Themes include:
-Innocence, loss of innocence, and coming of age. Madoka Magica advances through stages using meticulously crafted atmosphere.
-Isolation, loneliness, and depression. (‘Credens Justitiam.’ ‘Inevitabilis.’)
-Ideology, self-righteousness, and compromise. The presence or absence of collaboration has striking consequences. (‘Amicae Carae Meae.’ ‘Clementia.’)
-Selfishness and selflessness. Wishes lead to a topic of acknowledging true desires and coming to terms with them. (‘Decretum.’)
-Femininity, battle, and strength. (‘Inevitabilis.’)
-The eternal cycle of idealism and corruption. (‘Credens Justitiam.’)
-Zero sum mindset and positive sum mindset. Zero sum mindset is contextually advantageous but a curse. Positive sum mindset means extending trust and is thereby an act of faith. Madoka Magica starts with combat, moves to apples in front of stained-glass windows, and culminates with a prayerful kneel. This is pitch-perfect imagery to bolster a beautiful message. (‘Confessio.’)
-Alienation and lone wolf/“Dark Knight” heroism. (‘Numquam vincar.’)
-Hope and despair. (‘Inevitabilis.’ ‘Sagitta Luminis.’)
-Motherhood. Kaname Junko grapples with her daughter’s growing independence admirably. (‘Ave Maria.’)
-Sacrifice and the value of life. (‘Decretum.’)
-Damnation, purification, salvation, and redemption. Water is a universal symbol of purification. Madoka Magica is full of droplets, ripples, rivulets, pools, and bays. (‘Sagitta Luminis.’)
The number of serious themes is astonishing, and Madoka Magica addresses them brilliantly. All five magic girls illuminate or exemplify a key theme. They have distinct personalities and undergo substantial progress. Each viewer will resonate with the ideals or trajectory of one in particular (for me, Sakura Kyouko).
Madoka Magica is a masterpiece for 8 episodes. The last 4 episodes shoot for the stars and often achieve that potential. Episodes 9-12 contain scenes that are among the best in anime (‘Surgam identidem,’ first section of ‘Sagitta Luminis'). Late scenes with Kaname Junko are also excellent. These scenes alternate with Madoka Magica‘s worst material, making a wide contrast.
Many aspects of this story work better as mysteries. Explanations rob them of potency. Some of these are phenomena so cosmic that descriptions only disappoint: each attempt will be threadbare and insufficient. This is why “2001: A Space Odyssey” has very long spans without dialogue. Madoka Magica need not go that far: having Kyuubey talk a lot less is enough.
Almost all of Kyuubey’s unprompted contributions to episodes 9-12 make the story worse. Only his ‘history of magic girls’ conversation stands out as a clear net positive. The sci-fi discussions are especially bad. Mystery makes magic more meaningful; one needs good reason to demystify it. Madoka Magica doesn’t have one, and adds insult to injury by butchering the science references.
At its best Madoka Magica portrays the strong emotions of multifaceted characters and uses adept metaphors to create a magnificent story. Inconsistent later episodes are the main blemish. I am grateful for the genius of Shinbo, Urobuchi, and Kajiura.
