#and it's “better” because she doesn't want to burden madoka

[tothepointofinsanity]

Do you have any super into detail thoughts on kyosaya? I know you've drawn a few art pieces for the ship, but I haven't seen any written think pieces about it from you.

I know there are some who don't like to use ships as a way to tie to a characters personality, so I guess I'm curious what your overall thoughts are on it and how it ties into sayaka as a whole.

"Think pieces" is a pretty neat way to put it...The primary foundation of KyoSaya to me revolves around a uniquely sapphic relationship that I hope would be expanded upon in future shows in the series.

↑ Yet, what are all these words supposed to mean? Sayaka has always done things for the sake of others. Her sense of justice elevated to the point where she views herself as a knight, someone who kneels in the face of goodness in respect of whatever is honourable to maintain it. But a knight is just another form of a pawn, just a stronger one whom everyone perceives has the ability to: 1) protect others 2) kill The Enemy.

Sayaka used to only ever have been able to interpret this in an extreme and binary vision. If she has to defend others, she has to devote herself fully to the cause. To her, the notion of self-care and self-preservation is difficult to comprehend since she feels as though she always has to be a monolith of one singular thing, of one side of things. To her, everything is like a chessboard. There is no way to play knight for both teams at once: either you prioritise yourself, or you prioritise others.

I understand that it is also a realistic depiction of how individuals like Sayaka constantly push through their own struggles alone while always uplifting others, a demonstration of unbalanced relationship dynamics. When this vision is challenged, Sayaka does not know where and how else she is expected to just "move forward" when she realised reality is not a simple game of chess. So she shrinks her view of the world further by clashing with Kyoko, since Kyoko is The Enemy who obstructs Sayaka's own perception of all that is Good and Just. Sayaka knew she was manipulated by Cubey™, but it was not only in the later movies that she comprehended the full extent of it. Something like that feels too complicated in her mind, so it's easier, much less burdensome to just lock onto one person to be angry with. This mentality is almost a sort of fallacy for Sayaka given she becomes a Witch in every cycle she becomes a magical girl.

Sayaka wants to feel relied on by humans. Kyoko does not desire nor expect anything from people, and thus balances out the extremes of Sayaka by being detached from worldly expectations - at least, that is what's consistent with Kyoko's perception of herself. A puppet without strings. She is not a pawn, not a knight. That's why she was angry when she realised the wish-granting alien omitted information on magical girl mechanisms and their life cycles. Instead of shovelling forward headstrong like Sayaka, however, Kyoko reconsiders her childhood memories and her desire, and it was to die with Sayaka so that Sayaka would not have, in Kyoko's eyes, perished for the sake of The Greater Good, because Kyoko believes still in the Self, not the vague promise of a better future.

Uhm. It's probably nonsense now that I put it in legible words. Some other KyoSaya fans who are big brained enough should educate me more on their dynamic, but I find their relationship to be interesting. It's very fallen angel x demon coded. I feel...as though Sayaka and Kyoko are hard to separate given they exist as characters that neutralise and support each other. Perhaps not codependent, but Sayaka was unhinged enough for Homura to not threaten her once, but twice whenever Madoka's feelings are involved. Meanwhile Homura was more...tolerant of Kyoko. Kyoko is there to keep Sayaka in check to make sure she doesn't piss off the Devil to the next century, and to me that is also funny.

[Although, it is tragic that since Sayaka embodies the sea, the only way Kyoko can only be with her "in death" due to the theme of Ophelia, her lover and the flame of the witch. Who could have predicted the doomed yuri is doomed. A sinking ship, even.]

[himehomu]

With Walpurgisnacht Rising coming in 2024, I want to talk about something that has been bothering me since Rebellion. It was never the “plot twist” of Homura separating Madoka from her godhood nor her taking those godlike powers for herself thus becoming the devil. It was always people's reactions to Homura doing this and the way they based her entire character around this specific moment that really rubbed me the wrong way. Saying she's a selfish monster who's trapping Madoka in a fake world for her own personal gain or that she's taking Madoka's agency away from her and making decisions for her that directly rebel against what Madoka wants... And, to that, I just want to know.... do literally any of you know what Madoka actually wants or are you just basing her character around her sacrifice?

Yes, it was for the benefit of all Magical Girls and yes it freed them from their cycle of selling their souls in the name of hope just to die at the hands of their own grief and despair, but Madoka didn't plan to abruptly cease to exist at the cost of it?? She didn't want to be stuck between life and death only existing as a deity meant to eradicate Witches for all of time. Madoka wished to erase Witches before they are born from the past, present, and future. Going back years upon years in time, destroying Witches and mercy killing Magical Girls; fighting forever, past and future, for all time. Ceasing to exist as an individual, only able to materialize and interact with someone when they're dying of grief and sadness and pain; relieving them of that pain so that their last moments won't be in agony, so they can die in peace, but there's none of that for Madoka. There's no death, no closure, no release, no freedom from this hell of being a weapon and nothing more.

But, Madoka would never voice these struggles and frustrations. Because Madoka isn't that kind of girl. She's the kind of girl who shoves all of her problems down and bases all of her self worth on how much she can do for others, how happy she can make others, and how useful she can be. She forces a smile and masks her pain because she doesn't want to burden anyone with her problems. She puts herself down constantly, risking her life trying to help others because she cares so little for herself. Without being useful, she believes her life has no value. And Homura knows this. Because Homura knows her. I feel like most people take Madoka's bright pink colors and smile at face value and don't realize she's chronically depressed. That's why in the first timeline, she and Homura naturally got along so well: they were both girls who hated themselves and based their self worth on how they made others around them feel, both self-loathing girls who deem themselves worthless if they're not useful in some way. Madoka was just better at hiding it than Homura was. And she still is by the 100th loop.

But, in Rebellion, when her memories of being a god are taken away from her, and she's given a hypothetical scenario of her fate, she says "wow that sounds awful and scary and lonely and I would never do something like that." The Flower Field scene is one of the most brilliant and misunderstood scenes in all of anime. Majority still to this day argue that, since Madoka doesn't have her memories, her words hold little to no weight, and Homura is simply hearing what she wants to hear. So, naturally, they disregard what Madoka is saying, assuming it's just Homura being selfish. And that's where they mess up. Because, the fact that Madoka doesn't have her memories here is the whole point! Homura is already well-aware that if Madoka had her memories, her self loathing would result in her caring so little for herself that she sacrifices herself every time which is why immediately after Madoka's words, she assures Madoka that she is indeed "strong enough to make that decision." Homura just wanted to confirm if Madoka would still miss her life pre-godhood in spite of that, which she outright says she does.

