Magazines

See the Translated Official Documents Redesign for a more up-to-date collection of documents.

Interviews

Pre-broadcast

Original article from Megami Magazine

Megami

Interview with Akiyuki Shinbo regarding the show.

Once it ends, I want [the viewers] to watch again one more time. I want to make it a show that you can enjoy watching 12 episodes straight. There might even be some parts that is not understandable without watching it that way. I think it is fun if you watch it once you know how it ends. You can empathize the characters that way, and you can discover something new by watching it from different viewpoint.

January

Animedia

Interview with Atsuhiro Iwakami (from Animedia, original article):

• Every word from Homura has meaning.
• We will deliver a certain theme throughout the series.
• Mahou shoujo does not equal heroine.
• It doesn't have to follow the defeating-one-enemy-a-week pattern.
• Weapons of magical girls and the concept of enemy are different from standard.
• Each character has a strong attachment to their past or present.

Animage

Interview with Gen Urobuchi (from Animage):

• Mahou Shoujo in this show are not united as a single group.
• Main element of the story is how everyone from a different standpoint understands each other.
• Everything about Homura is mysterious, unlike other characters whose parts and motivation are clear.
• Mami knows the mechanism of the world to a certain degree, so her part is a guide to Madoka and Sayaka.
• Madoka and Sayaka will follow the way Mami leads, but at a certain point they might choose their own paths.
• Urobuchi "this is my first time I have been entrusted with a big task that is scenario for all episodes, I feel like I can say I'm an anime scenario writer now (laughs). Can I go ahead from this point is up to "Madoka."

Nyantype

Original article from Nyantype Magazine

Interview with Gen Urobuchi in Nyantype 2011/03. Regarding Mami's death:

If this were a 26-episode show there would be more of Mami. Someone that looks exactly like Mami in a traditional hotspring maid outfit. Or something that looks like Mami in a life guard vest. That would be nice, wouldn't it? Except that I am lying. Sorry. (Urobuchi)

Regarding the story:

Mahou shoujo is a cruel task, that kind of story is what the producer believed is needed. So he asked someone who's good at stories like that. The reason he chose me was because of Fate/Zero; the style he seeks was clear to me from that point.

Megami

Interview with Gen Urobuchi in Megami Magazine 2011/03. Regarding opening movie and the story:

At this point the opening looks like an amazing fraud (laughs). How they're not taking the decision to become magical girls lightly adds weight to it. After all, it's the story until they make that choice. The viewers might be confused by that, but it's possible because we don't need to sell any toys. If this were a project with many sponsors, we'd get slapped around if we didn't make her transform in the first episode (laughs). But since we're not stuck with that type of project, we'll just do anything we can get away this time.

Regarding Kyouko:

She appears as a character that covers values of battle after the premise of the series has been established. How her sense of values differs from other characters, as a character that changes the viewpoint [of the premise], that there's someone with this way of thinking. After Mami's death, the viewpoint is changed to Kyouko; the way each Mahou Shoujo treats her is how each character's nature becomes clear.

Regarding Homura:

Homura's position is that she's another veteran Mahou Shoujo apart from Mami, since it's clear that she knows something Sayaka and Madoka don't know. After Mami's death, she's going to become the one who holds the key about various mysteries in the show. She's going to be the one that pulls out the truth together with Kyubey.

February

Animedia

Original article from Animedia magazine

Interview with Gen Urobuchi in NewType Magazine 2011/03 regarding the story from now on:

"Hey everyone, have you enjoyed it until episode 5? Well, the roller coaster is now at its peak, time for guidance has ended! What's left is to leave the body to go along with the story. I'm writing it so that you want to watch the next episode, so if you didn't quit it by episode 3, and were able to watch it until episode 6, I believe you'll be able to enjoy it until the end "

NewType

Interview with series director Yukihiro Miyamoto in NewType 2011/03 regarding fighting styles (original article):

Miyamoto: I like it better when fight scenes are not only tough, but also have their own merits and demerits and depends on each individual's tactics. For example, Mami can bring out a giant gun, but it is single-loaded, that's why she lost to the witch…

NewType: If she's able to rapid-fire, then she might not lose.

