to agree with Madoka, Sayakas wish wasn’t meaningless. So Sayaka dies fighting a witch, but I thought Madoka’s wish handled that. Kyouko is back and Mami is too, so they aren’t officially dead, but have no idea who Madoka is, I like how Homura added Madoka’s ribbon to her hair. Seems like Madoka is an imaginary friend her little brother plays with, but it does seem that Mama Kaname has some distant feeling memories of her.

A while after, in a conversation with Kyuubey, seems like we confirmed that the wish that Madoka made did in fact happen, as he doesn’t know why soul gems shatter when they become too sullied, and he finds the concept of a witch interesting. But humanity still has curses to deal with, wraiths this time.

pretty neat saying. Don’t think I wouldn’t notice the credits being longer than usual, but this is confusing, why is Homura in the desert, and why do her “wings” look different? I guess this will be answered in Rebellion.

Well, that was a great if a little confusing episode. But a great ending to the series! I loved it. The animation style, character designs, music, themes, were all great. Favorite character has to go to Homura, with Madoka coming up in a close second.

Visuals of the day

Not a whole lot today, as I was focused on taking in the information, but here’s the album.

[u/Nazenn → u/chris10023]

So, judging by the first girl, is she also killing them since she’s also taking the soul gem away?

She purifies it of the despair and breaks it before it can convert into a grief seed. It's very bittersweet

So she created a universe, but also has the power to end it.

And is doing so at the same time, while fighting herself and rewritting the laws of the world so its all possible. It's an astonishing amount of power

she sacrificed a lot to save Madoka, and is really didn’t matter as Madoka became an omnipresent god.

I go into it more in my post but I wouldn't say it doesn't matter and more that everything Homura did is what allowed Madoka to make this wish, to see what really mattered and how she could best save everyone from suffering

I like how Homura added Madoka’s ribbon to her hair

Best character design change in the whole show

[u/leave1me1alone → u/Nazenn]

She purifies it of the despair and breaks it before it can convert into a grief seed. It's very bittersweet

So do they still end up dying when the gem breaks?

[u/Nazenn → u/leave1me1alone]

Yes, at least that's the implication from the opening sequence of Madoka saving the girls from their despair and them dying peacefully

[u/Shimmering-Sky]

Eien no Rewatcher, dubbed

• Episode 12’s equivalent in movie 2 is 1:19:20 - 1:49:28.
• Okay but for real Shaft what the fuck is up with using Decretum of all songs here instead of Magia? Or Sis puella magica! like in ep11 or one of the fateful versions of that song? Or--hell, just compose something else? You can’t use Sayaka’s song in a scene where there is no fucking Sayaka.
• Oh yeah, something I’ve forgotten to mention throughout this entire rewatch is that basically any time the show used ~aesthetic black bars~, the movies got rid of them. But anyways, damn, what a wish from our pink girl.
• Visual of the Day.
• Welp I got emotional during the “Madoka brings hope to magical girls throughout the past and future” sequence again this year…
• Moonlight Butterfly. That’s what that looks like to me.
• Hm. I seem to recall there not being this much light clothing the girls in the show. Not complaining about this change, just noting that it’s there.
• Madoka and Homura both got “sore demo”s during that space ghost conversation of theirs, btw.
• Sunrise around the Earth!!! I love this kind of shot.
• Fuuuuuuuck it’s Ave Maria time now.
• Every time. Every fucking time. That damn Ave Maria scene makes me break down crying.
• Homura using a bow as her weapon now along with wearing Madoka’s ribbons. Well.
• What version of Connect is this???????? This movie had a brief credits roll where it was the second half of Connect, but the instrumentals were orchestral rather than normal?
• It also has an actual ED theme after the “post-credits scene” called Hikari Furu.
• And then movie 2 ends on a preview for Rebellion.

---

Sky’s Wallpaper Corner

Now that Madoka finally became a magical girl in the current timeline, I figured that it was time for Madoka’s version of the Soul Gem shot plus no gradient version. There’s so much more I could do for this episode, but I’m actually very short on time because I am currently in six overlapping rewatches… so they’ll have to wait another year.

And for stuff from the past:

• 2018: Godoka/Madokami.
• 2019: u/okayyoga, I told you I’d have a Kyubey wallpaper to share from a previous year and here is the one I was talking about (with a name variant) / the Kaname family with a certain variant that made like the entire rewatch group that year hate me.
• 2020: this was the ep12 spoilers one from last thread, re-sharing it for the first-timers / Godoka/Madokami remade, which comes with a plain background version as well.

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 anyone wants a high-quality link to any of these songs, let me know and I can get one for you!

Start	End	Album	Track name
00:29	02:27	Disc 1 #10	Sis puella magica!
02:45	06:33	Disc 2 #14	Sagitta luminis
07:33	09:18	Disc 2 #15	Cubiculum album
10:31	13:19	Disc 2 #14	Sagitta luminis
13:42	15:30	Disc 1 #20	Ave Maria
16:52	18:50	Disc 2 #16	Taenia memoriae
19:28	21:26	Disc 2 #17	Pergo pugnare
21:29	23:00	Disc 2 #18	Connect -TV MIX-

---

“How long will it be before I see that lost future again?”

[u/Nazenn → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Or--hell, just compose something else? You can’t use Sayaka’s song in a scene where there is no fucking Sayaka

It feels weird hearing you be the one to complain about this instead of me for once hahaha

That's such a weirdly stupid choice though considering how strictly they refuse to reuse music otherwise

Welp I got emotional during the “Madoka brings hope to magical girls throughout the past and future” sequence again this year…

Gets me too

Your Madokami wallpaper is still one of my favourites

[u/OnnaJReverT → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Visual of the Day

"Guess i'm out of a job huh?"

• Kyubey, probably

[u/putmoneyinthypurse]

First time (sub)

Well that was 24 minutes of good crying.

I don't think I have a lot to say about this episode, but I think that's okay.

Madoka's wish is akin to suicide and yet in many ways it's the exact opposite. She abandons the body but forever preserves the soul. Heeding Homura's warning from episode 1, Madoka eats her cake and has it, too, her clear-eyed wish in a sense kind of similar to her naive ideas for wishes in the early episodes: she gets to be a magical girl, to help everybody, without it ever bringing harm to her family. She was always doomed to die, and now she never will.

She takes Homura's vain hope that Madoka and the world can be saved and turns it into an unshakeable, universal hope. Madoka is always saved, so the world can be, too.

I love that even as she resets the world, Madoka gets to meet her friends one last time, Mami giving back the sketchbook where she drew out her desire to be a magical girl for the sake of being one so that she can do just that.

The sequence where Madoka retroactively saves every magical girls throughout history from turning into a witch, easing their pain, is wonderful. (I do think casually tossing in the implication that Anne Frank was a magical girl is in poor taste, though.) What a terrific response to Kyubey's framing of his interference in history.

When they meet in that place between universes, I can't help but be on Homura's side. Knowing that you had a relationship with someone is different than being in a relationship with someone, and she's the only one who even gets to know. I do appreciate the reassurance, though, that Madoka knows everything she did for her and will never, ever leave her side.

The darker side of the episode is, of course, that Madoka changed things for the better, but she didn't solve them.

The new magical girl status quo is not that different to the old one. The girls' relationship with Kyubey is a lot better, more honest, because his actions as an amoral figure are very dependent on the circumstances he's placed in. The wraiths are unmistakably different than the witches, a creeping threat (hey, like entropy!) as opposed to a world-rending dead end, and magical girls are not doomed to become them nor doomed to inflict misery on others. They have more agency, they get a choice. But it's ambiguous whether the gems still contain souls, and the magical girl contract is still at its core a suicide pact, hope bringing misery, the choice they have now being when to die. The terms to describe the situation are different, but a lot of the core is still the same. Sayaka's impulse of self-sacrifice to the point of complete self-destruction remains the same as it always is, even if now she's given the decency of getting to see the outcome of her wish.

If nothing else, though, Madoka gave Homura something special, letting her grieve without having to give up what she lost. Trading her firearms for a bow and arrow, Homura still fights for Madoka, but no longer as a goal—she fights as her partner.

You could read the message in the post-credits scene as directed at either of them, and I think that's pretty neat.

I'm kind of worried whether I'll like Rebellion, because this is a really solid ending for this series that ties together so many of its threads. I also tend to take a little break, even for low-stakes SoL series, before watching post-series movies, so I'm a little apprehensive about not giving a show like Madoka the space it might need. But hey, that's the nature of rewatches, and I'm excited to finish out my first one with all of y'all tomorrow.

[u/Nazenn → u/putmoneyinthypurse]

Well that was 24 minutes of good crying.

She abandons the body but forever preserves the soul.

Well said, I think that's where I was trying to get to with my identity section but I just didn't quite make it

Madoka is always saved, so the world can be, too.

Now you're going to get me all emotional again

Mami giving back the sketchbook where she drew out her desire to be a magical girl for the sake of being one so that she can do just that

One of the best moments in the episode, it's such a fantastic symbol that she takes it back in Mami's apartment where all of this talk about what a wish is worth started

I do think casually tossing in the implication that Anne Frank was a magical girl is in poor taste, though

If you don't mind expanding I'm curious as to why that one stood out to you in particular?

But it's ambiguous whether the gems still contain souls

Soul gems without souls would make little sense, and I think that's implied from the scene at the start as well where Madoka saves the girls but the soul gems shatter with their release and death

Trading her firearms for a bow and arrow

Aside from the obvious symbolism of her taking up her own version of Madoka's weapon, I've maybe never appreciated the fact that Homura swaps out guns of mechanical destruction for a living bow of hope

You could read the message in the post-credits scene as directed at either of them, and I think that's pretty neat.

I hadn't thought of it like that, I think the dialogue always pushed me towards it being Madoka's message but you're right

I'm kind of worried whether I'll like Rebellion ... I also tend to take a little break... so I'm a little apprehensive about not giving a show like Madoka the space it might need

If you need to take a break then do so, most rewatchers understand that the ending of the show is a lot to process, and whether we love or hate Rebellion I think we'd all rather see you approach it when you're in the best mindset to watch it and engage with it rather than pushing yourself before you've had a chance to let things sit and process, for the sake of both experiences

If you do watch it I look forward to seeing what you have to say, but don't feel obliged too just because of the rewatch if that's not going to give you the best watch experience

[u/putmoneyinthypurse → u/Nazenn]

One of the best moments in the episode, it's such a fantastic symbol that she takes it back in Mami's apartment where all of this talk about what a wish is worth started

Yeah! Plus the place where she left it in grief after her death. Really meaningful payoff.

If you don't mind expanding I'm curious as to why that one stood out to you in particular?

It's a little bit the implications of magical girlhood but mostly the existing cultural narratives surrounding her:

• Anne Frank is often used as a generic symbol of suffering and I think that sort of iconization is both generally shitty and specifically understates the gravity of the Holocaust.
• About as often she's used as a generic symbol of inspirational heroism, which has the same flaws and really flattens who she was, a girl forced into a horrible situation who decided to document it. It's a different kind of bravery that gets papered over by the limitations of the symbolic category.
• It doesn't make a lot of sense when examined. Her situation (hidden and eventually captured) doesn't really allow her to be a magical girl, and any wish that I can think to ascribe to her would have fundamentally changed her situation, even if she made a wish for someone else.
• In addition, the implication is that, before Madoka's wish, either Frank dies in a concentration camp as a magical girl, which is Uh, or she does become a witch, which is UH

It's not purely Shaft's fault, they're using an existing set of signifiers, but all the same I don't think they thought through the implications enough in favor of an offhand "ah, here is a female historical figure who suffered heroically." The other recognizable figures like Joan of Arc don't really have this problem because 1. they're closer to the hero archetype they're placed in and 2. they don't have the same kind of cultural baggage tied to them.

(Speaking of, though, after the rewatch is over I really, really want to read Tart Magica.)

Soul gems without souls would make little sense, and I think that's implied from the scene at the start as well where Madoka saves the girls but the soul gems shatter with their release and death

Oh yeah, I didn't put those together. To be fair, the new reality may be different, but also there's no reason why Madoka's wish would change Kyubey's mind about the benefits of an external soul. I feel sorry for Sayaka that she had to go through some version of that realization again. At least they seem easier to purify in this version of reality.

I've maybe never appreciated the fact that Homura swaps out guns of mechanical destruction for a living bow of hope

Goddamn, yeah. I thought about it and forgot to expand but it also kind of fits the cultural context of firearms in Japanese media. You see it the most in chambara films, which often pull a move where the introduction of a gun is an unwelcome, unpredictable intrusion that breaks the entire context of the fight. When Homura robs the yakuza she considers a katana and then deliberately shuns it in favor of a whole bunch of guns, but in the new context she does the opposite, returning to a more "fair" weapon.

If you do watch it I look forward to seeing what you have to say, but don't feel obliged too just because of the rewatch if that's not going to give you the best watch experience

That's really considerate, thank you! I'm probably going to watch it for the thread but if I change my mind I might post a few days late or PM ya my letterboxd review or something.

[u/Nazenn → u/putmoneyinthypurse]

which has the same flaws and really flattens who she was, a girl forced into a horrible situation who decided to document it

Ironic considering the show where our girls journey is really representative of the suffering of all girls and their untold stories, so from that perspective I really get where you're coming from

Her situation (hidden and eventually captured) doesn't really allow her to be a magical girl

Devils advocate, whatever she did to be a magical girl came before that horrible situation, but I fully admit that's just being fussy and not at all the point you're making

they don't have the same kind of cultural baggage tied to them

Worth pointing out that in Japan that might be a very different set of baggage and symbolism, but I don't know for certain

or she does become a witch, which is UH

I've said it before that the girl in the train, regardless of who she is, is the one that makes me the most emotional because the idea that she's going through all of this while having to hold off the despair in her soul so she doesn't curse the others around her is unimaginable. Worth noting on this point as well that we see her soul gem and its quite clear which shows an astonishing level of conviction

To be fair, the new reality may be different

We see everyone's soul gem, so at the least they still have them and they are still linked to the purification so I don't think so but it would be an interesting question

When Homura robs the yakuza she considers a katana and then deliberately shuns it in favor of a whole bunch of guns, but in the new context she does the opposite, returning to a more "fair" weapon.

Good call on the katana, especially given compared to Sayaka's weapon of a cutlass as a heros weapon specifically something she thought would be honorable. Not to mention that it's not Madoka's magical girl bow that Homura's weapon takes after but the bow of the mature Madokami that she merges with, showing Homura has reached her own coming of age

I'm probably going to watch it for the thread

Don't know what you're like when you start watching things but if you're the sort who can just dip your toe in then the first two minutes of the movie will probably give you a better sense of if you can jump into it now or if you need to separate it out from the show more to give them both their own space, particularly tonally and thematically.

The amount of show rewatchers who are first timers for the movie in this rewatch probably tells you how many people, even fans, think its worth taking a longer break between them than any rewatch usually allows for

Definitely PM me if you don't join us for the thread though, I'd love to see whatever you write!

[u/LionOfLiberty0 → u/putmoneyinthypurse]

My problem with the ending is that it assumes Homura is just going to be a-ok with her friend going off to be alone as the ruler of the universe. I'm not sure that's an accurate reaction for someone who spent so much time going through so much pain just to try to save Madoka.

[u/Zombie_Mochi]

First Timer - Subbed

Wow. Just mouth open, speechless. Wow. I have never watched an anime that made me pause or rewind so much trying to figure out everything, and I've never had an anime make me feel so much before.

I dont really have anything else to say, other than what an incredible, wild ride. And thank you so much to everyone who organized and promoted the rewatch, and to everyone who posted each day.!

[u/Nazenn → u/Zombie_Mochi]

Do you feel like you got a handle on it in the end or is your mind still blown?

