Puella Magi Madoka Magica was first released in Japan at the beginning of 2011 and since then has gone on to gain worldwide appeal! It has its own manga, spin-offs, soundtracks and a magazine, Manga Time Kiara Magica. In 2017, a mobile phone game was released. So, what makes Madoka Magica so popular? Let’s take a look!
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Table of Content
HOW TO WATCH PUELLA MAGI MADOKA MAGICA IN ORDER
Puella Magi Madoka Magica Quick Watch Order
- Puella Magi Madoka Magica Season 1 – January 2011
- Puella Magi Madoka Magica Memories of You (OVA) – April 2011
- Puella Magi Madoka Magica Sunny Day Life (OVA) – June 2011
- Puella Magi Madoka Magica Farewell Story (OVA) – August 2011
- Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie Part 1: Beginnings – October 2012
- Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie Part 2: Eternal – October 2012
- Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie: Rebellion – October 2013
- Puella Magi Madoka Magica Concept Movie – Winter 2015
- · Magica Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story – August 2021
SERIES
Puella Magi Madoka Magica Season 1
The first season aired in January 2011 and was made up of 12 episodes.
Table of Contents
When I first looked at the art for Madoka Magica, I thought to myself, “here we go, another magical girl cutey series.” I was wrong—so very wrong!
Madoka Magica breaks the mould when it comes to magical girl anime. It moves away from the rainbows and sparkles so often associated with cute, magical girls and heads off down a dark side street where no young girl should tread!
Madoka Kaname is a normal 14-year-old girl who after a weird dream meets Kyubey, a strange magical creature. Kyubey offers Madoka and her best friend, Sayaka Miki, a chance to gain magical powers. All they must do is form a contract with Kyubey. Easy right?
Any contract with strange magical creatures comes with a risk. For Madoka and Sayaka, one wish means a lifetime of fighting invisible witches! Humans with no magic can’t see the witches but they can feel their presence as the witches bring depression and despair wherever they go.
Homura Akemi is a magical girl prepared to do anything in her power to prevent Madoka and Sayaka from making the deal with Kyubey, however, Mami Tomoe, an upperclassman at their school takes them under her wing and offers to show them how things work. It does not end well … for Mami anyway!
Becoming a magical girl means giving up your soul to make a Soul Gem, which is the source of their power. If corrupted with despair, the girl becomes a witch. So, it is risky!
Madoka and Sayaka must decide whether to take Kyubey’s offer and risk their lives for the benefit of mankind!
MOVIES
Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie Part 1: Beginnings
The first movie for Madoka Magica was released in October 2012. There is not much I can say about this, except reread the above information!!! Basically, Beginnings is a recap with new animation and voice acting. It covers episodes 1 – 8 of Season 1. So, if you have watched Season 1 and paid attention, you know what to expect. If not, you can watch the movie or the first 8 episodes of season 1 – your choice!
Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie Part 2: Eternal
If you have read the above summary of The Movie Part 1, I think you will know what I am about to tell you! If not, why are you skipping sections? Go back and read Part 1’s summary!!!
Move Part 2: Eternal released in October 2012 picks up the recap of Season 1 which covers episodes 9 – 12. There is much else I can say, except it is a good way to refresh your memory of events of series 1.
Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie: Rebellion
Rebellion was released in October 2013 and is independent of the first two movies, with a new storyline.
In Mitakihara City human feelings of despair and negativity have created new threats to humanity in the form of creatures known as Nightmares. In response to the appearance of the Nightmares, Madoka and her fellow Magical Girls appear in Mitakihara City, trapped inside a Witches Barrier.
They have no memory of their previous lives–a recurring theme in the Madoka Magica world. However, Homura begins to realize that something is not quite right–personally I think the Nightmares may have been the first clue! Homura begins her investigation and regains some of her memories in the process.
All is not well for Homura however and she begins to succumb to her own negativity, which means she is at risk of becoming a witch as her soul gem becomes corrupted. Kyubey reappears and tells Homura she is all part of his plan to trap Madoka within the barrier.
SPOILER ALERT so close your eyes and hum if you don’t want to see it: Homura is the witch responsible for the barrier!
Ok, you can look now. The story focuses on the efforts of Sayaka, Madoka and new character, Nagisa Momoe as they fight to save Homura. There is a lovely, unexpected plot twist at the end, but I won’t spoil that one for you! You will just have to watch the movie!