Miyamoto: Yes. Magical girls are not strong. Homura is only strong because of her special ability, but she's weak as a magical girl.

Interview with Saitō Chiwa (Homura Akemi) and Yūki Aoi (Madoka Kaname) regarding Kyubey (original article):

Original article from NewType Magazine

NewType: As a last question, please say something to Kyubey.

Yūki: I want to know what you're thinking.
Saitō: Please never come to me.
NewType: That's cruel! Kyubey looks so cute (laughs).
Yūki: In the recording room, everyone was excited when Kyubey appeared on the screen. At first Katō Emiri-san (Kyubey's VA) defended him, but recently she started saying Kyubey is scary.
Saitō: Kyubey is always in an interesting position.

Yūki: Kyubey is the most mysterious character. Please pay attention to him.

Interview with Gekidan Inu Curry regarding witches:

In episode 1, the familiars are "gardening". Why and what are they gardening for?

They're raising roses for the witch that appeared in episode 2. That's what they're born for.
What are those familiars and witches doing when they're not fighting magical girls?
They're acting on their own judgement. For example, the witch of the rose garden will just raise a rose.
In the witch's barrier, there are a lot of weird signs placed everywhere. What are they?
It's what they found in the human world. When the barrier is created, anything in the surrounding environment will be drawn into it. They will then get affected by the magical powers of the witch, and its looks will be altered.
What do you think about the saying "weak humans are witch's prey; and witches are magical girl's prey. It's a natural rule, ordered by the strength of each one."
Maybe it's not that different from our human society. Just like how we can't refuse when a senior asks us to buy a coffee milk. The way this world works is harsh.
Please tell us your favorite witch or familiar.

The one with a mustache.

March

Megami

The latest Megami magazine has a feature of Puella Magi Magica Madoka. In it there are a couple of interviews, some of those interviews were translated on this forum.

Couple interesting points (Q = Megami, A = Yukihiro Miyamoto, series director):

Q - What did you think when you first read Urobuchi-san's screenplay?

A - I just read it quickly as usual, and finished it in one go, but before I knew it tears just came out of me. I was so moved. I did not really keep in mind that it was in the mahou shoujo genre, but I felt that "I would really want to animate this work as my next job".

Q - From an animation point of view, were there specific instructions from Shinbo or Inu Curry?

A - Shinbo would say something on the drawings on the layout and the situation design, like "I want here to be like this". But he did not say much about the personality of the characters. He only said "A character that killed other people cannot get a happy end".

Q - PMMM is now approaching the climactic stage. Is there anything to watch for at this final part?

A - Kyubey is still Kyubey at the end. And personally I am happy with that.

April Article

Question 1 : What do you think of Kyubey?

VC of Madoka (Aoi Yuuki): *smile* (a smile after a victory)

Homura (Chiwa Saito): (SHAFT head tilt)

Mami (Kaori Mizuhashi): Let's see, Kyubey is really my friend, so I hope everyone can get along with him a little better (ha ha ha)

Sayaka (Eri Kitamura): Kyu, Kyubey!!

Kyouko (Ai Nonaka): Such a pain. (Kyoko's voice)

QB (Emiri Katou): I didn't understand how you felt... I'm sorry.

---

Question 2 : Which one of your character's scenes has stuck in your head?

VC of Madoka : After episode 3, there hasn't been an episode where Madoka hasn't cried.

• Homura : Every scene with Homura in episode 10. Her feelings for Madoka really moved me.

• Mami : The scene where I talked about my contract. Oh, and the transformation and battle scenes were awesome.

• Sayaka : The scene where I say "Miracles and magic both exist". I think that's when, in some ways, "Magical Girl Sayaka Magica" started.

