Manga Time Kirara Magica Vol.29
The twenty-ninth volume of the bimonthly Manga Time Kirara Magica was released on December 10, 2016. The "Mado Navi" series of interviews continue with franchise mangaka Hanokage about Wraith Arc.
This issue also featured the series finale of Pomu Magi.
Manga
Oneshots
| Name | Author | Page |
|---|---|---|
| 予測不能の青色サンタ | Nash | 103 |
| ほむら☆チャレンジ | 祝日 | 121 |
| 六畳一間の女神と悪魔 | PAPA | 189 |
| いたずら心のマシュマロフレジェ | あきさかやもか | 199 |
| 魔法少女オフ会 | ぐれーともす | 211 |
Series
| Name | Author | Chapter | Page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puella Magi Tart Magica: The Legend of "Jeanne d'Arc" | Golden Pe Done | 20 | 015 |
| Mahou Shoujobu Madoka Magica | Hige | 26[1] | 049 |
| Come in! Magica Bookstore | Terayama Den | 4 | 059 |
| Pomu Magi | Tsukumo | 33[2] | 073 |
| Akemi Homura Will Try Harder Tomorrow! | Ushiro Hayahiro | 5 | 083 |
| Come in! Magica Bookstore | Terayama Den | 5[3] | 135 |
| Puella Magi Oriko Magica: Sadness Prayer | Kuroe Mura | 20 | 149 |
| Akemi Homura Will Try Harder Tomorrow! | Ushiro Hayahiro | 6[4] | 175 |
| Mami Tomoe's Everyday Life | Shinmai | 30[5] | 223 |
Interview with Hanokage
After completing the 1.5-year serialization of Wraith Arc
How do you feel now that the serialization of Wraith Arc has come to an end?
Hanokage: Well, I’m just relieved that it ended without any major issues. I’ve also received feedback like, “It was interesting,” which makes me truly happy.
Wraith Arc had a large number of pages per chapter, and the story kept getting more and more complex as it progressed.
Hanokage: The longest chapter was around 69 pages. Toward the latter half, the details of the settings became more intricate, but I think I was greatly helped by my assistants this time.
While the world of Wraith Arc connects directly to Rebellion, the climax introduces a complex narrative where time loops to link the two worlds.
Hanokage: Yes, I remember Shinbō-san saying during the initial planning stages, “It’s complicated, isn’t it?”
Shinbo: The settings developed in the latter half were discussed during pre-serialization meetings involving me, Inu Curry, Atsuhiro Iwakami, and Ume Aoki, among others.
It must have been a challenging serialization. What was particularly difficult for you?
Hanokage: Writing all of Homura’s dialogue was the most challenging. Imagining her emotions between the main series and Rebellion was especially difficult.
We heard from your editor that Homura’s lines in Chapter 6 underwent changes between the draft and the final publication.
Hanokage: That happens often for me—I refine the story while drawing. I frequently change dialogue from the draft to the finished manuscript. While the core settings don’t change, I adjust the emotional flow and lines for better pacing.
Editor: Even though some parts differed from the draft, we always had them reviewed again by Shinbo-san and others, but there were no significant corrections during that process.
Shinbo: Manga has its own unique ways of expression, so I didn’t feel the need to comment much on that. Anime uses flowing visuals, so complex lines or heavy explanations can make things unclear. Manga, however, allows readers to go at their own pace and re-read pages, so I think the way characters are portrayed naturally differs.
Hanokage: That said, the final chapters ended up with an overwhelming amount of text (laughs).
The text density is a unique feature of manga. On the other hand, what parts did you enjoy drawing the most?
Hanokage: Drawing the wraiths was fun. Their designs, including the ones resembling Madoka and the magical girls, were by Inu Curry. I was also grateful for the incredibly detailed setting provided for the final form of the wraiths.
In this work, new aspects of characters’ relationships, like the interactions between Hitomi and Kyouko, were explored.
Hanokage: Drawing the scenes between Hitomi and Kyouko felt fresh for me, too. Considering Wraith Arc’s world setting, I thought Kyouko’s personality might have softened, so I depicted her treating Hitomi kindly.