There are also arguments that Homura was somehow influencing Madoka in the labyrinth aside from just not remembering becoming a god, but Shinbou already stated in an interview that this wasn't the case, and that these were Madoka's honest words. In fact, Madoka's true feelings regarding her godhood are revealed for the first time within the lyrics of Madoka's character song (sung by her VA Aoi Yuuki) that played as the ep 1-2 ED titled “Mata Ashita”. The song is about Madoka post-series which consists of Madoka wandering around aimlessly, quietly observing as humanity resumes without her, lamenting on the life she lost after becoming a god and wishing she could have been more honest about her feelings to Homura in ep 12, asking her to realize she's lonely.

[I'm pretending that I'm used to being alone, but I'm not really that strong.

The scenery is the same as always, the city is the same as always.

Even though I think everything will stay unchanged.

I still feel like I'm the only one who's tiny. Instead of "See you later."

I should've said, "I'll stay for a little longer."

I wanted and hoped that you would realize it.

But with the words "See you later,"

I lie to myself again.

And hide my true feelings beneath my usual smile. Saying, "See you later," I wave my hand.

Cracking a smile, yet I'm feeling lonely.

The truth is, I still have more to talk about.

But even my voice saying, "See you later"

is so near yet far from you that it can't reach you.

So let me say this like I always do, just once more: "See you tomorrow"]

This is definitive proof that even BEFORE Rebellion, this was already confirmed to be Madoka's true feelings.

The second time Madoka's true feelings post-godhood are adressed is via Madoka and Homura's concept movie quotes explaining that the God (Madoka) is clearly suffering in her “heaven”, which is more like a prison of isolation. The lizard girl (Homura) takes pity on her and separates her humanity from her godhood, thus making her human once more. Here are also some direct quotes from Magia Record which provides even more context for what Madokami is experiencing:

All of this, with the addition of Madoka's words in the Flower Field scene being confirmed to be her real and honest feelings, puts the whole “pulling madokami down from heaven” scene into a different perspective. Considering the entire reason why Madoka even became powerful enough to become God in the first place was because Homura's 100+ time loops linked multiple parallel universes together with Madoka at their center, and it's confirmed Madoka was suffering as a god, I would think people would be happy to see Homura reverting Madoka back to a human being and rewriting the entire universe to be a world where Madoka is happy and free, surrounded by her friends and family???

The fact that Homura's love for Madoka was so strong throughout 12 years of 100+ time loops, it turned Madoka into a goddess but when Homura was able to see just how isolating and lonely godhood was for her, she took her godlike powers for herself because she loved her and was willing to take on the exhaustion and isolation of immortality as the devil to spare her of anymore pain and sadness. Homura freed Madoka from a nonexistential purgatory prison and a decade later she's still demonized for it, how insane is that??

[thequietkid-moonie]

Forgive for asking but can you make a sayaka Miki x depressed reader please sorry thank you

Depressed S/O

[ HEADCANONS ] [ Miki Sayaka ]

[ Puella Magi Madoka Magica ]

Its being a while since the last time i wrote for depressed reader, but it is always comforting to write it! Thanks for requesting it and I hope you like it!

Sayaka is a really caring girlfriend, once she is in love she will make her best to be the best girlfriend she can! She may be a little bit shy and easily flustered at the start but that doesn't stop her from being caring and loving, showing her love by indirect ways (some that doesn't make her too flustered)

Even if you don't tell her how you truly feel in general Sayaka will get the hints of you don't feeling too well, she may don't want to pry much if you don't like showing much how you actually feel, but the problem is that she will be overthinking it, repeating herself that it most be just her imagination and that she is just worring so much, if you aren't being too obvious with your depression then she doesn't want to assume

However, if the case is that you open up to her and tell her directly about your depression then Sayaka will imediatly worry, she may not know what it is to be depressed or how affects a person but she knows is something bad, still she may not say anything at first just to let you explain or just say all you want

Sayaka may don't know what to do or how to help you, but she is sure that she wants to help you and will do it! Will probably ask you right away if there is something that she can help you with, if there is something she can do to lighten your burden or just being you comfort, she will be more than happy to do it. Sayaka will make clear and tell you directly that no matter what you are going through, what you feel or think she is here with you and will help you, no matter if your depression is not too bad she will help you and no matter if your depression is really deep she will love you and care for you, your depression doesn't change what she feel for you (and will probably get a little embarrassed for getting too emotional but if it helps you feel better then she won't complain)

It will take Sayaka a while to get used to knowing that you have depression just because she wants to help you so bad that she just can't stop thinking about it, she want you to be genuinely happy but the thought of what your mind is making you think is making her anxious, it has to be you and her friends who call her out for worring so much and helping her to calm down about all of this

Sayaka wants to ask you how exactly you feel and think but she wont be pushy if you don't want to talk about it, she will do some research online anyways, also, she search for advices to how help someone with depression and will try to use those advices, paying attention to how you react and feel about it to take mental notes and continue doing it (if you tell her things that she can do to help you then she will prioritize what you told her whenever she will offer you help)

If you let her and don't feel offended or even mad at her then Sayaka will be actively taking care of you, making sure you rest and eat enough, not much and not avoiding it, she will be willing to heard you rant about whatever bugs you or just make you company in silent, as well if you ever doesn't feel with energy or strenght to get out of the bed or just pay attention to what it is happening around then she will do it for you

Most of the time Sayaka likes to put a smile and try to cheer you up, saying positive things or just trying to distract, when you seem specially down, but if that doesn't help you or even makes you feel worst then she imediatly stops and apologize, feeling embarrassed but trying to think in what to do to actually help you and make it up for you

After Kubey offered her to make whatever wish she ask come true in exchange to become a magical girl she will think on you, perhaps with this sacrifice you'll be able to live a peaceful and happy life, however she imediatly try to throw out that idea since she can't exactly trust Kubey, she may even joke about it because no matter how much she tries the idea doesn't leave her mind (the more deep your depression is the more the idea stuck in her mind)

[samble-moved]

Madoka's Ascension Can Be Read as a Sort of Suicide

TW: Discussion of suicide, depression, etc.

Note: This is a repost from @/samble, my prev (deleted) blog, done for ease of access. I don't actually think this interpretation this was intentional, but it's another valid way you can read Madoka's actions.

