Weh meinem Kranze! Es ist eben geschehn!

[elspeth_vimes]

So I am kind of deeply in love with Puella Magi Madoka Magica, and Sayaka is totally my favorite character, because when you stop a magical fight with a fire extinguisher in episode one and bring a baseball bat to another magical fight in episode two you basically earn my love forever. But this is Madoka Magica, and Sayaka has not had an easy time

Comments

I guess the icon is appropriate?

[elle_white]

I've heard so many good things about this series. It's become popular very quickly! I love deconstructions, especially ones that into rather dark territory, so watching this was a must for me! I just finished watching the first episode and it looks very promising!

it is pretty appropriate!

[elspeth_vimes]

If I recall correctly, the creators have basically said they're aiming to do the Neon Genesis Evangelion of magical girls, and so far they actually have the skill to pull that off. It really takes off in episode 3! (And the fact that it's a Shaft show with Shinbou directing, and thus has boatloads of style, probably is not hurting the hype.)

I hope you enjoy!

[mirthalia]

I hadn't actually noticed the societal conformity themes, but I can see where you're getting them! And I think there's another in that in Japan it's very much expected that the individual will sacrifice for the good of the community, and that's brought to bear in Madoka with all the force of a hammer. (Though it's kind of subverted in the end with Madoka's final wish...)

I find that individual with/against/for community dynamism in Japanese media very fascinating. Once I found out about it I realized just how much it seems to pervade the manga industry, particularly in shounen series. All over the place. And it's especially interesting to contrast against the same theme in American comics, which tend to lean heavily in favour of the individual but for different reasons (less out of rebellion and more out of entitlement, I guess you could say).

[elspeth_vimes]

I think difference between Madoka and Sayaka is the circumstances of their decision. Madoka sacrifices herself for the community in full knowledge of what she's doing. It's her choice, expressing her values, and she gains agency through it. Sayaka, on the other hand, doesn't really know what she's getting into, is expressing the values she's internalized but which aren't necessarily compatible with her, and loses agency. So it's the destructive force of the imposition of societal demands on the individual, versus the positive force of the individual willingly acting for society.

I think, I do need to watch the whole series again.

[mirthalia]

A very good point! And one of the reasons why the ending is so touching, I think.

[elspeth_vimes]

I really loved the role her family played. Madoka takes what she's learned not only from her friends, but even more from her family and especially her mother, and decides to do everything she can for what she values.

[mirthalia]

Oh, also, not sure if you'd seen this.

[elspeth_vimes]

I saw that a while ago, yeah!

Fate/zero is supposed to be getting an anime soon, I am intrigued.

[mirthalia]

Oho.