Anime Spotlight#9: Madoka Magica the Movie 3: Rebellion

Name: Madoka Magica the Movie 3: Rebellion (Hangyaku no Monogatari)

Year: 2013

Studio: Shaft (Monogatari series, Nisekoi, Madoka Magica)

Director: Akiyuki Shinbo (Nisekoi, Monogatari series, Madoka Magica)

In my review of Madoka Magica, I mentioned that I was worried about the movie sequel. Gripping from beginning to end, Madoka Magica had a clear, well constructed narrative with an ending that tied up all of its loose ends in a satisfying manner. Creating not one, but three movies looked like nothing more than a cash grab to feed the rabid fans’ desire for more. Skimming through the initial reviews of the movie after it was released, there was no doubt in my mind that story wise, Rebellion had nothing to offer to Madoka Magica and I didn’t need to watch it. Well, curiosity is a hard thing to resist.

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Anime Spotlight #2: Puella Magi Madoka Magica

(Note: I plan to come out with a spotlight once a month, though I make no promises. I have a backlog of anime that I want to talk about, so hopefully it will work out. I will also try to keep all spotlights spoiler-free.)

Name: Puella Magi Madoka Magica (Magical Girl Madoka)

Year: 2011

Episodes: 12

Studio: Shaft (Bakemonogatari, Nisemonogatari, Negima?!)

Writer: Gen Urobochi (Fate/Zero, Psycho-Pass)

The first anime I ever watched was Sailor Moon. It was beyond cheesy and I cringe and laugh whenever I watched the old VHS tapes with my sisters, but it is undeniably iconic (who doesn’t know the Sailor Moon theme song?) and set the standard for the magical girl genre. Cute catchphrases, ridiculously long transformation sequences, and pure-hearted, yet klutzy heroines became staples of the magical girl genre. And then Puella Magi Madoka Magica came along. Well-paced, smart, and even horrifying, PMMM is, in one word, brilliant.