Magazines
Interviews
Pre-broadcast
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
Interview with Urobuchi Gen in Nyantype 2011/03. Regarding Mami's death:
If this was a 26-episodes 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 is clear to me from that point.
Megami
Interview with Urobuchi Gen in Megami Magazine 2011/03. 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
Interview with Urobuchi Gen 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):
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.
Tweets
Collection of Twitter conversations from involved staff members.
Mami's special move
Urobuchi Gen explaining about name change of Mami's special move in episode 2 to the manga writer.
| Butch_Gen Original tweet |
@hanokage Ah sorry. I've changed the special move name from English to Italian in the recording room, now it's different from the manga version. @hanokage そもそも必殺技の名称も収録現場の土壇場で英語からイタリア語に変更されたもんで、コミカライズ版と変わってしまったのです。申し訳ねぇ…… |
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Kyubey cuteness
Urobuchi Gen's tweet about Kyubey being "cute" right before episode 3 airs.
| Butch_Gen Original tweet |
If things went according to my plan, viewers will soon be captured by Kyuubey's cuteness and unfair suspicion against him will be no more. They should stop bringing up my past already! こちらの目論見通りなら、そろそろ視聴者の皆さんもキュゥべぇの可愛らしさにほだされて余計な警戒心を解いている頃合いなのだから、今になって過去の渾名を蒸し返すのはやめてほしいね！ |
|---|---|
| eiitirou Original tweet |
@Butch_Gen So basically you're saying "be cautious about Kyuubey" right? I understand! @Butch_Gen つまりキュゥべぇを警戒しろ、と声を大にして言ってる訳ですね！わかります！ |
| Butch_Gen Original tweet |
@eiitiro 'Kyu' in "Kyuubey" is 'Kyu' as in "Cute"! @eiitirou キュゥべぇのキュはキュートのキュだyo！ |
Chidamari
Urobuchi Gen's tweet claiming it's accuse to say the show is bloodspattered right before episode 3 airs.
| akibablog Original tweet |
"Fate/Zero from the writer of currently bloodspattered TV anime [Chidamari], Urobuchi Gen-sensei" #akiba 「TVアニメも絶賛血だまってる虚淵玄先生のFate/Zero」#akiba http://twitpic.com/3r4mhr |
|---|---|
| Butch_Gen Original tweet |
@akibablog What's with that accusation! @akibablog おのれ なんという いいがかりを！ |
| k_hirohiro Original tweet |
@Butch_Gen Everything is so mixed-up... lol @Butch_Gen なんかもういろいろごちゃ混ぜにw |
| Butch_Gen Original tweet |
@k_hirohiro Yeah, that's terrible! We still haven't shown even a single scene with bloodshed! @k_hiroriro まだ今んとこ流血シーンなんてないのに、ひどいよね！ |
Urobuchi's claims
Urobuchi Gen's defense about his past tweets after episode 3 airs.
| Butch_Gen Original tweet |
So here's my defendant's claims… さて、お待ちかねの被告答弁書でございます── |
|---|---|
| Butch_Gen Original tweet |
About the "what's that wholesome scenario writer" in actuality, we had this idea of hiding scenario writer's name until the broadcast starts, the plan fell down since staff list was leaked back in early spring. But the director still want to surprise the viewers... 「果たして癒し系ライター虚淵とは何だったのか？」──本当はね、シリーズ構成脚本は前広報では名前伏せとこうかっていう話もあったのよ。でもそれが春先の情報リークのお陰で瓦解した。それでも監督はお客さんのサプライズな反応を期待しててね…… |
| Butch_Gen Original tweet |
So I thought it is bad if everyone can guess how the series will be because of me. As a troubleshooter, I tried to mislead everyone. But as you can see, it's ineffective. で、俺のせいで先の展開が見透かされるのは申し訳ねぇなぁ、という思いもあって、どうにか火消しというか、ミスリードできんものかとあれこれ奔走したわけだが。結局、まったく効果無かったよねぇ。 |
