Yuri undertones

This section may contain major spoilers!

Please refrain from reading if you are not yet familiar with all the latest media released.

File:Yuri relationship map.jpg

Aside from its story and characters, the show gained popularity among some fans for its "yuri" (also known as "shoujo-ai" among Western fans and "Girls' Love" among Eastern fans, meaning romantic relationships between women and girls) subtext. Many yuri-loving fans tend to see pairings between the girls, usually Homura and Madoka and Kyouko and Sayaka. This page will try to explain what lead them to this conclusion (and what "evidence" there is in canon).

About yuri

File:Knm bandage blood.jpg

This scene with the bloody bandage evokes the idea of the red string of fate.

The scene where Madoka gives her ribbons to Homura is considered to be a good example of yuri subtext, but unless one is familiar with its significance, the meaning can be lost to someone who is unfamiliar to it. This section will try to explain to those who are unfamiliar when it comes to yuri. To understand how important the context is let us start with the example like the ribbons Madoka gives to Homura. To someone who doesn't know yuri, this wouldn't mean anything.

File:Yuri relationship Madoka.gif

However, if you're a yuri fan, you recognize that as a reference to the scene that started the yuri shipping fandom for one of the most iconic/famous Mahou Shoujo yuri couples, Nanoha and Fate from the "Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha" franchise. There is a strong possibility that this was done intentionally because Shinbo directed both the Nanoha and the Madoka anime series.

For comparison you can follow this link to observe this scene where (while it's nice to watch it all and see the similarity in long embraces and talk of friendship, just skip to 4:40) you can notice their similarities:

1. giving of ribbons
2. stating the ribbons will be a way to remember the other person
3. a promise they'll meet again.

This parallels what Madoka tells Homura as Madoka gives her the ribbons. On a side note, the red ribbons could be a symbolic reference to the 'red string of fate', people who are destined to be soul mates and will one day marry each other.

File:Madoka magica comparison knm.png

The importance of context is also true with the nearly identical pose for Madoka and Homura's naked embrace in space to one of the most iconic scenes known in yuri (as an example of how well-known this pose is, on /u/ there is a thread dedicated to nothing but this scene redone for dozens of yuri shipped couples, of which 95% are pure fanart because to see this actual pose in an anime or manga is actually quite rare). This original embrace was first aired in "Kannazuki no Miko", one of the most well-known couples in yuri fandom. They share many parallels to Homura and Madoka. In "Kannazuki no Miko", the character of Chikane is very similar to Homura in being tall, dark-haired, competent, totally willing to sacrifice herself for another girl, etc. whose ways are mysterious to the sweet, naive Himeko (who Madoka resembles). As it turns out, Chikane is the one who remembers her shared tragic fate with Himeko of repeating the same cycle of lives together over and over again (a cycle that always end in tragedy), with Himeko only discovering the full truth of their connection just before they are to be parted again, because they need to sacrifice themselves to save the world. And when this happens, Himeko gets to choose how she wants the next world to be remade, e.g. whether they are to forget about each other; or be able to remember their past memories and meet one another again in the next world (she chooses the second option). Another clear reference to yuri is from the classic, "Yami to Boshi". Hazuki is the Homura-like character (tall, long dark hair, fighter, obsessive etc.) who obsessively travels across different worlds to track down her pure-hearted, sweet Hatsumi (Madoka-like character). They finally meet in this otherworldly place outside the rest of the universe, and Hazuki confesses her feelings to Hatsumi, only to find out Hatsumi is a god and so they cannot stay together. Hatsumi uses her god-like powers to reset Hazuki's world so she's suppose to forget her, but Hatzuki seems to have a vague recollection anyway, and yes, there's also a vague promise of meeting again one day.

File:Couples chart madoka.jpg

So with that context of the similarity of these two couples, the embrace is basically hitting home the point of "yes, yuri fans, we're comparing these two to 'Kannazuki no Miko' if you haven't already noticed." Again, this is done intentionally (much like Episode 9 similarities to the well-known anime series "Revolutionary Girl Utena", because of the yuri Utena symbolism). The studio (SHAFT), director (Shinbo), character designer (Ume) and among others on the production staff, are well-known for being very genre-savvy about yuri, and intentionally putting in yuri-subtext in their anime on a regular basis.

Viewers of the series may see something different in the anime, their views will always be subjective to themselves (to yuri and non-yuri fans), however, it doesn't change the symbolic meaning behind the pose in Episode 12 naked space hug (to yuri-fans at least) nor the similarities of Homura and Madoka's situation to that in "Kannazuki no Miko".

On a side note, there are few other small samples of yuri subtext but they are minor and numerous to detail completely. Several samples can be found throughout the rest of the article. Also, for completion sake, it is required to inform that the space hug symbolism could also be a reference other famous yuri scenes in anime (plus Diebuster, Lain, EoE too; however, those scenes are considered to be too ambiguous for interpretation).

Main Relationships

The most popular and well-known relationships of Madoka Magica. Their canon status is debatable, especially depending on the media discussed, but it is well agreed that there are very explicit and strong undertones with these relationships.

Homura and Madoka

Homura's Love for Madoka

Homura's affection toward Madoka seem to go beyond the normal boundaries of friendship. Homura wasn't just content with saving Madoka's life or stopping her fate, she also wanted her feelings for Madoka to be reciprocated and acknowledged by her (as seen in Episode 11). For each cycle that Homura created, their relationship became more alienated and distant, causing despair on Homura's part (as it was demonstrated briefly in Episode 8). Yet, regardless of Madoka's feelings toward Homura, she was willing to sacrifice anything for Madoka's sake, absent of any rewards, take any risks against all odds, driven to repeat an endless cycle of personal loss and suffering, and willing to hurt the feelings of other people (including Madoka's) to attain her goal.

Philia:

Philia is the concept of love among friends, a sense of brotherhood. According with Aristotle, there are three types of friendships, based on the motive for forming them: friendships of utility, friendships of pleasure and friendships of the good.

• Friendships of utility are relationships formed without regard to the other person at all. One could argue it is a type of shallow relationship for the sake of utility or using others, it could also be described as a form of business transaction.

• Friendships of pleasure are based on pure delight in the company of other people. This type of friendship could be described in terms of partaking together in social activities, the type developed with coworkers or classmates, they are playmates. However, these friends may also part—if they no longer enjoy the shared activity, or can no longer participate in it together.

• Friendships of the good are ones where both friends enjoy each other's characters. As long as both friends keep similar characters, the relationship will endure since the motive behind it is the care of the friend. This is the highest level of philia, and in modern English might be called true friendship

It can be argued that Homura's relationship with Madoka is the latter, the friendship of the good.

When Homura met Madoka for the first time, they were both strangers to each other. Homura was in a vulnerable mental state and with little self worth. Yet Madoka was willing to accept Homura, just as she was, as a friend. With time Homura started to get closer to Madoka and she started to gain self-confidence about herself, because of her interaction with Madoka. Memories of You depicts the slow and progressive growth of admiration, appreciation, and respect that Homura has for Madoka (even if Madoka doesnt think she is deserving of such admiration). Their relationship leads to a blossoming friendship. This becomes the perfect example of Philia.

However, this description may not be totally accurate as we witness a transition within Homura's character as the story progresses. Her external transformation isnt the only thing that changes, perhaps her feelings for Madoka's does as well.

Eros:

Eros refers to “intimate love” or romantic love, an affection of a sexual nature. In the classical world, erotic love was generally referred as a kind of madness or theia mania ("madness from the gods"). This passionate love was described through an elaborate metaphoric and mythological schema involving "love's arrows" or "love darts", the source of which was often the personified figure of Eros.

During Homura's transition of friendship, it is possible that she started to develop feelings of love for Madoka, perhaps it was a juvenile crush toward an object of admiration and respect. Perhaps it was this intimate love for Madoka that was the driving force for Homura to try to warn Madoka of Kyubey's schemes, and to try to stop Walpurgis Night. Prior to timeline 4, Homura's intention can be described to be noble and just, her attempt to save her friends, specially Madoka from the dangers to come. Homura was even willing to become a Witch together with Madoka if that was to be her fate.

However, all that changed when Madoka gave one last act of self-sacrifice and saved Homura's life with the grief seed that she had with her. Madoka made Homura promise her to stop her own self from making a contract with Kyubey and to save her from her own foolishness. This last act of kindness radically altered Homura, not just externally but perhaps even internally. One could argue that it also altered Homura's feelings for Madoka. It is after these events that Homura's noble act to save a friend became an obsession, an obsession that soon exposed the dark side of Eros, and Homura started to deploy less than noble ways to save Madoka from herself by any means necessary. That includes making enemies with the other girls, and even sacrificing them if they became a danger toward Madoka.

Homura's single goal wasn't just about to stop Walpurgis Night, but to stop Madoka from ever making a contract, and to do that she needed to defeat Walpurgis Night first. The reason that Homura would reset the timeline, was because either Madoka was dead or she became a witch, even when Walpurgis Night was defeated (setting aside the facts that the world would be destroyed by Gretchen when it happened).

Agape:

Agape is one of the Koine Greek words translated into English as love, one which became particularly appropriated in Christian theology as the love of God or Christ for humankind. It is understood to mean “selfless love”, or “charity” as it is translated in the Christian scriptures (from the Latin caritas, dearness). Many have thought that this word represents divine, unconditional, self-sacrificing, active, volitional, and thoughtful love.

It is pretty clear that Homura doesnt represent the values of Agape. But Madoka, by Episode 12, breaks the cycle of despair by displaying the values of love found in the Agape concept. It is hard to say if Madoka reciprocates Homura's feelings. Madoka as a higher being was able to see all of Homura's struggles, past events, her suffering and her sacrifices, as well as her drive and motive. Madoka recognizes all parts of Homura, from all times and all events, and as such she accepts Homura as herself unconditionally. Yet even during that brief moment we are unable to determine what are Madoka's feelings for Homura. One could argue that Madoka responds to Homura's Eros with Agape, yet it is not very clear.

It is debatable if Homura's feelings for Madoka could be considered selfless or selfish in nature (Homura faced many personal dangers and took many risks, yet at the same time she had disdain toward others who got in her way), as it is the debate regarding the nature of Homura's feelings for Madoka. Was Homura's love for Madoka driven by Eros or is it more consisting with the idea of Philia? And was Madoka's acknowledgement of Homura's feelings for her a form of reciprocating those feelings, or was it a form of Agape as she became a natural force of the Universe?

Platonic Ideal

Some fans have constructed Homura's and Madoka's relationship as a form of relationship that transcends the norms of lust and romantic love. That their relationship is at a higher plane of existance.

"Platonic ideals" [2] as they are defined by Plato's philosophies are the "pure, unadulterated" forms of those ideals. The phrase "platonic love" as defined by Plato means a deeply romantic attraction which transcends physical lust and thus drives the experiences of the deep romantic attraction to attain higher ideals of themselves. It may include love, but it specifically meant to define it as "a romantic love not adulterated by sexual intimacy." Homura's and Madoka's relationship cannot be described as non-romantic, non-sexual. Nor the focus of their relationship should be on sexuality or sex alone. Instead, the relationship needs to be understood within its own context and to be described as a higher form of intimacy, a pure relationship driven beyond sex or the satisfaction of lust.

Homura's love for Madoka inspires her to transcend space and time. Madoka's love for Homura causes her to become the Platonic Ideal of hope.

Episode 11: Love Confession or Pledge of Friendship?

Déjà vu

Fans are divided with the significance of this scene. Fans of yuri see it as Homura's love confession to Madoka and a promise to protect her life. Those who believe in the power of friendship see it as Homura's pledge to protect her most precious friend, Madoka, against a cruel fate. Fans of yuri see it as Homura promising to risk her life for Madoka's sake, even if it is an unrequited love or one-sided (Just like Kyoko's case).

Is this scene depicting a powerful moment of friendship against all odds? Or is this Homura's attempt at a love confession where she promises to protect Madoka's life with her own life? Some believe this is a powerful love confession scene.

Homura: There's no way I can tell you how I really feel.

Madoka: Homura-chan...

Homura: I mean... I mean... I'm living in a different time than you!

I've come from the future, you know?

I've met you over and over again, and each time, I've seen you die. How can I save you? How can I change your fate? I've been looking for that answer and that answer only. I've gone back and started from the beginning over and over again.

Madoka: That means... Huh?

Homura: I'm sorry. I'm sure you don't get any of this. I'm sure you're put off (disgusted) by all of this. To you, I haven't even known you for a month - I'm just some transfer student. But to me, you...

Each time I repeat all of this, the time you and I lived grows further apart--our feelings grow further apart, and my words stop reaching you. I think I lost myself a long time ago.

Madoka: Homura-chan...

Homura: My desire to save you: the first emotion I had that started this all. And now that I've come this far, the only star left that will help guide my way... You don't have to understand. My words don't have to resonate within you. But still, I beg you. Let me protect you.

The erotic undertones are confirmed if someone notices the similarities of Homura's house with Utena's school. In particular the infamous nude drawing scene in the movie, where Anthy draws a naked Utena and then rips off her clothes along with her secret [3][4]. Information boards in the same style can be seen in Utena's classroom as well. [5]- Utena and Anthy is one of the greatest and heavily debated yuri couples, although the movie made the romantic and sexual nature of their relationship overt.

Episode 11 Images

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  A tender and emotional hug with a very surprised Madoka. Notice she is not pushing Homura away.

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  Holographic projections reacting to Homura's strong emotions

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  There is a great emotional build up with momentum at this scene. Perhaps a kiss scene next?

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  Homura promises to protect Madoka, even though to Madoka she is just a stranger. Is this love?

This section contains fanart images

Everything in the following fan gallery is created, or the comments accompanying them are created, for entertainment value and should not be confused with actual canon events of the Puella Magi franchise.

• Homura kisses Madoka fanart.jpg

  A missed opportunity/scene that SHAFT will never animate.

• Cruel Ending.png

  But this is Urobuchi's world, where the power of love means nothing...

• Homura game over.png

  Urobuchi hates yuri... Urobuchi loves tragedy.

Episode 11 Trivia

• In the audio commentary for Episode 11, Chiwa Saito (Homura) found the confession scene to be touching and emotional, and left her with a huge impression. She confesses that she cried.
  • Aoi Yuuki (Madoka) found the scene to be amazing and filled her with emotions. Aoi Yuuki felt that her and Madoka became synchronized during the emotional scene. Aoi Yuuki believes that, surely Madoka would have accepted Homura's feelings.

Episode 12: Yuri End?

"Magical girls make hopes and dreams come true, after all. I'm sure if it's small enough, a real miracle just might happen. "Isn't that right?"
--"Madoka, don't go!"
"I'm sorry. I have to go meet up with everyone else. I'll be able to see you again someday. So until then, we'll be apart for a little bit."
--"Madoka!!" - Madoka not saying "goodbye" but "see you later" to Homura.

The Yuri subtext is strong on this one

Just like the ending with Kyoko and Sayaka, there is speculation with fans regarding Homura's relationship with Madoka and her willingness to sacrifice it all for her. On this new world Sayaka dies but she has no regrets, and Kyoko laments her death just when they have become friends (fans have interpreted this in many ways).

