Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Difference between revisions

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Bringing together an all-star staff, ''Puella Magi Madoka Magica'' has [[Studio Shaft]] animating, Shaft's primary director [[Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei|Aki]][[Bakemonogatari (Light Novel)|yuki]] [[Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha|Shinbo]] directing, [[Yuki Kajiura]] producing the music, [[Nitroplus|Nitro+]]'s [[Gen Urobuchi]] writing and [[Ume Aoki]] designing the characters for Shaft's first [[Anime First|original series]]. The show started airing in January as part of the Winter 2011 season, though it was put on a temporary hiatus [[Too Soon|due to the Sendai earthquakes in Japan]]. [http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-04-10/madoka-magica-anime-to-resume-on-april-21 The final two episodes were broadcast back-to-back on April 21st;] [[And the Fandom Rejoiced|the initial announcement was met with much rejoicing]]. [http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-06-21/1-million-stream-free-madoka-magica-in-japan-taiwan When it was aired on Nico Nico Douga], over one million people watched. Compare this to [[Lucky Star]]'s similar stream, which had over ''half'' a million.

 

 

This series has a [http://wiki.puella-magi.net wiki] [[Troper Critical Mass|which is maintained and updated very efficiently]]. Therefore, proceed with caution as spoilers abound.

[[Namco Bandai]] [http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2011-08-09/madoka-magica-gets-psp-game-with-gen-urobuchi is developing a video game] for the [[PSP]], ''[[Puella Magi Madoka Magica Portable (Video Game)|Puella Magi Madoka Magica Portable]]''. It is slated to be released in March of 2012, and its gameplay is described as a [[Roguelike]] RPG. Odds are good that it will avert [[The Problem With Licensed Games]] because of heavy involvement of the anime staff -- Gen Urobuchi writing the scenario, and visual design by SHAFT and Gekidan InuCurry. [http://wiki.puella-magi.net/Mobage_Madoka_Magica_Mobile_Game An official iPhone game by Mobage] featuring four new magical girl characters has also been released.

 

 

At some point [http://mm.my-gg.com/ a teaser website appeared] playing voice clips from Madoka. It was eventually revealed to be for [http://wiki.puella-magi.net/Puella_Magi_Madoka_Magica_Online a Puella Magi online game].

Compare ''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion (Anime)|Neon Genesis Evangelion]]'', ''[[Bokurano (Manga)|Bokurano]]'', ''[[Narutaru (Manga)|Narutaru]]'', ''[[Alien Nine (Manga)|Alien Nine]]'', ''[[Princess Tutu (Anime)|Princess Tutu]]'', and ''[[Digimon Tamers (Anime)|Digimon Tamers]]'' for similar top-down, no-holds-barred dark and edgy abstract works. See ''[[Revolutionary Girl Utena (Anime)|Revolutionary Girl Utena]]'' for the original [[Magical Girl]] ([[Genre Busting|and then some]]) [[Deconstruction]]. Definitely contrast ''[[Cardcaptor Sakura (Manga)|Cardcaptor Sakura]]'', which serves as the show's most obvious antecedent.

 

 

For some of the inspiration of the series, see ''[[Faust]]''.

** [[The Mentor|Mami Tomoe's]] name "Mami" means Mommy in Spanish and other languages like German. Considering her mentor role it fits her.

** On a slightly pervier note, her name's resemblance to the word "mammaries" has not gone unnoticed by the fanbase.

* [[Actor Allusion]]: Due to the all-star voice actors ensemble, we were expecting this.

** Eri Kitamura voices Sayaka Miki, the blue-themed member of what amounts to Madoka's magical girl team. In [[Fresh Pretty Cure]], she voiced Miki Aono, the blue-themed member of that show's team. Add also that she played Saya Otonashi from ''[[Blood Plus]]'' a sword wielder.

* [[Alien Geometries]]: [[Pocket Dimension|The barriers around the Witches]], and the Witches themselves, are this. A great example is the first witch we actually see in episode 2; it simultaneously is and isn't ''two-dimensional''.

* [[All There in the Manual]]: The official website and supplemental materials are quite interesting to read for the fan.

