MADOKA 2/2/26:

I truly believe Madoka's consious deep down was why she didn't originally agree to the contract. Even though her memory was wiped, her soul remembered every aspect of what happened. The deaths of her friends, Mami's head getting eaten off of her, watching Mami's headless body fall from the witch's jaws.. The reason her reaction was so severe despite not knowing Mami well, is because their souls remember even if their minds don't. Especially when Sayaka's soul perishes and turns to agony, it seems Madoka was more concerned about Mami's death than Sayaka's despite being best friends with Sayaka. I think Madoka was honestly not done enough justice. I personally feel like her entire personality, appearance, and even her voice, are all just gross fan servic for creepazoids. I think the story, while being so extremely amazing and complex, could have been a bit better if she wasn't portrayed in the manner that she was. Idk, I loved her character and everything, but I personally think she should have been less helpless and "ignorant" in lack of better terms. It really felt like every other character had very deep and complex pasts that were delved into, but Madoka didn't necissarily get as much lore to her aside from the fact that she's a magical girl and the mc. She took the entire thing wayyy too camly, but that could also go along with my soul theory, that her consious remembers what he brain doesn't, and had already coped with everything beforehand.

I think the aspect of her becoming the embodiment of peace is quite nice though, and how deeply she thought about everything. She legitimately became god, and to that I'd say she's extremely selfless to throw everything away to save the other girls from spending eternity in agony. I always do wonder why Homura was still able to remember everything and interact with Madoka when no one else can? Is it because Homura is the reason for Madoka's contract with Kyubey? Or is it because she carries Madoka's old ribbon? Can Madoka still interact with the world?? It's confirmed that she's omnipotent after becoming the universe, but does she protect her past family despite them never knowing she existed in another life? It's a complex thought. Madoka rewrote the universe, made everything turn out okay, but at what cost?

SAYAKA 2/3/26:

Sighhh... Sayaka was one of my favorites and always will be. Her downfall was all because she wanted to save the boy she loved, only for her soul to be sacrificed and for him to fall for her friend(I will always hate her friend idc what her name is.) I personally think her character is extremely selfless despite what others may think. Was it selfish to save the boy in hopes he'd love her back? Perhaps. But as a girl in love with a boy, love makes you do stupid things. She sold her soul so that he would no longer be paralyzed, and then she turns into a witch after her soul gem gets corrupted, causing her to live in infinite agony and despair.. Her want for justice turning out to make her death the opposite is really symbolic imo. Even as she's perishing, she defends an unnamed woman whom is being talked poorly about by her husband, a total stranger. She's just met with "you're too young to be out this late. what do you know about love?" Either way. after Madoka rewrites the universe, Sayaka still has to watch the boy she protected and loved fall for another. Her soul at least got to pass on and become one with the universe Madoka created, but again, at what cost? she still lives in agony.

I think her character was SO well written compared to other animes!! I really like how they didn't JUST make her the secondary or 'best friend' character, and genuinely gave her a story and very important purpose in the plot and lore. I'm embarrassed to admit I have NEVER cried as hard at a show or movie as I did when Sayaka went insane and died. Watching her mind slowly shift to insanity, before ultimately watching her off herself and turn into a witch was so heart wrenching... I do really wish she had a bit more time in the story before she died. She was such an amazing character, and without her, none of the story we got would have happened.