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@ProfessorViral Can we get a video covering Kyoko? Namely because I think it's interesting how her attitude of food, family, and how she didn't understand what her dad wanted. Even suggesting physically assaulting kyosuke so he would "belong" to sayaka body and soul. Yeah I know she was godinding sayaka into a fight but it's very much a possible threat/offer given how she's decided it's better to let familars eat innocent people so she can benift? I wouldn't be surprised if she was trying to kill to birds with one stone. as she herself says: "the witches eat the weak humans, then we eat the witches. Its the natural thing, the weak have to give up to the strong." maybe she thought by weakinging him further for the familiar that got away to eat kyosuke and also get rid of sayaka
I feel like everyone is completely overlooking or possibly straight up ignoring the fact that Homura's labyrinth was actually 100% Kyubey's fault. Kyubey kidnaped Homura, locked her in a containment field to deliberatley block her from heaven and force her to become a witch, and set up the scenario where she lured real people into the labyrinth but couldn't let them out... But hey lets put all of the blame on the girl who's just trying to dream of her fondest wish. (I'm not convinced that she's forcing anyone else to enjoy this dream, either. I mean is it really a stretch to believe they might be genuinely enjoying the scenario presented to them? Each and every single one of them is being reunited with people they haven't seen in a while and won't be seeing for quite some time and might never see again. Sayaka... Clearly lucid Sayaka... basically straight up told her not to rush breaking it. The scene where Madoka denies being able to sacrifice her personhood isn't really a good example because she's just not in a scenario where that kind of sacrifice is necessary.) There is room for debate on how selfish Homura is in her decision to reforge reality... but the labyrinth? Unless we find out she gave Kyubey permission to experiment on her or that her altering people's memories was something she did on purpose and not subconsciously, she's as much a victim of that as everyone else.
Thank you for watching! Exhausting is a good word for it, especially going over the deeper aspects which are so reliant on the tragedy. But it's a temporary exhaustion, and one that's made me more capable!
I love that even after 11 years after Madoka Magica came out, there are still people that still love this anime and even make videos about it. It just goes to show how much of a good series Madoka Magica is. And to those people that still love this anime and make videos, keep up the good work!
Another fantastic video! I really love how you talk about each of the girls and what they mean to the story, especially Madoka. A lot of fans criticize Madoka for being “annoying” or “not doing anything until the end.” So it’s incredibly refreshing to hear someone acknowledge her role in the entire story and how important it is.
Thank you! I just love what they did with her character. It looks like she's doing nothing, but only because everyone else is trying to do too much. Those kind of perspective flips are amazing for things like this!
Just rewatched it after getting more literature and anime under my belt and two things: Madoka magica is imo on par with cormaic mccarthy's blood meridan in terms of sheer thematical depth, you can spend days exploring so many topics with this show. Gen urobuchi was on a sick one The time travel aspect of homura gives the rewatch an whole new layer of complexity to the narrative that honestly makes it better the second time through. It takes a special kind of writer to write something that works on a new level the second time through The goat anime
I absolutely love how Magia Record and the upcoming Walpurugisnacht film add to the complexity of these girls. The Parallel between Mami-Yachiyo explains so much. Especially since what we never see in the anime is Homura and Mami always looking over their shoulder for Oriko or Kirika looking to kill them for reasons they don't understand. We also never see Kyouko hiding Yuma (the Youngest magical girl next to Nagisa outside of Magia record) that shows that Kyouko isn't going to let her weakness be used against her, as referenced in her very recent release of her Doppel witch form in game. Kyouko doesn't live for herself anymore, she will let the humans who don't take their life seriously fall into labyrinths. We need the Kazumi prequel animated, not only cause it fills in what happens before kyouko and Nagisa's wish, but because it explains what caused Homura's soul gem transformation into a Cursed Jewel. Ugh I fucking love this franchise so much.
@puella magi cosplays it's a parallel universe just like fate stay night and FGO. Oriko, Kazumi and tart have been referenced in Rebellion's it's entropy after all boat ride scene. Suzune was made after that but it fits in the canon. While Magia record side manga events slowly introduced the other girls like the Pleiades saints, by being one of the timelines when Madoka already made her wish, it's very well established as it's own universe that madokami can only slightly influence. The concepts introduced in Magia record like the void type magical girl could be theorized upon as there's no evidence to suggest Perenelle isn't still alive buffing weapons and giving them to other magical girls like Luna from Sailor Moon.
