Top 25 Madoka Magica Holy Quintet Transformations

[@aeonofdisaster]

The Magia Record game transformations sequences all foreshadow the girls being older than they are in the show. That's why Mami looked older and suddenly had such a huge fashion influence(because its something she seemingly would have gotten into if she lived long enough) and why Sayaka and Madoka in their transformations had long hair briefly before reverting to their standard magical girl looks because that's how they'd look if they got the chance to grow up and live their lives.

[@agnesteodocio746]

The more I read this the more I get sad

[@jeshuarestituyo284]

@@agnesteodocio746 if it helps but this is spoilers . . . . . the girls get to grow and not die or turn into witches at the end of arc 2 in Magia record

[@vicenteisaaclopezvaldez2450]

:(

[@vicenteisaaclopezvaldez2450]

@@jeshuarestituyo284 :)

[@claribelmartinez6750]

@@jeshuarestituyo284 oh?

[@RoseProseFroze]

I think Sayaka breakdancing in Rebellion is perfect. It shows that she's truly let go of Kyousuke and allowed herself to develop her own tastes outside of what would please him. If she was not bound by the magical girl system and had processed her heartbreak normally I could see her going back to those CD stores where she used to find music for Kyousuke and getting engrossed in Hip Hop instead.

[@starrainbowyt6550]

i mean yeah fit her personalty well

[@oblivioussquirrel8626]

And! Its also one of the most dynamic dance dtyles, and shes one of the quickest in the group! I think haha. Breakdance helps establish her flexibility and dinamism, and for someone as Sayaka i think helps with her character a lot

[@KatKit52]

The tumbling Homura does is actually a ballet move! It's a special bow done at to represent a character's death. Homulily's labryinth has a lot of ballet themes--fitting for the Nutcracker witch--and the bow at the end is saying that Homura is already "dead" (a witch).

[@thejudgmentalcritter6584]

This is a really cool detail I didn't know about! :D

[@Shadow_Sonata]

I always wondered if Homura studied ballet before her illness.

[@animegraveyard776]

@@Shadow_Sonata illness?

[@m_x0110]

Yeah, the illness had something to do with her heart I think

[@AlanArc]

@@animegraveyard776 isn't you remember that Homura is on hospital when her character introduced?!

[@otomeng5230]

The thing about the girls' transformation in Magia Record is that it shows how the girls are supposed to look if they got the chance to grow up. That's why Mami looks model-like and her hair's longer, cuz she could do modelling as a job as an adult. That's why Sayaka's hair is long. Her image when she rose out of the sea is Sayaka supposedly in her 20-22. The Madoka that's falling down to current Madoka is also her in her 20s. The Kyoko wearing black dress and walking down the stairs is also her adult self.

[@BarcingMatter]

It's kinda ironic and sad that homura doesn't have that in either of her magia record transformations. Just like how the other magical girls probably mourn the lives they could have had, homura probably can't imagine a life beyond being a magical girl, beyond madoka.

[@angelhalliwell7348]

I was gonna comment this since its honestly one of my favs seeing all of them older if they lived normal lives was nice

[@diet_spite]

"why is mami into fashion" "why is sayakas hair so long" the app transformations all feature older versions of the girls. compare their proportions in the second to last and final shots and its more obvious. you're getting a look at who they could have been.

[@Scor_cat]

Also, Mami's witch is Candeloro, the witch of dress up. So, that's probably why she has a dress up themed transformation.

[@pennycat6317]

There's one comment I found about the Rebellion transformation dances that explains the meaning behind the styles Update: found it (original from Sweetest Sweden) "Mami: Ice-skating. Practiced, traditional, charismatic, tightly controlled movements, requires exact timing and precision. Requires years and years of dedication to perfect, and raw talent to make it shine. Motivation can be personal as well as audiance-driven, with special attention given to judge or authority figures. Kyuuko: Tribal/Trance. Erratic, down to earth, uncontrollable and unpredictable, intimidating to some. Can be as frightening to watch as it is hypnotic and luring, and while it may look improvised and pattern-less to an outsider, the dancer themselves is in full control. Motivation can be to a higher power or for performer's own ends. Sayaka: Breakdance. Strong, forceful body movements, youthful, wild, energetic, often improvised. The strength and flexibility of the body is on full display, a whirling dervish, motion flowing easily from one action to the next. Action is done on the spot, whatever 'feels right'. Motivation can be both competitive as well as for audience appeal. Homura: Interpretive/Modern. Carefree but with purpose, seemingly erratic, unpredictable motion placed with careful thought and planning, done with as much thought for channeling the dancer's wishes as it is for the sake of the performance. Motivation is mostly personal. Madoka: J-pop/Idol. Simple, rigid, innocent, cutesy, focus is simplicity of movement for the sake of the audience rather than artistic expression. Person is dancing for audience's sake rather than her own. Motivation is entirely geared towards audience appeal and entertainment." Another detail I noticed was all the girls have the same theme of being encased in a darker version of themselves before breaking free, Homura is the exception though (given how little the girls refer to the darker aspects of their characters in the movie this might show some form of these girls* breaking free from their past mistakes, except for Homura) *given how they're not real except for Sayaka and Nagisa Oh also all the mobile game transformations are allusions to their witch forms, with the long hair thing being a possible reference to Homura

[@cutiepie120048]

😮✨

[@ErisCalamitasButFR]

Hate to be that guy but it's allusions, not illusions

[@jeshuarestituyo284]

Some already pointed out the Magia record transformation depicts each one of the girls older and such. But for Sayaka’s rebellion transformation the breakdancing for what I understand and as a dancer myself, breakdancing and hip hop are styles where you can just dance freely to the music. Emphasis being on “free” you can create your own choreo without following strict rules such as waltz, ballet and such. So another important thing to mention is that this Sayaka is not the one who was naive and just depends on others or kyosuke. This is a more mature Sayaka. She’s not tied anymore to Kyosuke nor trying to be perfect for others. Thus breakdancing represents her “breaking” free. Also to add breakdancing as a whole represents an opposition to classical dancing which would’ve matched old Sayaka but again this is a new Sayaka.

