巴 • マミミミ!
Puella Magi Madoka Magica, also known as Mahou Shoujo Madoka Majika, is perhaps the most talked mahou shoujo anime series of this season.
Madoka Magica is a not-your-so-typical mahou shoujo anime not based upon any other material (Light novel, manga), an original production made by Shaft, the studio behind many successful series in the past (Bakemonogatari, Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei, Negima!, Hidamari Sketch)…
Before I go ahead I’ll have to warn you that everything after this line will contain spoilers of what happened in the episodes of the anime thus far…
Please head thataway if you wish to digest the sweet and sour story in your own time frame or if you’re just downright hate spoilers… ^_~
Basically, Madoka Magica is set in the modern world, telling a story of several young girls approached by a familiar named Kyubey (QB, Kyuubee, Kyubei, Kill Bay, whatever… ^^;), who offers to grant them a single wish, any wish.
However in return, the girls will have to become a Magikano (Magikaru Kanojo/Magical Girl) to fight the Majou (Witches), negative magical entitities that is responsible for all the murders and suicides around town…
The process of becoming a Magikano involves Kill Bay extracts a Soul Gem from the contracted girl, allowing her to transform. The Magikano’s task is to gather the Grief Seeds left by Majou after thair defeat, and by using it, extracts the dark energy within their own Soul Gems as it will become tainted with time…
Our heroine of the series, Kaname Madoka, along with her friend Miki Sayaka, stumbled upon a nest of a Majou when Madoka heard and head towards the cries of an injured Kyubey, hunted by Akemi Homura, a Mahou Shoujo under contract by itself.
They were saved by timely intervention by Tomoe Mami, who’ve became Modoka and Sayaka’s Magikano mentor later on as they ahem becoming interns for the position of being a future Magikano… Elsewhere, Homura transferred to Madoka’s school, and warned her not to become a Magikano herself…
Mami is lovable and kind chara from the start; Elegant, graceful senpai and of course having one of the most awesome Magikano finisher ever – the Unlimited Musket Works… XDc
Now you may think this is your standard Magikano fare with monster-of-the-week approach and happily ever after ending, something that screams Shugo Chara!, PreCure or any other of the same genre you may think off just now, you’re not really right…
About a moon ago in the airing of the 3rd episode, we were SHAFTed (Verb; 1. You wa Shokku-ed, disgusted, awesomed, awed, impressed. 2. Applies only to Shaft produced anime series.) by the sudden decapitation of one of the most lovable character in the anime – Tomoe Mami, showing us that this is not your typical sweet happy mahou shoujo anime…
Discussions around the interweb was abuzz with such horror of Mami’s sudden death, some even claiming this as a trolling by Shaft… ^^; My view: Shaft’s being innovative not to follow the ever boring Magikano formula… ^_~
In memories of our beloved Mami… T^T
Of course after this event, Madoka and Sayaka were devastated and became afraid of becoming a Magikano themselves. However upon much coaxing by our kawaii ebil Kill Bay as well as her desire to have her wish come true, Sayaka becomes the successor of Mami.
However, another Magikano named Sakura Kyouko arrived from off town and was caught in a fight with Sayaka due to their contrasting morality and values on how to destroy the Majou. As Sayaka is just a n00b, she was almost killed by the ore experienced Kyouko, if not for Homura’s intervention (Again?)
Last week, we were once again SHAFTed by another plot twist: As Sayaka prepares to face Kyouko’s invitation for a duel, Madoka steps in and steals Sayaka’s Soul Gem and threw it away to prevent her to transform. However, the Soul Gem dropped onto a passing truck, and Sayaka collapsed as the Soul Gem got carried far away from their place.
Fans of this series even made a mini flash game based upon this particular scene! XDc I’ve only managed to score 2 thus far, how is yours?
Anyways, much to their shock (Including Kyouko), Kyubey explains that as a Magikano, the Soul Gem is what keeps the Magikano’s soul in place while the body is just an expendable vessel, and the body cannot work without the Soul Gem close by. This literally explains the reason it is called a SOUL Gem, and as Kyouko puts it, their body is but an empty carcass much like a zombie’s…
Now this is getting more and more interesting… I wonder how will Madoka and the rest of the Magikano endure such truth as to become a Magikano means a path of no return, much like what Homura warned her about…
However, rumours are spreading across the net now that Tomoe Mami might make a come back in future episodes! Now that I think of it, her Soul Gem wasn’t shown destroyed when the Majou om nom nom her… Coupled with the new revelation that Magikano’s body is just a vessel… Maybe Mami will be resurrected!?
She deserves the title: Headless Musketeer
Dullahan with guns!
I like to pretend mami is dead and gone. also...CONTRACT NAO~~~ ● ω ●
Na ah! Your MLM styled coaxing doesn't work on me... XDc
a series could be this success when it breaks the stereotype moud casted
Yeap, ebil neko usagi trying to get you signing its devil contract really makes all the difference! XDc
Our Tomoe Mami seiyuu is Vivio Takamachi ／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼
My prediction is Puella Magi Madoka Magica is setup as a dark mahou shoujo show with bad ending. Mami got killed off. Sayaka has triggered all kinds of death-flags. I doubt Kyoko will long survive either. Madoka might get killed off while trying to save everyone in her typical idealistic fashion, or perhaps she survived by taking Homura's advice and not taking up the contract. In the ending scene, Homura will face off against Kyubey to settle old scores.
I'm getting a little annoyed by Madoka's whining, for that matter... ^^;
Durarararara... T_T
Love the way the artists connect the two show's main attraction (Decapitation)... XDc
I never tested watching PMM yet due some unfinished Heartcatch precure stuff...But when i see that monster eat a cute markslady magician,i feel interested to watch it nao...
love shows where S*** hits the fan so this is just great, cant wait for more
They sure did hit my heart with bricks! ^^;
Tomoe Mami it's not able to be revived because charlotte eat it's gemstone and also.... I know too many spoilers to reveal them but sure you will be get surprised when the anime go ahead^^ It's the only i can spoil.
Well, I still hope Mami's make a come back ala Power of the Force... XDc Many magazines seem to promote her as a major chara of the series (Not the Disappearance of Obi-Wan Kenobi mentor type), heavily hinting on her eventual return?
Maybe she will return as a witch. I considered her evil from the very beginning after all XD
BUT MAMI DIDN'T DIE! SHE STILL LIVES IN MY HEART, SO THE SHOW DOESN'T COUNT ANYMORE! xD
That aside, I got a 7 in Throw The Gem. That means Sayaka died 7 times. D:
You're one ebil fren... LOL
Mami's Soul Gem was her hair piece, So I think she is dead for good. However she could always come back, who knows. I am extremely interested to see who/how/what puts Madoka over the edge to making a contract, cause right now I'm sure she hates QB.
This show has really been my favorite all season, if it finishes out as strong as it's going now, I'm sure there will be some changes in my top 10.
I thought Mami's Soul Gem is on her ring?
I actually found myself upset over the Mami's untimely demise. Making an extremely sweet character, with a touching back story who everyone likes... only to kill her off in some guro fetish dream sequence, doesn't sit right with me.
Don't get me wrong, I love how it effects the story and characters as a whole. It gives a refreshing new spin to the plot and makes you wonder if any characters are actually "safe" in the series.
But maybe I am just in love with the idea that Tragedy = strength = good end... It would be like watching Full metal alchemist and having Alphonse die 1/3 through the series. Losing your favorite character leaves you a little hallow inside. ;_;