461st G-View: Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story

Note before reading: This review is by a person who greatly enjoyed the original Madoka Magica anime but does not revere it as one of the all time greats nor did it have a strong impact in my nerdy life. Viewers who do or possibly consider it life changing may not enjoy this spinoff. Readers who are open to reading whether this story set in the Madoka universe is worth checking out can do so as we take a look at the anime adaptation of the Magia Record mobile game.

Alternate Title: Magia Record: Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica Gaiden (Japanese)

Genres: Dark, Drama, Magic, Magical Girl, Moepocalypse, Mystery, Psychological, Supernatural, Yuri

Number of Episodes: 25. Split in three parts:

• Part 1: Magia Record. 13 Episodes
• Part 2: Eve of Awakening. 8 Episodes
• Part 3: Dawn of a Shallow Dream. 4 Episodes

G-Rating: 8/10

Plot Summary: In exchange for the fulfillment of a wish, Magical Girls keep fighting, unbeknownst to the rest of the world. But Iroha Tamaki can’t seem to remember her wish. There is a gaping hole in her life. Something important has been lost. But she continues to fight every day, without even knowing why. Then, a rumor begins to spread among Magical Girls. Magical Girls can be saved if they go to Kamihama City, the city where Magical Girls and Uwasa are gathering.

Iroha became my favorite character for her adorable confused expression throughout most of Part 1. So cute.

As mentioned the story is split in three parts/seasons covering three arcs and presented in the basic plot structure.

Part 1: The setup.

This being the beginning it is an introduction to the setting, the important main and side-characters, how things work and the ever growing mystery of what is happening and why. It is presented in a per episode mystery culminating in a battle against the Witch of the Week along with dropping hints of what is really going on. The main heroine team meet and come together to become a Witch and Uwasa slaying family. More on that later.

Part 2: The Rising Action

By Part 2 the curtain had been halfway raised to reveal what is going on. Our heroines face greater challenges than before as the weekly formula is dropped and it is all about ending the main threat, hopefully by avoiding grimness but this is Madoka Magica so…Speaking of Madoka Magica.

This is not a huge spoiler as any longtime fan would expect to see them in some capacity. Yes. The OG Team Madoka do appear and play a growing role over time. Their own journey is referenced but that is all I will say.

Part 3: This is Meduka Meguca

The final puzzle pieces are revealed and the epic climax is reached. Also the part with the strongest reminder that this story is set in the Madoka universe. Viewers are advised to be mentally and emotionally prepared for what is to come.

As was established at the start of the franchise Magia Record is also about girls who suffer emotionally, are offered a contract by the white cat thing of doom and face the consequences of its Faustian nature. Physically and emotionally torturing vulnerable adolescent and teenage girls is the norm in most Moepocalypse shows since the early stages of dark magical girl/moe stories and Magia Record is no exception. Fears, regrets, self-loathing, cursed existence, confusion, spite and other negative emotions plaguing the poor unfortunate souls tricked into this seemingly endless magical war full of suffering. Debates on the right and wrong way to save lives are presented along with an understanding of human emotions. It’s like the main phrase in professional wrestler Edge‘s various theme songs:

“You think you know me?“

It is important to remember that phrase while watching this show. Having said that at the end of the day the universal truth of this franchise remains the same: It is, has and always will be Kyubey’s fault.

This show being 25 episodes there is enough time to unveil the curtain and reveal what is going on. Most of the key players’ stories and roles in the plot are revealed. All but one though when it comes to this lime green haired character her origin and motives are presented in bits and pieces. Viewers are given an idea what her deal is but not have it spelled out to them. Personally I paid attention to her character archetype and to be honest she did nothing for me. She of course has her fans from the mobile game or fellow anime viewers but I have seen others do her shtick better.

The presentation is similar to the main series with our heroines traveling to worlds full of creepy drawings fighting the Witches, or as I like to refer to them, killer doodles (Some were even in glorious neon colors and paper), along with the new threat of the Uwasa and other dangers closer to the girls than they expect. The rapid still shots, symbolic imagery within the Witch/Uwasa domains are all either aesthetic or have meaning behind them. Honestly could not tell myself but it was all cool and creepy which was all I needed. While not super bloody there is more than enough creepy and unsettling imagery to match its mostly somber tone. The soundtrack is pretty good with tunes that fit every emotions from happy to scary along with some nice OPs and EDs.

I mentioned earlier a Witch and Uwasa slaying family. That is because we have a main group of five consisting of two mother figures (Iroha and Yachiyo), their energetic cousin (Tsuruno) and two rowdy but adorable daughters (Felicia and Sana). As the story progresses viewers will see what I mean.

• Iroha is a confused cutie doing her best to fight but not strong enough to kick major booty. However, her journey is MOSTLY that of a great heroine growing stronger over time and her being my favorite was excellent watching how far she would come.
• Yachiyo is a token badass sassy ice queen who means well deep down but has understandable reasons for distancing herself.
• Tsuruno is the energetic cool chick of the team but is she really? No really. Is the cool chick her true self?
• Felicia is a young hothead who had seen things…
• Sana is the calm child with emotional baggage. They all have it but you know what I mean.

The important side-characters on both the good and controversial sides are the same. The OG quintet are the Rebellion versions. That is all I will say about them without spoiling.

One of the main reasons I greatly enjoyed Magia Record is most of the heroines and antagonists (except one) are very likable. Naturally I cannot guarantee viewers will like them all but I sure did. All their good and bad, their adorable traits, struggles, victories and failures. I took it all in. As mentioned in the themes some familiar but tough stuff they went through. Invested in most of it, I was.

Speaking of the moms it is time for the usual main event. Cannot have a dark magical girl story without yuri goodness. That is the case most of the time and Magia Record is no different. There are easy to spot gays and couples who get together on the side but the creme de la creme are the aforementioned moms Iroha and Yachiyo. Textbook example of filling in the empty spaces in their souls. Whatever Iroha lacks Yachiyo provides and vice-versa. Without giving anything away I would say they are at their best in Part 2. HOWEVER, keep in mind what kind of show this is so again be mentally and emotionally prepared.

Overall Magia Record continues the legacy of Meduka Meguca being a top tier Moepocalypse franchise. I cannot guarantee avid fans of the original will like this one but readers who enjoy Moepocalypse stories in general may find a lot to like here. I do not know how closely it follows the mobile game version of the story but what we got here was still quite good. Just know what you’re getting yourself into and be prepared.

PS: The levels of Shaft tilting vary. Not all ladies go ham with dem tilts but some do. Yachiyo does have some hair action though.