• Kyouko : The line "Kuukai?". Whenever she says it, it gives me a feeling that she's opening her heart and wanting to share her food, and it makes my heart skip a beat.

• QB : The scene where QB was shot full of holes was really shocking.

---

Question 3 : If you had magic, what magic would you want?

VC of Madoka : I want the magic to be positive, whatever happens!

• Homura : If I wanted magic, I'd have to become a magical girl, so I'd have to refuse the offer!

• Mami : The power to fly!

• Sayaka : Eternal life!

• Kyouko : The power to make flowers bloom. That's all I really want to do.

• QB : The magic to heal people!

---

Question 4 : Do you have a message for your fans?

VC of Madoka : If all of you can find the message hidden in this work, I'll be very happy!

• Homura : The answer is whatever has been left in your hearts and minds after you view this work.

• Mami : I'd be very happy if I could meet all of you again.

• Sayaka : Thank you very much for watching us magical girls.

• Kyouko : It might change the way you see magical girls from now on, but I'd like you to work hard and believe that miracles and magic do exist!

• QB : I'd be happy if everyone stopped bullying Kyubey so much *tear*, okay?

• 

  Source: Animage, May 2011. Scenery, Homura's hair, and the secret about Homura's room

• 

  Source: Animage, May 2011. The girls' weapons

• 

  Source: Otona Anime Vol. 20. Light, color and composition

• 

  Source: Otona Anime Vol. 20. Characters' color

• 

  Source: Otona Anime Vol. 20. Light and composition

• 

  Source: Otona Anime Vol. 20. Action

Homura's Hopes, Madoka's Wish

Homura's Hopes, Madoka's Wish

Magical girls are a miraculous existence. They can have any wish granted for them, possess magical powers, and have a powerful body that surpasses any human one. However, they must pay for these gifts, and that payment is despair.

Carrying the burden of a life of fighting, with no exit in sight, they must accept a future without salvation. Magical girls live alongside their despair. One magical girl, Akemi Homura, who had to learn of this herself, accepted the responsibility of tremendous power, lusted for wisdom, and redefined her heart to make a single wish come true.

The magic she possesses can alter the flow of time. Time after time, she turns back the flow, fighting, struggling, beating against the fate that awaits her. To live through the same moments again, she must relive the despair herself. She has thrown away her own future. She has chosen to take it on alone, refusing to share it with anyone. But still, she will not give up. To find the exit that may or may not exist, to find the answer that may or may not be waiting for her, she walks through the mazes of time.

Every time she turns back the clock, the distance between her and Madoka grows. In every timeline, she starts out as a simple transfer student in her eyes. There is no way Madoka can understand her actions. She will never tell Madoka how she feels. Her only hope, one which will never be fulfilled.

But, if by some chance her hope reaches Madoka - that would be a miracle. The world is waiting silently for the miracle that will awaken by Madoka's wish.

October, 2010

Cover	Title	Release date	Illustration
	Megami Magazine 2010/12	October 30, 2010
	1 page: Interview with producer Iwakami Atsuhiro Initial introduction to the series.

November, 2010

Cover	Title	Release date	Illustration
	NewType 2010/12	November 10, 2010
	2 pages: Interview with director Shinbo Akiyuki and Urobuchi Gen
	Megami Magazine 2011/01	November 30, 2010	Main 4 characters in their Magical Girl uniform
	2 pages: Interview with Aoki Ume-sensei. Character designs introduction.

