Akemi Homura - Fate's Damnation

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In this video essay, I'll be diving into Akemi Homura's character in the 3rd Madoka Magica movie, Rebellion, and why I believe she is one of the best anime characters that I have ever seen.
OST Used:
Something, Everything Is Wrong - Madoka Magica OST
Puella in Somnio - Madoka Magica OST
Pulling My Own Weight - Rebellion OST
I Was Waiting For This Moment - Rebellion OST
Flame of Despair - Rebellion OST
Pure Vessel - Hollow Knight OST
City Ruins (Ray of Lights) - Nier Automata OST
Credits to Geosxwrld for the thumbnail! Follow him on Instagram : / geosxwrld
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[@IchibanOjousama]

Madoka and Homura are the embodiment of "the hero will sacrifice you to save the world; the villain will sacrifice the world to save you".

[@porcellaneousfankus3428]

omg yes

[@thiscantbeji]

yesss

[@jettlucashayes8508]

then there are the spin offs where we have two bad bitch's doing shit i can fix her mom and her daughter me and my bros and light n dark

[@JabamiLain]

I just realized that Homura's world is an opportunity. I hope in Homura's world, the girls get a chance to actually solve their own problems. Talk about them. Put them behind. Not...sacrifice their lives because they can't handle it anymore but they don't want to hurt people. P.S: I'm starting to understand the mindset behind the theory saying Madoka was actually planning to take her own life for a time now, and becoming a Goddess simply presented itself as an opportunity to do it and still be useful.

[@jilliancrawford7577]

I would like to also add in regards to the dancing; practicing ballet for many years can result in physical changes to the body as it adapts to how it's being exerted and the sooner a ballerina begins this practice and shapes their bodies for the dance, the better they will be at it in maturity. It's a very structured type of dance and its super tight-knit structure is why it's seen as beautiful. Homura's waltzing is just as rhythmic but is more about knowing the patterns and timing to do well, which is very fitting for her character. I've done dancing off and on when I was younger, mostly in my high school years. All that's left is some muscle memory but I can definitely recall enough details to commet lol.

[@angeldude101]

Something I find amusing is another tie between Homura and Lucifer. Homura's name means Flame, but Akemi also means Dawn. Together she is the Flame of Dawn; a light in the morning. The Morningstar. Lucifer. Something that is pure coincidence is that Homura's diamond can also be seen as a 4-pointed star. I have since found another instance of a 4-pointed star, and by sheer chance it also had ties to Lucifer. I just find that a funny coincidence. Something paradoxical about Homura is how her Love gives her Hope and Despair. Namely that nothing gives Homura more Despair than the thought of being away from Madoka, while nothing gives her more Hope than the anticipation of seeing Her again. The paradox comes from Madoka only coming to save those in the depths of Despair, while those with Hope have no need for Her presence. For Homura, succumbing to Despair means getting to see Madoka again, the thought of which alone pushes back the very Despair that led to said thought, but then losing that chance gives Homura Despair again, in an unending cycle. One way that Madoka and Homura mirror each other is the axis of Life and Death. While Madoka may be the embodiment of Hope, she is also an embodiment of Death, providing shelter for the Magical Girls who lose their lives, and terminating them right before the transformation into a Witch, while still wanting to keep alive the wishes and lifestyle of the Magical Girls. Homura by contrast wants nothing more than for Madoka to live. In bringing Madoka back to the world of the living, alongside Sayaka and Nagisa, Homura has effectively become an embodiment of Life. This is also reflected in her pre-Madokami Witch form: the Witch of the Mortal World. Homura acts as an intrusion in the world of magic by trying to keep others, namely Madoka, in the physical, _Mortal World,_ while also using the Mortal World's tools to battle in the realm where they don't belong. Madoka as an emissary of the World of Magic and of Death, and Homura as an emissary of the World of the Mundane and of Life.

