I will not forget the promise I made with you, I swear
That I'll always keep it with me
I close my eyes and the memory clears the darkness
clouding my way!
The anime most foundational to me as a teenager was Neon Genesis Evangelion. It landed in my teenage lap like a live hand grenade, even if I didn't realize it at the time. Evangelion is infamous for a lot of reasons: Its ruthless deconstruction of the mecha genre, its troubled and increasingly financially strained production, and its esoteric and psychological approach to story-telling, fueled in part by said production issues.
As Evangelion's budget shrank, it increasingly resorted to unorthodox means of communicating its themes about trauma and human connection - the final two episodes of the original anime amount to the psychological vivisection of almost every major character, and GAINAX asked the audience to interpret the gore-smeared mess it left behind. I think in hindsight I can only call the original anime a beautiful disaster, shaped fundamentally by these circumstances and with so many loose ends and things up to interpretation that despite countless endings since then, Evangelion refuses to die.
(My previous project was a Let's Watch/Review of it just like this one that I was, unfortunately, unable to complete due to personal circumstances. If for any reason you want to read a half-completed review of it anyway, it's still in my signature.)
In a lot of ways, Puella Magi Madoka Magica is the anti-Evangelion: both for me personally and in its approach to story-telling. Both shows are deconstructions of the genres they inhabit, both end on optimistic yet esoteric conclusions (which were then at least somewhat overturned by a divisive movie released soon after the anime's conclusion), but this is where the comparison ends. Madoka is just as impossible to escape as Evangelion, and yet somehow I only took the plunge on impulse a few weeks ago. But beyond this, Madoka Magica takes a very different approach to storytelling.
While Evangelion emerged somewhat organically from its circumstances, Madoka is very clearly a show that was thought through from start to finish and designed to be rewatched again with full knowledge of its inner workings. Despite spawning a franchise that is increasingly comparable to Evangelion's, the actual anime itself and every other piece of Madoka media that I've consumed is surprisingly self-contained - each new addition not necessary but not unnecessary either, expanding upon characters and the universe in new and interesting ways. And last but not least, while Evangelion vividly cuts into and openly depicts its character's deep-seated complexes and neuroses, Madoka strictly adheres to "show, don't tell" - a surprising amount of information can be gleaned about the characters' internal lives just via their actions and the use of symbolism.
I want to take this anime and its spin-offs apart, figure out how they work, and glean as much as I can about the poor magical girls trapped within its cycles of hope and despair. Despite having only committed to it a few weeks ago, Madoka feels almost as important to me now, and I want to do it justice.
This project will be broken up into a three-act structure - Act I will cover the original 12 episodes of Puella Magi Madoka Magica. To be specific, I'll be using a fan cut with an Unfortunate Name that splices together the anime and the first two movies that retell it. Act II will cover the Wraith Arc manga that bridges the gap between the anime and Act III - the third movie, Rebellion. I'll throw in the Different Story manga as a Bonus Act, likely between Act I and II. I will not be covering the Magia Record anime and other non-canon spinoffs.
This is not my first watch/read-through of any of these, and while I might allude to future events in the main text, any outright mentions of future events will be spoiled appropriately. Please try to do the same thing in any comments you leave.
I'll be posting episode one tomorrow and I'll update this whenever I have the energy and time to do so.
With all that established, sign your contract and make your wish. If you're lucky, you might just manage to find hope beyond this despair.
Sadge - Magia Record deserves more attention, as it's surprisingly good despite the dumpster fire that is its production schedule (sure - let's call the delayed second half a "second season" and the final four episodes a year later as "third season").
But people talking about Madoka Magica is always nice. There's a lot that can be discussed about that series and people always take things differently, even if slightly.
What's this about, though? I never heard of it, though I never watched the first two movies so I don't know if there's any notable additions or changes in it.
Sadge - Magia Record deserves more attention, as it's surprisingly good despite the dumpster fire that is its production schedule (sure - let's call the delayed second half a "second season" and the final four episodes a year later as "third season").
But people talking about Madoka Magica is always nice. There's a lot that can be discussed about that series and people always take things differently, even if slightly.
What's this about, though? I never heard of it, though I never watched the first two movies so I don't know if there's any notable additions or changes in it.
I also haven't seen Magia Record yet, though it's something I eventually plan on getting to. Maybe if I manage to get through all of this I'd do a blind Let's Watch if I haven't by that point.
The first two movies are a retread of the 12 episodes of the anime with improved visuals - Beginnings ending with Sayaka becoming a Witch and Eternal picking up from there.
They don't really add anything new (apart from closing the minor question of why don't Magical Girls avoid hunting Witches to keep their Soul Gem from corrupting) and have to cut a few scenes (most notably Mami's backstory) to be an appropriate length. They function as good recaps but otherwise aren't really distinct enough to cover independently.
Using the fan cut (which splices in movie-improved version of scenes where it can but otherwise keeps to the 12 episode format) allows me to have my cake and eat it too - I can showcase the improved visuals of the movies while still keeping to the better pacing of the anime.
ACT I - PMMM Episode One: I think we met in a dream...
ACT I - PMMM Episode One: I think we met in a dream...
As befitting a proper tragedy, Madoka Magica begins with the drawing of curtains... and the announcement of a "Prologue in Heaven" in runes, a substitution cipher for German. These runes show up whenever anything magic-related is taking place, but have no in-universe explanation. If I were to take a stab in the dark, they might be the Incubator's alphabet? The full alphabet can be found here.
PROLOG IM HIMMEL - 2011
In the first chapter of Goethe's Faust, three archangels praise the glory and wisdom of God before Mephistopheles, the Devil, enters - he has no praise to give, only the concern that humanity's possession of knowledge has only made them unhappy. God counters by raising the example of Faust, a doctor who has not been debased by reason and will be guided to salvation because of it.
Mephistopheles ultimately strikes a wager with God over Faust's soul in what is functionally a retelling of the Book of Job - as long as Faust lives, the Devil is free to tempt him. Should Faust die without succumbing to sin, the Devil will be forced to admit that there is hope for humanity - and God's creation as a whole - after all. Both depart confident that they shall win the bet.
The camera cuts to a large, upside-down shape at the center of a swirling vortex of magic for a few moments, and then the anime begins in earnest with our protagonist, Madoka Kaname, running through a surrealist, checkerboard landscape full of spiral staircases and corridors that seem to lead to nowhere. She runs into a room and looks up to notice a staircase with a green "EXIT" sign at the top, and slowly makes her way up the stairs, opens the door at the top, and gasps as it opens to reveal a devastated city.
Skyscrapers are ripped out of the ground and slowly revolve around an ominous, upside-down silhouette. A dark, heavy track immediately sets the tone as the audience is brought into this apocalyptic landscape at the same time as Madoka. She spots a girl her age - black-haired, wearing a modified school uniform and having a silver shield strapped onto her left arm - and gasps in horror as she leaps towards her strange opponent. She dodges a skyscraper and two torrents of flame spewed at her, then raises her arm to block a third.
Madoka: How awful!
????: It was inevitable. It's too much for her to handle alone. Madoka turns to see a small white and cat-like creature with pink eyes speaking to her. Their name is Kyubey, though this won't be revealed until later in the episode.
Kyubey: She knew this before coming. The black-haired girl is knocked off her feet by a torrent of flame and slams into a nearby building.
Madoka: But this is terrible! It shouldn't be happening! The girl opens her eyes, looks in Madoka's direction and lets out a silent scream.
Kyubey: It's all over if you give up. Madoka looks up at them in confusion while their tail swishes. But you have the ability to change fate. Madoka gasps and then flinches as nearby streetlights flicker on and off.
Kyubey: This unavoidable destruction and sorrow... You can change it all. You have the power to do just that. Madoka takes a nervous step forward as the girl falls into a deep abyss.
Madoka: Can I? Can I do something to stop all of this? Can I really change this ending?
Kyubey: Of course you can! So make a contract with me... and become a magical girl! Madoka shivers, steels herself, and...
Wakes up in her bed, cuddling a stuffed rabbit. She's fine, it was just a dream. As far as she knows, anyway.
Madoka's OP, Connect is a cutesy one I can only presume is typical of the magical girl genre - this is the first magical girl show I've watched. I won't share the lyrics just yet, they take on a newfound significance later.
It opens with Madoka standing in the middle of a field of water, wearing a pink and white dress and crying as she digs her gloved hands into it, then cuts to Madoka sitting at her desk in school and fantasizing about being a magical girl... and failing miserably at it. She doesn't have the highest self-esteem. She's then embraced by her naked, longer-haired self and dons her magical girl outfit, given a final peck on the forehead by her before a series of shots establishing the entire cast. Magical Girl! Madoka then races through the city for several seconds, before cutting to her laying in a puddle and cradling a small black cat. Two raindrops land on the corners of her eyes, rolling down her face like tears as she smiles and giggles. After a few more quick shots of her and the black-haired girl, the music ends with an image of Madoka and two magical girls sitting on top of a tall building.
Morning in Mitakihara City. The birds are chirping and the cherry tomatoes Madoka's father (a mild-mannered house-husband) glisten with dew as he snips them off the plant. Madoka, still in her PJs and with her hair down, walks out to greet him and asks if her mom is up yet. Her three-year-old brother Tatsuya is trying to wake her up, and she promptly goes to help - slamming the door open, throwing open the curtains, and ripping the blanket off her poor mother.
What follows is a surprisingly natural-feeling conversation between Madoka and "Momdoka" - establishing their relationship and the kind of people they are right off the bat. In the case of Madoka's mom, she's a strong and confident woman and a capable mother who knows just what sort of advice to give to her early-teenage daughter:
Madoka and her mother are brushing their teeth. Madoka is dressed and has her hair up, while Madoka's mother still looks only a little better than she did when getting out of bed.
Mom: So what's the latest gossip?
Madoka: Hitomi-chan got another love letter. That's the second one this month.
Mom: Guys who don't have the guts to confess in person are worthless. Madoka and her mom gargle and spit at the same time.
Mom: And how's [Madoka's homeroom teacher]?
Madoka: It looks like her new relationship's still going strong. She smiles. She's always talking about her boyfriend during homeroom. This week marks their three-month anniversary, and that's a new record. Madoka's mom turns on a hairdryer and combs her hair while Madoka splashes herself with water.
Mom: We'll see how it works out. This is a tricky time for them.
Madoka: It is? She fumbles for a towel, which her mother hands her.
Mom: If he's not "the one," then they'll start having some problems soon. If they can get through that, they should be good for the first year. Madoka's mom finishes applying her makeup - she's wearing a businesswoman's outfit with much neater hair clipped in place by a small black clip.
Mom: All done! Madoka looks between two pink ribbons in her right hand and two yellow ones in her left. She asks her mother which she should wear, and her mother points to the pink.
Madoka: Eh? Aren't they too flashy?
Mom: They're supposed to be flashy. We women must always look our best in public. The camera pans up to reveal Madoka's full outfit, while she has a timid expression on her face. Mom: Perfect. Now your secret admirers will be stuck on you like glue.
Madoka: You know I don't have any!
Mom: You need to act like you do. That's the secret to being pretty. Madoka's mom grabs her briefcase and walks away while Madoka looks at herself in the mirror and smiles.
I think it's worth mentioning that the number of men who show up in Madoka at all can be counted on one hand (and no, I don't count Kyubey as one - they're canonically genderless) and as the audience, we are completely locked out of their internal lives. Also one of them is a malewife and one of them is a toddler. Every character of consequence is a woman.
After a quick breakfast with her family in a surprisingly modernist kitchen, Madoka and her mother are off - Madoka runs to school with toast in her mouth while cheerful music plays. Two girls are waiting for her - the green-haired and eyed Hitomi Shizuki and the short blue-haired and eyed Sayaka Miki. Sayaka is immediately established as a casual tomboy while Hitomi is comparatively more timid and formal. The three schoolgirls run and dance around, and Madoka shares her mom's advice with Hitomi:
While all three are walking:
Madoka: So, my mom said that guys who can't ask you out in person are worthless.
Sayaka: Your mom is just too cool, Madoka. She's beautiful, and she's a successful businesswoman. Hitomi stops in her tracks and turns to face Madoka.
Hitomi: I wish it were that easy to reject someone.
Sayaka: What an enviable problem to have!
Madoka: I know, right? I wish I could get a love letter too.
Sayaka: Oh?~ So you want to become a beautiful princess like Hitomi? That's why you started wearing those ribbons, huh?
Madoka: No! My mo- Sayaka smugly smiles and sparkles as per anime fashion.
Sayaka: I'll bet your mom taught you the secret to being popular! You dirty girl, a girl like you needs to be punished! She starts to chase Madoka around and after a few moments grabs her by her waist from behind. They both giggle hysterically.
Madoka: H-hey, stop! Stop it!
Sayaka: You're cute, but I won't let you become popular with the guys. You're going to be my wife!
Did I mention this anime is popular with yuri fans?
Hitomi eventually politely coughs to remind them they are in public, and the conversation ends.
In class (set in an equally modernist school), Madoka's teacher goes on a rant about how men should never be so picky as to reject a girl over how she cooks her eggs to the point of snapping her pointer in half - Sayaka whispers to Madoka that from the looks of it, it didn't go well while the class quietly chuckles. She then suddenly remembers that she has to introduce a new transfer student. You'll never guess who it is.
Homura Akemi is cool, collected, and beautiful. Or as her theme calls her - The Girl in the Dream. Madoka almost immediately recognizes her and is awestruck while Sayaka calls her beautiful. She is almost immediately fawned over by the girls in the class, and she cooly tells them that she transferred in from a Christian (likely Catholic) school in Tokyo as they interrogate her, the only question she answers. Sayaka, Hitomi, and Madoka are gossiping about her as well - Hitomi says that she has a "mysterious air" around her while Sayaka asks if she and Madoka had met before since she was staring at Madoka earlier.
Homura is clearly uncomfortable around other people - she quickly feigns an excuse to go to the nurse's office and immediately makes a beeline for the nurses' aide, who just so happens to be Madoka... without even asking to confirm if she is. Hm.
Homura: Kaname Madoka-san. You are the nurse's aide for this class, right? Madoka fidgets nervously.
Madoka: I, uh...
Homura: Could you take me to the nurses' office?
Outside the classroom. Madoka walks behind Homura through the hallways - Homura confidently striding forward with a neutral expression on her face while Madoka is timid and slightly flustered.
Madoka: U-um, I, uh... How did you know that I was the nurses' aide? Homura initially does not answer, which causes Madoka to look away.
Homura: Ms. Saotome told me. Madoka sighs with palpable relief.
Madoka: Oh, I see. Well, the nurses' office is... Homura walks in that direction before Madoka can finish her sentence, causing her to trail off.
Homura: This way, right?
Madoka: Huh? Yeah, but... It's kinda like you already know the way. Beat.
Madoka: A-Akemi-san? There is a very brief shot of Homura grimacing.
Homura: You can call me Homura. Madoka says the words "Homura-chan" nervously, feeling them out like she's still unsure this is allowed.
Homura: What is it?
Madoka: Oh! I, uh... That's a unique name you have! Another close-up shot of Homura cringing.
Madoka: I-I don't mean it's weird or anything! It sounds kind of cool! Homura suddenly spins around to face Madoka. Her theme starts to play.
Homura: Kaname Madoka, do you value your own life? Do you think dearly of your family and friends?
Madoka: Well... uh, I... I do. I love my family and friends. They mean the world to me.
Homura: Is that true?
Madoka: Of course! Why wouldn't it be?
Homura: I see. If that's true, then you must never think about becoming someone else. The camera focuses on Homura's eye. If you do, you'll lose them all.
Madoka: Huh?
Homura: You just need to remain Kaname Madoka, as you always have been. Homura turns and walks away.
I wonder how many times Homura has had this conversation. How much she's memorized it. It clearly still stings every time she does it.
Homura is also at the beginning of her character arc just as much as Madoka is here, though you wouldn't know it by how much the show seems determined to establish her as untrustworthy. Madoka is shy and self-loathing under her innocent exterior, Homura determined to shoulder the burden of protecting Madoka from her fate by herself.
The next sequence continues to establish just how cool she is in Madoka's eyes. She's effortlessly good at everything she does - be that college-level math (just what kind of middle school is this?), track and field (immediately breaking the prefecture-level record), and keeps looking at her ohmygosh.