@@ProfessorViral It’s definitely the mark of a great series. As much as I like say, Neon Genesis Evangelion, it does suffer from Anno prioritizing communicating themes and hammering his message into the viewers over making sure the story and characters properly develop in tandem. Evangelion 3.0 is especially guilty of this. Madoka Magica, along with the Rebellion movie, make sure that the themes and philosophy go hand in hand with proper build up in the story, along with having the characters naturally grow with them, if that makes sense. Honestly, the more I think about it, I am starting to think that Madoka does many things better than Evangelion, which it is often compared to. It doesn’t let the themes and messages dictate the story and characters like Anno tends to do, but instead does the opposite. And as a result, it can be fully enjoyed and appreciated on its own, rather than it only making sense if you know the message. Basically, while Evangelion only really works if you understand the themes and messages, as without them, the characters and narrative fall apart, Madoka works extremely well by just the plot and characters themselves, with the themes and philosophy enriching the already tight narrative. Like, it keeps those themes as the icing on the cake, rather than the cake itself. Am I making sense? XD
Another thing that wasn't explored until the Madoka Magica Portable game is how Mami and Kyoko aren't able to overcome their personal weakness under different circumstances, which end up turning them into Witches. - After being unable to save a kid from a Witch at the start of her Magical girl life, Mami compensated her shortcomings by creating her signature muskets and vowing to save people from Witches and Familiars alike, but that principle made other magical girls (Kyoko included) to ditch her since it was impractical in the long run. A reminder of Mami's initial failure, alongside the realization that she kept everything to herself despite having people around her is what makes her fall into despair. It's sad that her witch form, Candeloro, is all about hosting tea parties, not letting her "guests" leave, ever. - After seeing Sayaka turn into a Witch, Kyoko desperately tries to convince herself that they can bring her back, but what happens when she's robbed of that moment which leads to her resolution, and by Homura no less? She gets utterly furious, despairs at the realization that her life had become meaningless on top of being unable to save those she loves and curses the world. Her witch form, Ophelia, simply wanders around and can even make illusory clones to attack (and she hits like A TANK). The Different Story manga makes it even more sad since Kyoko saves Mami from her own despair by using her last Grief Seed (Sayaka's) but dying at the hands of another Witch... and later Mami commits suicide upon learning of Kyoko's death.
"Blessed are the meek/gentle, for they shall inherit the earth", this was a great analysis. We make a lot of deal about being strong, but I'm always reminded of that line in Specs Ops The Line, "It takes a strong man to deny what's right in front of him". Many of the girls reached this point, especially Sayaka and Homura to the extent of being strong enough to create an illusion to deny these problems.
It's important that Mami isn't just a major character to devolve into a minor aspect of grief and self-acknowledgement, more into the meta question of human psychology and prophecy, "Why do you lie to yourself?" Weakness is matter of perspective NOT based on the person, but pov of others that empower themselves to become a dimension of sacrifice to allow that another to become legacy. In layman terms, do not give others the gift of pain, learn unto yourself. PS: PMMM will always be on my shelf for college studies bc my professors could not see the importance of it, I did!
Could you possibly discuss the concepts of Homura and her past? No I don't mean her backstory of time traveling to save Madoka. I mean her ORIGINAL childhood in the original timeline. We know Homura didn't have any close friends nor does she have a family, but that's what makes it even more mysterious. Despite her not having any type of family she must have had it at one point, I mean how else would she be born? She at the very least must've had a mother (who most likely died). Homura also went to another school before this so she must have had some type of guardian. Why was she in the hospital in the first place? What happened to her that caused her to go to the hospital and transfer to another school? We barely know anything about Homura's early years and childhood but it's interesting to think about what type of life she used to live before becoming a magical girl and inevitably suffering. She was just a normal girl back then and she has lost any remains of her having a normal life for once. Anyways, great video!
Okay not to spoil too much as I know you want to watch Magia Record. But 3:33 discussing how Madoka’s fate in relation to Mami is different is really key in Magia Record and is actually shown just like you described, so enjoy getting to that.
Magia record shows how close the dynamic between Mami and Madoka would have been if Homura wasn't there via Yachiyo and Iroha. It also fleshes out what happens when someone has a neutral wish via Mitama explaining the powers of Suzune.
A great video, full of insights and intriguing thoughts (my favorite thus far: 'the purpose of weakness is to make us improve ourselves'). I'll certainly watch your other Madoka videos -- if they are like this, then I certainly want to know more about your thoughts! My opinions are quite in synchrony with yours. Personally, I see Madoka as being an actually strong person -- the evidence of her weakness, except in her own low-self-esteem opinion ('I'm not good at school'...'I was afraid I would just stumble through life, never able to help anyone'...), is quite lacking. To me, Madoka felt from the beginning as someone who is unsure about what would give her life meaning. She wants meaning ('a life I can be proud of', paraphrasing her conversation with her father Tomihisa in Ep. 3). She sees everybody around her so sure of what will give their lives meaning, and wonders if she should be doing what they are doing. But she's not sure, and she thinks this means she isn't capable of it, and feels weak. Homura, on the other hand... thinks her life can have no meaning, because she's essentially meaningless herself ('I should just... die'). I believe this is because Homura, along with her physical condition, was probably also bullied, or abandoned by (part of) her family, or maybe both; a lot of her behavior is more understandable if we imagine being bullied or neglected was an important part of her life. (Unlike Madoka, who always had a loving family and good friends throughout her life.) This makes her Madoka obsession so easy to accept -- it's exactly the kind of thing that people in her situation often do, and they mistake it for 'falling in love'. Madoka becomes the center of her universe; but, as often happens with obsessions, not the real, evolving, changing Madoka that actually exists and talks to her, but an idealized Madoka with a happy family living a happy life with only good things happening to her that Homura imagined and sealed in her mind. And, as sadly often happens with people in this situation, she is ready to sacrifice the real Madoka, and her agency and choices, to that imaginary 'happy Madoka' that she created herself in her own mind, because she is so sure (the arrogance of the suffering, the downtrodden!... whoever made Homura what she is deserves the worst possible place in hell!). Anyway... thanks for this great video, and I'll have a look at the others! Anyone discussing my favorite anime of all time has a fan in me. :-)
I didn't think about it in terms of being sure minded, I think that adds a lot to it, and better explains the perceived weakness. That everyone around her at least knew what they were pursuing, and she didn't. But that ties in a lot of those earlier elements as well, so a great point! For Homura I agree and I think the assumptions of her past would all be accurate. I do think in Rebellion there is some acknowledgement that she loves a false Madoka though, and allows her world to be destroyed because of this. She wants to Madoka who would sacrifice herself for others, because that Madoka is good and true, but it's also the one who would leave her. But, I'll leave that for her video where it's better worded haha. Also, I'll be getting back to your others comments here as I can! I always try to do so when I have the time to give each persons input the proper attention, so it may be slow, but I'll do my best to read them and respond when possible!
