Madoka Magica is truly a show unlike any of its predecessors.
I started watching this show upon hearing of its deconstructionist nature as well as the unique way of subversion of traditional notions, structures and ways of storytelling, atypical of the magical girl genre; something that many had so highly praised. Even though the artwork initially seems misleadingly childish and in essence, similar to that of its predecessors; well-known pieces like Sailor Moon or Card Captor Sakura, it was truly anything but. Even though I was already prepared for the introduction of dark concepts and ideas throughout the show as this was ultimately a deconstruction
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of the magical girl genre, the extent to which this show fucked with my mind was something I was certainly not expecting. Every time I thought that it couldn’t get any more mind-boggling, the following episode would prove me wrong; this cycle was sustained all the way until the end of the show.
Madoka, in its largely philosophical approach to the magical girl genre, critically comments on the state of humanity; precisely, our intrinsically self-serving nature, but also our overwhelming desire for our existence to have some kind of value in this world, bringing up the question; does everything we dedicate and commit ourselves to, our desires and actions, our feelings and compassion; do they serve a greater purpose? Or do they simply have no real meaning at all. Is there truly no way to escape inevitability and fate? Or is inevitably just something we deem upon ourselves? In its exploration of such notions, Madoka manages to convey the significance of the legendary statement that; humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return, and in such a way, something of equal value must be lost (FMAB). Unlike its predecessors, Madoka brings up numerous interesting questions that others have never addressed; what is the cost of being a magical girl? What are magical girls? But even more importantly, what exactly are WE? Humans. Are our feelings of love or compassion merely results of our own selfishness, or can we truly be selfless in our desires and pursuits? When we are presented with the possibility of miracles and ANYTHING we desire, what are we willing to give up? Madoka had me pondering these questions throughout the show and even now, upon finally finishing it.
Upon starting the show, I immediately realised the obvious use of traditional magical girl genre conventions such as the ‘transfer student’ and a ‘ordinary but also somehow special’ main protagonist who ‘didn’t really excel’ at anything in particular who meets a ‘animal mascot’ and so happens to be confronted with a ‘strange dream’ one night that foretells the future; a bleak one at that. However, even in the first episode, it was evident that the show was not like the ones before it. It is through such utilising such traditional tropes of storytelling that the story is able to set up one of the greatest subversions of expectation that I have ever seen (if the audience weren’t previously aware of the tone of the overall show). The show is set up and written in such a way that even the audience is in the dark about certain things that contribute majorly to the whole reason why the problems/occurrences exist/occur in the first place until we near the end of the anime where we are confronted by the consequences choices each character makes/made and are forced to reflect on what we would/could be willing to do in their situations; the situations being so convoluted and complex in nature that many a time we are left with no real solution either. At points in the show, I almost felt consumed by an impending sense of inescapability; and to this day, Madoka has been one of the only shows that has truly made me feel such indescribable emotions – despair, sadness, emptiness and longing.
The introduction of each and every character is given huge significance in terms of plot progression and storytelling. No character is “flat” or unnecessary to the plot and they all contribute greatly to the worldbuilding of Madoka Magica and assist in constructing the overall atmosphere that progresses and divulges as the show advances and more information is revealed to the audience; and simultaneously, to the characters as well. Madoka almost takes on a supporting role throughout most of the show, with minor details such as certain character’s personalities, certain occurrences that may not have made the most sense when you first witnessed it and certain plot elements, making a complete turn at the end, combining and culminating to the divulgence of the ultimate, appalling truth.
The art of the show is certainly unique. A cute, wide-faced style of animation combined with the use of pastel soft colours and tones in the character designs and scenery/backgrounds of scenes that is prominently contrasted with the deep muted colour palette of the more thematically darker scenes and episodes. The abstract nature of much of the art in the show is extremely distinctive and serves to further the chaotic and unnerving atmosphere of the show as our characters are forced to try their best to survive in a world of irregularity, unfamiliarity, possibility and terror. The juxtaposing nature of the character designs with the settings of the world of Madoka greatly enhances the feelings of fear, terror and despair felt by the viewers due to how jarring the comparison often is.
The music in Madoka Magica is absolutely stunning in my opinion. It fits in with the mood and tone of the whole show and is used effectively to further enhance the emotions present in each scene and felt by the characters or even the viewers. Many of the themes seem to have bright, lullaby-like childish tones at first listen but are actually underscored by dark, melancholic almost bittersweet tones that become greatly enhanced in its implementation in selected scenes throughout the show.
Overall, Madoka Magica is definitely an interesting, unique and philosophically challenging show and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys something out of the ordinary; philosophical, thrilling and irrefutably dark. Although it does have its flaws (which i have chosen not to focus on), I have no doubt that the message of this show and its impact on me will stay with me for a long time.
If you were presented with the chance to have whatever you desire in exchange for becoming a magical girl, would you do it?
You will undoubtedly know the answer once you watch Madoka Magica!
Mar 18, 2020
Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica
(Anime)
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Madoka Magica is truly a show unlike any of its predecessors.
I started watching this show upon hearing of its deconstructionist nature as well as the unique way of subversion of traditional notions, structures and ways of storytelling, atypical of the magical girl genre; something that many had so highly praised. Even though the artwork initially seems misleadingly childish and in essence, similar to that of its predecessors; well-known pieces like Sailor Moon or Card Captor Sakura, it was truly anything but. Even though I was already prepared for the introduction of dark concepts and ideas throughout the show as this was ultimately a deconstruction ... 
Feb 21, 2020
Hunter x Hunter (2011)
(Anime)
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Hunter x Hunter has changed my life.
My entire life I have always been indulging in and in pursuit of works of art and fiction, whether it be film, music, books, or even anime. After experiencing and watching works of fiction my entire life, upon gradual reflection, I came to recognise that many of my philosophies and ideologies had already become immensely intertwined with the world and messages that can be found in that of anime and other works of fiction, inspiring my abundant contemplations regarding human existence – in all its glory, and in all its shame. Whether it be; the ability to see splendour ... |