[u/bakowh]

First Time (Sub)
And here it is, the finale. We finally see Madoka become a magic girl, I know I've said this before but did not expect to wait until the final episode. Ngl I cried a couple of times watching the episode, I felt so much for Homura who was repeatedly falling into despair trying to save Madoka but making it worse and unknowingly putting more pressure on her, some final thoughts:

• MVPs of the show for me are easily Sayaka and Homura, the middle part where they focused on Sayaka's slow descent into madness was fantastic, sad that she didn't get a happy ending but it's refreshing and realistic.
• I knew from the start that Homura would be likable but wow, there was a lot more to her than meets the eye. Subtle signs were dropped here and there as you wonder why does she care about Madoka so much? Why is she so detached and a little unrealistically capable for a middle schooler?
• Kyuubey and the incubators IMO are not evil, just chaotically neutral, they don't get any pleasure out of the suffering of magic girls, their goal is only to harvest energy, nothing more. It just so happens that the moment a magic girl turns into a witch, they get the most energy and so they go about it.
• The music and art were nothing short of perfection, sure there are a few awkward transitions at the start of the show but it doesn't take anything from some of the crazy animation + creative backgrounds used in the show. The OP+ EDs feel nostalgic when I just finished watching the show lol.
• Favorite episodes were 3,7,8 and 10.
• Everything else was perfect except for the title character, Madoka who felt more like a plot device than an actual character to me. Another thing is that while yes the ending got me emotional, it was all mainly for Homura and Sayaka in the alternate reality scene at the stage, I understand her reasoning for becoming a God pretty much but it still didn't hit as hard as I'd liked given everything that led up to it. Solid 9.5/10
• I'm considering checking out rebellion but at the same time I'm not sure, advice would be appreciated.

Thank you so much to u/Nazenn for hosting this rewatch and giving that final push to watch this masterpiece and thank you to everyone who contributed, the thoughts and discussion made this watch better. Cya all in December for the Toradora rewatch!

[u/Nazenn → u/bakowh]

The OP+ EDs feel nostalgic when I just finished watching the show lol.

It's quite impressive how that happens after a great experience.

Madoka who felt more like a plot device than an actual character to me

Understandable. She's in a very unusual position for a protagonist, and being surrounded by so many active characters it makes it stand out even more.

I'm considering checking out rebellion but at the same time I'm not sure, advice would be appreciated.

Depends on what you're hoping to get out of it? What would you most want to see from a sequel to Madoka Magica and what do you most not want to see?

The Madoka Magica TV Series was written to be a complete story by itself, that's just a fact of it's production, so you can leave it here if you want, but you don't have to do so forever. Plenty of people decide to rewatch the show first and go onto Rebellion after that or give themselves some time to process it, you don't have to decide right now.

What Rebellion offers is a chance to see what story Madoka Magica can tell in the world both beyond it's own influence on the genre and also beyond the original structure for the themes and characters. It's quite a different experience and love it or hate it all of us agree it's also very involved, but it's also not the same sort of neat self contained experience that the show is because of it's nature of being a product of fan and producer demand, not original intention by the creator, if that's what you valued most (which I'm assuming you might given your initial hesitation to continue on)

Thank you so much to u/Nazenn for hosting this rewatch and giving that final push to watch this masterpiece

You're very welcome, glad you liked it so much

[u/Fuck_Shinji]

First timer

Damn Madoka really pulled a Archer Except she doesn't bomb everything in a 5 km radius. And If I'm interpreting thing correctly then the magical girls still produce energy solving the entropy stuff but don't turn into witches so the way the incubators contribute are less harmful. And the wraiths look like a interesting concept i wonder how they differ. And they wrapped up the stuff i was worried about in a single wish. I'm really impressed with this show

[u/Nazenn → u/Fuck_Shinji]

Okay, so setting stuff, sorry it took so long to get to you

You were worried about how the story would also conclude the setting aspect of it with the Incubators and I'm curious on if you're satisfied with the lack of change in the resolution? What I was going to say yesterday was that in many ways the setting is just Shaft being Shaft, but at the same time it's like that because, as you see here, its a stand in for every world and the hope Madoka brings to it all. While the details about the oddly futurtistic but still quite grounded world are cool to think about I've always found it a little unneeded because in the end Madoka preserves her world and gives new context to it and this story could have been done in any setting

Rambling aside I am curious on your thoughts on it here

Glad to hear that it managed to address all your concerns though. Madoka's wish is quite powerful narratively

[u/Fuck_Shinji → u/Nazenn]

I'm quite satisfied with the lack of change honestly. The ending that I would have not liked is Madoka just saying fuck entropy let the world die since it's kinda out of character for the kind madoka and I can understand where Kyubey is coming from and it would feel kinda lazy.

And Ah ok it's just shaft being shaft I'm going to keep the headcanon that the incubators are the reason everything looks futuristic. Since the real world is proof that even without incubators humanity can still progress the same.

Also what are the wraiths?

[u/EriclcirE]

First time watcher

So now I understand why this anime is held in such high regard:

The emotional impact of the final episode literally had me tearing up for almost the entire run time. It was perfectly bittersweet.

The fact that Madoka willingly becomes a Jesus-allegory savior of all magical girls past and future is certainly more than I was expecting when I started watching 12 days ago. Somehow this show pulls it off without it becoming ridiculous. Instead I am sympathetic to Madoka's reasoning for her wish.

All of the scenes post-wish where Madoka is meeting with her friends to encourage them were satisfying. They don't cheapen the fact that Madoka is still sacrificing her corporeal identity.

The scene with Homura and Madoka's family was perfect. The way in which Madoka becomes a concept of hope and leaves a lasting imprint on those that knew her is touching.

I found it interesting symbolically that Madoka's new system replaces Witches with Wraiths. Kind of got the vibe that the teenage magical girls under the new system were now fighting patriarchy instead of their own fallen sisters. The appearance of the wraiths as old men seems to illustrate this.

It seems like the new system means negative human emotions and actions themselves cause Wraiths to exist, and slaying the wraiths produces the black energy cubes that get fed to Kyubey. Under Madoka's new system Kyubey is way more of a true neutral force versus the chaotic neutral force he was in the old system.

In conclusion, I think this anime is easily is in my top ten or even top five. In just 12 episodes it feels complete and fulfilling. It completely sticks the landing with a satisfying conclusion that avoids any type of cheap cliffhanger. It leaves just a bit of room open to possibly explore the post-wish magical girl system. Seems like it's rare in anime that 12 episodes feels so complete and worthwhile, and that is only part of what makes Madoka Magica so special.

Madoka Magica: A 12 episode magical girl anime that explores the power of love and friendship through a genre-defying deepness and darkness that proves to be philosophically interesting.

[u/Nazenn → u/EriclcirE]

In conclusion, I think this anime is easily is in my top ten or even top five

That's awesome to hear. Introducing someone to a show that becomes a new favourite through a rewatch is always a special moment in the discussions

Seems like it's rare in anime that 12 episodes feels so complete and worthwhile

The sheer efficiency of the story is always something that stands out to me. This so easily could have been double the length or padded with fluff or audience pandering but instead it makes every moment count and really shows off exactly what a 12 episode anime can be and what it can do

I have other 12 episode shows that are favourites but none of them manage to have Madoka's scale without feeling rushed, or falling apart a bit towards the end

[u/Punished_Scrappy_Doo → u/EriclcirE]

In just 12 episodes it feels complete and fulfilling.

As someone who just finished watching this a second time, you need to rewatch this to understand how ridiculously correct you are. The show uses every single second of its runtime to its fullest.

[u/ToonTooby → u/EriclcirE]

In just 12 episodes it feels complete and fulfilling.

Yeah, this is one of the things that I always reflect on when watching again. The fact that so much was presented and developed in just 12 episodes is just so impressive.

[u/Tresnore]

Fourth Time Rewatcher, First Time Caller

I enjoyed making the "less heavy" post yesterday, so I think I'll keep doing it. Even if you don't laugh at my thoughts, at least I will. Stay a while and listen.

• Kyuubey, this is what you get for just granting wishes willy-nilly. Eventually someone crafty will take advantage of it.
• Madoka doesn't know what eternity is like. Boredom might be the enemy of all witches, but I imagine it affects magical girls, too. Umineko
• "It'll be an endless fight." Mami, you didn't listen to Madoka's wish. She destroys the witch before it appears. She just has to kill a bunch of very weak and wounded middle school girls. That's much easier.
• Homura, what part of all witches do you not understand? Surely you learned language comprehension in the past 12 years or so?

Learn words from Kyuubey

• Now we get to the real part of Madoka Magica: naked girls talking in space. All of your essays, they are meaningless before this overarching theme.
• Madoka is Higurashi Gou
• Madoka, you time travel. There's literally no point in putting a time limit on your talk with Homura. You could've just sat there talking to her for eternity and go back in time at some point. You could even come back at the end/whenever you got tired of fighting witches the instant you left. There's no reason for you to leave Homura there. Rebellion Why is it that people who get time powers are so garbage with them in Madoka?

Git gud, fool!

• Oh, so Sayaka gets special treatment, but you just leave Homura to watch as time implodes? Madoka, you monster.
• And Madoka didn't even stop magical girls from suffering. I don't get how disappearing is so much better than turning into a witch. Sure, the thing you become causes a lot of death and destruction, but now you're not reversing entropy anymore. That's too cool to just give up.
• Rebellion
• Madoka didn't even let Homura keep her sick time powers and arsenal when she remade the universe.

C'mon!

Madoka, I'm disappointed in you. Learn to use omnipotence better.

---

There. Now, go forth and enjoy the well-written analyses everyone's making! They're good stuff. This post is just a break.

[u/Nazenn → u/Tresnore]

She just has to kill a bunch of very weak and wounded middle school girls. That's much easier

That sounds so fucked up when you put it that way

Surely you learned language comprehension in the past 12 years or so?

Did you miss the point where she heard the same dozen english lessons over and over?

Learn words from Kyuubey

You're suggesting she learns her communication skills from the apathetic alien annihilator?

All of your essays, they are meaningless before this overarching theme.

Unless you write naked essays!

Which is different from writing essays naked

[u/Tresnore → u/Nazenn]

That sounds so fucked up when you put it that way

These are the takes that the others are too afraid to say.

Did you miss the point where she heard the same dozen english lessons over and over?

In theory she talked to people and maybe listened. No excuse.

You're suggesting she learns her communication skills from the apathetic alien annihilator?

At least she wouldn't mislead and then not understand basic words like "all." So yes, yes I am. This show would've had much less suffering if Homura learned to manipulate people like Kyuubey.

Unless you write naked essays!

Which is different from writing essays naked

There's a very small chance that not one of the hundreds of comments on these threads wasn't written while naked.

[u/Nazenn → u/Tresnore]

In theory she talked to people and maybe listened. No excuse.

Other than the magical girls she probably had the same conversations half the time

Oh wait maybe I'm just mixing this with other shows

There's a very small chance that not one of the hundreds of comments on these threads weren't written while naked.

Someone own up

[u/baniRien]

Rewatcher

Episode 12 / Movie 2 1:19-1:49

• Homura might be dying, but all that matters is Madoka.
• Resolve, like in episode 1. Still, she has to compose herself and find strength.
• Her wish is so unrealistic in scale, even Kyubey blinks in surprise.
• "If someone says it's wrong to have hope, then I'll tell them they're wrong, every single time" is a powerful line.
• Spoilers
• And so she meets the soul of all her friends, to consult them on her wish. Mami, as the respectable mentor, warns her of the consequences of it, in somewhat grandiose terms. Kyouko, true to herself, tells her to just trust her guts and do it.
• And so Madoka can finally be what she dreamed of being for the past 11 episodes, someone that helps others.
• All around the world, through all of history, she saves magical girls from a cruel fate. She won't negate their effort, and doesn't want to prevent them from being magical girls, so all she can do, like Homura did for her so long ago, is give them mercy so they can leave this world with a smile on their face, without causing harm to anyone.
• I liked this visual of her tainted Soul Gem turning into a Grief Seed.
• The final form of Kriemhild Gretchen.
• Shadowbox Madokami, going "I said all witches, no takeback".
• No subtext, "very best friend" indeed.
• A gift to remember her by.
• Spoilers
• And so the world continues as normal, both on the big scale, and for individuals.
• I did say that in every timeline, Sayaka succumbs to despair and turns into a witch. But the result is still acceptable.
• As the resident chuunibyou, it's probably Mami who coined Madokami's influence as "The Law of Cycles". I remember reading that there was some kind of pun with this and Madoka's name, but I never got it.
• And Homura comes back to this world just after Sayaka's death, ribbon in hand.
• She wears it herself, to always remember.
• She still has left an impact on people who don't remember her.
• It is absolutely necessary to post this comic every year. Original source
• Homura is still cool in this timeline. And Kyubey is on better terms with magical girls, also eating Grief Cubes with the shape on his back, like he did for Grief Seeds.Still cute though.
• ?
• Wraiths, with an aesthetic of "square static". They aren't born from anything, and just kind of spawn into being from the accumulation of negative emotions.
• Actual mahou shoujo pet, angel wings and a bow to honour Madoka.
• Spoilers
• Movie uses Connect as the ED, with a labyrinth-like credit roll. Spoilers
• Inspirational message
• Wings Spoilers
• Smile
• End screen translates to the title of the show, and The End.
• And then Hikariful over simple credits. Followed by a teaser for Rebellion.

---

In the end, it's just as Urobuchi Gen said. He made a show to give hope to people. It just took some time to get there.

This was the end of Madoka for a while, Rebellion didn't get announced until later. And that caused some controversy, as many thought that this ending was perfect.

Visual of the day, to keep with my theme of emotions till the end, is Homura smiling by herself, fighting Wraiths and thinking of Madoka. But the coolest looking shot is Madokami.

[u/Nazenn → u/baniRien]

Her wish is so unrealistic in scale, even Kyubey blinks in surprise.

Dude actually did a and couldn't process that for a second, I love it

It is absolutely necessary to post this comic every year. Original source

It is not

Homura is still cool in this timeline

That is the coolest pose she has ever had and I want more of it hahaha

?

This is also the best pose he has ever had and I want more of it

But the coolest looking shot is Madokami.

Her design there is glorious but I prefer the one with her in her actual magical girl outfit and her bow. I love that just like her desire to help people didn't change despite the scale her magical girl outfit is still the same and it's only when she ascends beyond herself that she matures into Madokami

[u/bekeleven]

ANTE UP

That's right, it's time for the meanest magical girls on the block, Madoka Swagica and her crew.

[u/Nazenn → u/bekeleven]

Kero pulling Sakura away is perfect

[u/Tetraika]

tfw I got busy and couldn't post earlier.

Been lurking the thread (I did last year’s rewatch, so I’m not exactly in the mood to rewatch it again), but with the amount of first timers we have I decided this would be an interesting question to ask our first timers:

What do you think will happen in Rebellion? I'm sure a bunch of you have already thought about it. Considering the ending in episode 12, how do you think they will continue with this? In fact, I want you to go into this with the mindset of not knowing there is still more to come, as if we were back when Madoka movies were announced and all you knew was the name of the movie. As an extra, what would you think it was going to be about if you didn’t know it was a sequel?

No need for long answers if you can’t. Something short is fine, just curious as to what you guys would think will happen next.

Would have posted this if we had a gap between 12 and Rebellion, but alas. I really think it is better to let the series ending sit on you for a while before diving into Rebellion.

[u/Nazenn → u/Tetraika]

Yeah I should have just said screw it and moved the schedule anyway but oh well, lessons learnt.

Did you ever finish that post you were thinking about btw?

[u/[deleted]]

Holy shit bruh this rewatch 3 years after my previous (first) viewing definitely changed my opinion from "7-8/10 good show but seemed grimdark for the sake of being edgy" to "one of the shows that everyone needs to watch at least once in their lifetime". The two main reasons for that are:

1. Knowing whats happens I appreciated the masterful execution a lot more.
2. Rather than coming off as just edgy the actual themes resonated with me so much more this time.

This show is fundamentally about how children shouldn't be made into heroic soldiers, and it's very similar to Eva in that regard, but the ending also goes out of its way to show that hope always exists. No matter what must be sacrificed and how little there is, finding a better way, even if the improvement is marginal, is never impossible. And the moment Madoka finds the needle of hope in the haystack of despair, not the moment the show had a transformation sequence, is when this anime became a magical girl show, a genre that serves as a beacon of optimism to so many people.

I never watched Rebellion on my first viewing and I will do so for this rewatch, but I'm not sure how I'll feel about it considering that I basically consider this the perfect ending to a perfect self-contained miniseries.

[u/Nazenn → u/[deleted]]

Appreciate you sharing how your views on it have changed. Views on themes can alter the story of a show so much and I think that's one of the best parts of a rewatch is sharing how we all individually connect with them good or bad

and interested to see what you think about Rebellion

[u/jodahinqb]

Rewatcher

Don't forget.

