Around 12:30 AM, the final episode of Puella Magi Madoka Magica had just finished airing, and the internet was already buzzing with frenzied discussion:
"I never expected Madoka's wish to be something like that. I underestimated its scope."
"The scene where Madoka becomes God was absolutely breathtaking. It gave me goosebumps."
"Poor Sayaka. Everyone else was resurrected because of Madoka's wish, but she endured several episodes of suffering and still didn't get revived in the end."
"The healing was real, but it was also deeply depressing. Especially for Homura Akemi. She finally got Madoka to understand her, only to be separated from her immediately. And while everyone else forgot Madoka, she alone remembers—that's more painful than being completely forgotten."
"What's going on with Homura Akemi in the post-credits scene? Does it mean she'll turn evil too?"
"I'm not thrilled that Kyubey got away without any punishment, but this anime is truly exceptional. The final episode was spectacular."
"More than just exceptional—it's Lord Hayashi's masterpiece. I doubt I'll ever see an anime this perfect in all aspects again in my lifetime. Even Lord Hayashi himself probably couldn't create something this brilliant again."
The number of related comments and discussion threads exploded, with dozens of new posts appearing every minute. The animation's overall discussion record was being rapidly refreshed.
In addition to short reviews, there were also many long, in-depth analyses. One user, nicknamed "Madoka's Biggest Fan," posted a lengthy review that systematically analyzed the brilliance of Puella Magi Madoka Magica:
"Even after the eighth episode, many were saying that if Puella Magi Madoka Magica could stick the landing, it would be an era-defining masterpiece. Now that all twelve episodes have aired and it has undeniably stuck the landing, it's no longer just an era-defining masterpiece—it's an era-defining super-masterpiece.
First, in terms of visual quality, it's the first TV anime to be produced in high definition and broadcast in high definition. This alone is enough to secure its place in animation history.
Of course, if its other qualities didn't match its high-definition visuals, it would only manage to leave a mark in animation history.
This animation is far more than just a mark in animation history."
In terms of storyboarding and visual effects, Puella Magi Madoka Magica undoubtedly stands at the pinnacle. Its battle scenes are dazzlingly spectacular, and even its everyday moments are rendered with remarkable skill. The dramatic writing is equally strong, and both the dramatic and action sequences are worth studying and pondering in detail.
The characters are also a highlight. The main character's parents and younger brother, her best friend Hitomi, and Sayaka's childhood sweetheart Kyosuke Kamijo may not have extensive screen time, serving only as important supporting roles, yet they remain vividly memorable.
The five magical girls and their contract pet, Kyubey, are even more distinctively drawn, each with their own unique traits that leave a lasting impression. With the exception of Kyubey, every one of them is deeply likable.
Unlike the often one-dimensional characters found in some anime adaptations, these characters feel remarkably real and well-rounded. They have their own worries, they feel fear and hesitation when facing danger, and they have things they love and people they care about. This makes them feel like genuine beings existing somewhere in the world, rather than mere paper cutouts.
The music is also excellent, with a catchy opening theme and a perfectly matched background score. But that's a topic we won't dwell on here.
Even more impressive was the animation's script.
Across its twelve episodes, the overall structure was remarkably complete, the plot exceptionally tight, with not a single superfluous moment or unresolved thread. Moreover, every episode except the first two and the fourth and fifth contained a major turning point, three God-tier twists, and one God-tier episode, culminating in a perfect ending. For a twelve-episode TV anime, this was simply unparalleled.
The animation's themes were also remarkably profound, far from the superficial, fan-service-driven fare that merely aims to make the audience smile. Instead, it delved into deep philosophical questions, prompting reflection on the nature of magical girls, witches, and Incubators.
With top-tier production quality, massive commercial success, and profound thematic depth—achieving even one of these would have been considered a triumph—Puella Magi Madoka Magica excelled in all three. It crushed its contemporaries, and as the first high-definition animated TV series to be produced and broadcast in HD, it completely redefined the audience's perception of the Magical Girl Anime genre. Calling it an epoch-making masterpiece is no exaggeration.
Lin Zhiyan, who served as Supervising Director, scriptwriter, music composer, and Chief Animation Director for this animation, had undoubtedly reached godly heights.
The long review went viral, garnering countless likes and comments from netizens who overwhelmingly supported its views.
While the nickname "Old Thief Lin" would undoubtedly stick around for a while, the idea that "Lin Zhiyan is a god-like animation director" was once again brought to the forefront and widely embraced by the public.
This particular review was relatively serious and restrained, focusing on a formal analysis.
However, many more viewers, unable to articulate such a comprehensive analysis, expressed their love for Puella Magi Madoka Magica in their own words, such as:
"The first Magical Girl Anime to ever get a perfect score from me.
Senior Mami's death caught me off guard, and Sayaka's storyline broke my heart. Kyoko, who initially targeted Sayaka, ultimately died together with the Mermaid Witch that Sayaka had become. Combined with the ED of Episode 9, it brought me to tears. Homura Akemi's countless loops and her unwavering determination to save Madoka moved me deeply. And the final scene where Madoka becomes a god left me in awe."
"No animation has ever gripped my heart so deeply, making me eagerly await the stroke of midnight on Sunday each week. It's never happened before, and it likely never will again."
Another example:
"Past Magical Girl Anime only told audiences that the world is beautiful, full of love and hope, and that success is achievable through effort. When faced with villains or injustice, you just had to fight.
Puella Magi Madoka Magica does none of that. It clearly tells viewers that the idea of a world without darkness is false, and that sometimes, hoping for love and hope only leads to despair.
Supervising Director Lin Zhiyan once said that this anime isn't meant for children, but for people aged 15 to 30. However, I believe it's precisely this age group that needs to see it. Beyond that, showing it to children would be valuable, teaching them that the world isn't as idyllic as they might imagine.
Meeting this anime has truly been a blessing in my life. If I had to give it a score, it would be a perfect ten."
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