Puella Magi Madoka Magica
| One of the things I found intriguing about this series is that they made it to think that it's all about Madoka. The opening theme had Madoka all over it. And according to the opening theme, Madoka becomes this magical girl and goes through these minor hardships in trying to polish her magical skill. But really, let's not forgot who was the one that made her that way: Akemi Homura. I don't know how many times she went back in time (OR to another parallel universe?) to stop Madoka from becoming a Puella Magi. If it wasn't for Homura, Madoka wouldn't have become a shinigami-like entity. I like Homura. Her cold personality showed there was some other dimension in her character (which was revealed much later like a lot of cold characters). AND what a turn-out. She almost looked like a different person when we see her in glasses and in braids. I just feel like there's no love... She developed/grew up a lot. AND I mean... what if Akemi Homura didn't decide to protect Madoka?... Do you suppose Homura would have been the more powerful Puella Magi? It almost seem like a waste she focused all her energy and skill on this clumsy pink-haired... Though 'cause of this she gave Madoka unbelievable potential (<= let me know if I'm wrong on this). What do you think of Homura? Do you think she needed Madoka to develop her character? |
| Madoka was Homura's reason to fight and the one that dragged her into the middle of all this. Yesi, this show was really Homura'si, but Madoka was her reason. You can't fight without a reason. She'd given up halfway otherwise. |
 |
| What do you mean there's no love? She's the most popular character by far and she has the most favourites here on MAL. |
 |
| I liked Homura because of her mysteriousness. Without Homura the ending of the show would not have been possible. They really could have just put Homura in the title in place of Madoka. But, i agree she is a well liked character. |
 |
| As to why i said I just FELT there is no love. I would also not be surprised that she was the more popular ones there. I'm glad I'm not the only one then. In the end, (I thought) it was just ironic that it was implied to be all about this pink-haired, whiny, clumsy girl and WOOSH the person that tried to drive Madoka away to be a Puella Magi also was this catalyst to make her become a god. I just don't like it was also Madoka that drove Homura to be who she is. Do you think Madoka would have been the only person to do it? Yes, she was the very reason. But can anything or anyone would have acted as a similar stimulant for Homura? What if Sayaka or even Mami was the one to welcome Homura warmly first over Madoka? |
bolei_cha said: Sayaka WAS with Madoka that day too you know, but it was Madoka who stood and talked to the troubled Homura. The original Madoka was more outspoken and decisive than the last Madoka. Also Mami, although a very nice person, was actually more emotionally distant than Madoka as a mahou shoujo.I just don't like it was also Madoka that drove Homura to be who she is. Do you think Madoka would have been the only person to do it? Yes, she was the very reason. But can anything or anyone would have acted as a similar stimulant for Homura? What if Sayaka or even Mami was the one to welcome Homura warmly first over Madoka? |
|
Leon-Gun said: Sayaka WAS with Madoka that day too you know, but it was Madoka who stood and talked to the troubled Homura. The original Madoka was more outspoken and decisive than the last Madoka. Also Mami, although a very nice person, was actually more emotionally distant than Madoka as a mahou shoujo. I was full aware that Sayaka was present at the time. Do you suppose that an outspoken and a decisive archetype would have been the best type to drive Homura's time traveling ambitions? |
| I initially hated Homura. And that took quite sometime to fade away. Even when episode 10 came about, I still hated her. Even if her resolve to save Madoka is honorable, and even understanding everything she went through, I still couldn't forgive her actions. She gave up on all existence for Madoka, and showed no regard for other's life. The times she stepped in to save others, were either for Madoka, to spare Madoka from watching, or out of interest to use them as backup during Walpurgis Night. Aside from that, nothing: they could die and she would not give a fuck. Specially in Mami's case: she had been as much of a mentor to Homura as Madoka, and after one event where she just snapped, she started giving her the finger like it was nothing. Giving up on anything, specially people, specially brothers in arms (well, sisters), is simply something I do not tolerate.Turning cold like that was her mind's way of saying "fuck it, I give up, if I'm gonna do this, I'll do it for Madoka and Madoka only". But in the end, I realized... what she was doing was essentially a monumental "fuck you, destiny". And that is something I deeply, deeply respect. Having the courage to face up to insurmountable odds, to refuse the path that fate had decided for her and carve her own, all to save her dear friend (or perhaps more...) is something I cannot ignore. I forgave her, once I realized that. Though I still think she could have focused more on saving the world itself, and not just as collateral from her attempts to save Madoka, but nothing's perfect. Adding to that, I always loved her fighting style. Using mere mundane lead and gunpowder to face up to those demoniacal abominations is nothing short of amazing. Still not a favorite, but likable, at least. |
