Timeline
This article focuses on the timeline of all Madoka Magica media to create both a chronological, as well as multiversal understanding of events. Madoka Magica contains many instances of alternate universes, branching timelines created through time travel, as well as universal rewrites which retroactively affect both of the former. To clarify these concepts, this article uses the following defined terms:
- Universe: A reality defined by a core set of metaphysical rules, usually established by a universal rewrite, such as the creation of the Law of Cycles.
- Timeline: A linear sequence of events within a Universe. Time travel can create multiple branching timelines that share the same underlying rules, such as the many loops Homura has gone through.
- Alternate Universe: A reality with a fundamentally different history and/or rules, not originating from a rewrite in the primary sequence. The clearest example is the universe of Magia Record, which even contains its own version of Homura.
With the addition of Homura's time travel, it is sometimes difficult to surmise whether an event takes place in a branch timeline or a separate alternate universe altogether.
To navigate through the layout of this article and its derivative articles, below is an explanation of the organizational logic. Branching timelines are grouped under the Universe they were derived from. Confirmed alternate universes are grouped in the Other Universes entry, with the exception of Null seen in Null Magical Girl, where even though Witches exist, its story and characters are unrelated to any other entry in the franchise.
Parallel universes and the multiverse are at least in part formed by choices, where every time a choice is made, there is a world where that choice was made, and one where it wasn't.[1] There's also spaces such as the Law of Cycles, the Endless Mirrors (and by extension the Magia Record), and the Lighthouse Theatre, from which multiple timelines and worlds are accessible. In these places outside of conventional timelines, where Magical Girls (and presumably other beings or objects) are taken to, their different versions seem to merge together.[2]
The Original Universe is the first to be depicted, where Kyubey created the system of Magical Girls becoming Witches. In the first timeline, Homura Akemi makes a contract to go back in time, creating many more timelines where she repeats the same month. It is ultimately unknown how many times she looped, but in the final timeline of this Universe, Madoka Kaname makes a contract to erase Witches across all time and space, executing a universal rewrite that changes every timeline and reality within her reach.
The first fourteen timelines Homura creates are depicted in Scene 0; while it is believed the fourteenth is also the final one, this is unconfirmed. Given expanded media and interviews, the distinction between a branch timeline and a true alternate universe is often unclear; it is even possible that there are many realities where the Law of Cycles was created. Therefore, the first fourteen timelines, other possible timelines, and the final timeline are treated in separate articles for clarity.
As seen in the Magia Record Anime, Oriko Magica, as well as Scene 0, the timelines Homura created continue to exist after she leaves them, simply proceeding without her presence or Mabayu's. However, it is unknown if all forms of time travel yield this effect. It should be clarified that certain cases of time traveling, such as Homura's, not only create new timelines, but also retroactively change events or details of the timeline she enters in, even if they occurred before her arrival. Perhaps the most well-known case of this happening was the pebble which caused Iroha Tamaki's survival in the Magia Record Universe.[3]
After Madoka's wish, she rewrites the rules of all realities within her reach, while residing outside them in the Law of Cycles. The Law of Cycles Universe is the state after this rewrite, where Magical Girls fight Wraiths and are taken upon despairing to the Law of Cycles, a realm outside any specific timeline. The Law of Cycles manages countless different realities, or "Records," from which the girls are ultimately seemingly unified into.
Among the anomalous realities within the Law of Cycles' purview is the Magia Record Universe, which developed a Doppel System. Due to the amount of story content, it is split into events before Arc 1, events starting with Arc 1, and events starting with Arc 2. Other similar realities exist, such as the one in the Magia Record anime, which was assimilated after its Doppel System failed, and its details are listed in the Other Universes entry. Following the events of Magia Record is the Magia Exedra Universe, which seemingly takes place concurrently with the events after Rebellion.
Narratively, the events of the Magia Record Universe are surmized to be between the establishment of the Law of Cycles and the events of Rebellion, where Ultimate Madoka sent Nagisa Momoe as an emissary. It is unknown if these realities were originally timelines Homura left behind (later rewritten by Madoka's wish) or separate alternate universes from the start.
Following Madoka's rewrite, the version of Homura that witnessed her ascention remained the sole connection to the old world and the only one alive to remember it. Captured by Incubators to lure the Law of Cycles, Homura was saved by Madoka, Sayaka Miki, and Nagisa. In response, Homura overtook the Law of Cycles and rewrote the universe again, becoming Devil Homura and separating Madoka from her divine aspect.
This new reality, the Devil Universe, has one known primary timeline, ruled by Devil Homura, where she also resides. In this timeline, Madoka lives a normal human life, Magical Girls still fight Wraiths, and the Law of Cycles remains partially active, though its exact status is unclear. It is unknown if this rewrite affected only this single world, if Homura governs all realities, or if other worlds (like the Magia Record Universe) continue unchanged under Homura's new regime. With the current information, it appears that only one reality was affected and locked away from the incomplete Law of Cycles' direct reach, however it is ultimately unconfirmed.
Progress Report
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References
- ↑ Explained by A-Q in the tutorial of Puella Magi Madoka Magica Magia Exedra
- ↑ Explained by A-Q in Puella Magi Madoka Magica Magia Exedra
- ↑ Shown in Arc 2, Chapter 12