In Episode 10, we learn that Homura was willing to create new timelines for all eternity just for Madoka. Once she learns that each new time line she creates only makes Madoka's fate into becoming a witch stronger, Homura starts to have doubts, but also becomes more resolute to save Madoka from her fate. Kyubey contests that Homura's hope is a trap, and that it is only a matter of time before despair consumes her. In Episode 11 Homura and Madoka have a conversation in which Homura confesses everything to Madoka: she professes her love for her, as well as how important Madoka is to her (this has been interpreted as a love confession, but others see it as a sign of deep friendship). At the end of Episode 11, Homura is tempted to travel back again for a "do-over," but she stops and gives up, knowing that it was her fault that Madoka now carries such a heavy cosmic karma. She realizes that the more she travels back in time the more certain it is that she will fail, as Homura has created a powerful reservoir of despair-based energy from different timelines -- all of them concentrating on Madoka. To end Madoka's suffering and her own, Homura comes close to becoming a witch; however, Madoka stops her and tells her to never stop hoping.

Once Madoka defeats the Witch version of herself, she creates a paradox: Madoka has become a deity of sorts, but at the cost that Madoka the person ceases to exist in her own world. Homura is not happy with this outcome, but Madoka promises to Homura that she will always be there for her, and that she hopes that one day they would meet again.

• It is indicated that in the original Japanese lines at least, there is no Yuri expression. The relationship between Madoka and Homura can be interpreted as being important friends to each other. There are fans who point out that the nature of Homura and Madoka's relationship can be expressed as "親友" (shin-yu or best friend) which is generally different from romantic relationships.
  • Then again fans like to present their evidence of the existence of yuri subtext as a possibility.
  • Aside from the Utena reference in episode 9, other evidence yuri fans have included the following: The similarity to the KnM pose during the Homura and Madoka's extended nude embrace scene in episode 12. The gift of red ribbons from Madoka to Homura, which is similar to director Shinbo's prior work of Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha between Nanoha and Fate, a favorite pairing among yuri fans, who also refer to each other as best friends. Some fans suggest the red ribbons may also represent the red string of fate, as "two people connected by the red thread are destined lovers, regardless of time, place or circumstances." Yuri fans also believe that Homura's single-minded, ceaseless desire to do anything for Madoka goes beyond friendship.
  • Previous timelines (and Drama Cds) indicate that there were times when Homura was able to maintain a close relationship with Madoka. But with each reset, Madoka's feeling for Homura grew distant as key events started to change with each iteration, so their mutual feelings for each other that once existed in previous versions started to grow further and further apart (at least from Homura's perspective). In an interview with Urobuchi, he indicates that it required Madoka to acquire godlike powers to finally fully understand Homura's feelings and her resolve to save her. But this outcome comes with a price for they must be separated once again. According to Urobuchi "in a sense it is a cruel story". (even Urobuchi thinks he was too cruel).
  • Fans have pointed out that Kalafina's full lyrics of Magia, from the second verse to the last chorus, has been interpreted as a love song from Homura to Madoka. The verses to "Connect" (コネクト, Konekuto?) by ClariS, playing at the end of episode 10, also strongly indicate this is sung from Homura's perspective.

• Yuri fan art depicting this pair have already existed for a while but it has increased after the airing of Episode 12, you can find most of them on pixiv.

• Fans of yuri have ranked "Puella Magi Madoka Magica" as #1 at the top ranking of Yuri Anime, toppling Kannazuki no Miko.

Episode 12 Trivia

• In the audio commentary for Episode 12, with the possibility of a second season, Chiwa Saito asks Gen Urobuchi for a love-love scene with Madoka.
  • Aoi Yuuki agrees with Chiwa Saito by replying, "I want to be happy~".
    • To their dismay, Ume Aoki warns Chiwa Saito and Aoi Yuuki that Gen Urobuchi doesnt give away happiness that easily.
      • Then again, this is Gen Urobuchi we are speaking.

Episode 12 Gallery Analysis

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  Similarities between Kannazuki no Miko and Madoka

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  Three words: Naked space hug.

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  Madoka promises Homura that they will meet again, someday.

• Lilies.jpg

  Lily petals. Can't get more yuri than that.

• Chikane Himemiya and Akemi Homura yuri archers comparison.jpg

  Homura possesses a new (?) weapon in the new world, a magical bow.

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  I wish I knew how to quit you...

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  The Blu-ray version has "nudity" in naked space hugs, enhancing its yuri level up to over 9000.

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  Homura's happiness looks enhanced as well.

Manga Difference: The Miracle

The Manga shows an additional scene that brings closure to the Madoka and Homura character. We don't know how their meeting was possible, if their encounter is taking place within the (yuri) Afterlife, or if it is the result of a Miracle. All we know is that Homura finally reunites with Madoka, only this time Homura has been reverted to her original self (Moemura). It has been interpreted as a symbolic attempt to start over their relationship for their journey to the unknown.

One possible explanation as to why Homura's image and character was reverted is that Homura was always full of insecurities, that the tough exterior was a necessity to create a mask to cover her grief over the death of Madoka. Now that Homura has been freed from despair she reverts back to her old self, to a time when Madoka and Homura had their strongest emotional bond together before she ditched her glasses and braids. Some have interpreted the "Cool Homura" (or Badass Homura) image as something Homura associates with her time of bad memories and difficult struggles. Now that her struggle is over Homura ditches her cool image and she reverts back to her old self so she can continue her relationship with Madoka where it was left off.

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Puella Magi Madoka Magica Portable: Homuslap Event Transcript

To Yuri fans this is considered an alternative (love) confession to Episode 11 (or a parody of Episode 11), if events had been changed but the emotional bond had remained the same. Some fans have interpreted the scene as either Homura being honestly blunt or having a weird love confession toward Madoka:

Full transcript of Homu's Madoslap event in the bonus route:

Madoka: Mami-san's going to release a CD... Everything's going great for Sayaka-chan with Kyousuke-kun, too, and Kyouko-chan is getting along with Sayaka-chan. Madoka: Everyone is changing in lots of ways... but what's changed for me? Homura: Do you want to change something? Madoka: Homura-chan... When did you...? Homura: Never mind that. So, do you want to change, Madoka? Madoka: I think maybe it's less like I want to change than like I feel like I have to change. Madoka: See, there's nothing that I really want to be. Not like Mami-san, Sayaka-chan, or Kyouko-chan. Madoka: But it's kind of hard just watching that. Madoka: Because I... became a magical girl with nothing but "I want to be a magical girl"... Madoka: I guess a girl who can't do anything except being a magical girl is no good. Madoka: I guess I'm jealous of everyone seeming like they're having so much fun right now. Madoka: I can't do anything at all besides being a magical girl. I'm a clumsy, slow... useless girl. Homura: That's not true! (slap) Madoka: Kya! Homura: Madoka, you're a clumsy and slow... and absolutely adorable magical girl! What else do you want?! Madoka: That... isn't a compliment... Homura: I... I... you.... over and over... That's why you have to stay you... Homura: Never change, the way you are now... Have confidence in yourself!! Homura: You... You're... someone very important and precious to me. Even though you may not remember. Madoka: Um, Homura-chan. I don't really understand, but I think I kind of get it anyway. Homura: Thank you... I'm sorry for hitting you even though you don't really understand. Madoka: No, it's okay. You're just trying to get things across to me. Madoka: I think it's probably my fault... But can I say just one thing? Homura: What? Madoka: ... I did want you to deny that I'm clumsy and slow, a little. Homura: (automatically) I'm sorry... Madoka: I knew it, you really do think that about me. Homura: Uh, um, well... (Madoka's emotion value increased 20 points)

Puella Magi Madoka Magica Portable: Homura's Sacrifice

Homura dies with a smile on her face.

In one of the alternate Homura routes of Madoka Portable game, Homura fights against Walpurgis Night by herself. The game subtext has a strong resonance to star-crossed lovers, with a sad bittersweet ending.

Prior to Walpurgis' arrival, Madoka begs Homura to take her along with her. Homura refuses, telling her that it would be safer if she stays in the shelter. Madoka then asks Homura to promise her that she will return safely, and that if she can't promise her that, then to come back with her to the shelter. Apparently, Madoka cares more about Homura's survival than she does about Walpurgis destroying the city. Homura reassures Madoka that she will be fine, and promises her that she will return alive to her. However, Homura's inner thoughts reveal that this is a lie and apologizes to Madoka for lying to her as it is an impossible promise to keep.

Homura finally defeats Walpurgis Night, but it comes with a cost, the fight against the Witch was too much for Homura and she knows that she is dying from her injuries. Madoka finds Homura as she lays mortally wounded. She wants Homura to get some medical help, but Homura begs Madoka to stay with her on her last moments. Homura tells Madoka that she finally won, that she was able to finally save Madoka. Homura confesses that she is very happy, after repeating endless cycles, her real wish was finally granted: to be able to change Madoka's fate. Madoka, in tears, tells Homura that it doesn't mean anything without Homura by her side. She understands that Homura has been protecting her all this time, she pleads to Homura to don't leave her, to don't leave her by herself.

Homura tells Madoka that it will be ok, that Madoka wont be alone since she has other important people in her life. Then Homura asks Madoka not to grieve so much, because it hurts her to see Madoka sad. Then on Homura's last words, she tells her that she is very glad to have Madoka there for her in her last moments, and thanks Madoka for letting Homura protect her like she always wished. Homura dies in Madoka's arms, with her last thoughts being that she got the wish she always wanted, she has no regrets nor doubts about sacrificing herself for Madoka. Homura dies with no regrets within her heart.

• There is a suspicion that there is a correlation between a magical girl dying while having regrets in their hearts, and becoming witches in the process. Since Homura died with no regrets in her heart, she never became a Witch. This implies that Homura's love for Madoka was able to overcome the transformation process and that she was sincere on saving the person she loved.
• If Homura fails to defeat Walpurgis Night, she becomes a witch... her naming lacks subtlety but it is clever:

Stories and Legends Regarding the Red Spider Lily

Since these scarlet flowers usually bloom near cemeteries around the autumnal equinox, they are described in Chinese and Japanese translations of the Lotus Sutra as ominous flowers that grow in Diyu (also known as Hell), or Huángquán (Simplified Chinese: 黄泉; Traditional Chinese: 黃泉), and guide the dead into the next reincarnation.

When the flowers of lycoris bloom, their leaves would have fallen; when their leaves grow, the flowers would have wilted. This habit gave rise to various legends. A famous one is the legend of two elves: Mañju (Simplified Chinese: 曼珠; Traditional Chinese: 曼珠), who guarded the flower, and Saka (Simplified Chinese: 沙华; Traditional Chinese: 沙華), who guarded the leaves. Out of curiosity, they defied their fate of guarding the herb alone, and managed to meet each other. At first sight, they fell in love with each other. Amaterasu, exasperated by their waywardness, separated the miserable couple, and laid a curse on them as a punishment: the flowers of Mañju shall never meet the leaves of Saka again. It was said that when the couple met after death in Diyu, they vowed to meet each other after reincarnation. However, neither of them could keep their words. In commemoration of the couple, some call the herbs 'Mañjusaka' (Simplified Chinese:曼珠沙华; Traditional Chinese: 曼珠沙華), a mixture of 'Mañju' and 'Saka', instead of their scientific name. The same name is used in Japanese, in which it is pronounced manjushage.

Some other legends have it that when you see someone that you may never meet again, these flowers, also called red spider lilies, would bloom along the path. Perhaps because of these sorrowful legends, Japanese people often used these flowers in funerals. The popular Japanese name Higanbana (彼岸花, Higan bana) for lycoris radiata literally means higan (the other or that shore of Sanzu River) flower, decorate and enjoyable, flower of afterlife in gokuraku jyōdo (極楽浄土, gokuraku jyōdo).

Homura and Madoka, Movie Version

cheek rubbing has never been so cute

The new Madoka movie promises to have more of that subtext yuri, sparkly naked space hugs included!

• It has yuri subtext.

Reinterpreting the Ending in Rebellion

If Madoka represents hope for Humanity (selfless love for many), then Homura represents her love for Madoka, (or selfish love for one). It is Homura's selfish love for Madoka that drives her to trap Madoka into a new reality to give her the happy life that Madoka denied to herself because of her noble sacrifice.

Some have interpreted Homura's action to that of Lucifer. According with the Islamic interpretation, Lucifer loved God but he refused to prostrate before Adam, an inferior and sinning creature not worthy of God's love. As a result Lucifer was evicted out of Heaven for his disobedience, because he loved God too much. Some would interpret Homura's actions as being driven by jealousy, and her attempt to turn magical girls away from Madoka is a way to monopolize Madoka's affection for herself. However, that is not the case, as Homura could have done just that by removing Sayaka, Kyouko, Mami, or anyone who could become a target of Madoka's affections or any attempt to monopolize her feelings for themselves. Instead, Homura allows their existence and their current friendship with her to keep Madoka happy. In addition, Homura admits to Madoka that one day they could become enemies to maintain Madoka's happiness. For Madoka's sake, Homura is risking any close bonds with her in order to protect Madoka's happiness. However, this does not mean Homura is acting selflessly. Rather, Homura is pursuing her desire to make Madoka happy at the expense of anything else, even if it means "rebelling" against Madoka's will.

Previous interpretations of the Anime ending regarded the series' message to be interpreted as the triumph of Madoka's hope over the hopeless and despairing of the Mahou Shoujo system. However, "The Rebellion Story" seems to take a different meaningful approach to that ending. This new interpretation seems to suggest that instead of a hopeful ending it was actually a failure, a failure in part of Homura in trying to save Madoka, and her failure to make Madoka happy even if the end result was the complete alteration of the Mahou Shoujo System for the betterment of mankind. When Madoka became the embodiment of hope, the world was fine for most people, but it came at the cost of Madoka's freedom and happiness. To Homura this ending was not satisfactory once she realized the terrible cost, and it was only the beginning of her journey to save Madoka from her own noble sacrifice. She was trying to save Madoka from "her foolish self".

According with Shinbou, the Madoka inside Homura's world is the real Madoka, "who has lost her memories of becoming a god. She’s not a fake or Homura’s creation. What she says in the field of flowers is what she’s really feeling at the time. That scene may seem overly sentimental at first glance, but if you think of everything Homura does afterward, her feelings will come across more easily."[6]. If the flower bed scene really does involve the real Madoka with her real feelings, then that is the moment that Homura realizes that she must save Madoka from her foolish self.

The interesting part is that in the flower bed scene may have been Madoka's true feelings at the time, but we must also remember that that Madoka has no recollection of previous events. Would Madoka's feelings remained unchanged if she was aware of her past? Or would they differ if she had remembered why she became Ultima Madoka? According with Urobuchi, Madoka lost fragments of her memory, memories that were too inconvenient for Homura[7] if Madoka remembered. To Urobuchi people are shaped by their memories, and this version of Madoka conveniently does not remember the awful past that drover her to make her noble sacrifice. We are seeing three different aspects of Madoka: The Madoka who has no memories of the past and who would never abandon her family and friends; the noble Madoka who became Ultimate Madoka that brought hope for the good of mankind; and the Madoka who moved to America who used to be Ultimate Madoka but now she is prisoner into an ideal happy world created by Homura. They are all the same person, and yet at the same time they are not.

