Licensing in USA

Initial News

On July 1, 2011, Aniplex USA announced at Anime Expo that they had acquired Puella Magi Madoka license for the US. Since then, Aniplex USA has established a website for Madoka, with links to twitter, facebook and youtube channel. The release will have both English subtitles and dub options.

DVD/Blu-ray release

Volume 1 Limited Edition Box

Aniplex USA announced a three Blu-Ray and DVD release of Puella Magi Madoka Magica at the New York Comic Con panel. The first volume will be released on both Blu-ray Disc and DVD on February 14, 2012. The second volume will follow on April 10, and the third volume will ship on June 12. Pre-orders started on October 17, 2011. There will be a limited edition box with the DVD, Blu-ray Disc, and the original soundtrack. The box will also bundle the following: 24-page booklet, a double-sided poster, Kyubey stickers, collectible "Preview Illustrations" of episode 1-4 postcards, a trailer collection, and credit-less opening and ending animation footage.

The following voice actors were announced:

Christine Marie Cabanos as Madoka
Cassandra Lee as Kyubey
Sarah Williams as Sayaka

On December 16, 2011, Aniplex announced the rest of the key cast:

Lauren Landa as Kyoko
Carrie Keranen as Mami
Cristina Vee as Homura

The official dubbed trailer has also been released and can be watched on YouTube.

Disc Specs

Languages: Japanese & English
Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0 for Blu Ray, Linear PCM for DVD
Subtitles: English
Aspect Ratio: 16x9
Region: no region
Rating: 13 UP

All Volumes
∗ Original Japanese and English languages
∗ Textless Opening

Volume 1
∗ Ending theme song "Magia" music video by Kalafina
∗ Trailer collection

Online distribution

The dub has become a meme even before its release...

Poll results

NicoNico

On Friday, February 10th, 20:30 PST (Feb 11, 4:30 UTC), the first episode with English dub and Japanese subtitles (which were a transcript of the original dialogue) streamed for free on Nico², as well as on Japanese Nico Nico Douga. The broadcast was available in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK and Japan, and has attracted 56485 viewers, who wrote 95826 comments.

After the broadcast, NicoNico conducted a poll to rate the show among the viewers. 78.8% has rated it "very good", 17.0% "OK", 1.5% "not very" and 2.7% "bad".

Crunchyroll

The anime streaming site Crunchyroll announced on February 15th that it has acquired rights to stream the series on the site. The series will be streamed on a weekly basis, with each episode premiering on Wednesday at 10:00 PST (18:00 UTC).

The series is streamed with original Japanese audio and English subtitles. Up to 1080p quality is available for premium users. The streams are available in North America only.

Manga

Yen Press announced at the New York Comic Con that it licensed the Puella Magi Madoka Magica manga, story by Magica Quartet, art by Hanokage.

The first volume will be released in May 2012, the second in August 2012 and the third and final volume in December 2012. Each volume will retail at $11.99 and contain approximately 144 pages. Manga description from Yen Press:

When a new girl joins her class, Madoka Kaname feels she recognizes the mysterious, dark-haired transfer student from one of her dreams…a dream where she is approached by a cat-like creature who offers Madoka an opportunity to change destiny. Madoka had always thought magic was the stuff of fantasy…until she sees the transfer student fighting with the very cat-being from her dream! And just like in Madoka’s dream, the cat gives her a choice: Will Madoka become a Puella Magi in exchange for her dearest desire? What will be the cost of having her wish come true?