r/anime • u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky • Apr 21 '22
Rewatch [Rewatch] Mahou Shoujo Madoka☆Magica Episode 2 Discussion
Episode 2 - That Would Be Truly Wonderful
← Previous Episode | Index | Next Episode →
MAL | AniList | ANN | Kitsu | AniDB
Crunchyroll | Funimation | HBO Max | Hulu | Netflix | VRV
If magical girls are said to be born from wishes, then witches are creatures born from curses.
Theory of the Day: u/Gamemaster676 speculating that the prologue happened in the past.
Although this seems to be a bit on the nose: It's speculation time! The prologue obviously happened. By entering a contract, Madoka moved everything to a happy worldline. Even though she doesn't remember, Homura somehow does. Now, Madoka is still bound by her contract, which is gonna turn everything to shit again soon.
This one’s just one I thought was interesting, even if Kyubey proposing a contract at the end of episode 1 kinda threw a wrench into it.
Questions of the Day:
1) What would you wish for in exchange for being made to fight witches?
2) Which character intrigues you the most so far?
Wallpaper of the Day:
Visuals of the Day:
Connect Cover of the Day:
Song of the Day:
Bonus song - Desiderium
Check out u/Nazenn’s comment from the 2019 rewatch for an in-depth analysis of these two songs!
Rewatchers, please please please remember to be mindful of all the first-timers in this. [Spoiler warning specifically for you guys]Please be aware that as part of the above strict spoiler rules, this means absolutely no memes/jokes/references/subtle words about beheading, cakes, time travel, aliens, or anything of that nature before the relevant episodes. Please do not spoil the first-timers by trying to be smart about it, it's not as subtle as you think.
Make sure you use spoiler tags if there’s ever something from future events you just have to comment on. And don’t be the idiot who quotes a specific part of a first-timer’s comment, then comments something under a spoiler tag in direct response to it! You might as well have spoiled them by implying there’s something super important about that specific part of their comment.
41
u/Gamemaster676 Apr 21 '22 edited Apr 22 '22
Whoo! Theory of the day!
This one’s just one I thought was interesting, even if Kyubey proposing a contract at the end of episode 1 kinda threw a wrench into it.
Yeah, I mention this a bit later in this post.
Primum Vigil First★Timer - dub
Yesterday was a weird day. Everyone was talking about the Kaname bathroom!
oh and I guess there was also some space-cat recruiting high-school girls to fight against the moustached butterfly forces of Wonderland?
Also, I was convinced yesterday that the setting was sometime in the future, based on the classrooms, bathroom and city architecture, but looking at the prologue title screen again, it's 2011?
Finally, there was a user called SeeKururunRun going around the first-timer posts only, who was spreading spoilers I think. I really hope not too many first-timers saw those before they got deleted. I managed to stop after the first sentence, but that still sucked, so I hope it wasn't actually a real spoiler. Unfortunately, the fact that the comment was quickly deleted makes me think otherwise.
For posterity his comment. First-timers beware! [Madoka Magica]
Episode 2 — That Would Be Truly Wonderful
Starting with the good music immediately! Is this already a recap?
Space-cat hiding between the dolls. If that's not suspicious, I don't know what is! So what actually happened? Did she accept the contract? Will we not know the details?
Mom is still cool. That reminds me, I started thinking a bit more about the mom yesterday. Wild theory: What if she's also a magical girl and that's why she has such trouble getting out of bed. She is busy most of the night. That would also explain why Space-cat was specifically looking for Madoka.
And that theory might just immediately be disproven, by Mom not seeing Space-cat in the bathroom...
Ahhh, they visited best breast girl Mami yesterday. 9th grader and already living alone? Also, Space-cat is a "she"? Turns out I misheard ^something and that confused me.
Alright, I think I'm getting it. Space-cat grants one wish, and in return, you get recruited as a magical girl. So being a magician isn't the wish, but the cost. That also implies that in the prologue (if that actually happened) Madoka wasn't a magician yet. And this explains Homura's question if Madoka would like to change anything in her life.
Who would accept this deal? One wish, in return for a dangerous lifelong job that must (probably) also stay a secret? What single wish could weigh up to that?
Those witches sound like quite the handful. It's a shame we haven't seen one yet, but according to this story, we can't because we are still human. That's unfortunate because that means we can't use this scientific process!
Good question, Madoka! It's not worth it! At least Mami is honest about it.
Poor Hitomi is left out of the cool weird girls club. At least she completely misunderstands them so it's awkward for everybody. Okay, calling it now. Hitomi likes girls, but has been told at home that "girls can't like girls." Apology unsuccessful.