While this takes place, Kyubey watches Madoka ominously from between the branches of a nearby tree...
In the food court of a nearby mall after school, Madoka tells Sayaka and Hitomi of her conversation with Homura. Sayaka seems almost disappointed that she's "just a nutcase" while Hitomi asks if Madoka is sure they've never met. Madoka says that she is, but... "Well, I think we met in a dream last night... or something." To which Sayaka just laughs and says now she's starting to sound like a nutcase too.
Sayaka: There's only one answer, then. You must've known her in a previous life, and were brought together by fate across time and space to meet once more!
...
Hitomi: Maybe you have met her somewhere before, then.
Madoka: Huh?
Hitomi: Even though you might not remember her, your subconscious could have taken note of her, and later brought her image out in a dream.
Technically, both of these could be true! They are.
Hitomi leaves soon after for her "tea ceremony practice," which causes Sayaka to exhale with relief that she's glad she wasn't born rich. She then whispers to Madoka that she'd like to stop by the music store, to which Madoka nods and asks if it's for "Kamijou-kun," which Sayaka modestly plays down but ultimately confirms.
The camera cuts to a low-level view racing through the dark, past bicycles and pipes. Kyubey is fleeing from an unknown pursuer, dodging bolts of purple magic they hurl at them. It's Homura, wearing the same uniform she was in the dream. She pursues him with a determined look on her face...
Madoka happily places headphones on her head and begins to groove to a barely-audible track before she suddenly hears Kyubey's voice calling out to her. "Save me." She pops the headphones off her head in confusion, only for them to call out to her again, though she can't hear their voice. Madoka starts to follow it, causing Sayaka to take off hers and wonder what she's doing. She wanders into an abandoned part of the mall - appropriately wandering past a closed-down theater as she's brought out of her previous life forever. After she asks where they are, the panel of the roof above her starts to wobble, and she moves out of the way just as Kyubey crashes down to the floor, breathing heavily and scuffed up.
"This motherfucker should have STAYED hurt!"
Madoka nervously creeps over and scoops up the shivering creature, and immediately jumps at the sound of rattling chains. It's Homura, who does herself no favors by telling her that this "has nothing to do with you" and refusing to explain herself, only coming closer and closer. The camera focuses twice on two intertwined chains - bound together and yet made useless by their bond. Draw whatever symbolism from that you will.
Homura stops a few feet in front of Madoka, stares at her, the chains rattle - and then Homura is promptly blasted in the face by a fire extinguisher. Ow. I don't know how painful it is to have carbon dioxide blasted into your eyes and mouth at high speeds but I can't imagine it feels pleasant. It's Sayaka, who tells her to run this way with her. Homura dramatically blows the smoke away and is about to give chase when she's suddenly surrounded by a ring of paper butterflies...
We are then suddenly dropped into what the show will eventually name a Labyrinth - done in a completely different, unhinged art style that vividly depicts what can only be described as a child's nightmare, and I mean that on multiple levels. They're chockful of runes, fantastical imagery, and meaningful symbolism regarding their creators, which I can't show all of, but will do my best to highlight the more important ones. As Madoka and Sayaka flee, the air around them begins to shimmer as they are also pulled in, their world transforming into one of Alice in Wonderland-esque paper cutouts. They are soon approached by a small army of what appear to be cotton balls with mustaches and butterfly wings for legs (described as "Anthonys" extra-canonically), who begin to chant in runes (represented as distorted German) and extend thorns tipped in scissors toward the two girls...
These flowers are unknown to me.
Yes, they are also unknown to me.
Shall we cut them off?
Yes, let us cut them off.
We present our roses to our queen.
And the bad flowers go to the guillotine.
Yes, cut them off! Yes, cut them out!
Madoka and Sayaka cling to each other tightly, screaming that this can't be happening... and right as things seem hopeless, a chain falls around them, and with an explosion of flowers repels the Anthonys. They've been saved by a new girl - blond hair arranged into two large curls dangling from the sides of her head and yellow eyes to match, clutching a yellow and glowing gemstone. Her name is Mami Tomoe.
Mami thanks them for rescuing Kyubey, a "dear friend" but before she can do anything else, she is approached by more Anthonys, and spins as her theme, Credens Justitiam (Believing in Justice) kicks into gear - an uplifting, beautiful song with pseudo-Latin lyrics that are ultimately meaningless. I'm not even going to attempt to describe her magical girl transformation, just watch it for yourself:
With a rhetorical flourish, Mami summons dozens upon dozens of percussion-lock rifles. Their hammers slam down in sync, launching a small artillery barrage of bullets at the gathered Anthonys who are promptly blown to bits - after which she confidently lands on her feet. The air begins to shimmer once again, and the three return to the corridors in the underbelly of the mall as the Labyrinth dissipates into scattering butterflies. Homura lands on a nearby crate towering above the three...
Mami looks up at Homura with a polite smile on her face.
Mami: The Witch got away. If you want to hunt it down, you'll need to chase after it quickly. I'll give it to you.
Homura: I have buisness here.
Mami: You don't seem to understand me. I'm saying I'll let you go. Silence.
Mami: Would it not be better for both of us to avoid any unnecessary trouble? More silence. After a few moments, Homura turns and walks away. Madoka and Sayaka breathe a sigh of relief.
The three girls sit on a tarp as Mami uses her magic to heal Kyubey, who soon opens their eyes and thanks Mami. Mami politely deflects the compliment, saying the credit goes to Madoka and Sayaka. They introduce themselves and show that they know the full names of both Madoka and Sayaka, much to their surprise.
Kyubey: I have a request for you two girls.
Madoka: A request?
Kyubey: I want you two to make contracts with me and become magical girls!
"this is the devil ^ this is the devil speaking. many will come to you with honey in their mouths and comforting words but they whisper falsehoods. do not be deceived for he is the father of lies. you have been told he would come in the form of man and he is already here among us."
Though the original broadcast had no ED for the first two openings, the Blu-Ray version added Mata Ashita (See You Tomorrow), a cute but sad song sung by Madoka's seiyuu:
I waved my hand, saying, "I'll see you next time"
I forced a smile, then I was lonely...
Traffic lights at the intersection...
The distant sound of a car honking...
The voices of strangers laughing
Today, I walk alone
Even though I'm used to the city,
I feel just a little smaller than I usually do
I wave my hand, saying, "I'll see you next time"
I made a smile, then I was lonely...
Even though I want to talk even more with you...
Saying, "I'll see you next time,"
Lying about seeing each other again,
I say, with my usual smile,
"See you tomorrow."
Madoka is adorable and if you disagree you are heartless.
The next episode preview of each episode has art done by officially commissioned Pixiv artists:
Kyubey: I can grant each of you one wish.
Madoka: Wait, really? What kind of wish?
Kyubey: Anything you want. I can fulfill any miracle you wish for. Episode 2: I think that'd be really nice.
This episode does a great job at immediately establishing characters and getting you to care about them: Madoka, the sweet but timid girl, Sayaka, the headstrong tomboy, Mami, the cordial and maternal senpai, Kyubey the cute little cat-thing. The only character we aren't too familiar with (apart from Kyoko, who won't be introduced for a bit) is Homura, who is seemingly being set up as a mysterious anti-hero at best.
Without spoiling too much, would you believe me if I told you she was the actual protagonist? Maybe not. Just wait and see, and enjoy the cuteness.
Homura is weird. As she much as she's gotten closer and closer to just giving up, it was never clear as to how long she's looped, what she's done, what she's tried, and how much she's used to it.
There's definitely a case of future expansion creep with regards to her, but it feels as if her approach is closer to monkeys and typewriter instead of something a properly established looper would do, even by the standard of Japanese depiction of those which is generally more traumatized and paralyzed than Western depiction (All You Need Is Kill, Steins Gate, Re:Zero, Higurashi).
In most of those cases though, they don't have as free a magic as Madoka Magica's and while Homura has a grab bag of tricks, if we see as to what is possible with magic, Homura felt like she barely scratched the surface regarding her options.
Then again, it does play into Rebellion in that she always has had a case of a monomania and tunnel vision, I suppose.
ACT I - PMMM Episode Two: I think that'd be really nice.
ACT I - PMMM Episode Two: I think that'd be really nice.
Last episode: 14-year-old Madoka Kaname is a shy but sweet girl living an ordinary life, but has a strange dream where she sees a black-haired girl struggling against an unknown evil. The next morning, she found out that this girl - Homura Akemi - had transferred into her class and seems oddly familiar with her. Homura confronts Madoka about whether or not she cares for the life she lives, and warns her not to change anything about it, or she'll risk losing it all.
That evening, Madoka sees Homura chasing down a cat-like creature named Kyubey that also appeared in her dream. Homura demands that she hand Kyubey over, but Madoka is rescued by her best friend, Sayaka Miki. The three flee from the frying pan and land in the oven as they are trapped in a strange illusion known as a Labyrinth, but are rescued at the last minute by Mami Tomoe, who introduces herself as a Magical Girl who signed a contract with Kyubey. Thus ends Madoka's ordinary life, and begins her introduction to the world of Magical Girls...
This episode: TIRO... FINALE!
This episode immediately begins with a brief recap: a sped-up version of Mami's transformation and her skirmish against the Anthonys plays, interspersed with scenes where Mami explains that she's a senior student at Mitakihara Middle School and a magical girl who made a contract with Kyubey. Then, in a bit of reused animation, Madoka wakes up the same way she did yesterday, clutching her rabbit and complaining about yet another weird dream... only for Kyubey to say good morning to her from her shelf of stuffed animals. Madoka gasps out of surprise but then smiles. Cue the OP.
When we come back into the show, we're back to Madoka and her mother brushing their teeth. Her mom says with a neutral expression that she heard Madoka came home late yesterday, and Madoka replies that a senpai of hers invited her to her house. Her mom says that she's not going to be the kind of parent who imposes a curfew on her teenage daughter but asks her to make sure to call home before dinner. Madoka apologizes and then glances over to Kyubey relaxing in a bowl of hot water - it seems that they can disguise themselves from people who aren't magical girls or magical girl candidates.
Her thoughts start to drift back to the conversation she had with Mami in her apartment after she and Sayaka were rescued from the Labyrinth. Mami's apartment is pretty lavishly decorated, but the fifteen-year-old lives by herself. She's not the only Magical Girl who does, either.
The three girls sit down for tea and snacks at a glass coffee table as Mami gives Madoka and Sayaka a brief rundown on what exactly being a magical girl entails. Mami reveals the same egg-shaped yellow gem she was holding during her transformation - it's a Soul Gem, and serves as the source of a Magical Girl's powers. They are created when Kyubey makes a contract to create a Magical Girl. She doesn't mention this, but a Soul Gem can also take on two other forms - a ring that bears an inscription of the Magical Girl's name in runes, and a transformed version unique to the girl. In Mami's case, it takes the form of a flower-shaped gem in the middle of her also-flower-shaped hairpin. If you have a keen eye, you might notice that parts of the gem are clouded darker in a way that isn't just shading...
Sayaka asks what Mami means by a "contract" and Kyubey explains that they are capable of granting each of them one wish. It can be anything they want. Sayaka immediately begins to fantasize - wealth beyond your wildest dreams, immortality, or a feast fit for an Emperor! Madoka says that she isn't too sure about that last one. But in exchange, a Magical Girl is born and obligated to fight Witches.
Madoka's thoughts drift back to the present, and she asks her mother the purely hypothetical question of what she'd wish for in this situation. She immediately answers that she'd get rid of a board member or two, and the president of her company is getting old and really should retire, but he hasn't named a successor... Madoka points out that what she really should ask for then is what she actually wants: to take his place. If only most Magical Girls took her advice. Madoka's mother realizes that she's right, and then immediately begins to plot what exactly she'd need to do to take his place when the time comes, which prompts Madoka to say that her mother looks "scary" as she walks out of the bathroom.
Back to the conversation in Mami's apartment: Sayaka asks Kyubey what a Witch is, and if they're any different than Magical Girls:
Kyubey: If Magical Girls are born from wishes, then Witches are born from curses. Magical Girls spread hope, whereas Witches spread despair. And to make matters worse, they can't be seen by normal humans. Doubt and suspicion, irrational rage and hatred... They sow the seeds of catastrophe in this world. [Note how Kyubey answers this in a way that can be taken as a "yes, they are" without actually giving an explicit yes, which would be a lie.] The camera cuts to Mami's lap, the reflection of her head cradled between her hands.
Mami: Many inexplicable suicides and murders that occur are caused by a Witch's curse. It's a formless evil that eats away at humans from the inside.
Sayaka: If they're so dangerous, then how come no one knows about them?
Kyubey: Because Witches hide within Labyrinths [official English translation, though "barrier" is also sometimes used] and never show themselves to people. The labyrinthine area you wandered into before was one.
Mami: They're pretty dangerous, actually. Those who are swallowed up by the barriers don't usually live to tell the tale.
Madoka: Mami-san, are you really fighting something that dangerous?
Mami: Yes. Sometimes my life is in danger too. That's why I think you two should weigh your options carefully. Now that you've been chosen by Kyubey, you can have any wish granted. However, doing so could lead to your death. Madoka sighs while Sayaka groans.
Sayaka: That's a tough decision.
Mami: To help make up your minds, why don't you come along with me on a Witch hunt?
Sayaka and Madoka: Eh?!
Mami: That way you can see what it's like to fight a Witch. The camera cuts back to the bathroom, with Madoka standing by herself.
Mami: And afterward, you should take the time and think about whether having your wish come true is worth your life.
Almost every piece of media where wishes are present will inevitably have some sort of twist or Monkey's Paw - every action has an equal and opposite reaction, after all. Madoka Magica is no exception, though the way this is done is fairly unique. Suffice to say for now that Kyubey isn't lying about what they can do, and there's no "malicious compliance" aspect to it. Though Kyubey will not point out if a wish could be better thought through.
Madoka greets Sayaka and Hitomi on her way to school, and Sayaka jumps when she sees Kyubey perched on Madoka's shoulder, while Hitomi looks on in confusion at Sayaka's reaction. Sayaka quickly reassures her that nothing is the matter, and they resume their walk to school.
In addition to selective invisibility, Kyubey can also be used as a means of communicating telepathically - which also causes Sayaka to jump and turn towards Madoka. The two begin to converse telepathically, which leads to this infamous exchange:
Hitomi: Hey, what's going on with you two? You keep staring into each other's eyes. Madoka and Sayaka turn around to face Hitomi.
Madoka: squeaks N-no, we've been... Um... Hitomi drops her schoolbag.
Hitomi: No, don't say it! Are you two already close enough to communicate through your eyes alone?! She clutches her face in dismay. I can't believe you've become so close after just one day. What on Earth happened yesterday?
Sayaka: No, uh... you've got it all wrong.
Madoka: While rubbing the back of her head: A lot did happen last night, though.
Hitomi: You can't! You're both girls! It's a love that can never beeeee! Hitomi takes off running.
Madoka reaches out in her direction, while Sayaka picks up her bag.
Sayaka: You forgot your bag!
Madoka: Hm... Hitomi-chan is acting a lot like you today.
Sayaka: What's that supposed to mean?!
Or as the English dub (which I have not seen outside of this scene) puts it: GIRLS CAN'T LOVE GIRLS!
To be fair to Hitomi, I have a feeling Madoka and Sayaka would be "practice kissing" in a matter of months if it weren't for the events of the anime.
When Madoka and Sayaka enter class, Kyubey takes a seat on Madoka's desk. Sayaka asks if it's okay for Kyubey to be here since Homura is in their class as well. Kyubey points out that the school is actually the safest place they can be, and Mami is here too and can also listen in on their communications. Speak of the devil, and she shall appear: Homura walks into the classroom and shoots a glare at Madoka as soon as she's taken her seat.
Back to the apartment discussion, the girls discuss Homura while her theme plays:
Sayaka: So is that transfer student also an, uh... what was it? Magical Girl? Just like you, Mami-san?
Mami: Yes, she is. She seems quite powerful, too.
Sayaka: Wouldn't that make her one of the good guys fighting evil Witches? Why did she suddenly attack Madoka, then?
Kyubey: She was after me. I imagine she was trying to stop the creation of new magical girls.