[@dhruvj97_anime]

Yo this is amazing stuff man! I loved it.

[@rdarod]

Dope

[@IchibanOjousama]

And this is why Rebellion is the final ending and should be left as it is

[@hunterpdx7061]

I appreciate your analysis, being something of a fan of Luciferian mythology myself.

[@humourlessjester3584]

I wonder if that Despair caused her witch/demon form to be as strong as it is. What if just as Madoka got her strength from Homura caring for Madoka so much that she repeated a timeline for her, what if Homura's demon form got so strong because her repeated despair of seeing Madoka die just stockpiled more and more despair into her soul gem that's barely held back by hope of finding a way to save her? So if Madoka got her strength for being cared for so much, Homura got her strength from caring too much.

[@jilliancrawford7577]

16:04 I just noticed that the familiars are eating pomegranates, which is fitting with persephone's own damnation symbolism for Homura. Paired with how they're being so casually eaten by the Clara Dolls might have a more unique and specific meaning though.

[@ravendelacour1917]

Persephone's "damnation" involved become co-regent of the greatest realm in Greek mythology and getting a visitation pass to the sunlit realms of Her youth. How is that damnation?

[@honestlyboringperson]

They’re supposed to be tomatoes

[@haha-fx1py]

I find the Rebellion flower scene quite interesting. Perhaps because there is no true answer to the main question the scene asks you. Is this a scene that shows us Homura's sanity, that she is only convincing herself that those are Madoka's true thoughts because that's what she wants to believe, or is it showing us that Madoka regrets her decision, and misses being able to live a normal life? There are indications for both. Madoka has songs that hint at her not actually wanting to be trapped as a being who exists only to help others and take on curses. Maybe she only made the wish for purpose and to feel like she actually had a meaning in life. She's only a teenage girl after all. On the other side the whole Rebellion movie says Homura lost her sanity going through all that suffering to ensure Madoka's safety, only for her to endure a fate much worse. That after realizing she was the one trapping Madoka convinced herself Madoka came because she did not want to be what she was anymore and went insane. They never told us. We won't ever know, most likely. Nothing indicates that the 4th movie that was first announced over a year ago will come out anytime soon.

[@DragonRoost1]

Well....the question I always have when I hear this is simply, why can't they both be her true feelings? Simply cause she chose to save the world doesn't mean she didn't desire to also want to stay in it with her friends and family. It's a 'you can't have your cake and eat it too' moment. Two equal desires but only one can come to fruition. So she chose the one that would help the most people. Still wouldn't change her other unfullfilled desire. Homura merely made it possible for Madoka to both have her cake and eat it too.

[@elysainempire4628]

We do get an answer, if you listen closly at the start of the film you can hear madoka whispering behind Homura. someone ripped the dialogue to hear it better and what Madoka was whispering is a rumor that will become the law of cycles, make LoC an Uwasa fused with Madoka. something that is shown and expanded upon in Magia recored(which was being written/made at the same time as this film was). In that expanded lore we learn that you need to have a true understanding of the person fused with the Uwasa to separate the two. telling us What madoka said in that flower field was her true thoughts and feelings on her decision to leave Homura.

[@jettlucashayes8508]

if there was only another go tier magical girl who would be totally okay with madoka's job

[@soc7967]

Toukatsu Jigoku, in Buddhism, one of the 8 Major Hells; the hell of being torn to pieces and being revived over and over. In Homura's case, time looping countless times in attempts to save Madoka. Watching Homura suffer drives me insane, so I hope for the next upcoming Madoka Magica movie: Walpurgisnacht Uprising, Homura will find true happiness, or at least some solace.

[@Kaylakaze]

That's not a snake, it's a salamander. Homura's name means "flame" and salamanders are fire elementals. They're also a symbol of rebirth. And her soul gem is purple, not gray.

