Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica – 03
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「もう何も恐くない」 (Mou Nanimo Kowakunai)
“I’m Not Afraid Anymore”
What started out as a seemingly quiet and peaceful episode, quickly turned into something dark and gritty. Besides making me think that Kyubei might actually be some kind of evil monster in disguise, amongst all the character development I was caught off guard with a pretty big plot twist.
I don’t know about you guys, but something came off as terribly evil this episode — and I’m not talking about the trippy battle scenes. That quick scene where a young Mami is lying in the wreckage of a serious car accident still shocks me. Thinking about how Kyubei was conveniently at the site of the accident made me question just how trustworthy the little fur ball is. It didn’t help that he started commenting on how much potential Madoka had to become the strongest Mahou Shoujo. It also REALLY didn’t help after Homura confronted Mami over why Kyubei was pushing to have Madoka become one so bad. As I watched the rest of the episode, all these different things kept making me question what hidden intentions Kyubei might have. It may have just been me, but every time Kyubei asked Sayaka or Madoka to become a Mahou Shoujo, it almost feels like he is just trying to force the situation — trying to make them become Mahou Shoujo just for the sake of getting them under a contract.
I also felt that Mami might be just like Kyubei, up until her heartfelt conversation with Madoka. As I started thinking about her entire situation (and looking at the episode title) I couldn’t help but feel sad over how Mami must have felt inside. After being able to dodge death and get a new lease at life by becoming a Mahou Shoujo, she continued living only to have all of her freedoms stolen from her. Combined with my newfound realization that she has probably been alone for most of her life and the fact that Mahou Shoujos are always competing while hunting (the stronger one gets to recharge their magic) — I can see why she would be so enthusiastic after finally finding someone to become her partner.
After I watched Mami get her head ripped off, I was shocked more than anything. Especially after finally understanding a little more of her character, I can’t believe that she’d be done in so easily. It didn’t help that Homura managed to just jump in and finish off the boss without breaking a sweat. With Mami’s body missing after the barrier disappears and both Madoka and Sayaka in tears, not only did Homura NOT fix her position with Madoka and Sayaka but I think her rude comment didn’t even come remotely close to preventing them from becoming a Mahou Shoujo. If anything it probably just helped in pushing them over the edge.
* I thought that the boss this week looked pretty cute. I definitely prefer this new design over the previous ones ._.
ED Sequence
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ED: 「Magia」 by Kalafina
Watch the ED!: Download, Streaming ▼
Preview
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January 23, 2011 at 8:13 pmRincewind
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Mami, you will be missed, my classy drill haired princess.
January 23, 2011 at 11:22 pmDsursion
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Kuybei seemed so ridiculously suspicions this episode! After how convenient he was during that car “accident”. I wonder how he was involved with that, or if a witch was the cause. With the direction this show is going, I bet if Mami does come back, it would be as a witch… the consequence of becoming a magic girl in life and having granted any wish paid by the ultimate penalty in death.
January 24, 2011 at 5:48 amNcrdrg
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Shocking episode. The series hadn’t grabbed my attention yet. Now it does. That was terribly gruesome and brutal.
And Kyubei creeps me out. He’s got an agenda and reminds me so much of Bokurano in the sense that he’s seemingly cute but most definitely twisted and evil.
January 25, 2011 at 10:20 ambear
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Kyube is a little furry rat. I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t “arrange” for Mami to get her head bitten off.
January 26, 2011 at 12:00 amqntiria
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oh my god. THIS. this is the best challenge to the magical girl genre. and oh my god mami…
January 26, 2011 at 6:38 amkabayongtao
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Don’t forget about the first scene in episode 1 where Homura was falling (or maybe dying) from a fight. I believe Madoka will save her through signing up the contract. :(
January 26, 2011 at 7:14 amangel_tsukikanade
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One of the best Mahou Shoujo anime out there IMO… and sadly, no more Gate of Babylon musketeer… T___T
January 26, 2011 at 2:21 pmexia
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I give props the first Mahou Shouojo Series to ever successfully build up and kill a “main” character in just 2 episodes. SHAFT you done it again.
January 29, 2011 at 5:54 pmOrinX
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I am so glad I did not overlook this as another dime a dozen magical girl anime. This is good stuff.
March 28, 2011 at 9:00 amNickless
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Totally agree on not overlooking Madoka. Guilty as well on the pre-fabricated dime-a-dozen magical girl stereotype I posessed. This is “magical girl” with a bite.
January 30, 2011 at 12:57 pmcx
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was that what was left of mami that fell on table after that thing blew up.
February 18, 2011 at 10:02 pmChocolate
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The witch in this episode was terrifying and spooky. Yes if I he didn’t kill Mami, he would look pretty cute, but the fact that he did combined with his “cute” face makes it all the more sinister.
February 19, 2011 at 1:14 pmTreyon
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im extremely shocked, this is the FIRST mahou shoujo were one of the mains characters its killed, and brutally no less, first you get your beheaved by a monster and the he eated the rest of it… its almost gore… O.o, and that furry ball, i get the feeling that he is BAD, ya VERY VERY BAD
February 24, 2011 at 8:59 amMM
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one of the best character development and death scenes all in one episode. keeping my hopes up and watching this series until the end.
side note: i dont like kyubei i think hes evilll especially when hes always next to madoka or the other characters with that grin and those red eyes
March 25, 2011 at 5:35 pmPera
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I kinda suspected that something horrible was going to happen to Mami after Homura tried to warn her, but it still came as a shock to me. And it wasn’t fun watching it either.
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