Madoka: Huh?
Sayaka: Why? Wouldn't it be better to have more people fighting the same enemy?
Mami: That's not necessarily the case. It's actually more common for us to compete with each other.
Madoka: Really? Why?
Mami: There are rewards for eliminating a Witch. So, in some cases, it turns into a contest, and Magical Girls may even fight over them.
Sayaka: So basically, she predicted that Kyubey would try to talk to Madoka, and that's why she's been pestering Madoka since this morning? Mami transforms her Soul Gem into its ring form.
Mami: That's most likely the case.
You couldn't be more wrong if you tried! But I know things you don't, so eh.
While Kyubey dozes in class and Sayaka struggles not to join them, Madoka doodles herself as a Magical Girl in her notebook, as well as some drawings of Mami (and Homura, though that can't be seen in this scene.)
While eating lunch on the roof, Sayaka and Madoka discuss wishes. Neither of them has been able to come up with anything - as if they've already committed to becoming Magical Girls. The following conversation serves as a bit of character-building: Sayaka laments that there's nothing she wants badly enough to risk her life for it, and berates herself as an "idiot" for not having an answer for Kyubey immediately. And why them, anyway? What makes them so special, when so many other people would give up so much for a chance like this one? She just doesn't get it.
(There's a brief shot of a hospitalized boy while Sayaka mentions she doesn't have anything to fight for, the "Kamijou-kun" Madoka mentioned earlier. He'll be important later.)
In the middle of their conversation, Homura walks onto the roof while a less ominous, and more solemn piano version of her theme known as Inevitabilis plays. Mami reassures them that she can see them, and Homura makes a brief side glare at Mami positioned in a nearby clock tower, before continuing to walk toward them, stopping a few feet away.
Sayaka: Planning to pick up where you left off yesterday?
Homura: No, that's not my intention. She glances at Kyubey, cradled in Madoka's arms. I had hoped to settle things before they made contact with Kaname Madoka, but it's too late for that now. She looks back up at the two girls. So, what will you do? Have you two decided to become Magical Girls as well?
Madoka: I...
Sayaka: That's none of your business! Homura looks at Madoka.
Homura: Do you remember what I told you yesterday?
Madoka: Yeah... Homura turns half-away.
Homura: That's fine, then. I pray that my warning won't fall on deaf ears. Homura looks and starts to walk away.
Madoka: Ho... Homura-chan! What... wish did you make to become a Magical Girl? Homura stops in her tracks and whips around to face Madoka... but says nothing, and then walks away.
Hitomi has a smaller outburst when Madoka and Sayaka tell her they won't be walking home from school with her ("I'm so jealous! Nothing can come between you anymore, can theyyyy?"), while Homura politely turns down an invitation to go to a cafe with two of her classmates, since she has "business to take care of" today.
Back at the food court of the mall where this began, Mami begins her "first lesson on the magical girl experience" - Sayaka enthusiastically reveals that she's brought a baseball bat, which causes Madoka to sheepishly reveal her notebook from before:
Her friends laugh at her gently while Madoka just sinks into her seat. Madoka has even worse self-esteem issues than Sayaka does, though she does a better job of hiding it behind a cheery smile. Poor girl needs a hug. A few hugs, really. Especially later on.
Having retraced their steps to the underbelly of the mall, Mami's Soul Gem glows and lets off butterflies as a reaction to the lingering magic the Witch left before it flees. Most Witch hunts consist of just walking around, waiting for the Soul Gem to pick up on a trail, and following it back to its source.
Madoka asks Mami what would have happened if she had gone after the Witch yesterday, and Mami says she'd probably be able to defeat it, which causes Madoka to self-flagellate again. While Sayaka praises Mami and says that "that transfer student" annoys her, Madoka internally questions if Homura is really "that bad."
The camera cuts to a disheveled businesswoman (not Madoka's mom, to be clear) shuffling awkwardly towards an abandoned building - entry is barred by "CAUTION" tape, the windows are missing, and the cracking concrete walls are covered with... Faust passages?
Chorus of Invisible Spirits
Woe! woe!
Thou hast it destroyed,
The beautiful world,
With powerful fist:
'Tis smashed, downward hurled!
A demigod dashed it to bits!
We're trailing
The ruins on to the Void,
And wailing
Over the beauty lost and gone!
Back to the trio, Sayaka asks if Mami has any clue where the Witch is. Mami says that the modus operandi of Witches means that she tends to prioritize major highways and places where accidents and brawls are common, such as red-light districts, or desolate places perfect for suicides. (From here on, their conversation is interspersed with shots of the businesswoman climbing towards the roof of the building.) They also like hospitals, which is the worst-case scenario. Mami's Soul Gem begins to glow as the woman reaches her roof, takes off her shoes, and climbs over the railing. They reach the foot of the building just in time for her to fling herself off - fortunately, Mami quickly transforms and catches her with dozens of yellow ribbons, gently lowering her to the ground unharmed.
She's been marked with something known as a Witch's Kiss, confirming Mami's suspicions:
As they run through the building, the Faust passage has been replaced with a different Faust passage:
Mighty one
Midst the sons of earth,
Splendider
Build it again,
Build it aloft in thy breast!
And life's new quest
Commence
With clearer sense,
And songs of cheer,
Anew shalt hear!
The door to the Witch's Labyrinth combines the design of the Witch's Kiss, as well as the ring of butterflies that surrounded Homura last episode. Mami grabs and enchants Sayaka's baseball bat so it's effective against the smaller creatures within the Labyrinth known as Familiars, but still cautions them both to stay by her side. As the three girls hop into the Labyrinth, Homura watches from the building's entrance...
It seems that Labyrinths are at least somewhat modeled after their environment - this new one has the girls running upstairs and through concrete corridors. Chains of Anthonys can be seen passing roses in the background, while Mami is spotted by and quickly eliminates Familiars known as Adelberts, which resemble ghosts with multiple eyes and butterfly wings.
Mami asks if they're both scared, but Sayaka nervously exclaims that this "is nothing" and she's doing just fine. A ball of Adelberts forms behind them but is quickly dispatched by Mami, who relishes the chance to show off before the two girls, causing Madoka to look at her awestruck. It's just a few more doors surrounded by butterfly rings before they reach the center of the maze and the Witch at its heart:
GERTRUD
The rose garden witch with a distrustful nature. She holds roses dearer than anything else. She expends all her power for the sake of beautiful roses. Despite stealing the life force of humans who wander into her barrier to give to her roses, she loathes the thought of them trampling inside her barrier.
I think it's interesting that the Witches are all introduced almost as if they're video game bosses, their actual names are hidden behind two layers of encryption as if to highlight just how alien they are - and that there are hidden layers to them beyond what we've been told up to this point.
Magia kicks into gear as Madoka and Sayaka nervously ask if Mami is really going to fight something like that. Mami confidently announces that she won't lose, and slams down the enchanted bat to protect Madoka and Sayaka while she goes off to fight the Witch.
Mami begins the fight by summoning two rifles from under her skirt and then dodges a couch the Witch was previously "sitting" on. It takes flight, and with a flourish of her hat, she summons dozens of rifles sticking out from the floor - Mami grabs them by their butts, takes a potshot at the Witch, and then tosses them aside one by one. It dodges each shot, and she looks down at her feet to find tiny Adelberts forming into a black vine that wraps itself around her waist, lifts her off her feet, and slams her into the nearest wall. The Witch dangles her upside down in front of its "face..." but Mami reassures her concerned observers that it's all fine and that she "can't embarrass herself in front of her future proteges."
Dozens of ribbons extend from the floor of the Labyrinth, which angers the Witch and causes it to extend thorns-tipped-with-scissors just like its Familiars - but not enough to free her from the increasing bonds wrapped around them. Mami cuts herself loose with her bow, and weaves it into a massive gun several times larger than her:
The gun explodes as it fires its shot and obliterates the Witch's head almost immediately, causing the rest of its body to promptly explode into a shower of rose petals. As the cherry on top, Mami lands on her feet catches a cup of tea on a platter that wasn't there a moment ago, and nervously smiles at her audience - she really wants to impress them in the hopes it will convince them to sign the contract.
With the Witch that generated it dead, the Labyrinth disappears soon after, and Mami walks over to collect what the Witch dropped - a black sphere wreathed with silver and with a spike driven through it. Mami refers to it as a "Grief Seed, a Witch's egg" and shows the girls that her Soul Gem has gotten cloudier than it was last night. But by touching the Grief Seed to it, the impurities are removed and the Gem glows just as bright as it did before, replenishing the magic used during the fight. She then tosses it into the darkness, where it is caught by Homura. Mami tells her it has one use left, which causes Homura to step out before the three.
Mami: You can have it. It's yours... Akemi Homura-san. Homura steps out into the light.
Mami: Or do you not like to share?
Homura: It was your prey. You should keep it for yourself. Homura throws the Grief Seed back at Mami, which causes her to catch it with a scowl.
Mami: I see. So that's your answer. Homura turns and walks away. Sayaka balls her fist in annoyance.
Sayaka: That antisocial bitch!
Madoka: I wish we could all just get along.
Mami: If only everyone felt that same way.
Back outside, Mami and co. comfort the now awakening woman, who is dazed and confused and begins to cry into Mami's shoulder while she gently soothes her, which causes Madoka and Sayaka to smile.
Madoka: Internally It's too hard for me to come up with a wish on such short notice, but the sight of Mami-san pouring her heart into saving others was really amazing. Cut to her house at night. Kyubey is sleeping in her bed while she sketches in her notebook at her desk in PJs and with her hair down.
Madoka: If someone like me can really help other people, I think that'd be really nice. Madoka smiles at the largest drawing of herself, now fully colored in with colored pencil.
Mami: I'm just acting cool, but I have no one to talk with when I'm scared or sad... I'm forced to cry all alone. Being a magical girl really isn't all that great. Episode 3: I'm not scared of anything anymore.
This episode is pretty slow-paced except for the fight with Gertrud, mainly devoted to exposition and character-building. Sayaka and Madoka get a little more characterization here, with Sayaka's specific aimlessness regarding a lack of something worth fighting for, and Madoka's general aimlessness and lack of self-esteem. But the most characterization is given to Mami, their Magical Girl senpai.
The image Mami projects is one of the confident and maternal upperclassmen, a true hero of justice. She earnestly wants the best for Madoka and Sayaka and serves as a major contrast to Homura, who's cold, mysterious, and seems to have nothing better to do but antagonize our protagonists and cryptically monologue at Madoka. But there's a selfish undertone to her actions: listen to the way she presents the life of a magical girl, how her fights are just as much flashy performances, done to draw in the two girls (and the audience) - there's a subtle desperation to everything she does, and she seems to have already concluded that Sayaka and Madoka will become her proteges. They will, right? Mami Tomoe is not as strong as she seems, and in the next episode, her true self will be revealed.
Back at the food court of the mall where this began, Mami begins her "first lesson on the magical girl experience" - Sayaka enthusiastically reveals that she's brought a baseball bat, which causes Madoka to sheepishly reveal her notebook from before:
ACT I - PMMM Episode Three: I'm not scared of anything anymore.
Last Episode: After suddenly being plunged into the world of Magical Girls, Madoka and Sayaka receive a much-needed explanation from Mami. She explains that a Magical Girl is born when a girl strikes a contract with Kyubey. She can wish for anything she wants, but in exchange is obligated to fight Witches, creatures who are born of curses and spread despair. Mami offers the two girls to accompany her on a Witch hunt, so they know full well what they're getting into, should they decide to make a wish. Homura reveals that her objective was to prevent Kyubey from making contact with Madoka and repeats her warning on the roof of the school the next day.
After school, the trio heads back to the mall and follows the trail of magic the fleeing Witch left behind to an abandoned building, arriving just in the nick of time to prevent the Witch from claiming another victim. Mami proceeds to dispatch the Witch and receives from it a Grief Seed, which can be used to purify the Soul Gem of a Magical Girl a limited number of times. She offers its remaining use to Homura, who was watching from the shadows. Homura refuses it and walks away, to Sayaka's annoyance. Madoka goes home that day increasingly convinced that maybe signing a contract would be a good idea...
The cold open of this episode isn't a recap but introduces a new character, Kyosuke Kamijo - Sayaka's other childhood friend and crush. We are informed he was a violin prodigy as a child, but an unknown accident has damaged his arm so that he'll never be able to play it again. Sayaka takes a deep breath before walking into his hospital room and giving him a new music CD, causing the boy who was previously staring out of the open hospital window to perk up slightly and smile.
He offers her the other earbud and she blushes as the two lean in closer to listen to the music together. Sayaka closes her eyes and smiles as she recalls watching one of his performances when they were both younger... but when she opens her eyes again, Kyousuke has turned away and is silently crying, clenching and unclenching his ruined hand.
After the OP, we return to Mami firing another Tiro Finale while giving the camera a wink - causing her ensuing gentle reprimand to Sayaka and Madoka that this "isn't a magic show" to come off a little insincere. As we got into the end of the last episode, Mami does want the best for Madoka and Sayaka, but she also clearly wants some new friends. And who can really blame her? Being a Magical Girl is dangerous and lonely work. Of course, Mami's performances are meant just as much to draw in and captivate the out-of-universe audience as they are her in-universe one - which will only make the later events of this episode more tragic.
Madoka asks why this creature didn't drop a Grief Seed, and Kyubey informs her it was just a Familiar that wandered out of a Witch's Labyrinth - they don't have enough despair to make one. But Familiars are still dangerous on their own, and if allowed to prey upon humans unchecked will eventually develop into an identical copy of the original Witch - we now know one of two ways Witches are born.
Mami, Madoka, and Sayaka are walking through a park at night, lit by lamps alongside the stone paths.
Mami: So have you figured out what you want to wish for? Sayaka sighs and deflects the question to Madoka, who looks down at her feet.
Mami: Well, I guess it's hard to think of something when you're on the spot. Madoka perks up and looks at Mami.
Madoka: Mami-san, what did you wish for? Mami stops in her tracks.
Madoka: Oh, uh... You don't really have to tell me! Mami gives Madoka a sad smile.
Mami: In my case...
Images flash of a car accident, before the camera lingers on a younger Mami, injured and trapped within a wrecked car. She's breathing heavily. Kyubey's shadow suddenly looms over her, and she opens her eyes and reaches up toward them...
...I didn't have much time to think about it. I don't really regret it. I think my current way of life is much better than having died back there. But you know, if you have the choice you should think it through. I want you to have the opportunity I didn't get.
Note that this is the first time Kyubey is framed in an antagonistic light - in the first two episodes, a first time viewer who doesn't already know that they're the antagonist has no reason to distrust them, but from this episode on their shadow is often shown looming over the girls, or with their face dominating the frame. This is also when Kyubey begins to less subtly pressure the girls to sign the contract.
We now know why Mami lives by herself and is so devoted to her job - it's all she has left, and gives a bit more heartwrenching context to her trying to market the life of a Magical Girl as a desirable thing to Madoka and Sayaka. The poor girl really just doesn't want to be alone anymore. It becomes even more heartbreaking when you realize she could have wished for her family to survive as well - something that is never explicitly touched on in the series proper but comes up in various spin-offs.
Sayaka asks Mami if her wish has to be for herself. What if, hypothetically, there was someone worse off than her more deserving of it? Madoka wonders if she means Kyosuke and Sayaka's flustered reaction confirms it. Kyubey confirms that it doesn't have to be for Sayaka, and this is pretty common. Mami disapproves and asks if Sayaka knows what she's wishing for. "Do you want his wish to come true, or do you want to be the person who made his wish come true? They might sound the same, but they're completely different."
This thus marks our introduction to one of Madoka's core themes: selfless vs selfish wishes. Is it even possible for a wish to be selfless if, just by making the wish, you are wishing for something you want to come true? It will be a question that looms heavier and heavier over the audience's heads as time goes on. Sayaka admits she was being a little naive and apologizes - but this isn't the first time this train of thought has formed in her head and it won't be the last. If she doesn't have a cause to fight for herself, why not fight for another? Mami reassures her that it's a major decision that shouldn't be rushed... which is immediately undermined by Kyubey saying that for their purposes, the sooner they make contracts, the better.
Back at home, Madoka lays in bed and contemplates what she wants to do:
Madoka: It really isn't that simple, is it?