"Tonight, I sit in the eye of the storm. As fire boils around me, I press forward, winds and lightning lashing my wings. I am no match for what I face. Yet I will not back down, and though fear may place it's stranglehold on my heart, courage will see me through. With tears in my eyes, I hit full throttle. My engines become an inferno, and my weapons light up, awaiting my command. If I die tonight, I will do so fighting for everything I believe in."  |
| Homu Homu has been one of my favorites and in fact, she's a defrosting ice moe that really deserves a credit for being one of the most important characters there is in that show. Really, she reminds me a lot of Sakuya Izayoi and Dio Brando but this time, with badass military weapons of pure brutal freaking "OH YEAH!" moments. In fact, Episode 11 is almost always one of the most memorable episodes in anime badassdom. Seriously, I quite like her during her day 1 (the day when she was even more moe, complete with glasses and twin braids.) and also her determination to do things right. Man, at first I thought that she's a complete jerkass but then, she turned out to be one of the sweetest characters around which again... increases my likes. Aside from those above, I also enjoyed watching her mysterious personality that somehow mirrors that of Fate Testarossa of the Nanoha Series which again... Another +1. |
BrickBreak said: I initially hated Homura. And that took quite sometime to fade away. Even when episode 10 came about, I still hated her. Even if her resolve to save Madoka is honorable, and even understanding everything she went through, I still couldn't forgive her actions. She gave up on all existence for Madoka, and showed no regard for other's life. The times she stepped in to save others, were either for Madoka, to spare Madoka from watching, or out of interest to use them as backup during Walpurgis Night. Aside from that, nothing: they could die and she would not give a fuck. Specially in Mami's case: she had been as much of a mentor to Homura as Madoka, and after one event where she just snapped, she started giving her the finger like it was nothing. Giving up on anything, specially people, specially brothers in arms (well, sisters), is simply something I do not tolerate.Turning cold like that was her mind's way of saying "fuck it, I give up, if I'm gonna do this, I'll do it for Madoka and Madoka only". Actually, Homura did care for the other girls, even though her sole wish was to protect Madoka. She did try to save the girls in TL3 by telling them the truth, and she truly did feel sorry for killing witch Sayaka. In the current timeline, it isn't as obvious, but you could see she still cared about the girls. There were a couple of examples in episode 3 alone. After Mami had a conversation with Homura and told her to never cross paths again, you could see Homura being a bit anguished that Mami, who was once her senpai and magical girl comrade, would tell her to stay away from her. And obviously when Mami died, Homura was pretty shocked. In fact, after Homura kills Charlotte, when she tells Madoka and Sayaka "thats what happens when you become a magical girl," you can still see the shock in her eyes. Homura was also worried about Kyouko right before she made a heroic suicide. Sayaka is the only person I'm not sure about, since it looked like Homura was only helping Sayaka for Madoka's sake, but I believe Homura still cared about her too. She may have given up on the other girls, but it doesn't mean she didn't care for them. I can see why you don't like how she became cold but keep in mind, she's seen everyone die in a minimum of 4 timelines. I say minimum because after reading the first chapter of Oriko, it seems to be set in a timeline between TL4 and TL5, which to me suggests Homura may have been looping for way more than 5 timelines. I can't say for myself, but seeing all of your friends die countless times would kinda make you lose hope on everything, don't you think? It's amazing Homura didn't lose complete hope at all and decided to focus everything on Madoka. |