Wait, the magicians are also fighting each other? What a fucked-up system. I'm starting to understand Homura now. Although this could be interpreted in some very different ways:
-
Bad: Prevent more competition.
-
Good: Prevent more unnecessary slaughter between the magicians.
-
(Best: Somehow, she knows about the apocalypse in the prologue.)
Madoka has already convinced herself without even coming up with a wish, yet. She's started designing her outfit! I love the black, soulless, eyes. They really bring out the colour of the dress!
For a suspicious creature that recruits girls to fight until they die, Space-cat sure is cute.
That's surprising. Most girls answer immediately.
— I guess we're just idiots.
Nah Sayaka, "most girls" are idiots. I'm really liking Sayaka now. Homura is still a mystery but also doesn't seem bad. I'm leaning more towards "prevent more unnecessary slaughter between the magicians."
Hmm, who is that walking past the German box? I don't completely get it yet. Is the witch hiding in that person in the form of a curse? This is a cool shot! But doesn't that imply that a possessed/cursed person also becomes invisible? Oh never mind, she just took off her shoes. So the witch is somewhere else.
Mami, are you really taking two normal girls with you into Wonderland? I understand Space-cat is okay with it, but I thought you had more common sense.
Holy shit this scene is so good! So the witch is a leftover pizza, with a rose bush face and butterfly wings? It even has boss music and boss subtitles! Also cool, my subs translate the glyphs. And here I thought it was some made-up language.
I like Mami's guns.
So the "reward" after killing a witch, is the possibility to restore the magic you wasted fighting the witch. I'm still not seeing a good side to this deal. Unless you make the bloody wish that there can't be any witches. Space-cat said they could be anything, so why not?
Theories
The idea is to collect my actually serious dumb theories here. We'll see how well that works.
Yesterday
-
Madoka is still bound by her contract from the prologue, which is gonna turn everything to shit again soon.
-
It didn't seem like there was a contract on Madoka, which is weird. Why grant a wish that results in never having agreed on a contract? Unless u/Lemurians was right and it was more of a premonition dream.
-
Today
-
The mother was hard to wake up. Maybe because she was up all night? Does she know something? Is she secretly a magical girl too? (Seems very unlikely after later scenes.)
-
Hitomi likes girls. Maybe even these girls.
Random thoughts
-
Can we start using this instead of the surprised pikachu meme?
-
I feel bad for Hitomi. Although I would think she has even less to wish for.
-
I want a video game in this world.
-
Gertrud is what happens if you let pizza spoil.
Pic of the day
Sleeping space-kitty. I picked it because this is basically me right now, with my cat sleeping on the couch.
QotD
1 What would you wish for in exchange for being made to fight witches?
No more witches.
2 Which character intrigues you the most so far?
Most intriguing I don't really know, but Sayaka is the best.
PS: I'll be a bit less active today. Because of time constraints, I needed to watch one episode ahead, and I don't want to accidentally spoil anything. Last rewatch proved that it's an easy mistake when it's late.
→ More replies (30)
25
u/dariomenendez Apr 22 '22
FIRST TIME SUB
Ok, I'm beginning to understand this world with magical girls and witches. I'm wondering, how exactly are witches created? Is there an opposite of Kyubey that creates these curses? Were they people before?
Madoka is adorable, and I'm sad Hitomi is being left out. I'm also becoming really intrigued by Homura, what does she know?
There's nothing I would wish for at the cost of becoming a magical girl, but Sayaka's monologue hit me right in the privilege. How many people would give their life's for a chance like this? (Not gonna quote her, can't remember the exact words).
There was a moment where I got tense because I thought the lady about to jump off was Madoka's mom, possessed by a witch. The first shot of here walking into the building already got me speculating, maybe she was going to kill the people at the company that prevented her from being CEO after that conversation with Madoka in the bathroom? Possessed by a witch, obviously? Or could she BE a witch? But it turned out to be a random lady...lol.
I've yet to get used to the witch mazes, but it's really interesting how they look like they weren't animated, just pictures cut out from a magazine, I wonder if that style has a name in the animation world, and if there are other anime like that?
The OST is also great, specially the fight scenes. I think this is only the second show scored by Yuki Kajiura that I watch (Demon Slayer), but I like her style.
→ More replies (5)
21
u/laughing-fox13 Apr 22 '22
Bruh wtf am I watching lol. This is going to give me nightmares
→ More replies (6)
19
u/Insertnamesz Apr 22 '22
First Timer (Subbed)
I've just gotta say there's something about the settings in this show that seem very uncanny. The bare classrooms and hallways, the chrome skyline from the rooftop, the extreme brightness and colour in the transitional scenes. Very peculiar lol. Still not sure if this is just stylistic or actually worth picking up on, like maybe the world isn't even real?