Can I just drop an anime recommendation - To Your Eternity. This anime captivated me from the very first second and deals with the reality of human experience. I would really recommend giving this a go if you haven't watched it. It's as beautiful as it is heartbreaking.
Bebe never overcame hers, not even when Mami adopted her. Homura...she might have lost that chance. And the worst part is...she knows it, and knows its consequences. And Madoka... according to some theories, her sacrifice was also driven from a selfish suicide desire. Maybe now, that she's human once more, she can truly overcome her weakness. Homura, Kyubey and Madoka remind me too much of myself.
I'd like to add that Homura making everyone's life perfect for Madoka without really caring for them is emphasized by Sayaka's status. If she really gave them all they wanted, why not make her Kyosuke's girlfriend? Y'know... the sole reason why Sayaka trades her soul? Instead, Homura keeps her as a magical girl just so Madoka can have her around (Unbeknownst to Sayaka's real role in Rebellion). After many time jumps, Homura must've realized what Urobuchi revealed about Sayaka's fate: "No matter what she chooses, she'll never be happy regardless".
That's true, in keeping them apart she keeps Sayaka from the thing which inadvertently hurt Madoka. There could be some recognition of Sayaka having moved on, but we don't really see them have a moment together where this would be recognized, plus it would all be in Homura's labyrinth anyway
Would it really have been caring or right of Homura to do that, though? She would have had to pull of much creepier levels of manipulation to set Sayaka up with Kyosuke... break him up with Hitome, maybe give him a personality overhaul so he's less music obsessed and more attentive to Sayaka's feelings. I guess she could have given her a fake Kyosuke but that would have been its own kind of creepy, and it begs the question of whether Sayaka needed Kyosuke to be happy or if she needed time and a platform to get over him. If Sayaka was discontent in the labyrinth then why did she point out to Homura how nice it was in there and encourage her to take her time destroying it? Why is it a stretch to think that she and everyone were genuinely enjoying their time in Homura's labyrinth? I mean they're spending some time with people they wouldn't see for a while and some they would never see again? They only start to have a problem with Homura when she went from cultivating her labyrinth to actually reforging reality
I have been binge watching your modoka magica, has been a blast. I would like to raise one point in this video. I would argue that Madoka's wish selflessly selfish and gave into her weakness. Madoka thoughout the series considered herself weak, not strong enough and in particular, a burden of others (similar to Homura) and as a result her wish allows her to never be a burden on others because no one remebers her in the new world she created. This wish is an insult to Hmoura because she never saw Madoka as weak or a burden. Madoka's indirectly burdens Homura because she is the only one that can remeber her and Madoka's wish also robs Homura of what she selfishly wanted and wished for. Food for thought But thank you for the videos! Have been great
@@ProfessorViral Though one nitpick; sayaka, long before she meets mami, is the one to jump in and help people. Sayaka is the one madoka tells about her weird dreams. Sayaka is quick to aid madoka however she can, using a fire extinguisher to by her and madoka time. When bebe's greif seed is on the verge of hatching, sayaka stays put to make sure it doesn't get lost. When madoka is crying over mami's loss? Sayaka dose her best to keep things together. Sayaka arrives in time to protect madoka where homura shows up seconds before the end credits.
9:50 the disrespect to Kyoko when Homura literally acts/lives by the same philosophy Kyoko does, but is more violent, even threatening to kill Sayaka. also, Kyoko is NOT a minor character, there is five main characters, and she is one.
Fully serious. This channel is the like the Berserk of anime analysis. Anitube has been around for a while, and it’s always impressive to find new channels that have something new to contribute to the conversation. However with this channel, you aren’t just adding something new, you are restructuring how I view certain shows. Specifically, Madoka, Psych Pass, and Vinland. I love watching anime, but I also love watching analysis videos on those anime because it gives me a much greater and better appreciation of those shows. Even though I found this channel later on, it is the epitome of why I found this passion in the first place. One of the reasons why I enjoy your content so much is just how your script your videos. Anybody can generally take a lot away from a show, but its more rare to be able to take what you saw and verbally explain the importance to others, especially in a way that resonates so strongly that they feel an almost greater catharsis from the review than the original show. For me your videos are in line with Aleczander and Totally not Mark for the excitement I feel seeing a new video added to you feed.
