Despite this not being a method I really like to use, I feel obliged to start my analysis exploring the concept that no one can shut up about when discussing this, yes the fact of whether madoka is a deconstruction, or not of the mahou shoujo genre, for it apparently containing an entirely new perspective on the genre. One of the reasons for the series to be perceived in that way, is mostly due to the lack of knowledge of most anime fans, darker and more dramatic takes on mahout shoujo trappings are common since the times of uta-kata or princess tutu. Mahou shoujo is way more diverse, and madoka differs way less from it, than a fan that has only seen a few shows kind that can imagine (and yes there are lunatics that have only seen one mahou shoujo, madoka, and still claim the series is a deconstruction). But no, the concept of madoka being a deconstruction is not only based on its unusual tone, but in the idea of it actually containing lots of commentary, about the mahou shoujo genre. Aspects like the action in such series being unrealistic, and would demand way too much of the human body to be feasible, the innocence of supposing that girls in this kind of situation would simply join due to the presence of a common enemy, character deaths being a common reality in this story, just to name a few. Madoka is taking a few elements people take for granted, and applying what could be said as a more realistic logic to them, having this as a way to comment on the genre’s nature. The problem in here is the content itself, what Madoka is actually saying about the genre with this, basically the series is using the commentary I explained above just to talk about how unrealistic each said aspects are. But verisimilitude with reality is not, and should never be the objective of any fictional story. The girls on those kind of plots join and have power of friendship to triumph over everything, not because of how much sense that makes realistically speaking, but because such elements are part of the socially important message those series are trying to pass on to younger audiences. When replacing those aspects for selfish heroes the series is in effect losing the messages which give meaning and purpose to the genre and its architypes. This is the issue I take with most of the so called deconstructions, they usually are works so eager in criticizing genres, to portray its meaning as hopeless idealism, but at the same time they construct nothing, no new coherent ideology in response to them. It just ends up amounting to a fake realism. They point out clichés but fail to recognize that making a story where the heroes always lose, is as predictable and unrealistic as one where the heroes always win. Only portraying the other extreme, the cynical, the immoral, the despair does not make such works any real representation of reality. If madoka fallen to such trappings, my verdict on the theming and meta aspects of the show would be pretty negative, but happily that is not the case, and this is where madoka simply brilliant ending comes into play. When all hope seems to be lost, to the point where simply having hope would mean a flaw in character, when it seems the whole series is engulfed in its own cynicism. Than we have the last episode making an unbelievable turn, hope is reaffirmed through a wish, the uselessness of practicing good, because due to the entropy that could only lead to an equal amount of suffering being done, is contested. The universal rules this perverse system that seems to deny everything to individuals is changed by said wish. Madoka in its last act reconstructs and reaffirms ideals that form the genre, the idealism destroying the own cynical setting the series builds up, following the simplest format of all, of the hero that by making a choice and having personal sacrifices, escapes and subverts a pervert system of control. The template for mahou shoujo is the result of that, reappearing here, at the series last moments. To conclude, I am not sure if what madoka is doing is actually a deconstruction or not (to be sincere I do not really care that is the case or not) but what madoka does efficiently has to explore about the mahou shoujo genre, is interesting to say the least.
I have Always considered myself a big fan of Akiyuki Shinbou style of directing (despite never being sure, he is the actually directing some of the shows he is credited to). Despite the variables levels of quality of a lot of projects he seems to be attached to, in each one of them I can safely say, the directing really added a lot to the experience. His style of directing may not be as artistic as something like what Kubrick usually did, where the directing itself and usage of symbolism are used to strengthen themes, and make complex really subtle points about the work, his style is marked for being really accessible and even so extremely memorable. The show tries in every regard to be visually stimulating, every scene, be it for the imagination and creativity presented in the designs, scenarios, location mapping, the usage of color pallet, backgrounds, everything in the series shows this attention to detail and creativity. Every Witch liar has a completely different form of being presented, and the forms of physical combat are among the most creative I have seen in anime. I have to point how not a lot of the directing or the detailed production is purposed to reinforce the series themes, but the effort and passion demonstrated are certainly praiseworthy.
An important element, I would like to present a defense towards, are the characters. Sure madoka may not have the most interesting and complex characters in the world, and I am not sure if there was a way to make really great characters of a really plot focused 12-episode series. But claiming as a lot of people do, that the series characters are empty puppets for the ideas and history, goes beyond overkill. Take Madoka the protagonist for example, her way of acting and thinking are completely understandable, her low self-esteem due to her lack of capacity of seeing merit in the things she was able to do (it would have been great if that trait did not need to be repeated 15 times), as such low self-esteem is her motivation for a dangerous altruism, leading her to want to make good things for others even when those actions mean prejudice for herself. Her insecurity and hesitation in regards to her wish are also perfectly understandable, due to the almost no way out situation, in which she is being forced to make that decision. This tendency marks madoka’s characters, they have simple personalities, that are easy to understand and sympathize, and their actions are coherent with the form they are written and their ideals. One character that negatively stands out for not being that way is Sakura Kyouko, her character and arc simply do not work. The establishment is relatively well done. First we are presented to her and steadily her character is demonstrated through her actions, her individualistic mentality, when allowing that other humans may come to die, just to assure she will have more grief seeds, and for actively trying to take away the territory of another mahou shoujo, by force. Later we find out her past, the fact she inadvertently has caused the destruction of her entire family, because of a wish she made judging it would help her dad, and how those elements explain the mentality she displays nowadays. All of this is shown in a short amount of time, but establishes her really well as a narcissistic asshole. And then what happens? Later she simply changes her mind, after a 5-minute conversation with Sayaka and starts to worry enough about her, to even sacrifice her life to save Sayaka. This change is not only sudden, she is also awfully explained, I do understand the fact of she forming a form of identification with Sayaka, because the two of them are suffering the shock of really awful reveals, that change completely the way that they see themselves. But from that, to there actually being this great connection between the two that justifies said actions, there is a great difference. The character development in this case, consists of convenient writing, that ignores previously stablished character aspects, just for the story progression, that needs Homura to face the Walpurgis Night alone. On a certain way it is way worse than Mami’s characters that has a more simplified development and arc, while still being coherent, due to her minor importance in the history. So in general the madoka’s cast is mediocre to ok, the characters do their job, and do not really deserve a lot of the backlash.
