The art and animation was very good and pleasing to the eyes. The start was very very slow. Considering that this was only a 12-episode anime, the good part starts only at episode 10. Madoka, the titular character was a crybaby and very annoying. Akemi Homura and Madoka's mom are the best.
Some characters although very significant in the web of relationships were dropped, e.g. Hitomi. This was a magical girl anime but not quite because it was also dark and very ambitious.
I suggest to have patience and watch until the very end because it still is a good and very touching anime. It was very unexpexted for the genre, but that is what makes it good. I permit fast forwards though especially at the first dragging nine episodes.