Do you still remember the opening of Puella Magi Madoka Magica?
The unique style of Kalafina's art, countless silhouettes, absurd scenes pieced together with stickers, the magical space composed of black and white, and Homura Akemi fighting against some giant monster.
Its distinctive art style, coupled with flashy battles, seemed to herald the extraordinary nature of this anime from the very beginning.
However, compared to Cyberpunk Edgerunners, Madoka's story has a slightly slower start because it needs to lay down the groundwork and then slowly ignite it, providing enough impact for the audience.
And the opening battle of Puella Magi Madoka Magica is also a foreshadowing.
The unfamiliar girl in the dream, the innocent and cute Madoka, the background no longer realistic but emphasizing the atmosphere鈥攖his also blurs the background of the entire world, like a fairy tale.
From Madoka waking up to introducing her family, the scenes filled with warmth everywhere couldn't help but make Elysia smile knowingly.
"So impressive~"
"What?"
"The expressiveness brought to the audience by these images, the cute art style, the heartwarming scenes, and the transformation of the cute girls in the opening song, I love them so much~"
Suddenly, Bronie became nervous.
"Ahaha... It's good that you like it!"
"There are also many details in some places! But this cosmetics is labeled with order, but I've never seen Bronie put on makeup..."
"After all, I'm beautiful enough without makeup, right? And I don't have any experience with makeup because if it smudges due to intense exercise, it's better not to wear makeup."
"Oh~ You've never put on makeup before~"
Of course! This was her final line of defense!
"Then I'll help you with makeup in the future, you definitely won't refuse, right?"
Finally...
"Okay."
It crumbled.
...
The warm opening, centered around Madoka, begins to introduce the relationships around Madoka, and her carefree ordinary days seem to be about to transform into becoming a magical girl.
"Wow, meeting a girl from my dream, how coincidental and romantic~"
Homura Akemi appeared, although she was a bit out of place as a teacher, and even criticized men who only eat half-cooked fried eggs, but Elysia was quickly attracted by Homura Akemi's somewhat cool appearance.
Black, long hair, cool, with a hint of elegance.
"So, Bronie!"
"Yeah?"
What now!?
Bronie became nervous again.
"By the way, when you first came to the Elysian Realm, you also had that kind of feeling!"
"Huh? What feeling?"
"Confidence, elegance, with a hint of coolness, as if you knew everything, and also~"
In the pitch-black cinema, only when you get very close can you fully see Elysia's face, but Elysia tightened her grip on her hand, as if afraid she might suddenly run away.
"From the beginning, Bronie, you've been staring at me like Homura Akemi~"
So perceptive!
"Well... um, it's just a coincidence, art comes from reality, but transcends reality, there are always so many plots that are actually very similar!"
"Is that so~"
Elysia didn't say anything more.
Madoka's plot also gradually began to progress.
From meeting Homura Akemi, Madoka's ordinary life was destined to be disrupted.
And Homura Akemi's attitude towards Madoka was a bit strange, especially since the newly transferred student excelled in both academics and martial arts and was very familiar with the school environment.
This made people feel quite curious.
And that unique new camera movement, sometimes special camera language, always conveyed many different atmospheres and feelings.
With so much groundwork laid, before the audience could delve into the deeper meaning of the foreshadowing, an extraordinary life began to assail the protagonist Madoka.
"Wow! Why did Homura suddenly start chasing after Kyubey? Isn't Homura also a magical girl? Isn't Kyubey supposed to be a companion of magical girls? Like a mascot~"
"Even if you say that, there are more than just righteous magical girls on the market now, there are also antagonistic magical girls, right? So attacking the enemy's mascot is, to some extent, part of the information warfare strategy, isn't it?"
"Oh! The source of information about magical girls' enemies usually comes from mascots!"
As Elysia said this, she was also taken aback. Then the witch descended, conveying a discomforting feeling with its unique style, much like the execution of a black-and-white bear.