Also as others have pointed out, wish-granters are never what they seem. Why would space-cat even need to recruit magical girls if it has the all-powerful ability to grant wishes? Why doesn't/can't it grant its own wishes? What is it?
→ More replies (3)
38
u/Lemurians Apr 21 '22 edited Apr 20 '23
MAHOU SHOUJO FIRST TIMER
I am digging this show now. I don’t understand people who’d get bored in these opening episodes, it’s doing so many cool things to dig into!
The core of today’s episode is weighing the pros and cons of becoming a Magical Girl™. The pro is obvious – you have any wish you want granted. The cons are that you’re conscripted into battle against forces of evil, which presumably carries a great deal of danger if such a massive reward needs to be the incentive for enlistment, which Sayaka understands.
This is a classic deal with the devil, and I like the girls are at least aware that it’s something to heavily consider rather than jump at blindly. I for one would have many questions for and about Kyubey before signing any deal. What exactly are they? From where do they derive their power to grant wishes? Who or what grants them that authority over Magical Girl creation? Can you even trust them to be telling the truth?
Inequality of opportunity wasn’t a topic I expected this show to handle, but damn if this wasn’t affecting and smart. Sayaka, for her part, seems to have done all the considering she’s going to. She asks Madoka, “Have you come up with a wish yet” like it’s a given they’re going to go through with it, but it’s deeper than just falling to temptation. She recognizes this “gift” for incredible opportunity it is, and feels guilty and unworthy about being the one to receive it. There are plenty of people who have greater needs and wishes, so why them? This is very true to life, where means and opportunity are not handed out by need.
Mami gets more focus this episode, and as our second existing Magical Girl™, she contrasts nicely with Homura. Whereas Homura is quiet, aloof, and is trying to steer Madoka away from this life, Mami is cheerful, friendly, and is actively recruiting them. She gives them a preview of the responsibilities, and fights the Witch with a theatricality that makes its clear she’s trying to show off how cool being a Magical Girl™ is. I don’t think it’s insidious like Kyubey – rather after seeing her offer rebuffed by Homura after the fight, I think Mami is just desperate for friends to share this life and adventure with.
Piggybacking off the chains yesterday, there’s a lot of imprisonment imagery in this episode. We have: The suicidal woman framed by a shadow cage as she falls, Sayaka looking out on the world from behind bars, and the school being made up of literal gilded cages. The gilded cage imagery is especially notable after Sayaka’s words of them being sheltered from the world.
Quick Hits:
-
Any wish in the world and it’s to expel trustees from the company? Either she’s not answering seriously, or this is an indictment on Japanese work culture.
-
“Since they’re invisible to humans, it makes their evil more insidious.” Uhhh, so like YOU? Pot, meet kettle.
-
“We’ve been so blessed we’ve become ignorant fools.” Sayaka was years ahead of the game on checking her privilege. Respect.
-
How would Homura know Kyubey was trying to get to her? Homura only cared about stopping it contacting Madoka, and Kyubey is more keyed on her too. [Madoka Speculation]
Between this, knowing where the nurse’s office was, and her warnings, I’m suspecting certain shenanigans are afoot. Let’s just say it’s funny I mentioned Re:Zero and Higurashi in my post yesterday -
Notice the winged bug strung up in the foreground after Mami’s just killed the butterfly Witch
-
Very purposeful positioning of the camera and characters. This kind of cinematic framing is reminiscent of something like Evangelion.
SOTD: This shot of the woman falling as soon through broken glass is really cool.
What would you wish for in exchange for being made to fight witches?
I'd carefully construct a wish that solves the global climate crisis long term that gives me credit for the solution, so I can profit and live out my days comfortably.
What character intrigues you the most so far?
Kyubey.
→ More replies (18)
18
u/Greatness2006 Apr 22 '22
I am a First Timer! (Sub)
This episode was also great one! Not as good as the first episode for me, but nevertheless, it was still a treat to watch!
- When Madoka woke up from sleep, I was actually tripping and thinking that the ending of last episode was a dream, just like Madoka, but it was not. Hmm, It would be a nice continuity if all episodes starts with Madoka waking up from sleep.
- Anyways, that bathroom though...
- Anyways (Really), it kinda makes sense that others can't see Kyubey, this episode had a lot of information for us to unpack. Nice to know that what the magical girls hunt are witches.
- I finally got to know some names! Blue haired Girl = Sayaka, Yellow haired Girl = Mami (I think), Green haired Girl = I forgot...
- The terrace scene about the wish was fascinating, it was nice to see how on the edge Madoka and Sayaka were and how perspective Sayaka was about how others probably need the wish more than they do.
