Madoka Magica - Music discussion (OP/ED & OST, etc.)

[BaKaBaKaOtaKu]

lots of thanks for the drama cd translation. =D

[Lumine]

The new DVD ending for episode 1 is so........... happy

can't wait for the OST

[night_sentinel]

Originally Posted by kaigan

that's the fun part i don't know if i'll call this series an expert in trolling or misdirection. whatever the case maybe, the staff had pulled out some "pranks" in the expense of the audience in the past. another one will definitely not hurt

now, i'll eagerly await homu-chan's character song. i'm sure it's full of (romantic) love for madoka. but i expect that as unbroadcasted ep 10/11 ed song. mami's, saya's, and kyouko's char songs will be a lot sooner

regarding the drama cd, a couple of folks uploaded already in youtube for those who don't want to use torrent files. maybe someone will make a custom animation as well

Lol ... I eagerly await Homura's character song too. But, in fairness, I do believe Madoka's character song is sung from her perspective (and its a post series perspective at that) . The reason why we think of Homura is because the "you" that Madoka is referring to is Homura. Well, that 's my interpretation of it anyway. Considering that in the anime the only person that Madoka actually has a metaphorical "See you tomorrow" promise is Homura at the finale.

I hope you don't mind but, I'm reposting my interpretation of Madoka's character song. Please tell me if I'm making too much out of it or forgot to take the yuri goggles plastered in my face.

Spoiler for Interpretation of the lyrics:

When I have heard of Madoka's character song while catching up at the enormous backlog of post around here. I thought it was a fluffy happy song especially with the Madoka's perky voice singing it. But, after listening at the song and knowing what the lyrics actually say... I feel like its a hidden knife twisting in my gut and making me feel a the tang of bitter more in the "bittersweet ending".

I don't know if its because I recently re-watched the last two episode. But, I feel that this song pertains to the post series Madoka and since I have nothing better to do I'll analyze the lyrics here.

Lyrics:

Saying, "See you later," I wave my hand
Forcing myself to smile, yet I'm feeling lonely...
At the intersection, there are traffic lights, cars honking far away
and the sound of strangers laughing together
Today, I walk alone, even if I'm used to going through this city
Somehow, for a moment
I feel like I'm tiny more than I usually do

Interpretation:
If this is Madoka's pov pre-series, it just confirms that Madoka have an understated inferiority complex and a natural people person who like being surrounded by her loved ones. Not an earth-shaking revelation, only it makes the events post-series about Madoka's fate more tragic.

If this is Madoka's pov post series, Madoka must be feeling ridiculously alone in her eternal fight with the witches. Being aware of everything and not being able to interact or be part of anything must be torture. I liken the feeling to the alone in a crowd feeling that we sometimes feel only ten times worse since Madoka isn't even part of reality.

And perhaps you're wondering why a powerful God can feel little about since Madoka is technically helping all mahou-shoujo for eternity. But, I think that we must remember that no one really remembers Madoka anymore. To have all that power and not being able to do anything about it and all the mahou shoujo she's seeing are destined to disappear. It is possible that Madoka might be feeling little or powerless from time to time.

Lyrics:
Saying, "See you later," I wave my hand
Cracking a smile, yet I'm feeling lonely
The truth is, I still have more to talk about
But with the words "See you later"
I say we'll meet again, but it's a lie
and with my usual smile, I say
"See you tomorrow"

Interpretation
Now, I've said it before but, I was re-watching the finale when I heard this song and I can't help but feel that this pertains to the goodbye scene between Madoka and Homura (the one in whatever place that is/limbo/space/etc). Watching that scene, the only thing that made it bearable is madoka's smiling face that she's at peace with her choice.

Now, notice the lyrics above, and the abrupt parting that she have with Homura whom she finally understand at that moment and will be parted the next moment. She must have a lot to say to her newly discovered "best friend" but, all she can say it that they will meet again.

Lyric:
I'm pretending that I'm used to being alone
But I'm not really that strong

Interpretation:
Notice that Madoka's fate in the finale is an eternity spent alone and though it looks like she's okay with it. Like the lyric she might just be pretending to be... sometimes she might miss companionship...

