Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica

Wasn't quite the epic masterpiece I expected it to be, but still somewhat enjoyed it. Tried way too hard to be sad and depressing, so much that it often doesn't make sense. But I'll give it points for having an antagonist who isn't actually malevolent, and is only doing what he earnestly thinks is the right thing despite his amoral methods. I'm also fond of the trippy cosmic horror designs. Worth checking out to see what all the fuss is about.

I cry

When it wears the skin of a magical girl show to rely on shock value, and when it puts words in its "antagonist's" mouth, it comes across as poor and insincere. This is a shame, as once it starts being emotionally honest then Madoka Magica gets really, really good. The last three episodes in particular reach a high that few other shows have managed. Trippy visuals keep things interesting, but what really sticks with me is THAT'S FORBIDDEN LOVE, GIRLS CAN'T LOVE GIRLS!

The thing everyone misses is that this is not a deconstruction. It's not about the flaws of the magical girl genre; instead, it's something frankly much more meaningful, using these tropes to literalize emotional conflicts, questions of personal responsibility, and our ability to take an uncaring cosmos and put caring into it.

Madoka tries to take on the deconstruction angle but does so in a lackluster way. The visuals are definitely trippy and mesmerizing, but ultimately don't really serve much of a purpose. Characterization doesn't really make much sense a lot of the time, if Mami is suppose to be this experienced witch hunter then why would she just stand there and let herself get killed? It also has the typical Urobuchi writing with obnoxiously high amounts of suffering to the point it loses any meaning.

The beginning was very intriguing, and the overall concept was great. But in the last three episodes, they introduced time travel and infinite powers, which effectively killed all interest. Madoka’s sacrifice doesn't feel truly serious or significant. If everyone had forgotten about her completely and magic itself had vanished - well, that would have been powerful, a nod to the reality of our own world. But as it stands...

homura didn't do anything wrong actually you guys are just mean

Peak too.

jap_eng; [Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica -- SERIE]; ein Mädchen in Tokio erfährt dass alle unglücke der Welt von hexenflüchen stammen und nur magische Mädchen sie aufhalten können - die bei einer seltsamen katzenkreatur einen Wunsch frei haben.; (viele LSD alike bilder; epilepsie warnung; eher FSK 18);

i'd still like it if it were just the mature low fantasy drama its humble beginnings suggested, but i underestimated the scope, unhinged energy and sheer emotional force of this thing until i was already under its spell. it looks upon an entire history of female suffering, with a particular focus on the persecution of witches, and via relatably hopeless acts of individual self-sacrifice it offers forth an astonishingly ambitious alternative i found extremely therapeutic and mindset-altering.