Madoka Magica Articles

Note: For actual, consistent facts about the show, please refer to Facts and Observations

This page serves as an archive for fan-created articles documenting analysis and theories on Madoka Magica. The contents below are not to be considered facts or a part of the official canon of the series. We welcome you to submit new articles as you deem necessary.

Theories & Speculations

The list below is organized by topic.

Plot

Plot theories attempt to explain or anticipate underlying structures or parts of the plot.

The Global Reset Theory

Theory stating that the world has been re-created at some point to avoid a fatal outcome.

The Time Travel Theory

Theory according to which one of the characters may be a time traveller going back in time to stop Madoka from becoming a Magical Girl. (Yeah, seriously!)

The War Between Good Guys Theory

Theory suggesting that the witches believe themselves to be the good guys.

The Pillar System Theory

Theory positing that witches serve as the 'goddesses' of multiple realities. Possibly an elaboration of the 'War Between Good Guys Theory' and the 'Witches as Fallen Magical Girls Theory.'

The Symbolic and Freudian Analysis of Compensated Dating Theory

Theory positing that the subversion of magical girl genre is approached via the Freudian and Symbolic. Lacan and Zizek's concept of the terrifying real, combined with adult responsibility indicate that witches are girls whose purity has ceased, and, becoming women, enter the world of Satan and Sin.

Character

The articles listed below attempt to provide analysis or speculate on the roles and natures of the characters.

Name

Speculations about the meaning, implication, and secret of each character's name

Make a Wish

Speculations in regard to each character's wish

Kyuubey is Evil

Theory foreshadowing Kyuubey as having an evil agenda

Mami as a Magical Girl Generator

Theory positing that Mami was created by Kyuubey as a mechanism to create more magic girls.

The Questing Beast Theory

Theory positing that Kyuubey's design and naming may be related to the Questing Beast of Arthurian Legend.

Archer Theory

Theory positing the Homura is a future version of Madoka.

Count Kyouko Theory

Theory positing that Kyouko's ability is vampiric in nature and allows her to "suck" magical energy out of other Puella Magi.

Kyuubey Familiar Theory

Theory positing that Kyuubey is already Madoka's familiar.

Homura Identity Swap Theory

A non-time-travel/non-reset theory positing that Homura may be Puella Magi who swapped bodies.

Puella Magi Don't Age

Theory positing that Puella Magi don't age based on several evidence provided by Kyouko Sakura.

Animation & Art

The articles below provide analysis or speculation on the visual media of the series

Ending Analysis

An in-depth analysis of the Ending Animation.

Of Butterflies and Spiders

Speculations pertaining to the visual symbolism of butterflies and spiderwebs.

Lord Humungus

Speculations regarding the presence of Lord Humungus (Mad Max 2) in a guest art following the Ending Animation.

Witches & Puella Magi

The following theories concern the natures of magical girls, witches, and magic, or posit links between them.

Witches as Fallen Magical Girls Theory

Theory suggesting that witches are former mahou shoujo who have lost their way.

Human Soul and Magic

Theory regarding the nature of the magic employed by mahou shoujo and witches.

Witches as Byproducts of Magical Girls

Theory suggesting witches to be a byproduct of a mahou shoujo's magic.

Magical Girls as Devil Pacters

Theory suggesting that the design of mahou shoujo is based on legends and mythology regarding pacts with devils.

Magical Powers

Theory regarding magical powers girls get by forming a contract.

Intertextuality & Literature

The following articles pertain to the intertextuality of the series and references or allusions made to works of literature.

Der Steppenwolf

Faust

John Gabriel Borkman

Walpurgis Night

Parsifal

Vladimir Nabokov's Lolita

Last question by Isaac Azimov

External articles

• "Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica 2 – When did Mahou Shoujos Become So Dark" on Thatanimeblog.com

• Animations by the art director of the Witch's Labyrinth sequences (Chinese Language)

• A few speculations as of episode 8 (LiveJournal)