DuoReview I decided to rewatch this video and I realised that that scene with the cat could represent, That she's waking up in heaven with the cat, finally free of the magical girl's cruel fate? It doesn't make much sense to me given the whole goddess for eternity thing but it's an idea.
Also notice how the cat is black. Black cats are usually associated with witches. And at the end of the OP, where we see Madoka, Sayaka, and Mami sitting on top of a skyscraper, Sayaka is holding the cat, foreshadowing her becoming a witch.
Cloverfr I believe it was stated in the pmmm psp game? you get to play different routes/timelines and one of them is the very first one before homura becomes a magical girl so I think the discussion on "what did you guys wish for?" comes up eventually.
tho out the series i watched that opening become darker and darker as i realised just how F up the series was, and what it all meant. but there will always be people how cant take the hints, and stand stupefied not understanding the bigger picture.
Also too the whole point of all the marketing of Madoka Magica was to originally pass it off as a typical, cheery magical girl show. There's an interview somewhere where the creators specifically state that they carefully ensured that any trailers, promos, etc. didn't hint at all to the show's darker themes, so its absolutely a no brainer that the opening --- which, personally, I've watched several shows simply from the notoriety of their openings (death parade, Mirai Nikki, and Lucky Star come to mind in my case) --- I wouldn't be surprised if it was entirely meant to "lie" to the viewers if that's this happy show, while leaving room to have dark themes underneath that you'd never pick up on unless you've seen how dark the show is
_Fun fact! That cat isn't by chance. In the manga, Madoka's very first wish in the first timeline was to save a cats life so if she never made that wish, then she would never be a Magical Girl which meant that Homura would've not been saved by Madoka and none of this would've happened!_
I actually have an idea about the first part of the opening where she's crying with her eyes closed and when the tear drops onto the ground it shows its already on water which I think represents all the previous timelines and how many tears have already fallen like the way her despair is building up each time making her a more powerful magical girl and thus witch
The lyrics of the opening track *Connect* is a rendition of Homura's feelings after she has experienced multiple time-lines trying to create a different outcome and save Madoka Kaname. The whole song is set in the context of Homura strengthening her resolve to free Madoka from Kyuubey's cold intentions. *The first few lines translate to:* I'll never forget the promises we exchanged. I still see it when I close my eyes. I'll move forward as I cast off This darkness engulfing me. *The last few lines being:* My heart has started racing once again to paint the future. Even if I am trapped in a maze, The beautiful blue sky will always be awaiting me. So I won't be afraid, No matter what happens next, I won't give in! The visuals being shown during the majority of the opening track show Homura's perspective in the original time-line where she was saved by Madoka. The last few scenes capture, _rather very quickly_, the current situation in which Homura had wished to meet Madoka again so that she would get a chance to protect her friend Madoka. Once you watch the entire series and come back to this track, you realize the subtlety with which the essence of the complex storyline was presented within 1.5 minutes of the Connect track! A marvellous anime: Madoka Magica! :D
I agree. It is a type of scene we see in many anime shows, and sometimes surrounded by water (the water as an element of purification). This is also the meaning behind the change up sequence of magical girls, so it is not just magically switching clothes.
@@ad-skyobsidion4267 that is a interesting interpretation because if you look close enough, incubators usually go after girls with low self esteem to make contracts with
before the show came out, they were trying to market it as your stereotypical magical girl anime. A writer (who I don't remember the name of) was well known for writing dark/sad/horror/ect. he said that he was happy to try something new and write for a cute magical girl anime, people began to speculate that he was lying, and oh boy were they right. so I think that this opening is meant to fool first time into thinking that they are gonna watch a feel good show, and then subsequently rip my heart out out because the writers are sadists why would they do this to me...
The more interesting part was that even the voice actors were completely out of the loop. They basically got the text for the episode just before recording. Imagine the horror on the face of Mami's voice actor when she was handed the script for episode 3.
I mean, then again, he wasn't COMPLETELY lying... yes, this is an existential horror, BUT Madoka DOES become a godess that saves everyone by not losing hope, so ultimately it's a happy, if bittersweet, ending. Which is, again, MUCH lighter than Urobichi's usual works. So yeah, other than the existential dread the show isn't that different from, say, Sailor Moon
Huh. When I watch the opening I always saw it as a facade in many different ways, mostly for Homura. It is supposed to be like a magical girl anime opening that lures people into thinking it is stereotypical. In the scene where there are two Madokas I thought it was supposed to symbolize how the magical girls' souls are split from their body and this is a transformation scene similar to something like Sailor Moon transforming. Because afterwards she appears in the magical girl attire. Also, I think it is supposed to be a facade entirely to trick you what this show is about. It makes you think this is a show about Madoka becoming a magical girl when in reality, it is about Homura trying to stop her from becoming one. And I think the actual song and lyrics are about Homura and he struggle to save Madoka. Read the lyrics without Madoka as the visual. This is the translation the dubbed version gives you "I won't forget our promise we made... I will move forward, shaking off the surging darkness... When I can see the future that I lost, here in this place ONCE AGAIN? I will keep walking in this world... TIME that is ENDLESSLY ticking. With our everlasting passion. And open the door that has been closed... Even if we get stuck on a troubled path, the beautiful blue sky always awaits us so I won't be afraid of anything. Whatever happens, I won't give up." And it immediately shows Homura standing there in the visual. Plus, as soon as we find out the truth about what Homura has been going through late in the show, instead of the ending song which should be playing, it plays the opening which reinforces the connection and made me realize what the song was actually about.
It works for Homura's perspective, but when I said facade, I meant as in how it represents the tone of the show. In fact, adding in the Homura lyrics are an even better example of how the opening still fits the tone of the show.
DaNinjaPenguin That would be why it plays at the *end* of Homu's flashback episode. It's to reveal the true perspective and set the tone as it is in Homura's point of view.
I think that the montage of images represents the thing that Madoka wants to protect. I say this because after the images disappear Madoka opened her eyes with a determined look in her eyes.