I) Foreward/Beginning

A lot of people associate Homura with the idea of a "depressed character" in Madoka Magica. This makes sense, though you could likely argue most, if not all of the cast, is depressed/traumatized. However, Homura is the most blatent. She is constantly overly self-critical, has very poor self esteem, has canonically attempted suicide and has suicidal thoughts, and her entire witch is literally based around wanting and wanting to die.

But just because Homura's is one of the more in-your-face doesn't mean Madoka, who's literally portrayed as a goddess that gives hope, can't be seen as a character who's also going through things, even pre-Timeloop shenanigans...

II) Madoka's Self Esteem, or Total Lack Thereof

Madoka, throughout most of her appearances throughout the "main" anime timeline, has very obvious low self esteem. She compares herself to others constantly, seems to base her whole sense of self worth off of if she's seen as "helpful", and is always calling herself weak and a burden/bother to others. Most people think (perhaps rightly) that this is only due to the aforementioned Timeloop Shenanigans as shown in the anime, but Madoka actually thinks this way even before Homura becomes a magical girl. See: the drama CDs, specifically #1.

Here's a quote from the CD summary off Puella Magi Wiki that I think stands out (keep in mind, again, this is Timeline One Madoka, NOT the less self-confident Madoka from later Timelines/loops):

"On their way Madoka confesses to Homura that she used to think the same way as Homura, she felt powerless and useless but that changed when she became a magical girl...[before] she felt she was only causing trouble to other people."

This implies Madoka gains her confidence when she becomes a magical girl. But her lack of it in the first place implies TL1 Madoka, if/when she was human, didn't have high self esteem like people think. She got it from winning battles and helping people as a magical girl. So it's entirely possible that having a poor view of herself is actually Madoka's "default", and it can't all be blamed on looping affecting her. It's highly possible "later Timeline" Madoka IS just like First Timeline Madoka — she's just still human.

III) Madoka Only Ever Seems to Like Herself if She's Saving Someone (Even at the Cost of Her Life)

Even in the TL1 Madoka examples, did you notice how she repeatedly says her self esteem only raised after she becomes a magical girl? Being a magical girl, where job benefits include trauma, life threatening situations on the daily, literally no escape but dying, and becoming/watching your friends become eldritch horrors that you have to kill? That doesn't seem like something that would make you feel better, but worse.

However, the main draw to Madoka is saving other people. Forget her own life and safety, she'd rather help others! And...this could be a noble goal, if literally all of her self esteem didn't rest on her doing this.

Think about it. Madoka is fourteen. She's highly self critical, thinks she's useless, and overall has a very poor self image. But then, she contracts. Sure, she's in constant danger (which she acknowledges), but she helps people...which makes her happy, despite all the "mortal peril" drawbacks. Now think about if a normal human middle schooler said this. Like, a normal 13-14 year old girl saying her entire sense of self worth revolves around saving people while putting herself in life threatening situations. Nobody would say this is a "good" thing, most people would think she would need therapy, or to try and base her self worth on other things instead of just something so dangerous, or wait until she's older and has more experience. They wouldn't blindly support such a thing.

IV) Madoka as Someone Passively Suicidal

I want to start out this section by saying I do not think Madoka would ever intentionally and literally kill herself. Thus the "passively" aspect.

Obviously, Madoka never says something to the effect of, "I want to kill myself" or "I want to die" in the anime. However, her actions and blatent disregard for her own safety and life can be read as a more passive instead of active form of suicidal ideation, or just not caring about herself at best.

From choosetherapy, "Passive suicidal ideation happens when people desire death but do not make active plans to harm themselves. These thoughts may sound like, 'I wish I could go to sleep and not wake up,' or 'I wish I could die in a car accident.' Although these are not active plans and tend to be situations in which people do not die by their own hand, people may still engage in riskier behaviors as a result of these thoughts."

From Refinery29, on an article by someone who's dealt with this: "Most days, I enjoyed my life. I was invested in my plans and looked forward to the future. But every now and then, when things were particularly difficult, I wanted to close my eyes and disappear. Thinking about no longer existing was like an emotional reflex, something I sometimes defaulted to when faced with internal pain."

Now, again, Madoka is never for sure shown saying anything like this — but we also don't see a ton of her thought process, in general. What we do see, however, can be a bit alarming.

From the same summary of Drama CD #1: "Madoka tells Homura that she wanted to adopt the black cat [Amy] but apparently it likes being independent. So she asks Homura that if something were to happen to her, she would like Homura to take care of it. Homura panics but Madoka tries to calm her by telling her she is not planning on dying soon."

Remember that Madoka...

Is absolutely willing to throw herself into literal life or death situations to try and save someone, no hesitation, at 14

Is prone to risk taking behaviors in some cases due to the above, even fighting when she knows she will die or doing dangerous things that can 100% get her killed or injured

Does these things because her self esteem is so low she seems to see herself as worthless

Is constantly seemingly belittling herself (

Only gains self worth through saving and helping others, even if it literally results in her dying and is very dangerous (at 14!!!)

Makes a dark joke/request to Homura about Homura watching out for Amy (the cat) if "something happens" to Madoka in TL1, which is a little worrying, since things like making "hypothetical" requests like that sometimes happens if someone is planning on suicide (ex. "If I die, please take care of my pets" or "If something ever happens to me, please do xyz" and yes, I'm aware she doesn't commit suicide then, but I recognized this is likely the reason why Homura is worried).

V) How This Relates to Madoka's Final Wish

AKA how Madoka's self sacrifical nature goes full throttle, resulting in something suspiciously akin to that whole "passively suicidal" thing we just touched on.

I'm not sure if other people have noticed it, but it seems implied that Madoka knew, or at least didn't care that her wish would erase her from existence — and, worse, this is something she wanted to happen.

Mami literally tells Madoka she will never physically be able to stop fighting, and that Madoka will lose all individuality. Mami even tells her dying would be kinder. The same Mami that made a wish to avoid dying. And does Madoka freak out? Seem to show she didn't expect this? No. She just basically says, "Fine. That's what I wanted to do, anyways."

She knew this was a potential aspect of her wish, and does not care that it "kills" her (in a metaphorical sense) by erasing any and all records of her existing, and her as a person.

Remember that part about how something like, "I wish I could just disappear?" can be passive suicidal ideation? Yeah, well it's pretty clear now that this was intentional, or, at "best", something Madoka doesn't mind...when she 100% should absolutely mind as a middle school aged girl.

And Mami isn't the only character who sees Madoka's fate as sad and depressing! Homura thinks so! And Homura says dying would be better when she sold her soul to keep Madoka from dying!

Madoka herself is maybe content with it, but again, Madoka only likes herself if she's saving someone. If she's not, she thinks she's a burden on her friends and family.