[@iceluvndiva21]

I believe Master Oogway put it best, "One often meets his Destiny on the road he takes to avoid it". Homura fits this painfully because the more she fights to own madoka, the more she's shown this will never happen. Madoka isn't an object and treating her like one is the same thing the incubators were doing. Madoka herself rejects both the incubatiors and homura at every turn.

[@tunganhne5000]

You die like a hero or you live enough to see yourself become a villain

[@ring_row]

the irony is that Madoka and Homura start off as being the 'same', they both never truly understood their existence, Madoka herself said that she wasn't good for anything, they both didn't have a purpose in life and while Madoka accepted that, Homura couldn't bear it and search for it in Madoka while her never truly saw Homura in that way, actually madoka viewed her as she viewed everyone else, just like we, as humans, view god, we want him to give us a reason and when we actually accept our fate without him, god (like when Madoka 'saved' her with the grief seed) binds us into a reality were it is a being we should rely on without truly knowing its existence and when a human rejects the exitence of god, the human can elevate on a higher state and reshape his own reality just like in Nietzsche philosophy, so i like to think of Homura that way, as ourself, our true 'evil'.

[@L3onking]

There's a little bit of extra context that Rebellion needs via the Side mangas. In the beginning and Climax of Rebellion we see the first and only animated Witch nut. Witch nuts are introduced in Kazumi Magica, to create Witches from the nightmares/insecurities/grief of regular humans. Kyubei putting a witch nut inside homura and then jumping into the labyrinth to witness the existence of Madoka is what allowed Homura's Soul gem to morph into a Cursed Jewel. A Forbidden Fruit. I really hope that the upcoming Walpurugisnacht film will give us the final climax that can successfully weave Tart, Suzune, Kazumi and Oriko into the Magia Record "Stasis" just like how Fate was perfected in Grand Order. The scheming the Kyubei species goes through to trick a vulnerable minority (developing neurodivergent females) to sacrifice their souls for the emotional energy mirrors the same trick colonials used to get minorities into slavery and I love seeing the Duality of Absolute Selflessness in Madoka compared to the Absolute Selfishness in Homura. Sayaka and Nagisa's presence in this film mirrors their equally selfish wishes so they understand Homura better than Madoka. Not many mention how weak Kyouko is in Homura's Labyrinth even though she should be stronger than Mami as seen in A side story. And since Yuma isn't anywhere to be seen, I think the Kyouko is the biggest plot hole in this film, she shouldn't still be alive at this point. (I just really want Yuma to call Sayaka Daddy and then be friends with Nagisa as they are the same age, let me have my happy ending dammit)

[@elysainempire4628]

Yuma is from an Alt universe that Homura came across during the loops. It was stated by Urobuchi himself and shown in several titles in the series that Homura travels to parallel universes instead of time traveling. And each universe has little differences. As for Sakura, she's weaker than Mami due to rejecting part of her magic as stated and shown in a number of titles. Also the Wraith Arc manga, takes place after the anime but before Rebellion, gives more context on what happened in Rebellion.

[@L3onking]

@@elysainempire4628 you're missing my point it's not the characters that I'm focussed on, it's the concepts introduced in those writings. I know it's my personal head canon that wants a happy ending with Sayaka Kyoko and Yuma but this is Madoka, we don't get happy endings here.

[@imjustvibing7268]

i found some parts hard to understand but i think thats mostly due to how complex homura is, this was a nice analysis

[@clover7726]

Hope this video does well so many people can understand Madoka Magica better :)

[@dhruvj97_anime]

Thank you! I appreciate that for sure

[@dhruvj97_anime]

Yeah I loveee Madoka Magica and I wanted to share why I love Homura so much

[@NIGHTBLOODUSAGI]

i really hope akuma homura and godoka fight in the next movie. madoka has done nothing to properly confirm or reject homuras feelings, she is literally the definiton of indirect, but having to fight homura would force her to acknowledge it all. that she abandoned someone who loves her more than anything and is now her enemy of sorts because of it. and..its kinda her fault, id say? yk, for not saying shit?...i also really want homura to be absolutely filled with rage for madoka to where she starts screaming out her feelings all dramatic n stuff because tell me that wouldnt be cool af