** The black cat in the OP is explained in the drama CD 1 from DVD volume 1, but never in the show proper. {{spoiler|In the first timeline, Madoka became a magical girl to save a cat that was hit by a car. She kept this a secret because she didn't want to be scolded for doing it for such a small reason.}}

** The third drama CD reveals Kyoko and Mami have a shared past, something that is only hinted at in the anime proper. However, this has somewhat taken form when ''[[Oriko Magica]]'' came around.

** The concept art booklet in the sixth Blu-Ray volume reveals a character's name. {{spoiler|Madoka's goddess form is called "Ultimate Madoka"}}. The name is never spoken or written in the show. However, since fans have been using [[Fan Nickname]] ( {{spoiler|1=Godoka/Madokami/etc.}}) for it, it isn't such a problem.

** The ''You Are Not Alone'' guidebook includes or alludes to other [[Magical Girl|Magical Girls]]' wishes.

* [[Alternate Character Reading]]: [[Invoked]]. The kanji used for "Mahou Shoujo" can be rewritten to reveal multiple key plot points. Similarly, "Puella Magi" has multiple meanings, which are also key plot points. All of these are explained in the anime proper and [[Altum Videtur|their]] [[Meaningful Name|respective]] tropes.

* {{spoiler|[[And the Adventure Continues]]: The series ends with witches being replaced with demons, so that Magical Girls still have something to fight. The very last scene shows Homura continuing to fight.}}

* [[Apocalypse Wow]]: {{spoiler|Episode 12, but Ultimate Madoka saves the day ... by causing ''another'' one.}}

* [[Arc Words]]: Walpurgisnacht is used as some sort of [[Vagueness Is Coming|omnious threat]]. {{spoiler|It turns out to be the appearance of a superpowerful witch.}}

{{quote| '''Sayaka:''' Hmmm... fabulous riches, eternal youth, Chinese delicacies...<br />

'''Madoka:''' [[Lampshade Hanging|I don't know about that last one]]... }}

** {{spoiler|An [[Distant Finale|unspecified period]] after Homura's battle with the demons in the [[Manga]], she is shown in Madoka's heaven, restored to her innocent [[Adorkable]] self, to be with Madoka forever.}}

* [[Black and White Magic]]: Magical girls are powered by wishes {{spoiler|and in Ultimate Madoka's universe, hope}}, while witches are powered by curses. {{spoiler|[[The Corruption|Guess how]] [[Despair Event Horizon|witches are created.]]}}

* [[Black Comedy]]: The official franchise has a ''lot'' of fun making fun of Mami {{spoiler|losing her head}}. For instance, when about to air episode 3, an official broadcast tweet said something along the lines of "This episode features Mami - {{spoiler|keep your heads on!}}". Aniplex of USA got in on the fun as well when they uploaded Mami's voice actress' interview.

** In a meta-example overlapping with [[Misaimed Marketing]], we have [http://twitpic.com/5xd3fe this promotional wishboard]. Either the ones behind this idea were oblivious to [[Fate Worse Than Death|what making a wish with Kyubey entails]], or they really ''do'' have a warped sense of humor.

* [[Black Speech]]: Shown when the art shifts and the witches come out.

* [[Blatant Lies]]: [[Manipulative Bastard|Kyubey]] does not, since he considers himself ''above'' lying, but [[Troll|Gen Urobuchi]] does. ''[[Lying Creator|A lot]]''.

* [[Blessed Are the Cheesemakers]]: Well, according to Charlotte the dessert witch. She can create any dessert in the world, but she can't create her favorite food, cheese. {{spoiler|No wonder Mami got eaten by her; she wears all yellow.}}

* [[Blonde Brunette Redhead]]: Mami, Homura, and Kyoko {{spoiler|are the only main magical girls still existing in the rewritten universe.}}

* [[Bloodier and Gorier]]: Where the anime avoids depicting gore, the manga revels in it. [[Gory Discretion Shot|Gory Discretion Shots]] are frequently averted. Blood is added to scenes that didn't originally have it, and characters are drawn with [[Nightmare Face]] expressions that give [[Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni]] a run for its money.

** [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uc_q5WNQ8uA Here's] a comparison of Sayaka's fight with Elsa Maria in the TV and BD version. (spoiler warning) The BD version adds more blood to the scene.

** The BD release keeps better consistency with Kyoko's injuries {{spoiler|during her fight with Oktavia}}.

** For the main [[Power Trio]], we have Madoka, Sayaka, and Hitomi. This represents the Red-Blue-Green, or what we see personally.

