Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica re-watch episode 10 - Epic Timelord transformation (Serious spoilers dude)

*Huge Spoilers will be discussed here, if you haven't watched Madoka Magica yet, go back and watch the damn series*

"After feeling a bit underwhelmed with the last episode, we come to one of the huge highlights of the series. Episode 1-7 was excellent build-up, Episode 8 was perfect but this episode somehow exceeded even that." (Source)

It sure did and it still does, I would also consider this to be one of the best anime episodes ever made by just the amount of perfect drama and the best transformation to a character ever. In just one episode.

Homura starts off as a shy young teenager who has suffered from heart problems and is introduced to Madoka in the same classroom, it is then that we find out we are in Homura's first timeline where Madoka and Mami are magical girls but because of Walpurgis Night, Mami dies and Madoka defeats it but dies shortly after, it is then that Homura had a wish for Kyubey, that is to protect Madoka, this makes her go back in time to another timeline where similar events happen.

The end is nigh...

This is where Homura gets used to her abilities (Making bombs, stopping time to steal guns from the Mafia) and yet in every timeline she went through, which is four in total. She keeps failing to save Madoka while learning about Kyubey's true intentions and the more that is revealed to her and the constant death Madoka and friends makes her turn into a bad ass and we never could of wished for a better character.

What can I say though, its epic character development at it's finest and gets me ready for these last episodes, I am ready!!!

Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica re-watch episode 9 - A salute to you (spoilers)

*Huge Spoilers will be discussed here, if you haven't watched Madoka Magica yet, go back and watch the damn series*

"So Kyouko goes out with a bang and sacrfices herself to kill Sayaka's witch form which was very honorable of her, it has also given yuri fan artists to draw some fan art of Kyoko x Sayaka (although most of it are good)" (Source)

With last episodes reveal of Sayaka's form both Kyouko and Homura escape with her dead souless body and greet a depressed Madoka, again Homura feels no emotion because she has seen her die (even kill her before).

This episodes main reveal though is that Kyubey is an alien who is using grief seeds to solve the problem of energy in the universe, no more theorys of him being the devil or from hell, his just an unemotional bastard who used the most logical and most effective way to save the universe, to make contacted girls suffer.

Why Kyubey WHY!!!! D:

Kyouko starts to become more friendier to Madoka and asks if she wants to save Sayaka by talking to her while she is back-up, of course this doesn't go to plan and Sayaka's witch form (Oktavia von Seckendorff) cannot be one, its then when Homura takes Madoka away so
Kyouko can sacifice herself to free are born witch from her pain in the most epic way possible.

Which brings us up to date with timeline 5 and thus I await episodes 11 and 12 to conclude this story but there is one more episode I need to watch before hand...

Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica re-watch episode 8 - Inkyubeytor (Jesus Christ spoilers)

*Huge Spoilers will be discussed here, if you haven't watched Madoka Magica yet, go back and watch the damn series*

"Shit got real in the past episodes....but now shit just got MASSIVELY real." (Source)

Watching one of my favourite Madoka Magica episodes again is such a treat, it pulled all the punches of what a fantastic episode should be dramatic, shocking and fully gripping from the get go.

Sayaka continues her hatred by becoming incredibly depressed at what she has become, to a point where she doesn't care about her Soul Gem becoming corrupt , leaving to a tense 24 minute struggle to snap her out of it.

Kyubey also gets the closest of getting Madoka to become a magical girl, since she wants to help Sayaka, only to be shot like swiss cheese by Homura, I bet there were cheers of anime fans around the world (I was one of those people) but we sadly see him alive and eating his other dead corpse, Homura reveals him as Incubator.

So is he evil enough for ya? *stare*

Then we come to the final scene of Sayaka's Soul Gem becoming a grief seed and getting a glimpse of her witch form and an epic cliffhanger of Kyubey's true intentions.

So much happened here in such a little amount of time yet, its so well done in its execution that my second time watching it still gives me goosebumps or it could be the fact that the last episodes will air in under 1 day.

(I will re-watch episodes 9 and 10 somewhere tomorrow afternoon/evening)

Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica re-watch episode 7 - Descent in Madness (spoilers)

*Huge Spoilers will be discussed here, if you haven't watched Madoka Magica yet, go back and watch the damn series*

I'm getting a Anakin Skywalker vibe with Sayaka, to quote Yoda: “Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.”