In the flower bed scene Homura confesses to Madoka that she thought she was a figment of Homura's mind, yet Homura realized that she is the real Madoka. Homura takes Madoka's feelings at heart and she believes that she should have done more to stop her from being separated from her family and from those she loves. Homura knows that given the choice, Madoka would do the same noble sacrifice again to save the world no matter how difficult the choice. But thanks to Madoka's words, Homura is also reminded that Madoka loves her family and her friends a lot, and that given the choice she would never abandon them. These two conflicting messages are not a discrepancy but the result of Madoka's personality. Madoka is too kind to other people to ever think about hurting them intentionally or to voluntarily abandon them, yet too noble not to do the right thing in order to protect what is precious to her. Which is why Homura feels compelled to interfere to save Madoka once again. Homura wants to make Madoka's decision for her. Even if the feelings are coming from a Madoka who has no recollection of past events. Of course, we dont know if Homura is aware that the feelings coming from an amnesic Madoka would differ from Ultimate Madoka, yet it probably doesnt matter to Homura since the feelings are coming from the real Madoka, regardless if she remembers past events.

As a result we can agree that Homura's actions were driven by the flower bed event, but it is difficult to justify her actions based on a Madoka who has no recollection of past events.

HomuMado Yuri Subtext in Rebellion

15th Clara Doll, Ai (Love), wearing a black dress. Ai represents Madoka, which is why she is wearing Madoka's magical girl outfit.

• Madoka is literally a prisoner of Homura's love.
• Homura becomes the opposite existence of Madoka.
  • The new entity known as Demon Homura is neither a magical girl nor a Witch. She is neither the product of hope/wish nor despair, she is the product of love.
    • But what type of love? Ai is described as the love that is always giving, and Koi the love that is always wanting. However, as Homura is acting out of her own desire to see Madoka happy, and is willing to rebel against Madoka's will to accomplish this, one cannot say her love is selfless.
      • Homura is Yandere for Madoka.
• The voice actresses in the film feel like Homura's feelings are very intense in the new movie.[8]
  • Miyamoto wasn't sure if she should actually say all of her lines when Homura had to confess her feelings to Madoka. She consulted Shinbou about it. They felt insecure about Homura's original confession line and came to the conclusion of altering her lines to what it is now on screen.
  • Saitou thinks Homura's feelings are too intense to be just "friendship" and perhaps even scary.
  • Yuuki thinks Homura's feelings are selfish and possessive.
  • Chiwa Saito outrightely suggests that Homura's feelings are romantic.
• Homura's earring looks suspiciously like the Lambda symbol.

HomuMado Movie Gallery

• Comparison utena movie madoka movie.jpg

  Comparison of the Utena dance scene with Luminous OP.

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• K-kaname-san they'll hear us.jpg

Official Art

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  Oh, yeah! Naked space hugs in the NitroPlus novel!

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  Madoka hugs Homura

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  Manga Sample: Unlike the anime version. The manga version seems to have a not so subtle HomuMado illustration constructed in the imaginative mind of Sayaka. Clearly, she is a fan.

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  From the Puella Magi Madoka Magica Official Guidebook "You Are Not Alone". Reaction to the "confession" scene.

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  Official Illustration: Subtext yuri/friendship sells, and SHAFT knows it. They have cornered the "Friendship" and "Yuri" market.

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  Moemura + Yuri = Profit.

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  Card reads: "Dear Kaname Madoka."
  "...."
  by Homura.
  
  The red circle says, "What Saitou Chiwa-san imagined Homura's Valentine's message would be" and the card underneath (I assume a quote from Saitou Chiwa herself) reads, "She's the type to overthink it and end up unable to properly say what she wants to say (laugh)."

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  Notice Homura's loving gaze.

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  The official artwork that started it all.

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  If you look hard enough you will see the homumado.

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  The HomuMado pairing in full display.

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  NewType magazine, Feb 2012 issue, "I'm always waiting for you." Why choose when she can have both?

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  Ume Aoki ships Homumado too!

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  Homura gives Madoka Valentine's Chocolates.

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  Actual lines from the Mobage game.

• Www.dotup.org2727331.jpg

  Behold, the yuri now in merchandise form.

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  Seriously, Shaft. You are not even trying to hide it anymore, are you?

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  Guess who's coming for dinner to meet her future in-laws?

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• 43 Megami Magazine Deluxe.jpg
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  Official art from the movie. with 100% yuri vision.

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  Hands held while wrapped in Madoka's second red ribbon. The symbolism just reached new heights of unsubtle.

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  Homura and Madoka on the beach, notice the blushing in Homura's face.

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  Subtlety is a dead art form at this point.

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Fanart Response to HomuMado

This section contains fanart images

Everything in the following fan gallery is created, or the comments accompanying them are created, for entertainment value and should not be confused with actual canon events of the Puella Magi franchise.

• Madoka homura field of flowers fanart.jpg

  Madoka and Homura in Yuri Heaven.

• Episode 12 Yuri Wedding.jpg

  According with some fans Madoka could be wearing a wedding dress. Homura's has this black/purple theme that makes it look like a groom's suit.

• KnM Madoka style.jpg

  'nuff said

• Kn M take two.jpg

  so yuri it created an alternate

• Fanart naked space hug.jpg

  Naked space hug...

• KamiDoka & Homura yuri pose.png
• HomuMado fanart of ep 12.jpg

  Thank Madokami for the Internet!

• Madohomu iconic pic fanart.jpg
• MadoKami is watching over you.jpg

  Experts believe that Madoka as a transcended being has witnessed all events in the past, present, and future making her all knowing. Same experts hope that Madoka is a forgiving and benevolent God and less of the wrathful kind.

• Friendzonedmadohomu.jpg

  Some fans perceive Madoka referring to Homura as a best friend as evidence against yuri.

• Madoka Get.jpg

  Fans of yuri perceive friendship to be the next stepping stone into a more serious relationship.

• Homura waifu Madoka Waifu.jpg

  Badass Homura in a wedding dress. Have yurifans gone too far?

• Tall, Dark and Bishoujo archetype update.jpg

  It is still not too late for SHAFT to release an "adult" version of Episode 12 to finish this chart!

• HomuMado Kiss fanart black and white.jpg
• Homumado oh my stars.jpg
• Madokami nanofate.jpg

  FUND IT.

• Homumado magial baby.jpg

  How are babies made between girls? With magic!

• 20954053 p9.jpg

  Not even Kyubey knows where magic babies come from.

• (Hikari) MadoHomu Pajama.png

  This fan work brought you by takeallmymoney.jpg

• Amazon shipping HomuMado.jpg

  Amazon frequently ships these two together.

• Junko approves homumado.jpg
• Namori fanart pixiv.jpg

  art by Namori

• Homura chikane we are the same.png

  Fans have noticed several similarities between Chikane and Homura, except "there".

• 20898811 p4.jpg
• Homura homumado desk.png
• Homumado together crying fanart.jpg
• Homuhomu home comic.jpg
• Homurambo gets all the Madokas even witches too.jpg
• Homuhomu play Madoka.gif
• I stole it.jpg
• Madoka is that way moemura.jpg
• Puella magi madoka homura magica.jpg
• Moemura with madoka in space.jpg

  Sacrilige! No naked space hugs!

• Homura kisses madoka doujin.jpg
• Madoka wants her moemura doujin.jpg
• Homu homu same sex marriage madokami homura fanart.jpg
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• The bizarre adventures of homuhomu.jpg
• GretchLilly Love.jpg

  Cthulhu approves!

• Colonel aki - what fans want.jpg

  Homu approves!

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  This is pretty much what yuri fans saw in the movie, the rest is just filler.

• Mom yuri goggles.png
• Homumado japanese yuri fans.jpg
• HomuMado what are you doing madoka.jpg

HomuMado Trivia

Not even Hitomi can resist Homura's charm[1].

• Yurifans call Homura's affection for Madoka as the "Homulust".
  • Sometimes fans refer Homura's sexual orientation as being "Madosexual".
• This yuri pair is usually called HomuMado by fans, indicating Homura to be the dominant in the relationship and Madoka to be the submissive one. Sometimes fans of yuri create or see a role reversal on this pair, in which case the pair is labeled as MadoHomu or also known as the "Reverse Homulust".
• The premise of the story in Hanokage's comic in Puella Magi Madoka Magica Anthology is that Homura built a simulation game to interact with real life people and of course Homura uses it to interact with a virtual Madoka.
• Ume-tentei is not above adding yuri subtext in her Madoka doujin.
• The audio at the Movic Madoka Magica Exhibit has Madoka going homusexual for Moemura.
  • Apparently, the exhibit makes it sound like Madoka has a Meganekko fetish.
• Homura and Madoka take first place as a yuri couple at the Megami reader's poll.
• In the Audio Commentary for Episode 7, Chiwa Saito said the following words, "I'm already... Madoka Love".
• In the PSP game, when Madoka invites Homura to dinner with her family, her dad comments that Homura is beautiful as they were told by Madoka. Junto then mentions that Madoka has been talking a lot about Homura, almost like she's in love! Madoka gets embarrassed by this comment and tells her not to say such things in front of her friend. (Fans would point out that Madoka didn't deny what her mom said!)
  • When Junko meets Homura, she states, "She looks and acts just like me when I was her age…"
    • Madoka's Questionare:

Do you have any marriage desires?

Madoka: "Would be nice if I can find a cool husband like [that resembles] my Mama..."

• In the PSP game, Madoka with her low self-esteem tells Homura that she feels worthless. Homura slaps Madoka telling her, "Madoka, you're a clumsy and slow... and absolutely adorable magical girl! What else do you want?!". Making it into an awkward love confession.
  • Madoka was actually hoping Homura would deny Madoka's self-deprecating statement. Instead, Madoka confronts Homura that she sees her that way, which puts Homura in an awkward position.
    • We can add clumsy, slow, and absolutely adorable in Homura's likes.
• On April 1, 2012 at the Nico Nico stream of the April 1st talk show, Chiwa Saito mentions that she ships MadoHomu, her fellow seiyuu's echo the same sentiment.
• In the Mami route of the PSP game, glasses Homura tries to get closer to Madoka after being saved from a witch. Sayaka and Mami start to notice how close glasses Homura and Madoka are getting, so much so that they look adorable. This makes Sayaka and Mami jealous of them. Homura can only think about how wonderful and cool Madoka is (Mami is not even an afterthought, in her own route no less and Homura only sees her as a kind senior).
  • Sayaka is so jealous, that she even turned down an offer from Kamijou to walk home together, or have lunch with him.
    • Even Hitomi thinks there is something going on when she sees Madoka getting closer to Homura. After mentioning the possibility of "forbidden love" between girls, Hitomi adds that she thought Madoka had a forbidden relationship with Sayaka, but now Madoka was having an illicit relationship with Homura after they just met, "Is this what they call a love triangle?!"
• There is a role reversal in the game where magical girl Madoka becomes the stalker to human glasses Homura.
  • The first day when Homura arrives at school, Madoka keeps looking for Homura, even following her to the roof. Every time Madoka sees Homura, she wants to take her to the nurse's office.
    • Homura is too self-conscious and doesn't want to project the idea that she is helpless, so she keeps turning down Madoka's offer, but this doesn't deter Madoka's will. In fact, it only encourages Madoka to keep trying as she cannot leave Homura alone.
  • Homura is so attached to Madoka that she wants to join her on her hunt for witches as a human, she even decides to buy a golf club so Madoka doesn't have to worry about Homura's safety so Madoka can concentrate on her own fights.
    • Kyubey notices that Homura and Madoka are very close to each other. With Homura at Madoka's side, Madoka is more determined to become stronger as a magical girl so she can protect Homura. This is a huge role reversal from the original series.
      • If Homura learns the truth about witches before she contracts, she would still desire to save Madoka knowing full well the consequences. It demonstrates a strong devotion that Homura has for Madoka.
• In the Sayaka route of the PSP game, Homura tells Madoka that she enjoys spending time with her while making bombs with Madoka's help. Homura realizes that it is strange that she is having fun while the two of them are doing something so dangerous like making bombs. Madoka refutes her, telling her it is not weird at all and that she considers Homura to be more than a classmate, to Madoka she is an important friend.
• On the day when all the girls are fighting against Walpurgis, when Madoka shows up, Homura would tells her that they are all fighting to protect everyone. However, Homura adds that she is personally fighting to protect Madoka. This is how everyone's response is in the game:

Mami: !!

Sayaka: !!

Kyouko: !!

The only one who isn't showing a response is Madoka as she already knew.

• Then Homura adds that she wouldnt know what to fight for if Madoka died. It almost feels a little bit like a love confession.

• In the PSP game when Hitomi tries to get closer to Homura, Madoka notices that these two are getting along.
• In the Drama CD 4: "Summer Magical Girl Training Camp!!", Sayaka asks Madoka if there is someone she likes. Homura shows a suspicious interest to Madoka's response.
  • Madoka responds that it would be nice to have someone to like in the future, which means no.
    • Homura: "Oh I see."
• In episode 4,the teacher of Madoka,Sayaka and Homura class,was teaching something related to the age who one can love,saying Well,the age appropiated to have childs can be declared with medicine,but that doesn't mean that you have to calcule it in reverse for determinate the age of marry for womans.Because that,a girl who have more than 30 years have the law undisputed to love and get married.And that is why that everyone have to use the present progressive,instead of pasted time.In the moment,Madoka and Sayaka were sad for Mami's death,and Homura was sawing Madoka.It can be because she is currently watching her,be worried because she looks sad,or that she is sawing her because the subject of the class.
• Nitro+ Q&A Panels @Animagic 2013 -
  Q: Is Homura in love with Madoka?
  A(Gen Urobuchi): Probably.
• "Luminous" has become a slang term that refers the cute rubbing of cheeks from the Madoka movie OP song 'Luminous'.
  • This kind of pose is tagged as (っ´ω`(´ω`c)ﾙﾐﾅｽ on pixiv. Those last 4 characters are katakana ル=ru, ミ=mi, ナ=na, ス=su, "ruminasu"=luminous

Sayaka and Kyouko

File:Kyouko sayaka madoka homura.jpg

Fanart interpretation of Episode 9

"Don't worry, Sayaka."
"It's lonely being by yourself."
"It's fine. I'll stay by your side, Sayaka." - Kyoko Sakura dying with Sayaka Miki in Episode 9

Anime and Yuri Subtext

File:Great minds think alike.jpg

It is common to find yuri subtext on the Mahou Shoujo genre, sometimes it develops into shippings or pairings created by fans, even if it was not part of the creators original intention. The creators of the show may have been aware of this phenomenon so they decided to exploit the same yuri subtext phenomenon when it came to the relationship between Kyoko and Sayaka. However, the yuri subtext mostly comes from Kyoko making it one-sided; while it is officially recognized that Kyoko has feelings for Sayaka, it is uncertain what types of feelings they are. Fans would argue that Sayaka just never had the chance to return these feelings, and Kyoko was never really good in articulating them.

Many fans point out that the reason these two are paired up together is because of their opposing personalities. Sayaka and Kyoko differ not only philosophically but their personalities are bound to cause clashes; yet they are not that dissimilar once you study these characters. Sayaka is an idealist who pursues the path of a hero of justice, she wants to emulate Mami as an example of an ideal Puella Magi. To Sayaka the gift of being a Puella Magi was something sacred to be used for good only and not for selfish acts. Kyoko on the other hand is more of a rogue who would only use her powers to satiate her base desires. Kyoko scoffs at the idea of using her powers to help others, instead she believes a Puella Magi should only help herself (even at the expense of others). To Kyoko there are no rules except her own.