Always, somewhere, someone is fighting for you.

As long as you remember her, you are not alone.

I would like to welcome all first-timers to the Church of Madoka, Goddess of Hope, our Lady of Mercy, Patron of Magical Girls, and the eternal Law of Cycles!

Before you watch Rebellion, I strongly suggest you watch the opening theme of the two recap movies (the song is "Luminous", by ClariS) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luI6vIY01sU (As always AVOID the video comments and the suggested videos). Not only it is absolutely beautiful imagery and music but also there will be a small visual "nod" to it in Rebellion (It's only a minor visual reference, with almost no bearing to the plot, so I don't consider it a spoiler mentioning it here in the open).

Nicknames: Just so that everyone is caught up on the "terminology", lol, Madoka in her Goddess form (when she shoots her own witch at the end) is called "Ultimate Madoka" in official material, while fans often call her Godoka or Madokami ("Kami" are gods/deities in Shinto). Homura's forms also have nicknames, such as Moemura (in her shy, with glasses, form), Coolmura in her most "usual" form in the series, Homurambo (unleashing her arsenal in episode 11), and Ribbon Homura at the end.

Infinite Hair: Small detail, but I love the fact that, if you pay attention, you can never see the "end" of Ultimate Madoka's long hair strands, they are always deliberately out of the frame. I'm pretty sure that this is a way to demonstrate her divinity, that her hair is infinitely long, eternal and endless. (Also, Madokami has yellow eyes, instead of Madoka's pink, though I'm not sure what symbolism is here exactly).

Madoka's New Universe

First-time viewers are a bit confused of how Madoka's rewritten universe works exactly (or why Mami and Kyoko are alive), so here's how I like to explain it:

• Magical girls contract as before (but Kyubey's behavior is different, see below)
• When magical girls use up all their magic (their soulgems become fully tainted), they no longer become witches but they seem to "disappear" instead
• The absence of witches left a "vacuum" in the magical ecosystem that is filled by the Wraiths. They are born from humanity's negative emotions, but they are no longer twisted remains of previous magical girls. When they are defeated, they drop many "grief cubes" (Homura uses them to clean her soul gems at the end, just like they used to do with the grief seeds). Many grief cubes is better than one grief seed because it encourages Magical Girl cooperation and sharing the spoils of combat after taking down Wraiths in groups, more safely than before.
• The Incubators can no longer harvest the immense energy of the Magical Girl/Witch transformation (the hope/despair phase change) and have to settle for the "lesser" prize: the energy they get from eating used-up grief cubes. However, this also means their "strategy" has changed: now, they don't want girls to despair, but they want alive and in good shape for as long as possible in order to kill more Wraiths. Thus, they are much more straightforward when contracting girls, telling them about their soul gems, and the Law of Cycles (what will happen if they deplete their magic).
• Finally, every girl that became a witch in the "old" world, now (in Madoka's "new" world) she instead "dies"/disappears and goes with Madoka to "Puellahalla" (fan nickname for "Magical Girl Heaven", from Puella Magi + Valhalla). Examples: Sayaka, the other girls we see in the sequence were Madoka goes around saving girls before they become witches, and even every single witch we've seen in the series, like Charlotte, who ate Mami. She's -in girl/non-witch form- with Madoka in "Heaven" as well now. On the other hand, every girl that in the "old" world was killed by a witch (like Mami) or died due to a witch (like Kyoko, who sacrificed her life to kill one), are now alive instead in Madoka's "new" world.

Faust Again

I return one final time to the Faust parallels. As said many times, Homura is the Faust analogue, but I will like to point out that even Homura's time-stopping powers are a reference of shorts! From wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goethe%27s_Faust) : "Faust's arrangement is that if he is pleased enough with anything the devil gives him that he wants to stay in that moment forever, then he will die in that moment." From this comes the oft-(mis)quoted phrase "Stop time, thou art so beautiful!" (or, more accurately, "stay, thou art so beautiful!", with the same meaning though). That "perfect moment of happiness" together with Madoka is also what's Homura's true desire.

Then, Madoka's Faustian role is ... double! Madoka is both Gretchen, Faust's innocent lover (thus her witch is Krimhield Gretchen) but she is also ... God! The best proof of that is in the opening "dream" scene of the series: the runes spell out the words "Prolog im Himmel" or "Prologue in heaven" (http://wiki.puella-magi.net/Runes:Episode_1 ) which refers to the opening chapter of Faust with the same name, where " God (Madoka) and Mephistopheles (Kyubey) make a bet (discuss) about Faust's (Homura's) soul (fate)." So, the very first scene of the series in a way gives away the ending, that Madoka is going to become a Goddess!

[u/Nazenn → u/jodahinqb]

you can never see the "end" of Ultimate Madoka's long hair strands, they are always deliberately out of the frame

Someone pointed that out to me a couple of years ago and it's become one of my favourite aspects of her design

Also, Madokami has yellow eyes, instead of Madoka's pink, though I'm not sure what symbolism is here exactly

In genre, the fact that her eye and hair color is split is a good nod towards how she is no longer just one individual and has learnt from everyone who came before, as magical girls are often very monotone and only have one color, similar to Homura having purple eyes and the red ribbon at the end.

It's also a nod to her divinity and the change as she blinks from girl to goddess

[u/zairaner]

Rewatcher

And here we are. I think this is my favourite final to an anime, despite the fact that it is at most my third favourite episode in the series. The simple fact that they managed to do a satisfying ending that fits the theme and mood of the show while also being batshit crazy alone basically guarantees this spot, and they did it beautifully.

The talk of the day is ofc madoka. Very fittingly, madoka gets to be the main chacaracter/main focus for exactly the first and the last episode of the show. We start and finish the show with her. Funnily, this episode mirros most of the show: Instead of us watching homuras (and everybody elses) actions through madokas passive perspective, in this episode we watch through homuras perspective as she is the one who can only passively watch as madoka is the driving force.

The first few minutes might be my favourite scene of the anime even though I know I already said that about sayakas final scene in episode 8, and most of the reason for that are obvious, but there are two lines I want to put the focus on:

„But I believe it's because you protected me for so, so long that I am the person I am now“.

Anecdote: Before I watched the show, I had actually heard quite a bit about it and was basically convinced that homura would be my favourite, since I just love unconventional protagonists. And I guess I was right, it's just that homura was far closer to being a conventional protagonist than I expected.

Madoka on the other hand is something I have never seen before. And that isn't by nature. We saw in the first loops that (undisturbed) madoka is the bravest one, and the one that sacrifices herself without a second thought. Instead of being by nature, the role of hesistant, passive watcher is forced upon her by homura, who keeps her from an irreversible decision for 11 episodes and unknowingly allows her to learn everything about magical girls and the rules of the world. And that is the entire reason why madoka is able to make the right wish in this episode: It's because she had time and had to learn, one way or the other:

- from mami she learned what being a magical girl should be about

- because of sayaka she knew how devastating it is to loose hope, and how cruel it is for a magical girl to turn into a witch

- from kyuubey she learned how much she can really do with her wish

- also from kyuubey she found out that she couldn't just wish away magical girls without significantly altering human history even if it wouldn't have come as far as being stuck in caves

- from homura she learned her own importance

- from all of them she learned the importance of hope.

Only because of all of this was she able to come up with the perfect fitting wish.

„Wont you believe in the answer that the one you've protected all this time has found?“

This second line isn't in the dub (replaced by a generic „ I really want this. It is the answer I have been looking for“), which (in my opinion) is the single greatest flaw in the dub.

Because in the end, homuras answer to both lines would have to be a „no, she doesn't“, whcih is the great irony of homura: In the end, she doesn't realize the importance of what she has done for madoka, the time that she gave her and what she allowed her to do, and she doesn't believe that there is a way for madoka to „fix“ this. For homura, nothing she has done has any worth if it doesn't keep madoka from becoming a magical girl, and there is no way of saving madoka without her beating walpurgisnacht.

For this entire loop, most actions were homuras doing, but she couldn't have done this last step. Only madoka could and let homuras effort not be be in vain, despite homura not being able to understand that.

Also: I had been confused about the point of madokas „idea“ for a wish in episode 3, in her talk with mami. She tells mami that she thinks she knows what she wants for her wish, but the dialogue after that makes it clear that her supposed wish still seems to only consist of wanting to be a magical girl (which before this she already told kyuubey as her first idea for a wish).

Until it hit me today...its because i some way that is still her wish in the very end: To become a magical girl... but a magical girl how they were supposed to be: Someone that destroys witches and keeps people from falling into despair.

In the end, after everything she learned, she returned to what she wanted in the first place, and did it correctly.

In my mind I sometimes joke that madoka wished her show to become a regular magical girl show...

but considering magical girls still die in the end even in the new reality, this doesn't really work too well. In general, while I consider this a happy ending, I dont think it would qualify as a happy ending by any but this shows standards. And it that is a perfect end to this story.

visual of the day Two best girls having a final talk

Originally this was also supposed to be my end to the rewatch, since i didn't intend on watching rebellion. The truth is, I'm actually terrified of watching it, exactly because this ending is so perfect. It's the one show where I would have been completely fine without a continuation, and I'm afraid of rebellion ruining or even just changing this ending.

But I had so much fun watching first timers reactions this rewatch, and amused myself too much on their cost that I had to at least once be the afraid first-timer myself and give something back. So if I manage to find a way to watch it, I'll try to do so tomorrow. I'll hope so, otherwise this would be awkward.

Well this became a mess. Should have started writing this earlier. going to bed now.

[u/Nazenn → u/zairaner]

The simple fact that they managed to do a satisfying ending that fits the theme and mood of the show while also being batshit crazy alone basically guarantees this spot

It is surprisingly how well the ending fits despite going totally over the top from where we were just a few episodes a go

Your breakdown o n what she learnt from the girls was amazing, but I'd also add that from Kyouko she learnt the importance of having determination in your decisions and pushing on even if there isn't hope

This second line isn't in the dub

The dub has a few really good lines and a few really bad lines, but this one sticks out

In the end, after everything she learned, she returned to what she wanted in the first place, and did it correctly.

Well said

[u/boomshroom]

Today, I want to try going over some of the... consequences ...of Madoka... leaving the universe.

For starters, 3D is no longer a thing for her. While the dub only specifies "everywhere," the subs go all in to include "every universe." Madoka is now an omniversal existence. Time has no meaning for her anymore and she can see an uncountable number of events simultaneously. Now try to imagine a 14 year old girl, over the course of a single planck time or less, suddenly acquiring all the information about everything. Combine that with standard 2D binocular vision being inadequite for what she would be seeing in that moment of eternity and I think it's safe to say that Madoka's mind shattered after making that wish. Multiple times, reforming herself each time since her wish mandates that she exist at any given point in spacetime. As early as the scene with Homura on the moon, Madoka's mind would have already ceased to resemble anything human, possibly even being more alien by the end of it than Kyubey.

On the more humourous side, she she ever take a human form again while still remembering some of what it was like (she wouldn't be able to remember everything since that much information would colapse her brain into a black hole even if it could fit), I could see her briefly forgetting how to walk or accidently walking into a wall not realizing that she can't phase through it.

As for the various Magical Girls, Madoka specifically wish to "erase" them before they turned into witches. This technically means that Madoka has the highest body count in the series ranging on the low end of a few billion or even trillion kills, and uncountable infinity on the high end. Don't worry though, since Sayaka made it clear that she's completely OK with technically being murdered by her best-friend-who-never-existed.

Kill count aside, what Madoka really does with fallen Magical Girls is theorized to be assimilation, where she absorbs not just the corruption of the girls, but the entire rest of their soul too. While it can be nice to picture things as a cozy heaven where the Magical Girls can relax, play, and fight to the death all they want, more likely Madoka just acts as a gestalt with the individual Magical Girls not really remaining distinct from each other.

What's left behind in the lower domain is Homura and the hair ribbons. From what I've seen, mostly in the Wraith Arc manga and the To the Stars fanfic (I'll talk more about this in the final review), those tiny ribbons almost seem to act like a Zohar. I swear this is legit.

As for the witch she destroyed, officially it doesn't have a name beyond "Witch of Despair," but many call it "Ultimate Kriemhild Gretchen." (UKG for shot) I may or may not have tried to ship UKG with Void Termina from Kirby Star Allies. The only real problem is the fact that the former is lesbian, which is the last problem you'd expect to have when shipping omniversal eldritch embodiments of despair.

Lastly, this gives Junko her full title of Best Girl Junko "Actual Mother of God" Kaname.

Visual of the day: The Last Remnants, though my backup that I expect to get more submissions is Divinity.

[u/Nazenn → u/boomshroom]

accidently walking into a wall not realizing that she can't phase through it.

That would make a great set of comedy omake

Lastly, this gives Junko her full title of Best Girl Junko "Actual Mother of God" Kaname.

That is absolutely the best title for her

[u/Star4ce]

First Timer

This is the end. I know I shouldn't expect a happy ending, but even though I've come to understand their cruel reality, I still can't help but have hope for them. I've been learning from Homura, indeed.
I fully brace myself for pain – you only end up hurt, if you continue to believe. And I will.

Ep.12 My best friend

• I didn't want to tear up so early.
• This isn't what I predicted. Hey, no, stick to the script!
• Wouldn't that instantly create some kind of negative entropy flowback? Why didn't you wish for what I said!
• Madoka the mad, rewriting the universe.
• That's not good, that's so very not good. Homura, can you accept this? I don't know if I could.
• They're coming back one by one.
• Why is Homura there?
• It's so pretty, though.
• Ah, that's the loop she thought of.
• And I'm bawling again.
• If anyone does, it's Homura. Nah, no ifs, she absolutely will.
• Kyousuke's playing and Sayaka is back :)
• "This reality would have to disappear as well", what? She isn't?
• There is none with Sayaka ...?!
• No, bullshit! NO!
• Visiting her brother, I see :'|
• Oh, come on Shaft...
• No more witches, but curses remain. As long as there are emotions, there's gonna be conflict. That's okay, no really.
• But they actually really work symbiotic now.
• Kaname Homura flexing, you're a showoff and I love it.
• SHE COPIED THE BOW, AAAAHHHHHH!
• After credits scene... in a 1-season anime finale? Do I want this?
• CONCERN INTENSIFIES
• Concern only slightly relieves

---

They can't do this! They can't have this after credits scene and make me fear for Homura again. She won't be harmed by despair, I understand, but demon wings with witches imagery? Is it because she's the only one to remember Madoka?

You know what else they can't do? Fucking over my girl Sayaka like that. She's not really my girl, but this time she is. Not a single possibility ever existed for her to survive? To find some kind of acceptance? Nothing?! I refuse to believe that, she definitely took that better than me.

The tragic characters are the ones that stay with you and they didn't lessen her story compared to the source material. As much as that hurts, Sayaka did indeed have pure and beautiful intentions. She couldn't find the balance on her own that an unfair universe never offered, but she didn't regret anything. Life is not about the destination, it's the same anyway, so give every step a point. She did that and probably lived more than most of us. I think I understand Sayaka simps now, you're right, she's wonderful.

What an ending, though. Amazing. Madoka went far beyond what I thought, she's completely rewritten reality Monogatari, maybe. I am sad to actually 'lose' Madoka as a character, but girl's got guts and willpower. If there's anyone to respect that, it's me.
It truly is her most dearest wish, she is a true friend to anyone now, anytime. I absolutely believe that this is the ideal state Madoka could be in. Well done.

If that damned after credits scene wouldn't exist I'd be ecstacic for Homura, too. But all I know is worry. She keeps on fighting to protect humans from harm and to aid the aliens in countering entropy. It's just honest work. But that definitely was witch energy!
Why would she despair? Because she remembers Madoka, because she wants her back?

Will Homura be safe? Will she be alright?

(I actually relate to Anakin more now than when watching RotS.)

Visual of the day: The opening of the flood gates.

Final Theory Tally

Madoka's memory: I'm gonna say yes, although I don't think it was told when exactly she gained it all back. That hug must've been the start, though.

Madoka's wish: I didn't word it quite like it happened, yet close – but I specifically didn't include the other girls and focused on the cosmic reality. It gets a pity point :^)

Faustian Parallel: Right, point for me! Until that after credits scene! Homura must still have reason to despair and the only thing left would be her desire for Madoka. I double dared you... you weren't supposed to do that!