** For the second [[Power Trio]], we have Madoka, Sayaka, and Mami. This represents the Red-Blue-Yellow, or what the artist sees.

* [[Combat Pragmatist]]: Homura. The justification, however is [[Puella Magi Madoka Magica (Anime)/Characters|explained on the character page]].

* [[Combat Tentacles]]: Gertrud has this attack, as does Elsa Maria.

* [[Department of Redundancy Department]]: The Latin title [[Covers Always Lie|reads as this]], but it's subverted in that there's an alternate, more accurate translation (based off of [[Altum Videtur]]): {{spoiler|''Girl of the Sorcerer: Magician Madoka''. Furthermore, "Puella" literally means "a young girl" but it's derived from "Puerulus", which means "a young slave". "Magi", depending on the context, can be used in two ways: "Magician" or "Deceiver", the latter of which is the closest derivation. The series' title can thus also be translated to "Slave to the Deceiver, Magician Madoka"}}

* [[Deranged Animation]]: For example, [[media:sweet-dreams_3701.jpg|the Anthonies']] ''[[South Park]]-ish'' appearance (read: reminiscent of that series' cutout style), as well as how it ''doesn't'' match the art style of the other characters, is already bad enough for them to deserve to be the page image for [[Puella Magi Madoka Magica (Anime)/Nightmare Fuel|the HONF tab]], but [[Uncanny Valley|their laggy animation]] really drives the point home.

** A certain aspect of Charlotte takes heavy inspiration, too, from Takeshi Murakami's Superflat artwork.

** As noted below, if you're into architecture, this is the series for you.

** Episode 8 has Madoka and Sayaka at a bus stop in the rain. The rain gets more intense to match Sayaka getting more riled up.

* [[The End Is Nigh]]: Apparently, this is what Walpurgisnacht will entail, or at least that's what Homura [[Vagueness Is Coming|seems to imply]].

* [[Environmental Symbolism]]: Due to the classrooms looking like cages, there has been speculation by fans that the school (lots of glass, generally futuristic) was based on Justice Center Leoben, an Austrian prison with a similar design.

* [[Equivalent Exchange]]: Vaguely, this is how having a wish granted is related to being a [[Magical Girl]].

** Considering the results of the whole [[Magical Girl]] deal, Kyubey is starting to look and act a ''lot'' like [[Bokurano|Koyemshi]]...

** Or [[D Gray Man|The Millennium Earl]].

** Homura's {{spoiler|[[Mental Time Travel]]}} ability, and {{spoiler|her unshakable determination on saving Madoka from her death?}} Oh, that's a {{spoiler|certain [[Steins Gate|Mad Scientist's]] ability and goal too}}.

** {{spoiler|Past!Homura}} is somewhat similar to Miranda from [[D Gray Man]]. {{spoiler|Clumsy, shy, nervous, no self-esteem, determined despite herself, comes into her power when she realises she wants to protect someone, and controls time using a disc on her arm.}}

** Mami is capable of creating a field of rifles, but it's not quite as impressive. That's more a testament to {{spoiler|Homura}} than a dig against Mami, though.

* [[The Film of the Series]]: The anime will be adapted into three movies, the first two being recaps of the show, and the third expanding the plot after the anime's ending.

* [[Five Moves of Doom]]: Anime example, and an [[Oh Crap]] moment. Crosses over with [[Arc Number]]. {{spoiler|Episode 10 showed how Madoka had four iterations, each one getting progressively worse than the last time. The fifth one in [[Gainax Ending|Episode 12]] ''rewrites the universe''.}}

* [[Flash Step]]: One application of Homura's power looks very similar to this.

* {{spoiler|[[Groundhog Day Loop]], [[Save Scumming]]: Due to Homura's wish to start her relationship with Madoka over again and this time protect her, she gains power over time. However, she hasn't quite succeeded yet. As a result, [http://images.puella-magi.net.nyud.net/5/56/Ep10_timeline_chart.jpg she rewinds time to try again whenever she fails.] This is why Homura ''seems'' so powerful early on in the show; she was very weak when she started as a magic girl, but by "now" she's had ''years'' of combat experience and has detailed knowledge on any witch (and magic girl) that is likely to show up.}}

