Puella Magi Madoka Magica is a magical girl anime that aired in 2011 and attracted attention for its adorable character designs by Ume Aoki. However, the reality is far from what the art suggests; it's its tragic and dark story that captured the hearts of viewers and made it a hugely popular anime. In this article, we'll introduce Kaname Madoka, the protagonist of this milestone-making work.
Madoka is a completely ordinary middle school student
Source: Puella Magi Madoka Magica ©Magica Quartet/Aniplex・Magia Record Partners
Although she appears small and timid, she also has a strong core. She's a second-year junior high school student who works as an insurance officer at school, gets along well with her classmates, and leads a very ordinary, everyday life at home, happily living with her career woman mother, stay-at-home father, and younger brother.
Madoka Lacks Self-Confidence
Source: Puella Magi Madoka Magica ©Magica Quartet/Aniplex・Magia Record Partners
Madoka lacks self-confidence, having no particular merits or special skills. However, she has a strong desire to be of help to others. When Kyubey told me about magical girls, I imagined the ideal image of a magical girl who could help others.
Madoka's Magical Girl Appearance
Source: Puella Magi Madoka Magica ©Magica Quartet/Aniplex・Magia Record Partners
This outfit, with its pink and white base and ruffles and ribbons, is a truly magical girl-like look. He uses a bow and arrow as his weapon and is skilled at supporting his allies from behind. He has a variety of attack methods, including raining down arrows.
Madoka's Trials
Source: Puella Magi Madoka Magica ©Magica Quartet/Aniplex・Magia Record Partners
Madoka, who is struggling with the decision of whether or not to become a magical girl, faces various trials. Madoka faces these challenges with tears in her eyes, growing step by step until she finally discovers her true desire and resolves to become a magical girl.
The Death of Mami Tomoe
Source: Puella Magi Madoka Magica ©Magica Quartet/Aniplex・Magia Record Partners
When she was attacked by a witch, her senior Mami saved her in the nick of time. After that, she followed Mami's activities and studied the true meaning of magical girls, but witnessed her murder during a battle with the witch. Madoka could only shed tears in shock, knowing that Mami died because she couldn't or didn't do anything.
My Best Friend Made a Decision, But I Can't Make a Decision
Source: Puella Magi Madoka Magica ©Magica Quartet/Aniplex・Magia Record Partners
After Mami's death, Madoka becomes afraid of becoming a magical girl and becomes depressed. The witch appears before her again and tries to kill her. Madoka, who had longed to become a magical girl but immediately tried to run away when she saw the reality of what it was, is prepared to die, but then her best friend, Miki Sayaka, comes to her rescue. After witnessing Mami's death with her, Madoka can only watch with half joy and half anxiety as her best friend, who had given up on becoming a magical girl, overcomes her fear and becomes one herself.
The True Nature of Magical Girls
Source: Puella Magi Madoka Magica ©Magica Quartet/Aniplex・Magia Record Partners
Sayaka, who has become a successful magical girl, is confronted by veteran magical girl Kyoko Sakura. During their dispute with Kyoko, Madoka and Sayaka learn the truth about magical girls. This means that magical girls are now just empty shells without souls. Their souls are contained in jewels called soul gems, which are the source of their magical power, and their bodies are just empty shells powered by the magical power of the soul gems. Madoka, Sayaka, and even Kyoko could not hide their surprise at the fact that they had become something inhuman.
The Fate of a Broken Best Friend and a Magical Girl
Source: Puella Magi Madoka Magica ©Magica Quartet/Aniplex・Magia Record Partners
Sayaka became a magical girl for the person she loved, but she despairs, realizing she's become a zombie. She gradually begins to break down, realizing she can't fall in love with a body like that. Madoka tries to encourage Sayaka, but it backfires and ends up making her angry. She desperately searches for her, but the next time she sees her, she has been transformed into a witch. Magical girls who are no longer able to purify their soul gems become witches. Having lost both Sayaka and her new friend Kyoko, Madoka doesn't know what to do.
Madoka is the Strongest Magical Girl
Source: Puella Magi Madoka Magica ©Magica Quartet/Aniplex・Magia Record Partners
Madoka had such high magical girl potential that Kyubey even took notice. After becoming a magical girl, Madoka was able to easily defeat the powerful witch Walpurgisnacht, who no ordinary magical girl could defeat (as mentioned below). Among magical girls, the more dramatic their lives, the stronger they become, so why was Madoka, who lived an ordinary life, so strong? Even Kyubey couldn't figure it out.
Why is Madoka the Strongest?
Source: Puella Magi Madoka Magica ©Magica Quartet/Aniplex・Magia Record Partners
There's a reason why Madoka is the strongest magical girl: Homura Akemi. When Madoka and Homura first met, Homura was drawn to Madoka's kindness. After being saved by Madoka, who had already become a magical girl, Homura's admiration for her gradually grew stronger. However, Madoka was killed in the battle against Walpurgisnacht, and Homura, unable to do anything for Madoka, became a magical girl and returned to the past to start over again. Each time Homura re-encountered their encounter over and over again in an attempt to save Madoka, Madoka's magical powers grew stronger, until she was strong enough to defeat Walpurgisnacht in a single blow.
Madoka's Wish is Finally Discovered
Source: Puella Magi Madoka Magica ©Magica Quartet/Aniplex・Magia Record Partners
Towards the end of the story, the town of Mitakihara, where Madoka lives, is destroyed by an attack from the giant witch "Walpurgisnacht." Madoka evacuates, but worries about her friend, Homura, who faces the witch alone. Wanting to help everyone in town and not wanting to lose any more friends, Madoka finally finds her wish for Homura's sake and resolves to become a magical girl. However, her wish - "I want to erase all witches before they are born. All witches in all universes, past and future, with my own hands" - goes against the laws of causality, or rules, of the world, and would alter the universe itself.
Madoka Becomes a God
Source: Puella Magi Madoka Magica ©Magica Quartet/Aniplex・Magia Record Partners
Madoka's wish creates a world where magical girls are purified and placed in a peaceful sleep before they can fall into despair, create curses, and become witches. Madoka was the one who carelessly purified those magical girls, and Madoka herself disappeared along with the witches, in line with her wish to "erase them before witches are born." Madoka, now an invisible being, is called the concept of the "Law of Cycles." Because Madoka's existence had vanished, she disappeared from people's memories and no one remembers her. The only ones who seem to remember her are Homura and her younger brother Tatsuya. This divine form of Madoka is called "Ultimate Madoka."
From an Ordinary Girl to a God... Madoka's Journey
Source: Puella Magi Madoka Magica ©Magica Quartet/Aniplex・Magia Record Partners
Madoka lives a happy, ordinary life, and her kind nature means she's always there for her friends, even those struggling with various problems. Despite being an ordinary girl, her magical girl potential is exceptional, so great that she eventually becomes a god. Even after becoming a god, Madoka's kindness remains unchanged, as she extends a helping hand to all the magical girls before they sink into despair. It will be exciting to see how Madoka will be involved in the ever-expanding world of Madoka Magica.