Images and colors can convey emotions.
And this emotion probably stems from the enemies of magical girls, the witches.
It's quite strange. In other magical girl anime, enemies are either mindless monsters without pain or reason, or they're evil organizations composed of weird people.
But this witch gives off a different vibe.
It's said to be without reason.
But occasionally, you can see unfamiliar words appearing on it.
It wasn't until the ending credits rolled that Elysia realized the first episode had ended.
There were many foreshadowings, and because of the core of its plot, it was difficult for the audience to delve deeper, just like in "Danganronpa," where there are foreshadowings scattered everywhere, but players are quickly pulled back into the case.
However, games can be paused, allowing players to slowly ponder the subplot, but anime is different. If paused midway, there's always a subtle feeling.
Then there's the OP and ED. The music sounds cheerful and warm, but the lyrics seem to imply something.
The second episode starts talking about witches and magical girls.
Girls always admire magical girls. Mami Tomoe appears as a very reliable senior, saving Madoka and Sayaka from danger.
Naturally, the two girls become interested in becoming magical girls.
The item for transforming into magical girls is called a Soul Gem, which looks like a beautiful gem. Furthermore, if you want to fulfill the contract to become a magical girl, you can also make a wish as compensation.
Sounds lovely, right?
It seems that any wish can be granted, but as Mami Tomoe said, this is compensation for the cruel act of battling witches as a magical girl.
This compensation is quite something, but are Madoka and Sayaka the kind of people who would consider so much?
Actually, Mami Tomoe also warns them not to enter the world of magical girls lightly, but at the same time, she harbors some expectations, wanting to have companions to fight alongside as magical girls.
As witches born from curses continue to spread despair in the world, magical girls born from wishes bear the obligation to fight witches.
They also spread hope.
These inherent contradictions lay the groundwork for the whole story.
"Bronie really likes the contrast between hope and despair~!"
"Because after sinking into nihilism, despair follows, and everything becomes meaningless. Isn't our life always on the path of combating such things?"
"It's no wonder you were chosen by the Aeon..."
Elysia also understands what Bronie is fighting for.
But sometimes, there is indeed a void in the heart, so isn't there a need for battles?
If a person is not aware of the void, there may not be a need for battle, but such people may not necessarily perceive the beauty around them either.
Madoka is full of admiration for becoming a magical girl.
It's not about fulfilling a wish; it's about wanting to help everyone. Madoka is a girl who loves everyone and loves everything in the world.
Although she doesn't realize it at this moment.
After school, Mami takes the two girls to encounter witches, to observe firsthand what it's like to fight as magical girls.
Inducing suicide, devouring ordinary people, the malice of witches fills the entire witch's barrier, bringing distortion into this world, is a terrifying figure who does nothing but evil.
Seeing Mami's magnificent defeat of the opponent, Madoka indeed starts to think about becoming a magical girl.
But the words of Kyoko Sakura ahead make Madoka always hesitate.
Similarly, Mami's desire for companionship, although well hidden, also reaches Madoka and Sayaka's hearts.
The image of the confident and reliable senpai is established in the hearts of the two girls, as well as in the hearts of the audience
.
This is a reliable senior, right? If there's such a reliable senior as a guide when becoming a magical girl, there's nothing to be afraid of, right?
Everyone unconsciously had this thought, and the second episode came to a close.
"Wow, Mami's fighting style is really magnificent and interesting!"
Mami mainly uses muskets, firing one shot after another, combined with her flexible ribbons, her fighting style is very much like that of a magical girl.
Although it gives a feeling that's not quite the traditional magical girl fighting style, this novelty feels good, doesn't it?
"Do you want me to make one for you? A fighting equipment that fires one shot and then throws it away. With Ether Editing technology, as long as there's enough energy, similar weapons with the same effect can be made."
"Enough energy? Hmm, sounds interesting. I'll definitely give it a try in the future! But it's a bit strange, isn't it? It's already the third episode, almost the third episode, but still haven't become magical girls yet..."
