So, my first review of anything. So don't expect much. Hope you enjoy it. I will have minor spoilers, but will try and keep the big stuff hidden.
Madoka Magica is a rather popular anime from the studio SHAFT. So popular, the series got a two movie recap of the series and a final movie, bringing everything in the series to a close. The series has gained quite a reputation in the anime world for its darker interpretation of the magical girl genre. Which is usually nothing more than cutesy anime girls showing off their panties and wearing revealing clothing and fighting bad guys with the power of friendship and love. So let's get started.
Story
Like I said above. Madoka Magica takes a genre and completely tears it a new one. It even does a great job of surprising you. The general concept is, in exchange for a wish. A girl has to become a magical girl and hunt witches. FOr each witch they defeat, they gain more power. Pretty basic right? The first two episodes give you a sense of security, like it's just another ecchi filled anime with cute girls. After episode three, you realize Madoka Magica isn't your everyday anime. Without spoiling to much I can say this, the show is dark. There is no black and white either, this is a grey anime. Everyone has good reasons to do what they do. By episode three, you'll want to keep watching to see what this roller coaster of an anime has coming your way. You may feel some sadness in episode ten, but other than that just expect a very dark anime.
Characters
The characters are very diverse and most are very interesting and diverse. But there is one massive problem with one of the characters and sadly, it's the main character. Madoka Kaname is the very definition of a Mary Sue character. She is boring and spends 3/4s of the anime crying about something. Most of the tears are justified, but it starts to grate very quickly. Now every other character in the anime is awesome and the writers do a amazing job of showing them change as time goes on. One character in particular, Homura Akemi, appears to be a very cruel and cold character. I found myself saying that even when they show her "sad" origin episode, I would still hate her. I was so wrong. I felt pity for the first time for an anime character. Madoka's best friend, Sayaka Miki, undergoes drastic development from a happy go-lucky girl, to one who has no reason to live. Almost every main character has a sad past, which is actually sad and makes you feel pity for them. They nailed this aspect perfectly.
Art
Holy shit, the art is amazing. It's completely unique and I've never seen anything like it in an anime. SHAFT has a pretty famous reputation for having unique art with their other popular anime series, Bakemonogatari. But Madoka Magica hits whole new levels.
The art is creepy and unique as hell. But I'm a huge fan of it.
Overall
I would suggest this anime. Maybe not as your first anime, but definitely something to check out eventually. The story is amazing. The characters are amazing. Each episode will leave you wanting more. Do not judge this anime by it's cover. It's currently streaming on Netflix, at least on the U.S. I would suggest giving up at least five hours to give this anime a watch.
Final Score: 9/10. Some flaws, but not enough to deter from watching.
Madoka Magica is a rather popular anime from the studio SHAFT. So popular, the series got a two movie recap of the series and a final movie, bringing everything in the series to a close. The series has gained quite a reputation in the anime world for its darker interpretation of the magical girl genre. Which is usually nothing more than cutesy anime girls showing off their panties and wearing revealing clothing and fighting bad guys with the power of friendship and love. So let's get started.
Story
Like I said above. Madoka Magica takes a genre and completely tears it a new one. It even does a great job of surprising you. The general concept is, in exchange for a wish. A girl has to become a magical girl and hunt witches. FOr each witch they defeat, they gain more power. Pretty basic right? The first two episodes give you a sense of security, like it's just another ecchi filled anime with cute girls. After episode three, you realize Madoka Magica isn't your everyday anime. Without spoiling to much I can say this, the show is dark. There is no black and white either, this is a grey anime. Everyone has good reasons to do what they do. By episode three, you'll want to keep watching to see what this roller coaster of an anime has coming your way. You may feel some sadness in episode ten, but other than that just expect a very dark anime.
Characters
The characters are very diverse and most are very interesting and diverse. But there is one massive problem with one of the characters and sadly, it's the main character. Madoka Kaname is the very definition of a Mary Sue character. She is boring and spends 3/4s of the anime crying about something. Most of the tears are justified, but it starts to grate very quickly. Now every other character in the anime is awesome and the writers do a amazing job of showing them change as time goes on. One character in particular, Homura Akemi, appears to be a very cruel and cold character. I found myself saying that even when they show her "sad" origin episode, I would still hate her. I was so wrong. I felt pity for the first time for an anime character. Madoka's best friend, Sayaka Miki, undergoes drastic development from a happy go-lucky girl, to one who has no reason to live. Almost every main character has a sad past, which is actually sad and makes you feel pity for them. They nailed this aspect perfectly.
Art
Holy shit, the art is amazing. It's completely unique and I've never seen anything like it in an anime. SHAFT has a pretty famous reputation for having unique art with their other popular anime series, Bakemonogatari. But Madoka Magica hits whole new levels.
The art is creepy and unique as hell. But I'm a huge fan of it.
Overall
I would suggest this anime. Maybe not as your first anime, but definitely something to check out eventually. The story is amazing. The characters are amazing. Each episode will leave you wanting more. Do not judge this anime by it's cover. It's currently streaming on Netflix, at least on the U.S. I would suggest giving up at least five hours to give this anime a watch.
Final Score: 9/10. Some flaws, but not enough to deter from watching.
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