Kyubey: I'm not in a position to pressure you into it. Suggestions are against the rules too. [It's convenient for Kyubey's purposes if a girl doesn't think through her wish, after all.] Madoka opens and glances at the drawings she made in the last episode.
Madoka: I guess just wishing to become a magical girl wouldn't work, huh?
Kyubey: Madoka, do you just desire the power itself?
Madoka: No, that's not what I mean... Or maybe I do... I mean, I'm slow, and I'm not good at anything. So if I could be cool and wonderful like Mami-san, then that in itself would be enough to make me happy.
Kyubey: You could become a much more powerful magical girl than Mami. Madoka rolls over and glances at Kyubey.
Madoka: Eh?
Kyubey: The sort of wish you make factors into it as well, but even I can't imagine how large a Soul Gem you might produce. I've never met a girl with such potential before.
Madoka: Come on. You're joking, right?
Kyubey: N- Their conversation is interrupted by Madoka's dad knocking on her door, asking if she's awake.
While Sayaka is a warrior without a cause, Madoka continues to be unsure of her fundamental self-worth - just being a person who can help other people is enough for her, and she is convinced that she's not capable of doing that now, a sentiment which is only further stoked by Kyubey's selective praise. They seem to care more about Madoka signing the contract than her emotional problems which they fundamentally cannot comprehend.
Madoka is unusual for an anime protagonist in that she does have a family, and a supportive one at that, that isn't introduced just to die an episode or two in and thus serve as an impetus to answer the Call. Nothing bad ever happens to them, either. As for why her dad knocked on her door, her mother has collapsed drunk on the floor because her boss was making him drink with her - cultural differences, etc. Madoka helps her dad walk her into her bed and cover her up, and they decide to have a conversation over some hot chocolate.
Madoka: I wonder why Mom loves her job so much. Working at that company wasn't really her dream, was it?
Dad: Hm... It's not that she loves her job as much as she loves a challenge.
Madoka: Huh?
Dad: I'm sure there are tough and painful times for her, but the subsequent feeling of accomplishment is her greatest joy. Madoka looks down at her cup.
Dad: She might not have wished to work where she does now, but she's still living her ideal way of life. Some dreams can come true like that.
Madoka: So someone's dream can be their way of life?
Dad: I'm sure opinions differ, but I really like that about your mom. I can respect that and I take pride in it. Don't you think she's wonderful too? Madoka picks up her cup and smiles.
Madoka: Yeah.
Meanwhile, Mami is walking home by herself and is suddenly confronted by Homura, who accuses her of putting innocent civilians in danger - a claim we've been primed to dismiss by Homura's previous behavior, but is still true. Mami nervously defends herself by saying that they've been chosen by Kyubey as Magical Girl candidates and thus aren't civilians anymore, but Homura refuses to back down: she's leading them down to the guillotine by enticing them into becoming Magical Girls, and Mami knows it.
When Homura says that she will not allow Madoka to sign a contract under any circumstances, Mami notes that Homura has also sensed Madoka's incredible potential and mistakenly assumes that her motives are rooted in jealousy. Homura flips her hair (a recurring nervous tick, though one that can come off as a display of arrogance) and tells Mami that she doesn't want to fight her, to which Mami tells her to make sure they never meet again and walks off... causing Homura to grimace in pain. It must cut deep to threaten her former mentor like this.
The next day, Sayaka comes to visit Kyosuke at the hospital again but tells Madoka (who is sitting on a bench inside the building) that she couldn't because today he has physical therapy, a fact he neglected to tell her - the first sign that her image of him is more than a little idealized. While walking outside of the hospital, Madoka stops to look at something dark and pulsating jammed into the hospital wall - it's a Grief Seed, and it's about to hatch. Sayaka springs into action, telling Madoka to go get Mami while she watches over the Seed with Kyubey, who will be able to telepathically communicate with her from inside the Labyrinth - and as soon as she leaves, the two are pulled into the Labyrinth:
If the previous Witch's Labyrinth had a recurring theme of butterflies and roses, this one consists of a series of cavernous, winding tunnels filled with syringes (and other medical equipment) and sweets. Kyubey offers to turn Sayaka into a Magical Girl on the spot if she can come up with a wish, and Sayaka says she just might take him up on that as they find the encaged Grief Seed at the center of the Labyrinth. Mami arrives before the Witch fully wakes and Kyubey asks them to come inside quietly so as not to hasten the process.
While Mami leads Madoka into the heart of the Labyrinth, they soon learn they are being tailed by Homura, who offers to dispatch the Witch and asks them to leave - she'll make sure Kyubey and Sayaka are safe. Of course, since Mami has precisely zero reasons to trust Homura, she refuses and promptly binds her with ribbons to keep her from interfering, and thus sealing her fate. Homura pleas for Mami to wait and listen, but the two girls continue to walk deeper into the Labyrinth.
As they do, Madoka and Mami have a heart to heart:
Madoka and Mami are walking through a room filled with levitating pill and syringe bottles, Mami leading Madoka by the hand.
Madoka: I thought about my wish a lot, and...
Mami: Did you make up your mind?
Madoka: Yes, but I think you might get mad at me for being too naive.
Mami: What's your wish?
Madoka: I've never had a subject I was good at or any skill that I could be proud of. I thought I'd spend the rest of my life without being able to help anyone, and that I'd always be a burden. I couldn't stand it. The girls come in front of a rune-inscribed door, which Mami proceeds to open. It leads into a corridor overlooking a pit filled with sweets.
Madoka: But then I met you, and you showed me what it was like to fight to save people. You told me I might be capable of doing the same thing. It made me happier than anything... So my wish will be granted if I become a Magical Girl. There's nothing I wish more than to have the power to help people. Mami suddenly lets go of Madoka and keeps walking.
Mami: It's hard, you know. You'll get hurt, and you won't have time to fall in love or hang out with friends.
Madoka: But I still want to become someone who never gives up, just like you. Mami stops walking.
Mami: Nobody should become someone like me. Madoka gasps slightly. I'm just acting cool, but I have no one to talk with when I'm scared or sad... I'm forced to cry all alone. Being a magical girl really isn't all that great. Mami looks down at the floor.
Madoka: You're not alone anymore, Mami-san.
Mami: You're right... You really are... Mami turns around with tears in her eyes and grabs Madoka's hands.
Mami: Will you really fight with me from now on? Will you stay by my side?
Madoka: Yes, if you're really okay with someone like me. Mami smiles and wipes the tears from her eyes.
Mami: Some role model I turned out to be. I guess I'm really not that great after all.
Madoka: Mami-san...
Mami: But since you have the chance, you should come up with a wish.
Madoka: She bashfully rubs the back of her head. I guess you have a point there.
Mami: It's a contract, so you might as well get something out of it. Make yourself a billionaire, or get yourself a wonderful boyfriend. Anything goes!
Madoka: That's not really...
Mami: How about this, then? If you haven't thought of a wish by the time we've taken out this Witch, how about you wish for a grand feast and a cake from Kyubey?
Madoka: A-A cake?
Mami: Yeah - the largest, most extravagant party cake you've ever seen! We'll have a party with everyone to celebrate us joining together as a Magical Girl team. Mami resumes walking, while Madoka remains frozen to the spot.
Madoka: I'm going to become a Magical Girl for cake?
Mami: She has walked off the screen by this point. If you don't like it, come up with something yourself! Madoka slumps her shoulders in defeat and walks after Mami.
D'awwww. It's honestly really impressive being able to flesh out a character within the span of two (and a half) episodes like this. If this were a normal Magical Girl show, I think they really would make a good team - Mami could give Madoka the confidence she needs and Madoka could give Mami a much-needed friend. (Or maybe something more, if you were so inclined.)
Unfortunately, this isn't a normal Magical Girl show.
The Witch has begun to hatch, and Kyubey urges Mami to hurry. Mami quickly transforms and smiles, summoning rifles to dispatch the swarm of mouse-like Familiars (Pytors) that have just been alerted to their location as she spins and attacks with newfound confidence. While Mami's flashy performances previously read as an attempt to sweeten the pot for Madoka and Sayaka, they now reflect a newfound sense of purpose and companionship. The movie version of this scene even underscores this with a new version of Credens Justiciam with actual lyrics,Mirai (Future):
While gazing at the stars tonight,
Memories flashed by me of the dream I pursued
That persistent brilliant light,
Was my only friend as I searched in solitude
The endless night dyed dark and cold,
The loving world's frozen, and yet
I'll keep running since now I know that I'm not on my own
Feeling these hopeful hearts beating
Comes the dawning sky, and marks
A tomorrow crumbling and bursting at the seams
Yet somewhere within the dark,
Someone reached for that destiny, so I'll still dream
That day I prayed for your embrace
Graced my face with tears since I knew you won't hear
Anything I plead, but I won't walk away
By your side, hold me tight, always
Lonesome souls, connected by a broken pulse
Take some solace in the fact we've all lost things we treasured most
Taking each step lightly, never say sorry for continuing to believe
Our shared fate awaits, so come with me
Come each day, the town is still
Resonating wistfully with each day you paint
There's a way when there's a will
We can take back all of the memories growing faint
The endless night begins to shine as I seek to be your shelter
So let our racing hearts entwine, we're alone together
Rest assured, we'll secure the future
Mami lands at Madoka's feet with a smile on her face and joyfully grabs her hand as they run together into the final room, where Kyubey and Sayaka are hiding behind a donut - the room is dark, the cheerful music immediately cuts out, and is replaced with the more ominous Venari Strigas (Witch Hunt) as the Witch bursts out from a cereal box resting atop an absurdly tall table:
CHARLOTTE
The witch of sweets. Her nature is tenacity. She desires everything. She will never give up. Though she is capable of creating infinite amounts of any dessert she desires, she is unable to make the cheese that she loves most. One could easily catch her off-guard with a piece of cheese.
Mami starts the fight by swinging her rifle butt to break the legs of the chair that Charlotte is sitting in, then whips around just in time for the unassuming-looking Witch to have floated down to clubbing range. It swings into the wall and then collapses onto the floor in a heap, just like a stuffed animal. She confidently strides over to it and fires a shot into its head, hoists it up with yellow ribbons, and then fires a Tiro Finale through its heart for good measure. The doll-like Witch is squeezed tight by red ribbons, and... vomits forth its true, snake-like body.
The ribbons holding Homura up suddenly disintegrate, and with horror, Homura realizes what has just happened just as the camera cuts to the above shot. The movie version makes sure to show Mami's Soul Gem shatter as a gut punch for repeat viewers. Mami's headless corpse falls down to the floor and Madoka and Sayaka can only watch in horror as Charlotte devours their friend's body.
This is the harsh slap to the face, the cold bucket of water. This is not a normal Magical Girl show. There is no coming back from this. Mami is and will remain dead - cruelly taken just as she experienced the brief joy of no longer being alone. I think Madoka Magica has developed a reputation as "torture porn," but I think the difference between that and what the show does is that the suffering of its characters is meaningful. It's not sudden or absurd - Mami's entire arc has been building towards this moment, a brutal reality check to audiences in and out of universe alike, and serves to redefine the entire trajectory of the show.
Madoka Magica is a show about hope and despair. That does not necessarily mean it is one that is happy. For after all, "He makes his sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and unjust."
Kyubey urges Sayaka and Madoka to hurry and make a contract with them as the Witch peeks up and spots them... but Homura reassures them that will not be necessary.
This is the first time we see Homura fight - while Mami's style was flashy and bold, Homura's is graceful and practical. She is seemingly devoured by the Witch, only to suddenly reappear on a nearby platform. She gracefully hops from platform to platform repeatedly, eaten each time only to reappear unscathed. After a few times of this, the Witch licks its lips believing it has finally devoured her - only for a pipe bomb to reveal itself and go off in its mouth. Homura has been feeding Charlotte bombs this whole time - it desperately sheds its skin repeatedly to try to escape, then glares at Homura in anger before exploding one final time.
Homura lands on the floor, detransforms, and starts to reprimand Sayaka and Madoka:
Homura: A moment later and you would have been dead. Charlotte's Grief Seed lands on top of a platform, shattering Mami's teacup. Tea drips from it like blood.
Homura: Burn this moment into your eyes. This is what it means to become a Magical Girl. With a prolonged shimmer of light, the Labyrinth winks out of existence. Charlotte's Grief Seed slowly descends and Homura picks it up from the floor with a sad look on her face. She perks up when Sayaka asks her to "give that back." She has tears in her eyes.
Sayaka: Give that back. That... that... belongs to Mami-san! I said give that back to Mami-san!
Homura: Right. These are for Magical Girls. You two have no right to touch one. Homura flips her hair and walks away.
The episode ends with Sayaka and Madoka crying alone, under a blood-red sky.
Gone is the cute but sad Mara Ashita, forever replaced with the dark and heavy Magia, with the silhouette of Madoka running through an apocalyptic landscape, past the shimmering silhouettes of other Magical Girls. It's played before but I think it's fitting that I post the lyrics now.
One day the light of love burning in your eyes
will transcend time
and destroy one of this world's dreams
as it spirals towards the apocalypse.
What is it that you seek
now that you're done hesitating?
Is there a glimpse of hope for tomorrow
beyond this greedy admiration?
I want to be armed with the power
to shatter even the darkness in my hand,
just like the ancient magic in my childhood dreams,
the next time I see your innocent smile.
In my trembling hands, I hold
the courage of a plucked flower
My feelings are all I can rely on;
the prayer that awakens
the light
I don't really think I have anything to add that I haven't said already. It's a real testament to this show's writing that the death of a character introduced not even a full three episodes ago can be so impactful - even if it has already been widely spoiled and reduced to a tasteless joke.
This is only the first sudden swerve into darkness the show will take. Welcome to the world of Madoka Magica. It's not a very pretty one. But hold onto your hope for as long as you can - it's the only thing you have left in dark times like these.
Sayaka has absolutely read such material, and is gleefully enjoying teasing Hitomi by pretending at wide-eyed innocence, reveling in the irony that, for once, her typically more prim and proper friend is the one with the raunchy mind.
...I've, uh, probably watched this series a more times than is healthy and my arsenal of headcanons would give Bonaparte a Boner-part. Sorry.
Don't pretty much all magical girl series that aren't Sailor Moon are popular with yuri fans? Even Sailor Moon, really.
Homura is weird. As she much as she's gotten closer and closer to just giving up, it was never clear as to how long she's looped, what she's done, what she's tried, and how much she's used to it.
There's definitely a case of future expansion creep with regards to her, but it feels as if her approach is closer to monkeys and typewriter instead of something a properly established looper would do, even by the standard of Japanese depiction of those which is generally more traumatized and paralyzed than Western depiction (All You Need Is Kill, Steins Gate, Re:Zero, Higurashi).
In most of those cases though, they don't have as free a magic as Madoka Magica's and while Homura has a grab bag of tricks, if we see as to what is possible with magic, Homura felt like she barely scratched the surface regarding her options.
Then again, it does play into Rebellion in that she always has had a case of a monomania and tunnel vision, I suppose.
I think, imo, this is caused by Madoka's specific circumstances.
Because Madoka's magical potential is increasing each loop, Kyubeybis trying harder and harder to recruit her with each loop. This means Homura is not in a groundhog day style loop where the only thing that causes changes is her actions, rather the loop is changing in small (but cascading) ways each time. It's not simply a process of working through each possibility, it's a new attempt on a new but subtly different timeline each time.
ACT I - PMMM Episode Four: Miracles and magic do exist.
ACT I - PMMM Episode Four: Miracles and magic do exist.
Last episode: Sayaka visits her childhood friend and crush Kyousuke Kamijo in the hospital: a childhood violin prodigy robbed of the ability to play ever again by an unknown accident. The two listen to music together, but after a few moments, Sayaka opens her eyes to see him crying silently.
After Mami defeats a stray Familiar, Madoka asks Mami what her wish was, and Mami reveals that Kyubey found her when she was fatally injured in a car crash that claimed the rest of her family. Sayaka asks Mami and Kyubey if she is allowed to wish for another person's happiness, and Mami warns her to be certain of her intentions before she does - does Sayaka want to make this other person happy, or to be the person who makes them happy? There is a key difference. Later that night, as Kyubey continues to pressure Madoka into signing a contract, Homura chides Mami for trying to manipulate Sayaka, and especially Madoka, into becoming Magical Girls.