This unlikely pair started out as enemies and Kyoko was close on killing Sayaka, but as the story progressed it was Kyoko who took the first step to close their gap of distrust. Kyoko even went so far as to explain to Sayaka her painful past and to why she believes Sayaka is making a mistake with her life. But Sayaka refuses Kyoko's advice and subtly proclaims she will be a better Puella Magi than her, that she will still follow a righteous path. Sayaka's arrogance at first seems to anger Kyoko (it is not known if she is angry at Sayaka, at herself, or both) but this doesn't stop her from continually pursuing Sayaka to stop her from furthering her mistakes. (Some fans like to suggest that this moment would have alienated any other character from trying to pursue a friendship with Sayaka, yet it seems to have an opposite effect with Kyoko).

Soon the roles are reversed in Episode 8 and 9. Sayaka finally admits that deep down she was no different from others, that she had selfish desires that were never fulfilled and that she regrets her decision on becoming a Puella Magi (like the love of a boy that went unfulfilled, or the jealous regret of saving a friend's life). She starts to see society as a selfish group who would only exploit others with no remorse for those who suffer. Sayaka finally understands that her decision brought nothing but unhappiness and regrets on her part. Betrayed by the world and by her ideals she soon falls into despair and darkness. It is because of this event that Kyoko soon starts to reveal a different side of her.

With the loss of Sayaka, Kyoko starts to reclaim her older self. She admits to Madoka that there was a time she used to idealize stories of love, friendship, and courage but she abandoned those ideals when she lost her family. After seeing Sayaka's despair, Kyoko decides that she wants to save her and get the old Sayaka back. Kyoko was putting her faith on romantic ideals, a move that many would like to point out as being irrational and dangerous (even Kyubey agrees such a notion is illogical). Once Kyoko realizes that there is no way to save Sayaka, she decides to sacrifice her life so they could both be together. That way Sayaka wont be alone anymore. There is a division among fans regarding Kyoko's decision to die with Sayaka. There are those who say Kyoko did it as an act of love (the tragic yuri pair or maybe an act of friendship), others say Kyoko knew that even if she did survive it would only be a matter of time before she became a witch so she wanted to end her life her own way (a self sacrifice with practical motives). However, the reason that Kyoko would give up her own life to avoid becoming a witch looks a little unstable, as there is a scene in the episode where what appears to be the souls of both girls, colored respectively in blue and red, embracing each other tenderly before disappearing for good. By this logic, it is unlikely that Kyoko will make one last attempt to reach out to Sayaka before they both faded away if she never saw Sayaka as someone who is more than just a friend, and that the only purpose of her death was to escape her eventual fate of being a Puella Magi.

To fans that support the yuri relationship, the reason that they find this pair strong and attractive is because they want Sayaka to be with someone who can love her and protect her. Kyoko was the only character who understood Sayaka's true nature (and her pain) since Kyoko admitted to her that she saw a fragment of herself in Sayaka. Kyoko was also the only one who chased after her to the bitter end, no matter the obstacles or how obstinate Sayaka was, Kyoko was still there for her. Last but not least, another strong indicator of Kyoko's feelings for Sayaka is shown in the last episode of the anime, where she is the only one who takes Sayaka's death the most personally, in spite of trying to brush it off as simply because they "finally had a chance to become friends". Kyoko fits the perfect role as Sayaka's protector and savior.

The relationship between Kyoko and Sayaka may have not been accidental or a tease but created to heighten emotional investments by the viewers. It is possible that this was part of the creator's intention to emotionally move groups of hardcore fans who support a SayakaxKyoko pairing, thus making their demise in Episode 9 more tragic (or as fans put it a "Yuri Tragedy" ending).

File:21354222 p8.png

Trivia: Prior to the mid 19th century, lonely delirious mariners referred to manatees as mermaids.
I am not kidding.

• The Melusine Legend and Kyoko's Soul Gem: There is a Melusine legend that indicates that "a Melusina surfaces briefly every seven years as a beautiful woman or as a serpent, holding a small golden key in her mouth. Whoever takes the key from her will set her free and may claim her as his bride." In Episode 9, Kyoko undoes her hair and then uses her hairpin to pray, it is uncertain but it seems that her Soul Gem and her hairpin were fused together to create a new hairpin with a shape that resembles that of her father's religious symbol. After Sayaka's prayer she kisses the newly formed hairpin and tosses it into the air (before she destroys it with her spear), maybe as an offering to Sayaka to free her from her Witch form by sacrificing Kyoko's soul. The shape of the normal hairpin and of the Soul Gem fused hairpin looks like of a golden key. Sayaka's witch form could also be a reference to the Little Mermaid story.

• The Legend of Unicorns and Magical Horns: During the Blu-ray version of Episode 9, there were wind-chimes depicting a Mermaid and a Unicorn. The unicorn is considered to be a wild, powerful, temperamental beast that could only be tamed by a maiden. A unicorn's horn is said to have the power to cleanse poisoned water and heal sickness. Another of its magical properties is the ability to lift curses and break illusions. It is suspected that Kyoko is compared to the unicorn because of its characteristics as well as the horn's magical properties. Both Kyoko and the unicorn are wild and temperamental creatures, free to roam and do whatever they want. Kyoko at one time had the power of illusion as well as the ability to break them ("shining light on illusions", according to a magazine article). The Unicorn's magical properties resides within its horn, and Kyoko's magical weapon is a spear. Fans speculate that Kyoko's spear could be a reference to a unicorn's horn. Another comparison is Kyoko's attempt to break Sayaka's curse during Episode 9. Since a unicorn's horn can magically cleanse poisoned water and the mermaid has connotation to the elements of water (in this case, the elements of water corrupted by the witch form), it could be interpreted as her attempt to purify its element back to its original form (in this case turn Sayaka back to normal). It is suggested that Sayaka is the maiden because she was the only one who was able to "tame" Kyoko. As Kyoko explained before, the only reason she got close to Sayaka was because Sayaka's idealism reminded Kyoko of her innocent, naive yet idealistic self.
  • The Unicorn symbolism seems to be implied in the Puella Magi Madoka Magica Portable game: See Ophelia.

• The double-suicide is considered typical in romantic endings for two tragic lovers in Japanese storytelling. Many fans would point this fact as evidence for making this couple canon.

• After the airing of Episode 9, yuri artwork of this pair exploded on Pixiv.

• Listen to the duet character song "And I'm Home" with Kyoko Sakura and Sayaka Miki (Ai Nonaka and Eri Kitamura), many fans have interpreted the lyrics to contains yuri elements.

• Kyoko addresses Sayaka by her first name only from Episode 8 and afterwards. Some suggest this is an indication of how important Sayaka is to Kyoko.

Manga Difference: The Yuri Afterlife

In the anime version when Kyoko dies in the explosion it is the end of her story. However, in the manga version after Kyoko dies we are presented with an image of Sayaka's back as she is sitting on the floor, presumably waiting for someone. Kyoko approaches Sayaka from behind her with an Umaibō in hand as a sign that Kyoko wants to start all over again with Sayaka (the same way she did with Madoka; and perhaps redo her offering of food in Episode 8). But Sayaka, wearing a mischievous expression, instead grabs Kyoko's hand and pulls her down with her. This has been interpreted as Sayaka accepting Kyoko's affection for her; it can also be interpreted as Sayaka's preference to have Kyoko on the menu over the Umaibō.

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  Manga: Kyoko finally understands what is like to protect someone precious to her.

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  Manga: Several changes were made to this scene, yet the emotional impact remains the same.

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  Manga: This emotional (yuri) afterlife encounter was not in the anime, not that I am complaining.

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  Manga Page: Kyoko Sakura, welcome to the yuri afterlife.

Official Art

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  Den Lille Havfrue
  (The Little Mermaid)

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  NitroPlus Novel.

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  Kyoko and Sayaka. NitroPlus Novel.

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  From Nitroplus's Staff Blog: If they were to try to settle things peacefully, things would have gone more like this.

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  TL: "Sayakaaaaa-".
  From Hanokage twitter (the author of the Madoka manga).

• Kyosaya ume aoki doujin art fan colored.png

  Ume Aoki supports a KyoSaya pairing (fan colored with official Ume Aoki's work).

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  The image on the left is from Revolutionary Girl Utena, the image on the right is from Episode 9 with Sayaka and Kyoko

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  This image, according to Otona Anime, means Kyoko wants to save Sayaka but finally is in vain. (The blue breaks down when the red touches it)

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  Kyoko's last words to Homura. Kyoko later admits she failed to do that, maybe an admission that she failed to protect Sayaka.

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  There seems to be a connection between the Melusine legend and Kyoko's hairpin/soul gem and her father's religious symbol (see above)

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  Kyoko as an unicorn and Sayaka as a mermaid, symbolically represented in wind-chimes. See above for more details.

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  This official art seems to subtlety pair each girl with their respective partners (notice how Mami is alone)..Also..Can you see what is Kyoko seeing?,no,not only Sayaka,is something..

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  Ume shipping Kyoko and Sayaka in her doujin

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  Fan translation of Kyoko x Sayaka page 1

• Yuri fan art pixiv growing.png

  Yuri fans of KyoSaya seem to be pleased with these results

• 

  From Volume 5 of the Blu-Ray, courtesy of Ume Aoki

• Kyosaya i'm home pose and knm pose.jpg

  A blatant attempt to evoke images of Kannazuki no Miko, or just mere artistic expression?

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  Megami poster.

• Kyousaya sample official art.jpg

  Kyousaya official art samples.

• 

  Aipon (Kyouko's VA): I wanna get all lovey-dovey with Sayaka.
  KitaEri (Sayaka's VA): I wanna stick it in Aipon.

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  Eri Kitamura is going to make Ai Nonaka jelly.

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  KyoSaya CG in 2nd PV of the PSP game

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  Sayaka's horrible fortune. Is not good to be alone.

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  NyanType 2012-04

• Series official card anime shots.jpg

  Official card from the Madoka PSP game, they even added the Utena Symbolism.

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  The witch kiss of Kyoko's witch form has the colors of Kyoko and Sayaka

• 
• 
• 
• 
• Sayaka Kyoko Dakimakura.jpg
• 

  The ending of Rebellion was very yuri friendly

• 

  VERY.

• 

  Pandering? Why yes.

• Kyosaya rebellion.jpg
• Kyosaya handholding.jpg

  L-lewd!

Fanart Response to KyouSaya

This section contains fanart images

Everything in the following fan gallery is created, or the comments accompanying them are created, for entertainment value and should not be confused with actual canon events of the Puella Magi franchise.

• Sayaka kyouko spinoff.jpg

  Source

• Kyouko meets sayaka afterlife fan.gif
• Kyouko sayaka playing.gif
• Kyosaya ear licking fanart.jpg
• Sayaka kissing kyouko's neck.gif
• Kyousaya doujin soul gem sexing.png

  A Yuri Doujin depicting the KyokoxSayaka pair with some steamy Soul Gem sexing

• Yuma has two mommies.jpg

  The family that Kyoko always wanted. Are you listening SHAFT? It is not too late for an OVA.

• Kyosaya KnM.jpg
• Kyousaya magic baby.jpg
• Kyosaya oktavia last moment.jpg
• 736611.jpg
• Sample-9a9057abaeb41e47b400e68766de0075.jpg
• 50aada98012e97e93f3cc07261320a73.jpg
• 21289667 - and i'm home.jpg

  a blatant interpretation of "and I'm Home".

• BD 5 ED Yuri Fan Interpretation.jpg

  Illogical? Extreme? Nay, I say this is the next step to its logical conclusion.

• Kyosaya almost 69.jpg
• Kyosaya mermaid fanart.jpg

  The Little Mermaid
  finally gets her prince...err...cess.

• Kyouko and sayaka casual clothes on a date.jpg

  Fanart response from the Megami poster.

• KyouSaya (gumichoco).jpg

  the fans even made a comic as a response from the Megami poster.

• KyouSaya (gumichoco) p2.jpg
• KyouSaya (gumichoco) p3.jpg
• Kyoko sayaka dog collar.jpg
• Sayaka and kyouko cat.gif
• KyouSaya animated.gif
• Ophelia oktavia adorable horse fanart.jpg

  Witches need love, too!

• Witch Love.jpg

  Aw honey, let's kill some humans! <3

• KyoSaya Ending.jpg

  This is how Madoka Magica ended, it's true!

• KyoSaya sunset art.jpg

KyouSaya Trivia

• This pair is labeled as KyoSaya (or KyouSaya) by yurifans. Kyoko is seen as a tomboy who is usually depicted in the prince role and Sayaka as the tough yet feminine maiden.
• In Episode 9 near Oktavia's barrier there is a graffiti of a heart and inside it we can read the words "Love Me Do" which is the name of a Beatle's song. This song probably represents Kyoko's feelings towards Sayaka.
  • "Love Me Do" is written purposely wrong according with the English grammar.
    • A verse of the lyrics: "Love, Love Me Do/You know I love you/I'll always be true/So please, Love Me Do"
      • When you read "Love Me Do" out loud, it can be "miss understood" as "Love Me Too".
• Hanokage's comic in the Puella Magi Madoka Magica Anthology has Kyoko using Homura's game simulator to interact with a virtual Sayaka. Kyoko ends up playing the game for hours.
• Ume-tentei ships Kyoko and Sayaka in her doujin.
• The audio at the Madoka Magica Exhibit makes Sayaka tsundere for Kyoko.
• In the PSP game, if Sayaka's Soul Gem is returned on time, Kyoko would try to console a depressed Sayaka as she has seen Kyousuke and Hitomi together. An upset Sayaka runs into Kyoko and cries in her arms (in case you're wondering why she doesn't go to Madoka, her best friend, is because she's always with Homura now). Kyoko talks to her, opens up about her past, and unlike in the anime, Sayaka really listens to Kyoko. You should hear how she says, "Kyoko...". Kyoko saves Sayaka, a 300 pt emotion value drops and Sayaka is almost her old cheerful self. Sayaka even suggests to Kyoko that they should be a magical girl combi (duo). Then they go fight a witch together.
• In the In the Kyouko route of the PSP game, Sayaka becomes a witch and Kyoko tries to turn Sayaka back to normal. When Homura kills Oktavia, Kyoko falls into despair after seeing Oktavia's dead.
  • In an alternate event, Kyoko will clam down when she remembers Sayaka's last words, "I'll bear the burden of the curse for both of us".
• In the True Ending of the Madoka Portable, Kyoko gets jealous from Sayaka's comment about how Mami would make a great wife. She tells Sayaka it is not her fault that she is sloppy.
  • Sayaka forcibly strips a protesting Kyouko to have her wear Mami's school uniform (the screen goes black with Sayaka talking about how she's taking it all off), the two of them end up fighting about their lack of breast sizes.
• In the anime, Sayaka never uses the honorific "-chan". However in the PSP game, Sayaka does use "-chan" occasionally to refer to herself and Kyoko. Sayaka never uses "-chan" for anyone else.
• In the movie "Rebellion" Kyouko and Sayaka live together.
  • Holy sh#t! Are they reading our fanfics?!

Yuri Kyouko Trivia

File:Kyoko choose one.jpg

You two timing...!

