Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica Movie 1: Hajimari no Monogatari
Summary: Madoka Kaname and her best friend Sayaka Miki are ordinary middle school students in the city of Mitakihara. But one day, they encounter a strange cat-like creature named Kyuubey, who claims he can grant them one wish. In exchange, they would become magical girls and fight against evil perpetrated by witches. A veteran magical girl in the area, Mami Tomoe, decides to show them how to hunt witches, while the mysterious transfer student Homura Akemi warns them to not take Kyuubey's deal, though she refuses to say why.
However, after witnessing the brutal reality of fighting witches, the girls decide it may be safer to decline Kyuubey's offer. But when another magical girl arrives in the city and Sayaka decides to make a wish to help the one she loves, things quickly escalate as they are confronted with the harsh truth behind their powers and the ultimate price of their wishes.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Description
Madoka Kaname and her best friend Sayaka Miki are ordinary middle school students in the city of Mitakihara. But one day, they encounter a strange cat-like creature named Kyuubey, who claims he can grant them one wish. In exchange, they would become magical girls and fight against evil perpetrated by witches. A veteran magical girl in the area, Mami Tomoe, decides to show them how to hunt witches, while the mysterious transfer student Homura Akemi warns them to not take Kyuubey's deal, though she refuses to say why.
However, after witnessing the brutal reality of fighting witches, the girls decide it may be safer to decline Kyuubey's offer. But when another magical girl arrives in the city and Sayaka decides to make a wish to help the one she loves, things quickly escalate as they are confronted with the harsh truth behind their powers and the ultimate price of their wishes.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica Movie 1: Hajimari no Monogatari Trailers
Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica Movie 1: Hajimari no Monogatari Pictures
Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica Movie 1: Hajimari no Monogatari Review
Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica Movie 1: Hajimari no Monogatari — Madoka Kaname and her best friend Sayaka Miki are ordinary middle school students in the city of Mitakihara. This overview is intentionally spoiler-free and focuses on tone and intent rather than plot specifics.
Thematically, It sits firmly within Drama, Suspense conventions as a Movie work and has garnered attention (MAL score: 8.22). This work explores character dynamics, tonal shifts, and the interplay between narrative ambition and execution. The story's pacing and tonal choices are crafted to complement the central ideas, often emphasizing atmosphere and emotional truth over explicit exposition. The show's ability to evoke a consistent mood — whether melancholic, exuberant, or contemplative — is a recurring strength, and the scenes are constructed so viewers can infer stakes without needing explicit spoilers.
Characterization is a core pillar here. Protagonists and supporting figures are written with distinct motivations and narrative roles; even when archetypal, the series invests in small behavioral details that make choices feel earned. Character arcs are handled with an eye for gradualism: development often arrives through incremental beats rather than abrupt, expository shifts. The interactions between characters create texture, and relationships are used to illuminate both personal flaws and larger thematic concerns.
On the visual front, production values play a significant role. The animation quality varies by sequence but frequently showcases thoughtful direction and composition. Background art, framing, and color palettes are used deliberately to support tone — quieter scenes favor muted palettes while action or heightened emotional beats employ brighter, more kinetic visuals. Direction choices, such as camera movement and shot selection, often elevate scenes beyond their raw script, creating moments that linger in the viewer's mind.
The soundscape — score, incidental music, and sound design — complements the visual language. Music cues are placed to maximize emotional resonance without manipulating the audience with melodrama; this restraint often leads to more authentic emotional payoff. Sound design punctuates key moments, and when the series leans on silence, those quieter moments are given weight by measured audio choices.
Pacing and structure are handled with craft. Episodes are arranged to build tension and release methodically, and the narrative rarely rushes through important emotional beats. That said, the deliberate pacing may feel slow to viewers who prefer faster plot turnover; the reward is greater nuance and an accumulation of meaning across the series. Accessibility is generally good — one can appreciate surface-level pleasures, while repeat or attentive viewing reveals additional layers.
No title is without flaws. Occasional unevenness in subplots or variable animation across episodes can be distracting. Some tonal shifts might feel abrupt if you expect uniformity; others will argue that those shifts are purposeful. These are worth noting, but they seldom undercut the larger achievements of the work.
In sum, Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica Movie 1: Hajimari no Monogatari offers a rich experience for viewers who value character-driven storytelling, considered visual design, and a soundtrack that supports rather than overwhelms. For fans of Drama, Suspense, this is an especially rewarding watch. It's recommended for those who appreciate layered narratives and artistry in animation, and best approached with patience and attention to nuance.
Characters & Voice Actors
Akemi, Homura
Main
Saitou, Chiwa
Japanese
Akemi, Homura
Main
Valenzuela, Cristina
English
Akemi, Homura
Main
Bienaimé, Nathalie
French
Akemi, Homura
Main
Amendola, Alessia
Italian
Kaname, Madoka
Main
Yuuki, Aoi
Japanese
Kaname, Madoka
Main
Cabanos, Christine Marie
English
Kaname, Madoka
Main
Saltarelli, Joy
Italian
Kaname, Madoka
Main
Combes, Caroline
French
Kyuubey
Main
Katou, Emiri
Japanese
Kyuubey
Main
Chemin, Pascale
French
Kyuubey
Main
Di Pisa, Loretta
Italian
Kyuubey
Main
Morris, Cassandra Lee
English
Miki, Sayaka
Main
Kitamura, Eri
Japanese
Miki, Sayaka
Main
Julien, Gwenäelle
French
Miki, Sayaka
Main
Williams, Sarah
English
Miki, Sayaka
Main
Riva, Gea
Italian
Sakura, Kyouko
Main
Nonaka, Ai
Japanese
Sakura, Kyouko
Main
Landa, Lauren
English
Sakura, Kyouko
Main
Puccio, Veronica
Italian
Sakura, Kyouko
Main
Forest, Nayéli
French
Staff
Doi, Yoshinao
Producer
Hosokawa, Osamu
Producer
Iwakami, Atsuhiro
Producer
Kananiwa, Kozue
Producer
Kobayashi, Hiroyuki
Producer
Maruyama, Hiroo
Producer
Mori, Yasunori
Producer
Miyamoto, Yukihiro
Director, Episode Director
Shinbou, Akiyuki
Director
Kidokoro, Seimei
Episode Director
Yase, Yuki
Episode Director
Urobuchi, Gen
Script, Series Composition
Tatsuwa, Naoyuki
Storyboard
ClariS
Theme Song Performance
Kajiura, Yuki
Theme Song Composition, Theme Song Lyrics, Theme Song Arrangement, Music
Kalafina
Theme Song Performance
Watanabe, Sho
Theme Song Lyrics, Theme Song Composition
Yuasa, Atsushi
Theme Song Arrangement
Abe, Genichirou
Key Animation
Anno, Masato
Key Animation