Selflessness and the Self in Madoka Magica

[@_bess]

You might notice the video is silent for twenty seconds or so starting at 18:54 -- I've had to mute the music (though it is just music and no voiceover) due to a copyright claim. I'll keep monitoring this and may need to make further changes to keep the video visible. You can find the original, unaltered video here: drive.google.com/file/d/1fzjvAp96A_1wLmWLS38Hi2zW1HtvnjNC/view?usp=sharing

[@georgespiggott5615]

I really like your analyses. PMMM is a story really rooted in femininity, so it's a shame that most popular anime channels that cover it are dudes. I've never heard that comparison of becoming a witch to becoming a woman, or the unique difficulties of adolescence as a girl, but it seems so obvious and integral now. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

[@aurweon]

same! when I first watched this series, I felt like I was 13 again, in the sense that it brought back the expectations others have of girls/women, and the sense of being preyed on and used by malicious others.

[@ab-hx8qe]

I think the fact that so many of the videos on the topic are made by dudes is a testament to how much these experiences are not strictly masculine or feminine but instead speak to experiences that are common amongst all humans.

[@georgespiggott5615]

@@ab-hx8qe except the show itself goes out of its way to emphasize the unique emotional struggles of adolescent girls by having kyuubey only turn pubescent girls because their emotional issues are unique and intense. There are a lot of topics the show covers that are universal regardless of gender, but some of them pretty clearly aren't.

[@ab-hx8qe]

@@georgespiggott5615 I disagree that those emotional struggles are exclusively the domain of prepubescents girls, one of the things that attracted me to the show was the resonance I felt between the struggle that the girls had and experiences in my own life when I was younger despite being a boy. The focus on exclusively female characters was more of a product of the genre that was being deconstructed and the authors desire to hide the true nature of the show (doesn't really show its hand until episode 3).

[@JayboCorp.2014]

Speaking of that; I've heard femininity talked about, and only ever heard becoming a Witch being compared to womanhood/puberty, by another woman that I saw do an analysis. Forgive me if I can't remember the video/link; due to how I watch anime, I frequently look up _a bunch_ of character and series analysis videos.

[@rinkarako]

Oh..and one more thing I can't help but want to praise is the duality in which you explained Homura in terms of her actions throughout the series and rebellion, in correlation to selfishness and selflessness. That is seemingly the biggest thing that is debated over in Madoka Magica and the way you tackled it was in an objective manor not from your opinion, but from what she's shown to do and think throughout the series. In doing so you were ultimately able to find both sides of the coin being what she did for the sake of Madoka, and for herself.

[@Asehpe]

I'd go as far as saying you have managed to build a bridge between both sides of the coin. After all, selfishness and selflessness are in a yin-yang relationship that makes each of them unthinkable without the other -- and I think you've shown it here quite well. The true depth of Homura's character doesn't depend on whether she did right or wrong (and I am firmly on the side that claims she did wrong), but on how single-mindedly she pursued her goals, and whether or not achieving them is indeed something she (the person, the character she is) can be proud of.

[@Asehpe]

It strikes me that, for different reasons, both Madoka and Homura dislike themselves. Madoka never thought she would amount to much; Homura never considered her own moral standing and her own needs in doing whatever she set her mind to do (in this case, "protecting" Madoka). None of them ever considered the possibility that their own personal growth and fulfilment might help them achieve their goals, or perhaps the deeper goal that they were unconsciously pursuing while fighting for the goals they were aware of.

[@dariuszkangier9480]

The best Madoka Magica analysis I have ever seen. Dense with information, without a single sentence that feels redundant, yet at the same time simply beautiful and absorbing commentary that shows how passionate you are about the series. Your insight made me understand and appreciate PMMM even more and I'm really grateful for that. Keep up your amazing work.

[@_bess]

Thank you so much, this means a lot to me!

[@sh00t1ng-st4r]

"the worth of our decisions comes exactly from our willingness to hold to them, no matter how many people tell us they would've acted differently". i needed these words so much. thank you for this wonderful essay

[@LydianMelody]

This video is so good. I loved the perspective of women’s expectations of selflessness. On the subject of celebrating women, can we appreciate how astonishingly good Yuki Kajiura’s score is?

[@eldricshadowchaser5454]

Neat video Speaking of Homura's connection to the Mortal World, it reminds me of this quote from Frederich Nietzsche (who Rebellion alludes to twice) "I beseech you, my brothers, remain faithful to the earth, and do not believe those who speak to you of otherworldly hopes! Poison-mixers are they, whether they know it or not. Despisers of life are they, decaying and poisoned themselves, of whom the earth is weary: so let them go. Once the sin against God was the greatest sin; but God died, and these sinners died with him. To sin against the earth is now the most dreadful thing, and to esteem the entrails of the unknowable higher than the meaning of the earth... What is the greatest experience you can have? It is the hour of the great contempt. The hour when your happiness, too, arouses your disgust, and even your reason and your virtue."

[@aurtosebaelheim5942]

I'd argue that Homura doesn't necessarily desire to be with Madoka so much as to be her, at least by the end of the series. Madoka represents the power, personality and ability to enact change upon the world that she thinks would make her happy. In the rebuilt universe she wears Madoka's ribbons, has a bow and wings of light, then in Rebellion she goes on to replace Madoka's cosmic role. Depending on how you read the ending, she hands the ribbons back either when she realises that she now has the things she wanted but remains herself and she's fine with that, or that she's become her vision of what Madoka is and still isn't happy. I also sort of think that selfishness and selflessness is the wrong lens to analyse her actions through. Kyouko's conversation with Sayaka in the church sums it up nicely when she espouses selfishness while very clearly doing a 'selfless' action - selflessness is just a form of selfishness, at the end of the day you're doing it because you want to and lying about that will only lead you to resent others. Homura wants to give Madoka the normal life she says she wanted, she wants the box-tick-y 'best' ending where everyone gets to live, the villain is defeated and all responsibility is on her because she's the only person she can trust. She displays a shocking lack of emotional intelligence, girl can barely communicate and treats negative emotions in others as if they're puzzles to be solved (I say this as someone who used to find her comfortably relatable but over time have found that relatability increasingly uncomfortable). She may well be incapable of understanding that people have wants beyond what they overtly state, so her version of 'selflessness' is either doing what she's told or coldly optimising quantifiable outcomes. She's not well, but due to her circumstances she's incapable of recognising, much less addressing her unwell-ness. I never interpreted Madoka being the one to transfer in as an attempt to isolate her, after all, it would be easy enough for Homura to dispose of Sayaka, she's already died, her absence wouldn't seem out of place. Instead I feel like Homura needed to talk to Madoka and is so socially stunted that she has no idea how to initiate conversation outside of how she and Madoka first met (and being magical girl co-workers, but she doesn't want Madoka to be a magical girl, so that isn't an option).

