Clicking into Episode 9 of Puella Magi Madoka Magica, viewers were filled with nervous anticipation.
The last episode had ended with Sayaka transforming into a witch.
Madoka had been on the verge of making a contract with Kyubey to save her, only for Homura to suddenly appear and shoot Kyubey in the head.
Now, everyone was left wondering: what happens next?
Could Sayaka still be saved? Would Madoka, in a moment of desperation, make a contract anyway? And would we finally learn the truth behind Homura's mysterious connection to Madoka?
These questions had plagued Saya all week.
After all, Madoka Magica was clearly her strongest competitor this season. Her own anime, Into the Abyss, was in the running for the 2022 Winter Anime of the Year, and its biggest threats were Madoka Magica... and 5 Centimeters per Second.
Last week's ratings spike for Madoka Magica had only intensified her anxiety. Even though she respected the show creatively, she couldn't help but feel the pressure. It was frustrating and exhilarating all at once. From the very beginning, Madoka had consistently led in the ratings, currently sitting at 9.1. Into the Abyss wasn't far behind at 9.0
That said, as much as she viewed Madoka as a rival work, Saya couldn't deny that she genuinely enjoyed it. In fact, she'd become something of a devoted fan, telling herself it was "research" to keep up with her competitors.
Initially, she hadn't cared much for Sayaka, who seemed like the stereotypical childhood-friend type. But as the story progressed and the chemistry between Sayaka and Kyoko deepened, Saya found herself unexpectedly invested.
This... this was how it should be. Real affection between two girls. Wouldn't it be better if Sayaka just forgot that violin boy and fell into Kyoko's arms instead?
Before Episode 8 aired, Saya had been eagerly following their storyline. But the moment Sayaka turned into a witch, everything was shattered. With Sayaka gone, what could possibly develop between her and Kyoko now?
A part of her blamed Haruki for this.
Yes, she respected his storytelling. But emotionally? His scripts were brutal. Ruthless. To her, that made him something of a sadist. Maybe, she thought, a little inhuman.
Still, she wasn't giving up hope. She still cared about the dynamic between Homura and Madoka too.
Episode 9 opened with Kyoko being dragged into the witch's labyrinth.
Sayaka's body, still intact, lay limp in Kyoko's arms. But her Soul Gem had turned into a Grief Seed. A new witch had been born.
Kyoko's expression was a mix of horror and disbelief. She shouted toward the creature, what had it done to Sayaka?
Saya watched with a knot in her chest. The story had turned overwhelmingly dark, and the bleakness hung over the screen like a heavy fog.
Homura soon appeared to rescue Kyoko, and later, Madoka and Kyoko listened as Homura finally revealed the truth.
Saya stared at the screen. What a waste. This girl… if only she hadn't fallen into the hands of that lunatic.
Then came Kyubey, cold as ever, who laid out the mechanics of their world like it was all just data and statistics.
He explained how magical girls fall into despair and become witches. The energy generated from that cycle is harvested to stave off entropy and prolong the universe. Emotion is fuel.
To Saya, most of that sounded like sci-fi nonsense. Still, she understood the core message.
First: Kyubey was the one who manipulated girls into becoming magical girls, only to turn them into witches.
Second: None of this would happen without him.
Third: He was the real villain.
This was driven home by his final line in the conversation:
"Madoka, you have the potential to become the most powerful magical girl, and eventually, the most devastating witch. When that time comes, your soul will generate immense energy. If you're willing to die for the universe... come find me."
That level of detachment, speaking of sacrifice with such calm indifference, made Saya's skin crawl.
She glared at Kyubey on screen, but in her mind, that frustration redirected itself toward Haruki.
Elsewhere, Kyoko was still trying to preserve Sayaka's body with the last of her magic. She hadn't given up.
Saya felt a pang in her chest. This was the same Kyoko who once claimed she only fought for herself. But now? Sayaka was dead. Madoka was paralyzed by grief.
Only Kyoko remained, still fighting.
She asked Kyubey if there was any way to save Sayaka.
Kyubey's answer was flat: "I don't know."
Even so, Kyoko didn't flinch.
She turned to Madoka and asked, "Do you want to save her?"
Madoka hesitated. "I... I don't want to give up until I'm sure."
To Saya, that was it. That was love.
"Even if she's already a witch, maybe... if you call out to her as a friend, she'll remember who she was."
Saya knew that was impossible. The logic of the show wouldn't allow it. But still, Kyoko tried.
Maybe they were both the same, girls who had made wishes for the sake of others. Maybe Kyoko saw herself in Sayaka. Or maybe she just wanted to believe that caring for someone else wasn't a mistake.
In any case, the development had Saya on the verge of tears.
From enemies to allies, from bitter words to desperate hope, Kyoko and Sayaka's story had struck her deep.
Even as a fellow writer, she had to admit... Haruki was simply better at this. He knew how to build characters, and worse, how to break them in a way that hurt.
"Maybe... maybe when the witch is defeated, what comes out isn't a Grief Seed," she muttered aloud, "but Sayaka's Soul Gem."
But then she caught herself. That was just wishful thinking. Fairy tale logic. Nothing like that had ever happened before. Why would it start now?
Still, she kept watching.
"I became a magical girl because I had that kind of dream too," Kyoko said quietly.
Her real reason. Her vulnerability. It was enough to finally move Madoka into action.
The two girls went in search of the witch Sayaka had become.
They found her soon enough, and were pulled into the labyrinth again.
Inside, Sayaka's witch-form played haunting music. It was the very same CD she had once given to Kyosuke.
Madoka called out to her. She begged.
But the witch didn't respond.
Instead, it attacked.
Shout out to Lovpreet Singh for joining my p-atreon! your support means everything to me.
(TL:- if you want even more content, check out p-a-t-r-e-o-n.com/Alioth23 for 60+ advanced chapters)