An extra point I would've added would be the lyrics - if you translate them, some lines actually directly reference scenes in the series from either Homura's or Madoka's perspective. A good example would be the first line of the long, which roughly translates to 'I won't forget the promises we made." This references Homura's promise to Madoka (in an earlier timeline) that she won't let her be fooled by Kyubey
Also even though the melody of the song is upbeat and sound happy, the lyric actually have lots of hints at the darker parts. The lyrics especially make more sense after episode ten, with for example the first line being something along the lines of "I will never forget the promises we exchanged" this can easily be seen as a hint to Homura promising to keep going back in time to save Madoka from becoming a magical girl. "I'll walk upon this earth and pierce this shadowy veil of unease, as many times as necessary" another tiny hint at Homura's role. Basically there are a bunch of lyric that hints at Homura's character, some more obvious than others; "How long will it be before I see that lost future again" "My heart started racing once again to paint the future" "Even if I get stuck in a maze, the beautiful blue sky will always be waiting for me" etc etc. What I find genius is that you don't connect(heh) all this before after watching episode 10! The opening is upbeat and does hide the dark themes at first, but as the series progress, even the opening becomes dark in it's own way (if that makes sense) and I love it
In the drama CD it is revealed that saving the black cat was Madoka's first wish. The cat is shown twice in the opening. At the end Sayaka is also holding it in a group shot with Madoka and Mami.
Nice! I feel like I'm the only one who never thought the opening sounded happy. I had an odd tone, and seemed to be harbouring a lot of sadness under the surface. It also sounded way too familiar to me, and it took me until this October to realise that it's because it has a very similar core to The Reluctant Heroes from Attack on Titan. I only just realised that they are actually for fairly similar situations too.
this is really informative but also remember, lyrics wise. the lyrics are basically homura's promise that she made to madoka as well in the first timeline
Ahhhh man!! You know I just watched Madoka Magica so... for me the timing of this video was just perfect! :D I really hope you continue this series, man! Love it! ^^
You missed a few things - one of which is how the lyrics are told from Homura's point of view, and the other is the final image of the OP changing throughout the series. For the first three arcs (according to word of god, 1-3 = mami arc, 4-6 = sayaka arc, 7-9 = kyoko arc, 10-12 = homura arc), the image is of Madoka, Sayaka, and Mami. In the fourth (and final) arc, Homura and Kyoko are added to the image. And in the second movie (eternal), the beginning (up until Madoka waking up, i think) is replaced with a bunch of Homuras sitting on chairs, shots of Moemura being moe, followed by Homura walking with her hair covering up the moe. In addition, the end of the OP has just Madoka and Homura on the tower, sitting happily. I'm a little disappointed that wasn't talked about...
i'm not one to finish shows or anime, especially if they're long but this video peaked my interest on madoka 2 years ago now, especially since it was only 12 episodes and i really gotta thank you for that. pmmm is one of my favorite franchises now and after so many watch throughs i can really appreciate how much was packed into the series and rebellion. :)
One thing I kinda thought was interesting is that during the witch trials, one wau theh would tell if someone was a witch or not was to have them stuck to a chair and put them in water. If they float, they're a witch. If they drown, they are not. Though Madoka is not in a chair, I do think the scene of her floating on top of the water with the cat could be showing she is a witch? I don't know, just thought I'd share. (Also, Im not a real life witch expert, sorry if I got this information wrong.)
Just realised the running in the opening parallels the ending theme song of Madoka running in a fashion that almost seems like for her life or for something in a much more sinister setting !!!!!
I think that the quick flashes of happiness are meant to show different timelines of when Homura goes around trying to save everyone. It is only until we realize who Homura is, that we can connect everything to being something that happened in the past. And since the lyrics are Homura singing them, I feel that everything we see is what Homura sees in those different timelines. Remember she did travel back at least 100 times from what the writers said. Like a lot of epoeple
i'm disappointed you didn't mention that the lyrics are most likely repressenting/sung by homura "i will never forget the promise we made" " My heart awakes in order to depict the future even if i get stuck in a maze" "The beautiful blue sky always waits for me "(madoka-god in the sky) and more
I think the scene where madoka is floating symbolizes that she is a witch in other failed attempts of saving madoka where she fell to despair since people used to believe that if you were floating on water you were claimed to be a witch and got burned
I always thought Madoka floating on the water symbolized her becoming a witch. I assume you've heard of the Salem witch trials which sometimes contained drowning to see if they were a witch or not. If they floated they were a witch and the opposite if they were innocent. It might symbolize her turning into a witch
7:43 The behind the scenes people also said that madoka used to own a black cat. So that and the fact that her eyes are closed as well as the fact it looks like paradise could mean she is in the afterlife and is happily reuniting with those she missed. The fact it cuts to the characters that died being right next to her also supports this.
Well, it was mainly composed by Kajiura Yuki. Who really is a master of composition. She is very talented. I want to suggest you the Pandora Hearts soundtrack.
The shot on the building at the end I think represents Mami's dream. It's on a narrow spire because Mami's dream is fleeting and narrow-minded unintentionally.
I think the intro song is a facade, but let me explain. The song is pink and high pitched, yet at times it turns into a cry and it has an unsettling feeling to it, which for me fits perfectly the theme of the anime, that combined with the visuals its the perfect intro of what the magic world is for these girls as presented by kyubey. A pretty little cat offering anything you wish in exchange of protecting the world, sounds like a win-win situation... but there's a feeling of unease, something in the back of our minds telling us there is something deadly wrong.
That ending shock is what made Mami's death so jarring for me. I figured that because she was featured in the opening she would live longer since main characters usually don't die so soon.
OMG YES YES. Finally, I thought I was the only one that thought the opening actually tells you everything about the series, I agree with your analysis 100%.
Hello, I think you got something wrong with the analysis. It has been officially stated that the OP represents Madokas past cycles. The cat was one of the reasons why she became a magical girl so she could save it for example.
The blue dots could represent Sayaka, since they're the color of Sayaka's hair. This is supported by the colors of the multicolored dots with the titlecard, which are the same blue (Sayaka), yellow (Mami), fuschia (Kyoko), and a soft purple (Homura), representing all the other magical girls. If that's the case, then Madoka could be crying about sayaka in the opening, either because of her tragic arc or her death, depending on when this is. Without Sayaka with her, she feels alone.
The cat also represents something. The cat is the reason Madoka originally became a Magical Girl in the first timeline. She made a wish to revive it after it was run over.
Oh my god.. Yet again, I'm astonished at how amazing - how much detail you can pick up from like.. 1 minute and 30 seconds.. This is just.. How do you do it? Duo, teach me the ways! Love you, stay awesome Duo, stay awesome
So, interestingly enough, I learned these skills in a class in high school, and perfected them over time. Ironically enough as well, despite saying that the class was useless, I ended up using it more in real life than any other class. I really need to thank that teacher one day.
I remember when I first tried to watch Madoka Magica I thought it was boring but 2 years later here I am, riding the feels train and regretting not watching past the 1st episode back then.