The next day, Sayaka is unable to visit Kyousuke at the hospital due to a PT session he neglected to tell her about. On her and Madoka's walk back home from the hospital, they spot a Grief Seed embedded in the wall. Sayaka sends Madoka to fetch Mami while she and Kyubey remain by the Seed so Mami can find its location even after its barrier has gone up. Mami and Madoka enter the Labyrinth but are confronted by Homura who offers to kill the Witch in Mami's stead. Mami refuses and binds Homura in place with her ribbons, ignoring her pleas and sealing her fate.
As they walk deeper into the Labyrinth, Madoka tells Mami her wish is just to become a Magical Girl so she can help other people, and Mami reveals that she is suffering from deep-seated loneliness, but is overjoyed at the thought of no longer being alone. A happy Mami kills several Familiars and quickly defeats the Witch - only for its true form to burst out of its doll body and decapitate her in a single bite. A freed Homura saves Madoka and Sayaka from being devoured by the Witch, and leaves them to grieve Mami's death alone.
This episode: Despite knowing the harsh reality behind being a Magical Girl, the grief Madoka and Sayaka feel at Mami's loss only pushes them closer and closer to signing contracts...
...
The episode opens with Sayaka frantically running for her pillar of support in Kyosuke, but he's still not back from physical therapy, causing her to slink off in shame. As two nurses watch her walk off, they inform us of what we already know - and Sayaka begins to succumb to her self-loathing in the hospital's elevator.
Sayaka: Why did it have to be Kyousuke? Sayaka looks down at her outstretched hand.
Sayaka: My fingers work perfectly, but what could are they? Why couldn't it have been me instead of Kyousuke? She looks back up and sighs.
Sayaka: If I used my wish to heal his body, what would he think about that? Images flash of her previous hospital visit. Would he just thank me? Nothing more? Maybe I just want him to say something else... I'm such a horrible person. Sayaka stops speaking. Future Sayaka speaks over this scene:
Future!Sayaka: Now that I think about it, I was absolutely clueless back then. I didn't know what it meant to pray for a miracle, nor the price of one.
Sayaka ticks all our boxes for what we can eventually deduce is the ideal Magical Girl candidate - she can't read her feelings, holds a strong desire to change the world for the better, is isolated and desperate enough to be approached by Kyubey, and has an immediate cause to make a wish...
After the OP, we cut back to Madoka's life which goes on as normal... too normal, for what she's just lost. It feels so cruel... Madoka can't stomach eating, and when her clueless mother gently reminds her that she needs to eat, she bursts into tears after a single bite. Madoka is uncharacteristically quiet during her walk to school that morning as well and slumps even further when she asks Sayaka - who is conversing with Hitomi as if nothing happened - telepathically if they can talk about it, only for Sayaka to brush her off and say they'll do it later. Nor can Madoka bring herself to focus on her teacher's lessons (and complaints about her love life) either.
On the school roof, while the show's main leitmotif plays (Sis Puella Magica! - You Should Become a Magical Girl!), Madoka and Sayaka finally discuss their loss while Kyubey says nothing, just watching as their guilt pushes them closer and closer to giving in.
Madoka: It's like we're in a different world or something. Even though nothing about the school or Hitomi-chan has changed since yesterday, now I feel like I'm surrounded by strangers. Sayaka looks up at the sky.
Sayaka: That's because no one knows. We're the only ones who know about the Witches and Mami-san. Nobody else does. It's like we're living in an entirely different world from them. Madoka looks over at Sayaka in concern.
Madoka: Sayaka-chan...
Sayaka: Our world had changed long ago. We should have realized that sooner. Madoka looks down at her lap for a moment, before Sayaka turns to look at her, which causes her to look up.
Sayaka: What about you, Madoka? Do you still want to become a Magical Girl? The camera cuts to Kyubey's face, before cutting again to them watching their conversation.
Madoka says nothing and looks back down at her feet, causing Sayaka to do the same.
Sayaka: Yeah... She puts her hand on Madoka's shoulder reassuringly. I can't blame you for that. Madoka's eyes begin to well with tears.
Madoka: I know it's not fair... I know I'm just being selfish right now, but... I just can't... Just remembering how she died... makes it hard to breathe. I'm so scared... I hate this. Madoka is crying by this point, so Sayaka pulls her close and hugs her.
Sayaka: Mami-san was really kind. To show us what it takes to fight, she...
Sayaka is determined to find heroism in Mami's death, since a true hero is willing to put their lives on the line for others, right? It wasn't all for nothing, right? It wasn't just pointless suffering for no reason, it couldn't be!
Sayaka asks Kyubey what will happen to the city now that its Magical Girl is gone. Kyubey says that Mitakihara has been Mami's "territory" for a while, but now that she's gone, eventually a new Magical Girl will arrive to hunt Witches. Sayaka laments they probably only care about Grief Seeds "like that transfer student" which Kyubey confirms. But it's only natural for them to be selfish in their eyes since everyone desires a reward - and before Sayaka can reply, they snub her by saying "only other Magical Girls have a right to criticize that." Kyubey then claims that they "won't pressure them" and disembarks for girls who will sign a contract - but they know that now that they've been introduced to the world of Magical Girls, there's no going back.
Madoka visits Mami's apartment after school - she still instinctively presses the doorbell as if Mami will be on the other side to answer. When she does, Madoka opens the door:
While her apartment used to feel warm and inviting, it now feels desolate and empty with Mami gone. The camera quickly cuts between dishes in the sink that will never be washed, cold tea left out on the table that will never be finished... as a group of laughing friends walks outside of the apartment, Madoka feels so painfully alone and begins to cry again, whimpering that she's sorry to Mami that she's so weak.
As she exits the apartment building, she's surprised to see Homura waiting for her outside and quickly brushes the tears from her eyes. Homura silently takes a few steps closer, and...
Homura: You're blaming yourself too much for this, Kaname Madoka.
Madoka: Huh?
Homura: No one can criticize the choices you've made. And even if they did, I wouldn't allow it. The camera cuts between Homura and Madoka, both of whom are blushing slightly.
Homura: It seems you've taken my warning to heart. Madoka tilts her head and nods.
Madoka: Yeah.
The camera cuts to Homura walking home with Madoka on the side of the road. Homura walks in front while Madoka walks behind.
Madoka: If only I had listened to you earlier...
Homura: That still wouldn't have changed Tomoe Mami's fate. But I was able to change yours. I'm glad to have saved at least one life. Madoka blushes again.
Madoka: Y-you know, Homura-chan... You seem like a veteran, but differently from Mami-san.
Homura: Perhaps. I won't deny it.
Madoka: Have you seen a lot of people die like yesterday?
Homura: Yes.
Madoka: How many?
Homura: So many that I've lost count. Homura's theme begins to play.
Madoka: I wonder if her room will stay like that forever.
Homura: Tomoe Mami had only distant relatives. I'm sure it'll be a while before anyone reports her missing.
Madoka: So no one will even know that she died?
Homura: That's just how it is. If someone dies [in a Labyrinth], there is no corpse left behind. She'll be deemed forever missing in this world. That's what happens to Magical Girls in the end. Madoka flinches in shock and begins to cry again. She stops walking, and Homura does as well once she's noticed, turning around to look at her... but says nothing.
Madoka: That's horrible... She fought alone to protect everyone, but no one will even realize she's dead... That's terrible!
Homura: That's the nature of the contract that grants us the power we hold. We don't fight to protect other people. We fight for the sake of our wishes. If our deaths go unnoticed by others and we're ultimately forgotten by this world... Then it's just how it is.
Madoka: I'll remember. Homura looks up in surprise.
Madoka: I'll never forget about Mami-san. Never! Homura backpedals slightly.
Homura: I see. Tomoe Mami's lucky to have someone who thinks that. The camera focuses on Homura's face. Enough to make me jealous. Madoka suddenly takes a step toward Homura.
Madoka: You too, Homura! I'll never forget about you either! I'll never forget how you saved us yesterday! Homura clenches her fist.
Madoka: Homura-chan?
Homura: You're too kind for your own good. [She's right - if Madoka sees someone in trouble and knows about the existence of Magical Girls, she will inevitably make a wish - hence Homura's constant interventions.]
Madoka: Huh? Homura spins around.
Homura: Remember this: sometimes kindness can bring forth an even greater tragedy. Homura turns and walks away, leaving Madoka frozen to the spot.
You know, I'm starting to think there might not be a heterosexual explanation for this. Also, this show really delights in torturing Homura, huh?
Homura very very desperately wants to connect with Madoka, but can't get too attached due to her ulterior motive - to prevent Madoka from becoming a Magical Girl. So she'll comfort her to an extent, but also continues to hammer in the isolation and loneliness of being a Magical Girl. It's the right thing to do and say, but Madoka instead takes it as a challenge, which will ultimately influence her decision at the end of the anime.
Meanwhile, back in the hospital...
Sayaka asks Kyosuke what he's listening to and stammers nervously that she doesn't seem like the type to listen to classical music, but it's something she genuinely enjoys, which is something she sincerely thanks him for. Kyosuke in response asks her if she's torturing him like this on purpose: he's already been told over and over to give up any hope of playing violin again, so her constantly trying to restore that hope is only hurting him more. Sayaka replies that she's just trying to cheer him up, and in response Kyosuke slams his fist against the music player, shattering it and spraying blood on the sheets. Sayaka jumps up from her stool to pin his arm down and cries, which causes him to cry too, because: "My fingers won't move. I can't even feel pain anymore. What use is a hand like this?"
Sayaka continues to try to cheer him up, but he reiterates that the doctors have told him there is nothing they can do. Besides, there's no such thing as miracles or magic to suddenly make his hand better. Or is there?
Sayaka: There is. Kyosuke looks up at her in confusion.
Sayaka: Miracles and magic do exist. As she says this, Kyubey's silhouette is reflected in her eyes. Sure enough, she looks up, and...
It's nightfall, and Madoka is still making her way home and thinking about Homura - if they could just talk, she's sure they'd get along, and wonders why she ended up fighting with Mami... and looks up to see Hitomi shuffling awkwardly. Madoka confusedly asks her "don't you have tea practice today?" and then spots that she's been Kissed by a Witch:
Madoka walks in front of her and shakes her gently, which causes Hitomi to refer to Madoka as "Kaname-san" and tell her that she's going "somewhere far better than here" and asks her to join her. Not knowing what to do, Madoka follows her nervously. The camera then shows that a small crowd of people is being pulled in by the Witch, into an abandoned industrial warehouse. The man in front laments that he couldn't keep a small factory running and is now utterly worthless. He should just die...
Under the Witch's influence, they shut the doors behind them and begin to pour toilet cleaner into a bucket... and as a woman brings forth a gallon of bleach, Madoka remembers her warning from her mother never to mix those two, as it will create toxic chlorine gas. Madoka rushes forward, begging them to stop, but is grabbed by Hitomi. Madoka pleas that they'll all die, a fact that she seems excited by. Madoka struggles free and throws the bucket outside by breaking a window several feet above her.
Madoka turns around to find the crowd descending upon her like a horde of zombies. She backs up against the wall, tries to slide open a locked window, and then slides over to a door that fortunately for her isn't locked. She cries as she slams the door and locks it behind her... only to leap out of the frying pan and into the oven as the Witch's Labyrinth begins to materialize.
Madoka is torn apart by the puppet-esque Familiars and transported into a Labyrinth consisting of a single large room modeled after a merry-go-round and with an art-style shift removing Madoka's outlines, while the actual Witch takes the form of a television screen held aloft by two of her Familiars. Between flashing images of someone who looks like an idol and runes saying "I don't like fools," the Witch gives its name:
ELLY
The box witch with a covetous nature. She is a staunchly reclusive witch. Anything she covets she locks away within the glass. The thoughts of her prisoners are laid bare, but one can strike her without thought without problems.
The Witch taunts Madoka with television screens placed atop the carousel playing her memories of Mami. Madoka begins to succumb to despair, wondering if she was trapped here because she was weak, a liar... The Witch descends, laughs at her, and commands her familiars to tear her apart by pulling on her limbs, which stretch like rubber. Madoka yells and cries... and is suddenly saved by bolts of blue magic! Her savior attacks the Witch in a blue blur and the camera pans up to reveal that Madoka's savior is Sayaka, who's signed a contract and become a Magical Girl:
Sayaka's uniform is like something out of a fairy tale, and her blue Soul Gem takes the form of a crescent shape on her belly when she's transformed. Her weapon of choice is cutlasses, and Sayaka hacks and slashes her way through Familiars to land another attack on the Witch, knocking it and its carousel down to the floor. With a torrent of black blood (and the falling corpse of what appears to be a girl), the Witch vomits out its Grief Seed and its Labyrinth disintegrates while Homura watches from a nearby building.
Sayaka bashfully apologizes for being so late and Madoka points out the obvious. Sayaka says that she's "had a change of heart" and says that she did a pretty good job for her first battle. Homura comes closer and scowls at Sayaka having signed the contract, which she of course misinterprets as jealousy. But as far as Sayaka's concerned, she's finally become the hero she's wanted to be.
That night, Kyosuke wakes up in his hospital room to find his hand has healed... and from the distance, a new Magical Girl was also watching Sayaka's fight. Her name is Kyoko Sakura, and she's not impressed. She scowls at Kyubey having neglected to inform her that Sayaka had made a contract, and tells them that she isn't going to just let some rookie have such prime territory. New antagonist time!
And with that, the episode ends.
Sayaka: I guess I'm flying high! You can count on Magical Girl Sayaka-chan to protect Mitakihara City! Episode Five: I will never regret it.
Sayaka is such a tragic character because her conception of what it means to be a Magical Girl would make her a great protagonist (or at least, a supporting character) in a normal Magical Girl anime... but this isn't one. The audience already instinctually feels that she's made a mistake doing this, though the consequences of that mistake will only become horrifyingly clear later. All you need to know is that Sayaka's made her deal with the Devil, and such deals always come with a steep price...
ACT I - PMMM Episode Five: I will never regret it.
Last episode: With Mami's sudden death at the hands of Charlotte, Madoka and Sayaka begin a downward spiral into guilt and self-loathing. Madoka feels intense guilt over being too scared to sign a contract, while Sayaka tries to find meaning in Mami's meaningless death and increasingly succumbs to her self-destructive romantic ideal of what it means to be a hero.
After visiting Mami's apartment one final time, Madoka finds Homura waiting for her at the foot of the apartment building. While walking home together, Homura alternates between comforting Madoka and continuing to hammer in the isolation and loneliness of being a Magical Girl. When Homura mentions that Mami's corpse will never be found and she is doomed to be forgotten, Madoka declares she will never forget Mami - or Homura, which seems to wound the latter and causes her to depart with yet another cryptic warning.
Meanwhile, Sayaka visits Kyosuke in the hospital again. Frustrated by her attempts to give him hope when the doctors have told him he will never be able to play the violin again, Kyosuke lashes out at Sayaka and slams his fist into the music player, which causes him to cry because he "can't even feel pain anymore." When Kyosuke laments that there is no such thing as miracles and magic, Sayaka finally decides she is going to sign a contract with Kyubey...
Nightfall. Madoka is still making her way home and spots Hitomi shuffling in a daze. She realizes with horror that she's been Kissed by a Witch and follows her to an abandoned warehouse, where a small crowd of people under the Witch's influence is attempting to commit suicide by asphyxiation. Madoka prevents this from happening but is pulled into the Witch's Labyrinth, which torments her with memories of Mami and begins to rip her apart. However, she is saved by the arrival of Sayaka, who is now a Magical Girl.
This episode: A new Magical Girl by the name of Kyoko Sakura has arrived in Mitakihara City and announces her intention to challenge Sayaka for control over it...
...
This episode begins with Sayaka making a contract with Kyubey on the hospital roof - surrounded by rings of flowers, almost like a bulls-eye, and underneath a blood-red sky.
The camera hovers over Sayaka and Kyubey
Sayaka: You can really grant any wish, right?
Kyubey: Rest assured, your prayer will be answered. The camera cuts to the above side perspective.
Kyubey: Are you ready?
Sayaka: Yeah. Do it.