"This episode pulls no punches by explaining the soul gem a bit more while Kyubey shows a pretty mean example to Sayaka, leaving her in depression." (Source)

It sure did, its also a time where everyone would be calling the show Mahou Shoujo Sayaka★Magica since she did have the most development and still people complained about Madoka not becoming a magical girl at this point.

Kyouko's past was the main focal point of this episode, like Sayaka she also made a wish that didn't benefit her but instead her father's religous teachings to become more well known, that however turned into tragedy when Kyouko's father found out causing him to kill her family, people of the village and himself.

Kyouko's popularity started to grow from this point

To further Sayaka's depression of not talking to Kyosuke in her soulless body, Hitomi asks her if she has any feelings for him (since she also has an interest in Kyosuke) and gives Sayaka a day or she will confess instead. This leaves us with one of these best and unique battle sequences and a look at the madness that Sayaka has befallen.

Re-watching this episode and watching Sayaka's suffering really makes me feel sorry for her, it does make her character more interesting rather than the constant happy attitude she used to hold.

Two days until impact......

Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica re-watch episode 6 - Revelations (spoilers)

*Huge Spoilers will be discussed here, if you haven't watched Madoka Magica yet, go back and watch the damn series*

"Anyway I think the series will keep me guessing to the end, I think I'll have to re-watch the series from here to see if I can think anymore theories. I think I'm going to say this every week now: I can't wait for the next episode."

I would also like to quote one of my theories in my post: "So I'm just thinking, if the magical girls soul gem isn't purified then does that turn them into a witch (even monster)?" (Source)

My guess was pretty much spot on but because there where so many ways the plot could turn, then uncertainty was what makes Madoka so special, its never revealed to you until it is the right time to do so. Users where also guessing Homura's powers, they were either fast agility or the power to stop time.

After the fight break-up and the constant strange things Kyubey does with the grief seed, was come to on of the scenes that made me smile, Kyouko playing the Dog Drug Reinforcement (Tribute to Dance Dance Revolution) arcade machine while talking to Homura, this leads to the first talk about Walpurgis Night.

Homura Akemi...Total Badass.

The supposed death of Sayaka when Madoka threw her Soul Gem away; really had me shocked back then but now its just fascinating how Homura knew about the Soul Gem range and how she her from death. Maybe Homura didn't want Madoka to suffer the fate of killing her own best friend, since she asked to protect her back in timeline one.

Tension begins to grow and with three days left, excitement and suffering is only building up!!!

Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica re-watch episode 5 - Introducing Kyoko (spoilers)

*Huge Spoilers will be discussed here, if you haven't watched Madoka Magica yet, go back and watch the damn series*

"The introduction of Kyouko, a very entertaining fight in the alley way and a blasted cliffhanger. The series is still fantastic and one of the best." (Source)

So we are half way though my re-watch of the series and looking at my comments I was already sold on it being the best of the season but still worrying on if those expectations would be ruined by a single episode. I still remember this episode grip me and piss me off, in a good way.

A quick brief look at Sayaka turning into a magical girl still gave me chills and her overall happy attitude with Kyousuke recovered hand, its hard to take in.

Myself and many people had negative words about the new magical girl Kyouko, at first impressions she was a more aggressive and a rival to are two main female leads and an attempt to kill Sayaka would not go down well in the ever growing Madoka fan community.

A new challenger appears, get ready fighters...

It was also at the time where Morning Rescue was gaining popularity, this advert was played in the middle of the Madoka Magica airing, here are the reasons why:

1. It comes out of nowhere
2. With the dark storyline continuing to mount in Madoka with many depressing scenes, Morning Rescue is used to recover from it.
   
3. Its actually a good commerical, makes me want to drink it. :D

Homura speech to Madoka about giving up on Sayaka brings up an intresting quote "I have to keep fighting no matter how much sin I have". At first it was nothing but it really is powerful now. She is such a great hero. An excellent fight scene against Sayaka and Kyouko ends with Homura stopping it, ending in a cliffhanger that had me shouting at my screen.

Episode 6 tomorrow and 03 days 23 hours 50 minutes 03 seconds until the last episodes airing. I just can't wait!!

Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica re-watch episode 4 - A New Hope (Spoilers)

*Huge Spoilers will be discussed here, if you haven't watched Madoka Magica yet, go back and watch the damn series*

"It was an understandable slow start, since the last episode was such a shock to everyone but by the end of it, we went back into the dark storyline of a brainwash cult, attempted group suicide and a massive mind fuck." (Source)

I then started to wonder how darker Madoka Magica would go, after 2 and a half episodes of confident talking the tragic end of Mami began the huge speculation on how the story was going to pan out? Who is Kyubey? Why isn't Madoka a magical girl yet? People where unsure if the series could ask all these questions but at that point looking at all these theories was really fun and interesting, its the first time I experienced something like this in anime. The lose of Mami really does affect Madoka and the series tone of what to expect from now on.

One of my favourite parts from this episode was Sayaka watching Kyousuke angst on why he can't play on the violin because of his damaged right hand. I remember when Sayaka says that his injury can be fixed and all of the sudden; Kyubey appears. I nervously laughed at the computer screen at just how well done that scene was done.

God dammit Kyubey...

Homura's talk with Madoka about Mami, while she shows her cold personality, her hand grips these past episodes show alot of compassion towards Madoka and a lot of anger for not changing fate for the past four time lines. Its then that we come to the end of the episode with a new witch defeated by Sayaka, the new magical girl.

I'm at the point where I really am enjoying doing this re-watch and creating these blog posts, alot of emotion was put into this episode and it still succeeds.

Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica re-watch episode 3 - What the.....? (Dear Lord Spoilers)

*Huge Spoilers will be discussed here, if you haven't watched Madoka Magica yet, go back and watch the damn series*

"It was so unexpecting the director had to apologize for the episode itself but to be honest, I wouldn't of done it any better." (Source)

While there have been many shocking moments in Madoka Magica, this will be the most memorable because of how most viewers where shocked at a particular scene and a turning point for most anime fans. Thankfully I was one of the viewers that didn't know, until I actually watched it.

As soon as the episode finished I was straight on various anime forums, blogs, video reviews. Just to see if anyone else had that same opinion, a mixture of amazement and sadness that sweeped anime fans worldwide but overall this episode got a huge amount of praise for it's dark turn of events.

Mami :(

I was not expecting Homura to be quite shocked at Mami unfortunate end, she did tend to suffer through ever timeline or it could be the fact that she couldn't believe she would be defeated so easily but its always good to see Homura blow up Charlotte with her mines.

I was automatically hooked now and awaited the next episode every Thursday night or Friday afternoon, SHAFT did it again at episode three, thats how good Madoka Magica has been but I wondered (as did everyone else) if this series could do any better.

Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica re-watch episode 2 - Hunting for Witches (Spoilers)

*Huge Spoilers will be discussed here, if you haven't watched Madoka Magica yet, go back and watch the damn series*

After a very solid start, my discussion with Madoka Magica died down quite quickly but I had that feeling that this was one of the best first episodes of the season, so it was a no brainier for me to check out the second episode.

With both Mami & Kyuubey explaining the rules of becoming a magical girl, we all truly felt like these understandable rules wouldn't go as deep as that, when Kyuubey mentions "If magical girls are born from wishes, then witches are born from curses." Great way to fool them you smeghead.
The mention of human death and suicide in the conversation should of alerted the red lights but since there is little to no character death in magical girl anime, then it tended to be ignored as a big factor.

*SHAFT head tilt* Check.

Madoka and Sakaya discuss this issue in one scene on the school rooftop, they wonder why they were fated to become magical girls (since both don't desire nothing) whereas many other girls could use the wishes, it's quite amazing how Kyuubey can bring the previous timeline magical girls together.
Homura who is deemed to be the main antagonist at this point, is still asking Madoka to keep her normal life. I also felt quite sad when Madoka asks Homura what her wish was, you can see the surprise on her face, she then leaves in silence.

Nothing else to say about the Witch Hunt accept for the Witch itself Gertrud; who in her previous life must of been some kind of beautiful girl who got opposed to the the point where she would become a witch herself, Mami action sequences still look amazing and the show ends without a ED again.

Madoka Magica still entertains me, even at this slow beginning. Next time begins the re-watch of the biggest shock of the Winter season.

Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica re-watch episode 1 - It Begins....wait. (Spoilers)

*Huge Spoilers will be discussed here, if you haven't watched Madoka Magica yet, go back and watch the damn series*

With episodes 11 and 12 airing at the same time, what better way for me to re-watching the most gripping thrillers and an already contender for best anime of 2011 Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica. I shall be going through one episode every day, discussing my thoughts back then and what I think of the episode now, this will be very interesting re-watch for me and shall get me excited for the last episodes.