I'd like to say that Madoka Magica is the only thing I've watched or read where it's actually a different story the second time around. You can only experience the first story once, so treasure it.Also, after re-listening to the opening, I think it's in a minor key, which would be part of why I never thought of it as a happy song. Not that being in a minor key means much, I mean the No Game No Life OP is in C# Minor until the end of the line "sonzai kizumu nda", at which point it switches to G Major, and that's hardly a sad song.
The coloured circles are coloured the holy trinity - Yellow Red Purple and Blue - Mami Kyoko Homura and Sayaka. The field of blue dots and Madoka crying is directly referencing Sayakas arc.
there is a much easier way to see the true meaning of the song, that is to consider that it's actually Homura's song rather than Madoka, though is referencing her mainly too. The upbeat tune and other elements are done to distract about what the story would eventually be, however indeed there are hints of the darkness behind that brighter colors.
Was working on a book report when i saw this notification. Let's just say i drop everything when we're talking my favorite anime. And as for the '' i don't know how people would react to so many Madoka video's'', i would not mind at all seeing more Madoka video's.
I CAN'T wait to see more Madoka Magica Ost videos. It's by far my favourite soundtrack out there. Also I am really interested to see some of your interpretation, as I did some of myself in a community.
I already have my ideas set, but some other UA-camrs gave me a bit of flack for always covering the same anime. (They have a point to be fair.) So I'll get to some other videos first before diving into those. XD
Something interesting - the lyrics (spoilers) can pretty effectively be taken in context of Homura's story: she is "casting off the darkness" (of madoka's death) and looking towards tomorrow (reference-ish to the ending). That was until I saw rebellion, but to be fair, rebellion was conceived by urobuchi after the release of the series.
the images shown are most likely the memories that goddess madoka once had and that she is leaving behind the people that she once knew. Homura looking up is most likely because she is the only one that remember's Madoka because of the wish that she made to save her from her doomed fate.
You said you'd get back to Madoka's other tracks, and I specifically want to hear your thoughts on See You Tomorrow: the happiest, and most depressing, song in the OST. Kimi no Gin no Niwa has some unnerving implications in a similar vein once you read the lyrics closely.
The part with Madoka laying on the lake confused me at first, so I watched the actual theme and I came up with this conclusion: Madoka running desperately through the rain represents her struggle to keep up with the events of the story. Everything is crashing down and she is struggling just to feel useful, and barely has the strength to keep going. The "lake" scene I think is just a puddle. A point that you missed is that right before is turns to her laying down on the water, it shows two raindrops falling from a blue sky. I believe that this scene overall represents the end of the "storm" of events and how Madoka is laying down and is able to rest. She is also smiling and lets out a short laugh which I believe is a way to show that she is happy. I believe that the puddle scene is meant to show the end of the series when Madoka makes her wish. She's no longer fighting to keep up with the events of things crumbling around her, but instead she feels like she did something worthwhile, and can finally rest after the storm that passed (which is represented by the puddle and the raindrops). I don't think that those scenes are meant to be dark, but instead, I believe that they are meant to show the course of how Madoka feels and interacts with the world around her: the rainy scene being when she's pressured and scared, and the puddle scene showing when she can finally be happy and rest after the rain. The cat represents her first wish that she made to save its life. She must have felt like she used her power in a helpful way then, and it was brought into this scene to show how she was feeling the same way once more.
See I always thought the the tone of Connect was more hopeful and triumphant which fits perfectly with the theme of the show and with Madoka’s character. The very last episode uses this as its ending theme leaving the audience with a feeling of hope despite all the carnage they’ve witnessed. You get the feeling everything is going to be ok and that Homura will keep fighting until she and Madoka meet again. It’s both beautiful and fitting and gives a sense of closure... until rebellion came along and ruined their happy ending of course
The meaning I've always taken from this is that the events in the opening are the events as they are in the first time loop. Where things generally ended up going more like a typical magical girl show, until the fight with Walpurgisnacht. The rain at the end being the storm that surrounds it.
Feeling a little overwhelmed by the amount of comments here, so admittedly, I haven't scanned them to see if this is repeated anywhere else or not: I hadn't ever considered the blue dots at the start to be snow. I thought perhaps they were the souls of the other magical girls//witches who had come before her and that maybe she is shown standing in a void with them.
My interpretation of her sitting on the lake with the cat is that as that was her first wish, it was the one to propel Homura into a seemingly shallow and safe, but really deep and dangerous time-loop, while Madoka is blissfully unaware of this.
The opening is honestly perfect for the anime because a first time watcher will perceive the song as happy, much like how the begging of the anime is until Mami's death, then the further in the series you get, the sadder more dark the song gets, along with the anime itself, without actually changing... Very clever
I always thought this was Madoka's first iteration as magical girl, before the revelations about witches arrived. Ya know the original timeline for Madoka could have been a true magical girl show, because Honmura didn't discover the truth until the third or fourth time through.
I finished watching Madoka yesterday and it was amazing. It was sad as all hell, but it's a definite must watch, especially if you like deconstructions
Yes when it begins happy magical girls and the song fits it but then Continue on to when it gets dark underneath like lies the song has lyrics that match
After watching this video I went back and rewatched the opening to see if maybe you were just over analyzing things but no I saw and heard everything you were talking about
Can you consider doing an opening analysis for Zombieland Saga? I know the concept of the anime sounds pretty weird but it is actually super enjoyable and fun to watch, even if you're not into idol animes at all (Like me). Plus the opening seems to be pretty interesting to me since it appears to be so out of context, so it might be a good case to review!
I agree with you, it fits the anime just read the bottom of the screen for the english words and read it through the words fit perfectly with the searise
The opening song's lyrics make a lot more sense when viewed from Homura's perspective, as well, and all the "happy people/magical girl adventures" shots are not just to deceive viewers, but also possibly shots from previous timelines.
I think the positive sound of the vocals and music works. Most of the opening features Madoka and not the other magical girls. It’s so positive and happy because Madoka is their last hope, the shining light, the “Connect” between the girls as she is the one burdening their despair and being a light in a tunnel of darkness. They are all “Connect”-ed in their relationship and hope in Madoka, the one who they all turn to in moments of utter despair, Homura especially.