[@fennaknaepen9906]

I thought so as well. Hip-hop and Breakdancing are associated with freedom. It's good for Sayaka. As a big lover of ballet (I dance ballet myself), I am a bit disappointed that ballet is always used in a negative way in media, but I think this was the best for Sayaka. Although a wals would also be great.

[@A6by]

I feel like the entire point of Sayaka's Rebellion transformation is to show she's over her entire Kyousuke arc, and now very powerful and individualistic. The scene immediately before the Holy Quintet sequence has her loudly proclaiming - while standing back to back with Kyoko, her new love interest - that she dodged a bullet not ending up with captain clueless.

[@tanandalynch9441]

This is even further alluded to by Kyoko herself saying "well you sure moved on quickly"

[@honestlyboringperson]

Sayaka’s breakdancing could be reference to her personality. Forceful movements, fast paced, and youthful. Mami’s Magi Reco transformation with it’s fashion theme is both a reference to her witch being the witch of dress up and the model industry somewhat similar to a magical girl’s life. Seemingly all glitz and glamor, but truly cutthroat and solitary. Sayaka’s Magi Record transformation as well as the rest of the Holy Quintet transformations, we see a glimpse of them being adults, alluded by longer hair, but then they revert back to being middle schoolers. It’s showing them throwing away their chance to grow up to become a magical girl. The shattering effect in Madoka’s rebellion transformation could also be a reference to her growing power. She was a diamond in the rough, cut and shaped into a god. Also YOU FORGET BEBE? YOU FORGET HER LIKE THE NAKAZAWA?! OH! OH! JAIL FOR YOU! JAIL FOR YOU FOR ONE MILLION YEARS

[@nicholasholmes258]

I totally agree. I also think Sayaka's breakdancing is supposed to be a clue into the fact that Sayaka in Rebellion has her shit together and has grown independent and competent and away from the messy Kyosuke situation (further emphasized later with how she acts in her comvo with Homura after she saves her from Mami) so she's doing something different from classical.

[@fernandocuauhshihuacarbaja3094]

Yeah, she should analyse Nagisa's Magireco transformation too. It's interesting. Also maybe analyse the transformation of the main characters too, although they aren't that long and some of the ones from Arc 2 don't have good animation :(

[@thebaku818]

I did not expect a miette joke but ok

[@babypower14]

i feel so many people miss why sayaka has break dancieng for her rebellion transformation: shes moved on shes her own person and unconnected to her previous crush so shes moveing on to new things and new freedoms like breakdancieng gives if she had a waltz or pretty dance shed be in the box that made her witch out to begin with that was my take form it

[@unicornilluminati9019]

I always thought the breakdancing in Sayaka's Rebellion transformation was to symbolize that she had moved on from Kyousuke. Like, she still has an interest in music and dancing and all that, but she isn't limiting herself to classical music because of him anymore, idk

[@ClubPuguin]

Yeah pretty sure you got what they're going for.

[@Mistress9Tomoe]

18:49 I really love how they did those ribbons for Madoka. At first, it reminded me those famous ribbons we see in Sailor Moon's Crisis Transformation from SuperS. Cutesy and pretty. But looking again, those ribbons look more like capturing Madoka, instead of making outfit like Usagi. It really emphasizes that Madoka can't escape this fate of Magical girl. Plus, Homura's dance in Rebellion is more toward Ballet in my opinion. Especially when you consider her witch form. If you ask me which transformation is my fave, Homura Rebellion and Madoka Magireco Anime, and Mami Movie first one were my definitive fave.

[@Art-zp1qg]