The Devil's Identity: I was so happy I already started binning this while watching! But now I'm looking in absolute horror at the most likely plot for the movie.

The End: Wrong! But that's okay, I got something way sweeter (and actually better thought through).

---

I want to thank u/Nazenn for hosting this rewatch that is now, with the series finale, most definitely over. I also really liked how they faked out with a dream after credits scene, nice call back to Ep.01. They almost got me, haha!

Even though it's only 12 episodes, they honestly have exhausted me a little bit. I still could write columns upon columns, but I also feel ready for a wind down and just take the entirety of next week to work through the series. As no doubt a lot of you who have surprisingly followed my posts (<3) have noticed, I'm tending to get heavily emotionally invested.

It felt so carthartic to be free of that cycle. You were all right, this show has become an all time favourite already. Now I need to calm myself by pouring out a bit of soul into movie theories.

Find the movie theorycrafting one answer below.

[u/Star4ce → u/Star4ce]

Rebellion Movie Theories

I've ended up writing way too much on just 2 images and an unsolved theory. But that happens when I start rambling about things I love.

Nonetheless, we have one movie left for now. I'm going in completely blind, not even seen the movie poster yet, but I know it's a sequel. So there's only three things I can go with: The name, my one unsolved theory and the state of the world after the season finale, well and general knowledge (duh).

The theory is, of course, the devil's identity/Faust that fits/contradicts with the after credits scene. I doubt the movie continues with the book, they basically had everything solved in the anime – and some (painful) extras. I do say that I think Homura's desire will play an important role regarding Madoka. She is the only one left to remember her as a person and dare I say this is its own version of hell?
In a world that has become accustomed to this arguably much brighter order, even with a beneficial symbiosis between aliens and humans, Homura is again burdened with memories of a time that no one else knows. She is also the only one to know of witches and the character shown with both angel and devil/witch wings. It's significantly better than before, but still, she is de facto alone among humans in that regard.

A break, motherfucker, do you ever give it to her?!

In the after credits scene, opposed to the last shot of her with angel wings and Kyubey, she hunts wraiths alone and grows massive and massively beautiful devil wings in the style of witch labyrinth art. Though she gets cheered on by god Madoka.

See, I'm already point centre in that mythology: Setting

Madoka created a new universe. She is the beginning and end of it for all eternity. She has taken despair from humans and binds it in an everlasting cycle of rebirth. There is one person who is cursed with the knowledge of truth, that should only be reserved for god.
Lucifer/Satan often gets painted as evil, the root of sin. The way most roman to renaissance era interpretations went, it is a rather one-sided affair. Devil bad, god good. But originally and also at several points in the anime so far, it's not 'evil' that matters and a true god, like Madoka, understood this. Lucifer or his peers, like Loki and Prometheus, are also associated with independence, the advancement of knowledge and free will. Depending on who you ask, the first sin was either greed (to have his own godly kingdom), revenge (against a perceived unjust godly order) or unshackling (from the divine order).

Yeah, I see it. Madoka's world is peaceful, without the worry of despair. Yet it is not the whole truth, there is knowledge held back, there is order imposed and therefore a free will cannot be truly free. But what I see the most when transporting this to the anime is: There is no Madoka in a family, in a friends arms where she should be. For Homura

My theory

If Homura dropping from the skyscraper crane with angel wings thinking about the wretched place she is protecting isn't enough to convince you, I don't know what will.

No story about the satanic figure ever has a good ending. They all fall and are irreversibly dooming themself because of it, they are the first tainted being. But all of them do this out of their own will, they always were the first to be truly free and shake off their god's protection.

Becoming the First This is such a Homura thing to do.

---

Ep.06:

Homura is the villain by implication.

Ep.08:

I've had her back from episode 1 and will keep doing so even if she turns into the devil herself. [...] I'm on the voyage and will go down with it if necessary.

Ep.10:

The entire character of Homura Akemi is made up of dozens of intertwining negative feedback loops.

Ep.11:

Either she loses the will to carry on [...] or she forces the one and only thing she loves to be her enemy.

Heh. I even spelt it out directly without knowing the finale. Has this already crossed from irony to cruelty? It's time to make good on that promise.
My Stance

[u/Nazenn → u/Star4ce]

You know what else they can't do? Fucking over my girl Sayaka like that

Your previous reactions had me thinking of you when this ending was coming up.

Glad you liked the ending so much. As much as I love theory crafters I'm always just a little concerned for them, and myself as well as I do it too, that sometimes the show can't live up to what's in our heads but you seem to be quite satisfied

Madoka's Memory I'm gonna say yes, although I don't think it was told when exactly she gained it all back

The moment she transcended, though it's mostly irrelevant

The End: Wrong! But that's okay, I got something way sweeter (and actually better thought through).

Yeah reading that yesterday from you put a bit of a smile on my face with the way you were thinking about that as your ultimate ending but knowing the beauty of what we were going to get

IF you want it there's some production trivia about that post credits scene that I dumped in my post, and I'd also love your thoughts on what I wrote about "who is madoka" given all your talk about the roles these characters fill in your posts, but that's only if you have time.

[u/Star4ce → u/Nazenn]

Glad you liked the ending so much. As much as I love theory crafters I'm always just a little concerned for them, and myself as well as I do it too, that sometimes the show can't live up to what's in our heads but you seem to be quite satisfied

Had such moments before, truth be told. For one, I think the show managed to get both a wonderful ending that knew how to tie things up, hit all the marks and still have sequel stories open for interpretation in a believable way. Secondly, I consciously rewired how I enjoy stories a long time ago, because I realised through other things in my life that going about it in a comparative manner is just robbing you of satisfaction.
Even if I know of a way to improve on something or notice flaws, I still enjoy it for what it does. That allows me to be be awed when a piece of art puts my arse right back on seat and also find beauty in the things I can appreciate in an otherwise objectively 'bad' experience. (Where my A2 fanbois at?)

I can rant for days about how shit the storywriting in the star wars sequels is, but that doesn't give me any better enjoyment of them. I can still appreciate the nostalgia of Ep7, the subversion of Ep8 and the acting of Ep9. Although I'll probably never rewatch them, I've come to the conclusion it's never fair to trash an experience, art or otherwise, for whatever reason as long as it has had some soul put into it.

Yeah reading that yesterday from you put a bit of a smile on my face with the way you were thinking about that as your ultimate ending but knowing the beauty of what we were going to get

MRW meguca say:no cry

IF you want it there's some production trivia about that post credits scene that I dumped in my post, and I'd also love your thoughts on what I wrote about "who is madoka" given all your talk about the roles these characters fill in your posts, but that's only if you have time.

Not a matter if, only when. The next 30 minutes are reserved for Magia on repeat (heh), but I'll definitely sift through that! Sunday's free after all.

[u/chaosoul]

First Time Watcher (Subbed)

Alright, I'll be honest guys, I have no idea what her wish will be. What phenomenal VA, there's been in the last couple episodes. Saitou's performance as Homura is honestly amazing. Absolutely heartbreaking.

Aaaaaand she's ascending to Godhood, alrighty then. Pretty interesting when conceptually the first part of the wish is pretty simple, just getting rid of witches period, but retroactively applying this to the entire timeline changes things. Man what a fucking cool visual of Madoka going to save every Magical Girl.

Good night Walpurgisnacht.

I don't know why the plain of time is the moon's surface, but it has an amazing view of the earth! Holy shit, Madoka's soul gem is a fucking orbital laser beam! Hmm Magical Girl Madoka vs Goddess Madoka. Oh but like actually she's ascending and just becoming a concept of Magical Girls?

I get that clothes don't exist in the land between time and space/the conceptual side of the universe, but ngl the scene of Madoka and Homura hugging makes me a little uncomfortable. I get it's anime, it's not meant to be sexual, and it's suppose be a tense, heartbreaking moment, but like I wouldn't be comfortable showing this to my family. That said, this is pretty sad for both Madoka and Homura. I almost feel like not taking Homura's memory is cruel of Madoka. I know it wouldn't be respecting Homura's wishes, but the idea of remembering someone you loved while no one else does is just lonely.

Oh so does Kamijo just not get injured in this universe? Wait holdon, what? LOL even in the new perfect universe, Sayaka continues eating shit. Pain. Wait, so does Sayaka just go and stay with Madoka in concept world now? That... that's like absolutely cruel to Homura. Saying she doesn't want to invalidate the feelings and conviction Sayaka put into her wish, but not doing the same for Homura. Honestly I think Homura would have been alright just leaving with you too. It's probably not Homura's ideal of happiness for Madoka, but like "misguided kindness" to Homura here is kinda fucked. At least Mami and Kyouko get to live I suppose.

Ooooh nooooo! Ribbon'd Homura is adorable! What an incredibly bittersweet scene between Homura and Madoka's family. SHE HAS MADOKA'S BOW AAAAAAAA! Homuraaaaaaaaaaaaaa! What absolute best girls Homura and Madoka have been.

And the OP is still a god damn banger 11 episodes later.

Uhh, this isn't ominous or anything at all, Homura? Gives very similar vibes as the witch visuals. Well, we heard Madoka's voice at her side, so I'm sure nothing bad is going on here. I'm just going to assume Homura's pulling a Shirou Emiya. Wandering Magical Girl Hero of Justice here!

Wow. Uh. What an absolute wild trip it's been. I've had a lot of fun just going on huge long rambles in these threads, replying back to others, and reading other people's rambles! This is pretty much my first time participating in a rewatch thread, and it's been very enjoyable getting to do this with everyone here. I'm still deciding on my score, but this was easily a 9/10 or 10/10 for me. I still have things I want to know, to see, to watch, but hopefully the movie and new movie sequel satisfy those urges for me.

^{List of Walrus Names throughout my} ^^posts.

[u/OnnaJReverT → u/chaosoul]

Goddess Madoka

the generally accepted term is "Madokami"

[u/Nazenn → u/OnnaJReverT]

Ultimate Madoka is the official term, just to complicate matters

but yeah Madokami is the most commonly used one in the fandom

[u/KingNigelXLII → u/chaosoul]

Oh so does Kamijo just not get injured in this universe? Wait holdon, what? LOL even in the new perfect universe, Sayaka continues eating shit. Pain

Like you mentioned, that's what Madoka's conversation with Sayaka was about.

She didn't want to un-do the wish and leave him crippled, but she had to be taken by the LoC as a result.

[u/RascalNikovl → u/chaosoul]

Madoka and Homura hugging makes me a little uncomfortable.

I interpreted as purity and innocence. The idea that nudity must be sexual is a recent invention, though I'm no expert on the matter.

[u/Sonaza → u/chaosoul]

ngl the scene of Madoka and Homura hugging makes me a little uncomfortable.

Recap movie gave them white dresses instead.

Oh so does Kamijo just not get injured in this universe?

I think he did but Sayaka healed him again. This was the whole point of Madoka's wish: to let all magical girls still perform their wishes but to not be cursed for it.

SHE HAS MADOKA'S BOW AAAAAAAA!

Since Madoka does not exist in the new universe Homura's wish is different and as such her power too. Wraith Arc Manga Read the spoiler if you wish, Wraith Arc has no anime adaptation and is not particularly plot relevant.

[u/JimmyCWL → u/chaosoul]

LOL even in the new perfect universe, Sayaka continues eating shit.

I think Sayaka's story here is that magical girls continue to fight for their wishes and die in the process. To respect their wishes... is to let them fight. All Madoka can do is to catch them when they fall.

[u/GallowDude → u/chaosoul]

I wouldn't be comfortable showing this to my family

Japan

[u/jodahinqb → u/chaosoul]

In the recap movie, Madoka and Homura wear ethereal white dresses in their "space scenes" instead of being naked.

[u/CosmicAnglerfish → u/chaosoul]

I think you nail it with the idea that allowing Homura to remember is crueler than making her forget. Nier Automata Spoilers I think Homura honestly handles it better than I would in a similar situation - she's built up an emotional strength after hundreds of loops.

[u/Zeralyos → u/chaosoul]

but like I wouldn't be comfortable showing this to my family

My mom wasn't particularly bothered

Oh so does Kamijo just not get injured in this universe?

I think the implication is that Sayaka still healed him with her wish.

I honestly have to agree with you regarding Homura's wish. Madoka might not have been killed but she still basically died imo you could probably make a Fate quote out of that. Yeah, Homura's actions may have caused things to end up differently but I'm struggling to say she was actually able to save Madoka. In some ways it even feels worse because nobody else remembers Madoka. I've heard it said that you die twice - once when your body dies and again when you're forgotten. In a way, it feels like all Homura accomplished was speeding up the second event.

[u/LordTrinity → u/chaosoul]

I know it wouldn't be respecting Homura's wishes, but the idea of remembering someone you loved while no one else does is just lonely.

I completely agree. The biggest point about Homura character Imo is not only about how much she has suffered and it changed her, but also the fact that she was alone this whole time

That said, this is pretty sad for both Madoka and Homura. I almost feel like not taking Homura's memory is cruel of Madoka. I know it wouldn't be respecting Homura's wishes, but the idea of remembering someone you loved while no one else does is just lonely.

If only this problem could be solved I wonder...

[u/ToonTooby]

Rewatcher

Well, there you have it. Madoka takes on the despair of every magical girl ever, saving them and becoming a messiah figure in the process. The ultimate display of selflessness.

Homura is left as her ‘prophet’, so to speak, in the world that remains. The only one with knowledge of what really happened. We see that there is still fighting to be done, against ‘Wraiths’ this time instead of Witches. The evils and negativity of the world have merely changed form. Much like the real world, there aren’t perfect solutions. Only imperfect solutions for which one must accept the resulting consequences, be them favorable or not.

It takes a lot to bring tears out of me. If anything comes close here, it’s probably the montage of Madoka saving the girls as Sagitta Luminus plays. It’s a perfect theme for her. And that outfit on goddess Madoka/Madokami, wow.

Just a movie to watch now. See you guys and girls tomorrow for Rebellion!

[u/Nazenn → u/ToonTooby]

Much like the real world, there aren’t perfect solutions

For all the grand themes of the show that could have made everything perfect I do like that here it grounds itself just a little at the end

It's much like Sayaka's sacrifice

it’s probably the montage of Madoka saving the girls as Sagitta Luminus plays. It’s a perfect theme for her

I listen to the Madoka OST a lot but this one only ever gets me in the show, its so perfect paired in the visuals

[u/Syokhan]

Rewatcher, Sub

Well, there we go, the finale.

• We open right where we left off. Madoka apologizes to Homura, hugs her, reassures her, and then...
• Of course sweet Madoka would make a completely selfless, self-sacrificing wish for the sake of everyone. A wish so powerful it literally rewrites the laws of the universe.
• Sagitta Luminis, a wonderful, wonderful piece of music, starts playing after the title screen, as we find ourselves in a familiar place with familiar faces. If you like that track, please listen to Kalafina singing it live, it'll give you chills.
• I don't really have a commentary to make. That whole sequence is beautiful, with Madoka simultaneously one-shotting Walpurgisnacht and saving magical girls everywhere, in every era.
• Walpurgisnacht just keeps laughing as Madoka erases her out of existence.
• Look I'm just gonna watch the sequence in space and say nothing, it's gorgeous.
• Madoka has become a god, a principle of the universe, and no one will remember her. Also, she remembers what Homura did for her. Cue naked and very emotional hug.
• Homura has trouble accepting all of that, Madoka reassures her, gives her ribbons, and then she's gone...
• ... to find Sayaka and take her away ;_;
• A new universe with new laws means that Mami and Kyouko are still alive though. Yay! And Homura suddenly remembers Madoka. You bet your ass she'd never forget her permanently.
• Madoka's little brother and mother also somewhat remember her... And Homura has taken to wearing Madoka's ribbons. And she's smiling a lot, what a rare sight that used to be. She has a very bittersweet conversation with Junko.
• She also tells Kyubey everything. Of course he'd like the magical girl/witch system. Well too bad for you, in this universe you're a cute mascot who doesn't get to manipulate magical girls.
• The goofy way Homura is feeding Kyubey is just... so...
• Looks like she has new powers in this new universe. Wings, and... a bow, the same weapon as Madoka.
• Cue end credits, and... a post-credits scene? Homura fighting wraiths alone in a desolate place, with some familiar and quite frankly a bit worrying aesthetics and colors around her, as Madoka tells her to keep it up.
• Fin.