• Every seiyuu is gay for Kyouko.
  • Aoi Yuuki (Madoka) claims Kyoko to be her waifu with extreme infatuation.
    • Aoi Yuuki (Madoka) declared her love for Kyoko in Magical Girls Tea Party CD and her desire to marry her in the audio commentary for Episode 5. Ai Nonaka questions her choice and informs her all she ever does is eat. Aoi Yuki is ok with this and declares she would just adjust.
      • In same comentary Chiwa Saitou (Homura) sounds annoyed, some suggested perhaps she is jealous. But the question is, jealous of whom?
    • Aoi Yuuki (Madoka) goes even more gaga for Kyoko in the audio commentary for Episode 7, "The one I love, it's Kyouko-tan." "Kyouko-tan is the absolute best!" "it's like she isn't trying to be cool, but she's still REALLY cool."
      • we are not kidding.
    • In the "C81 Aniplex Madoka Special Talk CD", not even two minutes has passed and Aoi Yuki's already fangirling over Kyouko-tan~
  • Chiwa Saito (Homura) is gay for Kyoko too.
  • It turns out that Ryouko Shintani (Hitomi) who is the guest for the Episode 7 commentary, is another one that's gay for Kyouko too. "I love Kyouko."
  • Eri Kitamura (Sayaka) is the Seme to Kyoko's Uke.
  • Chiwa Saito (Homura) confesses that when she saw Kyoko's sacrifice scene with Aoi Yuuki (Madoka) and Emiri Kato (Kyubey), they all cried. They found the scene moving.

Yuri Eri Kitamura (Sayaka) Trivia

• Eri Kitamura (Sayaka) likes the company of other seiyuu, besides Ai Nonaka (Kyoko).
  • That is putting it too mildly, she actually enjoys flirting with other female seiyuu, when she isn't ogling them in their sleep or traveling with them in what she calls their honeymoon-ish travels.

Mami and Kyouko

The Senpai and Kōhai Relationship

"Drama CD 3, Farewell Story"

"Thank you, Mami-san. Please take care of me!" - Kyoko Sakura, Drama CD 3.

"I already told you. I have no intention of using my magic for anyone else’s sake. That’s why we can’t fight witches or familiars together. But… If something were to happen to you, you would still share a grief seed with me. I can’t stand the thought of abusing your kindness." - Kyoko Sakura, Drama CD 3.

"I’m not your enemy! After all… After all, you were… the first magical girl who shared the same ideals as I did!" - Mami Tomoe, Drama CD 3.

File:Kyomami cakes.jpg

Fans suspect that Mami seduced Kyoko with promises of cakes.

In the Drama CD, titled Farewell Story, Mami and Kyoko's first meeting is detailed. The two fought witches together, and Kyoko even introduced Mami to her family, reminiscent of a girl bringing home a prospective spouse to meet her parents. Their early relationship could be described as between a senpai and kōhai (as Kyoko and Mami themselves describe it), but yuri fans suspect there is more to it. Sadly, Kyoko never calls her senpai the much coveted title "Onee-sama" (that is, until the events of "Different Story").

After Kyoko's family tragedy she tries to leave Mitakihara, intending to work alone. She had lost her "Rosso Phantasma" ability (named by Mami), and got injured by a witch. Mami, worried about Kyoko, doesn't want her to leave, as she had grown very attached to the younger girl. But Kyoko refuses to listen to her so they both end up fighting each other and Kyoko wins. Kyoko warns Mami that she wont be merciful next time; she leaves while Mami cries over her loss realizing that she is alone once again. Before Kyoko leaves, she reassures Mami that she will meet other girls who are suited to her expectations. In the anime timeline, they never meet again. Kyoko only returns to Mitakihara after Mami's passing, which may imply that she regretted her past actions and wished to avoid another confrontation with her former senpai by entering her territory again.

Some fans suspect that the reason Kyoko fought with Mami was so she could end her relationship with her early, before it turned ugly. It is indicated by Kyoko that if they continued to stay together, they would only fight and bicker with each other because of their differences in their beliefs, and perhaps end up hating each other in the process. Others suspect that because Kyoko lost her secondary power, she feared that she would be putting Mami at risk, so she didn't want to become a burden. Perhaps Kyoko was afraid that Mami would also end up dead because of her, just like her family was.

Fans suspect that Mami's interaction as a senpai with Sayaka and Madoka was a bit distant, and that Mami might still have carried the lingering memory that she shared with Kyoko and feared it would become painful if she got too close with her new kôhai. Another possibility is that Mami feared she would be alone again once Madoka and Sayaka saw how difficult the world of a Puella Magi was; or maybe Mami was still hopeful that Kyoko would come back to her.

"Puella Magi Madoka Magica: The Different Story"

"I guess I was never anything more than your senpai, but I always wanted to be your friend, not some distant person." - Mami Tomoe, Puella Magi Madoka Magica: The Different Story

"I think I see you a little differently than I would see a friend..." - Kyouko Sakura about Mami Tomoe, Puella Magi Madoka Magica: The Different Story

Very intimate choice of words there, Mami.

Puella Magi Madoka Magica: The Different Story further explores their relationship in a different timeline, the tragic events from the Drama CD, "Farewell Story" are the same, but the manga adds further information to their backstory, making their relationship and their quarrel even more tragic. Both of them lost their family and both of them are alone/lonely, yet because of their ideological differences, both of them think they will never be able to reconcile and be friends again. Mami is afraid that she will be betrayed and abandoned by those that she get close to, and Kyouko thinks that she will be hated and never be forgiven for her sins. The two of them think their views are irreconcilable with each other and would only cause pain, so they avoid each other's territory.

Mami confesses to Kyouko that she always wanted to be more than just a senpai to her, but she never had the courage to get closer to Kyouko. Then Mami begs Kyouko to finish her off before she becomes a witch, but Kouko refuses. Kyouko confesses to Mami on how Mami saved her from her own despair, without Mami's help and her friendship Kyouko thinks she would have become a witch long ago. Kyouko tells her that their relationship goes beyond that of a senpai and a kōhai, to Kyouko, Mami is her "onee-sama", and she thinks of Mami as being part of her family. Kyouko then admits to Mami that the real reason she came to town was to check on her to make sure she would be happy with the new magical girls. It is speculated that the reason Kyouko was unhappy is that Kyouko was worried that Mami's beliefs would only hurt her and Sayaka, others suspect that Kyouko was just jealous that she found a new magical girl to work with. When Kyuoko goes to confront Oktavia, Mami asks Kyouko to swear to her that she would never leave her again. Kyouko gives Mami her ribbon and her hair-pin, letting her hair down and swearing that she would not die, that she would return once she is done to reclaim her belongings. On the fight with Oktavia, Kyouko becomes aware that she must choose between saving Sayaka or saving Mami. Kyouko doesnt take the act of killing Oktavia lightly, but her priority is saving Mami, a person that she cares deeply. Once Kyouko obtains Oktavia's Grief Seed she uses it on Mami, fully aware that Kyouko is running out of magic.

When Mami wakes up from her sleep she learns from Kyubey that Kyouko was low on magic and she died in a witch's labyrinth while trying to find a new Grief Seed for herself. Kyouko's demise means that her friend failed to keep her promise with Mami. On her despair, Mami asks Homura to kill her but she refuses, she tries to convince Mami to live and help her defeat Walpurgisnacht. When Homura leaves, Madoka confesses to Mami she met Kyouko a few days earlier and became friends sharing many conversations, secrets, and fears. To further add Mami's suffering, she learns from Madoka that the reason Kyouko left Mami's side, was because she was afraid that the two of them could never reconcile for what happened. Kyouko admits that she should have been happy for Mami for finding new friends, but instead they just bickered because of their ideological differences just as she feared. Kyouko tells Madoka that she regrets her choice of words but she believes that it is too late to amend their relationship. But she promises to Madoka that she would check on Mami and Sayaka if anything ever happens to them. Like a tragic story, after her conversation with Madoka and by the end of the storyline, Mami decides that she cannot live anymore, so she breaks her Soul Gem while holding Kyouko's ribbon and hair pin, she also left a letter explaining herself. This image is interpreted as Mami killing herself so her spirit could follow that of Kyouko's as Mami doesnt want to be left alone again, since Kyouko promised to her that they would be together.

KyouMami Trivia

• According with Kyoko's mother, Mami is the first "friend" Kyoko ever brought home. The significance is clearly important for yuri fans.
  • It's particularly notable that Akio said a similar thing of Utena when Anthy introduced them in Revolutionary Girl Utena.
• The fan name for this pairing is KyoMami, but MamiKyo/MamiKo is acceptable as well.
• It should be noted that in Oriko Magica, while their interactions in chapter 3 weren't particularly friendly, they don't seem to be in bad terms either. Given their status as magical girls and their differences (which in most cases may lead to fights or competition for the Grief Seeds), it could be suspected that they decided to maintain an unspoken truce.
  • It should also be noted that despite Kyoko's distance from Mami, she (along with Yuma) came to her aid when Kyubey told them of the situation, implying that Kyoko still cares at least somewhat for her former senpai.
• The PSP game explores more about their relationship after they got separated
  • In Mami's route, Kyoko returns to Mitakihara to meet her, but they don't make up. Kyoko even asks Mami about her new companion, Madoka, but Mami thinks Kyoko will try to harm her, so she warns Kyoko not to come near them. Kyoko then returns to Kazamino with regrets as to why she could not have been more straightforward with Mami.
  • In Kyoko's route, she makes a grave for Mami.
  • In Homura's route, while Oktavia's death upsets Kyoko, she will still help Homura in the fight against Walpurgis. However, if Mami kills herself after knowing the truth about magical girls and witches, Kyoko will not show up and Homura will end up fighting alone.
• Prior to Mami being ship with a strong candidate (with the HomuxMado/KyoxSaya fans growing, leaving little to no room - unless you count Charlotte), she was the odd girl left out that it intensified the meme "Mami forever alone", intensifying her loneliness. That was until the Drama CD 3 came out. Plus with Sayaka being dead in the New World, it leaves the potential for these two characters to being together.
• In chapter 9 of the online game, Kyouko is living in Mami's apartment. Kyouko says Mami invited her to practice a new "finishing pose" for their spells and takes Mami's homemade snacks with her on witch hunts. She embarrassingly blurts out that she stays there because she felt sorry for Mami living alone. Mami is pleased to have her company, even if her home is now a mess with Kyouko living in it. Madoka and Sayaka congratulate them and tease Kyouko on their "friendship". However, Homura considers their relationship to be a jarring irregularity since she knows they were never that close in timelines similar to the anime or drama CD continuity.
• In Puella Magi Madoka Magica: The Different Story, Kyouko reveals that she sees Mami as different than a friend. To Kyouko, Mami is her "onee-sama"!
  • Just like HomuMado. Kyouko gives Mami her hair ribbon and tells Mami she will be back for it.
    • In the Anime version, Kyouko took out her hair pin and her ribbon before dying with Sayaka. In Different Story she gives Mami her hair ribbon and her hair pin before she goes to die in a Witch labyrinth.

Official Art

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  From the Oriko manga series.

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  Mami and Kyoko fighting together in the PSP game.

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  The two holding hands, from The Different Story manga.

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  First cover of The Different Story manga.

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  Mami confesses her desire to be friends with Kyoko, but that she was too afraid to get closer.

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  Kyoko tells Mami that she is her only remaining family.

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  Mami commits suicide, while holding Kyouko's belongings.

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  You two-timing witch!

Fanart Response to KyouMami

This section contains fanart images

Everything in the following fan gallery is created, or the comments accompanying them are created, for entertainment value and should not be confused with actual canon events of the Puella Magi franchise.

• Mami kyoko happy fanart.jpg

  "Who is a good kôhai? For doing a good job you are getting cake tonight... and for dessert..."

• 5111c8ef9864b465aa105bd042335050.jpeg

  I predict a lot of senpai-kôhai interactions in doujin form after this.

• Kyomami fanart.jpg

  Sorry, Sayaka. But Mami promised me a lifetime supply of cakes.

• Kyomami one at a time girls.jpg

  Now Mami will never be alone again.

• Yurifan reaction kyomami drama cd.jpg

  One example of fan reaction to Kyomami.

• Senior's Meeting - buchi maru pg 9.jpg

  Kyomami was cool way before the release of the drama CD.

• (Kasumi) Mami is yours if she's drunk.png

  A drunken Mami is fine too. A confused Sayaka not so much.

• Sleeping face of an angel (Aotori)04.jpg

  Of course there is always the threesome route.
  ~You can say that again, Kyoko.

• Mami Kyoko Laughing.jpeg

  Once, Mami and Kyoko were like this. But as always, being meguca is suffering.

• Mami Kyoko Hugging.jpeg
• PockyStealing KyoMami.jpeg
• Kyoko mami lovers friends fanart pencil.jpg
• Homura Sure Is Popular - Sleepover Chapter (sanaemaru) 04.jpg

  Considering how fragile Mami's state of mind is, we have to wonder if Kyoko has to worry if she is the jealous type.

• Kyomami sleeping last night fanart.png
• Kyomami look into my eyes.jpg
• Mami angel kyouko devil halloween fanart.jpg
• 4chan candeloro hard gay for madoka kyouko.jpg

  Candeloro's familiars are her cute Kōhai, coincidence?...

• Kyomami looking at her panties.jpg

  Perhaps Mami takes her role as a Senpai too far.

• Kyomami sayaka jelly fanart.jpg
• Sayaka kyouko mami threesome sharing fanart.jpg

  Yuri love triangle.

Other Relationships

The cast of Madoka Magica allows for a variety of relationships. However, these pairings listed below are generally much less popular than the "main" relationships listed above, and thus not considered "main" for that reason.

Mami and Madoka

A somewhat less popular pair due to Mami's lack of appearances for most of the series. In Episode 3, Madoka tells Mami that she wants to become a magical girl because of her admiration of Mami (admiration of an older sister figure is very common in yuri-themed works). Mami discourages her at her first, saying that she is not someone to admire because despite her trying to appear as a strong mentor, she is weak and lonely. When Madoka tells her that she will stay by her side, Mami is brought to tears. The two hold hands and face each other, and Madoka tells Mami that she really will stay with Mami and fight together with her. During the battle with the witch afterward, Mami states in her internal monologue that she has never been happier while fighting before, and that she no longer has any fears, no doubt due to joy from Madoka's confession. This attitude combined with overconfidence ultimately leads to Mami's untimely demise, but nonetheless many fans saw Madoka's confession and Mami's reaction as evidence of yuri feelings between the two girls.

In the first timeline of episode 10, Mami and Madoka fight as a pair and rescue Homura. Some fans believe that, because Madoka was already close with Mami before meeting Homura, Mami and Madoka were a couple in that timeline. It is revealed in the PSP game that in one of the timelines (probably the first or second) Mami died because she protected Madoka from an attack of Walpurgis Night.

Love triangle style scenarios in which Mami and Homura compete for Madoka's affection, occasionally with Sayaka brought in as well, are somewhat common in fanworks.

The fan name for this pair is MamiMado.

Official Art

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  Official pin-up artwork from NyanType magazine, March 2011 issue.

• Kalafina magica quartet madoka page sample art.jpg

  Threesome?

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• 4chan candeloro hard gay for madoka kyouko.jpg
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  Madoka and Mami... and Sayaka?!

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Fanart Response to MamiMado

• MamiMado.jpg

  This is how Episode 3 should have ended.