I think that the scene when Homura is holding the umbrella notice she is sorrunding by other people probally the other magical girls but she is the only one who looks up, meaning maybe that she is the only one capable to see the truth behind the facade. Kyubey also lying next to Mami means their dynamic, Kyubey saved Mami and for that she is grateful as she is on her knees on the ground holding his hand in a warm way, but Kyubey being emotionless is not repaying her, as he just lays comfortably on the couch. The Storm part means the big witch coming, she in the anime comes as representanted as a big storm and Madoka is not sad she worry because Homura is fighting alone or because the witch is going to hurt her family and as a magical girl she can't allow it, even though being scared. The Black Cat and the water could mean multiple things. The Black Cat meaning the bad luck that comes for being a magical girl and their destiny to become witches, Madoka holding him symbolizes her pact becoming a magical girl, being happy at first but then sad later explaining the tears, and now with the water means the fragily fantasy that comes from the idea of being a magical girl, Madoka is lying on water that represents how much she is deep on the magical girl thing and the little sprinkles in the water is the bad things happening later interrupting this fantasy. And Madoka starring at the sunshine commonly something related to heroes means she is accepting her destiny as a magical girl and preparing to fight the big witch and Homura is watching with a concerned and determineted face meaning her hole arc and the camera movements means how turbulent everything is and will be.
I am pretty sure there are many others who already noticed this but once things got dark like when Mami got like decapitated by the witch, the outro theme like changed to a more dark and sinister type song :()
I always thought very differently from others so Im just gonna say some weird stuffs The transformation conclude her future-self and her past-self,they resonate with each other to create "the present"(After watching enough anime u get this sort of thought lol) Her running look like she running to someone,possibly saving them from death,then she woke up realise it was just a dream and cry tears of joy and glad that it was just dream Yeah....Im weird
I always thought the cat scenes was just her thinking it was kyubey, until she fully opens her eyes and realices it's just a kitten, relieved enough to cry.
Her lying on top of water could also be interpreted as a foreshadowing of her becoming a witch, since floating on water rather than drowning was a witch hunt "trial".
I love videos like these were shows or animes openings are analyzed. if you are planning on doing another one of these I have a suggestion: Death Notes First OP. there is a lot to be digested and I think your viewers(including me) would like it a lot
I agree with Duo here. Mother's Basement did a fantastic job covering it. If Duo were to cover it people would call him a copy cuz there's not much more to cover that Mb didn't.
I think there could be some meaning behind the filler images. In the first one Madoka and her brother are the only ones seeing the butterfly, and her brother is later the only one besides Homura who remembers her. In both images that feature Sayaka and Madoka they are seperated by Hitomi, who later plays a part in Sayakas depression which leads to her drifting further away from Madoka. Also in the third picture everyone is wearing pink ribbon on their heads exept Madoka, whose ribbon is on her neck and above her heart. This means that she still remembers them and treasures the time they spent together. She also gave Homura her ribbon after becoming a goddes as a reminder of her existance, and she gave hope to everyone by becoming a goddes. Kyoko in her image is on grey, empty balcony, looking down. She believes that she is above normal people, but is still alone. Mami sleeps next to Cubey. She is lonely, and Cubey is only one he can trust. Her eyes are closed, she is unaware of his betrayal. Lastly Homura. She is the only one in the picture looking up. She is the only one who knows the truth about magical girls and later about Madoka. Her umberella is light blue, which symbolizes the fact that she is still holding onto hope. It's raining, symbolizing all the sadness and hardship she has to go trough
I think the scene with Madoka and the cat while she is crying but smiling should show us the Madoka from the 1st original timeline, because I've read that her first wish was to save a cat that died :D Just my interpretation, but it would definitly fit.
I think the circles in the first scene are raindrops, since it is blue, and the ripples show that Madoka is standing in a puddle. This also matches later scenes where she runs against the rain and when she lies in the water. The rain probably represents tears and sadness in general. And I've heard from somewhere that Madoka's wish in the first time loop was to save a cat.
The cat is a reference to how she originally became a Puella magi to save a cat she watched die
Yeah, I found this out after making the video. I'm glad I know because it made borderline no sense in the anime itself.
DuoReview I decided to rewatch this video and I realised that that scene with the cat could represent, That she's waking up in heaven with the cat, finally free of the magical girl's cruel fate? It doesn't make much sense to me given the whole goddess for eternity thing but it's an idea.
Olivia Mckeon How do you know that? Is that in one of the mangas?
Also notice how the cat is black. Black cats are usually associated with witches. And at the end of the OP, where we see Madoka, Sayaka, and Mami sitting on top of a skyscraper, Sayaka is holding the cat, foreshadowing her becoming a witch.
Cloverfr I believe it was stated in the pmmm psp game? you get to play different routes/timelines and one of them is the very first one before homura becomes a magical girl so I think the discussion on "what did you guys wish for?" comes up eventually.
any time someone say ''madoka's opening is too happy for its anime'' i response ''men it start on madoka crying how you call that happy?''
tho out the series i watched that opening become darker and darker as i realised just how F up the series was, and what it all meant.
but there will always be people how cant take the hints, and stand stupefied not understanding the bigger picture.
And the first ending it's a spoilers.
Seeing madoka cry makes me feel sad
Also too the whole point of all the marketing of Madoka Magica was to originally pass it off as a typical, cheery magical girl show. There's an interview somewhere where the creators specifically state that they carefully ensured that any trailers, promos, etc. didn't hint at all to the show's darker themes, so its absolutely a no brainer that the opening --- which, personally, I've watched several shows simply from the notoriety of their openings (death parade, Mirai Nikki, and Lucky Star come to mind in my case) --- I wouldn't be surprised if it was entirely meant to "lie" to the viewers if that's this happy show, while leaving room to have dark themes underneath that you'd never pick up on unless you've seen how dark the show is
dam i wish i knew what u were trying to say
_Fun fact! That cat isn't by chance. In the manga, Madoka's very first wish in the first timeline was to save a cats life so if she never made that wish, then she would never be a Magical Girl which meant that Homura would've not been saved by Madoka and none of this would've happened!_
I actually have an idea about the first part of the opening where she's crying with her eyes closed and when the tear drops onto the ground it shows its already on water which I think represents all the previous timelines and how many tears have already fallen like the way her despair is building up each time making her a more powerful magical girl and thus witch
The lyrics of the opening track *Connect* is a rendition of Homura's feelings after she has experienced multiple time-lines trying to create a different outcome and save Madoka Kaname. The whole song is set in the context of Homura strengthening her resolve to free Madoka from Kyuubey's cold intentions.
*The first few lines translate to:*
I'll never forget the promises we exchanged.
