Anime Eiga Review: Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica: Rebellion (2 Year Anniversary Week Part 3 of 3)

***Warning, Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica: Rebellion is the third entry in the Madoka Magica film series. The following may contain spoilers for Rebellion as well as Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica: Beginnings and Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica: Eternal. Reader discretion is advised.***

Film Synopsis

The life of a magical girl is not an easy one. There will be hardships. There will be difficulties. It can even get quite dangerous. For Madoka Kaname (voiced Aoi Yuki) this is how things are. That’s why she’s thankful to such close friend to rely on. Fellow magical girls Sayaka Miki (voiced by Eri Kitamura), Mami Tomoe (voiced by Kaori Mizuhasi), and Kyoko Sakura (voiced by Ai Nonaka). As well as recent transfer student Homura Akemi (voiced by Chiwa Saito).

Things will get tough. But together, these five can meet any challenge. When these five are together, everything is as it should be. Despair is nonexistent when you’re with the people you care about. So even in this world, happiness can be found.

And that’s the problem.

Things are perfect. Too perfect. Was it always like this? For Madoka and her friends, this answer should be obvious. Then why is there so much doubt? Why does everything not seem quite right?

It is true. The life of a magical girl is not an easy one. But how far that actually goes is a much dark reality than one would hope. The truth is so dark, perhaps a dream is better than the real world.

Anime Eiga Review: Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica: Eternal (2 Year Anniversary Week Part 2 of 3)

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica: Beginnings and Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica: Eternal. Reader discretion is advised.***

Film Synopsis

Madoka Kaname’s (voiced by Aoi Yuki) world is turning dark. With every passing day, her once happy life is being replaced with immense suffering. This is not what she envisioned the life of a magical girl would be. But this is the price for all those who make a contract with the creature Kyubey (voiced by Emiri Kato).

And now, Madoka’s best friend Sayaka (voiced by Eri Kitamura) has met the sad fate of all magical girls. Overcome with overwhelming despair, Sayaka has transformed into a witch. The very entity she swore to defeat.

Madoka cannot bear to see her friend in such immense pain. Yet, seeing the true nature of a magical girl may have been necessary.

Since appearing, Homura Akemi (voiced by Chiwa Saito) has warned Madoka against making a contract. Yet, her reasons for doing so have been shrouded in mystery. Yet truth behind her actions reveals a much lonelier reality.

The fights will only become more dangerous. The purpose behind witches and the magical girls who hunt them will soon come to light. Madoka will have to make a decision. And whatever it is, it will determine the fate of everything.

Anime Eiga Review: Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica: Beginnings (2 Year Anniversary Week Part 1 of 3)

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica: Beginnings. Reader discretions is advised.***

Film Synopsis

Madoka Kaname (voiced by Aoi Yuuki) sees herself as a pretty average girl. But that isn’t so bad. She has a family she loves. As well as a best friend she cares about, Sayaka Miki (voiced by Eri Kitamura). Such an ordinary life is alright.

Then one day, a transfer student arrives at Madoka’s school, Homura Akemi (voiced by Chiwa Saitou). Quiet and stoic, Homura comes off as a little cold. What's even more interesting, she seems to know Madoka.

Later, Madoka and Sayaka hear a mysterious voice calling for help. They find a strange cat-like creature being pursued by Homura. The two manage to save the animal’s life and it introduces itself as Kyubey (voiced by Emiri Katou).

Kyubey gives Madoka and Sayaka an offer. In exchange for one wish, they can become magical girls. As such, they will hunt dangerous entities known as witches who feed on despair.

This chance is enticing. But the details are a little more dangerous. The life of a magical girl doesn't exist in sunshine. It requires venturing into the deepest and darkest parts of the human heart. And it comes at the cost of one’s happiness.

Madoka and Sayaka must decide if there's a wish strong enough that's worth such a price for. But when the choice gets made, there's no turning back.

Anime Hajime Review: Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica

Series Synopsis

In the town of Mitakihara, two friends, Madoka Kaname (voiced by Aoi Yuki) and Sayaka Miki (voiced by Eri Kitamura), blissfully live their lives as average junior high school students. Then one day, a ghostly voice rings through their heads crying for help.

Upon further investigation, the two come across a fleeing white cat-like creature. The strange animal is being pursued by the mysterious new transfer student, Homura Akemi (voiced by Chiwa Saito), who appears to be in control of a large amount of unknown magical energy.

Madoka and Sayaka plea for the creature’s safety. Unfortunately, there efforts prove fruitless and the girl’s request is ignored. Before the cat can be killed, Homura is confronted by Mami Tomoe (voiced by Kaori Mizuhashi). Like Homura, Mami also seems capable of controlling a similar form of magical energy. Choosing to avoid a fight, Homura retreats.

The animal introduces itself as a mystical being Kyubey (voiced by Emiri Kato).  Madoka and Sayaka heard the cries for help because Kyubey wishes to make a deal. In exchange for one wish, the two must agree to become magical girls in order to hunt and destroy horrifying entities known as witches. Both Homura and Mami have already made such a deal, along with another girl, Kyoko Sakura (voiced by Ai Nonaka).