Madoka Magica Episode 8: I Was Stupid… So Stupid

I Really Am An Idiot あたしって、ほんとバカ
First airing	24 February 2011
Script	Gen Urobuchi
Storyboard	Shin'ichi Omata
Episode director	Takashi Kawabata
Animation Director	Tomoyuki Matsumoto Yuuji Kondou

Summary

Sayaka finishes off Elsa Maria, but refuses to use the Grief Seed, giving it to Kyouko, and doesn't feel well afterwards. Madoka helps her go back home. They are sitting on a bench with Madoka crying over Sayaka's actions. Sayaka tells that all that is left for her in life is fighting witches. Madoka tells that she wants to make Sayaka happy, but Sayaka runs away, telling Madoka not to follow her, while her Soul Gem is dimming.

Kyouko, Homura and Kyuubey are talking about upcoming Walpurgis Night in Homura's apartment. Madoka goes to Sayaka's apartment to find out that she's been absent since the day before. Hitomi and Kyousuke are walking home, and Hitomi confesses about her feelings, with Sayaka watching. Sayaka then gets angry and goes fighting witches furiously.

Homura speaks with Sayaka, trying to warn her about consequences of not using Grief Seeds, and that Sayaka will probably be a reason for Madoka to become a Puella Magi, but she still refuses. Homura attacks Sayaka, but Kyouko interferes. Homura uses a "flash grenade" which apparently makes her travel through time.

Sayaka is riding a train where two men are talking about having hard relationships with women. She interferes, trying to convince them to understand the other's feelings, and starts transforming into darkness then. Madoka talks with Kyuubey and he tells her about her apparent power. She seems to almost agree to become a Puella Magi, but Homura shoots Kyuubey and starts crying afterwards. Madoka goes searching for Sayaka, ignoring Homura's warnings.

Another body of Kyuubey appears and eats his previous dead body. Kyuubey realizes that Homura is a person from another time, and Homura realizes that Kyuubey is really "The Incubator".

Kyouko finds Sayaka and sees that her Soul Gem is almost completely dark. Sayaka says that the hope and despair must always be in balance, starts crying, and her Soul Gem explodes, creating a maze with Sayaka apparently becoming a witch.

Runes

This episode made a more intensive use of the musical font. See Runes of episode 8

Images

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  Parallel between the witch from episode 1 and the sketches in Homura's house

• Incubator.jpg

  Incubator

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  Musical runes appearing during Sayaka becoming a witch saying "Tempestoso" and "Affettuoso".