With the same emotionless expression as ever, Kyubey lifts the tassels that dangle from their ears like appendages, and their silhouette pulls a glowing ball of blue light from Sayaka's heart, causing her to gasp in pain and start to fall backward in slow motion. As she does, Kyubey shapes the ball into the egg shape of a Soul Gem and asks Sayaka to "accept her destiny." With a determined expression on her face, Sayaka grabs it and falls into the bushes behind her. With a storm of petals, Sayaka has unknowingly accepted a terrible fate...
After the OP, we're dropped back into Madoka's class. Hitomi yawns from fatigue from having to stay in the hospital until late last night due to being part of what's been deemed a "collective hallucination," and will have to go for more tests after school. Sayaka acts blissfully ignorant, laughing that "that's our honor student" when Hitomi refused to stay home today since she didn't want to worry her parents further. Meanwhile, Madoka just stares at her desk while Homura watches their conversation from a distance with an annoyed look on her face.
After school that day, Madoka and Sayaka lounge on a patch of grass under the shade of Mitakihara's wind turbines. Which I imagine would be pretty loud that close, but aesthetic triumphs over realism in this case.
Sayaka lays back and stretches with a satisfied look on her face. Madoka sits up to her left.
Sayaka: It's been a while since I've felt this good. I feel wonderful!
Madoka: Sayaka-chan, aren't you scared?
Sayaka: Hm? Well, yeah, I am a bit scared, but I took care of that Witch pretty easily yesterday. When I think about how I might've lost my two best friends, I find that a lot scarier. Sayaka sits up and reveals her blue Soul Gem, presenting it to Madoka.
Sayaka: So I mean, I guess I have more confidence? Maybe I'm just at ease. I'm just a bit proud of myself too. She stands up fully.
Sayaka: I guess I'm flying high. You can count on Magical Girl Sayaka-chan to protect Mitakihara City! Madoka looks down at her feet in shame.
Madoka: So you don't regret anything at all?
Sayaka: I guess if I had to name one... The image of Mami flashes across the screen. It'd be the fact that I hesitated for so long. Another image, this one of Charlotte's Grief Seed crushing Mami's teacup. If only I had known, I would have become a Magical Girl sooner. If Mami and I had fought that Witch together, she might not have died. Sayaka sits back down.
Madoka: I... Flashes of Madoka's heart-to-heart with Mami. Madoka slumps down even further, but Sayaka reassuringly boops her nose.
Sayaka: Come on. Don't tell me you're thinking of something silly.
Madoka: I... I should've...
Sayaka: I'm saying all of this now because I'm already a Magical Girl. But I didn't know back then. It's like I was destined to become a Magical Girl from the start. [Sayaka is nowhere to be seen in the first two timelines of Episode 10. If I had to guess, Sayaka only becomes a Magical Girl in timelines where she follows Madoka to the mall. She might not have enough magical potential to get Kyubey's attention otherwise. Which makes this declaration a little wince-inducing in hindsight.]
Madoka: Sayaka-chan...
Sayaka: After all, I found my wish. Something that I wouldn't mind risking my life to fight for. I'm just a little frustrated it took me so long to realize that. She turns towards Madoka. That's why you shouldn't feel guilty. You don't have to turn into a Magical Girl if you don't want to. Simple as that.
Madoka: Yeah...
(Interestingly, Sayaka spends a good chunk of this scene being shaded darker than Madoka, most notable here.)
Sayaka leaves Madoka to go visit Kyosuke again, and the conversation ends.
Of course, despite Sayaka's best efforts to reassure and comfort Madoka, by framing the decision to contract as something that feels right and is destined, Sayaka's only undercutting her message that Madoka "doesn't have to" sign one too - and she feels more alone than ever now that Sayaka's decisively entered this new world. But Sayaka doesn't have time to worry about things like "potentially being devoured by a Witch" or "unforeseen consequences of signing a deal with an increasingly suspicious cat-thing" - she's going to enjoy her wish to the fullest!
Kyosuke's still in the hospital because Sayaka wished to fix his hand, after all. He still needs a bit more PT before he can just walk around on his own. They also want to figure out how his hand magically fixed itself and are keeping him for further observation. But the boy's in a visibly improved mood, smiling and talking about how the accident is starting to feel like "just a bad dream." He then apologizes to Sayaka for his outburst, being in a bad mood was no excuse... Sayaka waves it off because he's happy now and that's what matters, right?
(I think Kyosuke has acquired quite the hatedom considering Future Events, but the tragedy of what unfolds is because at the end of the day, he's an oblivious fourteen-year-old boy who knows nothing about what Sayaka is going through, and this scene shows that. Really, "they are fourteen years old" applies to a lot of discourse regarding these characters. Especially one in particular.)
Sayaka then sticks him in a wheelchair and brings him to the hospital roof, where doctors and nurses wait alongside Kyosuke's parents. His dad gives him his violin and asks him to try it out. He proceeds to play a rendition of Bach's Ave Maria in a scene framed similarly to Sayaka signing the contract, though one dominated by softer oranges instead of harsher reds - even the movie version of this scene omits the scene at the start of the episode and instead intersperses shots from it here for the sake of saving time.
Overjoyed with the knowledge she made Kyosuke happy and gets to hear him play again, Sayaka internally tells Mami that her wish came true, and confidently declares that "there's no way I could regret it."
She does, but it's important to note why. Remember Mami's words - Sayaka wants to be the person who makes Kyosuke happy, but she confuses this for wanting him to be happy and wishes for that accordingly. The tragedy of the selfless/selfish wish dichotomy is that most Magical Girls will wish to remove an obstacle to the thing they want instead of actually wishing for the thing they want. It's Sayaka's realization a few episodes later that she's "no better" than the self-motivated Magical Girls she despises that is the primary contribution to her coming downfall.
In the distance, Kyoko watches through a magically-enhanced tower viewer, and the show immediately begins to establish the kind of character she is. She's constantly snacking on something and sees Sayaka as a push-over, confidently declaring she could "kill someone like her in a heartbeat." Kyoko asks Kyubey if they object to that, and Kyubey avoids the question and replies "it may not be as easy as you think." There's also the factor of Homura, who Kyubey reveals they do not remember making a contract with and cannot predict. Kyoko handwaves it, saying that she's bored and would like to shake things up a bit.
Meanwhile, at the food court, Madoka has asked Homura out on a date.
Okay, in all seriousness. Madoka has asked Homura here because she's worried about Sayaka and doesn't know what to do.
Madoka: U-um, about Sayaka-chan... She's very persistent and can be kind of stubborn, and she has a really quick temper... But she's a really nice person! She's kind and courageous, and she'll go to any length to help someone.
Homura: All fatal flaws for a Magical Girl.
Madoka: Is... is that true? Sis Puella Magi! begins to play.
Homura: Excessive kindness leads to weakness. Reckless courage leads to carelessness. There's also no reward for dedication of any kind. You can't be a Magical Girl unless you understand that. That is why Tomoe Mami lost her life. Homura twists and pulls the lid off her cup as she says this, causing Madoka to flinch and yell.
Madoka: Don't say it like that! She shakes her head and resumes speaking in her normal tone of voice. Sayaka-chan's saying that she'll be fine, but when I think she might end up like Mami-san, I just don't know what to do.
Homura: You're worried about Miki Sayaka, aren't you? She nods.
Madoka: I can't do anything for her anymore, so I want to ask you. Could you be friends with Sayaka-chan? Don't fight with her like you did with Mami-san. It should be much safer if you all fight the Witches together, right? Homura starts to bring the cup up to her lips but suddenly stops when Madoka asks the last question.
Homura: I don't want to lie, and I don't want to make any promises I can't keep. So I want you to give up on Miki Sayaka. Madoka reels with shock and cries slightly.
Madoka: Why...
Homura: She shouldn't have formed the contract. This is partially my fault as well. I should've kept a closer eye on her, as I did you.
Madoka: So-
Homura: But now that I've taken responsibility, I must tell you that it's a mistake that cannot be undone. It'd be like trying to bring someone back from the dead. Once you become a Magical Girl, there's no hope for salvation. The contract takes away everything in exchange for a single hope.
Madoka: Does that mean you've given up too? Given up on yourself and all the other girls?
Homura: Yes. I won't make excuses and say I'll try to atone. I must continue with my struggle, with whatever sin I have to bear. Homura slides out of the booth and picks up her schoolbag.
Homura: It seems that I've wasted your time. I apologize.
Homura is somewhat right, though her framing of it is very cold and antagonistic, and thus Madoka - and the audience - are still inclined to reject her, but she also knows she is asking Madoka to do something impossible. Homura is much, much more experienced than Madoka when it comes to designating people as acceptable - if still painful - losses, after all. Homura has found kindness wanting in her still unclear quest and has adopted her current cold persona as a response. As a response to what will still go unanswered for most of the show.
Sayaka hypes herself up for her first Witch Hunt in front of a mirror in her apartment and then finds Madoka waiting for her at the foot of the building, nervously asking if she'll be okay by herself. Sayaka replies she'll be fine because "that's what Mami did" and she's her kouhai after all - ignoring this is precisely what got Mami killed. Madoka begs her to take Sayaka with her "until I become a burden." Sayaka teases her about it but is happy that she asked since she's been very nervous about her debut, and having someone to come along with her would make her feel much better.
Kyubey asks Sayaka if she has a plan and Sayaka reassures them with Madoka in tow she wouldn't be nearly as reckless, and Kyubey then whips around and asks Madoka telepathically if she has a plan, not-so-subtly guilt-tripping her by saying if things go tits up, Madoka can sign a contract with them too. Yeesh. The two merge into an evening crowd and follow the glow of Sayaka's Soul Gem to an alleyway, where they are dropped into a small Labyrinth made by a stray Familiar:
Sayaka transforms into her Magical Girl uniform, wraps her cape around herself, and with a flourish reveals that she's summoned several cutlasses in a circle (just like Mami) and promptly begins to throw them at the fleeing Familiar. She corners it and is about to kill it when two of her swords are suddenly deflected by a spear. Kyoko descends and chides them as the Familiar gets away, its Labyrinth dissipating with a red "FIN" in runes. Sayaka takes a few steps after it but is stopped short by Kyoko holding her at spearpoint.
Kyoko pulls out a taiyaki fish and reprimands Sayaka for going after a Familiar: what she really should do is let the Familiar kill four or five people so it becomes a full-blown Witch and she can get a Grief Seed from it. Sayaka is horrified by the idea, and Kyoko's comparison to the food chain (Witches eat people, Magical Girls "eat" Witches) doesn't convince her either. Kyoko aggressively violates Sayaka's personal space and extends a lattice barrier of red diamonds blocking off Sayaka and Madoka's end of the alley as she chides Sayaka for making a wish to "play out a ridiculous farce like pretending to be a hero and rescuing people" as her theme Anima mala ("Evil Soul") plays.
Sayaka swings her sword at Kyoko only for her to effortlessly block it with her spear, and no matter how much Sayaka pushes against her, she can't get Kyoko to buckle. She then spins around to reveal her spear can not only extend but break itself into chained together segments to attack or defend over a wide area - in this case, whipping Sayaka into a nearby wall and breaking a water pipe in the process. Sayaka crumples into a heap on the floor, but soon gets back up to Kyoko's annoyance, since that injury "should have put you out of commission for at least three months." Kyubey explains to Madoka that since Sayaka made a wish to heal someone, she has exceptionally fast healing on top of her natural regenerative abilities as a Magical Girl, but she doesn't know that yet.
Sayaka's wounds close just in time for Kyoko to start giving her brand-new ones as she forces Sayaka on the backfoot with her chain, and after a few parries manages to wrap it around Sayaka and slams her into a wall.
Kyoko: If you're too dumb to understand words, and you don't get it when I beat you down... I'll just have to kill you! Kyoko reforms her spear and lunges towards a downed Sayaka. Sayaka raises her blade and stops Kyoko's spearpoint. Agnem cilentum (Army of Cilents) begins to play.
Sayaka: I won't lose... I WON'T LOSE! Kyoko uses her spear to vault herself above Sayaka, then slams its point down next to her with earth-shattering force. Sayaka dodges but is continually on the backfoot, as Kyoko leverages her spear's length and the narrowness of the alley to keep her moving.
Madoka: Why is this happening... There isn't a Witch here...
Kyubey: It's hopeless. Neither of them intends to back down. Kyoko continues to twirl her spear and kicks Sayaka back.
Madoka: Please, Kyubey! Make them stop! This shouldn't be happening!
Kyubey: I can't do anything. They hop to Madoka's feet after previously laying on her shoulders, and look up at her. But if you want to stop them by force... It's not like there aren't any options on the table. Only another Magical Girl can come between their battle. But you have the capacity to do that, if that's what you really wish.
Madoka: Internally That's right... If I make a contract too... Kyoko's chain wraps around Sayaka's legs one final time. Sayaka goes down and her sword lands across the alley from her while Kyokolooms ominously overhead.
Kyoko: It's over! She reforms her spear and lunges towards Sayaka. Madoka has tears in her eyes.
Madoka: I...
Homura: There's no need for that.
Her silhouette moving across bubbles in the air, Homura suddenly intervenes, moving Sayaka out of the way of Kyoko's spear and landing gracefully in the puddle left by the broken pipe.
Homura ex machina.
With a flip of her hair, the episode ends.
Madoka: Sayaka-chan, you became a Magical Girl to fight Witches, right? That girl isn't a Witch. She's a Magical Girl like you! Episode Six: This is definitely wrong.
(Unfortunately, I can't find the specific red oni/blue oni joke Tumblr post I wanted to cap this off with. Truly, a world-historic tragedy.)
Madoka's right, Kyoko and Sayaka have more in common than Sayaka thinks and Kyoko is willing to admit. But I can't really elaborate on that just yet for obvious reasons. But Kyoko's a really interesting and unfortunately overlooked character I hope I can do proper justice to - and her relationship with Sayaka, in particular, is especially interesting and sweet.
With Kyoko's introduction, our cast is complete. As the Wheel of Fate keeps turning on, will they manage to find a way to make hope triumph over despair?
ACT I - PMMM Episode Six: This is definitely wrong.
Last Episode: On the hospital roof, Sayaka makes a contract with Kyubey to heal Kyosuke's hand. While Madoka continues to mourn Mami's death, Sayaka is "flying high" and tells Madoka that she feels like becoming a Magical Girl was something she was destined to do, only isolating Madoka further. After school that day, she visits a still-hospitalized Kyosuke and brings him to the hospital roof, where his family gives him his violin and he plays it successfully for the first time since the accident. Sayaka internally declares that she will never regret becoming a Magical Girl.
Meanwhile, Madoka asks Homura to watch over Sayaka as she has watched after her - but Homura refuses, stating that she will not make any promises she cannot keep and that Magical Girls have no hope for salvation once they've made the contract. Homura asks Madoka to give up on Sayaka and then apologizes for wasting her time. Refusing to do so, Madoka waits at the footstep of Sayaka's apartment building as she leaves for her first Witch Hunt, pleading with Sayaka to let Madoka accompany her until "she becomes a burden." Sayaka accepts, and the two track down a stray Familiar hiding within an alleyway. Sayaka attacks the Familiar but is prevented from killing it by Kyoko.
Kyoko explains that Sayaka should allow the Familiar to consume enough people that it becomes a full-grown Witch to ensure that she will get a Grief Seed from it. Sayaka finds this notion utterly abhorrent and attacks Kyoko, but is quickly put on the backfoot and is seriously injured. Kyoko turns to walk away but stops when Sayaka unexpectedly gets back up again - her wish to heal another person has granted her accelerated healing as well. Kyoko and Sayaka clash in a duel to the death while Kyubey tries to pressure Madoka into contracting by saying only she can break up the fight. Just before Kyoko can land the finishing blow and Madoka can contract, Homura intervenes...
In this episode: Sayaka learns just what it means to be a Magical Girl.
...
This episode begins with the end of the last: Sayaka is knocked down, Kyoko looms overhead, and lunges for Sayaka who is spirited away by Homura. This episode finally begins to hint at her powers beyond her brief fight with Charlotte - Homura is between Kyoko and Sayaka when Kyoko angrily yells and points her spear at her, only for Homura to suddenly appear behind Kyoko glaring at her. Kyoko instinctively takes a few steps back as she recognizes her as the "irregularity" Kyubey spoke of. Sayaka tries to attack Kyoko but Homura appears behind her and knocks her out cold with a chop to the neck.