A few things that I'd just like to add: The Magia Record Game transformations of the Holy Quintet show them as adult versions of themselves, and that comes with some sad implications: 1. Mami would have likely grown up to have a normal life had she not become a magical girl or even if she just didn't die in Charlotte's Labyrinth. 2. Kyoko would have grown up in the rough, the black dress pointing out how she sees herself as a bad person or feels guilt for what happened, and the ghosts of the people all around her both praise and then burn her. She'd continue to be committed to the lifestyle and be alone but she would survive. On the game screen, there's also the pixelized character of Yuma cheering Kyoko on, though it's sometimes replaced by Sayaka. Yuma is a fresh Magical Girl who Kyoko helps out for a bit and Yuma refers to Kyoko as big sis. It's interesting that both Yuma and Sayaka have healing powers. I also find it interesting that Kyoko was the first (and so far the only one) that has a Doppel Version. Analytics state that Kyoko is among the most popular of the Holy Quintet, despite not even appearing on a few of the covers for the original anime. Goes to show what a good character can achieve. 3. Sayaka is a sad one; with her being unconscious at the beginning, I believe it shows her destined fate that she's doomed to become Oktavia every time. It's also a reference to when her Soul Gem was thrown away and she temporarily died. The hospital bed could be a reference to Kyosuke, but if we choose to look at this as a reference to Sayaka's potential life had she not become a Magical Girl, it does have some really sad implications. It's also a nice detail that it's Kyoko (her girlfriend) who gives her the Fortissimo hairclip. In the original airing, Sayaka didn't have it, but it did get added to the movies and it was there for Rebellion. It shows how Kyoko made Sayaka grow. 4. Homura with the glasses is really sad, as she's the only one to not have an adult version of herself, she instead has the Homura with the loose hair on the other side of the screen. Homura's doomed to go back in time and thus never really grow. 5. Homura with the loose hair is crystallized as the footage of Madoka running towards the destroyed Mitakihara is played in reverse; her whole reason for existing is to save Madoka from that fate. Madoka herself isn't allowed to grow by the Homura with the loose hair as to be kept safe. I'm excited for when we get a Bow Homura to show her growth, and then a Funeral Homura (the one from Rebellion when confronting Kyubey) to see her relapse again. 6. Madoka's adult version is her God form and she also gets herself as an adult Magical Girl with her normal outfit; she likely would have continued to be a good person as Madoka enjoyed being a Magical Girl for the sake of it. The Magia Record Anime's transformation of Madoka was also homage to one of Sailor Moon's transformations, but the ribbons instead tie her up. It's the small eerie details like this that make me fall in love with the franchise more and more. The later transformations of Homura (Magia Record Anime included) have this theme of ballet to them. It's because it involves a lot of twirls in one place and also because Homulilly and the entirety of Rebellion have a theme of the Nutcracker ballet. It's also really cool that at the end of her Rebellion transformation, Homura does a bow to the ground because her girlfriend is God literally. However, in my personal opinion, I don't agree with the notion that Madoka's transformation in Rebellion is when she entered the labyrinth. Kyubey shows Homura footage of Madoka beforehand and we see her silhouette dragged happily by Homura's familiars, the Clara Dolls. The reason everyone was acting strange was because Homura rewrote their memories and now they all believe they're in this ideal and easy world. (except Sayaka and Nagisa obviously) Madoka's Rebellion transformation is really interesting in a lot of other manners too however. After breaking the glass with her hand to symbolize she ended the time loops, she's mimicking the all-seeing eye triangle with her own eye, again because she's God. Plus hers is the only one to not have Witch Runes, contributing to her divine status even more.

[@darkartsninja]

Incredible analysis, and I have a bit of a dark theory for Glasses Homura not getting an adult form. The show mentions her having a heart defect. What if, because she never made a contract, she never gained a "healthier" (or more combat-suited) body so she died from her disease?

[@candlelit4112]

Wouldn’t Mami not have a older version of herself technically bc she made her wish when she was on the urge of death & no one was coming to save her but Incubator?-

[@livis438]

Thank you for bringing up when Madoka entered the labryinth!! It was always clearly in the OP when it happened

[@spl4tooner]

23:28 glasses homura does have an adult form

[@littlekuribohimposte]

I'm a little sad you omitted Humucifer from the list. That shot in space where she bites her Soul Gen to trist it into a crown is so good, and how she so sickly sweetly promises to exact her revenge on the Incubators was so chilling. (And I consider that as part of it, as it's second after she ascends.

[@jplveiga]

YES, I was watching the whole video expecting "well the last two are Akumura and Madokami, idk what order tho". and they weren't :/

[@Pudding404]

may be totally bias but I just love the playfulness of the magia record transformations. All the transformations are almost directly visuals to their doppels too, Mami's dress up theme representing Candeloro, siren and mermaid for Oktavia, wudan and candle for Ophelia, the Nutcracker ballet for homulily, and Gretchen as the biggest soulgem or ultimate witch. I also adore that Yuma is in Kyouko's transformation as 8bit in the dancing game she plays, lol.

[@calebgoodman3028]

To explain why Sayaka’s hair was long in her Magia Record transformation. She and the other members of the Holy Quintet were actually adults by that time but they age down when they transform. A result of them gaining immortality.

[@bored4033]

fun fact: in homura's rebelion transformation there are witch runes that say German phrases (fitting) they translate roughly to: "To mistress, we’re bored" I suppose this is the Claira dolls (homura's familiars) talking. they're just waiting for homura to let them free "they glorify death" I'm guessing this is directed at kyubey. Kyubey has said multiple times that magical girls should be proud that they have the honor of dying for the sake of the universe "I'll kill myself" quite obvious if you've seen the movie.

[@thejudgmentalcritter6584]

The runes in the Madoka series fascinate me!

[@ErisianRomantic]

This is one of the grandest revealed details in all anime I've seen. These disturbing, colourful, stylized parts of Madoka Magica make it truly esoteric.

[@yuratchkaplisetskys3063]

I think "They glorify death" is more directed at the other magical girls. Deep inside, Homura is bitter about how the magical girls look to The Law of Cycles as their saving grace - they glorify the 'death' of Madoka herself. Homura is no different of course, and this plays into her self loathing.