I still see it when I close my eyes.
I'll move forward as I cast off
This darkness engulfing me.
*The last few lines being:*
My heart has started racing once again to paint the future.
Even if I am trapped in a maze,
The beautiful blue sky will always be awaiting me.
So I won't be afraid,
No matter what happens next, I won't give in!
The visuals being shown during the majority of the opening track show Homura's perspective in the original time-line where she was saved by Madoka.
The last few scenes capture, _rather very quickly_, the current situation in which Homura had wished to meet Madoka again so that she would get a chance to protect her friend Madoka.
Once you watch the entire series and come back to this track, you realize the subtlety with which the essence of the complex storyline was presented within 1.5 minutes of the Connect track!
A marvellous anime: Madoka Magica! :D
all hail "Maho Ma-Godka" ^^
I took the nudity part of the theme as madoka's soul interacting with her body
Reminds me of the scene where Godoka says goodbye to Homura at the end of the series.
I agree. It is a type of scene we see in many anime shows, and sometimes surrounded by water (the water as an element of purification). This is also the meaning behind the change up sequence of magical girls, so it is not just magically switching clothes.
I thought it was about self love
@@ad-skyobsidion4267 that is a interesting interpretation because if you look close enough, incubators usually go after girls with low self esteem to make contracts with
before the show came out, they were trying to market it as your stereotypical magical girl anime. A writer (who I don't remember the name of) was well known for writing dark/sad/horror/ect. he said that he was happy to try something new and write for a cute magical girl anime, people began to speculate that he was lying, and oh boy were they right. so I think that this opening is meant to fool first time into thinking that they are gonna watch a feel good show, and then subsequently rip my heart out out because the writers are sadists why would they do this to me...
The more interesting part was that even the voice actors were completely out of the loop. They basically got the text for the episode just before recording. Imagine the horror on the face of Mami's voice actor when she was handed the script for episode 3.
^underatted
that's a hell of work
I mean, then again, he wasn't COMPLETELY lying... yes, this is an existential horror, BUT Madoka DOES become a godess that saves everyone by not losing hope, so ultimately it's a happy, if bittersweet, ending. Which is, again, MUCH lighter than Urobichi's usual works.
So yeah, other than the existential dread the show isn't that different from, say, Sailor Moon
Huh. When I watch the opening I always saw it as a facade in many different ways, mostly for Homura. It is supposed to be like a magical girl anime opening that lures people into thinking it is stereotypical. In the scene where there are two Madokas I thought it was supposed to symbolize how the magical girls' souls are split from their body and this is a transformation scene similar to something like Sailor Moon transforming. Because afterwards she appears in the magical girl attire. Also, I think it is supposed to be a facade entirely to trick you what this show is about. It makes you think this is a show about Madoka becoming a magical girl when in reality, it is about Homura trying to stop her from becoming one. And I think the actual song and lyrics are about Homura and he struggle to save Madoka. Read the lyrics without Madoka as the visual. This is the translation the dubbed version gives you "I won't forget our promise we made... I will move forward, shaking off the surging darkness... When I can see the future that I lost, here in this place ONCE AGAIN? I will keep walking in this world... TIME that is ENDLESSLY ticking. With our everlasting passion. And open the door that has been closed... Even if we get stuck on a troubled path, the beautiful blue sky always awaits us so I won't be afraid of anything. Whatever happens, I won't give up." And it immediately shows Homura standing there in the visual. Plus, as soon as we find out the truth about what Homura has been going through late in the show, instead of the ending song which should be playing, it plays the opening which reinforces the connection and made me realize what the song was actually about.
It works for Homura's perspective, but when I said facade, I meant as in how it represents the tone of the show. In fact, adding in the Homura lyrics are an even better example of how the opening still fits the tone of the show.
Ok. I understand. Keep up the good work
DaNinjaPenguin
That would be why it plays at the *end* of Homu's flashback episode. It's to reveal the true perspective and set the tone as it is in Homura's point of view.
Precisely the same analysis I made when I wrote my article about Madoka and the series intertextuality with Goethe's Faust.
DaNinjaPenguin Did you just write an essay?
I think that the montage of images represents the thing that Madoka wants to protect. I say this because after the images disappear Madoka opened her eyes with a determined look in her eyes.
You are just on the ball! Madoka Magica is literally my favourite anime of all time
Decretum is going to be a fun one to cover. I'm actually excited about it. =D
An extra point I would've added would be the lyrics - if you translate them, some lines actually directly reference scenes in the series from either Homura's or Madoka's perspective.
A good example would be the first line of the long, which roughly translates to 'I won't forget the promises we made." This references Homura's promise to Madoka (in an earlier timeline) that she won't let her be fooled by Kyubey
I love this anime so much. It's so beautiful. May be sad a hell but still an absolute gem.
I agree with you completely. It's my 2nd favorite anime for a reason. =D
DuoReview What's your first?
an absolute soul gem
THAT'S WHAT I WAS THINKING WHEN I SAW THE WORD GEM xD
gEM????
Also even though the melody of the song is upbeat and sound happy, the lyric actually have lots of hints at the darker parts. The lyrics especially make more sense after episode ten, with for example the first line being something along the lines of "I will never forget the promises we exchanged" this can easily be seen as a hint to Homura promising to keep going back in time to save Madoka from becoming a magical girl. "I'll walk upon this earth and pierce this shadowy veil of unease, as many times as necessary" another tiny hint at Homura's role. Basically there are a bunch of lyric that hints at Homura's character, some more obvious than others; "How long will it be before I see that lost future again" "My heart started racing once again to paint the future" "Even if I get stuck in a maze, the beautiful blue sky will always be waiting for me" etc etc.
What I find genius is that you don't connect(heh) all this before after watching episode 10! The opening is upbeat and does hide the dark themes at first, but as the series progress, even the opening becomes dark in it's own way (if that makes sense) and I love it
Man, now I want to re-re-rewatch the series.
I mean if you want to do so, then go right ahead. =D
but I wil warn you, no matter how many times you rewatch it, the ending will be the same.
@@duoreview7492 I'm late but yeah go
*A-HEAD*
Ok I'm sorry
The lyrics to the song seem to be sung by Homura rather than Madoka. Just pointing that out.
Easy.
Opening - Madoka's perception of a magical girl
Ending - Reality
In the drama CD it is revealed that saving the black cat was Madoka's first wish. The cat is shown twice in the opening. At the end Sayaka is also holding it in a group shot with Madoka and Mami.
my favorite anime
Awesome! I love it quite a bit as well! =D
DuoReview it was my first anime i seen
Same
Gotta go watch madoka magica now....
