Judging solely off the tones the show is usually spoken in; I assumed that it was macabre going in, but not like this! So in essence it’s an anime version of Faust, one which exceeded my expectations in almost every respect. It took the elements which I generally associate with the genre and brilliantly inverts them,
and makes me sad for the world!
The opening episodes were certainly engaging although they betray just how dark it is under that shiny surface. But in a way the unassuming opening only serves to juxtapose just how atypical a show this is. I was surprised at just how tight and competent the story was, and I found myself compelled to see it through almost instantly. In a way, its addictive nature reminds me of my experience with Death Note, although unlike that, it doesn't deliver twists and shock moments at the expense of its own logic and suspension of disbelief. I always find it refreshing whenever something lulls me into a false sense of security, and its an indicator that it largely skirts cliché. One of its greatest strengths is that it succeeds in instilling a genuine sense of dread and anxiety towards the characters and their fates, with the high-stakes permeating into every action.
I’m not usually fond of Shaft’s visual style but it really works effectively here. I particularly like the designs of the witches , which are a ridiculous pastiche of real world elements, and serves as a bizarre palette to contrast with the magical girls themselves. This dissonance continues yet further with the music, which is a blend of the classical as well as some more modern, bombastic tones. I may have to aquire the soundtrack at some point.
It’s his disturbing presence that sets the tone, because it’s not hard to assume that there is something afoot with him from his initial appearance, but you are still left with a lingering doubt, which makes his guarded words
(and the nature of the magical girls)
all the more fascinating. Though it's easy for me to call Homura the stand out, particularly as the best moments come via way of her.
I'll also mention Sayaka, who was an excellent deconstruction of the overly idealistic protagonist, and had the most tragic arc of all, and was who I empathized with the most.
And I’m sure there are plenty of theories knocking around, but there is a few things I wanted to confirm regarding the ending:
So Madoka’s wish was ultimately to euthanize the entire lineage of witches and magical girls? It seemed like the most selfless act, as it essentially rendered their existence (or deaths) meaningful. But if you are to invoke deus ex machina, wouldn't it have been better to simply to create an existence where magical girls wouldn't have been needed at all? I know that they now 'ascend' when they die, but still, struck me as a little odd.
That aside, I can’t really think of any glaring problems that I had with the show and it was pretty much pitch perfectly from the very beginning. I think episode 10 was the absolute stand-out of the series, though, and pretty much cemented my (already) high opinion of the show.
Overall it was excellent, and it'd have to be, I marathoned the entire thing! It's one of those times that I regret not watching it sooner.
Glad you enjoyed it! Its one of my favorite shows in the past few years, an absolute treat to watch.
More importantly I must know what you consider the best pairing in this show. This is the most important question of all when it comes to Madoka. There is only one correct answer.
Glad you enjoyed it! Its one of my favorite shows in the past few years, an absolute treat to watch.
More importantly I must know what you consider the best pairing in this show. This is the most important question of all when it comes to Madoka. There is only one correct answer.
Asuka is a cute and clueless high school girl who habitually does things, in all innocence, that seem sexually suggestive to the men around her. Each chapter in "Today's Asuka Show" features a different awkward situation.
So Madoka’s wish was ultimately to euthanize the entire lineage of witches and magical girls? It seemed like the most selfless act, as it essentially rendered their existence (or deaths) meaningful. But if you are to invoke deus ex machina, wouldn't it have been better to simply to create an existence where magical girls wouldn't have been needed at all? I know that they now 'ascend' when they die, but still, struck me as a little odd.
That aside, I can’t really think of any glaring problems that I had with the show and it was pretty much pitch perfectly from the very beginning. I think episode 10 was the absolute stand-out of the series, though, and pretty much cemented my (already) high opinion of the show.
So Madokas wish was ultimately to euthanize the entire lineage of witches and magical girls? It seemed like the most selfless act, as it essentially rendered their existence (or deaths) meaningful. But if you are to invoke deus ex machina, wouldn't it have been better to simply to create an existence where magical girls wouldn't have been needed at all? I know that they now 'ascend' when they die, but still, struck me as a little odd.
Speaking of Nadia's OST, it seems like Shiro Sagisu repeated a few elements of the soundtrack when he sat down to work on Evangelion. I imagine that would be pretty obvious to anyone who has listened extensively to the OST's for both shows.
It's visually interesting at times, and has a good cast, but the actual writing is fucking dreadful and there's not really any reason to watch it rather than clicking through screenshots and finding a better show to get your Kamiya or Saito or Horie fix from.