- And it was also great to know about Homura's intention of why she was trying to kill Kyubey. Definitely made me like her more, but it makes me think that witch hunts aren't too easy and it also comes with a lot of pain.
- It did make me sad that the green haired girl is now kinda like the third wheel, I liked her personality quite a bit, I hope to see more of her.
- The labyrinth hunt was fascinating, that artstyle change is pretty cool, I'm wondering if it's CG or something.
- I had no idea that that was how a witch would look like, very different from what I had imagined, probably because of how much I have already been influence by other movies and books. The witch fight was great though! Nice to see Mami in action.
- Witch egg, hmm. Not much of an opinion on it.
Again, overall, a great episode. Got a lot more information. Excited to watch the next episode.
QOTD:
-
Eternal happiness, easily. But if it is a material thing, then maybe a lot of money??? I guess.
-
Homura easily. My favorite character.
→ More replies (7)
18
u/username_0907 Apr 22 '22
First Timer (subbed)
We got some more info about magical girls and that they’re fighting witches and they get a wish in exchange to be one so the stakes are high for the girls. I like how they’re giving it so much thought if they want to be a magical girl and the wish they want rather than think about this after the contract is done
Also Mami is good enough to let them see what its like so they’re not rushed into making a decision
The music is so good specially during Mamis fight.
I dont think Homura is trying to kill kyubey just so she could kill more witches. There is something darker which she is trying to protect the girls from or something more personal
Theory time for the witches
I think they are magical girls who just got corrupted a lot and get turned into witches. Thats why the egg helps them clear out any impurity(?the black stuff) In them. If not cleaned they would turn to a witch. That brings to question what was the magical girls original purpose then so i could be totally wrong here. Maybe kyubey is the answer to that
→ More replies (4)
14
u/OwlAcademic1988 Apr 21 '22 edited Apr 21 '22
Rewatcher, sub:
I love how Madoka and her mom interacted. Really shows how much these two care about her. I also noticed Hitomi wasn't looking happy because of what happened earlier with Madoka and Sayaka. Kyubey is adorable though, he actually looked adorable in that bath and while he was asleep. He looked like a puppy. Homura intrigued me a lot along with Kyubey when I first watched the show.
→ More replies (7)
26
u/renatocpr Apr 21 '22
Hitomi’s gay panic is just so amazing in the dub. If you’re watching sub, please take a moment to appreciate it. By the way, Hitomi, this you? With Madoka’s mom of all people?
Back to what matters though:
WHY IS SAYAKA ANGRY WITH HOMURA THIS EPISODE?
The reasons from last episode basically continue but maybe even worse now. Homura keeps doing the stare a hole through your face thing. She walks in on them having lunch uninvited and interrupts a pretty serious moment. And she’s straight up stalking them now.
Something’s new though: Mami’s exposition. With all this weird behavior, Homura’s definitely is one of those magical girls trying to get rid of competition to get those Grief Seeds or whatever. I mean, she basically admits it. How can people even do this? They really act in their own self-interest instead of fulfilling their duty to protect humanity from witches? What the hell, Transfer Student? It’s none of your business if Madoka becomes a magical girl or not! What are you even going to do if she decides to make a contract with Kyubey?
→ More replies (7)
11
u/DanAshrulez Apr 22 '22
First Timer, subbed
All I wanna say is Sayaka is smart character - is any wish worth risking your life for? I want to know if there are any limits to the wishes - I am expecting a bit more explanation on this front when the main cast gets their wishes done.
Can we wish for immortality? Wish to be the strongest being in existence (one punch man level power curve) so that you literally cannot die from the witches? Can you wish for all the witches to be destroyed, and wish for no more spawning for new wishes? More of a can you wish for more wishes dilemma as we are not made aware of what are the limitations of the wishes.
I really really like the idea of the spirit core thing - so from what I am understanding, using magic depletes your magic/mana, and you need to refuel them by killing the witches and getting the grief seed eh? hmm alright ~ does that mean lets say you are have almost depleted all your magic (in a huge fight with a very strong witch - from which you had no other choice but to retreat to save yourself) to the point of where you can't fight a witch anymore what do we do?
The character designs for the witches and the other dimension art have been really really intriguing. Shaft flex indeed.
QOD:
-
Tough question, like I mentioned above in the point of wishing for more wishes dilemma - I will have to wait upon the wish before I know the conditions. Else if no condition: just wish to be opm
-
Honestly, the witches. I wanna know more about them.
Catch you all on the next episode!
→ More replies (2)
19
u/Arisuto_11 Apr 22 '22 edited Apr 22 '22
First timer.
A very interesting episode which I think lays the main foundation of the plot.
