Madoka Magica Theories

Note: For actual, consistent facts about the show, please refer to Facts and Observations. For longer articles about the franchise, please refer to Articles.

This page serves as an archive for fan-created articles documenting popular theories and speculations about the franchise. The content below has been roughly ordered by topic and likelihood. Theories that were proven right have been marked with a green ✔, those that were proven wrong bear a red ✖. All the other theories are unconfirmed, and hence should be considered as nothing more than theories.

Regarding the confirmed theories, please bear in mind that the version posted on these pages is the one that was popular before being confirmed. This means that some of these theories might look inacurrate with regard to the actual story.

We welcome you to submit new articles as you deem necessary.

Plot

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

✔ The Global Reset Theory (Proven right in episode 10)

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

✔ The Time Travel Theory (Proven right in episode 10)

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.'

Characters

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

☐ Kyuubey is Evil Theory

Theory foreshadowing Kyuubey as having an evil agenda

☐ Puella Magi Don't Age

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

☐ The Questing Beast Theory

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

☐ Kyuubey Familiar Theory

Theory positing that Kyuubey is already Madoka's familiar.

☐ 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.

✖ Name (Proven wrong in episode 10)

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

✖ Homura Identity Swap Theory (Proven wrong in episode 10)

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

✖ Archer Theory (Proven wrong in episode 10)

Theory positing the Homura is a future version of Madoka.

☐ Mami as a Magical Girl Generator

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

Animation & Art

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

☐ 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

Many theories and guesses as how the series will end

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

✔ Witches as Fallen Magical Girls Theory (Proven right in episode 8)

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

☐ 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.

☐ Human Soul and Magic

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

✖ Witches as Byproducts of Magical Girls (Proven wrong in episode 8)

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

Characters' wishes

Main article: Wish theories

The article linked above discuss both theories and speculations about wishes which have appeared over time, and actual wishes revealed in later episodes.

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)
  • As of episode 10 (same LiveJournal account)