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*WARNING: This is my first review, so I couldn't really find a way to actually review without putting a few spoilers here and there.

I really had doubts when my friends recommended this series to me...I mean, magical girls? Really? But after watching the first three or four episodes, my preconceptions were shattered. From the OP and the ED from the first 3 episodes, the show tries [and succeeds] to portray itself as a lighthearted anime about a group of girls and their journey of becoming magical girls, but gradually transitions into something a lot darker. Now onto the specifics.

Story- Many have called Madoka Magica ... a "deconstruction of the magical girl genre", and while this isn't entirely incorrect, I feel like the show just chose the magical girl setting to emphasize its compelling story. I was fairly impressed, since even though it was bound to the genre it managed to spread itself out into somewhat of a thriller/drama. A lot of emphasis is put on Madoka's internal struggle, and rightly so. The whole concept of magica madoka's magical girl and [mild spoilers] how manifesting your soul into a gem is a prerequisite (basically throwing away your humanity) really fits the dark theme of the show.

Art- Shaft does a great job with this series. Having watched their other works, such as Bakemonogatari, Nisemonogatari, and Denpa Onna, they retain their very unique animating style here (Random cuts, weird looking yet detailed rooms and backgrounds, creative character visuals). The reason I gave the art a 8 is because I didn't like the close up's of the characters' faces; they looked too sketched.

Sound- I gave this an 8 because while the OST isn't super amazing, it does its job well and sets the mood. The operaish voices prominent in some of the soundtrack were pretty cool. I enjoyed the OP and ED for the most part. Sound effects are done well. I also noticed that the school bell is identical to the one in Bakemonogatari :3

Characters- Each and every major character in this show has a considerable amount of depth and backstory which get revealed throughout the show. I gave this an 8, however, because Sakura Kyoko specifically just does not make any sense to me...[SPOILER ALERT] She goes from deathmatch with Sayaka to totally BFF wannabe...I just can't bring myself to accept this total switch from arrogant always-running-solo to undyingly-loyal-friend. Kyubey, the creature that everyone loves to hate, is interesting in that he's not quite evil per se, but he lacks empathy. In general, he comes off as slightly sociopathic, which really helps bring out the visceral mood of the show.

Enjoyment- I enjoyed this show for the most part. All of the above elements really fit together and played off each other like a well oiled machine. Unlike many other 12-14 episode shows i have watched i actually came to care about the characters and their struggles (in my experience, shows of this length have trouble fully developing their main cast, such as Angel Beats). I feel inclined to gripe about the ending, but it really is fitting for the show.

Overall- Sadly, I can't give 8.5's on the overall rating, but I do believe that it deserves a 9, as much as I enjoyed it. I would definitely recommend this series to fans of Shaft's previous works, those disillusioned by the pretense of the Magical Girl genre, and those just seeking a good thriller/drama with a good bit of action.

Feedback is very greatly appreciated, please tell me why you gave me Helpful/Not helpful ^^