** Arguably a [[Deconstruction]] {{spoiler|of the [[Save Scumming]], showing that if someone were ''actually'' to try this sort of thing, it wouldn't have [[Break the Cutie|the best effect]] [[Broken Bird|on their mental state]].}}

* [[Green Lantern Ring]]: Generally, a magical girl's abilities and signature attack will remain the same, but they seem to be able to use it for minor things on the fly; this generally adheres to [[New Powers As the Plot Demands]] meets [[Mundane Utility]]. For example, Mami mostly sticks to summoning enchanted muskets, but can enchant a bat to harm familiars and can create a barrier using a length of chain as a boundary and conduit. Homura once used her powers to [[The Glasses Gotta Go|fix her eyesight]], despite that her main gimmick is totally unrelated.

* [[The Greatest Story Never Told]]: {{spoiler|In the end, Homura remains as the only living witness to everything that has happened, and the new version of Kyubey says he'll have to take her word for it since no proof of it remains.}}

** {{spoiler|She's shown wearing only one of them, which makes sense, since the ribbon is a precious memento from Madoka, Homura probably has the other locked up in a safe somewhere. That's probably why Homura offered to give one of the ribbons to Madoka's mother.}}

** {{spoiler|In the manga, Homura wears her hair in pigtails in the new universe, using both ribbons.}}

{{quote| WASSYOI WASSYOI WASSYOI WASSYOI}}

* [[Leaning On the Fourth Wall]]: {{spoiler|In Episode 12, when Homura seems to recognize Tatsuya's "imaginary friend" (Madoka), Madoka's mother asks, "Is she some kind of anime character or something?"}}

* [[Light Is Not Good]]:

** The witch from Episode 7, Elsamaria, was [http://wiki.puella-magi.net/File:PMMM_Ep7_Monstrance.png Catholic, apparently.]

* [[Live Action Adaptation]]: Apparently, there's going to be a comedic one, courtesy of [[Nico Nico Douga]].

* [[Lock and Load Montage]]: Homura {{spoiler|does this, ''every single time'' after she loots tons and tons of firearms from the local [[Yakuza]].}}

* [[Love Triangle]]: {{spoiler|Hitomi reveals to Sayaka that she also likes Kyosuke and plans on confessing to him. She gives Sayaka 24 hours to do something about it ... and since she doesn't, she acts on her own word and confesses.}} See also the above trope.

* [[Lucky Charms Title]]: 魔法少女まどか☆マギカ, Mahō Shōjo Madoka ☆ Magika.

* [[Made From Real Girl Scouts]]: {{spoiler|A soul gem [[Soul Jar|contains its owner's soul.]]}}

* [[Magical Girl]]: It's half of the title, duh.

* [[Magic Skirt]]: Madoka's magical girl skirt is basically justified since there are a lot of frills underneath. The other skirts are rather short and the show has a tendency to show a lot of leg, but never more. Especially apparent when {{spoiler|Kyoko}} is carrying {{spoiler|Sayaka}} in her arms in episode 9. There is a side shot with {{spoiler|Sayaka's}} leg conveniently in the way.

* [[Magical Underpinnings of Reality]]

** also the name Madoka can be written with the character for "circle"or "round" in Japanese reflecting the {{spoiler|cyclical nature of the magical girl,witch,incubator relationship}} as well as the {{spoiler|circular repetition of timelines that revolve around her.}}

** The final and most powerful Witch seen in the series is Walpurgisnacht. This is the name of spring festival in Central and Northern Europe, and tradition dictates that it is a time that witches would gather together. {{spoiler|Walpurgisnacht is a fusion of many different witches.}}

* [[Meganekko]]: Surprisingly enough, {{spoiler|'''Homura''' before getting really serious about her goal.}}

* [[Memento MacGuffin]]: In the last episode, {{spoiler|Homura's}} weapon of choice changes to {{spoiler|a bow that looks identical to Madoka's, but in Homura's purple-and-black color scheme instead of Madoka's pink-and-white.}}

* {{spoiler|[[Mercy Kill]]: Sayaka receives one from Kyoko. Homura to Madoka in one timeline.}}

** {{spoiler|At the end of the anime, Madoka performs a [[Cosmic Retcon]] that basically does this to every magical girl that is about to become a witch (including ones that existed in the past). Though they may actually [[Ascend to A Higher Plane of Existence|go someplace else.]]}}

* '''[[Mind Rape]]''': This happens to Madoka, when she {{spoiler|got caught in the witch Kirsten's barrier. The witch then uses her powers to torture Madoka by re-playing Mami's death over and over while subjecting her to [[Body Horror]].}}

** {{spoiler|Kyubey}} is not above doing this. {{spoiler|He shows Madoka how the world has been affected by his [[Deal With the Devil|contracts]], and how if it wasn't for the Incubators humanity would probably still be in caves.}} [[Captain Obvious|She did not enjoy it.]]

