Animage 2011-05
Scene Explanations
Scenery with a Unique Presence
The scenery in Madoka creates a unique tension and atmosphere. You can place it in the near future or present time, but basically, the motif of the scenery is to depict actual buildings.
Alternative translation: Madoka's background was brimming with a unique tension and mood. It can be taken as either near future or contemporary, but basically it was based on motives drawn from existing buildings in real life.
Homura's Hair Flipping
Her hair is down now, but she had two braids before. Whenever she flips her hair, it's [the split in her hair] put in there in order to make one think about her past.
Alternative translation: The sweeping up of Homura's hair. Although Homura's hair now hangs freely, at the beginning it was done in twisted double pigtails. The scenes where she was shown to sweep her hair upwards were added as an attempt in the animation to create a feel for that past.
The Secret of Homura's Room
Homura's room is drawn in an other-worldly manner [TL note: this is also the word used for witches' barriers]. The truth is that it's supposed to be a holographic projected image. At its basis, it's an apartment set up around a dinner table and the like. Alternative translation: Homura's room is depicted as a strange place. It's actually suppose to seem like a hologram, as if it's from a picture. Her room was going to be an apartment centered around a low dining room table.
The Secret of the Girls' Weapons
From Madoka's bow, to swords and muskets, the magical girls have some memorable weapons. "What weapons will we have them fight with?" When I was thinking about that, I didn't go talk with Aoki-san, but I knew that we both liked Monster Hunter. It's easier to work off of this common point, so I got inspiration from that," said Urobuchi.
Alternative translation: The secret of the armament of the mahou shoujo? From the bow and arrows of Madoka, to swords and muskets, the arms wielded by mahou shoujo were impressive. Urobuchi - When I thought about what kinds of weapon they would use to fight, although I had not met Aoki-san yet, I found both Aoki-san and I shared the same liking towards "Monster Hunter" (lol). As we have this in common, and it is easy to imagine using that, I got the hint from there for the weapons.
Seiko Yoshida (seiyuu for Kyousuke Kamijou)
The dialogue by Sayaka "I cannot ask him to embrace this body...I cannot ask him to kiss this body...". I heard it directly spoken to me in the studio, and it just came to me with this feeling of the pain and sadness coming from someone who has fallen in love with a person who she is certain will never love her, and I remember crying because of that.
I was really hoping that Kyousuke and Sayaka could have an ending with both came together happily and my heart was left with a sad memory.
Everybody Loves Kyubey
Kyubey, a character surrounded by mysteries whose extraordinary existence casts a shadow over the drama. His backstory seems to play an important role in the story, he gets shot full of holes and toyed around with. Not like a magical girl mascot, is his harsh treatment proof of his popularity? Maybe.
Alternative translation: QB had an oustanding presence by casting shadows over the drama and prompting mysteries all over the place. At critical points in the drama, it lurked around purposely, got shot holes in it, got snatched as an object. Something you could not imagine being a mahou shoujo mascot. Perhaps its rough treatment was the evidence of its popularity!?
