Sayaka visits her friend at the hospital.
Hi everybody!
Welcome back to another review!!
Mami's past involves her being in an automobile accident.
~story~
This episode is the turning point in the series. Tragedy has hit - and it has hit full force. Our beloved character of Mami has been killed off by the witch. And not just killed in the witch realm and then she wakes up in the real world - oh no. She's gone for good. We also learn of Mami's past where she was lying near-dead in some fatal car crash when Kyuube comes to the rescue. So poor Mami has had a pretty crappy life. Meanwhile, we learn of the crap that poor Sayaka has to deal with. Either her brother or friend or boyfriend or cousin or something is in some hospital about to die and all she can do it bring him some nice music to listen to. Poor girl :( She's such a sweetheart, too. I know that if I was given a wish I wouldn't even consider using it to save someone else (cause I'm conceited and selfish - get over it ^^). But no - not Sayaka. She only cares about saving this mystery boy. This episode brings up the truth about becoming a magical girl - it sucks. Other magical girl series always shows that you come close to death but your magic powers save you. This episode shows that if your magic doesn't work as planned you die a painful and gruesome death with absolutely no mercy.
Mami and Homura arguing about making Madoka and Sayaka into Magical Girls.
~art~
The colors in this episode seemed a lot duller than usual. Maybe that was intentional because of the seriousness and depressingness tone that this episode had - but it was still noted. While in the witch realm there were still those awkward creepy things - but they seemed to be less common. Also, the actual witch itself and the room the witch was in was drawn normally - unlike the previous witches. This brings up one of the problems with this episode. Inconsistencies were everywhere. The absolute killer of any series is inconsistencies so it really pains me when such a stronger series has been affected by these inconsistencies. And now that they have an inconsistent art style they are screwed for the rest of the series. If they go back to the old style then it's inconsitent with this episode but if they stay the same as this episode it is inconsistent with the first two episodes. So they are in a pickle. The only way out of it that I can picture is no more witch scenes but they are pretty crucial to the storyline. So yeah, they're screwed.
The Grief Seed about to become a Witch outside of the hospital.
~sound~
I'm happy to say it - but the opening theme is starting to sound better and better. The only real issue still standing is how it just cuts off at the end. It's all going happy and upbeat and then all of a sudden it's just over. It's really awkward and definitely could've been handled better. The OST is beautiful as always - and there was no battle song! That's because it was moved to it's rightful position as the ending theme along with the first episode where there is actual ending animation. Now that we can actually hear what the ending theme is, it is time to point out what a terrible song it is. It definitely makes the opening theme sound fantastic because the ending theme definitely is a stinker. Kalafina did not deliver their best performance with this (and if this is their best performance then I'm scared for what else they have in their discography ~_~). On a side note - the voices of the characters was never discussed. That would be because they all suit their characters well and none of them are bad enough to be discussed.
Mami moments before she is eaten by the Witch.
~characters~
Poor Mami was just having a bad episode. Her already crappy life comes to a crappy end really ruins her day. Anyways, she was really coming off as a conceited know-it-all in this episode. The way she was treating Homura seemed very unlike her and this random supreme hatred for her seems just.... awkward. It was no secret she didn't like her but I didn't get the feeling that she downright hated the girl. And the girl was just trying to protect Madoka and Sayaka too! Homura is having a crappy day too. Heck, everyone's day was crappy. Madoka with her becoming dumber and dumber as the series progresses (I thought you were supposed to get smarter with time? No? Allright...) Sayaka with her dying lover/brother. And Kyuube being just as creepy as ever.
Homura saving the day.
~overall~
This episode receives an A-. This is definitely a milestone episode just for the sole purpose of how much progression the story takes. The only setback is how many inconsistencies were introduced and how they may not be able to be fixed. Homura may be taking over as the leader of the group now that Mami is gone. We'll just have to wait 'til next episode to find out!
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