* [[More Hero Than Thou]]: Every magical girl or magical girl candidate is adamant about being the only one who will have to throw herself on the blade for the sake of somebody else. As they all get in each other's way doing this, it causes an amount of conflict that would be downright ridiculous if it weren't so depressing.

* [[Morning Routine]]

** {{spoiler|Lose to Walpurgis alone and see it destroy the city,}} or

** {{spoiler|Defeat Walpurgis with Madoka and see Madoka destroy the world,}} or

* [[Mundane Wish]]

* {{spoiler|[[Murder Suicide]]: Mami}} of all people attempts this {{spoiler|in episode 10. In one of the alternate timelines, she completely snaps}} when she finds out {{spoiler|magical girls eventually become witches. She succeeds in killing Kyoko, but is killed by Madoka before she could kill Homura}}.

** Sayaka after her [[Despair Event Horizon]] where events just keep giving her one [[Gut Punch]] after another. {{spoiler|She eventually starts to lose her humanity/sanity as a result.}}

** Kyoko perhaps felt this way due to her telling Sayaka her backstory, and why she's such a [[Jerkass]] who only cared about herself. Which helps explain why Sayaka began to care less and less about the reason why she became a magical girl in the first place. As well as finding out more about their roles and the [[Soul Jar|gems]]. This may be one reason why she seemed to be trying to hard to help Madoka save her later on.

* [[Never Trust a Trailer]]: The way the previews for the series were set up, the series looked to be rather average and normal as a [[Magical Girl]] series.

* [[New Transfer Student]]: Homura.

** Episode 10. {{spoiler|The very first timeline was the best possible conclusion: Madoka and Mami defeat Walpurgisnacht and die in the process, without becoming witches. As Homura keeps turning back time, the endgames get worse and worse, down to Madoka becoming a super powerful witch and destroying the world. Nice job breaking it, Homura.}}

** Episode 11 drills it in: {{spoiler|Homura was literally giving Madoka more power to use as a witch by creating alternate universes.}}

** In Episode 12, {{spoiler|this gets subverted; Homura's time loops gave Madoka enough power to break the system.}}

** {{spoiler|Gave someone time traveling powers to try and retcon someone's death, thus setting off the chain of events in the show. To his credit, this means it would fill his quota quicker...}}

** {{spoiler|But then he goes off and tells [[Awful Truth]] after [[Awful Truth]], not knowing that they could be used against his advantage. Again, to his credit, he thinks this would lead them to the [[Despair Event Horizon]]...}}

* [[Normally I Would Be Dead Now]]: Subverted with {{spoiler|Kyubey. The multiple bullets he takes does kill that particular body, but unfortunately, [[Expendable Clone|he has spares.]]}}

* [[Not So Different]]: {{spoiler|Episode 7 implies this between Sayaka and Kyoko.}}

** {{spoiler|Kyoko becomes one as well in the final episode where she and Mami return in a dream-like sequence to discuss things with Madoka.}}

* [[Official Cosplay Gear]]: There are official soul gem necklaces. However, they aren't cosplay gear as such -- they're smaller than the canon Soul Gems -- and are more intended as, well, jewelry. Still really nice, though.

* [[Official Couple]]: {{spoiler|Hitomi and Kyousuke.}}

* [[Oh Crap]]: {{spoiler|From Kyubey, of all things, in Episode 12. "That's treason against the wish itself" indeed.}}

* [[Omniscient Morality License]]: {{spoiler|Kyubey's plans to combat the entropy implies this.}}

* [[One Degree of Separation]]: [[All There in the Manual|The third drama CD]] reveals that {{spoiler|Kyoko and Mami had actually worked together before the events of the anime.}} This was subtly hinted at in the anime proper. But then it further reveals that {{spoiler|Kyoko once helped Madoka and Sayaka escape from a witch.}} This was ''not'' hinted at the anime - although to be fair, {{spoiler|Madoka and Sayaka never actually saw Kyoko.}}