Riga92 said: I'm not so sure. Homura and Sayaka were never friends. In fact, during the second jump they showed it is Sayaka herself who thwarts Homura's attempt at warning everyone of the Incubator's plot pretty much calling her a liar. Before that Homura had never had any close relationship with Sayaka in the previous attempts. So it's easy to see that there had always been some animosity between Homura and Sayaka. It's good to point out that Sayaka seemed to always be the one who ALWAYS turns into a witch so I think she both has zero bonds of friendship with her and considers her a total liability.Sayaka is the only person I'm not sure about, since it looked like Homura was only helping Sayaka for Madoka's sake, but I believe Homura still cared about her too. With the rest of the mahou shoujo she does show some links. Some people consider she treated Mami a bit cold but I don't think so. She hesitates to face Tomoe Mami during their first confrontation even though Homura has the skills and experience to face her. She also could have easily let Mami die at Charlotte's hands before butting in but she actually warns Mami BEFORE she faces Charlotte, a warning Mami fails to heed. It's only because Mami binds her that she's unable to help her in time. |
Leon-GunMay 17, 2011 1:08 AM
|
| browse danbooru/gelbooru enough homura x madoka there |
| Signature removed. Please follow the signature rules, as defined in the Site & Forum Guidelines. |
Leon-Gun said: I'm not so sure. Homura and Sayaka were never friends. This may or may not be true. In the drama CD which takes place during TL1, Homura did briefly interact with Sayaka, in which Sayaka gave both Homura and Madoka math notes in order to help them study. Sayaka was friendly to Homura, although this was the only interaction between them in the drama CD. There was a bit of timeskipping in the CD so we're not sure if this was the only interaction Homura had with Sayaka during TL1 but I believe they interacted more than once. Whether they became friends is still unknown, but at the very least, they were acquaintances who were friendly with each other. |
Riga92 said: That offers a little to think about although no hard evidence that they ever became friends though. Considering her outspoken personality in contrast to Homura's shy demeanor it seems rather unlikely they went beyond acquaintances with a shared friend(Madoka). That doesn't change their constant friction in the other timelines though...Sayaka is always the most reckless of the magical girls, it's not to anyone's surprise that she didn't bother to even try to stop her and just marked her as a lost cause from the very start.Leon-Gun said: I'm not so sure. Homura and Sayaka were never friends. This may or may not be true. In the drama CD which takes place during TL1, Homura did briefly interact with Sayaka, in which Sayaka gave both Homura and Madoka math notes in order to help them study. Sayaka was friendly to Homura, although this was the only interaction between them in the drama CD. There was a bit of timeskipping in the CD so we're not sure if this was the only interaction Homura had with Sayaka during TL1 but I believe they interacted more than once. Whether they became friends is still unknown, but at the very least, they were acquaintances who were friendly with each other. |
|
| I loved Homura since Episode 1. I have an incling for long, dark-haired girls in general In anime, I tend to like that trait associated with mystery too =D |
 |
| yeah, I loved Homura from the beginning. Mysterious, yes, cool and all, but even from the beginning, the way she responded to others and such, I knew there was something behind that Stoic-y exterior. The question was "what", but there was something. She may have used the term "baka", but not nearly as often as other characters have. When Mami states that her actions are like those of someone who had been bullied their life, she didn't respond. She had the cold shoulder, but what was more noticeable wasn't that she ignored others, but simply that she didn't want to respond - there was nothing she could say. From the beginning, when Kyouko and Sayaka were fighting, if she was like other stereotypical characters, she would likely have at least rebuked Sayaka intensely, but in the scene, she was actually more neutral - just wanting peace (which she said, too.) And it was interesting - especially later on in the series, you get the impression that she was trying to seem "cold" and "cool", but she couldn't. It was notable that she still cared for the others but didn't want to show it. She wanted to appear indifferent to it all, but just couldn't be - and this is somewhat adorable, but in seriousness, rather interesting to note. |
 |