[@moetism]

youre so right

[@karmabased]

Recently finished madoka, excited to this review on the best character in madoka

[@clamchowder7609]

Just finished the movie and omfg how can she be so good in a 12 ep plus movie anime. P.s props for the nier music in the back

[@psycho-analyticgamer7452]

This is a thorough psychoanalysis! I love that you brought up the tie-in to Buddism, the cycle of Samsara and Christianity. The religious significance of Madoka and Homura is one of the most interesting factors I find

[@koymk]

madoka being selfless attacks homura, madoka putting the world over herself is putting the entire world over homura also, homura really is a selfish person when you think about it! she doesnt truly even remember madoka anymore as the last time she really had a normal convo with the real madoka was atleast 100 months prior to when madoka became god. also, is time really not passing the entire time? its hard to order each time homura went back because theres a difference between rewinding time and going back in time, yk?? theres so many things coming to my hear right now that all of my statements have no connection lol

[@chapovibn9311]

Great Vid Dhruv you have completely reminded me of why i love homura’s character so much. Definitely one of my favorite characters of all time.

[@elysainempire4628]

on the "are these's Madoka's true feeling argument", at the start of the film we hear Madoka whisper behind Homura. what she's whispering is a rumor that will become the law of cycles, make LoC an Uwasa fused with Madoka. something that is shown and expanded upon in Magia recored(which was being written/made at the same time as this film was). In that expanded lore we learn that you need to have a true understanding of the person fused with the Uwasa to separate the two. telling use What madoka said in that flower field was her true thoughts and feelings on her decision to leave Homura.

[@cowboy_beanbop05]

Fucking hell man…this analysis is genuinely insane. Kudos

[@Booklover138]

This is like the only KZbin analysis video of Rebellion that I know of that actually understands all the layers of this movie. Great video, subbed. :)

[@arvorelacy]

thanks for your recommendation dhruv, i watched this last year and it's on my top 3 rn maybe top 1 after rewatch and looking more into the anime and the cast especially homura and madoka

[@oblivion_4014]

Bro respect gintama pls

[@yallehemee460]

Funny enough, A big misconception is that Homura preventing Madoka from bejng a msgical was completely unprompted. When in fact it was slughtly prompted when in ine of the timelines, Madoka says “Stop me before I get tricked by Kyubey” (paraphrased)

[@a_naotenhonome780]

21:59 another detail about her witch form, is how it was a day of the dead modify going on, with the skeleton and flowers, possibly symbolize that to Homura, her death wouldn't be something to feel sad about it, but rather something to celebrate

[@inoreviews1]

Beautifully done my friend

[@dhruvj97_anime]

Appreciate you my friend

[@_rio_2965]

Woo! Finally some fresh observations on rebellion! Never noticed the dance parallels in the beginning of the movie and the end. I knew the facts existed, just never put them together. This was a treat to listen to.

[@stefanofrancella13]

can’t watch bc i haven’t seen madoka, but i already know it’s a goated video

[@dhruvj97_anime]

Come back to it when you finish! And thanks bro I appreciate it :D

[@justinloll.]

STEF YOU HAVEN’T SEEN MADOKA ?????

[@jakazelenik1142]

I just watched the movie today and it was amazing. So happy to see you on YT again.

[@kusaribruh]

W dhruv this makes me wanna watch madoka

[@dhruvj97_anime]

You should bro!

[@JabamiLain]

Wow ! So, I was watching another trailer, and you know ? I'm actually planning to write multiple fanfic sagas, and they all have the same origin point. Madoka Magica's universe. Both Homura and Madoka are meant to start new universes once they unite. And this movie is said to be merely part of the beginning of this multiverse. So in other words... Even when the movie comes out, my post-Rebellion fanfics can still hold up. Are my wishes regarding writing truly being answered ? Maybe I do have the required luck of fame. But I refuse to take it for granted.