[@blueblur6465]

Oh my goodness. This was an amazing insight to my all time favorite character and now you've made me love her even more. So awesome that you've analyse Madoka Magica and Higurashi equally passionately. Pretty cool~ I've always love the characterization of Homura but have never been able to explain it. You took each word right out my mouth in an amazing way.

[@rinkarako]

That...was phenomenal. You did so well reviewing this topic of self and selflessness. I can't say I've seen a better analysis on what seems like a definitive truth to the true theme and lessons Madoka Magica portrays. Of course, for this to be true is simply an opinion of mine. I love watching these types of videos on anime and especially Madoka. From you I've found out much more than what people usually explore, such as the concept of actually delving into love between teenagers but also what is expected of females in this world, and even the concept of what is selfless/selfish and how it applies to all of these core characters. You've got to be my most favorite lesser known KZbinr and by far one of my all time favorite KZbinrs period. The way you so professionally and tactfully make these videos shows to me and other viewers not only how skillful you are, but also how passionate you can be. It is truly so much fun watching these videos you make on Higurashi and now Madoka. Thank you so much Bess I hope to see more content and of course, stay safe ^^

[@_bess]

Thank you so much!! I really appreciate these comments and am so glad you enjoy my videos!

[@rinkarako]

@@_bess But of course! Thank you for taking time out of your days to make these videos. Commenting how good they are is the least I can do ^^

[@rinkarako]

OMG BESS YOU'RE DOING A VIDEO ON MY SECOND FAVORITE ANIME OF ALL TIME!! Thank you so much for this treat I can't wait to see this! ❤

[@animeladka1059]

It's one of my favourite too

[@kaede-caiocezartorresmarti5259]

What is the first one?

[@rinkarako]

@@kaede-caiocezartorresmarti5259 The original Dragon ball Z lol

[@rinkarako]

Pretty unorthodox I imagine.

[@kaede-caiocezartorresmarti5259]

@@rinkarako yeah I guess LOL but I can respect 100% mine is Evangelion :)

[@xyzx6677]

great analysis! madoka was kind of the gateway to "heavier" anime series for lil 12 year old me. this makes me want to revisit it as an adult, as i've lately been doing with many of the stories i used to love back then (i looove your videos on higrashi btw)

[@alexanderthemagnifcent2573]

I may not be girl and consequentially like the life experiences that would go long with that but speaking has a 22 year old guy who recently discovered that he probably as Complex PTSD. I got to say this video hits hard. Keep up the amazing work comrade.

[@GBpoketto]

rebellion is honestly one of my favorite movies of all time, and i even like it more than the original series (i like the original series, but the movie is my favorite part). i appreciate you making this video and giving me some viewpoints i hadn't even considered.

[@Cat-Nipples]

Same, ppl that hate it or find it out of place just misunderstood what the plot twist was all about and missed the foreshadowing as well

[@LC-sc3en]

I like the original show better without it. However, I also like Rebellion as it felt a natural continuation of the themes and characters and is a great film. So when I think of Madoka the series it is in isolation from rebellion and as a complete work and do not try to interpret it with Rebellion in mind. When I think of Rebellion I think of it as a partner series and continuation to Madoka extending and delving deeper into the psychology and themes with a focus on what Homura could quite easily end up as. The human brain has an amazing capacity for holding two incompatible ideas at the same time. So I decided to put it to good use for once for myself.

[@mahousparkle]

That's one of the most brilliant and on point analyses of Madoka Magica themes from what I've seen!!! You break down every detail and motif to discern core themes and questions of characters and their arcs and of the story as a whole. This one definitely got me thinking about how I feel about Madoka Magica's story. What are my answers? Thank you so much for your videos (for now I have watched this one and videos about Sonozaki sisters)! Madoka Magica and Higurashi are ones of my favorite fictional works, but I think I'll never stop finding out something new about these stories. I wonder if you're planning to do an analysis of Haibane Renmei. Also I recommend you to watch Simoun. That's not a very popular story, but it's certainly a hidden gem. Story deals a lot with themes of gender, religion, coming of age, love, abusive relationships, dealing with grief, war and others.

[@_bess]

Thank you! Haibane Renmei is on my to watch list but I hadn't heard of Simoun, thanks for the rec!

[@tenaciousrodent6251]

I love Homura way too much. She feels SO relatable to me wile Madoka's extreme selflessness feels alienating and wrong. I'm probably not a very good person at heart. And it's better for people like me to never gain any real power. Because i too would not hesitate to remake the world into my image if i ever could.

[@faithjolley6034]

I think your experience isn't that much different than the human one. The 'good people' that we see on the television are fake, the heroes are the real aliens. It's what society wants to turn us into, mindless mobs willing to sacrifice ourselves for the 'greater good.' Human nature is inherently selfish, and I see nothing morally wrong with selfishness in most contexts. But there is a kind of divine allure to the selfless, to the idea that doing what's 'right' will make us happy,. However, I once saw a post on tumblr about how devils and demons are what humans would be the most comfortable because they're based on human experiences and desires, while angels will be truly terrifying and alien to us because they hold no humanity. I think that the allure of being a 'good person' isn't all what it's cracked up to be. It's constantly saying no to your desires, constantly sacrificing yourself, constantly telling yourself that you're worth nothing compared to the 'greater good.' The She-Ra reboot did amazing things with this theme and the main character Adora, who has a messiah complex as well and struggles with finding herself ever asking what she wants. She's constantly sacrificing her happiness because that's how she sees her worth. Many women see themselves as only being worth what they can give to their families and their husbands. Anyways, I agree with you. I find myself more in Homura but I idealize Madoka in a odd self-hatred way, where I see myself as a worthless pawn to be sacrificed for everyone else. I see Madoka as society's ideal for me, while Homura is who I really am. Someone who would destroy the world for myself and the people I love.