Lyrics:
Instead of "See you later"
I should've said, "I'll stay for a little longer"
I wanted and hoped that you would realize it
But with the words "See you later"
I lie to myself again
And hide my true feelings beneath my usual smile

Saying, "See you later," I wave my hand
Cracking a smile, yet I'm feeling lonely
The truth is, I still have more to talk about
But even my voice saying, "See you later"
is so near yet far from you that it can't reach you
So let me say this like I always do, just once more
"See you tomorrow"

Interpretation:

And now at this part, I'm wondering if I have yuri goggles at my face because no matter how impartial I'm trying to be for me this song is Madoka to Homura. The "you" is blatantly Homura in the song since she is the only one in the series that Madoka promised to meet in some nebulous timeframe which is not "later", but "tomorrow" - somewhere in the future.

And more reference about the parting in space that perhaps Madoka regretted or wished that instead of saying that they will meet again. She should have stayed longer with Homura now that they can finally have a heart to heart talk since she finally understand where Homura is coming from.

And with the stinger we know that Madoka can talk or be heard by Homura sometimes. Notice this lyric: But even my voice saying, "See you later" is so near yet far from you that it can't reach you. I think that this a blatant reference.

You know, my only problem with the Madoka/Homura pariring is the fact that it seems at times one sided on Homura's side. Though it can't really be faulted since Madoka barely knows Homura. But, if my interpretation is correct post series Madoka returns Homura's affections for her...

I should've said, "I'll stay for a little longer"
I wanted and hoped that you would realize it
But with the words "See you later"
I lie to myself again
And hide my true feelings beneath my usual smile

I bolded that one because it shows that there are affections personal in nature Madoka feels for Homura. Now, whether those affections are platonic in nature or romantic or agape is anyone guess. But after hearing this song... I think whatever the feelings between Homura and Madoka are deep on both sides. In fact, I would call them soul mates on some level considering they're the only one that can understand the other, literally. Only Madoka knows Homura's time shenigans and only Homura knows that Madoka existed and if I understand the ending right continues to fight for Madoka. It makes their dynamic compelling and really beautiful but it also adds another level of tragic. Not that it isn't tragic enough to begin with

[Snork]

well, I have no right to take off your yuri goggles, since I'm wearing them for the most part myself. but while the song may have some hints at Madoka's future state and actions, I find it mildly headscratching that a song positioned as the ending theme for the first two episodes should be sung from the post-series perspective. That would certainly seem like more trolling, albeit relatively harmless.

[coderlan]

When are the character songs will be out?

[Snork]

They may be bundled with other BDs, but there is still no information on what the Special CDs of Vols 3-6 will contain.

[kaigan]

regarding the lyrics interpretation, i am having some minor issues seeing this clearly in madoka's perspective. as the bd-released ed music plays, we are treated with a happy threesome scene of hitomi, madoka, and sayaka - all smiles and carefree.

does madoka really feel that lonely without the company of sayaka and hitomi? probably. it only shows how much she value her friends and she always wants to keep in touch with them as if they were pillars of her emotional stability.

but is she really that alone?

for one, she has a wonderful family - a complete and well-to-do nuclear one. then, where would this loneliness come from? my guess is that madoka's an outgoing person. lacking contact with others brings her unhappiness. so the loneliness might be four years ago, before tatsuya was born. for nearly a decade she's the sole child. she wanted a sibling that she can take care of and play with at home. her affinity to the homeless black cat seems to support this. if this is true, then that loneliness hole had already been filled.

madoka doesn't seem to be a powerful human magnet. but she's not short of good friends. she has hitomi and sayaka as friends and classmates. they walk to school, eat lunch, and always group together. their seating arrangements are also near to each other. is this because of loneliness? the fear of being left alone? probably. but the lyrics of the song doesn't fit well in this situation.

well, i see homura to be more fitting considering we all know how lonely she is. ironically, i actually hope i'm wrong here. but my limited understanding of the lyrics tells otherwise.

firstly, the supposedly madoka's character song's entitled "mata ashita" was mentioned by homura in the drama cd - and she alone. homura said this before parting ways with madoka, just like the suggested scenario in the song.

