Madoka Magica is an anime that would show you what it really means to be a magical girl.
The show is a deconstruction of the magical girl genre and a prime example of – “do not judge a book by its cover.”
Madoka Magica has one main TV series adaptation and another TV series that acts as a side story. Other media include a movie series that go in line with the TV series and multiple one-shots and promos that aren’t important.
Madoka Magica is unique in so many ways that you’d be shocked after watching just the first episode. The plot escalates so quickly that it is almost impossible to predict what would happen next.
The show does not shy away from answering questions like why a cute magical animal would grant powers to random moe girls for seemingly no cost.
Or perhaps there is a cost to pay for all those powers since nothing is really free in the real world.
To find out what these secrets are, check out Madoka Magica!
1. Release Order
I. TV Series
- Puella Magi Madoka Magica (2011)
- Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story (2020)
- Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story Season 2 – The Eve of Awakening (2021)
- Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story Final Season – Dawn of a Shallow Dream (2022)
II. Movies
- Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part 1: Beginnings (2012)
- Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part 2: Eternal (2012)
- Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie: Rebellion (2013)
- Puella Magi Madoka Magica Concept Movie (2015)
- Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie – Walpurgisnacht: Rising (Upcoming)
III. ONAs
- Puella Magi Sonico Magica (2011)
IV. Special
- Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie: Rebellion – Magica Quartet x Nisioisin (2013)
- Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story: Magia Record PV (2016)
- Magia Record: Madoka Magica Side Story Recap Episodes (2021)
- Magia Record: Madoka Magica Side Story Season 2 – The Eve of Awakening Recap Episode (2021)
2. Where to Watch Magi Madoka Magica
3. Chronological Order
- Puella Magi Madoka Magica
- Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie – Rebellion
- Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story
- Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story Season 2 – The Eve of Awakening
- Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story Final Season – Dawn of a Shallow Dream
- Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie – Warpurgisnacht: Rising
4. Conclusion
The recommended order to watch Puella Magi Madoka Magica is its chronological order, which covers everything important.
Movies 1 and 2 are just summaries of Puella Magi Madoka Magica (2011) without any new additions or scenes. You can skip them. The ONAs and specials are one-shots or promotions and can be skipped as well. The third movie is an original story, with the upcoming fourth movie being its sequel.
5. How much Time Will It Take To Watch?
It will take you 22 hours and 7 minutes to watch all the installments in Madoka Magica.
This includes all the TV series, movies, ONAs, and specials.
If you follow the chronological order, you can complete the series in 16 hours and 23 minutes.
Here’s a quick list of each installment and their run time in order of their release:
- Puella Magi Madoka Magica – 288 minutes
- Puella Magi Sonico Magica (ONA) – 1 minute
- Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part 1: Beginnings – 130 minutes
- Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part 2: Eternal – 109 minutes
- Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie: Rebellion – 116 minutes
- Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie: Rebellion – Magica Quartet x Nisioisin – 8 minutes
- Puella Magi Madoka Magica Concept Movie – 4 minutes
- Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story – 299 minutes
- Magia Record: Madoka Magica Side Story Recap Episodes – 69 minutes
- Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story Season 2 – The Eve of Awakening – 184 minutes
- Magia Record: Madoka Magica Side Story Season 2 – The Eve of Awakening Recap Episode – 23 minutes
- Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story Final Season – Dawn of a Shallow Dream – 96 minutes
- Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie – Walpurgisnacht: Rising – N/A
6. Quick Review
I. Story
Madoka Magica is the deconstruction of the magical girl genre. The story uses seemingly naïve characters and puts them in horrendously dark situations.
The story grows more complex as we inch towards the finale, taking unpredictable that could send shivers down the spine of a grown man.
II. Characters
The characters in Madoka Magica have an important part to play.
There are no useless side characters for the comic relief, and each of the main casts’ actions are important to the plot. Their character designs are purposely cute.
Their girly appearance might seem out of place at first, but it only makes the impact of the oncoming darkness even more intense.
III. Animation
From the dreadfully detailed backgrounds to the painfully cute character designs, everything in Madoka just adds to the story’s overall plot.
The animation does a great job of successfully executing the story.
IV. Sound
The soundtrack of Madoka is amazing. The opening gives the views a sense of warmth and fluff, contradicting the show’s actual tone.
The closing theme is grimmer and one of the best endings in anime ever. Overall, the soundtrack compliments the tone of the show and makes it more memorable.
7. About Magical Madoka
Set in the city of Kamihama, the game, Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Gaiden follows Iroha Tamaki, who is searching for her missing sister, Ui.
Many magical girls have gathered in the city to battle. This is where Iroha meets Madoka, the protagonist of the original series, who is on the hunt for Homura.
Iroha transforms into a magical girl due to the desire to heal her sister from an unexplained illness.
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