[@angeldude101]

@@yuratchkaplisetskys3063 And their _own_ deaths since in a sense Madoka has become an _embodiment _*_of_*_ death._ Her job is to take the Magical Girls away when they would've become witches. Depending on interpretation, this is either taking them away when they die, or _euthanizing_ them so they can die in peace without the imminent living hell that is being a witch. To glorify the Law of Cycles / Madoka is essentially to glorify Death herself. P.S. I should mention that Rebellion has a negative death count _and_ Homura's entire mission was to make sure Madoka doesn't die by becoming a Magical Girl. Homura may become a devil, but she's essentially a force of _Life_ to Madoka's Death.

[@Шозоид]

​@@yuratchkaplisetskys3063 yes! In the actual translated sentence it says "they glorify death V" And V is five, and fifth girl who transformed is Madoka! But I still wander what that little picture above the sentence might mean..

[@Fannintendociccio1]

I think the sayaka rebellion transformation feels off to you, at least the few parts you didn't like, because you were trying to see it under the original series's lenses and what sayaka was going through at the time. Yeah, she was about classical music, she was about a crush to a boy. But in rebellion that's completely different. This is now her at her most at peace with herself, she has been freed from what tormented her (even if she still has regrets, as shown from her suddenly sad pose after she emerges from the water before her witch name flashes on the screen for a couple of frames), so having a very spunky dance to symbolize her new state of mind, the breakdance, is actually more fitting than what it would appear. I think the only real nod to her actual past story is when she is running with no regards towards her magical self and tripping at the end, which is the part you actually liked after all. Pretty sure the madoka rebellion transformation was meant to symbolize that, yeah, she is a god that reached out to homura but got trapped inside, but even before the transformation it was actually madoka, not just a illusion made by the labyrinth, same for everyone else. They got trapped in the labyrinth before the actual start of the movie. The transformations basically hide the true identities of the girls that aren't what they seem, sayaka being a reformed witch, madoka a god, and homura dead/a witch before they get revealed (homura especially with the multiple witch messages flashing a couple of times in her transformation about wanting to die, and ending with the ballet pose of dying at the end). Their personalities were off because having their memories messed with by homura or playing dumb for sayaka to make this fake idillic situation, but they were always actually them from the start.

[@amythestmuse22]

Fun fact, nearly every Holy Quintet member's transformation includes a small shot of them as more mature young women. Long Haired Syaka shrinks a bit when hit with the water, Kyoko's burnt form also shrinks into her present day age. Mami is a bit taller and more mature, though her older self doesn't seem as far off, and even Madoka has a glimpse at an older version with longer twin tails and her face hidden in shadow. Also, Madoka's transformation in the second season of Magia Record the anime is somewhat symbolic. This takes place not long after she finds out the dark fate of magical girls, so the ribbons that wrap around her could be seen as her being trapped or entangled in this dark future by the desire to be a magical girl and the power that comes with it.

[@JovialHeretic]

She mentioned mourning the passing of Magia Record English, and I feel her pain. I do hope she knows that there is an English fan patch for the Japanese version of Magia Record now. Also, the witch runes during each girl's transformation spell out their names, except for Homura's. Hers spell out “to mistress, we’re bored,” “I kill myself” and “they glorify death”

[@misscaution704]

Madoka Magica transformations have to be one of my biggest inspirations when making my magical girl transformations

[@shaynameri]

I think that the flowers in Mami’s second transformation are cecilias and (If I’m not mistaken) they are usually brought to people’s tombs (At least in my country), and the name “Cecília” means “blind” (which could be used as a reference to the Fact that Mami doesn’t she’s going to die?). Edit: After a bit of research in google to see If I was right and to see If this was intentional I’ve found out that there’s a flower kinda similar to a white trillium, a white flower with three petals that is associated or said to be a bridge between our physical body and spiritual body/soul and is said to help relieving feelings of panic. Idk but I kinda conected this to Mami’s death ;-; Not me doing More reaserch on flowers because of my favorite magical girl’s 2nd transformation than on my school projects XD

[@BillyVell]

Kinda off topic, but about Madoka's role in Rebellion: She didn't "get stuck" in the labyrinth trying to save Homura. She saw what Kyubey was trying to do, and actually came up with a plan along with Sayaka and Nagisa to get into the labyrinth and take Homura even in this state (and even without her memories). And it would've worked if not for Homura's ~AI YO~.

[@BillyVell]

Also: The girls are real. Homura took in them and a bunch of other notorious people in their lives like Hitomi, Kyosuke and Madoka's parents into her labyrinth. This is explained in the movie...

[@jessamynroguski9649]

A slight correction Homura's soul gem was actually isolated by the inkyubetors and they had set it up so that only those invited in could enter her labrynth Their goal was for her to invite the law of cycles in as Madoka because as far as they knew, shes the only one who knows about the world as it was before Theres even a scene where the clara dolls stake out the (living) characters in the real world, this being their invitation into her labrynth So no, the other girls weren't a figment of Homura's imagination, and Madoka was indeed already trapped before the transforamtion sequence The hand of god breaking through glass was just one of the many forms of symbolism that are littered throughout the movie There used to be a great series of videos about all the symbolism but its since been removed The reason why the girls act strange in the beginnning is due to the labrynth's influence making things into Homura's ideal world (though i think Sayaka and Bebe were playing along to not draw attention to themselves)

[@fernandocuauhshihuacarbaja3094]

Another awsome thing about Kyoko's transformation is that in the backround of the Dance game you can see dancing sprites of Yuma Chitose from Oriko Magica. Also Mami having fashion in her Magia Record transformation is a reference to her witch Candeloro, as she is the Make Up Witch the cloths are related to her, as like she was dressing diferently to hidde her true self.

