The birdcage witch. Her nature is rage. She continuously stamps her feet inside her cage, directing her rage at those who do not respond to her. This witch is extremely fond of alcohol, and her minions are also easy to burn.
The birdcage witch. Her nature is rage. She continuously stamps her feet inside her cage, directing her rage at those who do not respond to her. This witch is extremely fond of alcohol, and her minions are also easy to burn.
Birdcage Witch. Nature: Wrath. Stomping about its cage, this Witch endlessly begrudges all that has not come true. It's fond of sharp drinks, and its Familiars are extremely flammable.
The birdcage witch's minion. His duty is to act with frivolous indiscretion. These birds that swarm together are idiotic men. Even though they are total good-for-nothings, they try to attract her attention by swarming around her feet and attempting to woo her. They are nothing more than objects of disgust to the witch.
Rebellion Production Note: Minions of the Birdcage Witch (Rental ver.). In addition to playing the clarinet in the hall, they also rescues people who were called to the fake town, but only women. Among them, they had the hobby of rescuing Satome-sensei first.
叛逆の物語 PRODUCTION NOTE:鳥カゴの魔女の手下(レンタルver.)。 ホールでクラリネットを吹く他、 偽街に呼び込まれた人達の救出も行ったが、その対象は女性限定。 中でも和子先生を真っ先に救出する趣味をもつ。
The birdcage witch's minion. His duty is to act with frivolous indiscretion. These birds that swarm together are idiotic men. Even though they are total good-for-nothings, they try to attract her attention by swarming around her feet and attempting to woo her. They are nothing more than objects of disgust to the witch.
Birdcage Witch Minion. Role: Being frivolous and thoughtless. These bird-brained men flock together, vying for attention by flitting about their Witch's feet. But to it, they are nothing more than a nuisance that fuels
Roberta and her familiars appear in Episode 10. She is swiftly defeated by Homura who pauses time and shoots her with a machine gun.
The Rebellion Story
While Roberta doesn't make an appearance in The Rebellion Story, Gotz do. They appear in Sayaka's orchestra playing the clarinet and later attempting to carry an unconscious Kazuko Saotome on a chair. They have a brief description, shown in Ulla's Rental Ver. Concept page.
Gotz
Minions of the Birdcage Witch.
In addition to playing the clarinet in the hall, they also rescues people who were called to the fake town, but only women. Among them, they had the hobby of rescuing Satome-sensei first.
Gotz appear in the Rebellion manga just like they do in the movie however they take on a different appearance similar to the rental Anthony. They have fish tails similar to Oktavia which may show they're a rental version. No other familiar in the manga seems to have this new addition. They also play the violin in Sayaka's orchestra.
Roberta makes a brief cameo as Homura mentions past witches.
Roberta and Gotz make a brief appearance in the spin-off manga The Veranda of Madoka. Kyoko and Sayaka are having a competition to see who's better, since they can't decide and a witch has shown up - Roberta - they choose the winner to be whoever defeats her. Sayaka attempts to use a technique to squish her enemy by clapping her hands together in front of them but instead gets stepped on by Roberta. Gotz also make a brief appearance later when Homura imagines Madoka joining her on a witch hunt.
Games
Magia Exedra
Roberta and Gotz appear in Magia Exedra. They appear in the Main Quest Birdcage Witch. Her labyrinth has new sections: the bottom having piles of dead, dismembered Gotz with some parts twitching; an area with lacy floors and bookshelves filled with books and alcohol bottles; and walkways of books with book piles to the sides.
CHIRP!
"Our desire!" "Our master!"
When standing, a Venus
When sitting, a Muse!
The sight of you walking: a yet-unseen Freya.
CHIRP!
"Our desire!" "Our master!"
Those tiptoes of yours are ever so sweet
And your heels are oh so SPICY!
Our beaks, now, are all for thee.
Our paper bodies burst into flame.
Observations
Roberta's name may have been inspired by Roberta Knie, an American soprano well-known for her role as Brunnhilde from Wagner's Ring des Nibelungen.
Her name, combined with her liking alcohol, may refer to the drink Aunt Roberta, which is capable of killing people due to its high alcohol promillage.
The name Gotz may have been derived from Götz von Berlichingen, a German Imperial Knight and mercenary. Goethe wrote a play based on his life.
In German, there is the word "Götze" which means "fake god".
Trivia
In Puella Magi Production Note, there is a description about her: A witch who lived for a long time as a magical girl. She is weak, as she was no longer a girl when she became a witch (mid-20s to 30s?). The form she takes in her barrier is how she would've turned out in the future (around 40s). What she desires is life. Enjoys alcohol and books.
The Guidebook states that Roberta's labyrinth design uses the concept of dolls. With the words, "I wish for friends. Friends who won't dislike me." (私の願いはお友達。私を嫌いにならないお友達). It describes that when the Witch dies, the bird cage is getting shot down and spilling a circular rain of blood.
Since ancient times, dolls have played a central role in magic and religious rituals, or used as representations of a deity. Dolls have also traditionally been toys for children and are also collected by adults, for their nostalgic value, beauty, historical importance or financial value.
This could also be Roberta's wish as a Magical Girl.
Curiously, in the 10th anniversary reprint manga, Gotz are absent in Roberta's labyrinth despite appearing in the original manga adaptation.
Roberta returns in Magia Record, but now appears to have additional arms and torso. This reflects the very original concept where Roberta had an upper body. (See gallery)
This design is also used for Magia Exedra, but the upper body appears to be blackened and crumbling, and with only her legs being coloured, this also makes her once again looking similar to her original design where only her lower body is visible. Piles of books were also added inside her cage which also reflects her initial concept.