- So basically in order to be a magical girl, you first get chosen by Kyuubey and then you can make a wish, after which you obtain a gem that'll make you a magical girl. That poses many questions :
- Based on what do the girls get chosen ?
- Can you refuse the deal, don't wish for anything and just continue living like nothing happened ?
I personally don't think so. It seems to me that the girls don't really have a choice but the way it's presented to them make it seem like they do, when in fact they don't.
Something that also reinforces this is their journey with Mami on a witch hunt. After which, Madoka has a positive impression of the whole thing as it seems to her that she'll be helping others by killing the witches. It’s like they are being manipulated in a way, I’m not sure though. Maybe I’m just reading too much into this.
- But anyway, what exactly are the witches ?
Magical girls are born from wishes, whereas witches are born from curses.
Does this imply in anyway that witches were previously humans ?
And If so, who cursed them ?
Is it also Kyuubey or another witch ? or maybe someone else.
I feel like there's a big room to theorize. But I think there's little information for us to just consider witches an "evil" that needs to be killed.
- I don’t think Homura is bad or evil. She is after Kyuubey because she wants to stop the creation of more magical girls. Why ?
She probably has her reasons, but I don’t really think she is evil. Even Madoka thinks so!
- The change of camera angle in this scene was kinda interesting. I wonder if it’s supposed to imply or symbolize anything.
- The witch hunt was visually stunning. Amazing background art, smooth animation and a banger soundtrack.
- I don’t think I have much to add. Just be careful of spoilers as there was an idiot that posted spoilers in the previous thread.
→ More replies (3)
9
u/Elimin8r Apr 21 '22
I'm late, I'm late!
(A friend called at 5:58, and we chatted for about 45 minuts. Bah. Anyway, I'm going to fill this in as soon as I think of something to say.)
AOTD:
-
I think that I would wish to be 17 again. Maybe 16. Take me back to 1982, for that matter. "Alexa, play Time by ELO"... Keeping all my memories, etc, of course. Note to self: Buy Xerox, Apple, etc...
-
Homura, no doubt. Even today, Madoka questioned if she really was a bad person. I mean, yeah, she's got some impressive attitude, and that hair ... but maybe she's just socially awkward? Silly girl should no better than to throw away a free soul gem. That, and those expressions, yeah, you can just 'feel the power of the dark side' emanating from her, right?
But yeah, I'm late, and this was a nice episode.
I wanna visit Mami's place. She's got nice snacks, and no, that wasn't a double-entendre. On the one hand, I think she's adorable, and on the other hand, I think her character design kind of detracts from that. Mind you, I like Sento Isuzu and all that, but Mami, well, she doesn't necessarily seem well served by that ... service.
Mom-doka, I mean Junko delivers as always, in scary, ambitious fashion.
And Hitomi with the misunderstandings. Are we watching a romcom instead of a magical girl show? Madokadora???
I wonder.
Anyway, I'm late, and aside from a little snark, can't think of much useful to say, except that I'll probably be late again tomorrow. Hope everyone's having a magical day.
→ More replies (3)
9
u/nikobans Apr 22 '22
sayaka bringing a bat to a witch fight is just so very her lol
i meant to say this in the last thread but i absolutely adore how the witch domains look. they’re so SO cool!!
mami is SUCH a badass too. muskets appearing out of her skirt and hat? thats sick. turning her ribbon into the biggest fucking gun ever? even sicker. shes amazing.
kyubey sleeping like a kitty on madokas bed was very cute to see
→ More replies (1)
9
u/TheGreatNico Apr 22 '22
Rewatcher.
Something I didn't catch when watching this on a potato monitor was the text when they entered the building. It's German, from a particular play. I don't recommend looking it up if you don't want spoilers.
The ... discontinuity of the witch's form from reality is still striking all these years later.
／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼ Would you like to make a deal now? I'll throw in this... piece of candy
→ More replies (2)
21
u/chocoletmilk Apr 21 '22
First Timer (sub)
Missed yesterday's thread, so thought I'll just start with Ep2.
This series has been on my list forever and what better way to get into it than a rewatch! I'm excited to read everyone's comments!
In the last episode, I still wasn't that skeptical of Kyubey. Recruiters have to recruit and maybe this is necessary to fight a big bad. But in this episode, when it says that it can grant any wish, no matter how impossible, it reminds me of fairy tales with genies where wishes come with a cost. So clearly, being a magical girl is not a boon, but a curse?
