Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part 1: Beginnings

Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part 1: Beginnings – A Dark Twist on Magical Girl Dreams

Let’s cut to the chase: if you think magical girl anime is all sparkles, friendship speeches, and happy endings, Beginnings is here to flip that script. Released in 2012 by Shaft (the studio behind Monogatari’s trippy visuals), this film isn’t just a recap of the first eight episodes of the 2011 TV series—it’s a sleek, punchy reminder of why Madoka Magica became a game-changer for the genre. For anyone who missed the show or wants to relive the chaos, this movie crams all the early drama into 130 minutes of “wait, that’s NOT how this is supposed to go?!” energy.

First off, let’s talk about the vibe. The film follows Madoka Kaname, your average middle schooler who’s just trying to get through math class and hang with her bestie Sayaka. Then comes Kyubey—this cute, cat-like creature with a voice that’s way too cheerful for what it’s about to do. Kyubey offers Madoka and Sayaka a deal: make any wish (literally ANY wish) and become a magical girl, but in return, you’ve got to fight witches—twisted, reality-bending monsters that feed on human despair. Sounds like a classic setup, right? But here’s the kicker: Madoka Magica doesn’t sugarcoat the cost.

Fans on MyAnimeList are all over this. One user rants, “I went in expecting Sailor Moon vibes and left questioning my life choices.” Another adds, “The first 30 minutes feel so normal, then bam—Mami’s fight scene hits, and you realize this isn’t a kids’ show.” Oh, Mami Tomoe—she’s the “experienced” magical girl who takes Madoka under her wing, and her arc in Beginnings is where the movie really starts to mess with your head. Her big battle against a witch? It’s beautiful, with Shaft’s signature swirling colors and fluid animation, but the ending of that fight? Let’s just say it’s the moment you realize “magical girl” here means “glorified soldier.”

What makes Beginnings work for new viewers (and still slap for old fans) is how it condenses the TV show’s slow burn into a tight, emotional ride. The animation upgrades are noticeable too—those witch labyrinths? They’re even more surreal and creepy than the original, like someone took a Dali painting and injected it with neon. And the voice acting? The cast (including Aoi Yuuki as Madoka) sounds more urgent, more desperate, like they know the clock is ticking.

But let’s get real: the best part is the fandom’s reaction. On forums, people are still arguing about Kyubey—“Is it evil? Is it just a weird alien with no morals?” One user sums it up: “Kyubey is the ultimate gaslighter. It says ‘your wish can save the world’ but leaves out the ‘and destroy you’ part.” And Sayaka’s arc? Oh, don’t get fans started. Her wish to heal her crush’s hand seems sweet, but the way it backfires? “I cried for 20 minutes after her scene,” a fan admits. “She just wanted to be a hero, but the system ate her alive.”

Beginnings isn’t perfect. Some fans say condensing eight episodes into a movie skips a few character beats—like Madoka’s hesitation to make a wish feels a little rushed. But honestly? For a recap film, it does its job: it hooks you, breaks your heart a little, and makes you immediately want to watch the next movie (Eternal) or the TV show.

At its core, Beginnings is about the lies we tell ourselves to feel like heroes. Madoka spends the whole movie wondering if her wish is worth it, and by the end, you’re right there with her. Is saving someone worth losing yourself? Is “any wish” really a gift if it chains you to a life of fighting? These are the questions the movie leaves hanging, and they’re why fans are still talking about it 12 years later.

So, if you’re a 2000s kid who grew up on Cardcaptor Sakura and want to see a darker take, or just someone who loves anime that makes you think, Beginnings is a must-watch. Just don’t say we didn’t warn you: after this, you’ll never look at magical girls the same way. As one fan puts it, “Madoka Magica didn’t just redefine the genre—it burned it down and built something better from the ashes.”

And hey, with the new sequel Walpurgisnacht: Rising coming in 2026, now’s the perfect time to rewatch Beginnings and remember why we fell in love with this messed-up, beautiful story in the first place. Just grab some tissues—you’re gonna need ’em.

Final Verdict: 8.5/10. A brutal, beautiful start to a franchise that still has fans screaming (and crying) today.

— A fan who’s still not over Mami’s scene.