| That cold reserved person Homura had become was most likely do to the time loop where Madoka's last request was for Homura to shoot her soul gem. Dear god the Seiyuu performance of that moment was agonizing to hear. Just the deepest most intense moment of crying despair as she pulled the trigger. I couldn't help but tear up. You couldn't help but feel empathy and pain for Homura after that. The pain she had to endure in almost a futile attempt to save Madoka would test anyone's sanity. Madoka even acknowledged this when she had become omnipotent and could see the many sacrifices Homura made and gave her the only gift she had left which were her kind words and the title "my greatest friend." |
CirrisMay 22, 2011 2:11 AM
Dusk252 said: I have to argue otherwise. As I view it, her cold acting is not a sign of metal strength, but weakness. Something broke inside her, after putting Madoka out of her misery. With Madoka, she was obviously posing, but turning cold at all times was her mind's way of shielding herself from the pain.It was no wonder she had been acting that cold. I was strongly impressed by her mental strength. She's amazing. Of course this is just me, but wouldn't being able to keep her previous cheerfulness, even when knowing the truth and going through what can be only be described as a hell worse than death, be a bigger sign of mental strength? |
"Tonight, I sit in the eye of the storm. As fire boils around me, I press forward, winds and lightning lashing my wings. I am no match for what I face. Yet I will not back down, and though fear may place it's stranglehold on my heart, courage will see me through. With tears in my eyes, I hit full throttle. My engines become an inferno, and my weapons light up, awaiting my command. If I die tonight, I will do so fighting for everything I believe in." |
Dusk252 said: Hmm, yeah, I understand I am asking for too much. Not just for a 14 year old, but for anyone.BrickBreak said: I didn't mean her coldness was a sign of mental strength. If my words implied otherwise, I'm sorry. I agree that turning cold is a defense against suffering. But think about it, what would the effects of all she witnessed throughout the timelines be if she was mentally weak? Most people would be driven insane in such a situation... especially 14 year old girls. So it's no wonder she got that cold. I'm actually amazed her mental condition wasn't even worse.Dusk252 said: I have to argue otherwise. As I view it, her cold acting is not a sign of metal strength, but weakness. Something broke inside her, after putting Madoka out of her misery. With Madoka, she was obviously posing, but turning cold at all times was her mind's way of shielding herself from the pain.It was no wonder she had been acting that cold. I was strongly impressed by her mental strength. She's amazing. BrickBreak said: I agree with you there. That would certainly be a bigger sign of mental strength. A godly amount of it at that. That said, while not in that degree, Homura certainly possessed great mental strength or else she would have snapped and/or quited her goal.Of course this is just me, but wouldn't being able to keep her previous cheerfulness, even when knowing the truth and going through what can be only be described as a hell worse than death, be a bigger sign of mental strength? But... again, that's just me. I can see a character lose, be beaten, broken and killed and not have much of a problem, but I get riled up when I see the slightest hint of mental weakness, for some reason. Either way, I was very glad to see her... let's say, mental rehabilitation, in ep 12. Seeing her happy, yet mature, fighting off the demons and having a normal life, was simply great. It's too bad that it took (or at least, only happened after) Madoka's "sacrifice"... Now that I think about it, in the end, Homura was the big winner: she went from being a weak, sorrowful girl on the highway to suicide to a strong and happy woman, fighting to protect the world to her death and with a friend always present with her. Not too shabby. |
"Tonight, I sit in the eye of the storm. As fire boils around me, I press forward, winds and lightning lashing my wings. I am no match for what I face. Yet I will not back down, and though fear may place it's stranglehold on my heart, courage will see me through. With tears in my eyes, I hit full throttle. My engines become an inferno, and my weapons light up, awaiting my command. If I die tonight, I will do so fighting for everything I believe in." |
