Puella Magi Madoka Magica

[shinta|hikari]

Kyubey is the most evil magical pet I have ever seen. He looked sinister with his blank face while he talked with Madoka. I am certainly hoping he has an ulterior motive, one that is not redeemable by some more benevolent goal behind it.

I think it is now unfair to say that this is great for a mahou shoujo. I am sure it has already gone beyond that with this episode. This is just awesome, period.

What is it with this director and head snapping? Hitagi did it, characters in Zetsubou sensei did it, and now Homura did it. Does he have a fetish for twisting girls' necks in a weird angle?

EDIT: One thing I noticed about the jarring contrast between the slice of life elements and darker parts of this show is that it owes a large part of it to the art style. The art is the same style used in Hidamari Sketch, which is one of the most light hearted and relaxing shows ever, then they use that character design and get a senpai's head gobbled off. Yeah, jarring.

[Buffalobiian]

I think it is now unfair to say that this is great for a mahou shoujo. I am sure it has already gone beyond that with this episode. This is just awesome, period.

Not awesome for a Mahou Shoujo. Awesome, particularly for a Mahou Shoujo.

[shinta|hikari]

You must love your lolis magical girls, huh?

[Ryllharu]

I certainly liked the sinister edge to this series, even before the chomp.

Agree on all counts. Kyubey has a huge ulterior motive. Just the way it constantly urges the two girls to pick a wish (of course he can't help them choose one). How it just happened to appear to Mami when she needed help. There was no question there, it forced her to become one. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if Kyubey managed to cause the accident. It's said before that it can sense potential. I kept wondering if something horrible was going to happen to Madoka's mother.

The bed scene was eerie like Bill said. It just sits there, flitting its tail, constantly urging. Same goes for Sayaka and Madoka first finding the seed, and later with Sayaka alone in the maze. You could just tell that it was using each opportunity throughout the affair. Undercutting the idea that there was time to get Mami, implying that Mami wouldn't get there in time, stating that the two of them need to contract now (why the both of them if Madoka alone would be stronger than Mami?). It is like a true personification of evil, constantly promising and tempting.

Mami was an interesting character. She must have felt quite desperate and trapped. She's been a magical girl for a long time. She must have seen Homura become one, and in turn try the same as she did with Madoka, try and gain an ally. Or maybe not, we may never know now. I just really like the huge flip they threw at us in just two episodes. We go from episode 1 thinking that Homura is just trying to protect Madoka, to thinking Homura is being selfish and trying to fulfill her own wish during episode 2, and then back to seeing her as trying to keep Madoka out of the hell that she got herself into and Mami was trapped into. While it is true that Mami brought this upon herself, Homura knew how strong this one would be and Mami got careless in her relief at finding a partner/patsy.

Like shinta said, this series will be stronger if Mami stays dead. Then we'll never know her true motivations, and we'll be left second guessing, as will Madoka and Sayaka as they learn more. Mami has thus far displayed a fair amount of deception herself, so we can't really know if her words to Madoka were genuine.

[Buffalobiian]

You must love your lolis magical girls, huh?

Not sure if it's sarcastic in any nature, so I'll clear it up just in case. "Particularly" as in Mahou Shoujo doesn't generally cover this stuff. This show went with the mould, then broke it in a successful manner (so far).

To answer the question directly, I dare say I'm second only to you Shinta.

[RyougaZell]

Holy f... I'm speechless after episode 3 o_o

[shinta|hikari]

@Buff - I agree. I guess being a mahou shoujo is indeed a strong point, or rather invaluable for its success so far.

Also, I like lolis (like you said maybe second to none here), but am rarely a fan of magical girls. Last magical girl show I liked is Nanoha, but we all know that is awesome (period) too.

[RyougaZell]

Somehow I expect Madoka's wish to be bringing Mami back to life... but what consequences could this have? Maybe Mami would go crazy or something... I don't trust Kyubey in the least.

[animus]

Nooo, Mami. I'm kinda disappointed she died like that. Really unexpected to say the least.

[Archangel]

Somehow I expect Madoka's wish to be bringing Mami back to life... but what consequences could this have? Maybe Mami would go crazy or something... I don't trust Kyubey in the least.

I'd worship this show if zombie Mami turned out to be the last boss

Edit: Strangely fitting...