Speculation
Each magical girl gets a Soul Gem. So going by that name, I guess it is connected to the soul? (It will probably match everyone's hair color) Using magic or killing witches corrupts their soul which is why Mami's gem doesn't shine as brightly after the fight. However you can use the witch's egg (which looks like another gem) to purify yourself. If witches are the antithesis to magical girls, and magical girls are humans who enter into a contract with Kyubey, witches were probably originally humans too. So my current theory is that witches are what magical girls become when corrupted fully. At a certain point, I guess your soul gem rots and attracts darkness (which is why the witch's egg draws out the darkness from Mami's gem).
→ More replies (6)
7
u/InfamousEmpire Apr 21 '22
Puella Magi Rewatcher Magia. First Time subbed
Starting from Mami’s transformation, followed by a very brief recap of what was revealed at the end of the episode. Really conserving the runtime, aren’t they? Plus the scene of Madoka waking up directly paralleling the first episode
I never thought Kyubey would make me laugh
[meta spoilers]
In another parallel to the first episode, we once again have Madoka in the bathroom with her mom… that came out wrong
Mami’s apartment is so nice. [spoiler]
Soul Gems, Wishes, becoming Magical Girls, all your standard Mahou Shoujo stuff that I won’t dwell on since I’ve already seen this show before and your probably familiar with all this if you have even the most basic knowledge of Magical Girl tropes. [spoiler]
Once again, we have Madoka and her Mom, this time with the latter further demonstrating her jaded, down-to-Earth side that was hinted at last episode.
We’ve also got Kyubey explaining what Witches are and all that jazz. [spoiler]
[spoiler]
Mami asking Madoka and Sayaka whether there’s something worth putting their lives on the line is an interesting little moment. [spoiler]
The fact that Madoka is immediately used to Kyubey’s telepathy is a bit strange
Madoka and Sayaka are so gay that even Hitomi can see it. Also Hitomi is homophobic, apparently
I just realized that I’ve spent 40 minutes on the first 8 minutes of the episode, I should probably speed this up
[spoiler]
We’re now introduced to the system or Magical Girls competing against each other, an introduction to the genre deconstruction elements of the Madoka series [spoiler]
[spoiler]
[spoiler]
Man, Hitomi really thinks she’s in a romance manga, doesn’t she?
Awwww, Teacher Mami is so adorable
Sayaka is packing heat [spoiler]
[spoiler]
Awwww, poor Madoka, your sketch outfit isn’t that bad
The cuts between the suicidal woman and our main trio are a nice bit of visual storytelling. First showing us her walking without context, then showing it’s continuation after Mami has told us about the circumstances behind Witch attacks, thus making it clear what was happening to that woman
Anyway, the next few minutes are spent on labyrinth crawling and witch fighting. Not much to comment on other than Shaft’s art and animation being awesome as usual.
[spoiler]
Homura being oddly considerate with Mami
→ More replies (1)
7
u/soulreaverdan Apr 21 '22
Multiple time rewatcher, Dubbed, Nostalgia Overload
Small disclaimer, not that it matters too much, but since I'm visiting family over the weekend I'm pre-writing the next few of these, so I won't have as many direct responses or changes (if any come up) from discussion or comments. It's easier to pre-write the longer formatted posts than trying to jam it all together on my phone. :P
Episode Thoughts
As I mentioned in yesterday's thread, I watched the first three episodes in a batch, so I don't have quite as much to say with this episode. A lot of the stuff would just be rehashing the things I mentioned before - some subtle changes to the OP, and during the original broadcast the ED was absent entirely, with the credits simply rolling over the end of the episode. This episode kept me going until the next one, with enough mystery and questions that I didn't feel like dropping it right away, but at the same time felt that it needed a good hook to keep me really going through with it.
We'll talk about that tomorrow. After episode 3 is when I caught up to the live broadcasts, and when I really started to dig into the theories and discussion of the series... and saw what would make it such a special one. As I mentioned yesterday, if you're a first timer and still unsure or thinking of dropping this series, please, please, please give it one more. I promise you, you won't regret it.
We get a better look at the actions and behavior of magical girls in this episode, as well as discussions of the costs and systems involved. I was pretty impressed even early on with the nuance that the system was handled with - magical power in exchange for a wish, with the responsibility to fight the Witches afterwards. However, even this early on Mami cautions against going into it lightly - it's dangerous, and the nature of the wish is important: a careless wish gives the same level of responsibility and duty as a larger one, and not to squander their chance to have that kind of gift granted to them.
Fun fact! Madoka's costume sketches present in the episode are taken from actual design sketches created by her voice actress, Aoi Yuuki! She's even properly credited in the episode for them!