Psajdak said: I doubt I'll ever understand why did Homura favoured Madoka over all other people and magical girls. Just because Madoka spoke to her first isn't reason enough. The only character I disliked in series btw, seconded by Madoka. I do understand your point about Homura and Madoka's friendship in the original timeline not being truly explored. I do feel in doing so it would have forced them to take away from other elements of the series. They only have a certain amount of allocated time to work with. I do think that the beginning timeline showed a lonely sickly girl befriending a charming sweet Madoka who also saved her life. Madoka was always cheerleading Homura in the first timelines and Homura was grateful to her. I think this and a sense of loyalty for saving her life is what drove Homura to make her wish. I think the intense love and affection Homura had for Madoka grew in each timeline where with the others it began to strain do to actions and circumstances. I'm sure Homura cared about the other girls in some respects. But by the time the main series timeline started. All of them did things that warranted distancing. Mami, though pleasant, was slightly arrogant and a bit overconfident. Though she would also have been close to Madoka and Homura in the first timeline, she was a year older and not in their class. Madoka and Homura would have had a lot more moments to share than Mami did. Also she was unstable in a few timelines. The biggest thing was Mami's powers were kryptonite to Homura. Homura's biggest weakness was being confined. Something Mami could, and would do on a few occasions; this included the one timeline where Mami flipped out and shot Kyoko dead. Sayaka was a lost cause. As soon as she made her stupid foolish wish she would eventually trainwreck herself into self annihilation. On top of that she was always hostile towards Homura and would never listen to her. I don't even think Sayaka was a Puella Magi in the original timelines either. Kyoko seemed to be always late to the team. I don't think she endeared herself particularly well to warrant the BFF tag either. Also, i don't think she was in the original Timeline either. Honestly I thought Homura's reasoning made perfect sense. Though, her execution seemed flawed at times. But then again, these are 14 year old girls. |
CirrisMay 25, 2011 6:23 AM
Dusk252 said: I'm probably repeating myself, but she could have made a bigger effort in that way. As far we could see, she only attempted pulling a Morning Rescue once, in timeline 3 (Mami and Madoka in Tl2 don't really count, she had no choice then). The result was, well, what we saw, but regardless, it was one attempt. You could even argue that she made no attempt, since since the two times she teamed up (TL2 and TL3), the team was already there, and she appears to have tagged along.Furthermore, at first she wanted everyone to work together to defeat Walpurgis but throughout the timelines, Madoka was the only one who always stood by her side. (But that part was already well explained by Cirris in the post above me.) And after that, she turned to her cold persona, and regardless of how many timelines she went through, she wouldn't have tried it again in that mood. She'd just take whichever ones were alive by Walpurgis' attack, without doing much (though she made minimal attempts) to keep them alive until then. Although, I am still wondering why Homura said she should have kept an eye on Sayaka. She had contracted before, with the results we saw... However, there was one exception: Kyouko. She was the ideal Puella, according to Homura. A no-nonsense brawler, without fleeting dreams like the others (in Homura's opinion, at least; I'll never agree to that) quite powerful and experienced, hotheaded but with enough conscience to be serious in front of a threat such as Walpurgis. Thus, the perfect ally. And we saw how she tried to keep her out of trouble. To the point that every single time she went into action, she was interrupted my Homura. One time, a bit too late though... And I guess that, in her head, that's one more reason for Homura to hate Sayaka: she also derailed her most trusted ally. As for Psajdak's question, the two posters above said pretty much everything there was to be said, but there is one much less deep, psychological and reason for the fans' love for Homura: guns. It's a bit brainless, unlike... anything else, in Madoka, but it is a valid reason. However, even that was given a bit of depth. Because it's not only seeing a girl using guns. It's not only seeing a 14 year old girl using massive amounts of heavy weaponry. It's mostly, at least in my case, seeing someone fighting demonic abominations who can send anyone into the bottommost pit of hell with a single twitch with mere human weaponry, and come out on the top. I simply can't help but to love seeing human technology trump over evil magic. If we mere humans can't stand up to witches (...or can we? this is a debate I had a while back), then at least our weapons, in the hands of a proper wielder, can deliver justice for the thousands of our kind killed from the shadows. Also, it's a really, really nice break from your typical mahou shoujo attacks. The whole of Madoka already does this: swords, spears, muskets, instead of magical staff and such. Homura takes it up a notch. And finally, it fits her perfectly. Allow me to explain: she was trying to pull the impossible, to fight against impossible odds, while being just one, solo Puella, and a rather weak one at that (confirmed by Uro). Having her use "powerless" weapons (when it comes to magic power) against those monsters is yet another impossible-odds action, and thus rather fitting. TL;DR Never had I hated and loved one character so much, at the same time. (Or should I say, nunca odiei e adorei uma personagem tanto ao mesmo tempo, carago :P) |