Madoka has low self esteem -> Madoka gains it by saving and helping others, even at great risk -> her wish is a literal cultivation of that, as she wishes herself out of existence -> Madoka is likely "content" as the LoC because

She no longer "exists" and has no actual "self" anymore

She is useful and helps people, and only sees herself as anything other than a nuisance and a good for nothing when she's doing things like this

This isn't even getting into the lyrics and implications of Madoka's character song if it's being read this way, which is one of those "sounds happy, is actually really sad" types:

"Cracking a smile, yet I'm feeling lonely / The truth is, I still have more to talk about / But with the words 'See you later' / I say we'll meet again, but it's a lie / and with my usual smile, I say / 'See you tomorrow'"

VI) Additional Notes

I'd like to add (post-posting howomura edit here) that you can commit suicide (or quasi-suicide) for a "selfless" or "good" reason and for it to still be sad and messed up. Nobody is claiming Madoka is evil for sacrificing herself, just that she shouldn't have felt like she had to do it, especially at her age (fourteen).

People who do it so their families can get money, to make political points and attract attention to events, etc, may have "good" intentions and be "selfless" in their actions, but it doesn't mean those people should have had to do it. Altruistic and benevolent suicides are still tragic even if they're meant to be for good cause or to help others as a whole.

[clacing]

if you don’t mind, can I hear your thoughts on the possibility of Homura having internalized homophobia? I’ve seen a post about it or two, (mostly with the scene where there’s a statue of Madoka (?) ) and I have no idea what the census is on it

First of all I am so sorry you sent me this ask more than a month ago but I had exams at the time and then was too burned out to write anything that made sense so this might be a bit incoherent 😭

I don't know what the consensus is either but I can tell you what I personally think: she doesn’t literally have internalized homophobia, but she's definitely coded that way.

What I mean by that is I don’t think the idea that “my feelings for Madoka are wrong because I’m a girl and she’s a girl” has ever crossed Homura’s mind, because I don’t think Homura considers the feelings themselves to be wrong at all. But that has less to do with Homura valuing herself or the nature of her feelings and everything to do with the object of those feelings being Madoka. 

Homura holds on to her love for Madoka like a lifeline. She embraces it as the reason for her existence, even going on a downward spiral in the Wraith Arc when she realizes her feelings for Madoka are starting to fade along with her memories because it makes her feel purposeless. That love is essential to her survival, and her survival is essential to saving Madoka and preserving her world - so Homura can't hate it, repress it, or resent it, not even if she wanted to. What she can do is refuse to act on it.

Homura hates herself, but she doesn't hate herself because of her feelings for Madoka. She probably would hate herself more if she didn’t adore Madoka. I think it’s more of the opposite, that her feelings are only a problem because she hates herself and thinks she deserves nothing good. Even before meeting Madoka, Homura felt useless and like a burden on those around her, and I can't imagine that feeling has gotten any better after 100+ timelines of trying to save your best friend and only succeeding in making her fate worse.

So in later timelines especially, Homura starts keeping her distance from Madoka to be able to focus on protecting her. She stops touching her, stops trying to build a connection with her, stops interacting with her unless absolutely necessary (though she doesn’t exactly succeed), which is a far cry from how affectionate they used to be with each other. 

Homura won’t allow herself to be happy, won’t think she deserves to be until Madoka is safe, but that goalpost gets farther and farther away ‘cause Madoka only gathers more and more karmic potential - so all that does is make sure she never gets to be happy, because her fight will never really be over.

And I might just be reaching here, but that kind of emotional repression, coupled with the feeling of never doing enough to deserve happiness, because no matter how hard you work or how much you sacrifice, you’re still just a flawed human standing against a system that’s designed to crush you - that just screams Catholic guilt to me. And while we don’t know if Homura is or ever was Catholic herself, we know she did go to Catholic school, which clearly still colors a lot of her language and worldview.

It’s not uncommon for Catholics to “accept” LGBT+ people, but only so long as they’re aware it’s a sin and seek penance for it and keep it to themselves - so plenty of LGBT people who grow up Catholic can acknowledge their feelings and even entertain them to a certain extent, but still struggle to outright act on them. And Homura’s feelings have the added burden of being astronomically strong (I’ll get back to that) which would put off anyone who didn’t know any better - so as they grow over time, she can show less and less of them, but having to repress them also gets harder.

Her literally and figuratively making Madoka her god is an extension of all of that. It’s just much, much easier to justify your feelings for someone if you convince yourself that they are perfect, unreachable and untouchable, because a) They stop being human. They’re a god, and you’re supposed to worship gods, right? b) You can’t do anything to a god. You can’t hurt them or ruin them or make them uncomfortable no matter how much you love them c) A god can’t love you back, so there’s no risk of your feelings being encouraged.

Which brings me to the scene with Madoka’s statue. This scene happens when Homura’s trying to figure out who could’ve trapped all of them in a labyrinth, therefore disrespecting Madoka’s last wish and sacrifice. She makes a big show of caring about Madoka first, about Madoka only - she can’t even spare one second to feel glad that she got to see Madoka again before jumping to Whoever did this is wrong and evil and must be stopped because this is what Madoka gave her life for. 

And while all of this is going on, her familiars are mocking her because they know damn well the person who did this is Homura herself, which is proof that as much as she claims to worship Madoka, to only want what she wants, to be serious about respecting Madoka’s wishes, there is also a part of her that wants her there, that lured her into her labyrinth because she missed her.

We flash back to this scene again when Homura realizes she is the witch, except now Homura sees herself touching Madoka’s statue and staining it. That’s usually the scene people point to when talking about Homura having internalized homophobia, because it can be read as Homura feeling like wanting to be with Madoka again (and inadvertently acting on that desire as a witch) is tainting Madoka’s sacrifice, or as Homura feeling like her love is tainting Madoka herself.

And I think those interpretations are inextricably linked, because the queer coding in Homura’s whole arc is very much intentional. Even when it’s not outwardly about her being a lesbian, everything she goes through resonates so much with every part of the queer experience that it still winds back around to her being a lesbian. Homura has tried so hard to repress the part of herself that doesn’t just want Madoka, but wants her with her; she’s tried to put Madoka’s wishes before her own, and convinced herself that she’s fine with it - but well, witches don’t have that kind of restraints. So Homura is forced to recognize that she’s not happy just standing at the feet of Madoka’s statue and worshipping stone, and that makes the illusion shatter.

