The appeal and evaluation of Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story: A deep look into the first season of the series

"Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story" Review and Recommendation

"Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story" is a TV anime series that aired from January 5 to March 29, 2020, and is based on the game "Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story". This work is positioned as a spin-off of the "Puella Magi Madoka Magica" series and depicts a new story of magical girls. Below, we will provide a detailed review and recommendation of this work.

story

The story of "Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story" continues the setting of magical girls fighting witches in exchange for making wishes come true, but develops the story from a new perspective. The main character, Tamaki Iroha, forgets the wish she made when she became a magical girl, and heads to Kamihama City to get her wish back. In Kamihama City, a rumor is spreading among magical girls that "if you go to Kamihama, magical girls will be saved," and this rumor is the clue that leads to the start of Iroha's journey.

The story skillfully balances the magical girls' daily lives and battles, and is particularly moving as it depicts Iroha's search for her sister and the process of deepening her bonds with her friends. In addition, the phenomenon of "rumors" and "rumors" that occurs in Kamihama City adds depth to the story and draws viewers in. Each episode tells the story from the perspective of a different magical girl, allowing viewers to enjoy the story from multiple perspectives.

character

The characters in this work are unique and attractive. The main character, Tamaki Iroha, is a reliable person who cares about those around her, but she also stands out a bit in class. Her growth and the process of deepening her bonds with her friends are highlights. Nanami Yachiyo is a veteran magical girl from Kamihama City. She has a strong sense of territory and takes a strict attitude towards other magical girls, but she also shows her knowledgeable side by filing "rumors" from Kamihama City.

Other magical girls with various backgrounds also appear, such as Felicia Mizuki, who works as a mercenary, Momoko Totoga, Kaede Akino, and Rena Minami, who work as part of a team. Their individual stories and relationships are carefully drawn, eliciting deep empathy from the viewer. Characters such as Kyubey and little Kyubey also have an essential presence in the story.

Animation and performance

The animation for Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story continues the distinctive style that Shaft is known for. The character designs are by Junichiro Taniguchi, and they faithfully recreate the imagery of the original work while incorporating some unique aspects of the anime. The action, especially in the fight scenes, is visually stunning, with Takashi Hashimoto's skill as action director shining through.

Art director Ken Naito's background art is also beautiful, with impressive depictions of the streets of Kamihama and the barrier where the magical girls fight. Additionally, the visual expression by editor Rie Matsuhara and cinematographer Koji Tsuchiya also improves the pace of the story and draws the viewer in. Akiyuki Shinbo's influence as animation supervisor is also significant, resulting in a work with a sense of unity throughout.

music

The music is by Takumi Ozawa, and each song, including the opening theme "Gomakashi" (TrySail), the ending theme "Alicia" (ClariS), and "Nigredo" (Sito), livens up the atmosphere of the story. The opening theme "Gomakashi" in particular is a powerful song with lyrics that express the complex feelings of the magical girls, and it resonates with the hearts of viewers. Additionally, the insert songs "Uwasa Counting Song" (Kato Emiri) and "Kokuho High End" (Fumino Sayuki/Machico) also play a role in livening up important scenes in the story.

Broadcast information

"Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story" was broadcast on TOKYO MX, BS11, and other stations from January 5 to March 29, 2020. The broadcast schedule for each episode is as follows:

• Episode 1: Hey hey, have you heard? That rumor about the magical girl (2020/01/05)
• Episode 2: That's the End of Friendship (2020/01/12)
• Episode 3: Sorry for being your friend (2020/01/19)
• Episode 4: It's not the past (2020/01/26)
• Episode 5: There's no room for you to step in! (2020/02/02)
• Episode 6: I'll Do Anything (2020/02/09)
• Episode 7: I want to go home with you (2020/02/16)
• Episode 8: Don't Reply (2020/02/23)
• Episode 9: A world where only I exist (2020/03/01)
• Episode 10: My Name (2020/03/08)
• Episode 11: The Promise is at 3pm at the Museum of Memory (2020/03/15)
• Episode 12: Why am I so miserable? (2020/03/22)
• Episode 13: The Only Signpost (2020/03/29)

It will also be streamed online and can be viewed on d Anime Store, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, etc.

Related Titles

As part of the Puella Magi Madoka Magica series, Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story has deep ties to the following related works:

• Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story - Eve of Awakening -
• Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story 2nd SEASON Special Edition
• Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story -Dawn of a Shallow Dream-
• Puella Magi Madoka Magica
• Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie [Part 1] The Beginning Story
• Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie [Part 2] The Eternal Story
• Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie: Rebellion
• Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie: Walpurgis no Kaiten

By watching these works, you can gain a deeper understanding of the world of Magia Record and the backgrounds of its characters.

Recommendation

"Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story" is a work that delves deeply into the theme of magical girls, and the portrayal of character growth and human relationships is very detailed. In particular, the story, which realistically depicts the suffering and conflicts of the magical girls, deeply moves viewers. In addition, the beautiful animation and music are also points not to be missed.

This work is highly recommended not only for fans of the "Puella Magi Madoka Magica" series, but also for viewers who enjoy magical girls and deep stories. Please experience a new story of magical girls through the journey of Tamaki Iroha, who pursues the "rumor" of Kamihama City.