Review of Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story

Magia Record is a disappointment that seem to mostly focus on advertising the gacha game it's based on instead of telling a cohesive narrative. Unlike Madoka Magica, in thirteen episodes it says nothing. The story lacks focus and the pacing is not great. On paper, the mysteries set up by the series are pretty interesting from missing persons to a cult to a potential way to save magical girls. Those are really interesting and with how the world works it could work. But thanks to poor pacing and gacha advertising, those mysteries lost its complexity. Instead of answering at least some of its own questions, theshow just asks more questions and stalls from actually saying something. Almost half the runtime was spent searching for a missing person that may or may not exist only to introduce a cult and new combat system last minute.

The show also lost a bit of the dark edge the original has because everyone at this point already knew that being a magical girl isn't as great as many people think it is. The show could've up the danger of the job or use the new potential of saving magical girls to bring up some interesting themes like the struggle to change one's fate. In fact, the idea is close to the original's themes of the price one needs to take in exchange for a miracle because sacrifices will have to be made to change the laws of nature. Unfortunately, bad pacing and gacha advertisements has ruined those opportunities.

Speaking of gacha, there were way more magical girls so the cast management is bad. The show thought it's a great idea to shove as many magical girls as possible when it just made them so flat. Madoka Magica worked because it only focused on a small group of characters so everyone--even seemingly plain Madoka has a personality. Magia Record, on the other hand, lacked that luxury. Iroha is so plain and lifeless that she reminds me of an insert reader character. Her only trait is looking for this important missing person, but that's it. Everyone else, friends and enemies are dull and would be replaced with a new set of characters every time. The OG characters are somewhat present, but they don't really make an impact.

I know that this is just the first season and it's been confirmed that a sequel will happen soon, but that's no excuse for poor pacing and storytelling.

The only positive things I will say is that the production is phenomenal. The modern technology is definitely taken advantage of. Artwork and animation are great though the former is poorly utilized due to the lack of compelling writing. The OST is great and I love the OP and ED.

Magia Record is a disappointing addition to the series. Nevertheless, I still have hope for the second season and the gacha game looks fun.