December, 2010

Cover	Title	Release date	Illustration
	Animage 2011/01	December 10, 2010	Main 4 characters "How about becoming Magical Girl?"
	2 pages: Shinbo Akiyuki Question & Answers. Introduction to the series.
	Animedia 2011/01	December 10, 2010	Main 4 characters with Homura looking this way
	2 pages: Introduction to the series.
	NewType 2011/01	December 10, 2010	Homura & Madoka "More suspicious than high-schooler"
	2 pages: Comments from Shinbo Akiyuki, Urobuchi Gen, Iwakami Atsuhiro, Miyamoto Yukihiro. Introduction to the series
	Manga Time Kirara Forward 2011/02	December 24, 2010
	1 page: Manga project announcement.
File:Cover DG.02.2011.jpg	Dengeki G's Magazine 2011/02	December 27, 2010	Homura & Madoka "Dokidoki Mahou Time♥"
	1 page: Introduction to the series.
	Megami Magazine 2011/02	December 30, 2010	Madoka in magical girl uniform sitting on orange (cover) Main 4 characters in school uniform (pinup)
	6 pages: Comments from 39 staffs. Aoki Ume-sensei illustration. Interview with Shinbo Akiyuki.

January 2011

Cover	Title	Release date	Illustration
	Otona Anime Vol.19	January 8, 2011
	5 pages: SHAFT Special Coverage Interview with Urobuchi Gen & Aoki Ume
	Animedia 2011/02	January 10, 2011	Main 4 characters (Kishida Takahiro's art in water painting-style)
	2 pages: Comments from Iwakami Atsuhiro. Introduction to the series.
	Animage 2011/02	January 10, 2011	Main 4 characters "Friendship Story☆is Our Trump Card"
	2 pages: Interview with Urobuchi Gen. Introduction to the series.
	NewType 2011/02	January 10, 2011	Madoka, Homura and Mami "Magical Girl has Begun"
	4 pages: Introduction to the series.
	Manga Time Kirara Forward 2011/03	January 24, 2011
	44 pages: Puella Magi Kazumi Magica chapter 1.
	Megami Magazine 2011/03	January 30, 2011	Main 4 characters in swimsuit with Sayaka holding beach ball (pinup)
	5 pages: Interview with Urobuchi Gen. Episode 3 introduction.
	NyanType 2011/03	January 30, 2011	Madoka and Mami in swimsuit (pinup)
	4 pages: Interview with Urobuchi Gen. Sakura Kyouko character introduction. Madoka☆Majika? (まどか☆マジカ？, Madoka☆Is That True?) column.

February 2011

Cover	Title	Release date	Illustration
	Animage 2011/03	February 10, 2011	Homura and Madoka with Valentine Day's chocolate
	2 pages: Comment from Saito Chiwa.
	Animedia 2011/03	February 10, 2011
	2 pages: Interview with Urobuchi Gen. Episode 1-5 introduction.
	NewType 2011/03	February 10, 2011	Madoka & Homura / Kyouko vs. Sayaka
	6 pages: Interview with Saito Chiwa and Yuuki Aoi. Interview with Miyamoto Yukihiro. Comment from Gekidan Inukare.
	Manga Time Kirara Forward 2011/04	February 24, 2011
	46 pages: Puella Magi Kazumi Magica chapter 2.
	Megami Magazine 2011/04	February 27, 2011	Homura in black dress with Amy (cover) Madoka in white school swimsuit (pinup)
	10 pages: Interview with Miyamoto Yukihiro. Interview with Gekidan Inukare. Interview with Urobuchi Gen and Hanokage. Aoki Ume's special 4koma. Official novel (2 pages).
	NyanType 2011/04	February 27, 2011	Homura and Madoka in party dress (cover) Madoka in pajama (pinup)
	7 pages: Interview with Shinbo Akiyuki & Urobuchi Gen and Aoki Ume. Handwrite comment from Shinbo Akiyuki & Urobuchi Gen and Aoki Ume.