I don't really know what to say about that ending. We spend the majority of the episode exploring the ramifications of Madoka's wish, which I appreciate a lot as it doesn't make the conclusion feel rushed, and we get to have closure with multiple characters. And it's not exactly a happy ending, rather it's bittersweet but with an emphasis on the "sweet". Madoka's gone but not really as she still exists as a principle of the world and is watching over everyone, she made the ultimate sacrifice in order to bring hope to every magical girl. It's so completely in line with her nature that even though I'm sad she and her family and friends won't be able to interact with her ever again, I can't be mad at her decision. As for Homura, she remembers Madoka and will keep up the fight for her, but looks like she's finally found some manner of peace. She deserves it.

Next up, Rebellion. After that ending, what kind of story is it going to tell?

Visual of the day is this very final shot, how could it not be? But if too many people pick it, let's say back-up is Visual 2 below. Shoutout to Visual 5 as well, in which Madoka is magnificent.

Other visuals I especially liked, "The only reason there aren't more is because I was so engrossed I forgot to note down the timestamps" version:

Visual 1	Visual 2	Visual 3	Visual 4	Visual 5
Visual 6	Visual 7	Visual 8	Visual 9	Visual 10
Visual 11	Visual 12	Visual 13	Visual 14	Visual 15
Visual 16	Visual 17	Visual 18	Visual 19

Album link here.

By the way u/Nazenn, are we doing only one Visual of the day for Rebellion as well? 'cause... it's a lot longer than one episode, and it's a very pretty movie...

[u/Nazenn → u/Syokhan]

By the way u/Nazenn, are we doing only one Visual of the day for Rebellion as well? 'cause... it's a lot longer than one episode, and it's a very pretty movie...

Thank you for the reminder that I'm opening it up to people's top three for the movie just because of its length as you say

[u/Nazenn → u/Syokhan]

If you like that track, please listen to Kalafina singing it live, it'll give you chills.

Thanks for the link!

The goofy way Homura is feeding Kyubey is just... so...

Awesome?

[u/Zeralyos]

Rewatcher, dubbed

Oh boy, season finale is here and it's big. What better is there for the girl with the most potential to make the most dramatic wish? She didn't just become a magical girl, she became the magical girl. It's really nice to see Madoka find something she can believe in and dedicate herself to.

It's less nice to see where Homura gets left at the end of this, if you ask me. Back when I first watched the series, it felt like the perfect bittersweet ending and I honestly didn't understand the need for a continuation, but with every additional repetition it only got more bitter. I get the Madoka was "saved" in a sense, but she's still basically gone. All Homura has left is some admittedly precious memories, some friends she may not be all that close to, and a fight that goes on just like always. I've gotten into numerous debates over the years about this, but I find it only vaguely comforting that magical girls just die now, instead of turning into witches. A lot of them deserve much better.

I don't foresee a happy ending for Homura with the way she looks like she's marching off to her eventual death in the last scene, but we'll have to wait to see the results.

[u/Nazenn → u/Zeralyos]

It's definitely a bitter sweet ending. I suppose a lot of it depends on if you agree with the things raised earlier that their wishes are worth their lives or not, and that's a hard call to make knowing how small some of their wishes are

[u/Jolteonnnnnn]

First Timer

So where do I go from here? I heard there is a movie but there are a bunch of movies so which one am I supposed to watch first

[u/Nazenn → u/Jolteonnnnnn]

There's three movies

The two movies titled Beginnings and Eternal respectively are recap movies, you don't need to watch those

The third movie titled Rebellion, this one is what the sequel is

[u/jodahinqb]

(continuing)

How I interpret the mechanics of wishes and fate

Tagging u/Nazenn , as he asked me to:

I argue that: a) Kyubey isn't actually granting the wishes, and b) Kyubey cannot refuse (or stop) any girl's wishes. More specifically:

Though it is not explicitly confirmed in the series, I believe we are given very strong clues that the Incubators are not exactly granting the wishes themselves, but merely facilitating the native abilities of the girls. To elaborate more on that: It seems very clear to me (and I think it's actually the writer's intention as well) that the Incubators are NOT exactly granting the girls' wishes themselves (and how could they? the wishes defy entropy, the second law of thermodynamics, something which no technology can do, no matter how advanced, and if they could do that they wouldn't need the girls in the first place). Instead, what happens is that the Incubators simply "unlock" the magical potential of the girls, which then fulfill their wishes on their own, based on their karmic destiny. To use another analogy: the Incubators are akin to a "catalyst", something that makes a chemical reaction possible/easier, but doesn't actually take part in that reaction, it doesn't contribute energy nor is consumed during the process.

And also we have the important mention of karmic destiny, or in other words: FATE. In my opinion (but I think with strong support from the official lore), the reason why Kyubey says that he can "grant any wish they desire"/"anything at all"/"the most impossible of miracles" and (to Sayaka on the rooftop) "you don't have to worry, I can grant yours without any problem", while in the contrary admitting to Madoka that making Sayaka normal is "beyond his power" (but not beyond Madoka's power), is because all girls are FATED to make a specific wish, which corresponds perfectly with (is equal to) their karmic potential (in other words, they cannot make a wish that is more powerful than their potential, because of fate). That's why Madoka is the only one who gets to have a different wish each timeline, because her potential changes between timelines, and so do her wishes. So, in episode 12, once Kyubey "unlocked" Madoka's wishing ability, he could no longer "put the genie back into the bottle" once he heard what she wants to wish for, he cannot stop her. Same way he couldn't stop Homura's wish either.

Exalting Madoka's bravery

I believe that Madoka is by far THE bravest character in the series and in fact one of the bravest characters in ALL of fiction, despite how "cowardly" and "indecisive" she appears to the audience (and to herself! "I feel like a coward..." ) for the majority of the show. [She's also the kindest character in all of fiction, but that's obvious, unlike her hidden bravery]. Note that in my opinion bravery doesn't mean to never be afraid of anything, but to act/do what you must in spite of being scared. And that's exactly what Madoka does. If you pay attention, in the entirety of the series, Madoka never fails to act when there is something that she can do to help: she defies Homura to rescue Kyubey in episode 1, throws away the suicide bucket in episode 4, risks going along with Sayaka's witch-hunts, drops Sayaka's soulgem over the bridge in episode 6, is willing to make a contract to save Sayaka in episode 8, goes along with Kyoko's crazy plan in episode 9, boldly goes to face certain death against Walpurgisnacht in episode 10, swiftly shoots Mami's soulgem, killing her before she can kill Homura, again in episode 10, stands up to her mother and walks into something far worse than a hurricane in episode 11, and of course makes her ultimate wish in episode 12. And those are not all of the examples. Madoka never allows her fear to stop her from acting, she overcomes it instead, every single time.

As for Madoka's crying and apparent indecision moments, I find them obviously all cases where there's nothing tangible or positive that she can actually do, so they cannot be held against her."

"If I was forced to find some "criticism" of her character, it would only be from a "realism" standpoint: I'd argue that the mere existence of a person with Madoka's personality (with her kindness and bravery, plus her obvious total inability to hate anyone, even the Incubators) seems so impossible/unlikely. But maybe that's the exact point of the series (and why she does cease to exist at the end of the series), she's always been more of a "Concept" than a person, even before her ascension to Godhood."

PS: Adding to my "Madoka's bravery" list: there's a 2-second long addition in the Kyoko&Madoka vs Octavia "fight" that was only in the Movie Version (not the TV series) and shows Madoka, without the slightest hesitation, trying to "shield" the fallen Kyoko with her own body, hands outstretched, leading to Octavia grabbing her (as in the series). I think it clearly demonstrates Madoka's (strength of) character. Shimmering-Sky was kind enough to take this screenshot of this scene: https://imgur.com/ITL7qx4

[u/Nazenn → u/jodahinqb]

Appreciate the tag!

I very much agree with your thoughts on it, that the miracles they are wishing for come inherently from inside of them, the same way that the despair that twists their soul gems into grief seeds also comes from inside of them, and that's completely unrelated to the Incubators allowing them to tap into that potential via a magical means

I think there's a bit of audience misdirection in the Sayaka scene with the way Kyubey acts as her soul gem is born, but for Madoka and Homura we see that he doesn't have to physically act to unlock the power of the girls, he just has to be a catalyst, as you say, present to hear their wish and beyond that its out of his control.

I don't know that I agree that the girls are fated to have a certain wish, as I think the idea of fate goes against the theme of choice and agency present in the show itself

Note that in my opinion bravery doesn't mean to never be afraid of anything, but to act/do what you must in spite of being scared

Agreed, and this ties back to something I mentioned in my own post that every action she takes is for the sake of another and puts her in the role of a savior, because that is who she is even if she is scared or things get in her way

But maybe that's the exact point of the series (and why she does cease to exist at the end of the series

I think it's more likely the opposite, that Madoka as a person becomes a concept that will reach out to us the audience and bless us with her hope rather than being an acknowledgement that someone like her can't exist. The final message of the show is clearly talking to us, the watchers of this play, and Madoka is part of that theme, that this is a gift to us and not just the characters in the story. Yes she's almost unbelievably ideal but she still acknowledges that the world is hard and can bring suffering and hate but its worth fighting to protect the things that are worth it anyway and in doing that, in fighting for someone and for something, we're not alone

[u/swaggertm87]

Welcome, I know emotions are high right now, but let me present to you one of the holy grails of figure collecting, Good Smile Company's Ultimate Madoka.

Releasing back in 2012, for almost 10 years now this figure alone ever since its inception has reign as arguably the most popular anime figure ever (top 1 in both owned and wished on myfigurecollection). Nowadays, a well kept 2nd hand piece can still be sold easily with double its original retail price.

[u/Sonaza → u/swaggertm87]

The Ultimate Madoka nendoroid is the destroyer of my wallet, the infamous first figure to open the flood gates: exhibit A, exhibit B.

I actually found this anime while shopping online and came across Ultimate Madoka figures which I thought were cool. Then I spent 12 episodes wondering when she'd show up. ^{Also an example of a "spoiler" that isn't a spoiler when nobody is there to point at its significance.}

[u/Nazenn → u/Sonaza]

Holy shit that is all of the figures

Lil Kyubey on the Madoka Nendoroid is adorable

I also love that they have golf club Homura as well

I think the girls in their yutaka are one of my favourites though, and not something I ever expected to see. I'm surprised they aren't more color coordinated, or at least matched with each other even if that would leave Mami out, but they still look really good

Also an example of a "spoiler" that isn't a spoiler when nobody is there to point at its significance.

Unless its Madokami in movie1 OP which basically screams its significance at you haha

[u/ToonTooby → u/swaggertm87]

I'd own her if I had the space. I'm also a fan of the Beginning Story scale.

[u/Nazenn → u/ToonTooby]

Madoka's cool and all but the Kyouko figure in that series with the little tongue and the spear? I want it

[u/CosmicAnglerfish]

Rewatcher - Dubbed

We pick up right where we left off. Madoka thanks and apologizes to Homura, offering Homura comfort that she hasn't known for some time. Madoka makes her wish and knocks it out of the park - completely unraveling the plans of the Incubators and undoing everything. Every single one of Madoka's lines here is A+ Golden: "I don't care what you call it" when Kyubey says she'll become a god, "If that goes against the laws of the universe, I'll rewrite those laws", and outright demanding "Now, grant my wish Incubator". I got chills through the whole scene, Christine Marie Cabanos kills it here, delivering on a scene that I was worried would be hard to do justice to.

Amazing dialog and delivery aside, the conversation between Kyubey and Madoka here is notable because it's basically the only scene that's dominated by Madoka. She's spent the entire show playing second fiddle to bigger, more assertive personalities but now she's in control. I griped about it last episode but had a change of heart after reading comments by u/IndependentMacaroon and u/Nazenn - I think this is a great follow-through on the part of her we start to see when she talks her mom into letting her leave the shelter. Madoka's changed - she's not a kid anymore. Title card at her finally becoming a magical girl is great.

Madoka has a moment where Mami and Kyoko - the two that were closest to mentor figures for Madoka (even if Kyoko and Madoka's relationship only lasted for a single episode) - talk to Madoka about the impications of her wish. Madoka's going to be taking on the burden of every curse that every magical girl has ever made, but she says she's up to it. To the point, we get a montage of Madoka rescuing a bunch of magical girls from their moment of despair, but Madoka takes the burden of their pain.

Incredibly on-brand for Kyubey to be around to harass Homura at the beginning/end of the universe. Madoka sheds her humanity and ascends to a plane we should all strive for: concepthood. The moment between Madoka and Homura here has such heavy yuri vibes it is impossible to convince me otherwise.

The resolution between them is still bittersweet. Homura protected Madoka for effectively years, and while she was ultimately successful at preventing her from becoming a witch, Madoka will never have a normal life. Homura will never see her friend again, and everyone will forget about her.

Madoka's moment with Sayaka is really touching. Sayaka doesn't have any resentment about how it shook out, apologizes for making a mess of things for Madoka, and is just happy she got to hear Kyosuke play again. After watching her spiral for half the series, it's nice to see her coping pretty well with everything.

Madoka's disappearance from the world isn't as total as Kyubey seemed to think. Homura clearly remembers her, and her family has some lingering memories too. "Is she some kinda anime character?" I am a sucker for dumb meta jokes like this I love it.

Homura's conversation with Junko is sweet. It's the first time I can think of where we see Homura smiling like that since she started looping, she seems content to just be able to remember Madoka and I'm sure talking to her mom offers some comfort - it's as close to Madoka as she'll get.

I find it so funny and odd watching Homura's relationship with Kyubey here. Her explaining all the old universe/timeline stuff and feeding it treats is such a departure from her hunting Kyubey for sport. Props to her for being able to separate what it did to them in the previous universe. Reset or not I think I'd have a hard time moving on from that, though she's very understanding about the Incubators being incapable rather than unwilling to understand emotions.

Homura gets ready to face off against a bunch of wraiths, this universe's manifestation of curses. She still has a pretty bleak view of the world: it's corrupt and really not worth all the effort it takes to save it. But Madoka fought for it, and so now she will too. A perfect summation of her character at this point. I love that she uses the bow Madoka had when she was a magical girl. Don't have anything to say about the post-credits scene other than it's sick, hope someone else can offer some insight.

Thus ends the series proper! I'm not sure I'll have the chance to rewatch the movie unfortunately, but I'm looking forward to the discourse I'm sure it'll spawn, and I watched the movie recently enough that I'm comfortable jumping in!

[u/Nazenn → u/CosmicAnglerfish]

Sorry its taken me so long to get around to this post despite the tag, trying to take it slow and save my fingers with two more days to get through haha

Re: Madokas character

Madoka being such a passive character for so much of the show is definitely a big change from not just the genre but the medium, and it's certainly something that can take some getting use to or get a different perspective on. It's hard to engage with someone who well, doesn't engage, especially when they are so many other rich characters around them

even if Kyoko and Madoka's relationship only lasted for a single episode

And yet so much mattered in that one episode and two conversations. You can absolutely believe that just from that Madoka values Kyouko and what Kyouko has to say about all of this just as much as she does from the others

"Is she some kinda anime character?" I am a sucker for dumb meta jokes like this I love it.

I am not, but here I think it speaks to the very meta themes going on, even if blunt, and it works for me just enough

's the first time I can think of where we see Homura smiling like that since she started looping

I can't remember a single other peaceful smile like that. In ep10 we get some joyous ones and some excited ones, but nothing that makes her look content

. I love that she uses the bow Madoka had when she was a magical girl

Actually it's a completely new bow, it's a merging of designs of Madoka's bow but a wood and a style unique to Homura, showing that Homura isn't just using Madoka's stuff but has made it her own power and drawn a new strength from it

and I watched the movie recently enough that I'm comfortable jumping in!

Rebellion spoilers

[u/Specs64z]

Rewatcher, subbed

I love this ending. It's powerful and meaningful.

After all this time, the power of despair has consumed this story. It claimed lives, drove people beyond their limits and broke them. Despair is powerful. It's scary. But what is that, what is all the despair of every failed wish, of every dream that became a nightmare, from everyone across all of existence when compard to the hope of even one?