Madoka OP sync'd to Cruel Angel Thesis
http://tubedubber.com/#vQOQEVI5crQ:A...0:100:0:0:true

Eva OP sync'd to Madoka's OP music
http://tubedubber.com/#A62011nyXNI:v...0:100:0:0:true

[Kraco]

Very nice indeed. Mami died perfectly. Aside from the other, more plot wise meaningful factors, it was also fitting she died right after commenting how the fighting feels so light now, full of confidence.

Kyubey either has to be evil himself or simply some sort of mechanism or familiar (of somebody with those ulterior motives). Either way would explain his behavior. During the first ep I was thinking he looked too much like... well, like what a being like that should look in a magical girl show, but now after all the evil vibes it's just perfect. All the undertones and the anticipation there's a dire fate waiting for the magical girls (meaning they won't be able to quit even if they wanted) gives a splendid FSN feeling.

[shinta|hikari]

"Type moon dread" is always a good thing.

[shinta|hikari]

Sorry for the double post, but this is worth it, I think.

Kyubey

Yep, pretty evil.

[Archangel]

Pretty 403 forbidden bro

[shinta|hikari]

Sorry bout that. Fixed.

[Buffalobiian]

gg - episode 04

[Ryllharu]

So Sayaka succumbed. She could live with Mami's death, but couldn't live with the boy hating her, resenting her, and not depending on her. This series remains an interesting twist on the genre with so many selfish wishes. Mami was forced via desperation into it but spent her life serving others, while most other girls go willingly to it, always for selfish reasons. This really makes you wonder where Homura's wish lies, as she spends most of her time trying to keep other girls from "falling." Also pretty amusing that Madoka could be one of the last magical girls we see contract. It will be interesting to see what path she takes. Perhaps, "save all the other girls."

Kyubey remained manipulative right up through the point it left, though with the new girl appearing, it certainly hedges its bets. It didn't really seem to care one way or another, it simply let her know that a new contractor was in her way. Of course it appeared at the precise moment Sayaka needed it.

What really surprised me was what Madoka stumbled into trying to save Hitomi. I'm honestly a bit surprised they went for it. It's been relatively short time (two years?) since Japan had that huge rash of suicides using household cleaners. A nice touch to say the least. I'm sure it had considerable more impact with the Japanese audience.

[Buffalobiian]

Kyubey remained manipulative right up through the point it left

If he left at all. That critter is the devil.

Like you, I'm really eager to see what's behind Homuro's story. She seemed honest enough when she said Mami would have been happy to be remembered. Despite saying she'd be "jealous", Madoka's words put her mind in a totally different direction. Also, her last fight wasn't very indicative of what powers she uses. (explosives?)

Also, are there different fractions of magical girls? It seems strange that other magical girls would come over when Homuro herself is already in the area. Does Homuro not participate in active witch hunting? In any case, both Mami and Kyoko are on good enough terms with Kyubey, which makes me wonder if Homuro killed her own Contractor?

In all honestly, I felt that the whole Mami's death thing dragged on a little too much, despite being necessary more or less. Perhaps I had simply gotten over her death faster than the characters did.

[Ryllharu]

It seems strange that other magical girls would come over when Homuro herself is already in the area. Does Homuro not participate in active witch hunting?

In all honestly, I felt that the whole Mami's death thing dragged on a little too much, despite being necessary more or less. Perhaps I had simply gotten over her death faster than the characters did.

I don't think Kyubey cares. Homura is its enemy. If anything, it is probably hoping one of the other girls will find Homura to be a threat and take her out. Mami didn't pan out that way, even though the two were hostile at the end, Mami wouldn't hurt Homura, only keep her out of it. Kyoko is going to go for the easy target, but I wouldn't be surprised if Kyubey was pushing for Madoka so hard because it knows she is strong enough to kill Homura (it has admitted she would be stronger).

Yeah, they dragged it on a little bit, but it was a incredibly traumatic event for Madoka. It received the appropriate attention, even if I would have liked it to be a bit shorter. Sayaka didn't care as much because she wasn't with Mami in the last maze like Madoka was, she didn't know everything, nor make any promises.

[miyama_ryu]

Just watched all four episodes after hearing all the hype. Man, Homura is so self-centred. I can't believe she just stood there and watched all those people attempt suicide. I guess now that Madoka has given up contracting, whether Madoka succumbs inside the witch field is of no concern to her. LOL she looked so pissed when Sayaka made it out, bet she totally underestimated Sayaka. Yeah you show her Sayaka, I hope you beat the crap out of Homura.