[@moonlitaura_]

Many have defended Sayaka's Rebellion transformation and I fully agree with them; it's specifically different to symbolize how after her being taken by the Law of the Cycles, she made peace with what connected her to the classical music in the first place - Kyosuke, and it symbolizes freedom, since breakdancing doesn't conform to any rules, being just about doing what you want and not being bound by anything or anyone - she's independent. But also, I think that the colorful shadows can allude to her role in the movie - she is a part of the Law of the Cycles now and is holding on to Madoka's memories. I'd think it's only fitting that she's shown with multiples of herself just like Madoka often is.

[@BBrawler101]

Another interesting note for the mafia transformations: Madonna does have the most color variation throughout her transformation compared to the other girls. However, so does Sayaka! During her breakdancing sequence and the running sequence, she has multiple colors accompanying her transformation (first the various shades of blue, then the entire rainbow as she’s running). This could potentially be an allusion to how Sayaka Madokami’s secretary, and she’s the first one to “wake up” and directly challenge Homura in her labyrinth.

[@cidneyforney8278]

Madonna? Do you mean Madoka?

[@EnviousJudyOfficial]

​@@cidneyforney8278Love ur pfp

[@NotaBizarreJoJo]

Kyoko’s transformation is my absolute favorite with her erratic movements and that creepy face showing up on screen for a second.

[@youdonotcare]

Something I don't see many people discuss is that Sayaka's rebellion transformation subtly hint at her being part of the law of cycles. Multiples of oneself is a theme that's usually reserved for Madoka because of the many timelines used for her sake, so Sayaka having that as well connects her to the theme of timelines.

[@cakebirrd1186]

the commentary on madoka's rebellion transformation made me SCREAM that is INCREDIBLE

[@jesterfairy3845]

In Sayaka's Rebellion transformation, there's a quick shot of her name spelled out in musical witch runes (the same font as when she was Oktavia) with a background of glowing rectangular shapes moving horizontally across the screen, almost resembling a train passing by... Just an extra detail from my personal favorite. It's too bad you don't like it but I guess I interpreted the dizzy breakdancing as a representation of how "not real yet" she was. Great video! I hope seeing more transformation rankings in the future!

[@tanandalynch9441]

No they were all real. The incubators isolated Homura's labyrinth so that only those invited could enter. The runes/train are allusions to her ability to summon Oktavia.

[@jesterfairy3845]

@@tanandalynch9441 yeah that makes more sense lol

[@i.m.b4398]

Kyokos‘s rebellion dance also kind of reminds me of the style of dance I’ve seen at rennaisance faires or like „witchy“ dancing I guess? Very medieval anyway. It makes sense since her father designated her a witch Edit: Sayakas summoning animation for magic record also gives me the impression that this is an older, grown up Sayaka (the long hair really gives off that impression) and it gives me the vibes that she only stayed a magical girl (and not evolving into a witch) for so long by relying on her friends heavily, for better or for worse.

[@cherrydreampalladin9784]

Who doesn't love a beautiful magical transformation? It's my favourite part from these shows. When it comes to Madoka Magica my favourite transformations are the ones from the app summon and the rebellion movie because I feel that they add a lot of details about the holy quintet that the main show doesn't get because of how it's paced. Loved your analysis about the madoka rebellion transformation! Edit: Also, sidenote but I always saw Homura's last dance move during her rebellion transformation as a "reverence" which is a gesture that you do to show respect or devotion towards someone. And given as to how Madoka happens to be the next the sequence I always considered it a tiny bit of characterization to how the Madoka&Homura dynamic works. Also maybe I'm wrong on this one but I think her trying to escape the vines represents the moment Homura tries to refuse Madokami before she traps her during Madoka's tranformation.

[@jellybehindtheslaughter7428]

The app game transformation hints about their witch forms. Like mami for example is Candelero which is the dress up witch

[@Gairneedshelp]

Tell me you didn’t understand rebellion sayaka without telling me you didn’t understand rebellion sayaka

[@darkartsninja]

I'd love to see you make a Top 10 Favorite Witches video!

[@weewooq1770]

What if sayaka's dance being a breakdance is because she spends a lot of the anime breakdowning (This is just a joke)

[@thejudgmentalcritter6584]

It's a good joke!

[@devonwilliams5738]

I didn't even realize until now that all their transformations are unique. It really does make them feel more special.

[@spoopyspades5740]

I would like to point out that sayaka doesn't like classical music, she likes Kyosuke. She says that herself, how she wouldn't even be into that kinda stuff.

[@sereanecether9965]

You actually missed Kyoko's transformation in the magia record anime in season 1, it was really short so i dont blame you for forgetting it. Also Im suprised you didnt mention in Mami's rebellion transformation she spins into a pose that looks like a grief seed

[@thejudgmentalcritter6584]

Yeah, it's like, 8 seconds long or something? I was like " I don't think this can really count."