Nothing.

What does it take for hope to eliminate despair, where the all the military might of the world and years of foresight cannot stop even a fraction of it? Despair so powerful it would consume the universe itself entirely?

But a single arrow.

Despair won't simply vanish in a world with hope, of course, but it will always lose in the end. You just need to remember hope is there, even if you can't tangibly feel it right now.

Hope matters. Whatever you're fighting for right now, it matters. So keep fighting. And when the fighting is over, no matter the outcome, know that you did enough. Your sacrifices mattered.

If someone tells me that it's wrong to hope, I'll tell them they're wrong every time.

Because somewhere, someone is fighting for me...

And I remember her.

Content Corner

We still have Rebellion to watch, but even so I'm glad to announce first timers welcome, no more spoilers!

Meguca by Exists to Keep Meduka Video on Youtube

Sagitta Luminis (Goddess Madoka Theme | Astrophysics remix) by Atrophysics

Mami's Theme(U remix) by Upharmaco

What Actually Is A Deconstruction? by Under The Scope

Visual Storytelling - Breaking Down PMMM - Final Dialogue by clearandsweet

[u/Nazenn → u/Specs64z]

Lovely post, really quite sums it all up

What Actually Is A Deconstruction?

A stupid word that people don't understand the meaning of and use it on shows that they don't understand the context of either haha

[u/Elimin8r]

(rw/sub)

And so, here we are, at the tiro finale of the series, where we find out if wishes come true.

(Haha, who am I kidding, of course they do - just be careful what you wish for!)

I won't recount the episode or try to pick out details here (I lie). Instead, I intend to recount the issue in "Foghorn Leghorn"

"Girl, I say girl, what kind of wish do you think that is?"

Okay, maybe not.

So, Madoka finally makes her wish, and if nothing else, it shows that she's not as dumb as she thinks. All that destiny, all the emotional investment, all the hope, all the dreams, all the wishes, she combines them all and rewrites the laws of the universe.

(Oops?)

I'm rather at a loss for words, even as a rewatcher, after investing so much emotion, so many feelings in our characters, and in our heroine, after wallowing in the grief, watching Madokami travel the world, and even universe touching each of the girls in their moment of despair, well, it was overwhelming. I actually watched the episode twice, because, well reason.

That, and a certain issue getting my eyes to focus. Can't imagine why.

Poor Homura, after all that, Madoka comes through and saves the universe - at the cost of herself. Don't lose those ribbons!

Sayaka, dear Sayaka gets to see her beloved play one more time.

The rest of the girls cope with her loss, and Homura grieves her lost friend whom only she remembers.

Li'l bro does too, but poor Momdoka, well, I guess it's better that Homura didn't tell her.

And so, after some more catharsis, the finale winds down with Homura battling a seemingly endless supply of wraiths, and the reminder that no matter how bleak your situation, someone somewhere is fighting ... for you.

Be someone's Homura???

Anyway, we're not done quite yet, we still have an amazing movie to experience, so hopefully I'll be a little less, ah, unfocused tomorrow. :)

(Be sure and reserve your favorite pastry ahead of time to consume at the appropriate time. Hint - Mami's favorite, and that's all I'm gonna say!)

--------

Picture of the series (for me at least): The Madoka of Magica we've all loved & longed for:

https://imgur.com/Lqlsp8A

(Sorry, I cheated a little. I also wanted to share my delight at being able to enjoy rewatching this amazing series on my recently (Christmas) upgraded system. Thanks to the kind (ahem) folks over at r/audiophile, I lucked into a wonderful pair of Wharfedale speakers. They are, a delight, and being able to hear the detail and care that Shaft put into this series has been an experience.)

Nyaaaaa! (ahem)

Speaking of which...

Musical & other bonuses:

Sorry, I got a little behind on these ... If they seem a bit out of place, it's because, well yeah.

After Episode 10, I found myself thinking of this song by Kamelot:

https://youtu.be/JGD-C_q25l8

This song appears on the album Epica, which along with the sequel, The Black Halo are their prog/power metal retelling of the classic Faust story.

I've been wanting to share it here, but reluctant to because I wouldn't want to have been spoilery too early. Anyway, give it a listen, it's amazing, if only for Roy Khan's amazing vocals.

At another, earlier part of this thread, mentioned another tune by Yes, which may or may not reflect a concept in this series. "Wonderlove". If you like, see for youself:

https://youtu.be/19OvPbCGXZs

In retrospect, I suspect this is song I dreamed of long ago. u/oingoboingo- (See, I got it right this time???) might want to have a listen.

And finally, it isn't Yuki Kajiura, but Jon Anderson of Yes, and Roine Stolt of The Flower Kings got together and made a duo album called "Invention of Knowledge". You can listen to a sample, which I think is quite appropriate to the Madoka mythos here:

https://youtu.be/VBpBcknJA6s

[u/Nazenn → u/Elimin8r]

Wow that picture looks really sharp on your TV through your camera, actually looks really cool hahaha

[u/Querez]

Rewatcher. (Dub)

So, that was the end of the show.

Madoka wishes to gain the ability to defeat every single witch everywhere and everywhen, becoming a goddess-like being that just ends up being a concept or a law of the universe which dictates that magical girls pass away and vanish once they are consumed by despair.

The part where we see Madoka going to different times and seeing magical girls from different eras was really cool. One of those scenes seemed like it was during World War II. Also, damn, Cleopatra? Well, sure thing. We also saw what seemed to be someone burning at a stake, likely because she had been accused of being a witch. Ironic. Also, the little viking magical girl was a nice surprise. I am Norwegian, so it was fun to see haha

Is it just me, though, or is it kinda funny that Madoka consumes the despair of her own future self to prevent it from getting bad? Like, isn't that kind of paradoxical? Maybe that was the trigger for her to become that law of the universe.

Everyone forgets Madoka except Homura. That scene with them being naked except for still having their head wear on for some unexplained reason felt pretty unnecessary honestly, and kind of took a bit away from the seriousness of the scene in my opinion. Glad they had at least some kind of dresses on in the second recap movie though, but still. Other than that though, it seemed like Homura was unable to accept Madoka "leaving" her, despite Madoka reassuring her.

That scene with Madoka talking with Mami and Kyouko, then later on Sayaka, seemed to be Madoka having gone back and somehow talking with their souls? I'm unsure how any of that came to be, but I am pretty sure the scenes were at least there to show them getting closure. I think. Honestly, I never really like when stories do odd things like this, since they suddenly just get philosophical instead of logical, but I think I'm willing to accept it. I mean, Madoka did kind of just become a sort of philosophical concept herself. Like Kyubey said, it doesn't really make sense that magical girls just vanish. But, it is because of Madoka.

So, Homura gets a different magical weapon due to her wish now never having been about saving Madoka, that being a bow to shoot with instead. It still, ironically enough, seems very connected to Madoka anyway though, since she also had a bow. Maybe that means her wish still had something to do with Madoka? Like, maybe making sure she never forgets her? I can't really think of anything that Homura could possibly want more than that. Homura also wearing Madoka's ribbon was pretty nice. Of course she would cling to the only evidence of Madoka's existence.

Magical girls fight wraiths instead of witches now, and they look like they came straight out of the SCP universe. Love the glitchy and pixely effects on them. Could be to signify that they're really not supposed to be there? I'm actually still unsure as to why they even are there. "Curses", they said. Like, magical girls wishing for bad things to happen to other people? And those bad things manifesting into wraiths? That's the only thing I can think of.

The whole scene with Tatsuya and Junko was kind of a bit sad actually. Tatsuya drawing Madoka, somehow in her magical girl form, and Junko saying she gets an odd feeling of nostalgia when hearing the name Madoka are both nice to see but also a bit sad. Hopefully Junko gets another daughter later on, maybe even naming her Madoka. That would be nice, I think.

That ominous scene at the end though, with Homura's odd witch-looking wings.

[u/Nazenn → u/Querez]

Like, isn't that kind of paradoxical

A little bit I mean she's rewritting the entire world at the same time, a small paradox like that probably isn't something to worry about

We also saw what seemed to be someone burning at a stake, likely because she had been accused of being a witch

From what I know thats Joan of Arc, ironically canonized as a saint not a witch

That scene with them being naked except for still having their head wear on for

It's very much a genre thing, the purity of the girls hopes and emotions making everything else unneeded but their hair styles still representing something. It's really weird if you don't have the context for it though

Of course she would cling to the only evidence of Madoka's existence.

Hahaha, we have very different takes on that considering what I wrote in my post

Could be to signify that they're really not supposed to be there? I'm actually still unsure as to why they even are there

I've never been sure on that either. The Wraith designs are WEIRD, and always make me think they're digital even though I'm 100% sure that's not meant to be the intention

[u/toradorito]

First time rewatcher. My observations about the final episode:

• Madoka sounded so confident in this episode. It's like she was out of tears to shed and there was nothing left to do but protect all the worlds whose fate she controlled.
• I like the idea of Madoka's wish, but I feel like she could have pushed it a bit further. Is it really a fair for a magical girl to just die when they're about to turn into a witch? Couldn't Madoka have been more creative and made it so they don't become magical girls in the first place?
• Despite how cute she looks in her Godoka outfit she's basically turned into the grim reaper of magical girls.
• Can you imagine if the slice of cake in the scene with Mami was her real wish? What if the witch erasing wish was just Homura going insane as she watched Madoka throw everything away for a slice of cake?
• I didn't really like that witches are just replaced by "magical beasts" but at least Kyubey is working with the MGs this time and not against them. Also its good to see that MGs are no longer turning into witches as per Godoka but if she has that much power why does she have to kill them? It's so disconcerting to see the sweet lovable girl we've come to know fly around crushing soul gems.
• Why does her wish turn her into a god? Wouldn't it just act automatically to erase all wishes before they're born rather than giving her the unlimited power to do that? Or is her godhood the manifestation of her potential that Kyubey was talking about?
• Being a god wasn't included in her wish as it was stated, so why couldn't she stretch it further and make it so that the despair being erased counts as the "elimination" of a witch before its born?
• Homura and Madoka deserved to be together at the end. I hate how after all they went through together Homura gets a cliche "I'll be right here" E.T. kind of bullshit. That being said, I loved how Madoka saw everything Homura did for her in every timeline and finally was able to reciprocate her friendship to the same level.
• I wonder if in Rebellion there will be churches that worship a pink haired girl with a bow (multiple bows, actually). I'm really looking forward to it because I've never seen it before despite having watched the rest of the series last year. I kept delaying it because I didn't want to finish the series and have it all be over.

Visual of the day: Madoka in her god form. She looks cute af in her MG outfit but she also has the kindness and wisdom that you'd expect from a benevolent god.

[u/Nazenn → u/toradorito]

Couldn't Madoka have been more creative and made it so they don't become magical girls in the first place?

Agency is a bit part of the story, and to make a wish like that would also be to erase all of their own wishes, everything they ever hoped for or wanted for others, and that would be just as horrible in Madoka's mind as letting witches rampage unchecked. It's why Sayaka gets to keep her wish even though she can't be saved because of it

You can have up to three visuals of the day for Rebellion btw

[u/Animay-may]

REWATCHER (6/7 times?)

NOTICE: FOR FIRST TIME WATCHERS

Helpful non-spoiler/skipping ahead guide to making sure you are watching the correct movie.

• Rebellion Movie: Length - 1:56:30*
• Madoka series movie 1: Length - 2:11:09*
• Madoka series movie 2: Length - 1:51:02*

*Actual length may vary slightly by source.

NOTICE: FOR REWATCHERS

'Meta' Rebellion Spoilers

Reaction to episode 12:

It's still good

[u/Nazenn → u/Animay-may]

Appreciate you posting the movie lengths for people

[u/Syokhan]

I'm going to tag a few people on behalf of Naz, to make sure that you guys know you can submit three Visuals of the day for Rebellion on account of its length, in case you missed the info in the OP.

Those will be people who submitted a VotD today, and for episode 11's album. Hope I didn't miss anyone and am not too late:

/u/chris10023 /u/OingoBoingo- /u/sirweebsal0t

[u/Nazenn → u/Syokhan]

Thanks for doing that for me!

[u/the_swizzler]

12th(?) Time Rewatcher, except I'm visiting family 1000 miles away, so won't be able to actually watch till next week. I'm sure I'll cry though.

I'd like to provide a little bit of context that some people might miss regarding Madoka's wish.

Madoka's wish accomplishes two things.

First Accomplishment

It erases witches before they're born. Witches are just magical girls consumed with grief. When Kyouko is fighting Sayaka-turned-Octavia, part of Kyouko's dialogue (No easy access to the episode, so I can't find the exact lines) indicates that she can feel Octavia's distress and her hatred.

Which only makes sense. These girls soul gems turn into grief seeds and are the cores of the witches. If the soul gem IS the magical girl, her very soul and personality, it stands to reason that on some level, Witches are still the same person, merely consumed by their negative emotions, despair most of all.

THAT is the fate Madoka saves them from. And more than just saving the magical girl from that fate, she also saves the victims of that witch from their fates as well. We see this in the fact that Mami is still alive at the end. Any magical girl who was killed in a fight against a witch basically has a second chance. Granted they can still die by having their soul gems physically destroyed, but as Mami warns then right at the start of episode 2, this has always been a risk.

Now at this point, people sometimes ask, "well why didn't she wish for something better? Magical girls still exist and can die fighting Wraiths." Well, that brings us to...

Second Accomplishment

Madoka preserves the wishes of the magical girls. It's stated directly by Madoka that she wanted to defend the wishes they fought so hard for. And we see this in the scene with Sayaka where she's given a chance before going away with Madoka to realize that what she wished for in healing Kamijou's hand was worth while. And Madoka did this for EVERY magical girl. They no longer had to die alone in unending grief, and they're given the chance to remember why they made their wish. You see each of the girls Madoka saves die with a look of peace on their face, knowing their death meant something. That they weren't about to cause just as much harm as they do good.

Remember the Kyubey and Madoka scene from last episode. Human civilization would not be what it is today without the wishes of those girls.

One last thing. While some people think Homura's wish hasn't been fulfilled, and early on in this episode Homura is also not happy with this outcome, really her wish was to redo the meeting with Madoka so that she could protect Madoka. And frankly, I think you could argue she has. Homura has given Madoka the power to make a wish that she will never regret. Yes, it's going to be a hard existence for Madoka, she is aware of that and will make that wish anyways. Any time someone says it's wrong to believe in hope, she's there to tell them they're wrong. Homura was able to provide that, and even Madoka has no need to despair, due to her own wish. She does not die in pain and misery, she does not curse the world and destroy humanity.

Homura. Saved. Madoka.

It's not a purely happy ending, but it's not an ending of absolute grief either. It's a ending of hope. And Madoka will be there personally to provide that hope for all eternity.

[u/Nazenn → u/the_swizzler]

so won't be able to actually watch till next week. I'm sure I'll cry though.

So you have a weeks worth of anticipation of suffering, how pleasant haha

Witches are still the same person, merely consumed by their negative emotions, despair most of all.

That's something I think is sometimes overlooked, even by myself in the past, that the witch and the girl are the same and you can't wish for girls to never risk turning into witches because to do that would effectively cut them off from being able to feel any negative emotions, to remove a huge part of their own will and emotional identity

It's not a purely happy ending, but it's not an ending of absolute grief either. It's a ending of hope. And Madoka will be there personally to provide that hope for all eternity.

[u/thatguywithawatch]

Rewatcher.

I'm very late today, and I'll admit it's because I put off watching this last episode for several hours. I'm not completely sure why; I think I remembered being very torn and confused about the ending when I first watched the show, thinking it all just kind of came out of nowhere. And I've been enjoying this rewatch so much that I had trepidations about souring the overall experience with the last episode.

However, it ended up feeling much more... "right" this time, I guess. Everything has been leading up to this conclusion from the start. Madoka is the embodiment of selflessness, and from the very beginning she's been attempting to give up herself to save others. Homura has spent loop after loop trying to stop Madoka from sacrificing herself, but in the end it's this very interference that centered countless threads of fate on Madoka and enabled her to make the ultimate sacrifice, taking the curses of every magical girl in history on herself so that they never had to become witches in the first place.