[@GrayeIra]

i would argue that Madoka is realistic as well. She wishes for the sake of others because she can’t find any worth in herself. She isn’t exactly self hating, but she isn’t selfless because she’s perfect. While Homura was inherently selfish, she also very much hated herself. For many reasons the show and movie addresses. Hopefully i made sense when i wrote this haha.

[@TheSapphireLeo]

You basically have to love yourself, regardless, without endorsing what is actively bad for you and/or habitually, once aware of all colonial inversions and then you can love others, truly!

[@miccharacter.coomiebully6707]

Society want ppl to turn us into mindless mob and disguise it as a way to make yourself a good life. The whole « you grow up like bad guy » is empty edgy rethoric. I’ve never felt more alienated than with hom winning. Selfish edgy ppl wants you to play nice but will hate you if you don’t play nice for them: they’re manipulative and vicious. The whole « evil broken dude » on movies are aliens because they would have been stopped anyway.

[@Asehpe]

I must say you have made one of the most impressing Madoka analysis videos I have ever seen. Almost every sentence in your video deserves comment and discussion, and the threads you have uncovered and followed in it are fascinating in various ways and at different levels of depth. I could write a whole wall of text here just about your question "but what does Homura think?" -- instead of that, I will only thank you for a video I will certainly rewatch several times (if you don't mind, I even want to download it) and which has so much food for thought I'd need Kyōko's stomach to digest it all. You've got yourself a new subscriber who is looking forward to your other videos, present, past, and future. Thank you so very much.

[@ryesaur]

Wow I adore this video. I love series that seriously represent the extreme agony and also extreme happiness that adolescent girls can feel as they navigate a confusing world of contradicting advice regarding forming and keeping relationships with platonic and romantic partners. So often the feelings of tween girls are simplified and reductive even in media meant for girls of that age. It was so refreshing as a tween (and as I’ve gotten older rewatching the show) to see a piece of media that explored many different aspects of the expectations of girls while also exploring how different girls cope with and interpret those expectations. I adore how you pulled out the connection between Sayaka’s intense depersonalization/disassociation and the experiences and feelings of those who have been abused. I did not know how to express how viscerally painful it was to watch her destroy herself in the show and you did such a good job explaining why I love the show so much lol. I could go on but wow please keep making video essays lol this kind of discussion is so cathartic to watch ❤️❤️❤️ Instant sub for sure :))

[@_bess]

Thank you so much for the comment, so glad you enjoyed it! ❤

[@NRobbi42]

15:53 I'm not completely sold on Homura just wanting Madoka for herself even _if_ she'd be the first one to tell you her feelings for Madoka have warped into an obsession as she stated in ep 11. If the first act was supposed to be an unfiltered view into Homura's subconscious desires, then she was more than happy fighting and being friends with the other magical girls given the proper environment. Homura just sees her behavior as a necessity given the nature of her wish to protect Madoka. I feel like this is emphasized in her monologue before the Mami fight when she laments on how the way she treated the others in her time loops still pained her. Homura's proclamation that all she wants is a world in which Madoka can be happy being the last line of the movie was also pretty significant. Especially when she acknowledges the Madoka may come to oppose her decision, but states that she doesn't care. By no means were Homura's actions altruistic as it was just the fulfillment of her original wish to be "strong enough to protect Madoka", but I do think her motivations were a little more complex than just being possessive of Madoka.

[@star4ce642]

Completely agree. The overseas return was also hinted at to be a little favour to Madoka as either in a manga or interview it was said Madoka lamented her bad English. I do very much believe Homura is one of the most selfless characters by the end. But in a very harmful way. While Madoka may have found her inner peace with her decision to become Madokami, Homura has literally thrown herself into the abyss. She is in no way happy, because the core part of her character is self-hatred. Because she failed to achieve her wish for so long, because she only made Madoka's fate worse, because in Rebellion she again was the reason (in her mind) that the incubators could endanger Madoka and because the only way out for both of them was to betray her. And lastly, if Homura actually was selfish and possessive, then she would have never let Sayaka and Mami even be alive. Sayaka outright antagonises her right away. Homura wishes for nothing more than to have the fantasy of her labyrinth to become reality, for everyone of them to be happy. It was her choice to put all of them back and not erase Madoka's memories of them to keep her isolated. She'd never have let this danger persist if obsession was the driving force. She truly just wants a happy ending and is willing to take the mantle of evil for it, even though she really isn't evil at all.

[@NRobbi42]

@@star4ce642 Yeah, exactly -XLII

[@star4ce642]

@@NRobbi42 Haha, what a small world!

[@KawanoMino21]

I usually don't comment on videos, but Madoka is a series that was really formative for me, and this analysis struck so close to home. Almost like the love letter I could never write to the series. Thank you for making this, and you've got a new subscriber.

[@jbpeony7872]

Man this script is air tight! great work! Nothing felt meandering or pretentiously worded, very clear and direct with a lot of respect to the source material.

[@iseetheendisnear2416]

Incredible reading of trauma and the broken human soul into the show. I keep realizing more and more about the depth of this work of art. I’m glad you saw yourself in the characters like I did. Maybe we’re not so different after all 🎀 🤲

[@clouds7253]

You've gone and made my favorite video on Madoka Magica, good on you and thank you.

[@maddieatkinson1527]

great video essay, its so refreshing to see someone actually talk deeply about the themes and how they relate to girlhood, its such an obvious and important part of madoka magica for me and other women ive talked to but its brought up so rarely in video analysis.