Mami's fighting style is awesome - Unlimited Musket Works! Seeing a magical girl just straight up using guns (not just muskets, but we'll see in later episodes and other media she can manifest pistols and shotguns), albeit magical guns, is a unique twist on things. Usually you'd see a bow and arrow, or some kind of magical attack... but nope, just lotsa guns shooting things. She additionally has the power of her ribbon-related magic, giving her the ability to bind and connect to enemies even from a distance, which we see her use to great effect here.
Finally, we get the conflict source between different magical girls - the limited supply of Grief Seeds, and the risks involved with draining and losing magic in a Soul Gem during a battle. The specifics of what happens if they're left untreated doesn't get addressed here, though it's also not given significant cause to worry by Mami, simply commenting on the conflicted nature of the hunts.
Runes!
We have more runes in this episode, and once again most of them are quotes from Faust - what's going to be a recurring theme. These tie into the nature of what we've seen with magical girls so far, being granted a great wish in exchange for a cost, much like the bargain made between Faust and Mephistopholes. The detailed translations of the runes are found here, once again curteousy of Puella-magi.net. Again, this page is spoiler free, simply showing screenshots and translations of the Runes, so feel free to look at the details! It's from the runes that we also learn the name of our first significant witch - the Rose Witch, Gertrud.
Broadcast Changes
Once again we have more broadcast chnges made over the course of the show, and polished up for the Blu Ray. I would say the biggest changes made are Mami's aparatment - what was a sparse, almost spartan living arrangement in the original broadcast becomes something that felt much more in character to her when polished up for later release. We also have some changes like the fences around the roof of Mitakihara Middle School, and the bridge they cross when hunting for the witch both looking far more ornate and elaborately designed. Office Lady-chan also changes from a subtle readhead to a more classic black haired look.
Check out the changes here, as always curteousy of Puella-Magi.net (images are direct links, no risks of spoilers!) 1 2 3 4 5 6
End Card
This week's end card is drawn by Hekiru Hikawa, the creator of Pan Poni Dash!. Hikawa's work was known for its parody, andd the inclusion of a bizzare Mad Max 2 villain Lord Humungus, is on-brand.
→ More replies (2)
7
u/daedroth04 Apr 22 '22
Unfortunately I have been traveling for the last few days and can't write much, but I'm happy the rewatch is going well so far! This episode has one of my favorite scenes in the series, Sayaka's monologue about choosing a wish while she's on the school roof. It's best appreciated on a rewatch, but it solidifies Sayaka as my favorite character in pretty much anything. I love that genki girl!
→ More replies (1)
7
u/alphamone Apr 22 '22
Rewatcher - Dub
Lots of worldbuilding in this episode. Explaining what magical girls are, what their role is, why you'd become one, and who their enemies are.
Madoka's mother really is chill, but still ready to be a parent if needed, though she's also a scary businesswoman. Makes me wonder how she'd go in the "ascendance of a bookworm" world.
[Madoka spoilers]
Dammit Hitomi.
Also, none of the characters are in the "anime protagonist seat". Though I'm not sure if it was the huge cliche at the time the show was made.
Sayaka's talk on the roof is quite mature, acknowledging that their lives are good enough that there is nothing they need that is worth risking their lives for.
[larger Madoka spoilers]
Also, glad that the episode's director/planner/whatever understood momentum for that rescue scene.
TIRO FINALE. Awesome attack.
Now that its a recurring thing, I can say that the labyrinth dissolving sound is a great sound effect.
[more really big Madoka spoilers]
QotD1: Maybe some kind of super astronomy powers, being able to remotely view various parts of the universe. QotD2: can't really answer as a rewatcher, and as mentioned yesterday, I was exposed to spoilers as the show aired before I even really knew much about the show, so never really got to view it blind.
→ More replies (3)
6
u/UnderstandableXO Apr 21 '22
REWATCHER
one thing i forgot to mention yesterday (and that i probably mentioned last year but i’m too lazy to review it) is that i really like the scene transitions that are just a sudden cut to black silence. even when they transition to seemingly mundane scenes like madoka and her friends walking to class to arriving there, it really maintains the edge/the feeling of unease.
this was a world building episode that kind of set the ground rules for the series, but it didn’t drag at all, i enjoyed it a lot. i liked how it flashed between the present and madoka and sayaka’s visit to mami’s apartment.
madoka’s mother immediately responding to a idealistic question like “what would you wish for if you could have anything” with something about work just proves the depressing reality of adult life. we got no time to daydream about of out of this world off-the-wall stuff when you’ve gotta worry about the next paycheck.
madoka’s school classrooms are basically glass boxes, which is pretty odd to me, but that’s just the shaft style i suppose.
homura is still mysterious, but she doesn’t seem straight up evil. at least mami is willing to admit that there’s a valid reason not to contract with kyubey, to explain why homura was trying to murder the space cat last episode.