• MadoMamiHeadpat.jpeg
• Madoka feeling mami mamis.jpg
• Mami loving kiss madoka.gif
• Mami madoka pose.png
• Mami madoka happiness.jpg
• Madoka crying into mamis arms.jpg
• Mamimado fanart mammies and lap pillow.png

MamiMado Trivia

• The PSP game explores more about their relationship.
  • In Mami's route, Mami saves Madoka from Gertrud. Madoka becomes a magical girl and returns the favor by turning up to save Mami from Charlotte.
    • Mami starts getting jealous that Madoka spends more time with Homura than her. Her jealousy is expressed in the form of depression that affects the mood of the scene when it happens. When Madoka drops by Mami's class, she gives Mami a pound cake that she made as a thank you for having her on Mami's tea parties. When Madoka mentions that Homura was involved in the making of the cake, the music stops and the mood changes, so much so that Mami's jealousy festers with dark thoughts.
      • Because of Mami's fragile mind, Mami goes witch when she gets NTR by HomuxMado.

Homura and Mami

"I failed to save her again." - Homura Akemi, Madoka Magica Portable.

A somewhat less popular pair due to Mami's lack of appearances for most of the series. In the first timeline of episode 10, Mami and Madoka fight as a pair and rescue Homura. Much like the other girls, Homura seems to admire Mami and she is affected the first time she dies. They seem to be good friends, but not as much as Homura' friendship with Madoka. However this clashes in the third timeline, in which Mami breaks down after knowing the truth of the Puella Magi and kills Kyoko and then wraps Homura with ribbons in order to kill her, but she is killed by Madoka.

It should also be noted that, as shown in the PSP game, Homura somehow still cares for her, but they are enemies in the other timelines, because of Kyubey's interference. This is shown when it is revealed that Homura was thinking of defeating Gertrud and giving the Grief Seed to Mami, to form a token of friendship, but it backfired because of Kyubey.

Love triangle style scenarios in which Mami and Homura compete for Madoka's affection, occasionally with Homura ignoring Mami in order to be with Madoka.

The fan name for this pair is HomuMami.

Official Art

• 

  From the Mami's Heart Pounding Tiro Finale

Fanart Response to HomuMami

• Homura with glasses mami.jpg
• 20430635 m.jpg
• 20367212 m.jpg
• 20514628 m.jpg
• Mami and homura ribbons.jpg
• 20473799 m.jpg
• Sample-d99936152d41dc067d65116f738e4574.jpg
• Homucat hnnnngggg mami.jpg
• Moemura mami cute couple fanart.jpg
• 21f0c977274497a9a82b1b93a4d65d64.jpg
• Homura Tomoe pic dubs.jpg

  Either Homura and Mami gay married in America or the US Dubs is making its own ship (or Torinone's in charge of the script).

Mami and Kyubey

Don't ask (Kyubey is technically asexual).

Official Art

• 

  Yep, it's real. And it doesnt help that Mami has that "gaze" on her.

Fanart Response to MamiBey

• Mamibey ruined for marriage 0 0.jpg

  Technically Kyubey has no gender... do I even wanna go there...?

Kyouko and Homura

"Man, you’re so mysterious. And so, can we win against Walpurgisnacht?" - Kyoko Sakura, Drama CD 3.

"We will win. The two of us can do it!" - Homura Akemi, Drama CD 3.

"Kyoko..." - Homura Akemi, Episode 9.

A somehow less popular pairing. From past experience, Homura believes Kyoko may be the only ally left to help her in stopping Walpurgis Night. They are often seen talking or discussing plans in Homura's house. Their relationship is more of a partnership than friendship. Homura is saddened after Kyoko dies in order to not leave Sayaka alone, in both the anime and manga, but she denies it by saying that she just didn't wanted Kyoko to lose face, although her expression shows otherwise. However this seems to be onesided, since Kyoko doesn't consider her a friend. Curiously, she is the only other person Homura calls by her first name, besides Madoka. There is evidence that they had interacted on a more personal level in prior timelines, when at the start of episode 6 Homura says, "I'm on the side of those who maintain their composure and I'm the enemy of idiots who initiate fights needlessly. Which are you, Sakura Kyoko?" It triggers a strong reaction from Kyoko, where she asks Homura if they'd ever met before.

The fan name for this pair is KyouHomu.

Official Art

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Fanart Reponse to KyouHomu

• KyouHomu KnM.jpg
• 21313778 p0.jpg

  Fanwork of a theory of Episode 9

• 8b2843ce04cb633354d523aa13be4c69.jpg
• 18951338 m.jpg
• 23c06af7fa254c30442ec312105b6df1.jpg
• Akemi homura fuk me naoh kyouko.jpg
• 21312426 m.png
• 20096927 m.jpg
• 19503879 p1.jpg
• Tea and snacks at homu residence.jpg

  Eating at the HomuHome

• Puella Magi Nichijou.png
• Homura is popular sleepover chapter pg with homukyo.jpg
• Sales being sayaka is suffering.jpg

  HomuKyou: Because being Sayaka is suffering.

• Copia de Madoka A 1 015.jpg

  from the Puella Magi Madoka Magica Anthology 1

• Kyoko homura brofist.jpg
• Homura kyouko serious fanart.jpg

KyoHomu Trivia

• As seen in the anime, manga and PSP game, Homura is surprisingly mild toward Kyoko.
• The PSP game explores more about their relationship.
  • After Madoka dies in the Sayaka route against Walpurgis (mainly because Sayaka didn’t want to call Kyoko to the fight), Homura convinces herself that she should partner with Kyoko in future timelines to save Madoka.
  • In Kyoko's route, when Kyoko comes to help Homura with her fight against Walpurgis Night (despite she was mad at Homura for killing Oktavia, she later felt guilt for breaking their promise to fight Walpurgis together) after she tells her that she is not fighting for her sake and claims that she wants grief seeds from Walpurgis, Homura simply smiles at her and calls her an idiot as she thanks her.

Kyoko: Don’t get the wrong idea. It’s not like I came to help you out. And I’m not interested in saving people either. It’s just that my Soul Gem got corrupted thanks to Sayaka. And I just need a huge ass grief seed, okay?!

Homura: *smiles* Idiot...

Kyoko: Takes one to know one!

Homura: Thank you

Kyoko: I’ve do nothing to be thankful for!

Homura: Are...we...friends?

Kyoko: Let’s set that aside for now! We’ll talk after we beat that thing down!

• After that Homura later asks Kyoko if they are friends but Kyoko changes the topic. Later they are defeated by Walpurgis and Kyoko attempts to use her last attack, as she calls it, but a concerned Homura stops her from doing it so (probably believing that she would sacrifice herself) causing Kyoko to call her a creep. Homura openly shows concern when Kyoko is hurt by Walpurgis and later when she is killed by Kriemhild Gretchen.
• For some strange reason in the True Ending, Homura calls Kyoko "Sakura-san" instead of her first name, like she did before when she was Moemura.

Sayaka and Madoka

"You're cute, but I won't let you become popular with the guys. You're going to be my wife!" - Sayaka Miki declaring Madoka to be her waifu in Episode 1.

In the Episode 1, Sayaka says that she will make Madoka her wife. After watching them communicate telepathically in Episode 2, Hitomi thinks that they are communicating simply through eye contact and must have become a couple, which she calls forbidden love. The two maintain a close friendship for most of the series.

The light novel, "Mahou Shoujo Madoka☆Magica NitroPlus Novel", explores Madoka's early childhood and her first encounter with a tomboyish Sayaka.

The fan name for this pair is SayaMado. "Forbidden love" is occasionally used as a nickname for this pair and Madoka yuri in general.

Official Art

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  Sayaka pokes Madoka's face

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  YOU'RE GOING TO BE MY WIFE!

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  Art from the light novel.

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Fanart Response to SayaMado

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  The people who saw the two last episodes would understand this.

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• Madoka sayaka photoshop art.jpg
• Madoka sayaka kiss comic.jpg
• August Thanatos (niina ryou) 05.jpg
• Sayaka madoka hnnnng heart attack.png
• Madosaya HidaSketchx365 parody fanart.gif
• 13b83f90b0524835474f95c5efc14c15.jpg
• Madosaya HidaSketchx365 parody fanart 2.gif
• MadoSaya Walking.gif
• Together with sayamado fanart.jpg
• Sayamado prince princess fanart.jpg
• Madosaya naughty girls fanart.png
• Madoka sayaka children protective.jpg

  Sayaka, acting as Madoka's protector.

• MadoSaya Loop03 Another.jpg

  The reason why Sayaka complains in another timeline.

Homura and Sayaka

"She should not have agreed to the contract. That was my mistake. I should have kept as close an eye on her as I did on you." Homura Akemi, Episode 5.

"Madoka, what are you going to do after you get there? [...] I don't know why Homura is fighting against those things. But there is no way you can help, Madoka. You'll just slow down Homura. That's why...I'll go help her!" - Sayaka Miki, Puella Magi Oriko Magica, Chapter 7.

This pairing is mostly considered a crack pair, due to the fact that the relationship between the two changes, according to Homura's attitude during the timelines, because Sayaka judges based on first impressions and makes rash assumptions. When she first saw her, in Episode 1, she though Homura was pretty. However, after Homura's actions after Mami's death, she believes that Homura waited for Mami to fall in order to get the Grief Seed and distrusts her. In Episode 5, a concerned Madoka asks her to protect Sayaka as much as possible, since she became a Puella Magi. But Homura refuses to do it. However, she expresses a bit of regret of not protecting her before, since in the other timelines, she met Sayaka when she was already a Puella Magi.

In Episode 6, she rushes to retrieve Sayaka' Soul Gem, after Madoka threw her away and brings it back to Sayaka in order to revive her. Like Kyouko and Madoka, she expresses slight concern for Sayaka in Episode 8. She even tries to reason with her and gives her a Grief Seed, so her Soul Gem woudn't have to be tainted. Sayaka rejects the Grief Seed and accuses Homura of putting up false pretenses and always lying to them. Homura changes her attitude and admits she is just doing things for Madoka's sake, knowing that Sayaka's actions will contribute to Madoka's fate, Sayaka seemes shocked and surprised and comments "This is all for her sake?" (only in the manga). Homura decides to kill Sayaka until she was rescued by Kyouko. She seemed unsurprised when Sayaka transformed into a witch, not out of concern, but her experience in the other timelines. She knew that everytime Sayaka contracts, she becomes a witch and she couldn't be saved. In the Episode 10, in Timeline 3, Sayaka still distrusts Homura's warning about witches, but they seem to get along lately as Homura seems sad the first time Sayaka dies.

However, in Oriko Magica, Homura befriends Madoka, Sayaka and Hitomi. When Madoka goes to save Homura (who is fighting against Oriko) by herself, Sayaka seems to be surprised that Homura is a Puella Magi, but she decides to go help her, considering Homura a friend. In the Drama CD 2, they seem to get along.

Despite this, it is heavily implied that her concern for Sayaka was just as a by product of all the attention she heaps on Madoka.

In Rebellion Story, the two have more primary interactions with each other; however, these ones are still rather aggressive. In particular, there is a scene after Homura recreates the world where Homura and Sayaka interact, that consists of Homura taunting and belittling Sayaka, getting a bit too close to Sayaka for comfort (and apparently staring at her breasts at one point), before finally erasing Sayaka's memories. Some fanart relating to this scene depicts Demon Homura toying with or touching a helpless yet aggressive Sayaka.

Due to the aggressive nature of their many interactions, many fans portray their relationship as a love-hate ship. Fans also usually portray Homura and Sayaka competing for Madoka.

The fan names for this pair are HomuSaya and SayaHomu.

Official Art

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  Homura retrieves Sayaka' Soul Gem in order to revive her....

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  ...and succeeds. However Homura admitted that she only did that for Madoka

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  Knowing about Sayaka's fate, maybe Homura thought it was the best to kill her. She failed, however.

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• Mahou-shoujo-madoka-magica-2390153.jpg
• Mahou-shoujo-madoka-magica-2091255.jpg

  For some reason, in the manga Homura had a sadisctic glee while about to kill Sayaka

• Mahou-shoujo-madoka-magica-2091249.jpg
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  Clearly more concerned than in the anime

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  However, Sayaka considers Homura as friend, in Oriko Magica

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  Fight! Fight! Fight! Kiss kiss‎

Fanart Response to HomuSaya

• Homusaya that pose not sure.jpg

  The definition of crack pair. Not sure if serious.

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  Being popular is suffering

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  Speculation of the changing relationships between Homura and Sayaka

• Homura sayaka too much tsun no dere.jpg
• The sayalust is too much.jpg
• Nisemonogatari sayahomu.jpg

  Nisemonogatari reference

Kyouko and Madoka

File:Madoka kyouko sharing pocky fanart.jpg

Food, a popular way into other's hearts (and stomachs)

In the little time Kyouko and Madoka interacted in the anime, they both were on good terms. Kyouko expressed concern for Madoka's safety and well being, and she tells her that she should not become a magical girl as she already has a perfect life. During their interaction Madoka shared her food with Kyouko as a way to bond with each other, considering how much Kyouko loves to eat. In the battle against Oktavia, Kyouko constantly protects Madoka against her attacks, expressing distress over Madoka's safety when endangered. This enrages Kyouko so much that she eventually sacrifices her own life to save Madoka. Kyouko is also motivated to help Madoka's friend because Madoka is concerned with Sayaka's well being, even thought Kyouko and Sayaka were on bad terms. Kyouko even goes so far as bringing Sayaka's lifeless body to Madoka after she became a Witch, and is seen showing a painful expression on her face when Madoka comes running, suggesting she does not wish to see Madoka's grief at the loss of her best friend. (Notably, Kyouko yelled at Homura for being so cold and callous over the situation).

Given Momo's resemblance to Madoka (both being small, young-looking, with pink hair and twin-tails, and also wearing pink clothes), it is also possible that some of Kyouko's feelings towards Madoka can be interpreted as Kyouko's feelings being projected to her dead little sister. That she is actually projecting her feelings to someone who resembles her dead sibling, as a result Kyouko is trying to stop Madoka from becoming a magical girl so she doesn't suffer the same twisted fate that Kyouko went through. Adding to this, Madoka and Kyouko resemble each other somewhat, with the colors (red and pink being similar colors), wearing their hair in tails, and using ribbons (and a clip in Kyouko's case). Both also became Puella Magi for their strong sense to help others in similar situations, and wielding pointy weapons (Madoka arrows, Kyouko spear). Thus a lot can be contributed to the "sisterly bond/affection" theory.

Also, when Madoka offers Kyouko her hand to shake, Kyouko laughs and instead gives her a candy bar. At first this seems like Kyouko being... Kyouko, but when you consider Kyouko's attitude towards food you will realise that that giving Madoka that candy bar was Kyouko showing Madoka that she had her deepest respect.

It should also be noted that Madoka's VA, Aoi Yuuki, has expressed her love for Kyouko on many points. Technically it would be considered an Aoi Yuuki x Kyouko ship (or Aoi Yuuki's waifu). Their love will live forever on the internet.

The fan names for this pairing are MadoKyou and KyouMado.

Official Art

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Fanart Response to MadoKyou

• Aoi Yuuki loves her waifu fanart madoka kyouko.jpg

  Don't laugh. Aoi Yuuki (Madoka) is actually in love with Kyoko and promised that she would make her her waifu.

• Madoka fake sayaka kyouko fanart.jpg

  Fake Sayaka..

• Kyouko madoka winning fanart.jpg
• Madoka dating kyoko fanart sorry girls.jpg

Charlotte and Mami

In Episode 3, Mami gets her head bitten off by Charlotte. Despite this, a lot of fanart was drawn of Charlotte and Mami together, partially due to their inevitable association and partially because Charlotte is rather cute compared to other witches. Eventually fans began to draw human versions of all the witches including Charlotte, and would draw Mami paired together with the human version of Charlotte. The revelation in Episode 8 that magical girls turn into witches gave these human forms another meaning and the additional plot points of timelines and the witch-free world created by Madoka gave potential for Charlotte and Mami to meet in a less hostile context.

