Mitakihara Town (見滝原町, Mitakihara-chō) is a provincial city where the story takes place. It was not until recently that development began in the town. Much modern architecture has been constructed since.
Also Mitakihara City (見滝原市, Mitakihara-shi) is mentioned in the story. The evacuation notice in Episode 11 refers to Mitakihara City. Mitakihara Town is most likely another name used for Mitakihara City. It is possible the town is a subdivision of the city, though if this were the case, it'd be more likely referred to as a ward.
Pictures of the Town
Ground-level view of the city at sunset.
Buildings seen from rooftop at Madoka's school.
Mitakihara seems to have a port like to Port of Yokohama.
Comparison between the factory district skyline in Mitakihara and the factory district shown in Bakemonogatari, a previous work by Akiyuki Shinbo.
Aerial photography of the city.
The hospital that Kamijou is treated at.
The city skyline at night.
Architecture in the Anime versus Real-Life Architecture
Episode 1
Visual comparison
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Real building
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Real address
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Explanation
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First appearance
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Burj Khalifa
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Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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A similar-looking building appears in the OP for most episodes.
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Opening sequence
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The skyline
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Dubai
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A shot of Mitakihara's skyline, when the school bell rings.
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9:08
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Shanghai World Financial Center (100th floor)
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Shanghai, China
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The hallway in Madoka's school is very similar to the observation deck on the 100th floor of this building.
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13:07
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Weltstadthaus
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Cologne, Germany.
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The shopping mall Madoka and Sayaka go to after school
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14:51
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Helix Bridge
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Singapore
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The bridge in/nearby the shopping mall
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14:53
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Eiffel Tower
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Paris, France
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This is a part of Gertrud's Labyrinth apparition sequence. Note that several other buildings have a similar design, such as the Tokyo Tower
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19:30
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Episode 2
Visual comparison
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Real building
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Real address
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Explanation
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First appearance
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UOB Plaza
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Singapore
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One of the buildings featured in a background of episode 2.
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16:03
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Yokohama port area seen from Yokohama Landmark Tower
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Naka-ku, Yokohama
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Appears as Mitakihara in Episode 2 (upper) and 9 (lower).
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16:32
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Episode 4
Visual comparison
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Real building
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Real address
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Explanation
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First appearance
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The downside of Tachikawa-Kita Station of Tama Monorail and Tachikawa Takashimaya
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Tachikawa, Tokyo
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Just before Madoka runs into Hitomi during the night, there are several shots of places, including this one.
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15:11
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Episode 5
Visual comparison
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Real building
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Real address
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Explanation
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First appearance
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Iwabuchi Sluice Gate
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Arakawa‐Sumida Rivers junction in Kita, Tokyo
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Empire State Building
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Manhattan, New York
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Several shots of what is thought to be the Empire States Building without its spire. Appears when Kyouko is spying on Sayaka with her magically-enhanced goggles.
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9:53
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Taipei 101
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Taipei, Taiwan
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This is a zoom of a part of the background just before Sayaka goes to her first witch hunt.
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16:18
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Episode 6
Visual comparison
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Real building
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Real address
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Explanation
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First appearance
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Commerzbank Tower
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Frankfurt, Germany
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A shot of the city, just before we see Kyouko playing DDR, probably implying that the arcade hall is supposed to be nearby that area.
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6:18
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Episode 7
Visual comparison
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Real building
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Real address
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Explanation
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First appearance
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The Gunma Prefectual Government Building (tallest), Gunma Prefectual Police HQ (left) and Maebashikoen Park (nearside)
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Maebashi, Japan
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The screenshot is from the sequence when Kyouko brings Sayaka to her dad's church, probably implying that this area is on the way there.
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7:01
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The full photo for better comparison. Courtesy of 2ch anon, who went outside to take that perfect picture.
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The full screenshot for comparison.
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Episode 8
Episode 10
Visual comparison
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Real building
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Real address
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Explanation
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First appearance
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Arc de Triomphe
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Paris, France
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Isadel's barrier has various references to Paris monuments, amongst which is possibly a distorted version of the Arc de Triomphe.
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4:14
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Episode 12
Mitakihara City in The Madoka PSP
An aerial view of Mitakihara City as seen in the Madoka Magica Portable game. It may or may not be an approximation of what the city looks like in the anime.
External links