"Forcing myself to smile, yet I'm feeling lonely" - i don't see a good reason for madoka to force herself to smile. she's genuinely happy with her friends. when she and sayaka parted ways with hitomi in the cafe, in the mall or near the school lockers, there's no hint that she's forcing herself to smile.

but unlike homura, homura has more tendency to feel lonely when parting ways. we don't know of her family, if she even really has one (as she claimed in the drama cd). besides, it is only with madoka that she strongly bonded with, opened up with. homura is like a sponge all thirsty and dried up in the desert of loneliness. she'll likely absord the tiniest droplet of friendship and tresure it for the rest of her life. it's almost painful to be separated with someone who finally understands you even though you know you'll met them again tomorrow. and i think homura is likely to feel this sentimental than anyone else.

"The truth is, I still have more to talk about" - well this could really apply to both girls. for madoka, because she just revealed her secret. maybe she didn't tell everything she knew yet. she maybe wanted to spill out her heart about her new profession or regret about it. but this could apply to homura too. homura has a history of holding back. not only words but also her emotions. so it will be no surprise if she's the one being referred to as lying to herself "I say we'll meet again, but it's a lie."


now for the full lyrics: "I'm pretending that I'm used to being alone" - well, this line fits homura more than madoka. homura was always alone. she has no family, no sayaka, no hitomi, no mami, nobody. madoka on the other hand is surrounded by happiness.

"I'll stay for a little longer"/I wanted and hoped that you would realize it - well, i don't remember madoka holding back at all. if she has something to say, she says it. homura on the other hand, is no stranger in this field. thousands of thoughts are running inside homura's mind.

I lie to myself again/And hide my true feelings beneath my usual smile - guess who is the one hiding her true feelings here? i'm inclined to believe it is more of homura. i'm only uncertain about the "usual smile." homura doesn't smile too often. so i'm not really sure of what is that usual smile. is it a smile of uneasiness? or a polite smile of bidding good byes?


in all fairness, madoka partly mentioned the very first few characters of the song "ja mata ne" to homura in the drama cd.

just like i said above, i hope i'm entirely wrong in my analysis, and i'm not going to stand a defense here, just sharing my insights to why i feel the song is more homu-filled than mado-filled.

then why on earth madoka had to sing it? uhmm... interesting question and i can't answer it myself. maybe another misdirection, just like the archer theory when madoka and homura were supposedly one?

[sa547]

OMG, I approve of this guy's total remix of the OP:
http://maltinerecords.cs8.biz/91.html

[Hagoshod]

Originally Posted by coderlan

When are the character songs will be out?

Madoka's is included with the first BD volume. Sayaka's and Mami's can be heard here:

...

(It's a joke. Sayaka and Cure Berry have the same seiyuu. Mami and Cure Pine have other things in common.)

[Snork]

I wonder if Sayaka's character song is going to be merry or sad...

[sa547]

Lucky fans in LA will soon get a chance to see Kalafina LIVE:
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news...me-expo-in-l.a

F'N A!

[totoum]

Sorry if it's been posted before,but I think I found what they should use as an ED in case they ever make that slice of life spinoff

[Akashin]

For the most part that sounded great; only problem was that my mind kept playing the vocals over the music and, well, they don't go together so well. <_<;

[Liddo-kun]

Here's a simple Madoka Magica game with background music.
It uses background music from the anime, so maybe it's ok to post here.

http://www.geocities.jp/meteosfaulte...omagi_wars.htm

Choose a puella magi, choose a witch / or Kyubey.
a and d keyboard letters are for moving left and right.
Mouse is for shooting.

H.N Elly is the first witch that I fought, it's fun fighting her though I got killed.
Sorry if this game has been posted before (or I posted in wrong place).

[Midonin]

Originally Posted by Hagoshod

It's a joke.

Jokes are a lot less funny when they have to be explained.

[ThereminVox]

Probably the best piano rendition of Connect I've heard so far.

[BaKaBaKaOtaKu]

i can't wait for the OST!!! <3

btw, i love the analyses on madoka's character song although i am more inclined that, despite it being,well, madoka's song, i see it more in homura's perspective.

[BlueWitch]

Technically the first official release of the soundtrack from vol 1 of the madoka DVD, beautiful as expected~ loops around though.

[Shadow5YA]

I did not expect that piece to be Kyubey's song.

[Akashin]

Neither did I; that really caught me off guard, though now that I think about it, it makes sense. Still an awesome piece though.