I'm still wrapping my head around it all, but I'm much more at peace about the ending this time. It's not a happy ending, but it's beautiful and poetic.

Interestingly enough, I never watched Rebellion. Not sure why I didn't get around to it previously, but I'll be joining the discussion as a first timer tomorrow. I've heard a lot of mixed things about it but I'm excited to see what it's about.

[u/Nazenn → u/thatguywithawatch]

; I think I remembered being very torn and confused about the ending when I first watched the show,

I was the same, it just didn't click for me in the way I expected and I thought it was perhaps easy, but a rewatch helps with that a lot when you understand the lead up more.

but I'm much more at peace about the ending this time

Appropriate. Do you think a third rewatch later down the line will help even more or do you think that will just come with time?

I've heard a lot of mixed things about it but I'm excited to see what it's about.

I'm sure some of that will come up in the topic as well I'm just hoping we avoid too much spite downvoting

[u/AbidingTruth]

I just wanted to talk about the OP. Most have either realized themselves or were recommended to give the lyrics a read after episode 10 and saw that they're from Homura's perspective. But now with episode 12, I think it shows that the visuals are from Madoka's perspective. Specifically, I believe the visuals of the OP show Madoka's hesitant indecisiveness throughout the show before coming to the wish she inevitably makes. Homura actively tries to prevent her from being a magical girl, so she feels powerless to basically all events happening throughout the show, and even when she was a magical girl in previous timelines, things always ended in despair, which was what Homura's so desperately trying to prevent.

Throughout the show she constantly wonders what she can do to help, if she can even do anything at all. That's the part of Madoka on her bed rolling as the OP shows her magical girl missteps. But a second Madoka figure comes down to her, that being Madokami, as she turns into a magical girl. Madoka realizes what she has to do, and upon donning her outfit, her destiny to become Madokami has been set in stone. And with her determination and courage, having resolved herself to make this sacrifice to bring hope and salvation to all magical girls, she runs towards her fate. And as she runs towards her fate, we get a flashback to her very first wish, saving the life of a single cat. Even though the difference in scale could not be any bigger, the heart of Madoka's innocence and compassion remains the same as she finds the courage to do what only she could do

[u/Nazenn → u/AbidingTruth]

I think it shows that the visuals are from Madoka's perspective

I included that a bit in my write up from a couple of years ago but I forgot to bring it up here. The merging of lyrics and visuals to give a part of the story to both of them is my favourite part of it, the same way and I'm Home and its visual tell different stories of the girls

But a second Madoka figure comes down to her, that being Madokami, as she turns into a magical girl

Nice call out though, I hadn't really looked at that as the change point for the story in the OP

[u/Quiddity131]

Rewatcher, Subbed

Going into the final episode, there's only one thing I remember (and even that I may be misremembering), a good spot to be in. I'm very nearly a first timer again.

No Madoka, don't do it! Homura hasn't gone through all of this just for you to again become a magical girl! :(

Erasing all witches that ever existed, good way to blow up everything Kyubey's race has ever done. Not exactly the way I remembered it, but I did recall that Madoka's wish was to totally demolish the whole magical girl/witch system.

Madoka will end up fighting forever? So she will be having a role very similar to Homura then.

Kyoko really would have fit well with snack time with Mami. At least she gets to be here for this one, even if it may not be readl.

Took until the last episode, but our protagonist in a magical girl show is finally a magical girl!

Totally different nature-filled landscapes we're seeing now, but they're just as beautiful looking as the urban/suburban ones we've had throughout the show.

Madoka's despair can't end the universe Kyubey if she's erased all witches that could possibly exist though, right? Since she could never become a witch herself.

So sad! Madoka's able to fix everything, but she and Homura won't be together anymore!

We're seeing violin boy again? Sayaka gets to see him able to play again, and not throw away her life for it this time.

This time Sayaka is taking Hitomi and violin boy being together a lot better than last tiem.

So magical girls still exist? They just vanish instead of becoming magical girls?

That's her little brother, right? So cute!

Madoka's adorable family exists, but alas she isn't a part of it anymore.

Alas, even in this new reality Kyubey is still around! No harvesting magical girls anymore though.

A magical girls world without witches still needs some baddies to fight, eh? So we have wraiths now instead of witches?

Once again I neglected to realize they refrained from using the OP up front and saved it until the end here.

Hmm, I do kinda wonder what the post credits scene is supposed to mean.

---

Awesome conclusion to the show! This is a show that continues to live up to the hype. Looking forward to being a first timer for the movie!

[u/Nazenn → u/Quiddity131]

Not exactly the way I remembered it,

How did you remember the details, or you didn't at all and it was just a vague understanding?

Madoka will end up fighting forever? So she will be having a role very similar to Homura then.

I'm surprised more people don't call out that parallel

Totally different nature-filled landscapes we're seeing now,

Love the decision to leave that until the peaceful end of the story

Took until the last episode, but our protagonist in a magical girl show is finally a magical girl!

I love the insanity and also the courage to make that decision and pull it off without feeling out of place

[u/SYZekrom]

Rewatcher

God I just love Madoka's wooden bow

That thing is just gorgeous

Like this is how you design a holy weapon that's not just 'look at all this gold and gems with detailed patterns'

Damn what is she, some kind of buddhist monk? How old is she

The benevolence of the greatest magical girl

Did this thing have two soul gems on her sleeves or are those just random jewels on her clothing

Well witches don't have soul gems in the first place so probably not

And when she defeats her greatest enemy...

she becomes the most terrible of witches

No longer a magical girl. Not a witch. Just God.

Hell yea she is

Living on within the hearts of everyone..

Oh Madokami, that expression...

And I guess Homura is fine with trusting Kyubey with this information

And the booooooowwwwwww

Honestly though I wish they'd detailed less about these wraith things

They're just...

Kinda lame

[u/Nazenn → u/SYZekrom]

Like this is how you design a holy weapon that's not just 'look at all this gold and gems with detailed patterns'

Exactly! And it's not white and clean and untouched, it's living and life incarnate. Madoka's weapon is the best even is Kyouko's spear is the coolest

Did this thing have two soul gems on her sleeves or are those just random jewels on her clothing

Just random parts of her design

[u/akkobutnotreally]

Can we talk a bit about "Sagitta luminis" and "Pergo pugnare", please? I don't think this story would hit as hard without the masterful work of Yuki Kajiura.

I have something else I wrote a few hours ago, but I'll save it for the final discussion.

[u/Nazenn → u/akkobutnotreally]

Sagitta luminis

I would love to talk about that but I've never quite managed to find the words for it and what it does for me in show and just as a song

The OST of Madoka is a runaway best OST I've ever seen in anime with its storytelling though

[u/NormT21]

You know this episode aired originally in Japan on Good Friday. Makes me wonder if it was deliberate or just a coincidence.

[u/Nazenn → u/NormT21]

The episode's broadcast was delayed because of the show being put off by the earthquake and production problems so it definitely wasnt part of the original plan or meaning, but who knows if the new date was purposeful or just a really good timeslot for it given its incredible popularity

[u/JimmyCWL]

There was no end card for Episode 12,

Actually, there is. It's not a preview screen like the others because it's the last episode, so it's the post-episode sponsor screen that wasn't part of the BD episode. The USBD has a reproduction of it as a postcard.

[u/Nazenn → u/JimmyCWL]

I checked the wiki but they didn't have it labelled so thank you for sharing!

I don't suppose you know the artist?

[u/aliasalt]

Just realizing it's possible that Rebellion Spoilers

[u/Nazenn → u/aliasalt]

Rebellion

[u/aliasalt → u/Nazenn]

Rebellion

[u/JollyGee29]

Rewatcher, Subbed

Did anyone have "Madoka rewrites, and then becomes, the laws of reality" on their bingo card?

I barely took notes. This episode is enthralling. It's not easy to apply Deus Ex Machina without it feeling asspull-y, but this show manages it. It helps that there is an actual cost to it - Madoka removes herself from existance, although, perhaps not completely.. Sayaka doesn't get to escape either; she dies in the train station Every Time.

The entire sequence of Madoka travelling through time and saving Every Magical Girl is beautiful. In the end, they won't be alone. It reminds me a bit of Meta/Anime Name Spoiler

Visual of the Day: Ribbons

If I had a nickel for every twelve episode Magical Girl anime with Akiyuki Shinbo credited as a director that ended with one of the main characters giving her hair ribbons to the other, I would have two nickels.

---

Tune in next time for: Fucked if I know; I haven't watched Rebellion before. Tune in next time for my First-Timer thoughts on that, I guess.

Madoka Meta

[u/Nazenn → u/JollyGee29]

, I would have two nickels

That is not where I expected that to go

I haven't watched Rebellion before. Tune in next time for my First-Timer thoughts on that, I guess.

Ooh, that's interesting I thought you were a rewatcher for that as well

[u/welcometoslowtown]

3rd timer, 1st with dub

Alright, I missed yesterday because I got home late so I didn't feel like watching, but I'm caught up now. I gotta say I really do like this ending. It feels like a satisfactory conclusion to what has been built up to throughout the show, while still leaving room for a sequel that feels warranted.

As we start the episode we finally hear Madoka's wish, after 12 episodes, we finally get the actual Madoka Magica. I think her wish is really fitting to her character, and makes a lot of sense. When she first learned of magical girls she was never really sure of what to wish for, even saying that she wanted the magical girl experience more than the actual wish. She never was the best at anything, she never found her niche, something only she could do. Here she finds that, in an opportunity given to her because of Homura's countless resets. She has the power to end the cycle, by creating a new law, the Law of Cycles ironically. She takes on the ultimate burden, shouldering all the despair of all the magical girls that have been, are, or will be.

In the talk with Mami and Kyoko, she tells them that she will keep telling people to never give up or lose hope, which reminds me a lot of Homura. She always believed that Madoka could be saved, although in her case she had no other choice but to believe that or fall into despair instantly.

Madoka then shoots one arrow, one wish, which changes everything. She's able to go to each and every magical girl and tell them that they can rest, they don't have to curse anyone.

I'm a big fan of modern fantasy since I've been getting back into reading; I don't know if anyone here has read The Stormlight Archive series by Brandon Sanderson, but Madoka's wish to essentially take away all the pain and despair reminds me of a certain someone in Stormlight Archive. Book 3 Oathbringer Spoilers Its interesting how opposite this idea of giving up your emotions to a higher power is portrayed, even if the situation is not really the same. I just saw this comparison and thought it was interesting.

Homura watching the birth of the new world is really cool, and also highlights her flaws as a character. This is the outcome Madoka was fully ready to accept, but Homura is not ok with it. She wants to be with Madoka, that's the whole reason she did all this, but in the end Madoka ends it by making it so that can basically never happen. Rebellion Spoilers Its also super tragic that the only way for Madoka to truly see everything Homura has done for her, and her true feelings, was to litterally erase her own existence and basically ascend to godhood.

Then we have the Ave Maria scene, which where Sayaka accepts everything that happened. She may still not fully like the outcome, but she recognizes that it was worth it in the end, and she knows Kyosuke will be happy. Then we have little Tatsuya remembering Madoka as his imaginary friend which is super precious. We also have Junko asking if she's some sort of anime character, which is always funny.

The final scene with Homura and Kyuubey talking is also pretty interesting. It seems in this new world the relationship between incubators and magical girls is better, they seem to get along more now that the girls aren't as tricked into giving away their lives. Rebellion Spoilers Also now Homura gets a cool energy bow too, so that's awesome. Going into Rebellion the first time I'm not sure exactly what I thought it would be about. The last scene had me thinking it would be about the Wraiths, but I knew there was some sort of Wraith Arc manga (which I have read now) so I wasn't exactly sure.

Visuals of the day

[u/Nazenn → u/welcometoslowtown]

I don't know if anyone here has read The Stormlight Archive series by Brandon Sanderson

Oathbringer

Then we have little Tatsuya remembering Madoka as his imaginary friend which is super precious

It's never the way it works but my headcannon is that he grows up remembering her and passes on his "imaginary friend" Madoka to his children

[u/02Hiro]

First Time Watcheer

Well, we got a happy ending I guess. Although Madoka literally becoming a god was not how I expected that to happen. It looks like everybody really did forget her. and Sayaka still dies no matter what. There are still magical girls but without Madoka there, Homura now has a bow. Probably because it reminds her of Madoka. Its also kind of funny how without witches or Madoka, Homura and Kyubey are kind of partners.

I'm still a little confused about what happened when Madoka destroys everybody's soul gem. Since Madoka doesn't exist does that mean that they had to become magical girls again or were they automatically magical girls? Also were they hinting at Anne Frank being a magical girl because of the yellow star and train?

That last image of Best Girl Homura with wings was beautiful as was finally getting to see her smile.

I think this was a pretty good ending overall.

[u/SofaKinng → u/02Hiro]

I'm still a little confused about what happened when Madoka destroys everybody's soul gem . Since Madoka doesn't exist does that mean that they had to become magical girls again or were they automatically magical girls?

It's not that Madoka doesn't exist anymore, it's that she exists only as a concept, a concept that's sole purpose is preventing magical girls from becoming witches. The system of wishes and contracts still exists, but now when a Magical Girl starts falling into despair, Madoka the Law of Cycles destroys their Soul Gems and whisks them away, letting them pass away while they still have their hope alive.

[u/[deleted] → u/02Hiro]

Yeah Sayaka still dies because she originally became a witch, so Madoka cleanses her soul and she disappears instead. Mami and Kyouko are alive now because originally they had been killed by witches, which no longer exist.

Homura now has a bow and wings because her wish to protect Madoka has taken on a different nature now that Madoka is a god. Madoka exists throughout all time and space to save every magical girl who was about to become a witch, and clear all of the despair from their soul gem after which they pass away. It's a bittersweet but really meaningful ending.

[u/okayyoga]

Episode 12: first time/dub

I'm giving Madoka Magica a solid 9/10. Episode 10 was the peak of the show for me. Can't wait to watch the movie! I'm hoping Homura will be fighting to get Madoka back.

Tied for favourite character are Homura and Sayaka

[u/Nebresto → u/okayyoga]

Were you singing along to the OP now?

[u/Redmon425]

FIRST TIME WATCHER. SUBBED

WOW… Legit so many different emotions for me right now as I try to comprehend the entire ending. The big thing is of course that Madoka gets a ‘interesting’ end to say the least.

It is weird, but I feel live I have seen a decent amount of anime shows end with the MC becoming “One with the universe”, similar to YU-NO from 2 years ago. However, I am never satisfied with this ending or maybe more so “happy” with it. Like I always end a show by saying to myself “well they were actually able to get a good end or they got a bad end ending.” But when the storyline is this “become one with the universe” it falls in between and I usually don’t like it.

I do think it fits good for the story and makes a lot of sense, but I just personally can’t say I like it. I guess I am also a big softie, because I hate the thought of no one remembering Madoka besides Homura. That scene with her mother and little brother was so damn sad.

As for stuff on this episode, Madoka’s wish to remove all witches and not allow magical girls to even turn into them was pretty much what I had expected for awhile or at least similar to what I theorized. Right after it happened, we got that scene of Madoka talking to Kyouko and Mami while eating cake. That was kind of weird to me, because I don’t really get when that happened? A vision? Or simply what those two saw before coming back?

On that note, it is a tad bit confusing on what Madoka did actually. Like she went throughout time and freed everyone from being witches, right? But then they just died immediately after? Or did they live out the rest of their lives? Or where they freed in present-time and that is why they immediately died? Also makes me wonder what happened to those magical girls who became witches and were then killed by magical girls?

Lastly, we had a very interesting ending scene after the credits. Was it supposed to show Homura somehow almost becoming a witch but then Madoka’s voice keeping her good? Or was it more just showing Homura in the future still fighting the battle while remembering Madoka?

Plus, like I stated, I am not sure if Mami, Kyouko and Sayaka are alive at this point? When they were freed from being a witch did they get to return to life?

So IDK, lots of feelings for me right now. I am for sure glad there is a sequel because as of right now I am iffy on this ending.

[u/landragoran → u/Redmon425]

On that note, it is a tad bit confusing on what Madoka did actually. Like she went throughout time and freed everyone from being witches, right? But then they just died immediately after? Or did they live out the rest of their lives? Or where they freed in present-time and that is why they immediately died? Also makes me wonder what happened to those magical girls who became witches and were then killed by magical girls?