** {{spoiler|It also makes perfect sense; she has the power to save-scum, so she "memorized the guide".}}

* [[Origins Episode]]: {{spoiler|Episode 10, for Homura. Doubles as a [[Whole Episode Flashback]].}}

* [[Our Liches Are Different]]: {{spoiler|You see, in this series, they're called "magical girls."}}

* [[Our Souls Are Different]]

* [[Our Monsters Are Different|Our Witches Are Different]]: They are reality-warping [[Eldritch Abomination|Eldritch Abominations]] with more specific powers that seem to be based on a combination of the location they were born at and whatever they were feeling at the time. {{spoiler|They are actually "matured" magical girls who allowed their [[Soul Jar|soul gems]] to become too corrupt}}.

* [[Out of the Inferno]]: {{spoiler|A villainous version with Walpurgisnacht, who emerges from huge flames of Homura's making unharmed.}}

* [[Parental Abandonment]]: Subverted with Madoka who actually has a nice happy family, but played straight with every ''other'' magical girl.

* [[Phantom Zone]]: The nightmarish other world where Witches hide.

* [[Pieta Plagiarism]]: {{spoiler|Episode 9. Kyoko as Mary, Sayaka as Jesus.}}

* [[Pin Pulling Teeth]]: When Kyoko grabs Homura to keep her from [[Flash Step|Flash Stepping]], Homura pulls a flashbang grenade out of her [[Bag of Holding]] and pulls out the pin with her teeth, forcing Kyoko back.

* [[Plot-Based Voice Cancellation]]: Homura yells some things to Madoka in the prologue scene in episode 1, but we don't hear it -- and neither, apparently, does Madoka. We learn in episode 10 that {{spoiler|she was begging her not to make the contract again}}.

* [[Post Modernism]]: The witch barriers include many references to both [[Faust]] with the runes and writing, and classical artwork. Meanwhile the plot bears many similarities and even several [[Shout Out|Shout Outs]] to other anime such as "[[Evangelion]]", "[[Utena]]", and "[[Bokurano]]".

* [[The Power of Friendship]]: Episode 10 shows this being played straight, [[Deconstruction|in as much as the series can play it straight]]. {{spoiler|The reason Homura keeps repeating things is because she wants to save Madoka. She outright says so at the end of her [[Day in The Limelight]] episode.}}

{{quote| '''Homura''': Repeat. I'll repeat it no matter how many times. I'll live through the same events again and again. Until I can find the only way out. The way to save you from despair. {{spoiler|Madoka}}... My only friend. If... if it's for your sake... I don't mind being locked in this eternal maze!}}

* [[The Presents Were Never From Santa]]: Sayaka (and Mami) falsely believe that their [[Magical Girl]] powers are righteous in nature, and people like Homura and Kyoko are misusing their powers for selfish interests. {{spoiler|Of course they are wrong, their powers have nothing to do with morality. Not at all.}}

* [[The Promise]]: In Episode 12, {{spoiler|Madoka promises Homura that she will see her again someday. It's insinuated that all magical girls will be with Madoka after they run out of magic; she is shown collecting their grief and taking their soul gems.}}

* [[Rain of Arrows]]: In the final episode, {{spoiler|Madoka}} uses this twice, and [[Crowning Moment of Awesome|both were awesome rains of arrows indeed]]!

** First time - {{spoiler|She fires a single arrow into the sky which instantly blows away the black storm clouds caused by Walpurgisnacht and reveals a brilliant blue sky. The arrow then bursts into [[Rain of Arrows|an infinite number of arrows]] that shoot off in all directions. These arrows transcend space and time, and arrive to save ''every single magical girl, past, present and future'', from their [[Fate Worse Than Death]].}}

* [[Rapunzel Hair]]: {{spoiler|Ultimate Madoka}}

* [[Read the Fine Print]]: {{spoiler|Kyubey's contract. He actually doesn't let them know there's a fine print in the first place}}.

* [[Red Eyes Take Warning]]: Kyubey. {{spoiler|Played up in Episode 8 to [[Irisu Syndrome]] levels.}}

** {{spoiler|[http://images.puella-magi.net/3/3f/Kyuubey_aaah.PNG Like this?] }}

* [[Red Right Hand]]: Magical Girls have unique marks on the fingernail of their left middle finger. It can most prominently be seen on Homura and Kyoko in episode 7.