Thank you for the kind words, they mean a lot : ) I'm almost at a loss for what to say, except thank you, because you all make this possible! Getting people to think, whether deeper about a series or in general is what I always try to do. It's what I loved about YT growing up, and what I've always wanted to pass on to others as well
@@ProfessorViral I don’t know if you’ve seen it yet, but if you have I’d love to hear your thoughts on Arcane. Personally it’s character work reminded me of Urobochi, since a large Majority of the cast receive their development through their different philosophies and motivations, while several of them represent the extremes of different ideologies. I saw a similar dynamic as Fate/Zero, where much of the story is shape by different philosophies, while the story remains neutral and does not overvalue any one specifically, but mainly just shows the trade-offs for each ideology. Pretty much the entire cast receives depth, even several of the side characters (lot of video content).
Great video!!! :D I love your Madoka Magica discussion videos!!!!! :) Would you please make a video someday discussing where the Holy Quintet's story and character arcs might go in the new movie? Or one talking about the Magia Record girls as well? That would be super awesome! ;)
Thank you! I try not to speculate too much on series (it's a long story, but I like to go into things as blindly as possible), but I can say I will be getting into Magia Record sometime for sure!
Agreed with most of your points except for what you said regarding Homura’s relationship with the other magical girls. To say that they only exist in her perfect world for Madoka’s sake is oversimplifying it. She cares for them still, not as much as Madoka but she still does. Of course this could be me misinterpreting your words and if so I apologize.
Someone pointed out that Homura's soul gem was forcefully corrupted by the incubators in an experiment to observe and learn to control the law of cycle aka Madoka. So I have one question. Was it really wrong for Homura to betray everyone and split Madoka from the law of cycles ? Weren't the incubators going to get closer to learning how to enslave Madoka everytime she saved another witch? She's an observable phenomenon. Madoka's wish was definitely selfless but it was also naive. She got rid of Witches, but the real problem were the incubators. It was only a matter of time until they could control her. But now they can't. Even if they can control the law of cycle, Madoka would be safe from enslavement. Was it wrong for Homura to make such a choice? If the cycle is stopped, the incubators can't learn how to control it. Which sacrifices the few for the many. A decision that Madoka wouldn't have been able to make given her character.
This question came out way too long. But there were so many implications from the incubators' talk about its plans with Homura. It's often overlooked when ppl discuss Homura. But wasn't it a necessary evil?
Mami could also be an example of femininity. The perfect housewife, pretty, dainty, modest, humble, warm, etc but, at great weights I dont think that's what the writers went for but, it could still be applied That's kinda cool
While there are similarities for sure, I think the important difference is that Kyoko had a happy life before it went wrong, while Revy never did. I feel like Revy would never make a wish because it would mean admitting some kind of weakness
@@ProfessorViral I see. It about three seasons. One and two already out as Season three had to be delay. Still l believe you will like it. I will also watch it as l am on Season two now. I cant wait to see another Madoka video.
Homura sure had time… you have a moment yourself?
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True
Overcoming weakness is a healthy part of life
@ProfessorViral
Can we get a video covering Kyoko? Namely because I think it's interesting how her attitude of food, family, and how she didn't understand what her dad wanted. Even suggesting physically assaulting kyosuke so he would "belong" to sayaka body and soul.
Yeah I know she was godinding sayaka into a fight but it's very much a possible threat/offer given how she's decided it's better to let familars eat innocent people so she can benift? I wouldn't be surprised if she was trying to kill to birds with one stone. as she herself says: "the witches eat the weak humans, then we eat the witches. Its the natural thing, the weak have to give up to the strong." maybe she thought by weakinging him further for the familiar that got away to eat kyosuke and also get rid of sayaka
I feel like everyone is completely overlooking or possibly straight up ignoring the fact that Homura's labyrinth was actually 100% Kyubey's fault. Kyubey kidnaped Homura, locked her in a containment field to deliberatley block her from heaven and force her to become a witch, and set up the scenario where she lured real people into the labyrinth but couldn't let them out... But hey lets put all of the blame on the girl who's just trying to dream of her fondest wish.
(I'm not convinced that she's forcing anyone else to enjoy this dream, either. I mean is it really a stretch to believe they might be genuinely enjoying the scenario presented to them? Each and every single one of them is being reunited with people they haven't seen in a while and won't be seeing for quite some time and might never see again. Sayaka... Clearly lucid Sayaka... basically straight up told her not to rush breaking it.
The scene where Madoka denies being able to sacrifice her personhood isn't really a good example because she's just not in a scenario where that kind of sacrifice is necessary.)
There is room for debate on how selfish Homura is in her decision to reforge reality... but the labyrinth? Unless we find out she gave Kyubey permission to experiment on her or that her altering people's memories was something she did on purpose and not subconsciously, she's as much a victim of that as everyone else.
This is the reason that this is my comfort series. Explaining it to people is hard.
Madoka as a series is tragically relatable in a way that makes explaining it exhausting. But you've done an incredibly great job. Thank you.
Thank you for watching! Exhausting is a good word for it, especially going over the deeper aspects which are so reliant on the tragedy. But it's a temporary exhaustion, and one that's made me more capable!