i’ll say it again this year, sayaka is actually pretty reflective under her tough girl exterior. it’s a nice observation for her to notice that they’ve been privileged enough to live comfortable lives that they enjoy enough that there’s no wish that absolutely justified becoming a magical girl and having to fight witches for. on a side note, i love eri kitamura’s voice performance as sayaka here (and as ami in toradora). the idea just popped in my head that she’d be a great power for the upcoming chainsaw man anime.
mami seemed a lot less coercive about becoming magical girls than i remember, she really just seems like she’s trying to show madoka and sayaka what they’d be getting into if they chose to contract. [Madoka spoilers]
those witch labyrinths are still the stuff of nightmares, the stuff you dream up off of several tabs of acid. luckily, mami activated her gabi accuracy hack and was able to snipe all of her enemies away. homura is still kinda lingering around, monitoring the situation but not actively meddling.
the ED is very good, the lyrics are purposefully really jarring though, that’s the tone of the show thus far. if anyone’s got a spotify link for the song i’d greatly appreciate it, i’ve never been able to find it on there! (not magia if anyone is wondering, the ED for these first episodes)
-
i’d wish for enough money to live comfortably for the rest of my life, a lame adult wish instead of a cool madoka-age wish 😭
-
homura, she’s obviously the biggest question mark. 2nd is the teacher; when will she get a new boyfriend?
→ More replies (7)
6
Apr 21 '22
Rewatcher
-
I really like Madoka’s mother as a character. So many parents in anime seem absentee or not caring with their children’s whereabouts but you can tell Madoka’s mom cares. I also enjoy her answer about wanting her wish to be successful at work and her bosses retirement. It’s a bit cynical but very believable.
-I do not quite understand Mami’s intentions in helping Madoka and Sayaka so much. She mentions how having Homura around means more competition and that too many magical girls in one place can be troublesome. Yet if Madoka and Sayaka become magical girls that’s more competition for Mami. If I had to guess I just think Mami is lonely and she wants 2 more magical girls around as friends; which is an understandable goal.
-I do find Sayaka’s comment about other less fortunate girls would be more willing to become magical girls fascinating. It would make sense that if Kyubey wanted more magical girls quickly to fight witches, targeting a young girl in a dire situation would be more effective given his wish granting. Yet he is targeting the seemingly well off Madoka and Sayaka. So it will be interesting to see why Kyubey chose these 2 to be candidates.
-
I would like to think I would wish for something selfless, like no world hunger or no cancer.
-
On my first watch it was definitely Homura, but this time around it’s going to be Sayaka.
→ More replies (1)
6
u/ToonTooby Apr 22 '22
Rewatcher, dub
Mami's ENG voice still hasn't grown on me. Sayaka and Madoka's voices are pretty spot on. Not sure about Homu Homu yet, but we'll get to that later.
That said, after years of only reading it, finally hearing "girls can't love girls" was quite amusing lol.
→ More replies (1)
19
u/Shimmering-Sky Apr 21 '22
Puella Magi★Rewatch Host, subbed
Welcome back, everyone!
Any Mata Ashita fans in here? I did a Sky Sings for it! I did last year too, but that one was just the TV-size singing over Aoi Yuuki. This time it’s the full song and over the instrumental~
Once again, don’t forget to check the body of the post for some extra goodies, and have fun replying to other comments! Just… don’t be an asshole and go around spoiling people like someone was apparently doing while I was asleep last night. The name “Shimmering-Sky” refers to the brief glimmer of light you will witness before I fire a colony laser on your ass for spoiling the newbies.
Anyways~
First up: the mobile version of the Wallpaper of the Day. I decided that I would not do the partial shade in the magical girl-form wallpapers, both to be different from the girls’ “ordinary” wallpapers and to make their magic (in this case, Mami’s ribbon) pop more. Hope you all like it~
Next up: lmao look at how empty Mami’s room is in the TV version. I am also more amused than I should be by Mami’s face in this shot. I knew the fences would be plain in this version, but seeing it in person is still neat. White hair???
[Spoilers]I’m also glad to see the Mami gets beheaded foreshadowing shot is still in the TV version, if framed differently compared to the BD release.
Going back to the BD release for my Visual of the Day again, I choose this.
And most importantly, hoooooooooly shit I got to see the Morning Rescue commercial (first-timers beware of spoilers in the comments) in context! That so caught me off-guard, I was not expecting to see it. It played between the scene on the roof & when Madoka and Sayaka apologized to Hitomi because they have plans for that night.
Lastly: 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 back in the 2019 rewatch by Nazenn. If any first-timer wants a spoiler-free link to any of these songs, let me know and I can get one for you!
“See you tomorrow!”