[@rommel2153]

my #1 animanga character🛐🛐🛐🛐

[@benito8596]

ayyy man this a pretty cool video, I still haven’t seen madoka but I think I’ll get around it in the future

[@zaidsharif6534]

Amazing video dhruv, keep it up🙌

[@sleepypunpun2666]

Wow. Just amazing video.

[@gabrielmorga2326]

Well she wasn't a girl anymore, but a woman. She is around 22/23 years old after all time loops. Also among her dolls, Hope was the only one not present.

[@Marvindlight]

This is really good.

[@rheaaaa_4]

Saving this for when I'll get on madoka!

[@NaquiII]

Savin this for when I finish madoka

[@Sojan501]

Fire vid

[@NomNombom]

Homura Akemi and William Afton are so similar yet so different. Change my mind.

[@sailorwiki1654]

40 minutes 🥶

[@dhruvj97_anime]

Took a while to do man

[@sleepypunpun2666]

FIRST!!!!! LETSS GOOOO

[@pj6459]

Gonna watch this movie tomorrow. Seems like it will skyrocket my rating for Madoka Magica

[@clamchowder7609]

No way u watched this getting spoiled for one of the greatest animes without watching it💀

[@ravendelacour1917]

"It is better to rule in Hell...and make incubators suffer for eternity...than to serve in Heaven."

[@rainercollins]

Nice Dhruv

[@lordtt3984]

Very based background music choices btw

[@kylegraham3192]

What does it mean to play God? Do we have the strength to change our own fate? Do we even have what it takes to change our own Destiny?

[@cameronsalehizadeh6232]

Nicely done analysis

[@danemr6808]

I like the analysis but I think you suffer slightly from English Student Syndrome, seeing symbols in way too many aspects of the story. The Tin Soldiers aren't soldiers because of this idea of "duty" but because they fit with the motif of The Nutcracker, the ballet that a lot of aspects from the story are drawn from. And why is The Nutcracker chosen? Probably because it seemed cool, a fun little theming that the artists and writers could draw some interesting designs from. There's a lot of great symbolism, but pretending everything is a symbol is an exercise in madness.

[@justinloll.]

GOAT GOAT GOAT

[@qishylia]

The questions for homura at the end is really something isn't it

[@volla39482]

What is the silent music from the back? Those slight noises? Where are they from?

[@martianjuju6246]

🐐🐐🐐

[@HomuHomura]

I see homura i click

[@grandi_02]

Фантастический анализ бро

[@gilgameshkingofheroes2042]

Homura is reverse Kiritsugu Emiya

[@JabamiLain]

There was an interesting fanfic I was reading in which a being from Kyubey's race gained emotional freedom and tried to help the girls in the timeline the show happens in... but it ruined it with the introduction of Slenderman. Seriously, there were so many other characters the author could have brought to the story that fitted way better, such as Elizabeth from "BioShock"...but maybe I'm being too harsh. Maybe I should try to reread it and see if there's any logic to this character being included in the story. Do you think this course of action makes sense ?

[@paulteuscher3614]

What’s the name of the story??

[@JabamiLain]

@@paulteuscher3614 "Puella Magi Madoka Magica: The Unlikely Ally".

[@paulteuscher3614]

@@JabamiLain thnks

[@owowhatsbliss]

This was a good video but the way you pronounce Akemi and Madoka kills me inside every time I hear it

[@tomotoshi_]

Dad

[@idonthaveanideatoaname2987]

Nice 💩

[@user-nl8xo2xq4w]

Interesting video but you're being waaaay to melodramatic.

[@Michael-rw1cq]

the ship of homura and madoka both bad for each other they should break up and find a new girlfriends .