I love that even after 11 years after Madoka Magica came out, there are still people that still love this anime and even make videos about it. It just goes to show how much of a good series Madoka Magica is. And to those people that still love this anime and make videos, keep up the good work!
Thank you! I'm happy it took of a bit here and I get to keep covering it, it's been a great series to get myself thinking deeply again!
Lmao the Punpun profile picture and Madoka why everything makes sense. Nice tho
Another fantastic video!
I really love how you talk about each of the girls and what they mean to the story, especially Madoka. A lot of fans criticize Madoka for being “annoying” or “not doing anything until the end.” So it’s incredibly refreshing to hear someone acknowledge her role in the entire story and how important it is.
Thank you! I just love what they did with her character. It looks like she's doing nothing, but only because everyone else is trying to do too much. Those kind of perspective flips are amazing for things like this!
Yeah- I wish more people would see her differently
Yes, more PMMM videos. let's go.
Hey, thanks for checking out another one!
Just rewatched it after getting more literature and anime under my belt and two things:
Madoka magica is imo on par with cormaic mccarthy's blood meridan in terms of sheer thematical depth, you can spend days exploring so many topics with this show. Gen urobuchi was on a sick one
The time travel aspect of homura gives the rewatch an whole new layer of complexity to the narrative that honestly makes it better the second time through. It takes a special kind of writer to write something that works on a new level the second time through
The goat anime
I absolutely love how Magia Record and the upcoming Walpurugisnacht film add to the complexity of these girls.
The Parallel between Mami-Yachiyo explains so much.
Especially since what we never see in the anime is Homura and Mami always looking over their shoulder for Oriko or Kirika looking to kill them for reasons they don't understand.
We also never see Kyouko hiding Yuma (the Youngest magical girl next to Nagisa outside of Magia record) that shows that Kyouko isn't going to let her weakness be used against her, as referenced in her very recent release of her Doppel witch form in game. Kyouko doesn't live for herself anymore, she will let the humans who don't take their life seriously fall into labyrinths.
We need the Kazumi prequel animated, not only cause it fills in what happens before kyouko and Nagisa's wish, but because it explains what caused Homura's soul gem transformation into a Cursed Jewel.
Ugh I fucking love this franchise so much.
@puella magi cosplays it's a parallel universe just like fate stay night and FGO.
Oriko, Kazumi and tart have been referenced in Rebellion's it's entropy after all boat ride scene. Suzune was made after that but it fits in the canon.
While Magia record side manga events slowly introduced the other girls like the Pleiades saints, by being one of the timelines when Madoka already made her wish, it's very well established as it's own universe that madokami can only slightly influence.
The concepts introduced in Magia record like the void type magical girl could be theorized upon as there's no evidence to suggest Perenelle isn't still alive buffing weapons and giving them to other magical girls like Luna from Sailor Moon.
@puella magi cosplays sure. It literally doesn't matter because there's no story canon law in animation production.
@puella magi cosplays a timeline isn't a law 🙄 I mean shaft and aniplex can make whatever they want, and right now it's the Walpurgis Film.
@puella magi cosplays there's a team of writers...
Man, do I love this show. It contains so many themes, yet it manages to perfectly weave them into the story without overtaking the latter.
For sure, whether you look for them or not it's just as enjoyable!
@@ProfessorViral It’s definitely the mark of a great series.
As much as I like say, Neon Genesis Evangelion, it does suffer from Anno prioritizing communicating themes and hammering his message into the viewers over making sure the story and characters properly develop in tandem. Evangelion 3.0 is especially guilty of this.
Madoka Magica, along with the Rebellion movie, make sure that the themes and philosophy go hand in hand with proper build up in the story, along with having the characters naturally grow with them, if that makes sense.
Honestly, the more I think about it, I am starting to think that Madoka does many things better than Evangelion, which it is often compared to. It doesn’t let the themes and messages dictate the story and characters like Anno tends to do, but instead does the opposite. And as a result, it can be fully enjoyed and appreciated on its own, rather than it only making sense if you know the message.
Basically, while Evangelion only really works if you understand the themes and messages, as without them, the characters and narrative fall apart, Madoka works extremely well by just the plot and characters themselves, with the themes and philosophy enriching the already tight narrative. Like, it keeps those themes as the icing on the cake, rather than the cake itself.
Am I making sense? XD
Yep, I understood pretty well!
Another thing that wasn't explored until the Madoka Magica Portable game is how Mami and Kyoko aren't able to overcome their personal weakness under different circumstances, which end up turning them into Witches.
- After being unable to save a kid from a Witch at the start of her Magical girl life, Mami compensated her shortcomings by creating her signature muskets and vowing to save people from Witches and Familiars alike, but that principle made other magical girls (Kyoko included) to ditch her since it was impractical in the long run. A reminder of Mami's initial failure, alongside the realization that she kept everything to herself despite having people around her is what makes her fall into despair. It's sad that her witch form, Candeloro, is all about hosting tea parties, not letting her "guests" leave, ever.