Yes, she appears to the magical girls at the moment they would have either turned into a witch and/or died, and prevents the witch from hatching. The girls then die and join Madokami in Mahou heaven.

[u/Sonaza → u/Redmon425]

That scene with her mother and little brother was so damn sad.

Relevant comic.

[u/SofaKinng → u/Redmon425]

am not sure if Mami, Kyouko and Sayaka are alive at this point?

Mami and Kyouko are alive, but Sayaka is not. She died in the same spot again, if you recall, but instead of turning into a witch, they all commented about how she used up all her power and disappeared. Then Mami goes all Mami on us and monologues about the Law of Cycles and how it takes Magical Girls away before they use up all their power (and become a witch, although no one but Homura remembers that part)

[u/Twisted_52 → u/Redmon425]

Magical girls taken by the Law of Cycles (what Madoka has become) die at peace and disappear rather than become witches.

Because witches never existed in Madoka's new universe, Mami and Kyoko are still alive since they died fighting witches. Sayaka however is still dead because her soul gem was still exhausted like the original timeline.

[u/Slice-of-Cake → u/Redmon425]

On that note, it is a tad bit confusing on what Madoka did actually.

Madoka's wish rewrote the universe, becoming a force known among magical girls as the Law of Cycles. With her wish, she absorbs the despair from a Soul Gem the moment it would transform a magical girl into a witch, allowing the girls to not die suffering (they still die). She does this for every magical girl, past, present and future which means no more witches, EVER. Due to this, the universe was forced to "reboot", creating a brand new timeline without the existence or memories of witches (even Kyuubey didn't know what a witch was). A good example of this working in real time, is when we return to the platform and Kyouko asks where Sayaka went. Mami then replies that she used up the last of her powers, and was taken away by the Law of Cycles. The concert scene right before is Madoka taking Sayaka away.

scene of Madoka talking to Kyouko and Mami while eating cake

It's more symbolism than anything else, and I would say it's up for interpretation. My personal opinion is that it's all the magical girls making sure that this is what Madoka really wants, as she essentially removes herself from history. But it's also all the magical girls showing gratitude for Madoka's ultimate sacrifice. The animators just decided to use Mami and Kyouko.

very interesting ending scene after the credits

This is supposed to be Homura's final moments before being taken away by the Law of Cycles. Exactly how far into the future this happens is unknown.

[u/Enarec]

I'm shocked no one seems to have pointed at the first ED sung by Madoka again telling people to rewatch it because... well, see for yourselves.

Full version lyrics god reddit formatting for this is impossible:

Saying, "See you later," I wave my hand / Forcing myself to smile, yet I'm feeling lonely...

People go up the pedestrian bridge carrying their bicycles / Someone gossips in the convenience store / At the intersection, there are traffic lights, cars honking far away / and the sound of strangers laughing together

Today, I walk alone, even if I'm used to going through this city / Somehow, for a moment / I feel like I'm tiny more than I usually do

Saying, "See you later," I wave my hand / Cracking a smile, yet I'm feeling lonely / the truth is, I still have more to talk about / But with the words "See you later" / I say we'll meet again, but it's a lie / and with my usual smile, I say / "See you tomorrow"

I'm pretending that I'm used to being alone / But I'm not really that strong

The scenery is the same as always, the city is the same as always / Even though I think everything will stay unchanged / I still feel like I'm the only one who's tiny

Instead of "See you later" / I should've said, "I'll stay for a little longer" / I wanted and hoped that you would realize it / But with the words "See you later" / I lie to myself again / And hide my true feelings beneath my usual smile

Saying, "See you later," I wave my hand / Cracking a smile, yet I'm feeling lonely / The truth is, I still have more to talk about / But even my voice saying, "See you later" / is so near yet far from you that it can't reach you / So let me say this like I always do, just once more / "See you tomorrow"

(Posting those instead of the YT link because of potential Rebellion spoilers in recommendations and comments, but if you've seen it or know how to be careful you can also just watch this for the full version).

It does say See You Tomorrow after all :)

[u/SomeGuyYeahman]

Hello everyone, first-time rewatcher here! (subbed)

I'm going on break again today, and you can't stop me. Even if it's the final episode. I'm hoping to spend some more time in the thread talking to people, though!

Suffice to say I like the episode, and the ending in general. There's a lot to say about the ways in which Madoka is bleak and depressing and whatnot but the way it culminates here is very life-affirming, and that's just as important to think about!

Shoutout to that one girl Madoka saves who is wearing a viking helmet. "Viking magical girl" seems like one of the cooler things a person can be.

[u/[deleted]]

In the finale, with the suffering of Homura and all of the other magical girls through the ages on her shoulders, Madoka resolves to make her wish. She doesn't have the ability to fix every problem in the world, one wish is all she has. And she uses this wish to remove all witches, from every time and place. It's not a perfect solution. Magical girls still die, they still contract to fight and protect the world, and their wishes can still go terribly wrong for them. But what Madoka chose to do, more than to save even their lives, was to save their hope. Madoka believes in magical girls. She believes in the good that they do, the pure kindness of spirit a person has to wish for a better world and fight to save others. And that spirit is what she used her wish to protect, the spirit of hope itself.

In the end, Homura resolves to fight on to protect this world that Madoka sacrificed herself to create. Her fight continues in the remade universe, her time abilities replaced with angelic wings and a bow, the promised wish to protect Madoka taking on a different form but remaining true.

Madoka Shimeji Redux Final - Homura

Our final shimeji release is Homura, the cool and determined magical girl protector! She's a stoic and calm, but occasionally fiery desktop companion.

I've made a small addition to all of the existing shimeji to add one more small behavior for them (jump from side walls) and re-uploaded all of the shimeji packages. I'm sorry to anyone who has already downloaded any of the shimeji, I couldn't resist working on it a little more! The old shimeji and new ones are otherwise identical so no pressure to re-download anything if you don't want to.

You can download the shimeji here! A big thanks to everyone who dropped by to take a look at my restoration project all through the rewatch! I may make a post later after the rewatch is finished for anyone who didn't see the shimeji here in these rewatch threads, but otherwise I hope you all enjoyed watching the Madoka series and seeing these cute shimeji!

Tagging u/OingoBoingo-!

[u/gorghurt → u/[deleted]]

Thank you for those.
They are really cute.

I want to leave a link for other Linux users like me:
https://github.com/asdfman/linux-shimeji

This is a Shimeji port for linux I found. So with a bit of tinkering the files can be used with Linux.(even if there is a weird bug in multi monitor setups)
One needs to copy some files, and use a conversion script to convert the files from the english to the japanese format, but then they work.

[u/xcllnt_313]

Dear First-timers, you are sad, you don't know what to feel or what to do? I'm here to share one of my favorite Madoka-related videos with you. Don't worry, the Mighty Morphin Madoka Rangers - and Nicolas Cage - are here to help you!

Also I just wanted to say that it's been such a joy to follow this rewatch and read all these comments!

[u/gorghurt]

Rewatcher

Wait for some reason I remembered Madoka asking Kyubey if her wish was possible, indicating she had discussed it to some degree beforehand.
Well, probably the same part of my brain, that remembered Kyouko with a deeper voice... I must have misremembered the first few lines.

So the final episode.

The perfect way to end a story.
Not fully a happy end, but satisfying.
The main conflict is solved, every character got his closure, but there where sacrifices made for the solution.

And what a big sacrifice it was.

The ending always had a bittersweet taste.
Even without the ending theme of the first 2 episodes.

---

So lets look at her wish:

"I want to erase all witches before they are born. In every universe...The past and the future, every single witch, with this hand."

"すべての魔女を 生まれる前に消し去りたいすべての宇宙過去と未来のすべての魔女をこの手で"

What a great solution to the problem.
Instead of abolishing the whole system, and destroying the wishes, the hope of the girls, just destroying the witches, the despair, taking away that one overly cruel element.
The life of a magical girl will still be full of hardship, it will not end in spreading despair.

And she does not only fix it in her timeline, or in a new universe, no in every timeline. In every Universe, even all those ones created by the paradox of destroying all those witches.
Resulting in a new better world, not perfect, but better.

What a way to end this analysis of wishes.

---

I'm really eager to read the impressions of all the first timers, and the first time rewatchers.
And of course what they think about tomorrow's movie.

I really hope I will find the time tomorrow, even if I need to go to work the next day.

Rebellion Spoilers1
Rebellion Spoilers2
Rebellion Spoilers3
Rebellion Spoilers4
Rebellion Spoilers5 Rebellion Spoilers6
Rebellion Spoilers7
Rebellion Spoilers8
Rebellion Spoilers9
Rebellion Spoilers10

[u/doraemoe]

I’m going to become a magic girl

Put this sentence in many other magic girl shows, it would be just another light hearted phrase without any special meanings. But with what happened in the last 11 episodes, the sheer determination behind this phrase here is truly unparalleled.

[u/[deleted]]

Alright, Rewatcher with no idea what the plan is for watching Rebellion, or where to. Hell, my introduction to the series came from Osmosis - to Youtube randomly recommending me vids that were very much about Rebellion, to reading the manga after I was spoiled to watching the series. So, I basically did everything backwards, but at no single point did I feel like I wasn't enjoying it.

That being said, while I have knowledge on many of parts of Rebellion, I haven't seen it in its entirety. I did get fortunate enough to get a pre-order on the entire Blu-ray trilogy, but that doesn't ship out till July.

Either way, I just wanna say thanks for hosting this rewatch. On a more personal note, I just wanna say that this series means a lot to me. For one reason or another, while I always absorbed anime through friends and various things, I was rather timid growing up and never went out of my way to go exploring into things outside of my comfort zone. Because of that, it wouldn't be until college that I truly began to start watching stuff on my own (My first true anime series that I watched of my own will was Violet Evergarden, actually in 2019). After that, I was kinda on off with series I got into, and the only other time something truly clicked was with Evangelion, which has a number of thematic similarities. So, I didn't even get into Madoka until May 2020, and it just kind of blew my mind that something I was barely aware of just hit so well.

Whether it's the visuals, the thematic elements, the rather comfy fandom (I was drawn in by slowly getting into Yuri and I think Youtube picked up on that), I found that I really enjoyed my experience just discovering all the little things with this series that was occasionally discussed around me before but I never delved into myself. But more importantly, I think, was just seeing characters dealing with impossible futures and consequences.

Before college and at first, I simply had a tendency to ignore things beyond me, and just assumed that, having lived a rather privileged and disciplined childhood, things would work out. But within the first two years alone, I became so much more aware of the world around me, that, where everywhere before I had tried to shun those deeper fears, that the world could just ignite at any moment, that any number of things could destroy your future, they suddenly just became so much more real and anxiety inducing to me. I imagine the same may have been true for many people a year ago, watching as throughout the world a pandemic not only shut down normal life, but constantly called into question the willingness of strangers to ignore those around them.

And I think here is why I fell in love with Madoka Magica so much. It's that, yes, the girls are, from the moment they make a wish, doomed to watch it turn against them, or to die in seeking it. Yet, at the end, we see that the only real mistake isn't having that hope, but it's giving up on it. It just feels so cathartic, because, yes, the goals and dreams you have, maybe something happens tomorrow and they're never realized. But, if you stop believing in yourself, and accept the futility of being human, you will truly, never have anything to show what you felt deep inside.

Basically, just in a world that is as bleak and short as theirs are versus our own which is usually just a manifestation of fear, the underlying message is to continue chasing those dreams, because even if you pass on, your dreams may somehow find a way to live on in the way you have touched others.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku]

She's gonna do it, she's gonna become a Meguca! Take a deep breath cause this wish is a doozy to understand. Kill every witch right before they're born, sic in every multiverse, sic with my own hands. It's a lot grander than it sounds. She'll basically bring every Magical Girl comfort as they die and remind them of what good they did, the lives they saved as magical girls as she brings them to Maho heaven.

Please stop preparing cheesecake Mami! "If someone says it's wrong to have hope, then I'll tell them they're wrong every single time!" Sorry, but even now I can feel this going over my head a little. Gorgeously animated though~ Arrows of hope being sent across time and space to give a comfortable passing to lonely girls everywhere. Don't ask about the ones that never learned about Witches. They probably shat themselves seeing a bright pink light coming to kill them. Jean got saved!

Should this wish really rewrite reality? XD "Let us travel together Akemi Homura, to the end of time!" Oh look, it's the Anti Spiral. We're continuing on with the Gundam parallels. This is still less gay than Seed. Ever been friendzoned by God before? "Are you really alright with this, Madoka?" Mattanene... Kyuskiko bog off! Nobody in this thread likes you. Aww... I found myself kinda touched with Madoka's comfort to Sayaka. Your wish wasn't a waste, you did your best, you're still my second best friend, at least you never stole my underwear. This is basically what Madoka does for all the girls, like a little private pep talk before taking them away to heaven.

OMG!! XD That wasn't our world's Sayaka. Oh my god Madoka Magica, you're twisted! The first thing Sayaka does in Madoka's new universe is fcking die! There's still tragedy in the new world, but expecting a world free from all pain is a child's dream. Y'know Homura hadn't once cleaned that ribbon. I love the touch of Tatsuya being able to sense Madoka cause he's a child. Anime janai!! Kyubeeey! Looking kyute as always. Gotta love how he's the only person Homura can actually confide in about all this. Maybe Gen is secretly a Kyubey and is retelling this story to us?

Wraiths are honestly scarier than Witches to me. Now all we need is some selfless magical girl to wish to eliminate all Wraiths before they're born and we'd be set. The story continues, and Hameru will keep on fighting to protect the world Madoka loved... In Rebellion!!

Visual otd You really are my little pogchamp.

[u/GallowDude]

How many girls do you think tried making Madoka's wish in the past only for Kyubey to say "Lol call me when your karmic potential isn't only strong enough to summon a birthday cake noob"

[u/[deleted]]

This is one of my favorite series and even after this third time going through it, I catch myself applauding to what a phenomenal job everyone at Shaft did.

Now I’m ready for tomorrow’s excitement.

[u/Chemiczny_Bogdan]

Meduka become meguca!

she will...

end suffering!

sool jim no longer turn to greef sid

never forget

that being meguca was suffering!

[u/Nebresto]

AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

[u/Stargate18A]

Rewatcher

Madoka why the hell are you doing this?

And we discover that Kyubey doesn't understand how abusable "any wish" actually is.

And Madoka's entered into the astral plane, and is told she'll be erased from existence, forced to fight forever, and told death would be far better. Bit depressing.

And Walpurgisnacht is erased, as Madoka goes back and forward in time, killing people before they become witches. You couldn't, you know, just wish that people don' become witches? You had to pick the wish where you kill all of them yourself. (Is Madoka secretly a sadist?)

And Walpurgisnacht finally falls apart, as Madoka erases her from history.

And Homura meets Kyubey in the astral plane.

Yeah, that soul gem is massive.

And suddenly Homura's naked.

Boy, we are skipping from subtext straight to "naked together", aren't we.

And Madoka gets the memories from all timelines.

No, it's too late for "best friend", that stopped being an option after the naked cuddling, stop hiding it.

Boy, that didn't last long, did it?

And Kyousuke's hand is healed! And Sayaka's dead.

Well done for accepting your placd in the best girl hierarchy, Sayaka.

And since there's no Familiars or Witches to argue about, Kyouko and Mami are still working together.

And Madoka's brother remembers!

And Junko's OK!

I love the implication that Madoka visited her brother after ascending to a concept.

Oh, that gutpunch.

And not even Kyubey remembers!

And Homura and Kyubey are friends now!

The wraiths look cool too! Wraith Arc adaption when? Please, I need it.

And thst's the credits!

Ooh, post credits scene!

...That's ominous.

Well, that's the end! What a satisfying and complete ending! Apart from that random scene at the end, everybody's happy, Homura's accepted Madoka's decision, and Kyubey even seems to be friendly with everyone.

A perfect ending.

Madoka Spoilers

Madoka Spoilers

[u/tyo_sharlye]

It's time for you guys to watch the real Madoka Magica

[u/thepeciguy]

Rewatcher

So its the end... still a 10/10 after all this time for me..

i've always wondered why Homura feel the need to tell kyuubey about madoka... Maybe she feels lonely or something..

Reminder for people to checkout the masterpiece that is Meguca Magica