In your typical magical girl anime the heroine gets powers to fight evil and often at very little expense, madoka magica is different in this regard as it explores what one must sacrifice in order to obtain such powers, what would you wish for in exchange for your life as an ordinary girl to end?, the answer to this question forms the backbone of the story and sets us up for despair, thrilling twists and an overall rollercoaster of a ride.
the characters overall are solid overall as each character gets their own development, backstory and detailed inter-connected relationships. I cannot say more without spoiling but I wish that kyouko recieved a smidge more character backstory for my tastes.
now the real highlight of this show for me is the animation and soundtrack. Shaft is one of my favourite studios and am a big fan pf their artstyle in monogatari and nisekoi. the witches world looks grotesque and unsettling as each witches lair fits the theme of the witch. the human world however is the polar opposite as everything is bright and colourful and is full of life.
Yuki Kajiura does the score for the show and just as with fate/zero and SAO, the soundtrack is amazing. Every song fits each scene wonderfully and songs like magia, credens justitiam and decretum are particular highlights as well as the opening by ClariS.
overall I see this as a masterpiece and is my personal favourite along with Steins;Gate
10/10