- After seeing Sayaka turn into a Witch, Kyoko desperately tries to convince herself that they can bring her back, but what happens when she's robbed of that moment which leads to her resolution, and by Homura no less? She gets utterly furious, despairs at the realization that her life had become meaningless on top of being unable to save those she loves and curses the world. Her witch form, Ophelia, simply wanders around and can even make illusory clones to attack (and she hits like A TANK).
The Different Story manga makes it even more sad since Kyoko saves Mami from her own despair by using her last Grief Seed (Sayaka's) but dying at the hands of another Witch... and later Mami commits suicide upon learning of Kyoko's death.
"Blessed are the meek/gentle, for they shall inherit the earth", this was a great analysis. We make a lot of deal about being strong, but I'm always reminded of that line in Specs Ops The Line, "It takes a strong man to deny what's right in front of him". Many of the girls reached this point, especially Sayaka and Homura to the extent of being strong enough to create an illusion to deny these problems.
Ironic how the seemingly worst role model material is the best role model
Pretty much 🤣
It's important that Mami isn't just a major character to devolve into a minor aspect of grief and self-acknowledgement, more into the meta question of human psychology and prophecy, "Why do you lie to yourself?"
Weakness is matter of perspective NOT based on the person, but pov of others that empower themselves to become a dimension of sacrifice to allow that another to become legacy.
In layman terms, do not give others the gift of pain, learn unto yourself.
PS: PMMM will always be on my shelf for college studies bc my professors could not see the importance of it, I did!
Could you possibly discuss the concepts of Homura and her past? No I don't mean her backstory of time traveling to save Madoka. I mean her ORIGINAL childhood in the original timeline. We know Homura didn't have any close friends nor does she have a family, but that's what makes it even more mysterious.
Despite her not having any type of family she must have had it at one point, I mean how else would she be born? She at the very least must've had a mother (who most likely died). Homura also went to another school before this so she must have had some type of guardian.
Why was she in the hospital in the first place? What happened to her that caused her to go to the hospital and transfer to another school? We barely know anything about Homura's early years and childhood but it's interesting to think about what type of life she used to live before becoming a magical girl and inevitably suffering. She was just a normal girl back then and she has lost any remains of her having a normal life for once. Anyways, great video!
She was in the hospital because of a congenital heart disease, other than that I don't think we'll ever get an answer.
Okay not to spoil too much as I know you want to watch Magia Record. But 3:33 discussing how Madoka’s fate in relation to Mami is different is really key in Magia Record and is actually shown just like you described, so enjoy getting to that.
That does sound like it'll be interesting to see!
Magia record shows how close the dynamic between Mami and Madoka would have been if Homura wasn't there via Yachiyo and Iroha.
It also fleshes out what happens when someone has a neutral wish via Mitama explaining the powers of Suzune.
A great video, full of insights and intriguing thoughts (my favorite thus far: 'the purpose of weakness is to make us improve ourselves'). I'll certainly watch your other Madoka videos -- if they are like this, then I certainly want to know more about your thoughts!
My opinions are quite in synchrony with yours. Personally, I see Madoka as being an actually strong person -- the evidence of her weakness, except in her own low-self-esteem opinion ('I'm not good at school'...'I was afraid I would just stumble through life, never able to help anyone'...), is quite lacking. To me, Madoka felt from the beginning as someone who is unsure about what would give her life meaning. She wants meaning ('a life I can be proud of', paraphrasing her conversation with her father Tomihisa in Ep. 3). She sees everybody around her so sure of what will give their lives meaning, and wonders if she should be doing what they are doing. But she's not sure, and she thinks this means she isn't capable of it, and feels weak.
Homura, on the other hand... thinks her life can have no meaning, because she's essentially meaningless herself ('I should just... die'). I believe this is because Homura, along with her physical condition, was probably also bullied, or abandoned by (part of) her family, or maybe both; a lot of her behavior is more understandable if we imagine being bullied or neglected was an important part of her life. (Unlike Madoka, who always had a loving family and good friends throughout her life.) This makes her Madoka obsession so easy to accept -- it's exactly the kind of thing that people in her situation often do, and they mistake it for 'falling in love'. Madoka becomes the center of her universe; but, as often happens with obsessions, not the real, evolving, changing Madoka that actually exists and talks to her, but an idealized Madoka with a happy family living a happy life with only good things happening to her that Homura imagined and sealed in her mind. And, as sadly often happens with people in this situation, she is ready to sacrifice the real Madoka, and her agency and choices, to that imaginary 'happy Madoka' that she created herself in her own mind, because she is so sure (the arrogance of the suffering, the downtrodden!... whoever made Homura what she is deserves the worst possible place in hell!).
Anyway... thanks for this great video, and I'll have a look at the others! Anyone discussing my favorite anime of all time has a fan in me. :-)
homura is the way she is because she went to catholic school 💀
also this is a great analysis and i agree!!
I didn't think about it in terms of being sure minded, I think that adds a lot to it, and better explains the perceived weakness. That everyone around her at least knew what they were pursuing, and she didn't. But that ties in a lot of those earlier elements as well, so a great point!
For Homura I agree and I think the assumptions of her past would all be accurate. I do think in Rebellion there is some acknowledgement that she loves a false Madoka though, and allows her world to be destroyed because of this. She wants to Madoka who would sacrifice herself for others, because that Madoka is good and true, but it's also the one who would leave her. But, I'll leave that for her video where it's better worded haha.