[@razorjazz9900]

This video is so masterfully crafted, I love it.

[@makiroll218]

Those red flowers, I forget the name of them represent something. They appear in Tokyo Ghoul when Kaneki is being tortured and then finally accepts himself as a ghoul ( half). This reminds me of magical girls being tortured into these emotions they suffer through, the hardships, the fact they will eventually turn into witches ( if I understand correctly) among other things. Those red flowers appear in other anime shows as well when similar events happen to the character/characters. I found that interesting. 😊

[@bleedmagic88]

The name of the flower is red spider lilly (or hell's flower) and its symbolism is something along the lines of death, tragedy, change, transformation, final goodbyes, etcetera etcetera, which might explain that last bit lol ^^

[@JeanelleSaavedra]

I keep rewatching this video, I'm so in love with it

[@lucifherbivore100]

You're among my favorite analyzisisists (is there a word for that? Essayist? Author? Psychologist? Big brain person!) on this platform, maybe ever. We desperately need a more diverse anime fandom and I'm so happy for your input. You're doing such a fantastic job, thank you so much for your work!

[@_bess]

Thank you 🥲

[@snowyyzoe]

This is a really great video. I feel like so people point out how connected Madoka is to femininity and what it means to identity as a woman. The thing I connected most with when watching the series was the way it explored growing up as a teen girl with such respect.!

[@yokohaloless2286]

Madoka Magica is a treasure

[@particube]

“Homura has severed any connection she had with Madoka” “Homura is a manipulative and abusive partner who wants to have Madoka all to herself” This doesn’t compute. Homura willingly separated herself from Madoka, all she wants is for her to be happy and live a peaceful life. That’s not something a possessive manIpulator would do. It’s just deep selfless love, albeit expressed in an extreme, radical way. Her actions as a whole were simultaneously selfless and selfish. Selfish in that Homura took direct control over the universe against Madoka’s immediate wishes because of what the Madoka in the labyrinth previously told her about never wanting to abandon her friends and family. Selfless in the sense that Homura literally took on the burden of being God for Madoka’s sake. She willingly isolated herself from and even antagonized the person she loves most just so said person could be free of the burden she imposed on herself.

[@LC-sc3en]

There are many connections we are speaking of here. The one Homura severed was what lots of people would call a "true connection and care". It's the mutual one based off of actual respect for each person for the other's independence, wishes and desires, and honesty. Homura has severed any real connection she has with Madoka by entraping her in a lie against Madoka's will. Homura does this to ostensibly save Madoka from Madoka's own choices. This is definitely something someone can see as selfless from certain points of view. But Homura doesn't choose to just create as normal and happy a life as possible for Madoka. She also chooses to insert herself into Madoka's life and literally messes with Madoka's and others memories whenever they start to realize something is up. Essentially robbing them of choice altogether. That is the manipulative and selfish part of her actions. Going so far to save someone can be selfless. But saving someone against their will always has a component of selfishness. Madoka didn't asked to be saved. She was happy being the one doing the saving. It's tragic and messed up that Madoka was both put in that situation and also didn't value herself. But by disrespecting Madoka's choice Homura is not respecting Madoka as a person. Plenty of abusers lock people away against their will to save them from the evils of the world. This is what Homura does. There is selfless actions driven b selfishness and vice versa. Homura goes from one to another over the arc of the series and rebellion. It's the whole point. Sacrifice is always possible for many reasons. Heck it practically is the easiest thing you can do except despair. You can sacrifice for yourself or for others. You can take for yourself or for others. But the question is What is selflessness? What is selfishness? Is the former ever possible or is it the same coin different sides? From the Kyuubi who believe their predation and trickery to be selfless. To Madoka who makes a choice of sacrifice that alters the universe without so much as consulting the one person who went through so much selfless suffering to save specifically her. (Or her own family) Madoka's sacrifice doesn't respect Homura's sacrifice and is an imperfect solution (though to be fair Madoka was in a super tight spot at the moment and on the clock). Homura's sacrifices were originally honoring the last requests of Madoka. But she goes from honoring Madoka's last wishes to betraying Madoka's wishes.

[@laurennya494]

This was very intriguing and thought-provoking. I appreciate your take!

[@serzikableyeah]

You are so underrated

[@shonenbag6478]

This commentary is so thoughtful and inspired. I loved your take on relationships as it pertains to the characters.

[@marcosbrauer8157]

Another master piece of analysis.

[@slimjimminius3880]

Hi I just found your channel and have just started watching your videos but I have to say that I am completely fascinated with all your work. I watched Madoka Magica a long time ago and have just found out that there is more than just the anime but multiple movies as well. This video truly has lit a fire in me to really get into the world and lore of Madoka Magica, bless your heart!

[@Bluarlequinno]

