

The Rebellion movie seems to be the most divisive thing to have come out of the Madoka Magica series so far. I guess that makes sense, the manga so far have either taken place at some time in the original series or with new cast of characters, and the first two movies just condensed the twelve episodes into two movies. So Rebellion was the first to touch the ending of the anime. Because of this, many people say that it ruined the ending of the anime. They also say that Homura’s actions were mean spirited and completely out of character. Personally, I disagree. I feel that what Homura did was completely within character, and just because the ending may have not been that happiest, that doesn’t mean its bad. Personally, I really enjoyed the movie. So, why do I think what she did was in character? Well, first I’ll start with her actions in Oriko Magica. Heads up, spoilers will follow.

In Oriko Magica, the magical girls Oriko and Kirika attack Madoka’s school in attempt to kill her. Despite Madoka being the target, all the other students and faculty are being targeted by the familiars as well. Mami and Homura acknowledge the fact that they can’t save everyone, but there is a conversation between Madoka and Homura that I find interesting. Madoka asks Homura why she abandoned Sayaka and Hitomi, and asks not to be saved if she is whats keeping Homura from trying to save the others. Homura gets upset and tells her “Don’t say that I shouldn’t save you. I can’t do everything. I can’t save everyone, but in spite of that, I wanted to save you, so don’t say that”. It seems that Homura was planning on escaping with Madoka leaving Kyoko and Mami to fight, and only decided to help after Madoka said that. Anyways, what most strikes me is what Homura said. It reminds of what she said at the end of rebellion, “One day we will become enemies, but even then I will continue fighting for you”. Homura’s main drive has been to protect Madoka, even if it meant neglecting others, even if its not what Madoka wanted.

I’ve also heard people complain about the fact that she refers to herself as “evil” and a “demon”. I’ll admit, this bothered me a little bit at first, but then I thought about it and realized it makes perfect sense. Homura defied Madokas wishes. Madoka was a Goddess, Homura defied God, and isn’t that the definition of the Devil in the Abrahamic religions? Not to mention that in the same way the Madoka Magica series drew inspiration from Faust, Rebellion feels similar to Paradise Lost, the epic poem about Satan and the fall of man, with Homura playing the role of Satan. I feel like Homura understood the implications of what she did and what it meant for her, she was the “Satan” to Madoka’s “God”.

Lastly, I feel like some people are under the impression that Homura was happy with what she did because she was smiling and dancing at the end, but what I saw was someone who was completely defeated and just went off the deep end in her self loathing (Look at the bags under her eyes and her expressions, and she did jump off a cliff), and this is the big difference between Satan in Paradise Lost and Homura. Some say that her actions were selfish because she wanted to be with Madoka, but she would have been with Madoka for eternity anyways had she let her do her duties as the Law of the Cycle, so that’s not why she did what she did. I see Homuras actions as being influenced by her idolization of Madoka and her self hatred. Homura has always Idolized Madoka and hated herself. Look at the flashbacks in episode 10, Homura was a girl with a heart condition that had been Hospitalized for an extended amount of time which caused her to miss out on school and her social life. She felt worthless because of this, even to the point that Madoka’s and her classmates initial attempts to befriend her just made her feel uneasy. She even entertained the idea of killing herself which is what got her trapped in the witches barrier and led to that fateful encounter with Madoka that no doubt led to her idolization of her later on after the various timelines. Looking at Rebellion, her self hatred and her idolization of Madoka both seem to have gotten stronger. (Possibly because Madoka sacrificing her existence at the end of the series meant that even after all those times repeating that month, she still wasn’t able to save Madoka.) While they are trapped in Homura’s Labyrinth, there are clues everywhere about her current state of mind. In one scene, Homura has her hands on a Bas Relief of Madoka, one fit for a god, saying how the fact they are stuck in a witches Barrier is an insult to Madoka’s sacrifice and is probably why she was so intent on killing the witch. The Runes during Homura’s transformation? They spell out “Kill me” and “Glory to Death”. Her familiars and her witch motif? She is being led by her familiars to her own execution for her sins (Not being able to save Madoka). The names of her Familairs? Arrogance, Sadsack, Liar, Cold-heartedness, Selfishness, Badmouther, Dunce, Jealousy, Lazybones, Vanity, Cowardice, Fool, Bias, and Obstinance. While talking with Kyubey, Homura states “Kyoko and Mami are here too. I believe in them to do the right thing.” This line is illustrated with Homura getting beheaded by a guillotine which is operated by silhouettes resembling Kyoko and Mami. She even goes as far as trying to kill herself if it means protecting Madoka and screaming for her friends to stop trying to save her.

So, what does that all mean? Well, keep in mind that what I’m about to is just speculation based on everything I have been saying. Call it an educated guess. I think Homura did what she did because she feels unworthy and worthless and not out of selfishness, at least not completely. If anyone should shoulder the burden of eternity and the threat of Kyubey, it should be her and not Madoka. She wants Madoka to live a peaceful and idyllic life. One free of the curse of being a living concept that exists on a different plane of existence, unable to interact with her family and friends. She is not happy with what she has done and what she has become, but she is willing to carry the immense weight of her sins and guilt if it means the person she cares most about can live happily, because ultimately Madoka’s Happiness is much more important to her than her own. Homura is far from just the selfish crazy yandere that some people think this movie makes her out to be. Saying that is just doing a huge disservice to her character. She is one of the most tragic characters in recent memory and Rebellion really made me feel for her.

If you didn’t like the movie, I don’t expect this long winded post to change that, but maybe I can make you see her actions in a different light.

*Tvtrpoes Nightmare fuel page on Rebellion was my source for the runes and the names of the Familiars.