Also popular simply because the other four main characters are typically paired up together, leaving Mami alone unless paired with Charlotte.

The fan names for this pair are MamiLotte and (less common) MamiCharu.

There was strong speculation that Charlotte could return in the new Madoka movie, The Rebellion Story, and this fueled the possibility of pairing these two. And those speculations were right.

Official Art

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  Mami is "..." while Homura and Kyoko calls out and goes running after Madoka and Sayaka. Mami is all alone. By Hanokage.

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  Mamilotte forever.

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  Miss me?

Fanart Response to MamiLotte

• Mamilotte Fanart Kiss.jpg

  You are not alone Mami, you still have Charlotte! (minus losing the head).

• Mami Madoka and Charlotte together.jpg

  For those torn between MamiMado and MamiLotte there is always the threesome.

• Mami charlotte jelly qb fanart.jpg

  Charlotte looks jelly.

• Mamilotte badass duo fanart.jpg
• Mami has a tea party with charlotte.jpg

  Tea Party

• Mami charlotte pocky kiss fanart.jpg
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  Charlotte: "Mami was my first..." (Do the right thing, Mami. And take responsibility.)

• Charlotte spirit with mami stars fanart.jpg
• Mami and charlotte love fanart together.jpg
• Charlotte mami together dark fanart.jpg

Mami and Nagisa

Nagisa Momoe is a new character that appears in the Rebellion movie. Fans have already shipped Nagisa with Mami out of convenience. It doesn't help that official art work by Ume-tentei is already adding fire to the shipping fuel. In fact, this is an extension of the Mami/Charlotte ship; Nagisa is revealed in the movie to be Charlotte's original human form.

This ship is known as "Cheesecake" by some fans, due to Mami and Nagisa's associated foods being cake and cheese respectively.

Official Art

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  MadokaxHomura, SayakaxKyoko, MamixNagisa

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Sayaka and Nagisa

File:39609836 p6.png

In the name of justice, Sayaka and Nagisa are here to save the day! Prepare yourself!

A new pairing thanks to Rebellion. Sayaka and Nagisa, otherwise known as SayaNagi, has gained quite a bit of popularity among fans.

This new pair is popular among fans for many reasons. They are both rather enthusiastic and cheerful characters, both are somewhat related to music (like Sayaka's overall theme and Nagisa's trumpet weapon). They are also both heralds of Ultimate Madoka, on a double-mission to protect Madoka and investigate Homura's Witch barrier. Both are able to channel their Witch forms in some way, and summon hordes of their familiars (and other Witches'). Finally, this pairing also forms a cutesy-young-girl and the cool-older-girl kind of couple, which is a rather popular type of couple.

It helps that Nagisa is quite similar in many ways to Madoka, who is already prominently shipped with Sayaka.

The fan names for this pairing are SayaNagi or NagiSaya.

Homura and Hitomi

File:Hitomi My New Boyfriend!.jpg

During the gag bonus scenario, Madoka and Sayaka recognize Homura as a strangely strict magical girl and are surprised when Homura transfers to their class. When they try to describe Homura's personality to Hitomi, she fawns over Homura and admires her.

The PSP Game has a CG of Homura comforting a heartbroken Hitomi when Hitomi lost a duel to Sayaka over Kyosuke. After that she's unusually attached to Homura. Even before that Hitomi went on how beautiful Homura was when talking to Sayaka and Madoka, what makes Sayaka ask if she "swings that way", to which Hitomi denies but admits being "a little interested".

Homura and Clip Girl

An unnamed character known by fans as Clip Girl (Clip-san) (and sometimes D-chan, for good reason) suspected to have a school crush on Homura (apparently, she may be not the only one). Fans have noticed that she can't seem to keep her eyes off of Homura.

Clip Girl has long pink hair and a green hair clip, is very short, and apparently is the second bustiest girl in school (Mami being the Queen of Mammies). She is friends with the light brown pigtailed girl in 3F, and was with her when she invited Homura to the cafe, presumably hoping for a date.

Fanart of Misc. Couples

This section contains fanart images

Everything in the following fan gallery is created, or the comments accompanying them are created, for entertainment value and should not be confused with actual canon events of the Puella Magi franchise.

• KirstenxCharlotte.jpg

  Yes, even witches are paired up with other witches.

• Mami homura madoka.jpg

  It is Homura's duty to protect Madoka from witches, Kyubey, and romantic rivals.

• Kyousaya mami threesome.jpg

  You are not alone anymore, Mami (Is not cheating if you are already dead, right?).

• Homura the Harem End.jpg

  For the undecided, there is always the Harem end.

• Homura the harem dream nightmare.jpg

  Dammit Homura...

• Homura harem route.png

  The World Homura Only Knows.

• Homura and junko yuri fanart.jpg

  Homura and Junko!? Does Madoka know?

• Junko kazuko fan doujin.jpg

  Only MadoKami knows the truth about those rumors and she is not telling...

• Coobilotte.jpg

  Ok, now this is just wrong.

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• Madoka coobie yuri.jpg

  Fans have finally lost their minds...

• Sayaka Kamijou genderbender yuri.png

  SayakaxKamijou (female version)... dont ask.

• Clipgirl crush ver 2.jpg

  Homura, lady killer.

• Homura surrounded by girls.jpg

  "Ladies, please. One at a time".
  Hate the game, not the playa.

• Homuharem but that is forbidden.jpg

  Hitomi is the only one left out from the homuharem.

• Homura moemura like a boss.jpg

  Homura has her own personal lesbian harem in every universe.

• Homura MC harem lead.jpg
• Threesome with D and F chan.png

  Every girl wants Homura.

• Mami madoka homura threesome love triangle.jpg
• Madoka pimp playa womanizer.jpg

  Being Meguka is suffering but it has its perks.

• Hitomi sayaka fan art yuri.jpg

  example of crack pairing.

• Perv homu lonely mami empty eyes fanart.jpg

  Mami: Forever alone.

• Hitomi madoka fanart punching rivals.jpg

  Hitomi wins Madoka!

• Witch victim from episode 2.jpg

  That woman from episode 2 (isn't there like a huge age gap?!).

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• Kyouko charlotte new friend.jpg

  Frightening how much this makes sense...

• Kyolotte fanart.jpg
• Kyouko everybody loves kyouko.png
• Mamis harem madoka sayaka fanart.jpg
• You still have charlotte.jpg

  "Mami forever alone"...

• Clip girl and Miss A girl fanart yuri.jpg

  Background characters need love too.

• Miss A girl homura fanart yuri.png

  Clip girl wont be happy.

• Homuxjunko madokami fanart.jpg

  Homura... and Junko!?

Oriko Manga

Kirika and Oriko

"Kirika, if you weren't here, I would be really broken." - Oriko Mikuni to Kirika Kure, Oriko Magica, Chapter 3.

"Love is infinitely finite, so I'll devote myself infinitely to her." - Kirika speaking of Oriko, Oriko Magica, Chapter 4.

Kirika, an antisocial yet shy girl, met Oriko, who helped Kirika collect her things that had spilled onto the ground when nobody cared. Kirika was charmed by her and decided to track her down. However, when she found her, she was too afraid and timid to call out to her, thinking that she wouldn't remember her. For Oriko, she made a contract with Kyubey and wished to change herself. With her new outgoing personality she talked to her and they became soon best friends. Kirika's priority was Oriko and did anything she asked of her, such as killing other magical girls after Oriko became a Puella Magi. She also claimed that her love for Oriko is infinitely finite. On Oriko's side, she shows to care about her and enjoys teasing her. In Chapter 4, after Kirika was fatally wounded by Mami, Oriko rushed to save her and glared at Mami, paralyzing her. She seemed crushed after Kirika confessed her about her wish. After Kirika transformed into Margot (before transforming Kirika promised Oriko that she wouldn't attack her) and later killed by Kyoko, Mami and Yuma, she had a breakdown and went berserk. After they were killed and Homura resetted the timeline, Kirika and Oriko seemed to have a vague recolection of each other as Kirika says that she'll take half the burden and they then take each others hands and walk off, smiling.

Oriko and Kirika somehow resemble the friendship between Madoka and Homura. Both Madoka and Oriko were loyal to a kind girl who lacked confidence and wanted a purpose in life and Kirika and Homura both had control over time magic.

Official Art

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  When Kirika met Oriko.

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  Look, Oriko! You have your own stalker!

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  This pillow is one of a kind.

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  Kirika's words of wisdom regarding love tends to be terrifying to fans and characters alike for some reason.

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  They both paid a heavy price to protect what they love...

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  They seem to remember each other despite this is a new timeline

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  Kirika's limited memory is used for things about Oriko and nothing else.

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  Kirika is very vocal about her feelings for Oriko.

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  Oriko seems to enjoy Kirika's (somewhat overzealous) attentions.

Fanart Reponse to OriKiri

This section contains fanart images

Everything in the following fan gallery is created, or the comments accompanying them are created, for entertainment value and should not be confused with actual canon events of the Puella Magi franchise.

• Kirika Oriko fanart together.png
• KiriKo fanart u got my back.jpg
• Oriko and Kirika Hold Hands.jpeg
• Oriko Kiria tea party.jpg
• KiriKoTackleQuoteFanart.jpeg
• KirikaOrikoTransformedHugging.png
• KirikaOrikoLapNapFanart.jpeg
• KiriKo-And Im home.png

  A fan recreation of Sayaka and Kyoko's infamous pose from the ending to episode 9.

Fanart of Misc. Couples

This section contains fanart images

Everything in the following fan gallery is created, or the comments accompanying them are created, for entertainment value and should not be confused with actual canon events of the Puella Magi franchise.

• Oriko and tomoe mami fanart.png
• OrikoMamiFanart.png
• KiriMami.jpg

Kazumi Manga

Saki and Kazumi

"We trust in you, Kazumi. Just like you trusted in us." - Saki Asami, Kazumi Magica, Chapter 3.

"I'll kill Kazumi...when Hell freezes over." - Saki Asami, Kazumi Magica, Chapter 13.

Like all the other Pleiades Saints, Saki cares for Kazumi, and tries to protect her innocence and keep the awful truths of their work away from her.

It is revealed by Satomi in chapters 13 and 14 that Saki loved Michiru Kazusa, but she also cares for her clones as well, which Kazumi is one of. It's possible that Saki likes the clones (and Kazumi) for themselves, or Saki likes them because they are reminders of Michiru. However, Saki was also willing to kill Kazumi (who was starting to turn back into a witch) for the sake of Michiru. It is unknown what are Kazumi's feelings for Saki, but when Satomi asked her if she loved Saki, she didn't say anything nor does she deny it either. Also, when Kazumi went out of control and nearly becomes a witch, she only calmed down and returned back to normal after Saki hugged her.

Saki's love for Kazumi goes even beyond death/witchification. After killing Mirai, Kanna orders Saki's witch form to kill Kazumi. However the witch stops after hearing the sound of Kazumi's earrings and instead protects her from Ayase/Luca's witch form, resulting in her death.

Official Art

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  Saki and Michiru, the original Kazumi

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  Saki and Michiru

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  Saki imagining a scene from chapter 2.

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  Kazumi was shocked by the fact that Saki only loved her because she saw her as Michiru's clone.

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  Saki's witch form recognizes Kazumi.

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  Saki's witch form protects Kazumi at the cost of her life.

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Umika and Kaoru

Umika and Kaoru are always seen together and even their attacks and transformations are combined. When they were trapped by the bookmobile witch and the Pleiades went to save them, they seemed okay and told the Pleiades not to rush in finding them. Curiously, when they first met (after they were dragged to a witch barrier by Kazumi) Umika rushed to protect Kaoru despite the fact they were strangers by that time.

Official Art

• UmikaKaoruDateNote.png

  This note to Kazumi says that the two are out dating...(Turns out to be a bad translation. The official translation was that they were joking about the detective asking them to meet her.)

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  But there's no one with them in the coffee shop. Could they be dating each other? (No, they had a meeting with someone.)

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  Umika and Kaoru trapped in a witch's barrier. Awfully close, aren't they?

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  Kazumi's version of the previous image.

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  No need to rush and save them from a witch, guys. They'll find something to occupy themselves, I'm sure. (The official translation has Kaoru saying "Just come for us! No need for panic." which has a rather different nuance.)

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Saki and Mirai

"You hurt my Sakiii!" - Mirai Wakaba, Kazumi Magica, Chapter 9.

"You protected us. Thank you."
"Th... thank you, Saki!" - Saki Asami and Mirai Wakaba, Kazumi Magica, Chapter 12.

"Mirai, thanks for covering for me."
"Y...Yeah, it's not your fault, Saki. I know how you feel, Saki." - Saki Asami and Mirai Wakaba, Kazumi Magica, Chapter 15.

"Saki... I love you!" - Mirai Wakaba, Kazumi Magica, Chapter 18.

Could you be holding on to Saki any tighter, Mirai?

Mirai, from the onset, has appeared to be very attached to Saki. In chapter 3, Mirai is seen clinging to Saki when the Pleiades Saints first appear, and she also seems gleeful at the fact she's paired with Saki and Kazumi in their search for a witch. These small signs mostly went unnoticed by the fans until chapter 9, when Saki's face received a minor injury by the witch form of Niko's spare while trying to protect Mirai. Seeing this, Mirai went berserk, killing the witch in a fit of rage for daring to hurt Saki. Mirai doesn't react the same way when Umika, Kaoru and Kazumi have been injured or endangered in far worse ways, showing that this reaction and the feelings that accompany her are for Saki's alone.

When Saki was feeling especially down, Mirai viciously defended her from the other Pleiades, despite seeming to agree that what Saki had done wasn't in their best interests. Still, Mirai instantly forgives her, and blushes and seems to be pleased when Saki thanks her for it.

These feelings, however, may in fact be one-sided on Mirai's part, as Saki seems to be more attached to Kazumi than Mirai, to the point it's even stated by Satomi that Saki loves Kazumi. Mirai is clearly jealous of Kazumi's closeness with Saki, as seen in Chapter 12 and in subsequent chapters, she was willing to kill Kazumi, after she turned into a witch and she claimed that it was all for the sake of Saki. Saki compares Mirai to her sister, Miyuki, when they first meet, which has no clear meaning. Miyuki had promised to marry Saki one day, but it's unknown if Saki had romantic feelings for her sister, or was just familial affection, and therefore she may have seen Mirai as a younger sister figure.

During another flashback, Saki blushes when she says Mirai reminds her of her younger self. She admits the comparison is strange since they are the same age, but she is happy to have Mirai beside her. This causes Mirai to later say that she is Saki, and Saki is her. When Saki becomes a witch, Mirai refuses to kill her and doesn't defend herself from Saki's witch, allowing herself to be decapitated. However, her love for Saki remains unrequited until the end.

• Mirai's love for Saki goes even beyond death/witchification. Mirai's witch form uses its magic to protect Saki's witch form from being hurt in chapter 19. Saki's witch form does not recognize her and decapitates her.

Official Art

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  U Mad?

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  Are you going to be jealous of Niko next, Mirai?

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  Saki certainly knows how to drive the girls wild.