Get on that! It's totally worth your time! =D
Nice! I feel like I'm the only one who never thought the opening sounded happy. I had an odd tone, and seemed to be harbouring a lot of sadness under the surface. It also sounded way too familiar to me, and it took me until this October to realise that it's because it has a very similar core to The Reluctant Heroes from Attack on Titan. I only just realised that they are actually for fairly similar situations too.
Interesting that you mention Reluctant Heroes actually. That's another track I'd like to cover. =D
this is really informative but also remember, lyrics wise. the lyrics are basically homura's promise that she made to madoka as well in the first timeline
So hyped for this video, I know it will not be a disappointment
I hope you enjoyed the video. =D
Why not comment on the lyrics? Or how the opening was used as the ending for episode 10?
Ahhhh man!! You know I just watched Madoka Magica so... for me the timing of this video was just perfect! :D I really hope you continue this series, man! Love it! ^^
Thank you Gab! Now we're just one step closer to that cover... ;)
You missed a few things - one of which is how the lyrics are told from Homura's point of view, and the other is the final image of the OP changing throughout the series.
For the first three arcs (according to word of god, 1-3 = mami arc, 4-6 = sayaka arc, 7-9 = kyoko arc, 10-12 = homura arc), the image is of Madoka, Sayaka, and Mami.
In the fourth (and final) arc, Homura and Kyoko are added to the image.
And in the second movie (eternal), the beginning (up until Madoka waking up, i think) is replaced with a bunch of Homuras sitting on chairs, shots of Moemura being moe, followed by Homura walking with her hair covering up the moe. In addition, the end of the OP has just Madoka and Homura on the tower, sitting happily.
I'm a little disappointed that wasn't talked about...
i'm not one to finish shows or anime, especially if they're long but this video peaked my interest on madoka 2 years ago now, especially since it was only 12 episodes and i really gotta thank you for that. pmmm is one of my favorite franchises now and after so many watch throughs i can really appreciate how much was packed into the series and rebellion. :)
One thing I kinda thought was interesting is that during the witch trials, one wau theh would tell if someone was a witch or not was to have them stuck to a chair and put them in water. If they float, they're a witch. If they drown, they are not. Though Madoka is not in a chair, I do think the scene of her floating on top of the water with the cat could be showing she is a witch? I don't know, just thought I'd share. (Also, Im not a real life witch expert, sorry if I got this information wrong.)
Just realised the running in the opening parallels the ending theme song of Madoka running in a fashion that almost seems like for her life or for something in a much more sinister setting !!!!!
A song can sound like a happy song, but it does make it a sad song. It's the words or tone that makes the emotion
I think that the quick flashes of happiness are meant to show different timelines of when Homura goes around trying to save everyone. It is only until we realize who Homura is, that we can connect everything to being something that happened in the past.
And since the lyrics are Homura singing them, I feel that everything we see is what Homura sees in those different timelines. Remember she did travel back at least 100 times from what the writers said.
Like a lot of epoeple
i'm disappointed you didn't mention that the lyrics are most likely repressenting/sung by homura
"i will never forget the promise we made"
" My heart awakes in order to depict the future even if i get stuck in a maze"
"The beautiful blue sky always waits for me "(madoka-god in the sky)
and more
Only an American would say winter is the death of a year instead of the death of nature.
I think the scene where madoka is floating symbolizes that she is a witch in other failed attempts of saving madoka where she fell to despair since people used to believe that if you were floating on water you were claimed to be a witch and got burned
Its also very easy to connect the translated lyrics to Homura's struggle with reversing time over and over.
I always thought Madoka floating on the water symbolized her becoming a witch. I assume you've heard of the Salem witch trials which sometimes contained drowning to see if they were a witch or not. If they floated they were a witch and the opposite if they were innocent. It might symbolize her turning into a witch
7:43 The behind the scenes people also said that madoka used to own a black cat. So that and the fact that her eyes are closed as well as the fact it looks like paradise could mean she is in the afterlife and is happily reuniting with those she missed. The fact it cuts to the characters that died being right next to her also supports this.
Well, it was mainly composed by Kajiura Yuki.
Who really is a master of composition.
She is very talented.
I want to suggest you the Pandora Hearts soundtrack.
The shot on the building at the end I think represents Mami's dream. It's on a narrow spire because Mami's dream is fleeting and narrow-minded unintentionally.
I think the intro song is a facade, but let me explain. The song is pink and high pitched, yet at times it turns into a cry and it has an unsettling feeling to it, which for me fits perfectly the theme of the anime, that combined with the visuals its the perfect intro of what the magic world is for these girls as presented by kyubey. A pretty little cat offering anything you wish in exchange of protecting the world, sounds like a win-win situation... but there's a feeling of unease, something in the back of our minds telling us there is something deadly wrong.
That ending shock is what made Mami's death so jarring for me. I figured that because she was featured in the opening she would live longer since main characters usually don't die so soon.
I will never view the intro the same again. Thanks
OMG YES YES. Finally, I thought I was the only one that thought the opening actually tells you everything about the series, I agree with your analysis 100%.
Hello, I think you got something wrong with the analysis. It has been officially stated that the OP represents Madokas past cycles. The cat was one of the reasons why she became a magical girl so she could save it for example.
The blue dots could represent Sayaka, since they're the color of Sayaka's hair. This is supported by the colors of the multicolored dots with the titlecard, which are the same blue (Sayaka), yellow (Mami), fuschia (Kyoko), and a soft purple (Homura), representing all the other magical girls. If that's the case, then Madoka could be crying about sayaka in the opening, either because of her tragic arc or her death, depending on when this is. Without Sayaka with her, she feels alone.
The cat also represents something. The cat is the reason Madoka originally became a Magical Girl in the first timeline. She made a wish to revive it after it was run over.
Oh my god.. Yet again, I'm astonished at how amazing - how much detail you can pick up from like.. 1 minute and 30 seconds.. This is just.. How do you do it? Duo, teach me the ways!
Love you, stay awesome Duo, stay awesome
So, interestingly enough, I learned these skills in a class in high school, and perfected them over time. Ironically enough as well, despite saying that the class was useless, I ended up using it more in real life than any other class. I really need to thank that teacher one day.