Back in the Fall anime season, while both Soredemo and Arakawa Under The Bridge X Bridge gained very high scores and places on my Best of 2010 list, Madoka Magica adverts started to appear on Arakawa broadcasts, revealing characters and information every week until the end of the Arakawa broadcast. Since SHAFT studios produced so many impressive titles these past few years, Madoka Magica was on my list to watch but I was very certain that Kimi Ni Todoke 2nd season, my most anticipated would be the best of the Winter 2011.

My first record of mentioning Madoka Magica 1st episode was on the Muse forum (of all places) on the same day the episode was aired. As you can see from the link, I say my love for SHAFT and continue saying "they somehow make there new magic girl anime into a dark and epic show"; this my statement did say "Dark & Epic", I expect SHAFT to maximise those two words and forms them so well as later episodes show.

With many anime filled with it, i'm glad it wasn't.

Still, SHAFT did well to try and cover that as soon as that prologue finished and introduce Madoka as a normal young teenager, with like able family and friends and living a normal ordinary life but now that I'm re-watching it, it makes me feel uncomfortable and it somehow renews my excitement for watching this episode, definitely when Homura makes her appearance.

I will also credit the BGM since there are so many of then I want on my Ipod, Mami's theme still gives me goosebumps and as soon as a CD is available, then its a automatic purchase.

Looking at the episode in Homura's POV (Since she is revealed to be a tragic hero) her turned cold and non-emotional personality after four tortuous timelines of suffering, you really do feel for her. At the end of the episode in stand off between her and both Madoka, Sayaka and Mami which lasts quite a while, it could be a chance that Homura was thinking about telling the girls about Kyubey's true intentions. Giving me a bit of uneasiness.

The 1st episode re-watch ended up being more enteratining rather than a chore, its an anime that needed a second viewing and I can't wait for the next episode.

K-ON! - The Guilty Pleasure

With K-ON! still on-going, I decided i'd put my thoughts down why the series is so fantastic but because of its success at times; it makes me jealous on why other music anime hasn't got that same fan base. The reason for saying this is that I find K-ON one of the most awkward music shows ever made.

Of course it could be that K-ON! isn't intended for me, my favourite anime (BECK: Mongolian Chop Squad) and manga (Solanin) are part of this same genre but incorporate more interesting topics such as sacrifices for the band, strict music corporations, passion and worldwide music influences that range from rap to indie. While Hokage Tea Time gets the passion part very late in the latest series (Season 2 episode 20), I can't feel as interested in the series musically unlike my favourites along with Nana & Detroit Metal City.

K-ON's J-Rock/Pop is something that I normally tend to skip because of its over-the-top Opening's & Closings that I can't see to enjoy and there band progression to create music seems unnatural to me. Yeah I can understand Yui practices her guitar all day is natural but I just can't see it when they come together.

I will voice out though that this isn't a "I hate K-ON because its cute girls drinking tea" article, I do enjoy what Kyoto animation seem to excel at "comedy and animation".

Character interaction can be really hilarious at times leaving some memorable moments, as for the "Moe" argument as long as it gives the them more emotion then its not a problem with me. Plus its rare to find a comedy that doesn't really on ecchi jokes to get a quick laugh out of you (although there are a few stupid tropes that I do find in the series).

Although I do hate the series music it is 100% original and has a big interest in various famous guitar brands such as Gibson etc. It also a series that seems to given Japanese teenagers an interest in music and creating more bands in the future which I will have to say is awesome.

I suspect we will get a large amount of K-ON in the years to come but I will always rate the series as good. Its not "The best ever made" or "Excellent" in my opinion unless the series does something that takes me off guard but "If it not broken, don't fix it" will be the most likely outcome for the series end.

Solanin: Has everything I love about music and its consequences

If your interested here are my favourite music anime:

1. BECK: Mongolian Chop Squad (anime, manga & live-action)
   
2. Solanin (manga & live-action)
   
3. Nana (anime, manga & live-action)
4. Detroit Metal City (anime, manga & live-action)
5. Interstella 5555 (anime movie)

In conclusion I will always be split on K-ON, on one hand you have anime that has good comedy, animation and characters; on the other hand you have a anime that can drag on, awkward music that I can't relate to and forgettable side characters.

Damn this guilty pleasure.