[@juuryamukoo6415]

Thanks to you I discovered some transformations that I didn't know (those from the magia record game)! But there's something that really needs to be corrected : the girls inside Homura's labyrinth aren't illusions. It's explained that her soulgem is inside the incubators' seal, that was made in order to trap targets, more specifically the law of cycle, who can join only as Madoka. Although we don't know when that happened, I still think that the Madoka we see at the very beginning of the movie is the real one, but I really liked your theory!

[@deemekonnen7866]

Momi's original transformation is top teir

[@alexrussell6399]

Homura’s rebellion transformation, when she was breaking from the darkness reminds me of ivy. Like the kind growing on sleeping beauty’s castle for her hundred year slumber. It could be them alluding to homura being alseep and in the ‘curse’ of becoming a witch.

[@Everythingwillsurelybealright]

Ohhhhhhhh that was amazing! I absolutely adored your final explanation about the one you gave #1. I didn’t know ANY of that and it completely blew me away! Amazing!

[@spring626]

I'm pretty sure in a video, it explains that the magia record game transformations includes what they would look like as adults. So mani worth long hair and sataka with long hair are probably the older versions of themselves

[@brothersisterproduction]

The next challenge is ranking all Pretty Cure transformations lol But in all honesty, you made me think a lot about Madoka Rebellion transformation. It'll live in my head rent free for now on.

[@LizardKingRequiem]

Putting that dingy zero budget Kyoka above Sayaka’s sick ass breakdown is a choice and a crime

[@squishydishy1593]

Comment of the year

[@awkwardorangedrawz5914]

I think the magia record transformations where it showed the girls with longer hair and being taller is supposed to be how they will never be able to grow up. that's why they change back into their younger selves right after.

[@xXHiLeAlWaZHeReXx]

Let me just say shaft did an amazing job animating these transformations, let’s not steal effort the put into this anime and the beauty each transformations manifests. Such a beautiful concept .

[@lovelette]

I’ve missed ur madoka magica videos so much aaa💖😭

[@casseroledragon3277]

Madoka's transformation in rebellion also has a ton of yellow being mixed with the pink, like Madokami started to reach through the second the fake Madoka started to transform.

[@NichalasReid]

All I have to say is Pruela Magi holy quintet

[@chickenman1236]

Yes

[@ErisianRomantic]

I clicked on this on a whim, mostly because a few of the transformations in the anime and Rebellion and Magia Record(I never got to play any Madoka games 😢) really stuck with me. Not only did this video do a great job displaying these, but I got choked up a few times, hearing the narrator point out darker or more personal symbolism and iconography for these precious, doomed ladies.

[@HiKONiCONiCO]

#12 : I'd also like to add that everything around Homura is in reverse going right to left and although Homura is falling backwards and her Arm and hand are trying to move forwards like the hands on a clock. I think the glass/ice effect is to represent her freezing time and also how fragile she truly is at keeping everything together. A+ on the transformation sequence though the rest after are truly S tier

[@starryeyes1190]

I think the whole dress up doll thing for Mami was meant to be a reference to her witch form, Candeloro, because Candeloro is referred to as the “dress up witch” (symbolic themes of nostalgia and an idyllic life that Mami wants?) In fact, all the MR summon transformations feature some kind of references to the 5’s witch forms -Sayaka is shown as a mermaid silhouette, because Oktavia is the mermaid witch. -Kyoko is set aflame, since Ophelia has a candle flame head. -The top down shot of Madoka with the circular pattern beneath her resembles the appearance of Kriemhild Gretchen. -Homura twirling/ballet dancing is because Homulily is the nutcracker witch, a reference to the famous Nutcracker ballet.

[@serenitysilvermoon]

Talking about the ribbon theme in Madoka's MagiReco transformation, in Weiss Schwarz, the card game, Madoka, Homura, Sayaka and Kyoko each had a card that was "Magical Girl of ___". Mami, sadly, is the only who who didn't get one, but Homura is the Magical Girl of Time, Sayaka of Swords, Kyoko of Spear, and Madoka is the Magical Girl of Bows. While this *may* just allude to her weapon, I always thought of it more as her hair ribbon too, particularly after Rebellion

[@writeon2593]

6:46 Others may have noticed this earlier, but I just realized that the ribbons that become Mami's corset are pink/red rather than yellow like the ribbons she controls. This makes this transformation reference Madoka and her similarly colored ribbons. I just think that's great considering that this transformation and its happy tone occurs because of Madoka. This also makes me reflect on Madoka's choice of ribbons between the ones she eventually chose and the yellow ones. Perhaps this was symbolic of her forging her own identity as a magical girl instead of trying to live up to the standards Mami set, something that Sayaka did and paid the price for.

[@Flood55]

Wow. Nice analysis. I didn't think about Madoka entering the labyrinth during her transformation sequence in Rebellion. It reminds me of Homura's initial transformation at the end of Madoka Magica. You even see her being quarantined/captured by the Incubators with all those lines that get thrown over her in the scene. That they are able to show us something major happening in plain sight without anyone being the wiser is a testament to skill and dedication the animators had with this series. Will always be one of my favorites. 💖 Thank you.

[@JoshtheOverlander]

It looks like Magical Girl May came a second time this year!

[@acottontailnightfang584]

6:19 I've always loved this part of Kyoto's transformation. Her soul gem appearing looks like an eye opening up, calling back to her wish and her dad's religion.