DuoReview Oh wow, a useful class, that's a shocker.. I'm guessing it was English since you do a lot of analytical work and critical judgements
I remember when I first tried to watch Madoka Magica I thought it was boring but 2 years later here I am, riding the feels train and regretting not watching past the 1st episode back then.
The opening actually sounds like Madoka and Homura story lol.
I'd like to say that Madoka Magica is the only thing I've watched or read where it's actually a different story the second time around. You can only experience the first story once, so treasure it.Also, after re-listening to the opening, I think it's in a minor key, which would be part of why I never thought of it as a happy song. Not that being in a minor key means much, I mean the No Game No Life OP is in C# Minor until the end of the line "sonzai kizumu nda", at which point it switches to G Major, and that's hardly a sad song.
RonnocFroop two other shows like that are Neon Genesis Evangelion and Serial Experiments Lain
Also reading the lyrics, it clearly shows how Homura felt everytime she was travelling back in time.
The coloured circles are coloured the holy trinity - Yellow Red Purple and Blue - Mami Kyoko Homura and Sayaka. The field of blue dots and Madoka crying is directly referencing Sayakas arc.
Ummm you forgot something.. LYRICS! analyzing the lyrics in a song is fundamental when breaking down an OP or ED.
7 videos later I'm ready for the next madoka magica video
there is a much easier way to see the true meaning of the song, that is to consider that it's actually Homura's song rather than Madoka, though is referencing her mainly too. The upbeat tune and other elements are done to distract about what the story would eventually be, however indeed there are hints of the darkness behind that brighter colors.
Was working on a book report when i saw this notification. Let's just say i drop everything when we're talking my favorite anime. And as for the '' i don't know how people would react to so many Madoka video's'', i would not mind at all seeing more Madoka video's.
Trust me, I know the feeling. I do the same thing. I stopped doing a coding assignment to upload this video. XD
HOLY HELL when i subbed to you when you were at 90 sub . congrats on 18k!
Thanks! Glad you stuck around this long! =D
DuoReview hell yea dude.
i like your gakkou gurashi theories. got me into your channel
Well that's pretty cool! Glad to have you around! =D
hahahaha if only the next movie will come out ;')
Minty The Green Oreo i wish D:
we all do
Minty The Green Oreo i hope a new movie comes soon xD
I CAN'T wait to see more Madoka Magica Ost videos. It's by far my favourite soundtrack out there. Also I am really interested to see some of your interpretation, as I did some of myself in a community.
I already have my ideas set, but some other UA-camrs gave me a bit of flack for always covering the same anime. (They have a point to be fair.) So I'll get to some other videos first before diving into those. XD
Something interesting - the lyrics (spoilers) can pretty effectively be taken in context of Homura's story: she is "casting off the darkness" (of madoka's death) and looking towards tomorrow (reference-ish to the ending). That was until I saw rebellion, but to be fair, rebellion was conceived by urobuchi after the release of the series.
U deserve more subs
Why thank you! I'm glad you think that. =D
the images shown are most likely the memories that goddess madoka once had and that she is leaving behind the people that she once knew. Homura looking up is most likely because she is the only one that remember's Madoka because of the wish that she made to save her from her doomed fate.
I love the music tracks in the show, the celo, the violin. The ending got me though, made me cry so much!
You said you'd get back to Madoka's other tracks, and I specifically want to hear your thoughts on See You Tomorrow: the happiest, and most depressing, song in the OST. Kimi no Gin no Niwa has some unnerving implications in a similar vein once you read the lyrics closely.
*COINCIDENCE!?*
Yeah probably
me: *has never seen this channel before*
DR: you guys are the best
The part with Madoka laying on the lake confused me at first, so I watched the actual theme and I came up with this conclusion: Madoka running desperately through the rain represents her struggle to keep up with the events of the story. Everything is crashing down and she is struggling just to feel useful, and barely has the strength to keep going. The "lake" scene I think is just a puddle. A point that you missed is that right before is turns to her laying down on the water, it shows two raindrops falling from a blue sky. I believe that this scene overall represents the end of the "storm" of events and how Madoka is laying down and is able to rest. She is also smiling and lets out a short laugh which I believe is a way to show that she is happy. I believe that the puddle scene is meant to show the end of the series when Madoka makes her wish. She's no longer fighting to keep up with the events of things crumbling around her, but instead she feels like she did something worthwhile, and can finally rest after the storm that passed (which is represented by the puddle and the raindrops). I don't think that those scenes are meant to be dark, but instead, I believe that they are meant to show the course of how Madoka feels and interacts with the world around her: the rainy scene being when she's pressured and scared, and the puddle scene showing when she can finally be happy and rest after the rain. The cat represents her first wish that she made to save its life. She must have felt like she used her power in a helpful way then, and it was brought into this scene to show how she was feeling the same way once more.
See I always thought the the tone of Connect was more hopeful and triumphant which fits perfectly with the theme of the show and with Madoka’s character. The very last episode uses this as its ending theme leaving the audience with a feeling of hope despite all the carnage they’ve witnessed. You get the feeling everything is going to be ok and that Homura will keep fighting until she and Madoka meet again. It’s both beautiful and fitting and gives a sense of closure... until rebellion came along and ruined their happy ending of course
The meaning I've always taken from this is that the events in the opening are the events as they are in the first time loop. Where things generally ended up going more like a typical magical girl show, until the fight with Walpurgisnacht. The rain at the end being the storm that surrounds it.
Feeling a little overwhelmed by the amount of comments here, so admittedly, I haven't scanned them to see if this is repeated anywhere else or not: I hadn't ever considered the blue dots at the start to be snow. I thought perhaps they were the souls of the other magical girls//witches who had come before her and that maybe she is shown standing in a void with them.
My interpretation of her sitting on the lake with the cat is that as that was her first wish, it was the one to propel Homura into a seemingly shallow and safe, but really deep and dangerous time-loop, while Madoka is blissfully unaware of this.
The opening is honestly perfect for the anime because a first time watcher will perceive the song as happy, much like how the begging of the anime is until Mami's death, then the further in the series you get, the sadder more dark the song gets, along with the anime itself, without actually changing... Very clever
The snow could reference rain too. The typical weather for a funeral
I always thought this was Madoka's first iteration as magical girl, before the revelations about witches arrived. Ya know the original timeline for Madoka could have been a true magical girl show, because Honmura didn't discover the truth until the third or fourth time through.
Jesus Christ just seeing those clips and the flood of memories of the opening sent chills down my entire body
Damn it, why must you be such a beautiful and amazing anime >_
Because it's just that amazing. ;)
DuoReview I spent over an hour listening to Sayaka's theme before
I've listened to Madoka music an unhealthy amount.