| Butch_Gen Original tweet |
Okay now I've took a big load off my mind. Thank you everyone who keep up until today! I'm going back to the normal Urobuchi from now on! ともかく、これでようやく肩の荷が下りた。皆さん、今日まで本当にありがとう！ これからは普通の虚淵に戻ります！ |
| kotoriXP Original tweet |
@Butch_Gen DIE! lol @Butch_Gen ブッコロス！ｗ |
| studio_ise Original tweet |
@Butch_Gen I won't be tricked! I know that tweet is also a lie! Adults are dirty! @Butch_Gen だまされないぞ！どうせこれもうそなんだ！おとなはきたないな！ |
| Butch_Gen Original tweet |
@kotoriXP @studio_ise Sorry. Forgive me. @kotoriXP @studio_ise すまなかったな。許してくれ |
| umeaoki Original tweet |
@Butch_Gen Wait! The episode still hasn't been broadcasted on CBC! @Butch_Gen まだCBCがーっ！きゃー！！ |
| Butch_Gen Original tweet |
@umeaoki I... I didn't say anything about the story! I can't stay quiet without a lawyer any longer! @umeaoki な、内容には触れないから！ もう弁護士抜きの黙秘は無理だから！ |
| umeaoki Original tweet |
@Butch_Gen thank you for the put-on. Urobuchi-san now looks refreshing as if you just out of the bath (lol @Butch_Gen ニャンコかぶりお疲れさまでしたっ お風呂上りのような清清しい表情の虚淵さんが見えます！（笑 |
| Higashide_Yu Original tweet |
@Butch_Gen are you a popular idol or something? lol @Butch_Gen 売れっ子アイドルかアンタは！（ｗ |
| eiitirou Original tweet |
@Butch_Gen What's that, Candies? lol @Butch_Gen 何そのキャンディーズ！ｗ |
| Butch_Gen Original tweet |
@Higashide_Yu @eiitirou @moo_eroduke everyone will know your age if you can reference Chun-Li or Candies from that @Higashide_Yu @eiitirou @moo_eroduke このフレーズでキャンディーズと春麗どっちを連想するかで歳がばれるよね |
| ryohgo_narita Original tweet |
...if someone don't know about Urobuchi-san, I'm sure he will think "well, this should be the peak of it"... ……。虚淵さん作品初体験の人は、『この３話が絶望の底だろう』と思ってるのかもしれないんですよね考えてみれば……。 #madoka |
| ryohgo_narita Original tweet |
Captain Kraft: "Always think of the worst possibility for his scenario. He will exceed that expectation!" クラフト隊長「虚淵脚本の場合に限って常に最悪のケースを想定しろ。奴は必ずその少し斜め上を行く！」 #madoka |
| Butch_Gen Original tweet |
@ryohgo_narita let's leave that to storyboarder's conscience... @ryohgo_narita そこは今後とも絵コンテさんの良心に期待するといたしましょう…… |
| seikaisha_ymnk Original tweet |
@Butch_Gen where has our wholesome Urobuchi-san gone... @Butch_Gen ぼくらの癒し系の虚淵さんはどこへ行ってしまったのでしょう… |
| Butch_Gen Original tweet |
@seikaisha_ymnk In your heart! @seikaisha_ymnk アナタの心の中に！ |
Mami
| yosizo Original tweet |
{{{english}}} どうもです、最近なにやら暇になるとマミ先輩を描く病気に感染した模様で困っておりますｗ これはカラーで仕上げたい所です、「マミ☆マギカ無双」用線画。 http://bit.ly/hhUoSF RT @Butch_Gen: @yosizo おっ、ありがとうございます！ |
|---|---|
| Butch_Gen Original tweet |
@yosizo The Third scenario is written in the love of my Mami.
so my heart hurts. @yosizo 溢れるマミ愛が、あんな脚本書いちまった当人としては胸に痛いっす…… |
Object that drops after the battle in Episode 3
| Butch_Gen Original tweet |
For an object that drops into a table next to Homura after episode 3's battle, it's clearly written on the storyboard as "part of the witch". Everybody is having their imagination work too much. 三話のバトル終了後、ほむらの隣のテーブルにボトリとなるアレ。コンテだとしっかり「魔女の身体の一部」と書いてあります。皆さんちょっと想像力逞しすぎなのよ！ |
|---|---|
| Butch_Gen Original tweet |
See, here it is. http://yfrog.com/h8el8qxj ほら、ね？ http://yfrog.com/h8el8qxj |
| kotoriXP Original tweet |
Aw, I'm a bit relieved now (lol やっべー、ちょっと救われた（ｗ |
| Butch_Gen Original tweet |
@kotoriXP Many people seem disappointed, why is that!? @kotoriXP でもなんだかガッカリしてる人の方が多いっぽいってどういうこと！？ |
Manga ver.