The lattice barrier between Madoka and the others dissipates. Madoka runs to Sayaka's side.
Madoka: Sayaka-chan!
Kyubey: She's okay. She's just unconscious.
Kyoko: Who are you? Whose side are you on?
Homura: I'm an ally to those who maintain their composure, and an enemy to idiotic aggressors. Which are you, Sakura Kyoko? Kyoko reacts with slight shock at Homura knowing her name, then turns to face her.
Kyoko: Have we met before?
Homura: Maybe. Who knows? ["I don't want to lie to you but I also can't tell you the truth."] Kyoko and Homura stare at each other for several seconds. Kyoko contemplates attacking Homura, and...
Kyoko: ...not when I haven't a clue what you've got up your sleeve. She slings her spear over her shoulders. I'll back down for today.
Homura: That's wise of you. Kyoko leaps into the air and wall-jumps her way out of the alley with the help of her spear.
Madoka: You... saved us?
Homura: How many times must I warn you? Anger begins to creep into her voice. Just how big of a fool are you? Madoka looks down at Sayaka.
Homura: I have warned you countless times not to get involved, correct?
Madoka: But I...
Homura: If reasoning with a fool won't work, I will turn to more drastic measures. Madoka gasps slightly in fear. Homura begins to walk away. Madoka has tears in her eyes...
Madoka: Homura-chan... Why? Kyubey hops back onto Madoka's shoulder.
Kyubey: At any rate, it's obvious she's planning something. Be on your toes. The camera focuses on Kyubey's eye.
Kyubey: Akemi Homura, could you be...
Once again, Homura is being honest in her motivations but combined with her mysterious powers and knowledge of the others, she is continually cast in a hostile light. She needs to keep her friends at an arm's length for the sake of her mission and has seen enough to convince her that they are doomed either way. When you can only save one person... all she can do is try not to get too attached.
Of course, the tragedy of it all is that Homura's cold, aloof approach only causes the others to distrust her and sometimes accelerates whatever it is Fate has in store for them, as can be seen in the case of Mami. Homura cannot stop herself from lashing out at Madoka, the person she is so determined to save, in a way that is heartwrenching, understandable, and cruel all at once - and all it does is play directly into Kyubey's paws.
After the OP, Sayaka uses the Grief Seed she obtained two episodes ago to purify her Soul Gem. Sayaka remarks that the Grief Seed has turned pure black, and Kyubey says that once Grief Seeds have absorbed a certain amount of despair, the Witch might hatch again. Fortunately, Kyubey "eats" Grief Seeds through the egg-shaped red marking on their back, presumably recycling the materials and energy involved to create more Soul Gems. They urge Sayaka to find a new Grief Seed, which causes Sayaka to ask if it's really so important to keep the Soul Gem clean. Kyubey dodges the question and notes that Kyoko was much stronger than her. With extra Grief Seeds, Sayaka could let loose without fear of expending her magic - that's what Kyoko does.
Sayaka of course replies that that doesn't mean she has the right to sacrifice innocent people to get extras. But Kyubey retorts that unless she gets extras somehow, Sayaka doesn't stand a chance. The Magical Girl System prioritizes results and efficiency above all else - which means it inevitably bends towards selfish loners like Kyoko (and Homura to an extent) and punishes those who are selfless like Sayaka. Kyoko makes Sayaka uncomfortable not just because of her selfish attitude, but because the idea she might one day end up like Kyoko is repulsive to her. And indeed, Kyoko was once a selfless hero like Sayaka.
Sayaka notes that Mami never had enough Grief Seeds either and wonders if some Magical Girls are just stronger than others, which Kyubey confirms. They then try to appeal to Sayaka's selfishness as a way to try to get Madoka to contract: Madoka would be stronger than Kyoko if she signed a contract, much stronger... But Sayaka won't succumb to their temptation, insisting that Kyoko is "her fight" in typical Sayaka fashion.
Elsewhere, Kyoko is playing a game of DDR (funnily enough, she's dancing to the OP) while Homura approaches her. Homura offers Mitakihara to Kyoko since she has an attitude suited toward being a Magical Girl, and asks her to let Homura resolve the Sayaka issue herself. Kyoko asks what's in it for Homura, and Homura says that in two weeks, a witch known as Walpurgisnacht will descend upon Mitakihara. Homura will leave the city as soon as it's defeated but in exchange... Kyoko understands immediately and offers Homura a Pocky stick as a symbol of their partnership.
Madoka and Sayaka return to the alley after school the next day, but too much time has passed. There's no magic left to track the Familiar down with. Madoka nervously says that if Sayaka keeps fighting Witches, they'll run into Kyoko again, so she should just try and talk things over to avoid another fight. Sayaka points out that it wasn't "just" a fight, both of them were seriously trying to kill each other. The idea of that is even worse in Madoka's eyes, but Sayaka snaps at her not to be "stupid" and says she refuses to work with someone willing to use other people as stepping stones like that. Madoka weakly replies that they're both Magical Girls and if Sayaka just gave her (and Homura) a chance they could all just be friends!
At the mention of Homura's name, Sayaka scowls and accuses her of waiting for Mami to die before killing Charlotte to steal her Grief Seed (note that Sayaka did not see Mami restrain Homura), her encounter with Kyoko only jading her when it comes to other Magical Girls further. With tears in her eyes, Madoka says that that's not what happened, but is too emotional to elaborate further. Sayaka rakes Madoka over the coals, asking how she would feel if she knew that her family had been killed by a Familiar another Magical Girl had allowed to escape. Sayaka accepted this power to protect those she cares about - and if that means fighting another Magical Girl, so be it.
Madoka pleas for Kyubey to do something, but Kyubey uses it as an opportunity to pressure Madoka further: Sayaka has no chance of beating Kyoko or Homura [but if you make a contract...] and won't listen to them. They're probably right, but they don't need to be a dick about it.
Sleep doesn't come easy to Madoka that night. When she hears her mother come home from work that night, she comes down the stairs and asks for help.
Madoka sits across from her mother in their dining room. Her mother is wearing a robe and towel wrapped around her head, having taken a bath when she got home. Madoka is in her pajamas and has her hair up in a single ponytail. While sipping orange juice, she asks...
Madoka: A friend of mine is in a tough situation. What she's doing and saying probably isn't wrong, but the more she tries to do what's right, the worse it gets.
Mom: That happens a lot. Madoka blinks in shock.
Mom: It sucks, but you can't expect a happy ending just by doing what's right all the time. Actually, the more people get stubborn and insist that they're in the right, the farther away happiness gets.
Madoka: It's not fair if you can't be happy even though you're not doing the wrong things.
Mom: Yeah.
Madoka: What do you think I should do?
Mom: That's not a problem that can be solved by someone not involved. Do you want to solve this, even if it's not the nicest way to do it?
Madoka: Yeah.
Mom: All you have to do is make a mistake for her.
Madoka: Huh?
Mom: Somebody has to be in the wrong to balance out her need to be in the right.
Madoka: Do something wrong?
Mom: Tell a white lie, or run away from something scary. Sometimes you realize that was actually the best choice in the end. Sometimes when you hit a dead end with no real alternatives, making a big mistake is an option.
Madoka: But do you think she'll understand that I'm doing it for her own good?
Mom: She might not. Especially at first. I told you it might not be the nicest way to do it. But would you rather give up on her, or give her the wrong idea about you? Madoka, you grew up to be a good girl. You don't lie, and you don't do anything bad. You're always trying hard to do what's right. You're already a wonderful child. That's why you should start learning to make mistakes before you grow up.
Madoka: Learning how to make mistakes?
Mom: You recover from injury faster when you're young. If you learn how to fall down now, it'll be easier for you later on. When you get older, making mistakes gets harder. The more things you're responsible for, the fewer mistakes you can get away with. Madoka takes a sip of her juice.
Madoka: I see. Isn't that hard?
Mom: Being an adult is hard for everybody. That's why they let you drink. Madoka smiles and giggles.
Madoka: I want to grow up and drink with you.
Mom: Then grow up super-fast, my dear. For adults, it's only as fun as it hurts.
It's the advice Madoka needs to hear, even if how she chooses to act on it isn't great. Interestingly, Madoka's mom's words regarding Sayaka ("would you rather give up on her, or give her the wrong idea about you?") apply just as much to Homura's perspective - she alienates the other girls by her strange behavior and knowing things she shouldn't, but it reflects a genuine concern for their well-being, even if Homura is convinced they're all doomed.
The next day, Sayaka happily runs to Kyosuke's hospital room with a big grin on her face, only to find it empty. He was discharged from the hospital yesterday and neglected to tell her. She walks to his family's manor as the sun begins to set, about to press the doorbell when she overhears him playing once again. She smiles and turns away... to find Kyoko waiting for her just across the street.
Kyoko's managed to connect the dots and mocks Sayaka for going home without seeing the boy she wasted her wish on. Sayaka asks what the hell Kyoko would know, to which Kyoko replies "a hell of a lot more than you" - indeed, her behavior is motivated by anger at her choices and worldview in a way that's too genuine to just be chalked up to Kyoko wanting the city to herself. She also briefly alludes to a previous history with Mami that the anime doesn't touch on but will be covered in the first volume of the Different Story manga.
Kyoko points out that if Sayaka wanted Kyosuke to love her back, she could just wish for that - or even right now, just break his arms and legs and make him totally dependent on you! She even insincerely offers to do it herself to rile Sayaka up further. Sayaka trembles with anger and takes the bait hook, line, and sinker. Kyoko proposes they take their next duel somewhere else...
While doing her English homework, Madoka remembers her mother's words. While contemplating how to act on them, Kyubey urges her to hurry to Sayaka, hoping they can finally get her to agree to the contract...
Kyoko and Sayaka's second duel takes place at night, on an empty bridge over a highway overpass.
Kyoko transforms and Sayaka is about to do the same just as Madoka reaches her. Sayaka is taken off-guard and urges her to stay out of it. Kyoko snarks that "annoying jerks attract annoying friends" just in time for Homura to appear by her side and "wonder what sort of friends you have, then." She chides Kyoko for violating the terms of their agreement, and when Kyoko protests that her method wouldn't have gotten then method across, Homura appears on the other side of Kyoko and offers to fight her instead. Kyoko says Homura has until she finishes her pocky stick, which Homura cooly says that that's "plenty of time." Seeing her worst fears about to become realized, Madoka does the only thing she can think of to stop it: she grabs Sayaka's Soul Gem out of her hands and hurls it over the side of the bridge.
It lands on top of a truck passing below. When Homura realizes what Madoka has done, it produces the strongest emotional reaction we've seen from Homura yet and she immediately disappears. Sayaka yells at Madoka for it but before Madoka can even defend herself, Sayaka suddenly goes limp and the light in her eyes fades...
Kyubey: That was bad, Madoka. How could you just throw away your friend like that?Are you crazy? Kyoko rushes over with a concerned look on her face while Madoka trembles in fear.
Madoka: What... what are you saying? Kyoko grabs Sayaka by the neck, her limp body dangling as she searches for a pulse. Her eyes go wide with shock.
Kyoko: What the hell is this... She's dead! Homura flash-steps after the truck with Sayaka's Soul Gem on it with a determined expression on her face. Back on the bridge, Sayaka's body has been laid out on the floor while Madoka tries to shake her awake. The track Pugna Infinita (Endless Battle) begins to play.
Madoka: Sayaka-chan? Hey, Sayaka-chan? Wake up! Say something! What's wrong? I don't want this to happen! SAYAKA-CHAN!
Kyoko: What the hell is going on? She whips around to face Kyubey, perched on the railing of the Bridge.
Kyoko: HEY!
Kyubey: You magical girls can only control your bodies from 100 meters away, at most.
Kyoko: One hundred meters? What the hell does that mean?
Kyubey: You normally carry them with you, so accidents like this are rare.
Madoka: What are you saying, Kyubey? Save her! Don't let Sayaka-chan die!
Kyubey: Madoka, that isn't Sayaka. It's just an empty shell.
Madoka: Huh?
Kyubey: You just threw Sayaka away.
Kyoko: Wh-what? She clutches her Soul Gem, a red gemstone over her heart.
Homura has reached the truck and begins to climb on top of it as Kyubey continues to monologue.
Kyubey: I couldn't just ask you to fight Witches with a fragile human body. A Magical Girl's old body is nothing more than a piece of external hardware. Your actual soul is given a much safer, compact form that is capable of controlling magic much more efficiently. Homura reaches Sayaka's Soul Gem and picks it up. She stands and stares at it.
Kyubey: It's part of my job when I complete a Magical Girl's contract. I extract your souls and turn them into Soul Gems.
Kyoko: What the hell did you do to us? She marches over and picks up Kyubey by their head. You bastard! You basically turned us into zombies!
Kyubey: Isn't it more convenient? Even if your heart is torn to shreds, or you lose every drop of blood, your body can be fixed in no time with magical healing. You're basically invincible, provided that your Soul Gem is intact. Isn't that far more advantageous than fighting with a human body full of vital organs?
Madoka: Her voice is trembling. That's terrible... That's too awful... She breaks down into sobs over Sayaka's body.
Kyubey: You're always the same. You always react like this when you're told what's really going on. I just don't get it. Why are humans so touchy about the placement of their souls? Kyoko grows angrier as Homura places Sayaka's Soul Gem into the palm of her hand. Kyoko and Madoka look up at her in shock as she flips her hair. The life returns to Sayaka's eyes and with a gasp, Sayaka wakes and sits up, dazed and confused.
Sayaka: What? What's wrong?
Kyubey: You had a wish important enough to commit yourself to a life of battle, did you not? And your wish came true, didn't it? Episode Seven: Can you accept your true feelings?
If you flip this image, Madoka, Homura, and Sayaka's bodies spell out the kanji for death.
...
We regret to inform you that the Cat-Thing is species-ist.
In all seriousness, today the Magical Girls learned just what Kyubey thinks of them. They don't hate humans or do this because they enjoy watching us squirm, but they truly, fundamentally do not care about us either. Which is arguably worse. All Kyubey is concerned with is contracts, though what they get from it won't be clear for a few more episodes. If you hadn't put the pieces together yet (or somehow hadn't been spoiled about this), well now you know!
Unfortunately for poor Sayaka, her suffering is not over yet. As Kyoko begins to see the light again for the first time since the tragic events that led her down this path, Sayaka begins to fall into a downward spiral that threatens to pull the rest of the cast down with her...
Sayaka of course replies that that doesn't mean she has the right to sacrifice innocent people to get extras. But Kyubey retorts that unless she gets extras somehow, Sayaka doesn't stand a chance. The Magical Girl System prioritizes results and efficiency above all else - which means it inevitably bends towards selfish loners like Kyoko (and Homura to an extent) and punishes those who are selfless like Sayaka.
Even Mami, very much the exemplar of magical girls, really seemed to see her duty as ending with Witches and Familiars. Mundane stuff like muggers or abusers never seemed to be part of her domain. Of course, with how much time she spends hunting Witches along with minor habits like food, sleeping, school and whatever she does to destress and not snap like a twig, its hard to blame her.
ACT I - PMMM Episode Seven: Can you accept your true feelings?
Last episode: Homura stops Sayaka from being killed by Kyoko and promptly knocks her out when she attempts to continue the duel. Kyoko asks Homura whose side she is on, and Homura replies that she is "an ally to those who maintain their composure and an enemy to idiotic aggressors." Kyoko retreats, and Homura lashes out at Madoka for not heeding her warnings and warns she will take more drastic measures if she continues to do so.
Sayaka cleanses her Soul Gem at home that night and asks Kyubey why it is so important to do so. They avoid the question and suggest that Sayaka collect extra Grief Seeds if she wishes to obtain an edge over Kyoko, as well as pressure Madoka to sign a contract. Sayaka declines to do both. Meanwhile, Homura approaches Kyoko, offering her Mitakihara in exchange for allowing her to take care of Sayaka and for helping her fight a powerful witch known as Walpurgisnacht in two weeks. Kyoko accepts and offers Homura a pocky stick.