And once she stops being able to ignore that she doesn’t see Madoka as a god, not really; and that Madoka maybe didn’t want to be a god in the first place; that’s when she decides to take matters into her own hands.

Remember what I said about Homura’s feelings for Madoka being astronomically strong? What I mean is that they literally aren’t bound to the laws of the universe, because they exist outside of the cycle of hope and despair. Rebellion and Wraith Arc especially imply that her magic is self-sustaining because her magic and her love for Madoka are the same thing - meaning that as long as Homura keeps loving her, there is nothing she can’t do (they actually explain the mechanics of it in Wraith Arc, but it would make this meta even longer and more convoluted than it already is). She is an anomaly, on par with Madoka (maybe even because of Madoka, in much the same way Madoka only became as powerful as she is because of Homura) - so when she says that no one could possibly understand her, that this feeling is hers and hers alone, I believe her! But that’s also just the queer experience again - thinking you’re the only one who’s ever felt like this, that no one could possibly understand you, that somehow what you feel is different and more powerful and potentially more dangerous than all other kinds of love.

But it’s also the only thing that can save Madoka, and we know Homura would damn herself for her. She was willing to die in her labyrinth, away from the Law of Cycles, in despair for all of eternity, to keep Kyubey from getting to Madoka - why not take it one step further to give Madoka a chance at being truly happy? Her love made Madoka a god in the first place, so it stands to reason that if Homura puts her mind to it, it can tear her down and make her human again.

So Homura finally sets that love free. She reaches out and takes Madoka’s hands and declares her love for her to everyone who’s listening. She takes the disruptive potential her love has and takes advantage of it, because Madoka used her infinite power to make the magical girl system a little bit kinder to everyone but Homura looks at the system that's causing the girl she loves so much pain and says the system is wrong - and then demonizes herself for it. But she sets it free nonetheless.

It’s not too different from magical girls releasing their despair and turning into witches, although Homura is obviously affecting the world on a much larger scale. I’m saying this not to claim that Homura had no control over her actions and therefore did nothing wrong, but to point out that magical girls needing to make peace with the uglier parts of themselves is an important part of the show. That’s why Sayaka being able to summon her own witch at will was so powerful - because we’ve seen her struggle through the series and fall into despair, and we see her now having full control over her emotions and using the darkness she knows is inside her to her advantage, to be stronger, instead of suppressing it. And I definitely think Homura needed to release those feelings too instead of keeping them locked up and beating herself up over them, because there’s so much power in them - as much potential for good and positive change as they’ve got for destruction - and releasing them is the first step towards embracing them.

Obviously everyone will have different interpretations of this scene, but to me, this is the closest Homura has ever come to asking Madoka if she reciprocates her feelings. Or at the very least, if she can accept them. And Madoka (who has no context for this whatsoever) says No.

But for Homura to be able to ask Madoka if she’s allowed to be selfish, if she’s allowed to act on her desires at all, even if the only reason she’s asking is that at this point she’s got nothing left to lose - well, it’s huge.

I’m not going to say the way Homura went about things was right or even good for her, considering she is very clearly riddled with guilt and Rebellion is overflowing with suicidal imagery - but also there’s something to be said about how sometimes, accepting you’re the devil and going to hell anyway can give you the freedom to explore and potentially embrace parts of yourself you’ve always been too afraid to act on. So, mixed bag?

[magicalgirlagency]

Another thing that gets the PMMM fandom's undergarments in a twist: pointing out that the narrative is about punishing the girls for believing they can better their lives and fulfill their desires by wishing for it, yet treating a boy's dreams as so important that it's a good thing for Sayaka to sacrifice her very life so he can pursue his dreams.

Yeah, I once ranted about how Sayaka is treated like a prop in the original series...

...and let's not forget mentioning the biphobia/panphobia that most KyouSaya shippers tend to commit; like, they are so quick to ship them and headcanon Sayaka as a lesbian, that they forget that her original wish was to heal a BOY, and hopefully earn his affections.

In fact, I also have a beef with KyouSaya, narrative-wise.

When we're introduced to Kyouko in the original series, she's really mean and territorial, and fights the newcomer Sayaka, overwhelming her.

And let's not forget that at some point in the story, Kyouko suggested Sayaka to break Kyousuke's legs so he would genuinely need her...

Honestly, though; if this is supposed to be "love at first sight", then I don't want to know what's truly hate...

Also, they have met for a few DAYS. Not months, not years... but for a few DAYS. Kyouko only told Sayaka the story behind her wish, in hopes of that she would understand that being a Puella Magi is a heavy burden to carry.

When Sayaka finally realizes the true nature of the Puella Magi, she starts gradually losing sanity and transforms into Oktavia, right in front of Kyouko. When she starts caring about Sayaka, it's too late to turn back, because she's no longer a human being.

She tries bringing Sayaka back to her senses with Madoka's help, but it was all in vain.

When everything else fails, Kyouko launches a powerful attack, causing both Puella Magi and Witch to perish in the process.

Even in the post-reset world, they don't get a single crumb of development; Sayaka is taken away from the mortal realm by the Law of Cycles before Oktavia would emerge, and that's the end of their arc.

In The Rebellion Story, Kyouko says that she's now living with Sayaka; but that doesn't make sense, since they've had the worst first impression in the original series. Wouldn't it make more sense if Kyouko lived with Mami instead...? I mean, they're both veterans who lost their families in tragic circumstances, sooooo...

Not to mention that this detail and their development happens off-screen, and KyouSaya gets very little attention and screentime if compared to MadoHomu, too.

Everytime I see this scene in The Rebellion Story I am unable to feel any sort of emotion with it. I mean, where's their development? Oh, wait; it all happened OFF-SCREEN, so we're all just left to assume and theorize!

And trust me, that's not a good way to tell a story.

I mean, in theory, KyouSaya wouldn't have been a bad idea. I'm actually up for a couple of magical girls who help eachother to bring out the best in eachother.

Like how Sayaka's optimism and enthusiasm would help Kyouko to regain the trust to see the good in the world after losing everything. Also, given that they're a newbie/veteran duo, they could've bonded through training sessions or something. And when Sayaka fails in earning Kyousuke's affections, Kyouko comforts her as she knew that she wouldn't get what she wished for.

...but sadly... KyouSaya was doomed to perish from the very start. It had potential, yes, but it wasn't fleshed out enough for it to happen. Then again, PMMM only had 12 episodes, so it's best to not create expectations...

If it serves as any consolation, we have RikaRen from Magia Record, and these two actually had some development to their relationship, plus a cute Christmas duo variant!

[altairattorney]

In response to your little rant about Homura's depiction in Rebellion, here's this.

