Puella Magi Madoka Magica

About Puella Magi Madoka Magica

Puella Magi Madoka Magica is a groundbreaking 2011 anime series produced by Shaft and Aniplex. It follows the story of a young girl named Madoka Kaname who is offered the opportunity to gain magical powers if she agrees to make a contract with a mysterious creature named Kyubey. The series is noted for its darker take on the magical girl genre, complex narrative and rich character development.

Making / Production

Directed by Akiyuki Shinbo and written by Gen Urobuchi, Puella Magi Madoka Magica blends traditional magical girl tropes with elements of psychological thriller and tragedy. Ume Aoki provided original character designs, which were then adapted for the anime by Takahiro Kishida. The animation was highly praised for its innovative art direction and experimental visuals.

Actors

• Aoi Yuuki as Madoka Kaname - Aoi brings an innocent and empathetic voice to Madoka, capturing her transformation from an ordinary girl to a determined savior.
• Chiwa Saito as Homura Akemi - Saito perfectly portrays Homura's stoic personality and her drive to protect Madoka.
• Eri Kitamura as Sayaka Miki - Kitamura provides a lively and passionate voice for Sayaka, capturing her stubbornness and ideals.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Originally, fans thought it would be a light-hearted magical girl anime, but it turned out to be much darker and complex than expected.
• The writer, Gen Urobuchi, is often referred to as "Urobutcher" due to the dark themes and the tragic twists in his works.

Awards

In 2012, Puella Magi Madoka Magica won the Grand Prize for animation in the Japan Media Arts awards. The same year, it also received the award for Best Television Series at the 16th Animation Kobe Awards.

Quotes

• "If someone tells me that it's wrong to hope, I'll tell them they're wrong every time." - Madoka Kaname
• "We're not just fighting for our own lives. We're fighting for everyone." - Sayaka Miki

Music & Soundtrack

• The opening theme is "Connect" by ClariS.
• The series' music was composed by Yuki Kajiura, known for her emotionally resonant and ethereal soundtracks.
• The ending theme "Magia" by Kalafina adds to the dark atmosphere and mysterious aesthetic of the series.