Puella Magi Madoka Magica is a 2011 Japanese anime television series created by Magica Quartet (consisting of Akiyuki Shinbo, Atsuhiro Iwakami, Gen Urobuchi, and Ume Aoki), produced by Shaft, and distributed by Aniplex. It follows the story of 14-year-old middle school student Madoka Kaname, who is offered the chance to have any wish granted on the condition that she become a magical girl and fight against evil witches.

Puella Magi Madoka Magica began development after Akiyuki Shinbo expressed his desire to work on a new magical girl series to producer Atsuhiro Iwakami while they were working on Hidamari Sketch and Bakemonogatari. During the early planning stage, Iwakami decided not to adapt an existing work in order to give Shinbo more freedom in his direction style. Gen Urobuchi and Ume Aoki then joined the project as scriptwriter and character designer respectively. The series was announced in a commercial slot during the anime series Togainu no Chi. Subsequently, more commercials were shown in the same slot revealing the characters and cast.

The first ten episodes aired on Japanese television channels MBS, TBS and CBC between January 7, and March 11, 2011. Due to the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, the broadcasts of episodes 11 and 12 were delayed and were later aired as a double feature on April 22, 2011. The series was released on Blu-ray Disc and DVDs between April 27, and September 21, 2011, having been delayed from the original release date of March 30, 2011 due to the earthquake. Aniplex USA licensed the series in North America and released the series in three volumes between February 14, and June 12, 2012. Manga Entertainment licensed the series in the United Kingdom and released it on BD/DVD in a complete collection on October 22, 2012.

The opening theme is by ClariS and the ending theme is "Magia" by Kalafina. On the DVD/Blu-ray release, the ending theme for episodes one and two is by Aoi Yūki; and the ending theme for episode nine is "And I'm Home" by Eri Kitamura and Ai Nonaka. Drama CDs are included with the first; third; and fifth DVD/Blu-ray volumes; and the original soundtrack by Kajiura Yuki was included in three parts with the second; fourth; and sixth volumes. The soundtrack is also included with the limited-edition North American releases.

Seven episodes were outsourced to other studios: episode 4 to Artland; episode 5 to Diomedéa; episode 6 to C2C; episode 7 to David Production; episode 8 to SynergySP; episode 9 to Tezuka Productions and Production Reed; and episode 11 to Madhouse.

The series was retold in two animated films released in October 2012, and a third film containing an "all-new" story set after the series was released in October 2013.

Episode list

Beginnings / Eternal TV Edition

An 11 episode television rebroadcast of the series' compilation movies titled was announced on August 20, 2025, and aired from October 12 to December 21 in Japan on MBS, TBS and their affiliated stations.

Drama CDs Drama CDs were included with the first; third; and fifth BD/DVD volumes of the Japanese release. A fourth drama CD was released at Comiket 82 in August 2012 alongside an advance film ticket set.

Home video releases In Japan, Aniplex distributed six BD/DVD (Blu-ray Disc/Digital Versatile Disc) volumes of Puella Magi Madoka Magica in 2011; all of which were included in a box set on December 25, 2013. In the United States and Canada, Aniplex of America published three BD/DVD volumes of the series in 2012; and compiled them into a box set on September 27, 2016.

+ Aniplex (Japan, Region A/2) Release Date Episodes Extras Volume 1April 27, 20111–2Drama – "Memories of You" Character Single – "Mata Ashita" by Aoi YūkiVolume 2May 25, 20113–4Original Soundtrack 1Volume 3June 22, 20115–6Drama – "Sunny Day Life"Volume 4July 27, 20117–8Original Soundtrack 2Volume 5August 24, 20119–10Drama – "Farewell Story" Character Single – "And I'm Home" by Eri Kitamura and Ai NonakaVolume 6September 21, 201111–12Original Soundtrack 3Box SetDecember 25, 20131–12Package Illustrated by Takahiro Kishida (Character Design)Set of 3 postcards

+ Aniplex of America (United States and Canada, Region A/1) Release Date Episodes Extras (limited edition ) Volume 1February 14, 20121–4Original Soundtrack 1Mini-poster, PostcardsVolume 2April 10, 20125–8Original Soundtrack 2Double-side posters, PostcardsVolume 3June 12, 20129–12Original Soundtrack 3Double-side posters, PostcardsBox SetSeptember 27, 20161–12Package Illustrated by Takahiro Kishida (Character Design)4-page Insert

Notes

References

External links Official website Tenth anniversary website Puella Magi Madoka Magica at Aniplex