The second episode mainly focuses on the story of Sayaka Miki. Because the boy she likes was involved in an accident and can no longer play the violin, Sayaka had the idea of saving him through a wish.
However, Mami pointed out whether Sayaka really wanted to save the person or just wanted to become their savior, making Sayaka realize her selfishness.
It's hard to say. Admitting one's selfish thoughts and the like.
So Sayaka temporarily put aside her wish to make.
"It's almost time, isn't it? Can I go to the bathroom? Hmm, I drank a bit too much cola..."
Seeing Madoka and Sayaka hesitating and encountering a witch while Mami wasn't around, Bronie prepared to leave.
But as Bronie got up, Elysia grabbed Bronie, then gently pulled, causing Bronie to stumble and fall into Elysia's arms.
Then, her hands went under Bronie's armpits and directly hugged Bronie's abdomen.
"What's wrong, what's wrong? You only took a sip of cola, lying isn't a good thing, you know~"
Elysia's voice came from beside, the breeze brushed past the ears, like an electric current passing through the whole body, Bronie nervously tightened her legs.
"Um, is this Mami's attitude... craving to have companions? Madoka is amazing, wanting to live with her head held high, realizing her dreams with her own hands, then there's Homura..."
The plot continued, Sayaka ventured alone into danger, Mami and Madoka were alone together, and Mami also had a hint of guilt inside.
Allowing Madoka to enter the world of magical girls without permission, the cruelty that magical girls have to face may be much more difficult than imagined.
Unable to love, and no one to listen to the inner pain.
"Um... we'll see what happens next."
Bronie responded in this way.
Mami's mood was unprecedentedly good when she heard Madoka wanting to become her partner.
The witch had already been born, and Mami arrived just in time.
["I'm so light. It's the first time I've fought with such a cheerful mood... I'm fearless!"]
Because of herself, she gained new companions again!
Elysia was also happy for Mami.
["Because I'm not alone anymore!"]
"That's right, Mami, go for it!"
Elysia hugged Bronie, cheering for Mami in the scene.
Finally, they came face to face with the witch.
["Sorry, but I'll finish you off in one go."]
Elysia could understand that feeling, wanting to end the battle as soon as possible, wanting to greet her new companions as soon as possible, wanting to release the cheerful mood in her heart.
Then..
Everything came to a sudden stop.
["Crack, crack"]
Although there was no blood in the scene, but only the image of Mami's lifeless body was forever imprinted in Elysia's eyes.
The transformation was canceled.
The headless silhouette fell from the sky, landing in the soft cream on the ground, then was devoured by the witch in one breath!
The sudden turn of events, the cruel scene deeply shocked Madoka and Sayaka, as well as Elysia.
Even Elysia forgot to breathe. She was only able to hear the sound of the witch gnawing on Mami beside her.
["Remember it well, this is the end result of becoming a Magical Girl."]
Kyoko Sakura arrived in time, eliminating the witch in front of her, making the fight seem so easy, but that advice to Madoka seemed to be saying something.
"Bronie..."
Elysia's little hand started to move around.
"Um... Elysia, no, not here, no..."
"You must be secretly laughing at me in your heart, right!"
"How could that be... Haha, Elysia, don't, it's too ticklish here..."
Her clothes started to become messy, Bronie wriggled against Elysia's body.
"Give me back my Mami~ Waaah~ my Mami~"
"Don't worry, Mami will come back. Isn't there a wish? Resurrecting someone, that kind of thing, must be easy peasy!"
Elysia stopped her little hand.
"Really?"
"Really! After all, magical girls are synonymous with miracles, right? As long as you make a wish for Mami to come back, it'll be easy peasy!"
But what Elysia answered Bronie was an even more restless little hand.
"Don't, Elysia, I really need to pee, don't... don't do this anymore..."
"This is punishment! Punishment for deceiving me!"