Madoka Magica is a deconstruction of the magical girl anime genre and a prime example of the adage “don’t judge a book by its cover.”
Produced by Studio Shaft, Madoka Magica is an anime that will show us what it means to be a magical girl with its unique visuals. Madoka Magica is written by Gen Urobuchi, who handled Fate/Zero and Psycho-Pass, it offers uniqueness in so many ways that we will be surprised after watching the first episode alone.
The plot escalates so quickly that it is almost impossible to predict what will happen next. This magical girl anime does not shy away from answering questions such as why cute magical animals would want to give power to moe girls. Or maybe there’s a fee to be paid for all that power because nothing is truly free in the real world.
Here are the complete release order of Madoka Magica:
Madoka Magica has one main TV series adaptation and one film. Also, there is a TV series that acts as a side story. Other media include some non-essential one-shots and promos.
Table of Contents
1. Puella Magi Madoka Magica (2011)
| Title | Mahou Shoujo Madoka☆Magica |
| Episodes | 12 |
| Aired | Winter 2011 |
One night, 14-year-old Madoka Kaname has a terrible nightmare.
Against the backdrop of a ruined city, he witnesses a girl lose a battle against a monstrous creature, while a cat-like magical creature tells Madoka the only way to change such a tragic outcome is to make a contract with her and become a magical girl.
The next day, the teenager’s dream seems to come true when the girl he saw in his dreams, Homura, arrives at Mitakihara Middle School as a transfer student.
Homura mysteriously warns Madoka to stay as is. But then Madoka and her best friend Sayaka meet the same cat-like magical creature from her dream, who introduces herself as Kyubey.
They discover that magical girls are real, and what’s more, they can choose to be one of them. All they had to do was sign a contract with Kyubey.
If they agree then they will take on the task of fighting abstract creatures called ‘witches’ who spread despair into the human world, and in return, each of them will be granted one wish.
However, as Homura’s omens indicated, there might be much more to being a magical girl than Madoka realized.
2. Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part 1: Beginnings (2012)
| Title | Mahou Shoujo Madoka☆Magica Movie: Hajimari no Monogatari |
| Episodes | 1 Movie |
| Aired | Fall 2012 |
The first film in the Madoka Magica trilogy. This is a recap of the first eight episodes of the anime series.
3. Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part 2: Eternal (2012)
| Title | Mahou Shoujo Madoka☆Magica Movie: Eien no Monogatari |
| Episodes | 1 Movie |
| Aired | Fall 2012 |
The second film in the Madoka Magica trilogy. This is a recap of the last four episodes of the original anime series.
4. Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie: Rebellion (2013)
| Title | Mahou Shoujo Madoka☆Magica: Hangyaku no Monogatari |
| Episodes | 1 Movie |
| Aired | Fall 2013 |
Are all magical girls really saved from despair? Now, the mighty “Law of the Cycle” leads the magical girls to their new destiny.
Madoka Kaname, a girl who once lived an ordinary life, sacrifices her existence to free each magical girl from their cruel destiny.
Homura Akemi, another magical girl who was unable to fulfill her promise to Madoka, continues to fight in the world where Madoka left her.
“I dream of the day when I can finally see your dear smile again.”
Madoka Kaname has changed the world. In this new world, is what the magical girl sees is a world of hope or despair?
5. Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story (2020)
| Title | Magia Record: Mahou Shoujo Madoka☆Magica Gaiden |
| Episodes | 13 |
| Aired | Winter 2020 |
In exchange for the fulfillment of a wish, the Magical Girl continues to fight, unbeknownst to the rest of the world. But Iroha Tamaki couldn’t seem to remember her wish.
A rumor began to spread among the Magical Girls. “Magic Girls can be saved if they go to Kamihama.”
Kamihama City, the city where the Magical Girls and Uwasa gathered. The story of Iroha Tamaki, in search of her lost wish, begins.
6. Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story 2 -The Eve of Awakening- (2021)
| Title | Magia Record: Mahou Shoujo Madoka☆Magica Gaiden 2nd SEASON – Kakusei Zenya |
| Episodes | 8 |
| Aired | Summer 2021 |
7. Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story Final Season -Dawn of a Shallow Dream- (2022)
| Title | Magia Record: Mahou Shoujo Madoka☆Magica Gaiden Final SEASON – Asaki Yume no Akatsuki |
| Episodes | 4 |
| Aired | Spring 2022 |
Final of Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story.
8. Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie -Walpurgisnacht: Rising- (2024)
| Title | Mahou Shoujo Madoka☆Magica: Walpurgis no Kaiten |
| Episodes | 1 Movie |
| Aired | Winter 2024 |
The 10th anniversary online event for the Mahou Shoujo Madoka☆Magica anime revealed that the franchise is getting a new anime film titled Mahou Shoujo Madoka☆Magica: Walpurgis no Kaiten.
The film will be the official sequel to Mahou Shoujo Madoka☆Magica: Hangyaku no Monogatari or Rebellion which premiered in October 2013.
The tagline on the new film’s visual reads, “Now, let’s get on with the story.”
