Just when you begin to think there’s really not much more to say about Madoka and Homura, you pick this manga up and find that you were wrong. Puella Magi Madoka☆ Magica Homura Revenge!, Volume 1 (魔法少女まどか☆マギカ ほむらリベンジ!) had some interesting elements.
The story begins with Homura (as we are first introduced to her in the TV series) full of dread and hope at starting another cycle of the story. Only this time, something is very, very different. After Homura has introduced herself to the class, Madoka stands up, shouts her name and comes running up to her. Homura has no idea what to make of it – this has never happened before.
Madoka explains that she remembers everything – like everything everything. And this time, she too is determined to save everyone before tragedy overtakes them. She suggests that what they need to do is pinpoint the moments when things went wrong for Mami and Sayaka and if they change those moments just enough they can ward off the seemingly inevitable end.
What they don’t account for is Kyuubey’s interference. He’s always pretended non-involvement, but realistically, he needs the conflict to continue. He’s not getting himself involved in the fight between the magical girls and the witches, but he is willing to fight Homura and Madoka to retain the status quo.
The reworking of this story actually added a new edge to the plot. Is it enough that both Madoka and Homura are fighting against the pre-set script? Frankly, I’m not sure. Not with Kyuubey forcing rule changes. But I’m going to read the next volume and hope that the committee that is churning out Madoka-franchise stories had a decent ending in mind for this one.
Ratings:
Art – Same as all the Madoka art. Blobby heads, stylized violence, more details to the backgrounds than the characters. 6
Story – 7 Pretty good opening, but sort of slips into old patterns as it goes on.
Characters – Mami, Sayaka and Kyouko are already caricatures of themselves before the book starts. I’m not sure we’ll ever get them back.
Yuri – 1 Homura’s feelings take a back seat to the plot, we just have to assume she feels the same way about Madoka.
Service – 2 Not too bad. Even the guro is toned down.
Overall – a strong 7, but my opinion could change if the next volume bites.
Typically, Madoka and Homura are playing by rules that Kyuubey doesn’t honor. The original story was a logic problem. I wonder what this one will be?