March 2011

Cover	Title	Release date	Illustration
	Animedia 2011/04	March 10, 2011	Same one as Animedia 2011/02 but only Homura is present
	4 pages: Interview with Saito Chiwa ("Please watch episode 10 and you will see everything like a whole new series"). Comment from Iwakami Atsuhiro.
	Animage 2011/04	March 10, 2011
	3 pages: Interview with Yuuki Aoi Episode 6-8 introduction Madoka bentō.
	NewType 2011/04	March 10, 2011	Two Madoka in school uniform and Magical Girl Uniform "The Last Wish"
	4 pages: Comment from Shinbo Akiyuki, Urobuchi Gen, Aoki Ume. Comment from Kato Emiri. Episode 6-9 introduction.
	Kikan S 2011/4 Winter, Volume 33	March 15, 2011
	6 pages: Interview with Shinbo Akiyuki. Several opening keyframe drawings. Several pages from storyboards.
	Manga Time Kirara Forward 2011/05	March 24, 2011	Kazumi, Kaoru and Umika (cover) Key Visual No.2 (Low paper quality)
	46 pages: Puella Magi Kazumi Magica chapter 3.
	Febri Vol.5	March 28, 2011
	20 pages: Urobuchi Gen Special Coverage. Interview with Urobuchi Gen, Takahashi Tatsuya (Leaf/Aquaplus), Takayama Kisai (Kimikiss/Amagami).
	NyanType 2011/05	March 30, 2011	Everyone's sleepover (pinup)
	2 pages: Characters introduction.
	Megami Magazine 2011/05	March 30, 2011	Megane Homura, Madoka, Sayaka and Mami at the beach (pinup) Novel illustration (pinup)
	Special Booklet (14 pages): Episodes 1-10 analysis.
	LisAni! Vol.4.1	March 31, 2011
	? pages: Interview with ClariS, Kalafina and Kajiura Yuki.
	@2.5 62483-81	March 31, 2011
	8 pages: Interview with Iwakami Atsuhiro.

April 2011

Cover	Title	Release date	Illustration
	Otona Anime Vol.20	April 9, 2011	Madoka from Key Visual No.2 (cover)
	34 pages: Episodes 1-10 analysis. Interview with Shinbo Akiyuki. Interview with Urobuchi Gen. Interview with Gekidan Inukare. Direction style research. History of Magical Girl genre. ...and more!
	NewType 2011/05	April 10, 2011	Megane Homura and Madoka (B2 poster)
	1 page (back of B2 poster): Interview with Shinbo Akiyuki and Urobuchi Gen. Cast comments. Episodes 1-10 analysis.
	Animedia 2011/05	April 10, 2011
	2 pages: Episode 10 introduction. Yuuki Aoi's entry in Seiyuu DATA FILE.
	Animage 2011/05	April 10, 2011	Madoka in Magical Girl uniform and Megane Homura.
	4 pages: Interview with Shinbo Akiyuki and Urobuchi Gen. Episodes 1-10 introduction.
	B.L.T. 2011/06	April 23, 2011	Madoka cover (Gamers) Sayaka cover (Toranoana) Homura cover (Animate)
	At least four pages on characters.
	Manga Time Kirara Forward 2011/06	April 24, 2011
	26 pages: Puella Magi Kazumi Magica chapter 4.
	LisAni! Vol.5	April 25, 2011	Homura and Madoka in Magical Girl uniform (cover)
	? pages: Interview with Kajiura Yuki. Interview with ClariS.
	Megastore 2011/06	April 30, 2011
	? pages: Interview with Urobuchi Gen.
	Megami Magazine 2011/06	April 30, 2011	Key Visual No.2 (pinup)
	3 pages: Episode 12 introduction (2 pages). Interview with Iwakami Atsuhiro (1 page).