One of the more prominent themes in Madoka is the dichotomy and clash between altruism and egoism. Which one those two concepts rules, or should rule our actions is extremely relevant for the series, having every character show a unique point about that. Sakura Kyouko being the most emblematic example, since her introduction her character is defined by her egotism, and for giving absolutely no value to helping others. Those characteristics are the result of her troubling past, especially the idea of it being useless to try to do good things for others, because of our lack of capacity of understanding and really managing to enact good acts for them. The series answer for that is bringing the same logic for her own egotism, Kyouko on her own vision may be thinking she is acting according to what is best for her, but she finds herself unable to comprehend her situation, which in turn makes her incapable of realizing what is actually beneficial. In the other side of the spectrum we have Sayaka, always acting for the good of others, feeling disgusted to even imagine of taking personal gain with the situation. The character due to the loss of her body, starts to only define her value by measuring how useful she can be for others. This excessive altruism is the reason for her fall, after placing the value of her existence only on how useful she could be, when she starts having doubts on the society she is trying to protect, Sayaka is left with nothing becoming engulfed in complete despair. Homura is an odd case since her actions seem to be altruistic in a first glance, after all her motivation is the love she fells towards Madoka, but such love is essentially selfish. She wants to save Madoka only, not worrying with anything else, like other people, how they may see her, the broader situation, and being because of that incapable to solve the situation. The ending portrays a synthesis of both concepts, sure Madoka’s sacrifice may be the utmost representation of selflessness in the series, but that is only possible due to Homura’s egotism. The union of both, egoism and altruism is the answer, both are important sources to guide our actions.
Another remarkable aspect of this work are some of the sources it takes influence from, especially two great literary authors. Goethe is the most obvious, madoka raises a lot of the same questioning that are in the center of his reputed work Faust, some witch’s lair even containing direct visual references to that. And it is not hard to understand why that is the case, both works focus on human beings trying to enact impossible or almost impossible feats, through short cuts without putting the necessary effort. In this process the characters lose their humanity and souls, to see their desires come true. The message is also pretty similar; be careful with what you wish for. Kyuubei is also kind of reminiscent of the charismatic devil offering temptation to humans, and portraying an even understandable perspective for the audience. H.P Lovecraft, probably the most influential figure on terror as a literary genre, being another. Gen Urobuchi is in my opinion trying to recreate the existential horror that Lovecraft’s works contain, the idea of the incubators being extremely reminiscent of the Cthulhu, this supernatural being that inflict terror on the characters, this mysterious being that gives no importance or value to human kind. The key differences are in the form both beings are portrayed, Kyuubie has motivations, methods and objectives explained in the series, the figures of horror in Lovecraft’s books on the other hand have pretty much everything about them involved in mystery, the mentality of those creatures cannot be understood for human beings and trying can only lead the individual to madness. Theoretically having said aspects explained would be a point in favor of madoka, but that is the deal. The horror in those histories comes from our lack of capacity to really know, of there being these incomprehensible horrors, which you cannot understand or predict. Giving answers and demystifying said beings only makes them less scary or threatening. This is one of the cases where raising questions and intrigue means way more for a work than any answer and explanation. If you view Madoka as an attempt in existential horror, it simply does not work on that aspect.
The narrative quality of Madoka also cannot be understated. I have already seen people referring to this series as the one that has perfect story’s pacing, and despite not agreeing with the sentiment, I really get the why. The narrative structure of madoka works really well, containing a healthy number of twists and revelations spaced out excellently. Having each one the twists fulfilling an important function in the narrative and in the character’s arcs, by changing the character’s perception of themselves or the reality they are inserted. Between those revelations the series never stops paying attention to how each character is being affected, how they react to the new events and reality. This constantly changing and evolving style of narrative makes madoka one of the more addictive experiences I have ever had with anime. Sure there is a degree of convenience involved here, I will always find hilarious how Homura is always getting late or in the nick of time in several events, even when she has the capacity of moving infinitely faster, than other characters. But there is nothing that really hurts the series internal logic to a high degree, or really represents important structural problems in the series.
To sum things up, as I rewatched madoka I gained a deeper appreciation for the anime. I managed to comprehend what the series is trying to do, and what is the point it trying to make with its aspects. While not always being that successful in those, it is overall doing a good job in its diverse aspects. I may not believe it will ever be a masterpiece in my eyes, mostly because of the characters, which I never managed to form a connection or caring that much about. Moments of intense emotional turmoil like those Madoka and Sayaka went through barely affecting me. But still I got a satisfying experience of the whole thing.