DuoReview Same haha
I finished watching Madoka yesterday and it was amazing. It was sad as all hell, but it's a definite must watch, especially if you like deconstructions
Yes when it begins happy magical girls and the song fits it but then Continue on to when it gets dark underneath like lies the song has lyrics that match
After watching this video I went back and rewatched the opening to see if maybe you were just over analyzing things but no I saw and heard everything you were talking about
Can you consider doing an opening analysis for Zombieland Saga? I know the concept of the anime sounds pretty weird but it is actually super enjoyable and fun to watch, even if you're not into idol animes at all (Like me). Plus the opening seems to be pretty interesting to me since it appears to be so out of context, so it might be a good case to review!
I agree with you, it fits the anime just read the bottom of the screen for the english words and read it through the words fit perfectly with the searise
The opening song's lyrics make a lot more sense when viewed from Homura's perspective, as well, and all the "happy people/magical girl adventures" shots are not just to deceive viewers, but also possibly shots from previous timelines.
Listen to the lyrics after watching the series especially the first few lines... i cried
Every time I here this opening I cry
“Ma-doke-a”
I think the positive sound of the vocals and music works. Most of the opening features Madoka and not the other magical girls. It’s so positive and happy because Madoka is their last hope, the shining light, the “Connect” between the girls as she is the one burdening their despair and being a light in a tunnel of darkness. They are all “Connect”-ed in their relationship and hope in Madoka, the one who they all turn to in moments of utter despair, Homura especially.
I think that the scene when Homura is holding the umbrella notice she is sorrunding by other people probally the other magical girls but she is the only one who looks up, meaning maybe that she is the only one capable to see the truth behind the facade.
Kyubey also lying next to Mami means their dynamic, Kyubey saved Mami and for that she is grateful as she is on her knees on the ground holding his hand in a warm way, but Kyubey being emotionless is not repaying her, as he just lays comfortably on the couch.
The Storm part means the big witch coming, she in the anime comes as representanted as a big storm and Madoka is not sad she worry because Homura is fighting alone or because the witch is going to hurt her family and as a magical girl she can't allow it, even though being scared.
The Black Cat and the water could mean multiple things. The Black Cat meaning the bad luck that comes for being a magical girl and their destiny to become witches, Madoka holding him symbolizes her pact becoming a magical girl, being happy at first but then sad later explaining the tears, and now with the water means the fragily fantasy that comes from the idea of being a magical girl, Madoka is lying on water that represents how much she is deep on the magical girl thing and the little sprinkles in the water is the bad things happening later interrupting this fantasy.
And Madoka starring at the sunshine commonly something related to heroes means she is accepting her destiny as a magical girl and preparing to fight the big witch and Homura is watching with a concerned and determineted face meaning her hole arc and the camera movements means how turbulent everything is and will be.
im getting the feels again-
Ultra feels! XD
I am pretty sure there are many others who already noticed this but once things got dark like when Mami got like decapitated by the witch, the outro theme like changed to a more dark and sinister type song :()
the definition of don't judge a book by its cover
I watched the anime and movies of this. it was AWESOME!
Magia, the ending, is interesting, great song, interesting visuals. =3
I need to rewatch Madoka.........
I always thought very differently from others so Im just gonna say some weird stuffs
The transformation conclude her future-self and her past-self,they resonate with each other to create "the present"(After watching enough anime u get this sort of thought lol)
Her running look like she running to someone,possibly saving them from death,then she woke up realise it was just a dream and cry tears of joy and glad that it was just dream
Yeah....Im weird
I always thought the cat scenes was just her thinking it was kyubey, until she fully opens her eyes and realices it's just a kitten, relieved enough to cry.
The first time I listened to connect I Bursted out in tears
The two Madokas...there is one thing that has me doubting that spectral Madoka is her Goddess form.
Her hair looks almost exactly like Homura's.
Her lying on top of water could also be interpreted as a foreshadowing of her becoming a witch, since floating on water rather than drowning was a witch hunt "trial".
ohhh nice video! I really enjoyed it! You earned yourself another subscriber, can't wait for more! ^-^
I love videos like these were shows or animes openings are analyzed. if you are planning on doing another one of these I have a suggestion: Death Notes First OP. there is a lot to be digested and I think your viewers(including me) would like it a lot
Actually, the first Death Note opening was analyzed by Mother's Basement. I'd actually prefer doing the second one anyways. Would that be fine?
I agree with Duo here. Mother's Basement did a fantastic job covering it. If Duo were to cover it people would call him a copy cuz there's not much more to cover that Mb didn't.
DuoReview yeah, that'd be great. also I don't know who that is. I'll go check on that.
I think there could be some meaning behind the filler images. In the first one Madoka and her brother are the only ones seeing the butterfly, and her brother is later the only one besides Homura who remembers her. In both images that feature Sayaka and Madoka they are seperated by Hitomi, who later plays a part in Sayakas depression which leads to her drifting further away from Madoka. Also in the third picture everyone is wearing pink ribbon on their heads exept Madoka, whose ribbon is on her neck and above her heart. This means that she still remembers them and treasures the time they spent together. She also gave Homura her ribbon after becoming a goddes as a reminder of her existance, and she gave hope to everyone by becoming a goddes. Kyoko in her image is on grey, empty balcony, looking down. She believes that she is above normal people, but is still alone. Mami sleeps next to Cubey. She is lonely, and Cubey is only one he can trust. Her eyes are closed, she is unaware of his betrayal. Lastly Homura. She is the only one in the picture looking up. She is the only one who knows the truth about magical girls and later about Madoka. Her umberella is light blue, which symbolizes the fact that she is still holding onto hope. It's raining, symbolizing all the sadness and hardship she has to go trough
I think the scene with Madoka and the cat while she is crying but smiling should show us the Madoka from the 1st original timeline, because I've read that her first wish was to save a cat that died :D
Just my interpretation, but it would definitly fit.
I think the circles in the first scene are raindrops, since it is blue, and the ripples show that Madoka is standing in a puddle. This also matches later scenes where she runs against the rain and when she lies in the water. The rain probably represents tears and sadness in general.
And I've heard from somewhere that Madoka's wish in the first time loop was to save a cat.
If that second thing is true, then that's hilarious and sad. XD
DuoReview Here's the source: wiki.puella-magi.net/Amy
+Theemathas Chirananthavat
Neat. I've never seen this before.