[@blake4261]

11:19 i believe i read somewhere that sayaka’s hair is long because each time she was thrown by someone in her transformation she grew up a few years

[@djdjinn6340]

I'm not a huge Madoka fan, but finally understanding what was going on in Rebellion really makes me appreciate it more, and your video really sold that, so thank you!

[@youdonotcare]

You know there's a lot of transformations when there are like 5 per girl Btw all of the holy quintets' app transformations show them taller and with longer hair. A lot of people (including myself) believe this is supposed to be their future selves, as in the future they never got to have as a magical girl.

[@sassafrass_studios]

I was confused when Madoka’s Rebellion transformation popped up as your top one, because it always felt off to me compared to the others. It hasn’t occurred to me that was the whole point!

[@cartib6677]

Loved your analysis on Madoka’s transformation and it’s the best I’ve heard on the topic! That being said the Sayaka Rebellion placement hurt my soul (gem) a bit

[@CDUAFIFTH]

i honestly beleived that Mami before being a magical girl was a model because she came from a rich family and had a lot european influence because of it, she stil has the bucks and i genuinly though it was because she was still a model, so the app summon was just a reflection of that

[@LoraCoggins]

Sayaka's app transformation is me whenever I need to get out of bed but can't/don't want to.

[@normaltuesday1872]

A detail with Madokas Rebellion transformation is that in the shot preceding the hand (Madokamis hand) shattering the scene, the art style Madoka is drawn in is different. It looks cleaner and more cutesy, it looks more like a traditional magical girl anime art style. The way it's presented to the audience is different as well, with there being some kind of strange, rugged pattern filter over it, making it seem aged and worn out. Maybe that could have been a shot from Madokas very first transformation that Homura is probably remembering in her labyrinth since a lot of what goes on in there is inside her head? But yeah, that was just a cool detail I noticed and wanted to point out

[@shiningstarshard4470]

10:34 I love your theory! I had a similar one. I thought the reason her transformation is being put together by everyone else was because Sayaka was never meant to be a magical girl! It sounds weird at first but when we see Homura becoming a magical girl for the first time, it was Madoka and Mami who fought Walpurgisnacht. but we know that in every timeline Sayaka becomes a magical girl she becomes a witch. Also we know that when Mami finds out she has a break down and tries to “save” everyone from a similar fate. on another note, Homura doesn’t know about the connections until she becomes a magical girl. when I added this to her being the only magical girl who doesn’t always become a magical girl and with her supposed to be very weak compared to other magical girls it only makes sense that kyubey only turns Sayaka into a magical girl to try and make or encourage Madoka to become a magical girl too this can also explain why kyubey is much harsher on her in the anime after she becomes a magical girl. they don’t try to help her or stop her from dying because she will barely give any energy to the universe if she does turn into a witch. Lastly I think they gave her long hair only to make it short again at the end because it can resemble she life. she could have lived a longer life if she never became a magical girl after all.

[@kaygirl10101]

I think Mami's association with fashion is tied to her purposed witch form, known as the Doll Witch. It's also why Kyoko is associated with fire, beyond her personality, Her witch form has a lit candle as a head.

[@GippyHappy]

You didn’t even mention Madoka in the last transformation is randomly in a different art style for a few seconds

[@starchu4538]

A very quick thing, I saw this in a different video talking about the different transformations in the mobile game (I WISH I can find the original video but it's been so long that I can't even remember who made it) For Mami, the idea of focusing on fashion is actually pretty on par with her character. It's seen in Rebellion that she takes a lot of care and time of self care, brushing her hair and making sure there is no knots in it. It's very quick but you can see that she doesn't even style her hair normally like how we see Madoka does in the beginning of the original series, she uses magic to style her hair to make sure she looks good, to make a good appearance. I also think it relates to how she wants others to see her, that want to see her to be well put together so people can rely on her, her mother figure role affecting her in such minor ways, consciously or subconsciously.

[@williamclark40]

With the hair thing I think it’s because when they transform they essentially seal their abilities to be adults. But in the 4th movies visual they have long hair. So maybe the girls will finally get to grow up?

[@skuller9182]

I legit didnt notice the rebellion madoka transformation at all this video made my day

[@GuinaifenSolos]

I rlly hope you do a Magia record transformation vid

[@Aisubun]

so glad I'm not the only one who loves Kyoko's MagiReco transformation

[@Nour-db7ig]

Kyoko’s app transformation with the dance video game, and the backstory snippets are gold

[@weatherchannel84]

small detail but in madoka's rebellion transformation in the shot of her before madokami's hand she has a slightly off artstyle more closely referencing other magical girl animes and maybe anime figures, mostly shown in the eyes. after madokami's hand breaks through we get a close up to her eye in the normal art style, also her eyes are often altered in this transformation. such a small thing to bother you about but i think its interesting AUGH i love this anime so much

[@kriblar98]

18:54 i also like how madoka is swung down like a sands of time clock

[@mirramirraonthewall]

Magica record really didn’t need to go as hard as it did for the original cast, but I’m so glad they did! Homura especially was always my favorite one. Beautiful animation and symbolism all in one. It really is a shame they took the app down in North America. I mean I guess technically you can still install it, but it’s just a fancy image gallery that doesn’t even work.