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Airi and Yuuri

"If you want to live, then I'll save you, no matter what." - Yuuri Asuka, Kazumi Magica, Chapter 5.

"My most precious treasure was taken away from me. That's why I'm going to kill their most precious treasure. You." - "Yuuri" to Kazumi, Kazumi Magica, Chapter 5.

Two girls, willing to sacrifice everything for one another. Is it romantic, or just deep friendship?

Airi and Yuuri Asuka started out as ordinary classmates. Yuuri, a very avid cooking fan, tried cooking for her entire class, but was sent into shock when one of the students claimed they had gotten food poisoning from her cooking. She did not return to school the next day, and Airi went to check on her and helped prove the student was lying to try to frame Yuuri. The two became very close friends.

Two years later, Airi was diagnosed with an incurable disease that would surely take her life. Yuuri asked a magical girl who saved her from a witch to cure Airi, but the girl told Yuuri that she should make her own contract. Yuuri followed her advice and made a contract with Kyubey to save her friend.

Yuuri and Airi remained close afterwards, with Airi believing that Yuuri cured her using a magical charm in the form of a spoon. They both loved food, and spoke of cooking competitions and going out to eat together (which could be interpreted as a date).

Yuuri eventually turned into a witch and attacked Airi. The Pleiades Saints killed her. Airi was so brokenhearted and mentally unhinged by this that she made a contract with Kyubey herself to take over Yuuri's life, transforming her appearance into her friend's and swearing vengeance on the girls who killed Yuuri, even though they saved her life. The newly christened "Yuuri" even has a magical girl costume that calls out to her lost friend: it heavily features stripes and a frilled skirt, which were what Yuuri commonly wore when in casual dress, and mimics Yuuri's magical girl costume's color scheme. Airi even mimics Yuuri's style of dress, which is very different from her own before contracting, while not transformed, implying that she tries to keep her friend alive in her heart even in everyday life.

By the time Airi reached the end of the life that Yuuri had saved, Airi had become obsessed with avenging her. Airi even rebuffed an attempt by her perceived enemies to clean her soul gem (similar to Sayaka's reaction to Homura's offer of help in the anime). Airi's witch form is a heart, with the ability to broadcast her memories: specifically, those of her past with Yuuri. The obvious symbolism in this (with a heart representing love, often of a romantic nature, in many cultures) indicates that Airi's feelings for Yuuri remained strong.

One can read into these facts two ways: a deep friendship where two girls are willing to give everything up for the other, or a romantic relationship where even the thought of living without her partner is enough to drive each girl to desperation and despair (the main qualification for becoming a magical girl).

Official Art

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  Yuuri makes a contract with Kyubey for her wish: to heal Airi and save her from a fatal illness.

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  Yuuri and Airi sitting in a tree...

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  Airi will not rest until she hunts down all the killers.

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  ...her last words.

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  Kazumi imagining Yuuri and Airi eating a delicious parfait...

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  But in reality, this will never come true for them.

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• AiriYuuriClothesComparison.png

  The real Yuuri and Airi after her transformation. The obvious mimicking of even Yuuri's style of dress shows Airi's deep feelings for her.

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  Airi after her transformation holding Yuuri. Note how similar their costumes are.

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  Airi speaking of Yuuri and calling her, "my most precious treasure."

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Fanart Reponse to YuuriAiri

This section contains fanart images

Everything in the following fan gallery is created, or the comments accompanying them are created, for entertainment value and should not be confused with actual canon events of the Puella Magi franchise.

• All-for-you.jpg
• TwoYuurisFanart.png

Ayase and Luca

Official Art

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Kazumi and Niko

Official Art

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  Two different princess carries in a single chapter? Hiramatsu knows how to ship-tease.

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  Like with Kyoko and Sayaka, the Japanese ideal of a tragic lovers' suicide shows itself here.

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Saki and Miyuki

Miyuki promised to marry Saki in the future.

Official Art

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  Saki wins the heart of her sister. Is that wedding bells I hear?

Misako and Remi

Very little is known about the relationship between Misako and Remi, other than they were friends since middle school. Remi Shiina was a magical girl who went missing during her third year of school. Remi's little sister, who was three at the time, claimed her sister was a magical girl who fought witches that brought disaster into the world. Misako's passion to find lost girls could be interpreted as her attempt to find Remi.

Official Art

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  Misako and her old friend flame, Remi, at about the same age as the Pleiades.

Gen Urobuchi's Views on Relationships in Madoka

In an interview with Black Past, Gen Urobuchi discussed his view of Homura and Madoka's relationship and his beliefs on same-sex relationships. Urobuchi clarified that while Homura's feelings for Madoka were present and unchanging throughout her timeloops, Madoka did not feel the same way prior to her wish, having only the experience of one time loop. Madoka made her wish not so much for Homura's sake but to save all mahou shoujo. However when Madoka made her wish, she learned about Homura's true feelings and only then was the bond between them established. Urobuchi even describes the circumstances of it is as a "little cruel" that it required Madoka leaving and becoming a goddess to understand Homura.

In talking about relationships in his body of works, Urobuchi revealed his beliefs about same sex relationships, "whatever relationship that could exist between male and female it should also exist between couples of same sex." Aside from the difference in body parts, he did not see a male and female relationship as special or unique. He believes that the same kind of love is possible between same sex couples as well. Urobuchi stated he may even write about a love relationship between two men in the future.

Because of the lack of evidence on-screen to establish Homura and Madoka as a canon yuri couple (or any other couple), the nature of their relationship is open to interpretation and debate. Even if we take into account evidence such as Urobuchi's views on sexuality, this relationship would not be considered canonical by some fans unless official recognition is given in future body of works that raises the yuri subtext to text on their relationship. One can speculate that this interview could add more fuel to the fanbase to produce more fan works out of frustration now that they are aware of Urobuchi's personal views.

In 2013 at a Nitro+ Q&A Panels, Gen Urobuchi was asked the following question, which he gave an answer.

Q: Is Homura in love with Madoka?

A: Probably.

Q: Why did you choose to portray a homosexual love?

A: I don't think it is that special - a really strong friendship turns into a lovelike-relationship without the sexual attraction, in their case.

There are few ways to interpret his response. One way is that he is saying that Madoka's and Homura's relationship is nothing special, in the sense that their relationship is no different than that from other people's relationship. That their relationship started from friendship which later evolved into love without the drive of sexual attraction, this could be interpreted as saying that their love is pure and innocent, based on an emotional bonding that is still developing, as they are still 12-year-old girls who are not sexually mature yet. It does not necessarily dismiss the notion of a relationship driven by romantic interest. How will that relationship turn later? It is still possible for their relationship to blossom into a homosexual relationship, but Urobuchi never states this so it is up to fan's interpretation. Urobuchi does indicate that Homura probably is in love with Madoka, but he doesn't specify the meaning or the nature of that affection, he tries to avoid in giving a clear answer.

Another way to interpret Urobuchi's answer is that he is saying that their relationship is based on friendship and admiration.

The answer has been considered to be vague by fans alike, one way to put it is that Urobuchi is leaving up to the fans to interpret their relationship without giving too much information. That he is trying to avoid being direct with their questions.

Magazine Articles, Interviews, Etc.

Puella Magi Madoka Magica Official Guidebook "You Are Not Alone": An official guidebook with a compilation on a wide variety of information on Madoka Magica.

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  During the seiyuu interviews, Chiwa Saito and Aoi Yuki get paired up, as well as Eri Kitamura and Ai Nonaka in joint interviews, but all the other seiyuu are interviewed alone. Clearly, nothing yuri sinister going on...

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  And I'm sure nothing could possibly be implied by them writing "Chiwa Saito X Aoi Yuki" and "Eri Kitamura X Ai Nonaka" in huge letters at the bottom of the interview pages either. I am sure there is a logical explanation that doesn't involved yuri as the main reason... clearly.

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• See Lily Megami Magazine 2011-12 (translation in progress)

The Battle Pentagram

The upcoming PlayStation Vita 3D Action game seems to be promising a lot of fan pandering. We don't mind.

List of Each Character Pair's Relationship at Max Level!

Mado/Saya: ”運命共同体” -- "Those With a Shared Destiny"video

Mado/Mami: "大好きな人" -- "Loved Person"video

Mado/Kyou: "憧れの存在” -- "A Yearned-for Existence"

Mado/Homu: "運命の人" -- "Person of Fate"

Saya/Mami: "背中を守る者" -- "The One Who's Got Your Back"

Saya/Kyou: "相思相愛" -- "Mutual Love"(!)video

Saya/Homu: "認め合った仲" -- "Mutually Recognized Friendship"video

Mami/Homu: "共に進む戦友" -- "Comrades Who Push Forward Together"

Mami/Kyou: "心許せる存在" -- "An Existence of Trust"

Kyou/Homu: "最後の切り札" -- "The Final Trump Card" video

Madoka
Relationship level	Sayaka	Mami	Homura	Kyoko
1~3	Close Friend	Senpai & Kouhai	Friend	Comrade
4~6	Best Friend	Teacher & Disciple	Close Friend	Close Friend
7~9 (max)	Those With a Shared Destiny	Loved Person	Person of Fate	A Yearned-for Existence

Sayaka
Relationship level	Madoka	Mami	Homura	Kyoko
1~3	Close Friend	Senpai & Kouhai	Comrade	Comrade
4~6	Best Friend	Teacher & Disciple	Comrade-in-arms	Partner
7~9 (max)	Those With a Shared Destiny	The One Who's Got Your Back	Mutually Recognized Friendship	Mutual Love

Mami
Relationship level	Madoka	Sayaka	Homura	Kyoko
1 ~3	Senpai & Kouhai	Senpai & Kouhai	Collaborator	Old friend
4~6	Teacher & Disciple	Teacher & Disciple	Comrade	Close Friend
7~9 (max)	Loved Person	The One Who's Got Your Back	Comrades Who Push Forward Together	An Existence of Trust

Homura
Relationship level	Madoka	Sayaka	Mami	Kyoko
1 ~3	Friend	Comrade	Collaborator	Collaborator
4~6	Close Friend	Comrade-in-arms	Comrade	Comrade
7~9 (max)	Person of Fate	Mutually Recognized Friendship	Comrades Who Push Forward Together	The Final Trump Card

Kyoko
Relationship level	Madoka	Sayaka	Mami	Homura
1 ~3	Comrade	Comrade	Old friend	Collaborator
4~6	Close Friend	Partner	Close Friend	Comrade
7~9 (max)	A Yearned-for Existence	Mutual Love	An Existence of Trust	The Final Trump Card

Homura and Madoka Special Scene Transcript

You can see the youtube video.

Full transcript of Homura and Madoka Special Scene (WARNING: Excessive Cuteness Overload Ahead):

Madoka: This is my house. Homura: Indeed. Homura: What with your father's careful management of your vegetable garden and the excellent repair of the building, it truly is an excellent home. Madoka: Y-you sure know a lot about it. Homura: Anyway, is it alright for me to visit right now? Madoka: Of course! Come on in! Madoka: I'm home! Homura: Hello. Madoka: I guess they're out shopping? Want to have a bath before dinner? Homura: Huh? Sure... Homura: Madoka, you go ahead first. I can wait... Madoka: Don't be silly. Let's bathe together! Homura: Huh!? T-together? Madoka: Ehehe. Just kidding! Homura: Madoka... [scene change to bed] Homura: Hey, Madoka, are you still awake? Madoka: Yeah. Sleeping in the same bed is a bit embarrassing, huh. Homura: That's why I offered to sleep on the floor... Madoka: No, this is nice. Plus, you're so warm. Homura: So are you, Madoka. Madoka: [laughs] Homura: Why did you invite me to spend the night? Madoka: When you told me you lived alone, you seemed so lonely. Homura: I... seemed lonely? Madoka: And so I kind of wanted to spend a lot of talking with you. Homura: Madoka... Um, thank you. Madoka: You shouldn't thank me for that. Madoka: I'm so happy just spending time with you. Homura: Me too. Madoka: Can I sleep over at your place next time? Homura: S-sure. There's not much there, but if you're okay with that... Madoka: That's not true. You're there. Homura: Madoka... Madoka: I'm kind of tired now. Homura: Me too. I think I'll get a good sleep tonight. Madoka: Alright, I'm going to switch off the lights. Good night, Homura-chan. Homura: Good night, Madoka. >You have earned a trophy! >Achievement Unlocked: "My (other) best friend"

Homura's Obsession

niconico video

Full transcript of Homura's Obsession Scene:

... From the last event in this video (Starts at 10:35): SAYAKA: Homura, that you? Good morning. HOMURA: Good morning, Sayaka. SAYAKA: So you pass by this street too? I never knew. HOMURA: I've seen you several times. SAYAKA: Huh, really? Say something next time, alright? HOMURA: I'll consider it. HOMURA: ... SAYAKA: ... SAYAKA: Homura, say something. HOMURA: Why? SAYAKA: Aren't friends supposed to have fun conversations while they walk to school!? HOMURA: True. SAYAKA: ... HOMURA: ... SAYAKA: Come on! Talk, talk! HOMURA: ... SAYAKA: Sigh... well, should I try to find something we have in common? HOMURA: Madoka- SAYAKA: Huh? HOMURA: She's kind to everyone. She's a wonderful person who's very considerate to her friends. HOMURA: She always takes what I say seriously, and acts accordingly. HOMURA: The depths to her compassion are- SAYAKA: Wa- wait a minute, Homura. What are you talking about? HOMURA: Madoka, of course. SAYAKA: A- aren't you idealizing her a bit? HOMURA: Absolutely not. You surely know of her greatness as well, Sayaka. HOMURA: Madoka's famed for being kind to even animals- SAYAKA: That's enough! Let's just go quietly, okay!?

Battle Pentagram Official Gallery and Pics

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  Madoka and Homura in bed holding hands!

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  Madoka and Kyouko. She is blushing! How cute!

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  Dat Homura resting her head on Madoka's shoulder.

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  SayaMado, "I am going to make you my wife!"

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  Sayaka being too friendly to the transfer student.

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  KyoSaya, nuff said.

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  MamiSaya and HomuKyo?!

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  Tea Party Orgy

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  Kyouko: But... this is... your bed, isn't it?

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  Madoka: Sayaka-chan. Sayaka: Hm~? What~? Madoka: I love you.

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  Madoka: Open wide, Sayaka-chan.
  Madoka: Oh, you have some cream on your cheek.
  Madoka: I'll take it off.
  Sayaka: Thanks, Madoka.

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  Madoka: This cream is tasty~!
  Hitomi: How long has this been going on?
  Hitomi: Aren't the two of you... d-d-dating?
  Both: How did you come to that conclusion!?

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  Hitomi: I noticed you were getting along well. It looks like I have no business getting in between you to.
  Both: Th-that's not it!
  Sayaka: Oh, man. Looks like we gave you the wrong idea, Hitomi.
  Madoka: Ehehe... but, you know, that makes me kind of happy.

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  Madoka: I guess that means I've gotten that close to Sayaka-chan.
  Sayaka: Yeah, I... really like spending time with Madoka.
  Sayaka: I don't need to worry about anything, and I can kind of tell what she's thinking....
  Madoka: I hope we can be together forever and ever!

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  Sayaka: I think Madoka would make a pretty good girlfriend.
  Sayaka: Madoka's a great girl! I've got to stake my claim on her while I can!
  Madoka: Oh, cut it out, Sayaka-chan!

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  translation

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  translation

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  translation