Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		1.5
Overall		4.0

Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman July 15, 2014

Aniplex was one of the producers of Puella Magi Madoka Magica, and so it’s perhaps understandable why the label doled out the actual series in such small increments, in a trio of pretty expensive boxed sets that also included accoutrements like soundtrack CDs and other swag (Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Box Set Volume 1, Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Box Set Volume 2, Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Box Set Volume 3). The label hedged its bets somewhat by also releasing the series in scaled down versions that were significantly less pricey (Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Volume 1, Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Volume 2, Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Volume 3). That glut of choices doesn’t seem to have been repeated with this new set devoted to the first two Puella Magi Madoka Magica feature films which were culled from the actual series, and this Limited Edition contains just the films (on separate Blu-ray discs) with accompanying DVD versions and an assortment of supplements, without an overkill of swag with arguably niche appeal. Puella Magi Madoka Magica is a franchise which often seems to be as childlike as its heroine, Madoka Kaname, but which actually ends up offering some occasionally rather provocative musings about what wish fulfillment can really lead to. Despite its carnival like atmosphere, Puella Magi Madoka Magica actually turns out to be a kind of post-modern take on the Faust legend, as so-called Magical Girls find out the “contracts” they’ve entered into to obtain certain powers have consequences they never imagined could be possible.

For complete write ups on the two films included in this set, please click on the following individual reviews:

Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie Part 1: Beginnings Blu-ray review

Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie Part 2: Eternal Blu-ray review

Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Video quality of each release is discussed in the reviews which are linked above.

Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Audio quality of each release is discussed in the reviews which are linked above.

Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The supplemental features of each release are discussed in the reviews which are linked above.

Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Perhaps surprisingly, Puella Magi Madoka Magica makes the transition to (shortened) feature films rather well. While certain aspects are telescoped, when taken together, Beginnings and Eternal hit most of the major arcs while perhaps wisely jettisoning some of the more rote shōnen aspects of the original series. What this ends up doing is much more quickly revealing what a thought provoking franchise this outing really is. Like the Magical Girls themselves, Puella Magi Madoka Magica seems to be one thing, but turns out to be something else entirely. Graced by some incredibly vibrant animation, and buoyed by a well done surround track that was not available in the original version, this release comes Highly recommended.