Also, I'll be getting back to your others comments here as I can! I always try to do so when I have the time to give each persons input the proper attention, so it may be slow, but I'll do my best to read them and respond when possible!
Can I just drop an anime recommendation - To Your Eternity. This anime captivated me from the very first second and deals with the reality of human experience. I would really recommend giving this a go if you haven't watched it. It's as beautiful as it is heartbreaking.
I've actually seen the first few episodes, but couldn't get into it after the 1st episode pulled me in. I may finish it, but I'm unsure
✨A underrated show getting this much attention and love boosts my serotonin✨
Glad I could help 🤣
Bebe never overcame hers, not even when Mami adopted her. Homura...she might have lost that chance. And the worst part is...she knows it, and knows its consequences. And Madoka... according to some theories, her sacrifice was also driven from a selfish suicide desire. Maybe now, that she's human once more, she can truly overcome her weakness.
Homura, Kyubey and Madoka remind me too much of myself.
I'd like to add that Homura making everyone's life perfect for Madoka without really caring for them is emphasized by Sayaka's status.
If she really gave them all they wanted, why not make her Kyosuke's girlfriend? Y'know... the sole reason why Sayaka trades her soul?
Instead, Homura keeps her as a magical girl just so Madoka can have her around (Unbeknownst to Sayaka's real role in Rebellion).
After many time jumps, Homura must've realized what Urobuchi revealed about Sayaka's fate: "No matter what she chooses, she'll never be happy regardless".
That's true, in keeping them apart she keeps Sayaka from the thing which inadvertently hurt Madoka. There could be some recognition of Sayaka having moved on, but we don't really see them have a moment together where this would be recognized, plus it would all be in Homura's labyrinth anyway
Would it really have been caring or right of Homura to do that, though? She would have had to pull of much creepier levels of manipulation to set Sayaka up with Kyosuke... break him up with Hitome, maybe give him a personality overhaul so he's less music obsessed and more attentive to Sayaka's feelings. I guess she could have given her a fake Kyosuke but that would have been its own kind of creepy, and it begs the question of whether Sayaka needed Kyosuke to be happy or if she needed time and a platform to get over him.
If Sayaka was discontent in the labyrinth then why did she point out to Homura how nice it was in there and encourage her to take her time destroying it? Why is it a stretch to think that she and everyone were genuinely enjoying their time in Homura's labyrinth? I mean they're spending some time with people they wouldn't see for a while and some they would never see again? They only start to have a problem with Homura when she went from cultivating her labyrinth to actually reforging reality
I have been binge watching your modoka magica, has been a blast.
I would like to raise one point in this video. I would argue that Madoka's wish selflessly selfish and gave into her weakness. Madoka thoughout the series considered herself weak, not strong enough and in particular, a burden of others (similar to Homura) and as a result her wish allows her to never be a burden on others because no one remebers her in the new world she created.
This wish is an insult to Hmoura because she never saw Madoka as weak or a burden. Madoka's indirectly burdens Homura because she is the only one that can remeber her and Madoka's wish also robs Homura of what she selfishly wanted and wished for.
Food for thought
But thank you for the videos! Have been great
These videos on the girls are really well thought out! I wish you did one about Kyoko and her recovery of hope through Sayaka. They're my favs!
This right here is what the incubators are preying on. To them? Emotions are a huge weakness and also a sthregth that they plan to exploit.
Exactly, it's something we hardly understand or can control, even after our best efforts
@@ProfessorViral
Though one nitpick; sayaka, long before she meets mami, is the one to jump in and help people. Sayaka is the one madoka tells about her weird dreams. Sayaka is quick to aid madoka however she can, using a fire extinguisher to by her and madoka time. When bebe's greif seed is on the verge of hatching, sayaka stays put to make sure it doesn't get lost. When madoka is crying over mami's loss? Sayaka dose her best to keep things together. Sayaka arrives in time to protect madoka where homura shows up seconds before the end credits.
9:50 the disrespect to Kyoko when Homura literally acts/lives by the same philosophy Kyoko does, but is more violent, even threatening to kill Sayaka. also, Kyoko is NOT a minor character, there is five main characters, and she is one.
no matter how many videos on madoka magica I watch, I can never be sick of them.
Is that a challenge? 😎
@@ProfessorViral I suppose it is 😏
and to think that they wanted to use this work to make high guardian spice
I didn't even know that was a thing, let alone that fact lol
What’s that? High guardian spice?
A new madoka magica video essay? *clicks immediately*
Thank you! 🤣
Living for the Madoka Magica content 💖
Thanks!
Fully serious. This channel is the like the Berserk of anime analysis. Anitube has been around for a while, and it’s always impressive to find new channels that have something new to contribute to the conversation. However with this channel, you aren’t just adding something new, you are restructuring how I view certain shows. Specifically, Madoka, Psych Pass, and Vinland. I love watching anime, but I also love watching analysis videos on those anime because it gives me a much greater and better appreciation of those shows. Even though I found this channel later on, it is the epitome of why I found this passion in the first place. One of the reasons why I enjoy your content so much is just how your script your videos. Anybody can generally take a lot away from a show, but its more rare to be able to take what you saw and verbally explain the importance to others, especially in a way that resonates so strongly that they feel an almost greater catharsis from the review than the original show. For me your videos are in line with Aleczander and Totally not Mark for the excitement I feel seeing a new video added to you feed.