"The end of Rebellion is... controversial, but let's unpack what happened here. What occurred?

Well, firstly, Homura was traumatized and tortured; the Homura at the end of Rebellion is not the Homura of PMAS; she's gone through trauma and loss that PMAS!Homura can't even conceive of. She literally turned into a fucking witch because Kyubey gaslit her into thinking she made up Madoka Kaname, according to Wraith Arc.

Then, during this process, she learns two important facts that fucks her worldview: 1) Madoka didn't want to leave her loved ones and give up her normal life if she had any other alternative, and 2) Kyubey is trying to destroy the Law of Cycles (that is, Madoka Kaname), and has figured out a means of stopping her from interacting with Magical Girls under controlled lab conditions, meaning they could eventually succeed in their objective.

That means if Homura let herself go into the Law of Cycles, she would be unable to protect Madoka, and the Incubators would eventually destroy her. Madoka will have been erased and forgotten with nothing to show for it. Homura could only cope with everything with the promise of being reunited with her and the solace that Madoka's sacrifice was worth it, and Kyubey took that away from her.

And, more importantly: Homura's wish had yet to come true. Homura's wish wasn't to be with Madoka, or to save the world. It was to protect Madoka. To be the one to protect her.

To put it in other terms, Homura was self-loathing to the point of suicide-ideation because she was worthless, good for nothing, a burden on everyone. That she should just die. Madoka saw worth in her, and tried to change that, but Madoka died.

Only one person in her entire life ever told Homura she was happy to have met her and this wonderful, kind, happy, heroic, courageous, beautiful, miracle of a person who walked into her life to tell her those words died.

DIED. FOR. HER.

Died to protect her. Died so that a worthless piece of SHIT like herself could live. Someone who had EVERYTHING in the world died with a smile to protect someone who didn't even want to. Not without her.

Not instead of her.

She was good for nothing before and now her mere existence caused the best person she'd ever known to die. She ruined Madoka's entire life by having been a part of it.

She has to fix it. She has the chance to.

She wishes, wishes, WISHES to go back, to unfuck this, to undo this, to be cool like Madoka said she could have been. To protect her. To be her shield. To be WORTH something because she protected something valuble. To pay her back for all her kindness like she'd never been able to do and finally, finally in her life, have done something that justifies everything else.

She didn't wish for Madoka to live. She didn't wish for her to be saved. She wished to be the one to save her so she could support her and reinvent herself as someone who isn't a garbage shit person.

And every single time, she fails.

No matter what she does. No matter how she compromises herself. No matter what disgusting sins she does (and she never crosses so many lines that she says she WOULD cross). Madoka keeps dying.

And most of those times. She dies for Homura. She dies, again, for Homura. She dies again and again and again and again in order to help Homura.

Until the very last time, she wishes to save Homura (and everyone else), so much that she never existed at all.

Dammit. Dammit. DAMMIT. DAMMIT. This is worse this is WORSE THIS IS WORRRRSE!

But she still tries to cope. Madoka's in heaven. She's saving everyone. Madoka had a smile. The world is BETTER, and she'll see her again.

Until the above happened. And Kyubey is going to destroy Madoka Kaname. She won't have ever been born and she won't even be saving Magical Girls. She'll truly be nothing.

Because she came to save Homura, fucking AGAIN.

And all this time she still never saved her. Never ONCE saved her. Not a single time has she ever, ever, EVER fucking saved her. Not ever, has she ever saved her, not even when Madoka made her final fucking wish.

Homura made a wish that never came true. So she never stopped being Good for Nothing. She has never made up for Madoka's kindness. She has never, emotionally, left that moment where she sobbed over Madoka's dead corpse in the water and the rain. And she's done that so many fucking times.

So that's her mindset. So when she saw the chance. She took it. If you can interact with Madoka, you can effect Madoka. So.

God dammit. Fucking for once. Fucking finally. This time, her last chance she'll EVER HAVE... she will save her.

Save Madoka Kaname. Not a vague concept. Not a hero. Not a law or a god. Not a cosmic idea. Madoka. KANAME. The person who smiled at her and said she was cool. The person who helped her buy a cellphone. The kind, wonderful person who loved and named a stray cat and pressed her face to hers and laughed and congratulated her for her accomplishments. The person who said that meeting Homura was her happiest memory.

Why can't this person, of all people, be happy? All Madoka Kaname wanted was to live her fucking life. With her family. With her friends and classmates. Living her day to day life which wasn't anything special but it was so special to her.

She WILL save her. Goddammit, she failed so many times because she always kept holding herself back but if this is her last chance then GODDAMMIT fuck it all, damn herself too.

She never cared, really, about being with Madoka. She was willing to die for her. She explicitly had plans to leave the town to Kyouko after Walpurgisnacht and LEAVE (probably to kill herself so her Witch didn't come for Madoka). She was going to die for her in Rebellion so that she'd be safe from the Incubators.

If she could save her, if she can finally succeed and protect that human smile living her human life, it's fine if Homura Akemi isn't a part of it. If Madoka can smile, she doesn't have to smile at her anymore. That's PERFECTLY FINE.

So she did it. She stole a piece of the Law of Cycles. Not a big piece. Not the Law, or the Power, or the Salvation. The Law of Cycles still functions in some sense, because there's still no Witches, there's still Wraiths, there's still Angels.

She stole "Madoka Kaname", the human being that the Goddess used to be. She stole her, yes. She took over the universe, yes. But what did she do?

She made it so Madoka Kaname existed, again. Reunited with everyone she cared about. She gave Kyouko, Mami, Sayaka, and everyone else the happiest lives she could give them without undoing their pasts (disrespecting their agency and core selves), even if it was only to keep Madoka happy in her silver garden.

She tortures Kyubey but no one's crying tears over that fucker. She seems to be letting the world run its course as naturally as possible, save for suppressing people's memories of what's really going on.

Sayaka, alive. Nagisa, alive. Living with Kyouko and Mami respectively. Madoka, alive.

Hell, the only change she made that we know of to Madoka's memories is three years in America.

Because, canonically, English is Madoka's worst subject.

And now, she's great at it.

No matter what it takes. Madoka Kaname will be happy. She deserves it. And Homura will make that happen, even if she, herself, never is.

But yeah go off about how Homura is a yandere stalker who likes to kill people."

Hey there! I thank you for your post and your insight, and I wanted to clarify that I don't disagree at all with this view of Rebellion and how it ended. I think it is all correct, actually. The problem I have with it is 1. Rebellion existing at all, and 2. the way they portrayed her choice as an act of evil conceived by a demon.