In the alley the next day, Sayaka is unable to locate the escaped Familiar and lashes out at Madoka suggesting she find a way to work together with Kyoko. Sayaka accuses Homura of being no better than Kyoko and allowing Mami to die so she could steal Charlotte's Grief Seed, not knowing that Mami restrained Homura, and asks how Madoka would feel if she knew a Magical Girl had spared a Familiar which proceeded to attack her family. Having signed the contract to protect the ones she loves, if that means she has to fight other Magical Girls, so be it.
That night, Madoka asks her mother for advice. She says that if there are no good options, Madoka should make a mistake for her friend, something Madoka should learn to do before she grows up and there are greater consequences. The next night, Kyoko confronts Sayaka again and goads her into a second duel on a highway overpass. Madoka intervenes by throwing Sayaka's Soul Gem over the bridge before she can transform, causing Sayaka to suddenly collapse dead on the floor.
Kyubey reveals that when a Magical Girl makes a contract, her soul is extracted from her body and transformed into a Soul Gem, while the body becomes a lifeless husk piloted remotely, provided the Soul Gem is within 100 meters of the body. Kyoko and Madoka are horrified, but Kyubey defends this as more convenient for the purposes of fighting Witches and laments that humans are "so touchy about the placement of their souls." Homura retrieves Sayaka's Soul Gem and Sayaka awakens with no recollection of having passed out.
In this episode: Now knowing just what she's become, Sayaka begins to careen towards the inevitable fate awaiting all Magical Girls...
...
The episode begins with Sayaka angrily returning home from the events of the previous episode. She tosses her Soul Gem aside and turns to Kyubey, sitting on a chair next to her...
Sayaka: You tricked us all didn't you?
Kyubey: I distinctly remember asking if you wanted to become a Magical Girl. I just didn't explain precisely what would be involved. Sayaka angrily grabs her desk chair and throws it aside, then walks over to Kyubey and slams her hands down next to him.
Sayaka: Why didn't you tell us?
Kyubey: You never asked. It wouldn't have bothered you one bit if you'd never found out. Mami, for example, never did.
Sayaka digs her nails into the chair at the mention of Mami's name. The camera focuses on Kyubey's eyes as they continue to speak.
Kyubey: Besides, you humans don't even realize you have souls in the first place. Your body's nothing more than a collection of neurons and a centralized cardiovascular system. In addition, when the human body ceases to function, the soul is lost. I gave your soul a physical form to prevent that from happening - a form you can pick up and protect with your own hands. Kyubey hops down to the floor and trots over to the knocked-over desk chair.
Kyubey: That way, you can battle Witches with greater safety.
Sayaka: Nobody asked you to do that! Kyubey shakes their head.
Kyubey: You still don't understand what it's like to fight, do you? For example, take the pain you would experience upon being impaled by a spear. Kyubey hops onto the desk, approaches Sayaka's Soul Gem, and then places a paw on it as it begins to glow. After a few moments, Sayaka suddenly clenches her stomach in pain and falls to the ground.
Kyubey: This is how it would actually feel. A single strike would be enough to incapacitate you. Pain inhibition was the only reason you remained standing to the end against Kyoko. It was only possible because your consciousness isn't directly linked with your body. That's how you were able to survive that battle. As they monologue, Sayaka's eyes well with tears and she writhes in agony until Kyubey lifts their paw and the pain stops.
Kyubey: In time, you can even learn to completely cut off the pain. But I wouldn't recommend that, since it tends to slow down your reactions.
Sayaka: Why... why did you do this to us?
Kyubey: You had a wish important enough to commit yourself to a life of battle, did you not? And your wish came true, didn't it?
To Kyubey, the girls are useful (if wholly irrational) tools that can easily be manipulated by prodding them this way and that. The ends justify the means, and emotions are just tools to achieve those needs. It's an utterly alien philosophy that heavily grinds against Sayaka's core beliefs that good intentions are just as important as the actions taken in their name, and unfortunately to her increasingly horrified realization, it's also the one that governs the Magical Girl System Kyubey oversees. Sayaka is going to have to choose between her values and herself... which combined with her self-sacrificing nature is a recipe for disaster.
After the OP, Sayaka isn't present at school that day, which greatly worries Madoka. She's laying at home in bed in a parallel to Kyosuke's situation at the beginning (complete with empty chairs by her bedside), hiding under the covers as she watches her Soul Gem be steadily consumed by darkness. Madoka converses with Homura on the school roof that morning, the camera framing it so that the fence looks like bars entrapping them. Madoka asks Homura why she didn't warn them, and Homura relates with a deep sadness that whenever she tries to warn someone of the truth, they never believe her.
Madoka asks why Kyubey would do something so cruel, and Homura coldly notes that they don't think it's cruel and that they are fundamentally incapable of empathizing with human beings. In their eyes, it's merely an equivalent exchange, a worthy payment for making the impossible possible. "A miracle is worth far more than a human life," Homura notes, "but that's the price for which Kyubey sells them." Once more, she asks Madoka to give up on Sayaka as she has (somewhat hypocritically telling her "not to confuse gratitude with responsibility"), and once again Madoka is fundamentally unable to do so. Madoka asks why Homura is so cold, and Homura replies that because just like Sayaka, she is "no longer human." But perhaps more accurately, Homura doesn't consider herself a person - hinting at a deep self-loathing that will become more apparent later in the show and through the entirety of Rebellion.
Still laying in bed, Sayaka laments that she can no longer bring herself to visit Kyosuke - how could she, when she's no longer human? A sinful, tainted thing... and then Kyoko suddenly calls to her telepathically, telling her to quit moping around and look outside. Sure enough, Sayaka draws the curtains and finds Kyoko sitting there with a bag of apples, asking her to come out and talk. Her behavior is much different: instead of putting up an aggressive front in the hopes of proving her philosophy through violence, she's earnestly attempting to sell Sayaka on her beliefs.
The two walk as the sun sets, Kyoko claiming that she's over the shock of yesterday's events. She doesn't really mind and tries to comfort Sayaka in her own way: "If you live for yourself, everything you do is your own fault. You have no reason to resent others, and you'll never have any regrets. You can get through just about anything if you think of it that way." They arrive at an abandoned, overgrown church, and Kyoko kicks in the door and brings Sayaka to an altar room surrounded by shattered stained glass windows - how fitting, considering Sayaka's ideals of what it means to be a Magical Girl have been shattered.
Sayaka asks why Kyoko brought her here, and Kyoko throws her an apple. For Kyoko to part with something she's taken for herself (especially something as important to her as food, which will be revealed momentarily) as an offering of friendship is an interesting contrast to her hedonistic philosophy - but it's still something Sayaka is unwilling to accept as she frowns at her reflection on the surface of the apple and tosses it aside. This immediately sparks an aggressive reaction from Kyoko, who grabs her and pulls her up by her collar, and says that if she ever wastes food like that again, she'll kill her.
Kyoko then calms down, sets Sayaka down, and picks up the apple from the dusty church floor, wiping it off on her clothes and placing it back in the bag. As the gentle and solemn Confessio begins to play, Kyoko finally opens up to Sayaka:
Kyoko: This place was my dad's church.
The following scene is told in paper cutout puppets in a style similar to a Witch's Labyrinth.
Kyoko: He was an extremely honest and kind person. The type of person who'd cry just from reading the morning paper, and put serious thought into how to make the world a better place. My dad thought that to save a new generation, we needed a new look at religion. Kyoko's father begins to preach to a crowd of crudely drawn figures.
Kyoko: That's why he started preaching things that weren't part of the scripture. As you'd expect, people stopped coming to his sermons. He was even excommunicated by the Church. Kyoko pulls the puppet representing her father down onto the floor. It shouldn't have been a surprise. From the outside, it would've looked like some sketchy cult. No matter how right he was, no matter how logical the things he said were, he was just an outcast in the eyes of society. Kyoko's father preaches in the streets with her and her younger sister accompanying him. He is splashed with a bucket of water by someone in an apartment several stories above him.
Kyoko: Our whole family is left with nothing, not even food. Kyoko and her sister pray while having to split a single apple for dinner. But I couldn't accept it. My dad wasn't saying anything wrong. It was just different from what people were used to hearing.
If they had just listened to him for five minutes, it would've been obvious that he was right. But in the end, no one listened to him. I was angry. I couldn't accept it. I couldn't bear the fact that no one understood him. The camera cuts to a regular art-style younger Kyoko.
Kyoko: That's why I asked Kyubey... to make it so that everyone would seriously listen to my dad. The next morning, his church was filled with people. Kyoko's father, also drawn in the regular art style, preaches to a crowd of smiling paper figures with glowing red eyes and wearing red gems similar to Kyoko's transformed Soul Gem.
Kyoko: And I became yet another Magical Girl. A brief scene shows her fighting a Witch. No matter how good his sermons were, they wouldn't get rid of the Witches. I thought that was where I came in, so I got all hyped up about it like an idiot, thinking we'd save the world together - he from the light, and I from the shadows. She bites into an apple in anger.
Kyoko: But one day, my dad found out what was going on. He completely lost it when he realized all his followers were only there because of magic. He called me, his own daughter, a witch who swayed the hearts of others. Pretty ironic, huh? I mean, I was the one who'd been fighting real witches every night. After that, my dad had a breakdown. Rapid flashes of a light bulb going out, the puppets of her mother and sister smashed to bits, and the puppets being thrown around.
Kyoko: He started binge drinking, lost his grip on reality, and wound up killing his family, then himself. He is drawn in regular style one final time, dangling like he has been hung, only to fall to reveal his head has been replaced with a blue flame, landing on top of a pile of wooden figurines and setting them and the church ablaze.
Kyoko: I was the only one left. Kyoko finishes the apple and symbolically throws the core to the floor. My wish destroyed my entire family. Because I made a wish for someone else without knowing what he really wanted, I ruined the lives of everyone involved. That's when I swore to myself that I'd never use magic for others again. I'd use my powers only for myself. Miracles aren't free. If you wish for hope, an equal amount of despair is scattered across the world. It all cancels out to zero. That's how the balance of the world is maintained.
It's clear now why Sayaka is just so frustrating to Kyoko: she's her mirror image, an ugly confrontation with the person she used to be. And Kyoko is determined to spare Sayaka from the same fate, something she says so explicitly a few lines later - initially by pummeling her into submission (and thus triumphing over her old self), now by opening up to the girl so infuriatingly familiar.
Sayaka asks Kyoko why she's telling her this, and Kyoko once again asks Sayaka to abandon this selfless crusade that will only lead her to a miserable death and to live only for herself. There's nothing wrong with being selfish. Sayaka points out that Kyoko is hypocritical by being so desperate to convince her of this, and Kyoko explicitly says that she couldn't watch Sayaka do the same thing again. Sayaka admits she had the wrong idea about Kyoko, but can't accept her self-centered philosophy. She doesn't regret her wish and has decided to never regret anything again. It's because they're so similar that Kyoko can't change Sayaka's mind: Sayaka's beliefs are a fundamental part of who she is, and to give them up would be to give up herself as well.
As she turns to walk out of the church, Kyoko trembles with rage and yells after her, but Sayaka says that she will continue to fight in her own way. Even if it kills her. And Kyoko is welcome to try to kill her again if that's such a problem. As Sayaka marches towards the terrible fate awaiting her at the end of this road, all Kyoko can do is angrily bite into another apple as she watches her walk into the dying light.
The next day, Sayaka does join Hitomi and Madoka on their walk, waving off her missed day as merely "feeling a little unwell." She telepathically assures Madoka that everything is fine. Unfortunately for Sayaka, someone else is joining them:
Still needing crutches but in a good mood, Kyosuke converses with his friends as if nothing had happened, and Madoka nudges Sayaka to go talk to him, but is still too nervous to do so, which triggers an interesting emotional response from Hitomi. Hitomi invites her to the food court after school, and unintentionally hammers the last nail in Sayaka's coffin when she confesses she also has a crush on Kyosuke and knows Sayaka has one too, despite Sayaka's attempts to play it off. Hitomi has accepted her feelings and asks Sayaka if she can too - she doesn't feel comfortable taking him from her with that knowledge, but if Sayaka can't muster the courage to tell Kyosuke how she feels by the end of tomorrow, she's going to ask him out.
She asks Sayaka to decide what she should do in a way that will leave her without regrets - and brings to the forefront the contradictions behind Sayaka's behavior that will end up ripping her apart. Sayaka has convinced herself she's different from the other girls because she's retained her selflessness - but now that she's being forced to confront the selfish intentions behind her wish and the loss of its object, these intentions are violently clashing with her urge, her need, to sacrifice herself and her self-loathing now reinforced with knowledge of what it entails to be a Magical Girl. The realization that she's no better will destroy her. And I do mean that literally.
As she departs to embark on another Witch Hunt that night, Madoka is waiting for her again and asks if she can come with. Sayaka begins to break down, asking why Madoka is still so kind to her after all this, that she doesn't deserve it. She confesses to Madoka that she almost regretted becoming a Magical Girl as tears fall from her eyes - if only Hitomi had been devoured by the Witch... But that makes her feel horrible, unworthy of being Mami's successor. She wails as Madoka hugs her that she's going to lose Kyosuke and that she has no right to "ask him to hold this dead body, to kiss my cold lips."
After a few moments, Sayaka wipes the tears from her eyes and says that she's okay now, and the Witches aren't going to hunt themselves. Madoka is still deeply concerned but goes along with her. The camera cuts to Kyoko chewing on an orange popsicle as she watches a nearby Labyrinth shimmer. Homura lands behind her silently and notes that she's surprised Kyoko isn't intervening. Kyoko weakly defends herself by saying that since Sayaka is fighting a Witch, it's not pointless. Homura calls her out by saying that by Kyoko's logic, she should have tried to kill the Witch first, but before Kyoko has to defend herself she notes that Sayaka is having trouble.
The witch of shadow with a self-righteous nature. She continually prays for all of creation and drags all life equally into her shadow without breaking her posture. One hoping to defeat her must know the blackest anguish.
Elsa Maria's Labyrinth is one of harsh geometry and rigid black-and-white - Sayaka's silhouette only illuminated by a faint and dying blue outline, while the Witch herself resembles a normal girl praying and never once offensively attacks Sayaka, merely extending animal-head-tipped tendrils of darkness at her as she continually charges into the fray. It's one fitting of the downward spiral Sayaka is falling into, one clearly on display during this battle while the haunting Decretum (Decision) plays.
Sayaka hacks and slashes her way through the Witch's Familiars, leaping dramatically into the sky and lunging at the Witch violently before she extends a tree-like shape from her back, enveloping her in branches. Madoka yells Sayaka's name just as Kyoko suddenly intervenes, freeing Sayaka and dropping her onto the floor as she asks "let me show you how it's done." But it's an offer Sayaka is fundamentally incapable of accepting, and in a flat voice, she tells Kyoko not to get in her way. She lunges into battle again, decapitating the Witch with a spurt of red blood. The Witch knocks her to the floor with two tentacles, but as Madoka once again yells Sayaka's name, she stands up in laughing sobs.
The Witch blows her back with a swarm of tendrils, but she violently hacks through them and ignores any injuries she sustains, visibly bleeding through her descent. She grows increasingly cruel, hammering the Witch's mangled body with the handle of her blade as she smiles a wicked grin, and in an ironic echo of Kyosuke's lamentation three episodes ago, declares: "It's true! If you just detach yourself, it doesn't hurt at all!"
As Sayaka brings her blade down one final time, and Madoka begs her to stop, the episode ends.
Sayaka: I won't be like the rest of you Magical Girls. That's what I've decided. I don't need any reward for my work. I'll never use magic for my own benefit! Episode Eight: I really was an idiot.
With Sayaka's fate sealed, all her friends can do now is forestall the inevitable. The tragedy of Sayaka's character is that her refusal to let go of her ideals will only drag her to the grave dug for her, and she knows it. But by this point, she's unable to stop herself. All she can do is watch as she is consumed by the very despair she sought to fight. But the worst is yet to come. What happens when a Magical Girl, an embodiment of hope and salvation, loses it?
Apparently some people blame Hitomi for adding some more pressure to Sayaka's shoulders, but I don't. Sayaka was bottling everything up where Hitomi couldn't see it and Hitomi was more than fair in giving Sayaka a full day to ask out her crush and giving her advance warning, too. And in a better frame of mind, that Hitomi thought Sayaka had, she probably would have done it, too.
