Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Beginnings (2012)

[劇場版 魔法少女まどか☆マギカ[前編] 始まりの物語]

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Director: Akiyuki Shinbo, Yukihiro Miyamoto
Starring: Aoi Yuki, Chiwa Saito, Eri Kitamura

Synopsis:

Two friends are introduced to the world of magical girls and the Witches they fight against and are offered the opportunity to become magical girls themselves, but a mysterious new transfer student warns them against it.

Impressions:
This movie and its sequel Eternal are just compilation films that cut down the main series to fit into a shorter runtime. Actually, because the original series is just twelve episodes, there isn't nearly as much left on the cutting room floor as compilation films from back in the era of 26-episode seasons. As such, these two work better as an alternative viewing experience if you want a more streamlined take that sacrifices little of the original. On the other hand, if you have seen the original series, you don't gain anything by watching these two movies besides a new opening sequence that I rather liked. The one thing I'll say for this is that they had the perfect beat to close on. On its own merits, it's worth a watch, but if you've already seen the original series, you can skip ahead to the third movie.

Rating:
Watch It

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