[@lyonnereecesumayod4829]

Kyoko 1:38 (25.)Kyoko updated 2nd transformation 5:58 (21.)Kyoko original 9:31 (16.)Kyoko Rebellion 12:48 (13.)Kyoko Updated 21:13 (3.)Kyoko app summon Sayaka 3:12 (24.)Sayaka original 4:38 (22.)Sayaka Rebellion 7:24 (19.)Sayaka updated 10:31 (15.)Sayaka app summon Homura 4:00 (23.)Homura original 8:52 (17.)Homura updated 13:23 (12.)Homura (no glasses) app summon 17:25 (7.)Homura magia record 20:11 (4.)Homura Rebellion 22:42 (2.)Homura app summon Mami 6:26 (20.)Mami updated 2nd transformation 7:56 (18.)Mami app summon 14:00 (11.)Mami updated 14:36 (10.) Mami original 16:24 (8.)Mami rebellion Madoka 11:28 (14.)Madoka original 15:32 (9.)Madoka app summon 18:17 (6.)Madoka magia record 19:03 (5.)Ultimate madoka app summon 24:00 (1.)Madoka rebellion

[@Lebicoochie]

Sayaka's transformation in rebellion has to be my favourite tbh I know breakdancing doesn't match her character, but it's just??? So unbelievably cool, and her running up to that shadowy version of herself, only to trip and fuse with it was really beautiful, i liked it

[@floveury]

i have never watched madoka but it reminds me a lot of revue starlight! its about a bunch of "stage girls" that fight to get the title of top star + the creative use of literal set pieces made me think of how good rwby fights could be if they weren't all on a flat plane lol

[@wAaAAAaHhh]

26:48 I kind of assumed Madoka’s would be like an Idol. It looks off and simplified because usually Idols sing while dancing and the simple choreography helps, so it looks awkward out of context. Buuut I think this adds to your point of her transformation being different from the other girls

[@Dave175]

WELL, I did not put together that last one was actually part of the plot until now. Thanks for pointing that out!

[@cornballdangernoodle]

YES! I’m so glad I didn’t have to wait all the way until May!

[@folksysparkanimations6258]

Mami’s dress up theme in her transformation actually references her witch which is the dress-up witch.

[@mycelestialchild]

while watching this, i actually noticed another fun detail :0 at 27:17 you can see madoka took time to point at 4 different things, most likely sayaka, mami, kyoko, and homura, and then pointing to herself. what i think she was trying to do is say "those four have already took the time to transform, but now it's my time to shine!!" or something like that. pretty cute, huuh???

[@mayanightstar]

I never noticed any of those details in Madoka's Rebellion transformation you've blown my mind I'm so impressed

[@HeeheeLissy]

28:37 i never knew the girls were imaginary in the beginning or that you can pinpoint exactly when madokami enters! i love that i can still learn new things about this movie … hence why it is my favorite movie ever

[@RaagTheRat]

I love the Madoka videos so much

[@frogradar]

am only a minute in, and maybe you mention it, But I love how when they transform in rebellion they enter a "witch" zone and the art changes from the anime into something different, like a witches.

[@JeyNkey]

Alright, on a Sayaka Rebellion breakdance. You know how Sayaka has this water vibe around her. And her witchform is reminiscent of Mermaid. Have you heard the story of Mermaid? Mermaid fell in love with a prince (which is obv Kyoske here) and took a magic spell to permanently trade her fishtail and beautiful voice for pair of legs. Also, with the new pair of legs she will be able to dance beautifully like no one on Earth. The wish came with bunch of downside effects: every step she will make she will feel as if she is walking on sharp knives, and if her love doesn’t get requitted she will transform to foam. There’s a lot in the Sayaka’s story kinda repeat the classic fairy tail, but let’s focus here on the thing with “every step she will make she will feel as if she is walking on sharp knives”. The dancing for the Mermaid was a very painful thing to do, but she did it anyway, through the pain. And now please pay attention, how Sayaka dances in her transformation. She never touches the ground with her feet! Which tells us that she overcome this whole past thing and learned to live with her wishes downsides in balance.

[@L3onking]

I think Mami's fashion focus for her magia record transformation is supposed to be a hint to all the potential futures she could have had if she wasn't bound to her fate. The older versions of each girl is a theme of magia record. Fun fact Homura spent 12 years trying to find a timeline Madoka survives.

[@Aisubun]

I love that they're keeping up the key aesthetic for the 4th movie in her new outfit

[@fullmoon-t3f]

Thanks for the fun video! I heard somewhere that Sayaka's dance is a heart break so it's break dancing. I don't remember if it was in the official guidebook, audio commentary, or somewhere else.

[@InktheImpassive]

I love Magia Record's. It's short, simple, and we even get a glimpse on how they could've looked liked as adults of which they were robbed off becoming a magical girl.

[@atomykebonpyre]

Watching Homuras shield form piece by piece around her arm in her updated transformation (9:00) will never fail to give me that dopamine rush that lights my entire brain up like a christmas tree.

[@SmolGayArtNerd]

I know this is kind of a tiny detail for Madoka's transformation, but I always found it weird how those "Homura's POV" shots of her somehow looked cuter than the already cute art style we know from PMMM. You bringing it up as Homura's POV made it make perfect sense! I know not everyone ships them, but regardless I feel like Homura probably would see Madoka somehow cuter/more desirable than everyone else, especially in her own labyrinth.

[@orangesabyss4107]

Magical Girl May in October, heck ya!!