Madoka Magica Episode 2: That Would Be Truly Wonderful
| That Sounds Wonderful それはとっても嬉しいなって | |
|---|---|
| First airing | 14 January 2011 |
| Script | Gen Urobuchi |
| Storyboard | Yoshiharu Ashino |
| Episode director | Masahiro Mukai |
| Animation Director | Mika Takahashi Noboru Jitsuhara Fuyumi Toriyama |
Summary
Mami and Kyubey explain to Madoka and Sayaka that Kyubey has the power to grant wishes, but in exchange, those who make wishes must become magical girls to fight witches, who are born from curses. Mami offers to take Madoka and Sayaka with her on a witch hunt to help them decide if there's a wish that they'd risk their lives for. The next day, Kyubey, who cannot be seen by normal people, accompanies Madoka and Sayaka to school, where they learn to communicate with each other telepathically. Homura visits Madoka once again to remind her of her warning. Madoka asks what her wish was but she doesnt say a thing. After school, Madoka, Sayaka and Mami follow the aura of the witch from the previous day to an abandoned building, where they manage to save a woman who was being controlled from committing suicide. They then enter a portal inside the building where Mami finds and defeats the witch responsible, earning a Grief Seed which can be used to replenish her soul gem with magical power. (Wikipedia)
Runes
See also Runes of episode 2
Observations
References to Faust
The texts on the abandoned building's entrance wall in episode two are quotes from Goethe's Faust. Here is a translation of the portion that is quoted.
| Original text | Translation |
|---|---|
| Weh! Weh! Du hast sie zerstört, Die schöne Welt, Mit mächtiger Faust; Sie stürzt, sie zerfällt! Ein Halbgott hat sie zerschlagen! Wir tragen Die Trümmern ins Nichts hinüber, Und klagen Über die verlorne Schöne. Mächtiger Der Erdensöhne, Prächtiger Baue sie wieder, In deinem Busen baue sie auf! Neuen Lebenslauf Beginne, Mit hellem Sinne, Und neue Lieder Tönen darauf! |
Woe! woe! Thou hast it destroyed, The beautiful world, With powerful fist: In ruin ’tis hurled, By the blow of a demigod shattered! The scattered Fragments into the Void we carry, Deploring The beauty perished beyond restoring. Mightier For the children of men, Brightlier Build it again, In thine own bosom build it anew! Bid the new career Commence, With clearer sense, And the new songs of cheer Be sung thereto! |
As in episode one, cut out rings containing Faust quotes in German can be seen within Gertrud's barrier. One of these is legible, referencing a passage where several things are cursed. Here is the full passage and translation:
| Original text | Translation |
|---|---|
| Verflucht voraus die hohe Meinung, Womit der Geist sich selbst umfängt! Verflucht das Blenden der Erscheinung, Die sich an unsre Sinne drängt! Verflucht was uns in Träumen heuchelt, Des Ruhms, der Namensdauer Trug! Verflucht was als Besitz uns schmeichelt, Als Weib und Kind, als Knecht und Pflug! |
Cursed be, at once, the high ambition Wherewith the mind itself deludes! Cursed be the glare of apparition That on the finer sense intrudes! Cursed be the lying dream's impression of name, and fame, and laureled brow! Cursed, all that flatters as possession, As wife and child, as knave and plow! |
Madoka's Sketches
Madoka's sketches of her magical outfit were done by Aoi Yuuki, her voice actress. She is properly credited in the ending.
Images
The emptiness in Mami's apartment is heavily downplayed on Blu-Ray... although she said otherwise, she certainly looks prepared for company
Notice the updated design on the fence, as well as the much harsher lighting and deader scenery
Runic text as of Episode 2 and Faust quotes/translation
Image compilation
The alphabet
Madoka's shelf
Portraits on the witch's door
External links
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|---|---|---|
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| Episode 1 As If We Met in a Dream… | Madoka Magica Episode 2: That Would Be Truly Wonderful That Sounds Wonderful | Episode 3 I'm Not Afraid Anymore |