Puella Magi Madoka Magica - Reviews

I'm trying to keep my head and heart composed while writing this. It's hard. Well, here I'm, trying to write a short description and analysis of Puella Magi Madoka Magica. When I was watching Madoka Magica, it came into my head that I should write something about it. It is truly a new dimension in the magical girl genre, as the previous reviewers have already said. Gen Urobochi! How do such stories come out of your head? Respect for you.

Now as a start, let me do the character analysis. There are five magical girls in this anime. I'll describe as the sequence of their appearance.

First of all, the magical girl we see first is Homura Akemi. She is a cool headed person. At first it appears that she is not the one of the friendlies, and have some ulterior motives. But later we find out that she is in a time loop and reliving same month over and over again with the wish to alter Madoka Kaname's destiny. Although she is seems logical at first, but eventually we also find that her actions were more emotional than logical. She is logically biased toward Madoka and her well being; eventually showing showing that some kind of dual personality has grown on her head. One colder and the other emotional. And she is probably the only source of 'Fan Service' in the anime. And it is not the fan service that pops in your head when the word fan service is uttered. But rather she is seen doing head tilts, and shoving her hair with her hand, even out of context.

And after that, the magical girl we meet is Mami Tomoe. She always keeps her head calm as opposed to going mad over something. She thinks Homura is not a good magical girl and does not take any of her advice into her head. She is the oldest of the five magical girls in the series. And she is supposed to be the trainer of Madoka and Sayaka.

The third Magical Girl introduced is the series is Sayaka Miki. She is the hot headed, honest person. Always wanted to save people and not wanting the price. She would take any witch head on, even though her magic was running out. Eventually she loses her head as she didn't get a boyfriend and well, brought some consequences.

Fourth one, probably the 'side character' magical girl, Kyoko Sakura is head to toe a mischievous person who only lives for herself. She uses magic for her own purpose. At first, she attacks Sayaka to stop her killing familiars that hasn't become a witch yet because killing them does not give any grave seeds, meaning a witch's head has a higher price than a familiar's. But later she shows her kindness as if she got her head together and understood the reasoning of other characters and sacrifices herself to kill Sayaka. Showing the character development in the story; aka. Tsundara(?).

And the last one is Madoka Kaname, the titular character who is shown as a Magical Girl just few episodes before the series ends. Well, that really shows the twisted nature of the show. We were given heads up by the title that the story is about Magical Girl Madoka. But in the end, we found out that the series is more like a different view to the genre and possibly a reconstruction as well. Well, back to the character, she is 'the most kind hearted' person that you will find in every other popular Shounen/shoujo anime protagonist. Who takes the despair out of the despaired. Snap the helpless in the head with her words to make them believe in themselves and motivates them to raise their head. At the same time she doesn't think she has any potential. And with her kind words makes Homura relive the month over and over again to save her. Finally takes all the blame, sufferring of all the magical girls on herself to show how selfless she is!

Lastly, Kyubey, also known as Incubator, gives magical power to the girls. It is hell bent on making contracts with little girls. It uses its head solely for the purpose of making contracts ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1z7sZZZ-Y8 ). A entity that can grant any wish using some kind of mechanism that it (or who ever for that matter) really does not understand. But it does all this with a greater goal in mind that transcends the petty emotions of humans.

In terms of animation quality it is somehow well suited and very well done. At the same time it proves giving the director his head can create truly masterpieces; it's probably the American New Wave revisited and thank you. And massive respect to Akiyuki Shinbo for directing it so well.

The music is top notch. It goes well with every sequence. The ending song is, well, awesome!

It's something that was never before done in the genre (except Dai Mahou Touge perhaps! Or in Sgt. Frogs! Or some other anime out there!!!! but those are comedy. And let's face it. Madoka Magica has a really serious tone!). Really good script from Gen Urobuchi's head. But let's say it, "Madoka's wish does not make sense!" She could stop the girls turned into a witch by her wish for god's sake! Or erase the Incubators! Why these thoughts didn't come into her head! Rather she takes the role of grim reapers of Magical Girls. That is the most diabolical wish ever. Doesn't make sense... -_-

Madoka Majica has clawed its way and deserved every start I have given it. This is truly a beautifuly written masterpiece. Originally, after watching the trailer, I was turned off by the idea of this show completely. In fact I found it odd that it was given as a recommendation after watching 'When they Cry'. It seemed like a typical anime with no unique story or characters. I was proven horribly wrong.

Madoka Majica was recommended to me by a friend who shares my similar taist in anime. If it wasn't for them, I would have never started watching. Now, it's my turn to recommend it to others. I can't tell you any other details then the trailer. I can only say that this show has a lot more to it than you think. Get prepared to have your mind blown. 

As far as animation goes, their are some strange moments. You will understand later why they chose to animate these moments the way they do. It would be impossible to express these ideas anyways.

GORGEOUS series. A neat twist on traditional Magical Girls (Tho Mai Hime sorta did it first.) Strongly recommended.

Madoka Magica is pure perfect anime; it's dark, thilling, gripping, interesting, suprising, emotional, funny, memorable like-able characters, an unexspected villian who isn't really a villian but it is a villian, brilliant soundtrack - J-pop to horror esc music and vivid variety in the animation. Watch this now and prepare to be suprised...

more detail in video review (note that this Sex God Anime review follows on from the Ouran High School Host Club review, so it countines where that review left off): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFJMg4XvS_g

BBFC rating - 15 for brief strong language and nudity

Story: Gets an 8. This was a unique show that did not progress how I thought it would. The trio of best friends is... a sad story to say the least (in my opinion). One is just totally useless in the show for the most part. The main character does not get her powers until the final episode, not at all what I expected. The show was sad and boring for a while and weird how it developed. At one point I had no idea who the main character was. I did enjoy the first and last episodes linking together, always a plus. I do not know why I give the story an 8. I found it sad and slow, but I guess it's uniqueness and how I will remember the show boost it up. 

Animation: I really enjoyed the animation. For one, their eyes all look cool in the show, the shading technique was very original and unlike anything I had seen. The art in general was very unique and was a definite plus. I liked that all of the characters clothes and hair and eyes were the same color. It was definitely what I enjoyed most about the art. As for the witch hunting, it was wierd to say the least. Just a totally crazy animation that looked like an acid trip usually. The art may have been what kept me watching this anime. 

Sound: I like the music, very good and well place. The voice actors seemed fine to me (not that I speak fluent Japanese). 

Characters: I found it much easier to hate most of the characters than it was to like them. I like Madoka and her mom for the whole show and that is it. Other than those two it was a love hate... usually hate relationship. Madoka is admirable and thoughtful and giving. She has many great qualities. I ended up hating her two friends who I thought would end up being more significant. When I try to think about positives about the characters I just like how they were drawn and colored and I don't care about them at all really. By the ending you have the ability to understand and like all the characters I guess, but I found them to be very unlikeable. 

Overall: It was cool and I was glad I watched it strictly for the unique plot. It was very sad in my opion and reminded me a lot of Steins Gate. Worth watching, but I would never say, "Hey, you gotta watch this."