| Butch_Gen Original tweet |
I just got Madoka Magica's manga sample! http://ow.ly/3RvTQ Since it's an occasion, let's talk about the story behind manga ver... 漫画版まどかマギカのサンプルが俺の手元にも届いたぜよ！http://ow.ly/3RvTQ 宣伝ついでに折角だから、漫画版まどかの裏話など…… |
|---|---|
| Butch_Gen Original tweet |
To tell the truth, production of Madoka anime was temporary stopped once the scenario has finished, however Hanokage's manga still continues. So rough sketch of manga was done before the storyboard. It's amusing if you compare manga and anime, as they're divergence from a single scenario. 実はアニメまどかの進行って脚本脱稿の後に一旦止まってて、その巻もハノカゲさんのコミカライズ作業は進んでいたのです。なのでコンテが上がるより先にネームが仕上がっていたのが漫画版。同じ文字原稿を元にして別の分岐進化を遂げたのが、アニメ版と漫画版なのです。見比べると色々面白いかと |
| Butch_Gen Original tweet |
Putting that aside, look at this angel-like cuteness! As expected from magical girl's companion! http://yfrog.com/h7f4yvhj それはそれとして…見てよこの天使のような愛らしさ‼ やっぱ魔法少女のオトモはこうでないと！ http://yfrog.com/h7f4yvhj |
Episode 6
digitarou is Nitroplus's representative director.
| digitarou Original tweet |
Watching Madoka Magica episode 6 a little faster [than anyone else]. Good job in many meanings. I recommend you to watch it while tweeting in real time. 一足早くまどかマギカ６話鑑賞。いろんな意味でグッジョブっす。ツイッター片手にリアルタイムで観るの推奨ですｗ |
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Episode 7
| digitarou Original tweet |
Watching episode 7 with everyone else. Is this shivering due to room's temperature or something else... みんなで７話鑑賞。この身震いは部屋の寒さゆえか、なんなのか。。。 |
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Yuki Kajiura's family and Magia
| Fion0806 Original tweet |
Family's house in a while nau. My mother said 'Yuki-chan, you have to exercise regularly! Look at me, I'm using Magia for aerobic exercise twice a day'. Thank you Mama. Magia for aerobic exercise... somehow it's a healthful song...? 久しぶりの実家なう。まみーに「ゆきちゃんもちゃんと運動しなきゃだめよ！お母さんなんて、一日二回Magiaで有酸素運動してるのよ！」と言われました。ありがとうままん。Magiaで有酸素運動……そうなんだ……なんか健康的な曲に感じる……？。 |
|---|---|
| umeaoki Original tweet |
@Fion0806 That's a wonderful story... なんて素敵な… RT @Fion0806 |
Regarding Sayaka
| yosizo Original tweet |
@Butch_Gen Here's "Sayaka Awakening". Sayaka that has awakened in episode 7 with a bit of an intense expression. After an intense fight with a witch, she falls into terror at her own power in a slight moment when her reasoning returns. An episode 7.5 like that, I wish she'll be happy... http://t.co/UdkJigq @Butch_Gen 7話で覚醒してしまった感のあるさやかをちょっとハードに表現。苛烈な魔女狩りで覚醒した直後、一瞬理性が戻り、己の力と思いの強さに少女は恐怖する…そんな7.5話を想像して。幸せになって欲しいなあ…「さやか覚醒」 http://t.co/UdkJigq |
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| Butch_Gen Original tweet |
@yosizo Well, I really can't comment on Sayaka! Anyways, please wait until Friday... @yosizo うおお、さやかについてはコメントしづれぇ！ とりあえず金曜日をお待ちください…… |
Episode 8
| digitarou Original tweet |
Just finished watching... no comment orz 観賞完了。。。ノーコメントorz |
|---|---|
| digitarou Original tweet |
Let's try hard tomorrow. It's the best way to get cheerful again.（・◇・） 明日も頑張って行こう！元気が一番！（・◇・） |