Puella Magi Madoka Magica Concept Movie – Short
This is not a movie in the traditional sense; it is 4 minutes long. At one of SHAFT’s Anniversaries, the movie short was aired showing concepts for the 4th Madoka Magica Movie.
At the 10tn Anniversary Online Event on 25th April 2021 the release of the fourth film was confirmed. Madoka Magica The Movie – Walpurgisnacht will, hopefully, hit our screens in the near future although no release date has been confirmed at the time of writing!
The production team left us with the tagline “Now, Let’s Continue the Story” and all fans can do is wait for the official release date with bated breath!
SPECIALS
Magica Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magical Side Story
Madoka Magical Side Story first aired in August 2021, so fans had a whole 10 year wait from the first season. It consisted of 8 episodes and was considered Season 2 by some fans, but not by others. It was met with mixed reviews but the consensus amongst viewers seems to be that it fails to meet the standards of the first season. But then, let’s still look at the plot!
Iroha Tamaki is a magical girl, but she had forgotten the wish that she made–told you it was a recurring theme! After meeting a smaller Kyubey, she remembers her wish was to heal her sister Uri who had now gone missing. She heads to Mitakihara City where magical girls are gathering as a rumour has spread that they may find a way to be released from the magical girl services.
As with most rumours, it is not true, and they just find themselves drawn into fighting witches who are more powerful than ever. Armed with her magical crossbow and healing abilities, Iroha teams up with the veteran magical girl, Yachiyo Nanami, to fight witches and find her sister.
Summer Magical Girl Training Camp
Beach episode alert!
Magical girls, Madoka, Mami, Sayaka, Homura and Kyoko head to the beach to join a training camp. An argument leads Sayaka to storm off and find herself in a witch’s labyrinth in the ocean. She is rescued by the rest of the girls and the witches are defeated. They head off for a bath and food–typical beach episode stuff! This is considered non-canon, but it is out there for anyone who likes a good beach episode!
OVA
Puella Magi Madoka Magica Memories of You
Released on 27 April 2011, this OVA offers a more detailed look at the original timeline, and it is based on the episode 10 of season 1. Madoka and Homura are friends, but Homura is upset at her lack of magic skills. Trying to help Madoka use her magic on Homura, instead of helping, Homura loses control and chaos ensues. Madoka also confesses why she became a magical girl–it involves a cat!
Puella Magi Madoka Magica Sunny Day Life
Released on 22 June 2011, this OVA shows Madoka and Sayaka living in a world where they can live more like teenagers with normal teenage worries! They fail their English test and so they must sit it again – as I said, more normal teenage worries than fighting witches! They all go to Mami’s apartment to study and think there is a ghost-witch as weird things happen. They rush to investigate but again, it involves a cat!
Puella Magi Madoka Magica Farewell Story
Released on 24th August 2011, this OVA is a prequel to the first season and looks at the stories of Kyoto and Mami in their early days as magical girls. They are partners and friends until tragedy hits Kyoto’s family and chances are Kyoto’s way of dealing with being a magical girl. Their friendship suffers and Kyoto leaves Mitakihara City.
It is a nice look at their stories and gives fans a deeper understanding of their characters.
CHRONOLOGICAL WATCH ORDER
There are two options for watching. Technically the only important order would be.
- Puella Magi Madoka Magica Season 1
- Puella Magi Madoka The Movie: Rebellion
- Magica Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story
This is because the first two movies are recaps of season 1 and all the over OVAs and Specials are on and off stories, and can be watched at any point after Season 1. Your other choice is to watch them in release order which would be:
- Puella Magi Madoka Magica Season 1 – January 2011
- Memories of You (OVA) – April 2011
- Sunny Day Life (OVA) – June 2011
- Farewell Story (OVA) – August 2011
- The Movie Part 1: Beginnings – October 2012
- The Movie Part 2: Eternal – October 2012
- The Movie: Rebellion – October 2013
- Puella Magi Madoka Magica Concept Movie – Winter 2015
- Magica Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story – August 2021
Do You Like Magical Girls? Madoka Magica?
So that’s it for the Puella Magi Madoka Magica watch order. I hope I helped you guys with this blog because this is one amazing show! Puella Magi Madoka Magica doesn’t only have sparkles and rainbows and it’s definitely not a children’s show. It has something much deeper than that and that’s what makes it special! Leave a comment below about your thoughts and which watch order you want us to make next.