To begin with, there are a few details that I don't think really make sense considering how pmmm worked. Homura shouldn't even be a witch, first of all. Secondly, even though she cannot know for sure, I don't think Homura would have willingly told Kyubey about the world of before if there were any danger. Heck, I don't even understand how Kyubey could possibly have stolen Madoka, now that she is not an entity but a literal concept, a rule of the universe. Imo that is beyond absurd. Third, I am doubtful Homura would have gone against Madoka's wish, even though I totally understand why she did in the context of Rebellion.

The problem I have with Homura is that people thought about her as a yandere emotionless stalker who has an unhealthy obsession with Madoka even before Rebellion existed. That was a popular sentiment, and the big, big problem I have with this film is that while what she did isn't inherently bad or wrong - as you explained - the movie paints her as a LITERAL DEMON in the moment she makes that choice, and ALSO at the exact same time she declares her love canonically. That is so fucked up in so so so many ways. As not literal it may be, they gave her that creepy smile, and show that Madoka is confused in her new bubble and feels like she is someone else but can't remember why. And Homura brushes it off. As wonderful as it is that she is there, Madoka is uncomfortable, Sayaka is obviously enraged and Homura plays the part of the Evil Character.

This is just all so unfair and so wrong. It doesn't only negate the way this anime ended - and of course Homura deserved to go with peace and quiet like everyone else. No magical girl has to ever suffer like that again, including Madoka, right? (There were so many ways to reunite her with Madoka, but no.) It also visibly paints Homura as being on the dark side, and validates the horrific lens people saw her character through even before the film. It canonizes her as a lesbian in the same moment she is doing something clearly framed as wrong, and, on a surface level, reinforces her obsession. This is just a textbook predatory lesbian trope. I am sorry if you don't see it the same way, but it is just horrific to me.

I will never agree with Rebellion existing. I cannot stand the ending of this anime being undone and Homura being punched in the face and further tortured both in universe and as a character, after all the crap she went through. It is just disrespectful.

And as I said, she deserved better.

[thequietkid-moonie]

S/O is the only one to fight the Walpurgisnacht

[ HEADCANONS ] [ Homura, Madoka ]

[ Puella Magi Madoka Magica ]

⚠️ This contain spoilers

To be honest I love the Walpurgisnacht, the story broke my heart but the fights are masterpieces ✨✨

× For both it goes in the first time-line, and it have a little changes in Madoka's part

Akemi Homura

You had know Homura for a while now, either because you know her before she get admitted to the hospital or that you two met in the hospital, but either way you had been making her company while she was there and she apreciated that a lot

Even when you two were just friends Homura had been relying in you a lot, she is a solitary person, she doesn't have friends since she had been in the hospital for a long time now, so she doesn't get much visits aside for you, but now that she have you she doesn't mind it too much, even so she still sometimes feel pretty insecure and thinks that maybe she is bothering you

If you are not admitted to the hospital you two spend some time talking about what you do outside and how school had been going, and whenever you talk about your friends she get a little jelous, fearing that they will get you away from her, and she had promised you that she will get better soon so you two can spend time outside the hospital and go in dates like any other couple

The moment that you start having to go to do the Magical Girl work didn't go unoticed by Homura, you start spending less time with her (either arriving late or going away early) or some days you didn't show up, she was really worried but she was scare of asking too, Homura fears that you just had grow bored of her

When you finally tell her about you being a Magical Girl, either because you choose to tell her or that she finally bring herself to ask you she will be really shocked, she will be hesitant at first but after you show her the proof she accept it. She is interested in it mainly because this is pretty dangerous and because she can see how excited you are, she will ask you about it shyly (if you used your wish for her she will be so flattered and will thank you a hundred of times)

After she finally is discharged from the hospital and goes to the school with you she will have the opportunity to meet the other magical girls, Madoka and Mami, and she will ended up join you on your battles with witches even without becoming a Magical Girl herself, but just some times since she doesn't want to hinder or be a burden, and she tent to look after you after the fights, making sure you aren't hurt

She is scare of the idea of being a Magical Girl and she admire you a lot for what you do, she had seen you fight with bravery and she doesn't feel like she will be able to do such things, and that make her feel bad for not being able to help you, if you reasure her that she doesn't have to became one it would help her a lot

Since she can't help you as a Magical Girl she makes sure to always be there for you as your partner, always making sure you are taking good care of you, hearing you vent and complain about the witches or the fights, and more important she's there to comfort you when you more need her (when you had lose your friends, when you discover the reallity behind the witches and your fate or when Kubey tell you about the Walpurgisnacht)

She had always been scare of being a Magical Girl, but the day the Walpurgisnacht come she was terrifide, things was so dangerous that people have had to evacuate to a shelter, the view was truly terrifing and still you were there ready to fight the biggest witch, fearing or not you had to do it, Homura was behind you asking you to please don't do it, she doesn't want you to do this, she doesn't want to lose you

But you had to, you and you alone were the only one capable to face it, and you tell her that, if you don't do it no one will, as much as you want to go away to the safety, as much as you want to stay by her side you can't, you have work to do, because even if you are afraid, even if you know that you may not made it alive you have to protect the other people, and if not them you have to protect Homura

She hugs you really tight, she clings to you as if her life depends on it and beg you to don't let her alone with tears in her eyes, she doesn't have anyone aside from you, she haven't thanked you for all you have done for her yet and there are a lot of things she still want to do with you, but there is not other option, if you don't do this there isn't going to be an opportunity to do those things either. Freeing yourself from her grip, wipping her tears away gently and giving her one last kiss you say goodbye with the last I love you for her before running to the battle, leaving behind Homura crying her heart out

This was a pretty rought fight, and even if she didn't see it complete it hurts her, at the end you had won and defeated the witch, but the fight had let nothing more than rubble and your exhausted and dead body to which Homura clings while cries, she even start apologizing for being so coward and weak, for not being able to help you

But her cries were interrupted for a creature that she had met long ago, that creature that had been by your side for a long time, Kubey, now standing in front of her asking if there is something she wish, something so important that she will be willing to exchange her sould for

Madoka Kaname

Being Madoka's partner could be a slowly and soft road but it could be like an adventure too, she is rather gentle and shy so it would take some time but it's worth it at the end

Madoka is a caring and selfless person, she wants to help even when she is scare, and she gets clingy to her partner too so it will be that you two end up meeting either Kubey or Mami together, and she will do the first approach, curious about what is happening in front of you, that is how you two get involved on the Magical Girls world