"Tonight, I sit in the eye of the storm. As fire boils around me, I press forward, winds and lightning lashing my wings. I am no match for what I face. Yet I will not back down, and though fear may place it's stranglehold on my heart, courage will see me through. With tears in my eyes, I hit full throttle. My engines become an inferno, and my weapons light up, awaiting my command. If I die tonight, I will do so fighting for everything I believe in." |
Psajdak said: That's all nice and great, but what I asked is why was Homura so obsessed with Madoka; what was so special about her? Also, in last episode when Madoka said Homura is her best friend... Again, what the hell? Wasn't she with Sayaka most of time? You just missed the entire point of the previous posts. It's because Madoka is the first person who showed kindness to Homura. Madoka gave Homura self-esteem and meaning in her life. She also saved Homura from death. Homura never had any friends, so it would make perfect sense that she sees Madoka as her best friend. Also, who's to say you can't have more than one best friend? After Madoka realized everything Homura has done to try and save her, of course Madoka would also consider Homura her best friend. It doesn't mean Sayaka isn't her best friend anymore. |
Dusk252 said: As for your last paragraph: Did I digress that much for a "TL;DR"? Anyway, I'd say the same about Kyubey xD (And I hadn't noticed you're Portuguese as well!) You didn't digress. I did, and solely to have a good reason (well... a reason) for saying that final line :P Dusk252 said: I agree with this, but I will say that it felt kind of a cheap shot to have Madoka say that. Poor Sayaka T.TAs for your second question... I thought that was obvious. In the last episode, Madoka understood (and I believe she was able to see what happened in all those timelines) Homura's efforts in order to save her from becoming a witch. She realized she had someone who had been suffering for her sake for so long. Isn't that more than whatever Sayaka may have done? Homura may be extremely flawed and you may not understand her reasons but she was a great friend, that's for sure. That doesn't take any credit from Sayaka's friendship with Madoka though and I don't understand why you'd think so. |
"Tonight, I sit in the eye of the storm. As fire boils around me, I press forward, winds and lightning lashing my wings. I am no match for what I face. Yet I will not back down, and though fear may place it's stranglehold on my heart, courage will see me through. With tears in my eyes, I hit full throttle. My engines become an inferno, and my weapons light up, awaiting my command. If I die tonight, I will do so fighting for everything I believe in." |
| Homura played a major role in the story. Her character was necessary in order to develop Madoka. |
| Homura was definitely an incredibly important character...and i've never seen someone make moe so goddamn badass before. But people need to understand that WHY madoka was important. She didn't do very much throughout the final timeline, but it's who she IS that's important. She was smarter than she let on, and she was incredibly empathetic. In the end do you think Sayaka, Kyoko or Mami would have been able to make the wish she did if they had her potential? Homura could have become friends with any of the others, and maybe she would even have transgressed time to save them as well. But nobody would have held out as long or thought of the wish that Madoka did. But yea, Homura is definitely freaking awesome, amazing and a very tragic hero Q_Q. That blurb was more for the creator of this thread...who seemed to consider Madoka easily replacable as the main character by any of the other heroines. |
More topics from this board
Poll: » Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica Episode 3 Discussion ( 1 2 3 4 5 ... Last Page )stevewiess01 - Jan 20, 2011 |
724 |
by phantom346
»»
Oct 7, 9:22 PM |
|
Poll: » Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica Episode 2 Discussion ( 1 2 3 4 5 ... Last Page )Kuro4735 - Jan 13, 2011 |
338 |
by TheStarscream759
»»
Oct 6, 5:29 PM |
|
Poll: » Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica Episode 1 Discussion ( 1 2 3 4 5 ... Last Page )stevewiess01 - Jan 6, 2011 |
490 |
by TheStarscream759
»»
Oct 6, 3:32 PM |
|
Poll: » Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica Episode 12 Discussion ( 1 2 3 4 5 ... Last Page )tsubasalover - Apr 21, 2011 |
1581 |
by StuartMckngTown
»»
Oct 4, 3:47 AM |
|
Poll: » Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica Episode 11 Discussion ( 1 2 3 4 5 )tsubasalover - Apr 21, 2011 |
236 |
by StuartMckngTown
»»
Oct 3, 6:38 PM |