* [[Red String of Fate]]: Fans have interpreted {{spoiler|Madoka's giving her red ribbons to Homura}} as a variation on this trope.

* [[Sequel Hook]]: The {{spoiler|[[Bittersweet Ending]]}} leaves room for a possible sequel. It helps that even [[Word of God]] admits that they would like to make a second season.

** Specific ones from the last episode are: {{spoiler|Madoka says (as she [[Ascended to A Higher Plane of Existence|Ascends To a Higher Plane Of Existence]]) that she is going to meet "everyone", and will meet Homura again one day. Madoka's little brother still seems to remember her. The ending is basically [[And the Adventure Continues]], and then there's all of [[The Stinger]], including a scene which shows in silhouette what are presumably the human forms of the witches.}}

** And last, but not least, [[Goethe]]'s ''[[Faust]]'', which this show references, has two parts.

* {{spoiler|[[Set Right What Once Went Wrong]]}}: The nature of Homura's powers and apparent goal, as of Episode 8. (Later expanded on, in Episode 10.)

** Deconstructed as well. {{spoiler|In the first timeline only Madoka and Mami die heroic deaths, Madoka more or less accepts her fate and there are no uberwitches left to wreak havoc upon the world. Every following restart gets more and more tragic and horrible, culminating in [[Endofthe World As We Know It]] in the timeline right before the current one. This is because, due to Homura's meddling, the universe basically revolves around Madoka more and more with each iteration. This is not good when you are in [[Crapsack World|this]] universe.}}

** {{spoiler|On a smaller note, the grief seed of the witch is exactly the same thing.}}

* [[Soundtrack Dissonance]]: In Episode 9, we're treated to soft, relaxing violin music as the magical girls fight {{spoiler|Sayaka's Witch form, Oktavia von Seckendorff.}} Justified as {{spoiler|it's a [[Songs of Solace|Song Of Solace]] for Oktavia.}}

** Also seen with Kyubey, who can be Kyubey, Kyuubey, Kyuubei, Kyubei, Kyuubee, or even Cubé. {{spoiler|The fact this comes from "incubator" does not help.}}

** Rarely with Kyouko versus Kyoko.

** It worked against the witch in the previous episode.

* [[Time Stands Still]]: Homura's power.

* (Episode) [[Title Drop]]: Each episode's title is a line spoken in that episode. The person who speaks it is the same person to speak the final line of the preview in the previous episode.

* [[Tomboy and Girly Girl]]:

* [[Twenty Minutes Into the Future]]: There really isn't anything in terms of technology that isn't possible in this day and age, but things like motion-activated lamps, the architecture, and [http://images.puella-magi.net/a/a4/Ep04_CD_Player.jpg an extremely stylized CD player] lend things a futuristic vibe.

* [[Two First Names]]: See [[Theme Naming]] above.

* [[Undead Children]]: {{spoiler|[[Magical Girl|Magical Girls]] are zombies, the Witches are ghosts.}}

* [[Unflinching Walk]]: Due to a combination of her [[Throw Down the Bomblet|weapon]] [[Weapon of Choice|of choice]] and her [[Time Stands Still|ability]], Homura is a master of this and [[Badass|demonstrates]] exactly how it's done in episode 10.

** Why don't we just go ahead and call this a Wham Series while we're at it?

** In episode 9 {{spoiler|it is revealed that Kyubey is an alien who is using the massive amounts of energy released from magical girls and witches to prevent the universe from dying. Also, Kyoko sacrifices her life to kill Sayaka.}}

** Episode 11 sees {{spoiler|Kyubey point out that all the time traveling has inadvertently given Madoka all the magical power of ''all'' her previous incarnations, which due to Homura's [[Groundhog Day Loop]], are legion, meaning she's destined to be the most powerful witch ever, and every time Homura tries to fix it, she makes it ''worse.'' Speaking of Madoka, she shows up at the very end, causing divergence from the foreshadowing of episode one, and announces her intent to make a wish.}}

** And in Episode 12, we see {{spoiler|what she wishes for--and it's big enough to [[Reality Warper|completely rewrite the laws of physics]]. [[Apocalypse How|Even]] [[The Stoic|Kyubey]] [[Oh Crap|freaks out.]]}}

