Don’t. Trust. Kyubey
Don’t let the stunning animation or adorable character models fool you, this magical girl series is unlike any other out there. Unlike genre pioneers such as Sailor Moon and Cardcaptor Sakura, this anime didn’t so much expand on tropes as it did flip them on their head and shatter them!
As the likes of high school student Madoka Kaname and her friends are introduced to the reality that magic, witches and all other manner of supernatural oddities exist, they also discover that this new dream world of theirs isn’t without it’s darkness. Combine the premise with an intriguing story, awesome action scenes and more twists that we thought possible, and there are no shortage of amazing moments to choose from!
Fair warning, there are MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW!Â
#3: Homura vs. Mami
We’re slightly cheating here since this fight scene takes place in the third Madoka movie Rebellion, but it’s so brilliantly executed we couldn’t help but include it. After discovering that she’s been trapped inside a Witch’s Labyrinth, Homura finds herself coming into conflict with her fellow magical girl Mami. What follows is an epic gun battle, as Homura’s time-stopping abilities clash with Mami’s expert marksmanship. Bullets have never looked so beautiful.
#2: The Death of Mami
This was the moment fans realised that this series was far from cutesy. As the most experienced magical girl, Mami looked practically untouchable. That is, until her head was removed from her shoulders courtesy of a nightmarish clown creature. With their new friend dead, Madoka and Sayaka finally start to understand the danger that comes with choosing to be a magical girl. Something Kyubey failed to mention, of course…
#1: Homura’s Many Pasts
For the most part of the series, we had no idea as to the origins and true nature of the mysterious magical girl called Homura. She obviously wanted Kyubey dead, and seemed to have a strange fascination with Madoka. Then we found out the truth, and it was heartbreaking. Turns out Homura is a time-traveller, one who used to be a shy and nerdy girl until she was saved by an alternate version of Madoka. Despite growing so close, she was unable to save her from being killed. Ever since, she has continually travelled back to the past to try and save her precious Madoka…and failing each time.
Be sure to check out our video below to see where Madoka and the others landed in our picks for the Top 10 Anime Series to Binge Watch.