I adore this video a lot, i agree with mostly everything (aside from Homura wanting Madoka to herself, i do agree she did some things wrong some things bad she did some things, but i dont think she wants to manipulate madoka, or posses her, i think its more complicated, she is teenage girl trying to navigate a system that is against her) either way this analisys makes me really happy, im glad i found an analisys that isnt made by a guy, dont get me wrong i know anyone can enjoy madoka magica and do analisys of it i wont deny that, but there is something so deeply into madoka magicas core themes related to the woman experience that i find it hard to feel satisfied with those analisys that often judge the series through a lense that doesnt quite catch the necesary inclusion of female teenage years and the pain within it, is sad most of the shows analisys out there are made by guys, mostly cause all of them bring madoka magica up for being a dark magical girl anime and trashing the genre itself , but they fail to understand madoka magica IS just like all those other magical girl anime, it is quote on quote "darker", but it can only be fully enjoyed if realizing it is a magical girl show in the end and still holds dear the values most magical girl shows hold high. Magical girl shows have always been revolutionary for the media that girls consume, and have been touching topics that dont neccesarily have the idealization of violence and in shonen that man (i know not all) seem to value more (not that its all shonen i know that shonen is deep as well), but it has always been more action driven rather then feelings driven, for its quote on quote "masculine" target audience, Madoka Magica as "violent" as it gets isnt really action driven, is psychologically driven and prioritizes the psychological development of the girls rather than pointless action sequences. i loved the feminist take on the way its the magical girl system is handled (intentional or not by the creators, for me is the best reading although i have multiple readins for it), even in itself the fact that they turn into witches could have a reading too, even kyubey compares magical girls to teenage girls and witches with woman, interesting in my opinion, as we all know calling woman witches has always had a negative implication that demonizes the liberty, freedom and free will of woman in society, calling every woman that goes against the system a witch (reminds me of revolutionary girl utena in that sense) the fact homura turns into a devil when she denies others from salvation by rebelling agaisnt god is in a way the representation of condeming her into a role of evil by persuing a selfish act that maybe in itself didnt have negative intentions, she was the catharsis of change wanting to destroy a system that only continued abusing of the person she loved, yet not realizing she instead of freeing madoka and herself, she decided to create a new world that went against the free will with those in it, yeah she gave everyone a happy life (excluding herself), but it still goes against their free will, the true rebellion would be to break free of the system completely and find the value within themselves outsides of their wishes, to find like you said the best versions of themselves insted to taking the easy way out and playing within the rules of the system, going against the rules entirely or using the rules to its advantage and then breaking them, using the wishes to destroy the system

[@lagomortis8270]

This was amazing, there are so many sides that can be interpreted

[@Resok]

Beautiful video, thank you for this.

[@animeladka1059]

Keep uploading 😭😍👏🏻

[@Mizore34]

I always thought of the og anime as the Happy Ending, while Rebellion was the True Ending

[@Gaswac]

I fully believe when the day of my ending comes, The holy grace by the Goddess of the law of the cycles will save me, guide me, so I totally doesn't need to fear anything's else, just keep moving on my way.

[@wilderbeast9368]

Great vid! I always adore new perspectives! Quick clarification, since Madoka was previously erased from existence, no one would remember her unless Homura gave her such memories, hence why that reality rewrote itself to simply fit the narrative that she was once gone, since she was, after all. Though not touched upon enough, Homura isn't shown depriving Madoka of Sayaka and we can draw that she won't as she would've deprived from her other friends too if it was the case. Homura isn't manipulating her, and that statement from what is presented continues to be unfounded in my eyes. After all, Homura could just make Madoka love her, erase Sayaka and Mami entirely, yet doesn't, giving them happy endings as well. Do you have anything else to say about that?

[@_bess]

Correct me if I'm wrong but as far as I'm aware there's no definitive source on the mechanics of Homura's universe--this is just my interpretation, but I assume it would be no problem for her to create one where Madoka was or wasn't remembered in some form. She is said to have lived with her family, so presumably they do "remember" her. Madoka also doesn't have any other friends in Homura's universe to my knowledge due to her just transferring in. I guess we can debate whether the rest of the cast's endings are "happy" but I don't believe it was her goal to just have a manufactured romance--rather that she wanted to live out a fantasy where this came to be in a way it never would have in the original world. She wants to convince herself that this would've been possible. But she also wants to ultimately keep Madoka away from the Incubators, not ruin her life. Still, the act of confining her to a false world where she has knowledge Madoka does not is certainly manipulative so anything else she does that falls into that pattern seems logical. Edit: I also think it's key that Homura rejected the world where Madoka was completely forgotten. That's not what she wants--she still wants her to be appreciated by others, so long as that won't interfere with the relationship she wants to have with her as happened in the original series where, for example, Mami was grooming her to become a magical girl. By resetting the universe in such a way that everyone starts from square one with Madoka, she makes sure she'll get in there first and have ultimate influence. Edit 2: The Sayaka detail stood out to me because so much else stayed the same--the school, likely Madoka's family, even superfluous details like Hitomi and Kamijo's relationship. It felt to me that it must serve some purpose, and I don't see why that purpose would be accommodating for a forgotten Madoka when she still lives with her family.

[@wilderbeast9368]

@@_bess Nothing is definitive, I find it useful to assume that nothing is a coincidence and it all suddenly clicks! MGs and thus Witches don't exist and the duty of Despair is on Homura due to using the Grief God as part of her plan as well as Incubators she shares it with as hinted by their eyes, but the duty of Hope is also on her since she 'took her hands', the Law of Cycles, as power of her own too, creating the being I personally nickname 'Love Goddess'. An important factor in the Love Goddess' universe working is for the Hope Goddess to not return so that it may not collapse. We see this demonstrated not even a day in, when Madoka almost remembers just by 'feeling funny' and the cosmos reveals itself, invoking that great change could've occurred if not kept in check, just like all other times the cosmos was apparent. Memories appear to always exist in an underlying way, such as when Kyoko suggests that the serious side of Homura feels right, implying a deeply buried but present memory of her serious self in the Wraith Arc, and possibly the old reality. In truth, the decision to have her just arrive from abroad may not only be to fit the narrative that she was away for a while, but also as an additional defense as the Love Goddess knows she can't have her joyful fantasy forever, for the memories to come slow so that she can have at least a little bit of time. Ultimately, this didn't harm her, as the underlying memories had her reconnect with many school friends instantly, even being the star of attention once again on that first day. In fact, she seems on track to be just as familiar with everyone as she was before, just under different circumstances. Though, I do understand where you are coming from about her being manipulative now! I guess I overlooked that perspective due to her being well intentioned and believing in her side of things. I am a strong believer that the cast did get happy endings (besides Homura). Sayaka won't be heartbroken by Kyousuke who is taken by Hitomi (and though I think his behaviour was a result of his affliction, an exception to my rule, it is worth noting that under the idea that nothing is coincidence that he all around doesn't seem like a good choice for Sayaka), nor undergo Witchification, which ties right into Kyoko's happy ending, they get to be pals when they previously didn't just because of getting off on the wrong foot and it blossoms to everything it should've been all along, without the duty of being an MG to taint them into selfish people. Mami had her actual wish granted to not be alone as well, caring for Nagisa who now doesn't undergo Witchification either. "Then why didn't Homura just bring their families back?" That would crack the fantasy, as losing their families were very defining moments for them, so their return would feel very off to them, catalysing the Hope Goddess' return. Additionally, that wouldn't truly make them whole in Kyoko's case, requiring additional work for her Dad not to snap, which feels even more off, which means keeping Kyoko in check and it just escalates out of control. In short, things need to be as samey as possible, minimal changes to make the big change, Madoka, fit. I'm intrigued on your perspective that things aren't happy after all, do tell more! And sorry that I answered with too much, we can change up to a more point for point style if needed.