May 2011

Cover	Title	Release date	Illustration
	NewType 2011/06	May 10, 2011	Homura with Kyubey sitting on her shoulder
	4 pages: Interview with Shinbo Akiyuki and Urobuchi Gen. Cast comments.
	Animage 2011/06	May 10, 2011
	4 pages: Interview with Saito Chiwa and Yuuki Aoi.
	Animedia 2011/06	May 10, 2011	Goddess Madoka (pinup)
	1 page (back of pinup): Interview with Urobuchi Gen. 2 pages (newsprint page) Final episode recording report.
	Cyzo 2011/06	May 18, 2011
	? pages: SKE48 cosplaying as Madoka Magica character.
	CUT 2011/06	May 19, 2011
	? pages: Interview with Shinbo Akiyuki?
	Manga Time Kirara Forward 2011/07	May 24, 2011
	26 pages: Puella Magi Kazumi Magica chapter 5
	Febri Vol.6	May 25, 2011
	8 pages: Urobuchi Gen as a guest in Shinbo Akiyuki's Shinbogatari column.
	S-F Magazine 2011/07	May 25, 2011
	? pages: Little bit of reference and series introduction.
	Weekly Playboy 2011/06/13	May 30, 2011
	? pages: Interview with Urobuchi Gen. Urobuchi Gen's gravure photograph
	NyanType 2011/07	May 30, 2011
	1 page: Introduction in Nyan DISC corner.
	Megami Magazine 2011/07	May 30, 2011	Mami in swimsuit (B2 poster front) Homura in swimsuit (B2 poster back)
	Special booklet (16 pages): Interview with Shinbo Akiyuki and Urobuchi Gen. Interview with all casts. Episodes 11-12 analysis.

June 2011

Cover	Title	Release date	Illustration
No Cover	Tokusatsu Shinsengumi DX 2011/07	June 6, 2011
	5 pages: Introduction to the series.
	NewType 2011/07	June 10, 2011	Madoka holding Homura glasses with Ribbon Homura
	Special booklet (33 pages): Interview with Shinbo Akiyuki and Kato Emiri. Interview with Miyamoto Yukihiro and Gekidan Inukare. Interview with Urobuchi Gen. Comment from Aoki Ume. Comments from storyboard writers, animation directors, episode directors. Episodes 1-12 analysis. Character analysis.
	Animage 2011/07	June 10, 2011
	1 pages: Comment from Aoki Ume.
	Shinjidai no Mixture Magazine BLACK PAST	June 12, 2011
	? pages: Interview with Urobuchi Gen and Uno Tsunehiro.
	SWITCH 2011/07 Vol.29 No.07	June 20, 2011	Madoka tying her ribbon (cover, A2 poster exclusive in online shop)
	Unknown
No Cover	Manga Time Kirara Forward 2011/08	June 24, 2011
	? pages: Puella Magi Kazumi Magica chapter 6
No Cover	Megami Magazine 2011/08	June 30, 2011
	Special booklet (? pages): Illustration and writings from guest Madoka Magica fans: Ribata Risa (Macross Frontier character designer) Kippu (Pixiv 27410) Kuuchuu Yousai (Makai Tenshi Djibril) Koyama Hirokazu (TYPE-MOON) Sino Eefy (Pixiv 67388) CHAN×CO Hakua Ugetsu (Burst Angel, The Tower of Druaga character designer) Pun2 (Pixiv 861925) Yu-gen (Pixiv 806502) Wadarco (Pixiv 611443) Akira (Kyouran Kazoku Nikki author) Narita Ryohgo (Baccano!, Durarara!! author) Haganeya Jin (Demonbane writer) Hikawa Ryuusuke (Anime critic) Yamamoto Hiroshi (SF writer, Game designer)

July 2011

Cover	Title	Release date	Illustration
	Otona Anime Vol.21	July 8, 2011	Goddess Madoka (cover)
	~50 pages?: Final coverage. Storyboard analysis.

See also

• 100 Questions, a 100-questions survey dedicated to Madoka Magica's characters. Published in Ani-Com magazine in december 2010.
• The Talk Page contains additional material that is being translated or is unconfirmed.

External links

• SHAFT history on Anim-apple
• Madoka Magica's behind-the-scene on Anim-apple
• Ume Aoki interview translation on OneZeroTwo
• Interview with Ume Aoki from Megami Magazine Vol.128
• Source of Animedia and Animage interview