{{quote| '''Madoka:''' {{spoiler|"Homura-chan... I'm sorry."}}}}

** Also from episode 11:

** Episode 12:

{{quote| '''Madoka''' {{spoiler|I want to destroy every witch, before they are born- with my own hands!}}<br />

** [[Rule of Three|And finally from Episode 12]]

{{quote| '''Madoka {{spoiler|[[Abstract Apotheosis|becoming hope]] as Penitent Gretchen}}''' Hang in there.}}

** {{spoiler|Heavens no, she's a ''lich'', which is [[Comically Missing the Point|much better than just a zombie.]]}}

* [[What Do You Mean Its Not Symbolic]]: [[Suspiciously Specific Denial|There is no way that]] Homura could be {{spoiler|[[Faust]]}}, Madoka couldn't possibly be {{spoiler|Gretchen}}, and Kyubey representing {{spoiler|Mephistopheles/Satan}}? [[Sarcasm Mode|Patently absurd.]]

* [[What Is One Mans Life in Comparison]]: {{spoiler|Kyubey's rationalization of the events. Witch energy is used to prevent, or slow down, the universe's entropy. Those that meet the requirement to provide a good amount of energy in exchange for a wish should not really object to it as they would be helping all the other lifeforms in the universe. Kyubey even insinuates all of human history has revolved around magical girls and their wishes, and later falling.}}

** [[A Million Is a Statistic]]: It gets worse. {{spoiler|Kyubey's have energy quotas per ''planet''. As long as they fulfill their quotas, they don't care if a whole civilization, along with their planet, perishes}}.

* [[White Void Room]]: Homura's room; she puts holograms of her memories over the walls.

** Also in the manga {{spoiler|This is where Ultimate Madoka and Homura talk, instead of the starry cosmos.}}

* [[Whole Episode Flashback]]: {{spoiler|Episode 10. Doubles as an [[Origins Episode]]}}.

** [[Call Back|To an extent]], {{spoiler|the plot is also a reference to Episode 10, said [[Whole Episode Flashback]]. Since Episode 10 is considered the beginning of the [[Alternate Timelines]], this plotline shows how some of the timelines Homura performed in is similar to the last. Cue [[Ironic Echo]].}}

* [[The Wiki Rule]]: Includes an enormous amount of speculation, a translation of the weird runes, as well as translations of [[All There in the Manual]] and [[Word of God]]. Can be found [http://wiki.puella-magi.net/Main_Page here].

** {{spoiler|Mami, who had been played up as being rather powerful if not experienced, goes up against the witch at Homura's express warnings against doing so, and gets her ass kicked in the most horrific manner possible.}}

** The second example is Homura, showing up seconds later (Mami had used magic to subdue her) and beating the witch effortlessly.]] Justified in a later episode when it's revealed that {{spoiler|Homura's time stopping ability is useless if she's restrained before she activates it, which is logical considering she would still be restrained with time stopped.}}

** Episode 11 shows Homura hammering Walpurgisnacht using [[More Dakka|rocket launchers, artillery, a couple towers being collapsed on top of her, a lit tanker truck to the face,]] ''[[More Dakka|getting hit by a guided missile]]'', and ''[[More Dakka|landing in a pit with a few thousand bombs]]''. Walpurgis just gets right back up as if nothing ever happened.

* [[The World Tree]]: [http://images.puella-magi.net/7/72/Ep10_Tree.png An enormous tree] appears post-{{spoiler|Walpurgisnacht}} in the Niconico stream of episode 10.

* [[Yakuza]]: Homura raids a Yakuza group's locker for small arms after the other magical girls became uncomfortable with things randomly [[Stuff Blowing Up|blowing up]] around them.

* [[You Are Not Alone]]: {{spoiler|[[The Stinger]] after episode 12: "Don't forget. Always, somewhere, someone is fighting for you. As long as you remember her, you are not alone."}}

* [[You Didn't Ask]]: Kyubey's response to Sayaka regarding why he didn't bother mentioning that becoming a magical girl involves {{spoiler|separating magical girls' souls from their bodies}}.

** {{spoiler|Or the reason why they actually need grief seeds, witches and magical girls.}}

[[Category:Fantasy Anime and Manga]]

[[Category:Light Novels]]