You two make company to Mami whenever she is out fighting witches, even Sayaka had went with you, having the oportunity of see what it is to be a Magical Girl and having the opportunity to choose make a wish in exchange thanks to Kubey's insistences

After some time of going on with Mami you have get more and more interested in become a Magical Girl, even if the nervous and insecurities where there, the excitement it was present too. Madoka had ask you about it, about what you think of becoming a Magical Girl because she wants to, she wants to be able to help Mami with the fights and the whole thing sound like an adventure straight out of a fairy tale, it seem exciting but also scary, you reasure her that she doesn't have to force herself to do it, this isn't something simple after all

But at the end you were the one who become a Magical Girl, either because you had found a wish inside you or because it was an emergency, either way now you have finally transform

Madoka was still scare, but she promise to support you, if she can't help you fighting she will help you in other ways, always looking after your well-being (and for the others too), make you company on the fights and cheering for you

And Mami was really happy to have company, happy for not having to be alone anymore, making efforts to teach you all she can about the witches and the fighting, and Madoka makes sure to learn all she can too, even if she can't face a witch she wants at least know how to do it

After some time you two meet Homura, saving her of the trap of a witch and even if she was scare she join you, she doesn't become a Magical Girl either but she stay with all of you, helping you with whatever she can along side with Madoka

She tries so hard to be of help for you, but sometimes she feels like she isn't doing anything, that she isn't helping you at all, that it would be better if she become a Magical Girl already (and even so, she doesn't know if she will be of help), you will have reasure her that she doesn't have to force herself to do it and that she already help you a lot

The first lost you have to face it was like a reality check, as the magic disappear and just left behind the cruel reality, the death of one of your friends was so difficult to process, makes you realice that this isn't a game, that you are putting your life at risk for real, but, then again, there is nothing neither of you can do to prevent it

She already feels uneasy about the fights and the witches, but the truth behind being a Magical Girl it was shocking, it broke her heart knowing the trap that this actually is, once again she get tortured by the fact that there is nothing you could do to prevent the terrible fate that awaits you

Even after everything that had happened Madoka tries to stay stronge, or at least tries to continue being of help for you, and Homura was there too, trying to cheer you up, trying not to succumbing into despair

But then Kubey let go the final hit, he reveals the excellence of the biggest and more dangerous witch that have ever exist, the Walpurgisnacht, and if that wasn't enough he make things even worst by pointing out that, now that you are the only Magical Girl you will have to face her alone

You can hate Kubey and the whole Magical Girl thing all you want, you can hate the witches if you want too, but at the end you will have to just give up and accept your fate, that fate that had been written since the moment that you accepted make a deal with Kubey

When the day of the Walpurgisnacht finally come Madoka was desperately saying you that she could became a Magical Girl too so you two could fight together, even Homura was willing to do it, but why they should throw their lifes like that when they still have an option? Something like that was unthinkable so you declined

Even if you have fear, even if you know that you probably won't be able to survive this you find motivation in them to do this, you have to so you can protect your beloved partner, Madoka, and the only friend you could save, Homura. You say them that you have to do this, is your responsability, and they shouldn't be so sad, they still have each other and you are going to make sure to save them

You give them your last hug, your last kind words, your last smile, your last goodbye. Fearing or not, you leave them behind and run to face the Walpurisnatch, even if it hurts, even if you want to run away or feel like you can't fight anymore you continue, because you have to, because you want to protect the lives of the people you love the most, because of that you will give the best of you until your last breath

At the end of the fight, when things were finally peaceful you had become just a lifeless shell, just a memory for those who you were trying to protect, and while your name is could hear being screamed for the pain and sadness for the lost, the creature who was guilty of everything waited patiently for the time to approach them to offer them a deal

[altairattorney]

Their dreams destroyed them - Quick and very spoilery thought about Madoka Magica

Despite the horrific new addition (?) to the saga, I still believe that Madoka, the original series, is one of the most sensitive pieces of work I have seen when it comes to exploring femininity. More specifically, I see a very profound metaphor in this anime, depicting the often destructive role of society in women's emotions, wishes and dreams.

A strong criticism I've heard about this anime is that it depicts the power fantasies and dreams of girls as an inherently destructive force, automatically doomed to fail and bring despair and sadness to the dreamer.

The point is, I think the anime is implying the exact opposite. Why? Because Kyubey is innately a liar. Their dreams didn't destroy them. The Incubators did.

In his version of the events, Kyubey depicts the magical girls' wishes as the source of their own doom, because their dreams were so big and energetic they disrupted the very balance of the universe. What he conveniently leaves out, however, is that the goal of the Incubators' technology is NOT fulfilling their wishes. It is turning them into witches, with the maximum possible efficiency. So, in other words, it is a rigged system based on driving the girls to despair as quickly as possible.

To ensure maximum success, they pick young girls who are dealing with difficult lives and situations, and especially girls who don't (yet) have the appropriate tools to live with them. Knowing human psychology from the outside, they know people crack under the burden of responsibility. This is exactly what they want. Then, to perpetuate the cycle without issues, they blame it on the victims and their natural wishes for happiness. Ring a bell? The cycle of abuse?

Even the anime tragically hints at this, when Kyoko explains to Sayaka the concept of the food chain. Magical girls eat witches, witches eat people. What Kyoko doesn't know is that there is a further step from the top, and Incubators eat magical girls.

Each and every one of the girls in the show dealt with something immense in some way, and with strong analogies to what women especially are put through in society. Madoka, who apparently has the quietest life, lacks self-esteem to the point she feels she may disappear and maybe it wouldn't make a difference. Sayaka, similarly lacking confidence in herself, feels trapped and defined by her feelings to the point it drives her to a spiral of depression and self-destruction.

In every case, their contract is the tipping point that leads them to their physical and emotional deaths, and rebirth as witches. Because that is what the contract and the Incubators are for - drain them of support and belief, until they cave under the weight of the "choice" they were tricked into believing was fully theirs.

The point is: the ending is the moment Madoka breaks this cycle. She understands fully, first in history, and takes away the burden of pain, destruction and inevitable failure without devaluing the lives and causes these girls fought for. She proves to them that they are fully human and in the right when they want a better future. There was never a universal despair, or an inherent lack of balance in their dreams alone; it was in the Incubator system. By removing that and still making the whole thing work, Madoka proved it was THEIR fabrication.

And this is, in my opinion, where the powerful metaphor lies. That the heavy burdens women live with, and feel they imposed upon themselves because of their "foolishness", actually come from an outer rigged system.