[@_bess]

I love PMMM because it can be so subjective, but simply put, I think it all ties back into the weight put on authenticity, free will and truth--because the new world lacks these things, I personally see it as a kind of false happiness for everyone.

[@wilderbeast9368]

@@_bess Me too! That's a very good summary, thank you for your time!

[@Astraldragon0]

@@_bess This is a thing I don't really see brought up much, but there's a serious sort of hypocrisy in Homura's actions. When she realized she was in a dream world, she wanted out, once she's there, she imposes that labyrinth on everyone else. Sure, it's in the goal of making them happy but it's as you said, a false happiness. A happiness they didn't choose. The question it seems to be asking is, is it better to define your place in the world, even if it comes with the risk of that ending badly, or for someone else to decide your place and give you happiness, even if it's happiness as *they* define it?

[@emmanouela4330]

Some idiot in the comments below disagrees so instead of arguing with him, I wanted to praise you! I loved your point about girlhood + reading the soul gems as representations of how our bodies don't purely belong to us!! Most videos on PMMM on here are by guys who haven't watched much magical girl stuff beyond this, and I just can't help and be frustrated by how they read the show seeing as they aren't the target audience. Like hating on Kyoko rather than appreciating a female character who isn't sacrificial, or hating on Homura for becoming colder as she travels back in time. So much of the show is built on girlhood + magical girl tropes in general. Like how the girls added on the idea of justice and saving people when all Kuybey told them was that they "do battle with witches". These are all qualities the girls added on top. Or how important friendship is, and how PMMM subverted it by adding the grief seeds, thus making battle competitive. Great video !!

[@miccharacter.coomiebully6707]

As a girl kyoko and homura as my two least fav character and it was good seeing a selfless female character not being uwu useless but she had to loose and become weak again. I hate those idiots preaching homura did nothing wrong.

[@nekolist9775]

This is one of the greatest videos I have ever watched GG

[@delightfulblueberries7405]

God your videos are so damn good I love this.

[@surfagirl]

Maybe it's because I am a woman but I recognized the correlation immediately between becoming a magical girl/ witch = becoming a woman. It's the transition from simple, naive girlhood into the the cruel reality of womanhood that hits home for me. It's also very obvious that this transition only happens with teenage girls. (Puberty). It's also interesting that there's so few male characters and they're depicted in very vulnerable roles (a child, a boy in the hospital, the stay at home father.)

[@stephnona4388]

Thank you so much for this video! I have read so many theories over the years but you made it very easy to understand and helped me put into words why I love this series so much.

[@jasmijnooms2242]

I just came across your channel and boy oh boy i love all this content! Your explanations and insights are really nice to listen to and I hope to see much more of your video’s in the future!!!!!

[@Jaydee-wd7wr]

I think what’s so beautiful about this series is that it’s ambiguous enough to allow for interpretation. To be honest, I disagree with your assessment of Homura, I think too many people take what she says about herself at face value, and ignore what she actually does when given power. Leaving aside the cosmic implications of stopping the Incubators and assuming Madoka will be able to evade and outmanoeuvre them until the end of the universe, removing her godhood is still a better option. A scene often left out of the equation that I think better informs what Homura does is her interaction with Tatsuya and Junko, them not quite forgetting Madoka I think horrifies Homura although she doesn’t really come to that conclusion until the flower scene. Removing yourself from the world is a very bad form of self actualisation, I don’t really buy into the selflessness of it, it’s a way for Madoka to give herself a value she doesn’t believe she has. A piece of imagery that always struck me is the scars on Goduka’s arms, I don’t think they’re literal self harm scars, but they are wounds caused by something that ultimately she chose to inflict upon herself with her wish and without Homura literally removing the hands from Goduka (that’s what she does if you go frame by frame in *the scene*, she removes her hands, that’s the bit she took) Madoka has no recourse for her choice. Homura made a mistake for Madoka, like Madoka did for Sayaka, I don’t think Homura’s world is a healthy end state, but I do think it’s a very necessary stepping stone towards a better system and a better relationship. Neither of them love themselves, Homura tries to kill herself like 4 times in the series and Madoka decides the only solution is to permanently remove herself from reality, neither are healthy. And all of that is setting aside the theory that Homura is a counterpart to Sayska in the system of the Law of cycles, both trying to keep Madoka in equilibrium between god and human.

[@ennuibarbie]

I feel like my view on the show is very different and negative no thanks to the distain the creator of this series has towards women but this video was very interesting and very well put together.

[@anutheamaranth7433]

Why?

[@corruptedteka]

Wait, can you elaborate ? I didn't know about this either.

[@thesharku8042]

I'm not too familiar with Urobuchi's works beyond Madoka and Psycho-Pass, but in Psycho-Pass there are definitely glimpses at how he sees men and women, mostly through side-characters and how they act. But well, it also feels like he tries to subvert it with main characters and everything said in this video isn't written by coincidence

[@Dookingrn]

This really secures my piont . They are just girls they shouldn't have to jo through this .

[@rinkiko]

Great analysis video 👍

[@frankjaeger2565]

02:48 there has actually been a male fandom for Maho Shojo anime in Japan since Sailor Moon, even though at the time those series were actually marketed towards young girls. That's unlikely the case for Madoka, which is a late night anime show, so it is targeted at an adult audience. Also, the manga was published on a seinen magazine, so it seems like the franchise is not targeted at young girls

[@maddieatkinson1527]

some of its key themes relate to womanhood and misogyny .. not to mention portraying love between 2 women.

