The complete title of this book is Movie Version Magi Puella Madoka Magica [First Part] The Beginning Story/ [End Part] Eternal Story Official Guidebook ‘with you’. (劇場版 魔法少女まどか☆マギカ [前編]始まりの物語/[後編]永遠の物語 公式ガイドブック劇場版 魔法少女まどか☆マギカ [前編]始まりの物語/[後編]永遠の物語 公式ガイドブック with you) It was way too long to use as a title. ^_^
I haven’t seen any of the Madoka movies yet, but paging through this artbook sure makes me want to. Lots of Yuri pairing goodness in the art for Madoka x Homura and Sayaka x Kyouko fans and even some Sayaka x Madoka and Mami x everyone love. So, whatever you’re looking to find, the team that brought you Madoka on every surface of every piece of clothing, tools, accessories, toiletries, health and beauty items and random toys of many kinds, has included it. It remains the supreme example of what I call a “saturation series.”
As with most movie art books, there is promotional art in the form of posters and postcard giveaways, backgrounds from various scenes, production sketches and and tons of interviews with cast members and key staff.
I had seen this book last year in Japan, but didn’t get it, because I was a little burnt out on the series, I still haven’t rewatched it for a review of the Aniplex DVDs (and, presumably a zillion other people have covered those.) But when I saw the book again recently in Sanseido, I decided “why not.” I haven’t had a new artbook in a while and the cover appealed to me. (Really, Erica, we’re shocked.) And once I got it home, I found there was a lot to like. So now, I want to watch the movie. Pretty good for an artbook. ^_^
Ratings:
Overall – 9
If you’re a fan of the series, this Official Guidebook with you is a good get.
I’m waiting on the movie DVDs getting a lower price north american release, sadly. But I plan to get them eventually. *lol*
Aniplex tends to stick to the Japanese model. RightStuf has them for about as cheap as they’ll probably get.
Gotta say, I was impressed with the way they turned the 12 episode series into two 2-hour movies. They did an excellent job trimming it down. Plus you don’t have to sit through the opening and ending credits every 20 minutes (even though I like the songs), that helps a lot. ^_^
Interesting that I didn’t see any Yuri in the series or first two movies… other than in the credit sequences. The third movie may be different however. I can’t wait to see it. I absolutely love the series and movie version.
And I guess I’m going to have to break down and buy this book. I chose where I ordered the movie Blu-rays based on who had the best extras included.
How would you feel about doing some reviews on the movies?
That might be fun. I’ll take any excuse to watch them again. And again. If I can think of where to begin…
Format is, as you see – Intro, Synopsis, Notable moments/concepts/random digressions, summation, ratings, tagline. I trust you. Email to me when you’re happy with it. No deadline.
I was lucky enough to see the two films in a local theater. I don’t anticipate buying the DVDs for the films, because they were pretty faithful to the series, and I have the DVDs for that. By dropping the repetition of the opening and closing songs the 12 episodes of TV series aren’t much longer than four hours, after all. What minor changes were made I thought were detrimental.
That said, a good artbook for the series/movies might be very interesting.
The artbook made the idea of looking at the backgrounds worthwhile. ^_^
It turns out there is an artbook for the TV series, too. That one has Madoka and Homura on the cover as well, but facing one another.
Nice heads up!魔法少女まどか☆マギカ公式ガイドブック you are not alone