In the battle scenes, there’s a part where Homura uses Mami’s muskets, which was exhilarating.
Hanokage: Since Homura and Mami clashed in Rebellion, I thought it would be nice to have them fight side by side this time (laughs).
Shinbo: That’s something unique to Wraith Arc, isn’t it?
The Wraith-shaped creature, resembling Madoka, is quite an unconventional form. Seeing "Madoka" reappear as a character was shocking.
Hanokage: Well, it is a work with "Madoka☆Magica" in the title, so I felt it would have been lonely without Madoka appearing in some way, which is why she was included.
Wraith Arc truly captures the essence of Madoka☆Magica no matter which part you look at. In your view, what defines the essence of Madoka☆Magica?
Hanokage: Hmm, that’s a tough question. If I had to pick one thing, it might be the element of unexpected twists. When I started working on Wraith Arc, I thought about how I didn’t want it to be a simple story that just shows Homura’s Soul Gem growing more tainted, leading to her being captured by Kyubey and connecting to Rebellion in a straightforward way. I wanted it to be a narrative that subverts expectations.
What about you, Director Shinbo? How would you define the essence of Madoka☆Magica?
Shinbo: I’m not sure. But perhaps "essence" is something that can only emerge when you create something in its specific era, at that specific time. Even if you gather the same staff, it doesn’t guarantee that you’ll produce the same thing. There’s always something that organically appears in a work depending on the moment.
Hanokage: I see. That’s probably why creating a continuation isn’t such a simple task.
Speaking of continuations, what were your thoughts on the concept movie shown at the MADOGATARI Exhibition?
Hanokage: When I first saw it, I was really curious about what would happen to Homura. Personally, I really love the version of Homura as "Devil Homura" from Rebellion, so I was a little disappointed that I couldn’t portray Homura reaching that stage in Wraith Arc (laughs).
Shinbo: When Homura became a devil, it felt like another layer was added to her characterization.
Hanokage: Also, it felt like Mami was kind of the protagonist in that concept movie, didn’t it?
Shinbo: Sayaka can summon monsters, but I think Mami is even stronger (laughs).
Hanokage: Mami’s strength is unwavering (laughs). But I also really love Sayaka as a witch.
The concept movie feels packed with infinite possibilities for a sequel.
Shinbo: I can’t show much yet, but I’d like to properly bring it to fruition.
Are you considering any stories after Wraith Arc?
Hanokage: Hmm… Personally, regarding the story between the main series and Rebellion, I think it’s better to leave room for the audience to imagine. That’s why Wraith Arc is structured in a way that loops back to the starting point at the end.
Among the works serialized in Kirara☆Magica, are there any you particularly enjoy?
Hanokage: There are a lot, but I’d say Aro’s Mahou Shoujo Homura Tamura and Tsukumo’s Pom Magi. Since I often work on serious manuscripts, I think I find comedy even more enjoyable.
You’ve drawn comedic extras for the manga volumes, but how about trying your hand at a slice-of-life series?
Hanokage: Those extras were short, so I could manage, but I think I’d quickly run out of ideas if I tried to create a full slice-of-life series (laughs).
Finally, do you have a message for your readers?
Hanokage: Thank you for reading Wraith Arc over the past year and a half. If I ever have the chance to work on something under the Madoka☆Magica title again, I’d appreciate your support.
Shinbo: But wouldn’t it be great to see an original work from you, Hanokage?
That came up in our last discussion as well.
Shinbo: You’ve been involved with Madoka☆Magica for a long time now, so I think it might be time to create something different as an author.
Hanokage: Actually, I was just discussing that with my editor earlier… but it’s still a blank slate. Since I’ve been working on serious stories for so long, I’m thinking maybe I’ll try something lighter.
Shinbo: It’s good to take on various challenges. But if it’s a story that could be adapted into an anime, that would be amazing. I’d love to be involved in making it (laughs).
Hanokage: Thank you! I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of work I can create myself!
Gallery
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Table of Contents -
Interview with Hanokage -