[@frankjaeger2565]

@@maddieatkinson1527 sure, but they're not treated in a fashion that really suits the shoujo target (young girls from 11 to 18 years old). And you don't make a late night anime for young girls primarily, that time slot is intended for an adult anime audience, which is why the manga adaptation is published on a seinen magazine rather than a shoujo one. Also, I wouldn't say that female homosexuality is a common theme in shoujo, even though it was part of Sailor Moon; the female audience in Japan are much more interested in "boys love" (bl) manga and anime rather than "girls love".

[@maddieatkinson1527]

@@frankjaeger2565 its genuinely crazy to me that you think madoka magica isnt for women when womanhood is central to its themes???? and shoujo is known for portraying strong relationships between women whether that be platonic romantic or ambigious, the majority of girls love (and as a lesbian, believe me ALL the good ones) are shoujo. about to gatekeep madoka magica from men i stg why do yall think everything is for you

[@_bess]

@Wind Rose PMMM may be have been designed as a seinen series, but its explosive, mainstream popularity both in Japan and overseas demonstrates that it's very popular with women too.

[@toericabaker]

Cool analysis

[@marisanya]

Amazing analysis. Thank you.

[@galaxeonart9338]

I feel Homura giving Madoka her ribbons is her tying her down literally and figuratively for her own good. Homura heard Madoka say she didn’t want to be a god. Homura made a big mistake and became a devil to help her friend rethink about the bad thing they were doing. Sayaka learned a lot when Madoka did the same to her! Yeah Madoka will hate her when she finds out but Homura doesn’t care because SHE knows what’s best for Madoka. Basically Homura going: I know you’ll hate me for wanting you to be happy and I’ll never stop trying to save you from your horrible wish. I don’t care. Your here and I’ll make sure you stay here where you’re safe with me. Her acceptance comes from her thinking she’s right not just both having two different desires and that being okay.

[@thebraydenchannel78]

Have you watched the Monogatari Series? If you haven't, I'd wholeheartedly reccomend it to you. Based on what's been shared on this channel, I think you'd find something worthwhile in it

[@theclaimerofbones]

Great analysis that I enjoyed, many other analyses seem to focus far too much on selfishness and selflessness as absolute things that can never be linked (idk how to word it better). The inclusion of the similarity to adolesence and growing up was nice, since it seemed so obvious to me ever since kyubey called becoming a witch "maturation". I apologize for any strange wording choices I might make, for I am not good at writing. But I do disagree with the Homura wants Madoka for herself only part. In her world, she keeps the other girls around anyway, when she could have very well just got rid of them. She also seems to panic and resolve herself to stay away from her in the hallway scene, and making Madoka a transfer student I feel could very well just be a result of her own experience being one being effectively the best thing to happen to her in her life.(once again, idk how to word this better) Homura is, in a way, always trying to sacrifice herself in one manner or another for Madoka's sake, and if she truly wanted to be with Madoka I think she could have repeated the same situation where she was the transfer student. I don't say she doesn't want anything for herself, just that it's not a desire to isolate Madoka from other. I've always gotten the impression that Homura's love is far more toxic and hurtful to herself than it is to Madoka. I also want to add on the point that Homura's not just 'dissatisfied with the world', Madoka made a decision that very much affects Homura without any choice from Homura. This leaves Homura in a situation where she's able to do anything but the one choice she wants to make, which I think is comparable to Madoka's situation after rebellion, minus the memory loss of course. (This might have already been mentioned in the video without me noticing, though.) Homura isn't happy to take away Madoka's choice and it seemed to me that this was the reason why she branded herself as a "devil". Additionally, Madoka's choice at the end of the series is simply death. Is it right to accept every single choice a person makes, even if it's that extreme? Can Homura truly be called abusive and controlling for denying that? Because then, I think you could make the case that Madoka is not in the right for making her wish either, because it takes away Homura's choice, and Madoka is in the wrong for "saving" Homura when she was entirely willing to become a witch and get killed by Kyoko and Mami. Like you said, indeed, rebellion, just like the original series, has the point of fighting against the world for what is considered a better future. And in both, they don't get a perfect ending. In my view, maybe the ending does not require the audience and the characters to decide that one of them is right, but for Madoka and Homura to understand each other, and continue to to fight against the world for the sake of their happiness.

[@simskullex]

Fantastic commentary! I agree with it all, ya just stole my thoughts, and added a few more.

[@bignoob2726]

I kinda disagree with Homura being abusive, because she controls their memories only to make them take their second chances at life. She removes herself because she doesn't like what she has to do. Also, on the point of isolating Madoka, it's probably so that she doesn't remember through interacting with the others that she's a god. Madoka's version of selflessness looks just as warped as Homura's love to me. Madoka's wish didn't address the real problem and was basically suicide. We have to remember that Homura because she didn't think her wish through, was isolated in a cage of time. Which broke her resulting in serious issues with her mental state and the loss of her social growth. Her sacrifice results in a personal hell. So, how could she ever allow Madoka to do something similar to herself. Madoka is essentially mercy killing teenage girls throughout time forever. And separated and forgotten by those she loves. That doesn't sound like heaven to me, it sounds like a personal hell, just more glamorous looking but still hell. So should Homura who knows a similar suffering really turn a blind eye after 12 years of seeing Madoka's self sacrificial nature end in pain and regret? The other girls think it's okay, but they've never had to suffer like this. And no human should ever have to. So is bringing Madoka back by force, really wrong? She was in danger of being enslaved by the incubators eventually anyways. Splitting her didn't just give her another chance at life, but it also protects her from the incubators. But, even if Madoka knew she was in danger, she would still continue the law of cycles. With a "as long as everyone else is okay, I don't care what happens to me" mentally. So what choice did Homura really have? Madoka's wish was going to lead to her own destruction. Is stopping her by force wrong or is allowing it to happen and benefitting from Madoka's suffering wrong?

[@Souto_30]

Great video!!