Thank you for the kind words, they mean a lot : ) I'm almost at a loss for what to say, except thank you, because you all make this possible! Getting people to think, whether deeper about a series or in general is what I always try to do. It's what I loved about YT growing up, and what I've always wanted to pass on to others as well
@@ProfessorViral I don’t know if you’ve seen it yet, but if you have I’d love to hear your thoughts on Arcane. Personally it’s character work reminded me of Urobochi, since a large Majority of the cast receive their development through their different philosophies and motivations, while several of them represent the extremes of different ideologies. I saw a similar dynamic as Fate/Zero, where much of the story is shape by different philosophies, while the story remains neutral and does not overvalue any one specifically, but mainly just shows the trade-offs for each ideology. Pretty much the entire cast receives depth, even several of the side characters (lot of video content).
Kazumi Subaru from one of the spin off mangas is a better character to me IMO.
Hopefully I'll be able to say myself sometime soon!
New madoka video yess
Happy to provide!
Great video!!! :D I love your Madoka Magica discussion videos!!!!! :) Would you please make a video someday discussing where the Holy Quintet's story and character arcs might go in the new movie? Or one talking about the Magia Record girls as well? That would be super awesome! ;)
Thank you! I try not to speculate too much on series (it's a long story, but I like to go into things as blindly as possible), but I can say I will be getting into Magia Record sometime for sure!
These videos are great since it shows so much of how we see things differently.
a very good analysis on madoka and homera. that's what I was thinking when I think of madoka and homerea.
this is definitely one of my favorite animes. this was really good. i’m subscribed
Thanks for sticking around! : D
obsessed with this video and now i'm gonna binge all of your other madoka videos
Well thank you : D
First time I've ever been the first to comment. Amazing video as always! Keep up the great work!
Thank you, I'll try! : D
This was great
Thank you! : D
Agreed with most of your points except for what you said regarding Homura’s relationship with the other magical girls. To say that they only exist in her perfect world for Madoka’s sake is oversimplifying it. She cares for them still, not as much as Madoka but she still does. Of course this could be me misinterpreting your words and if so I apologize.
Someone pointed out that Homura's soul gem was forcefully corrupted by the incubators in an experiment to observe and learn to control the law of cycle aka Madoka.
So I have one question. Was it really wrong for Homura to betray everyone and split Madoka from the law of cycles ? Weren't the incubators going to get closer to learning how to enslave Madoka everytime she saved another witch? She's an observable phenomenon.
Madoka's wish was definitely selfless but it was also naive. She got rid of Witches, but the real problem were the incubators. It was only a matter of time until they could control her. But now they can't. Even if they can control the law of cycle, Madoka would be safe from enslavement.
Was it wrong for Homura to make such a choice? If the cycle is stopped, the incubators can't learn how to control it. Which sacrifices the few for the many. A decision that Madoka wouldn't have been able to make given her character.
This question came out way too long. But there were so many implications from the incubators' talk about its plans with Homura. It's often overlooked when ppl discuss Homura. But wasn't it a necessary evil?
Excellent video! I wanted to ask, what is the music that you use in the background?
Thanks! This one was "Dreaming in 432Hz"
@@ProfessorViral thank you!
Mami could also be an example of femininity.
The perfect housewife, pretty, dainty, modest, humble, warm, etc but, at great weights
I dont think that's what the writers went for but, it could still be applied
That's kinda cool
Kyoko is MG Revy and I will die on that hill.
While there are similarities for sure, I think the important difference is that Kyoko had a happy life before it went wrong, while Revy never did. I feel like Revy would never make a wish because it would mean admitting some kind of weakness
MORE MADOKA
Always happy to provide!
I love this video
Idk… I think it’s more about becoming stronger through the sheer power of lesbian love.
That is a powerful thing 🤣
I think it's okay to be not too Strong because if you are always strong it makes it quicker to burnout.
This from someone made the mistake of always having to be strong & now I am reaching my burnout. 😉
When i Describe the series to those who never heard of the series is that it is sailor moon as a Horror anime in hidden as a magical girl anime. 😉😈
Love your analysis! Could you please tell me what song you use in your outro?
Thanks! The outro song is This is a Jazz Space
are you eventually gonna touch Magia Record?
Yep! I should be here soon
Magia record videos when
Soon
Yep, there hopefully should be some not to far off!
This is pretty complex :/
I blame Mr. Urobuchi 🤣
@@ProfessorViral he is a very talented writer but this is so complex :/
You're saying that like it's a bad thing
i wish i could watch the video but anything pmm related just brings me pain so ill just like the video and leave
You know, that's fair I think? 🤣
That is a nice video and made me think. What about Magica Record. Is there anything special on that one?
Thank you! I actually have to watch Magica Record still, so I can't say, but hope to soon!
@@ProfessorViral I see. It about three seasons. One and two already out as Season three had to be delay. Still l believe you will like it. I will also watch it as l am on Season two now. I cant wait to see another Madoka video.