[@iceluvndiva21]

Bout time someone pointed out how Homura is isolating Madoka from anyone except Homura and Madoka's family.

[@user-th6gs1bz3j]

incredible video essay :) thank you for your work

[@Viv8ldi]

Thanx for the video

[@Art-zp1qg]

Bless this video!

[@KDsketch2004]

Madoka Magica was my favorite anime.

[@ultra824]

I remember watching the show for the first time and being deeply confused by sayaka's reaction to the revelation that her soul was contained within her aoul gem. Truthfully, I still don't really get it. There's a lot of stuff going on for sayaka, of course, but it's strange to fixate on that part specifically. When she says she couldn't ask kyouske to kiss her the context suggest it's because of her external soul situation, but I don't really see what that has to do with it. I _guess_ you could argue that this makes her not human in the absolute strictest sense of the word, but in practice it's a mild inconvenience at worst.

[@AxelordMuschainner]

Would you consider doing a video on Berserk? Or Ghost in the Shell? Or DDLC?

[@_bess]

I don't see myself ever picking up Berserk or DDLC, GiTS maybe.

[@danielasarmiento3101]

Would you also ever do an analysis on Hunterxhunter, it's the equivalent of madoka magica but for shounen anime , specifically dragon ball

[@_bess]

I'm not really a shounen fan so I can't say it's likely but never say never!

[@danielasarmiento3101]

Would you consider doing a video on sailor moon? That series is known as the quintessential magical girl series I would love to see you take on it

[@_bess]

I haven't actually seen it but I'll keep it in mind!

[@danielasarmiento3101]

Awsome

[@lambiamusic]

just pooped my pants in excitement

[@mikorin3193]

What the fuck? People actually thought the writer was demonizing lesbians?

[@_bess]

There were a lot of mixed feelings about how he handled Homura in particular following Rebellion yeah

[@emmuzboosh]

I swear he revealed he’s the type of girlgirl Japanese male writer who doesn’t consider these relationships true actual real relationships which yknow follows the homophobic narrative of Japanese opinion on irl lesbian relationships.

[@maytalacedo2942]

well damn that got deep. 0_0

[@ArchOfficial]

Pretty good video. The feminist take was at least backed up by elements from within the work, and not just injected in on an imaginary basis like most Madoka essays do. However on my watches of Madoka, the whole "patriarchal society pressure" thing hasn't really come through to me at all. It seems like the characters are almost entirely divorced from a notion of society to begin with, perhaps being too young to even grasp the supposed pressures if they even exist in the Madoka universe. I suppose the closest thing to that would be the homeroom teacher's rambles, which the characters seem amused by and don't seem to take too seriously. The only serious adult male character in the series is a stay-at-home husband with no traditional masculine qualities whatsoever, so I don't think he is supposed to be an icon for the "patriarchal society" either. I would argue the gender roles of the Kaname household being reversed and the teacher's rambles not being taken too seriously is supposed to signal that such things are not significant in the Madoka world. So I've come to the conclusion that Madoka is a lot more about the 'magical girl' part than strictly the 'girl' part. Interviews from the staff seem to confirm this; Urobuchi for example talks about the girls themselves justifying their own actions by believing they're right, but it's not contrasted very much with what others think of them. IIRC Sinbo claimed that Madoka was the last thing you could do with the magical girl genre, in the vain of "there is one more possibility", so I believe the feminine thematic aspect is paramount to keep the thematic core, otherwise it wouldn't be a magical girl work. In that regard I can fully see the whole "becoming a woman" thematic stuff being factual and justified. What I have issues is tying it into a societal context. I believe that part is the video author's own fabrication.

[@_bess]

I make these videos to share my personal experience with and insight into a work. Irrespective of Urobuchi's intentions, this was a way in which I related to Madoka as a woman that I wanted to discuss. I believe that subjective experience that differs from person to person is what makes art so valuable. I wouldn't make videos if I thought everyone watching them had already thought of these things!

[@ArchOfficial]

@@_bess Alright, fair enough. Like I said it was a pretty good video, even if I do not agree with some of the assumptions being made, especially in the context of Madoka's world. I hadn't done that kind of reading into Madoka before, though, so I suppose the video met its goals then. Perhaps I was just mislead by the title to expect a more analytical essay and not so much of a personal essay, or whatever you would call it. Although the "personal experience and insight" parts did not last as long as the analytical parts (It can be heard in the tone of your voice which I found quite funny) so perhaps I'm placing too much weight on them.

[@_bess]

My videos are intended to be analytical, but I believe all analysis is personal as all experiences of media are entirely subjective and shaped by what we bring to the work as an audience member.

[@ArchOfficial]

@@_bess I suppose that is where the crux lies; I believe that objective readings can be reasonably derived from representative media that has intentionality behind it. In fact, failing to do so would not be analysis at all, it would be an opinion piece. One definition of analysis is "detailed examination of the elements or structure of something" after all. Perhaps analysis of completely randomized abstract media would be purely subjective, but I think representational media that was produced with intentional design has an adequate structure and elements to perform an analysis on. What kind of flavoring you give it via your own experiences is the cherry on top; but it's not the whole cake. A completely alien species making an analysis of Madoka would come to wildly different conclusions for the cherry, but perhaps not the cake, given adequate understanding of human media design. My basis for this is that all (good) media is designed with intentionality behind it, thus an "entirely subjective" analysis that is also factually rooted in the work can happen only by chance.

[@TheDevNell]

Audio dies for me at 18:54

[@_bess]

Please see the top comment!

[@emmuzboosh]

It’s a shame a series filled with themes and plots women and girls can relate to has led to the magical girl genre to become male colonised with many series following it being overly sexual andor essentially just young girl torture porn

[@ichigbr]

wormmon has more character development and better philosophy

[@trash-chan4882]

"Urobochi was not out to demonise lesbians, he was out to potray love more honestly than most media would dare to" lmao

[@leandrogado1340]

does anyone knows the name of the song at 4:14?

[@_bess]

The music is in the description!

[@leandrogado1340]

@@_bess sorry! thank you