(L) Oriko Magica (Spinoff manga series)

[Xacual]

After reading chapters 2 and 3. Wow I was surprised by some unexpected events. Homura was kind of scary though.

[Witched]

So depressing it isn't a Prequel.
Everything would make more sense as a Prequel than a Spin-Off.
Looks like Madoka is friends with them and Homuhomu.

[Solace]

I think the problem with a prequel at this point is that due to Homura's time traveling, we can pretty much guess what is going to happen except for back stories and alternate time lines. While it might be nice to see the lives of the anime cast before they became Magical Girls, I'm not sure it would make for a terribly interesting story except for fan curiosity.

Pretty much all the writers can do now is create more stories of various Homura time loops, side stories like Kazumi, and making a sequel to the anime. Of course, the problem with Kazumi atm is that it's difficult to say if it is even canon or not. For now all we can tell is that it is "loosely based" on the Madoka Magica universe as it existed prior to Madoka's wish, but even that is complicated thanks to Jyubey.

Anyway, speaking as a fan, side stories and such are fun, but I'd rather just see a direct sequel to the anime.

[Witched]

Would be good if it was about a whole new character who becomes the next Yuma, loving Homura and stuff. Then it's going to be another series of time travelling and such endlessly, haha.
I wonder what happened to Yuma after Madoka wished for anyways...

[Dark Wing]

Originally Posted by Shadow5YA

By the way, is this series completed in just two volumes, or is it just that there are only two volumes out right now?

Well when this series was first announced it had been stated that it would be two volumes long however since the release dates for volumes 1 and 2 had been pushed back who knows what idea changes may have occurred during that time frame and with the way this manga is selling it would be crazy not to try and capitalize on it as much as possible.

[Used Can]

I don't think the Japanese use the word spin-off in the same way we do. For example, To Love-Ru Darkness was said to be a spin-off. However, it is a sequel. I've seen other cases in which they've used the word spin-off to mean prequels and sequel. And, well, in the case of Oriko, there was one synopsis saying that was an old timeline.

Now, how are they going to tie this to the anime plot? Who knows? We never saw Oriko nor Kirika in any of the timelines in ep10, and this manga is taking place after the school period started. Of course, for all we know, this could be just an alternate universe type of story.

[Cosmic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Solace

Social services? Even in countries like America they have difficult, if not often impossible, jobs. Dealing with the legal red tape is a nightmare, and it's not always a simple matter of "clear case of abuse, take child into custody". And for added insult to injury, the new home the child ends up at may not be any better.

It's sad, and cruel, but life is fucked up like that. Just think of the irony here...Yuma has incredible despair/karma built up. She's going to be one hell of a Witch.

I'm left wondering if Walpurgis even factors into this time loop at all. We never see what scares the crap out of Oriko, but it's possible she doesn't make the connection between the Witch leveling the city and what happens if Yuma's incredible potential for beating that Witch results in something even worse (shades of Gretchen). I feel like we're going to watch a self fulfilling prophecy happen.

Well it is a cloud of black tendril like things.....similar to Kriemhild's....besides, she saw WN and while stunned, wasn't exactly like "ARRRGGHHH GODS MY EYEEEESSSSS!!!" like a few moments later...

I'm expecting Homura to jump in the next chapter...kick ass and take names before resetting this timeline....again...

[Snork]

Social services? Even in countries like America they have difficult, if not often impossible, jobs. Dealing with the legal red tape is a nightmare, and it's not always a simple matter of "clear case of abuse, take child into custody". And for added insult to injury, the new home the child ends up at may not be any better.

Yeah, I know about that. And I'm sure Urobuchi does, too. That's his usual way of playing out the worst scenario cases.

besides, she saw WN and while stunned

she didn't even look that stunned to me, just sad and determined. Really, I can't wait to see her story... and can't help sympathizing for her since the beginning, despite all her gambits.

[Liddo-kun]

Really enjoyed reading the manga.

Spoiler for Chapter 3:

Was surprised that a little girl could make Mami cry.

And Homura seems to have the same personality that she has in the anime.

[Snork]

So it's two weeks until Vol 2.

Spoiler for Points I'm wondering about:

1. Will Mami survive? It actually seems rather likely, especially as a way to drag Homura into the fray (not the first time she pulls off a Big Damn Heroes moment, and Kirika's speed is rather useless against her). Of course, seeing as it's a past timeline, everyone is bound to die anyway (unless Madoka dies before them, effectively finishing this timeline), and if it's timeline 4, they're GUARANTEED to die seeing as Homura was taking on WN by herself.

2. Is Kyuubey aware of Oriko's plans? It's extremely odd that he may not know the culprit behind magical girl hunting, but then again, he said so outright, and direct lies are not his usual MO. Besides, I wonder if Madoka's happy uninvolvement is the result of him switching his attention to Yuma or of Homura drawing out a gun every time he appears.

3. How exactly does Kirika kill magical girls? It's not clear if Oriko is aware of Soul Gems' nature (even knowing about the witchhood issue doesn't necessarily reveal this particular detail, and Kyuubey is not the one to enlighten her deliberately. It's not even clear if Oriko has learnt of witches' origins at all), and with the soul gem intact, the girls are nowhere near dead. Of course, the healing process may be triggered automatically and consume all the powers... but that would only produce witches, which I can't really fit into Oriko's reasoning yet. And if Kirika does destroy Soul Gems, there's no way Mami would get a clue from one of the victims (the latter would obviously not be able to talk with her soul taken away).

Plus the usual questions like "what timeline is it", "how come these events don't seem to happen in other timelines", "what the heck is Oriko planning" and "what will happen to Yuma".

[Used Can]

I'm still rooting for a twist, chances are nil there'll be one, but I'd love for there to be a seriously flabbergasting twist at the end.

[wavehawk]

The way I'm reading it so far, it's probable this is timeline 4--or at least the timeline just before the TV series---if we assume it's follwing that.

[Snork]

I'm still rooting for a twist, chances are nil there'll be one, but I'd love for there to be a seriously flabbergasting twist at the end.

chances are nil? dunno, the only point we can foretell is that this timeline will get reset, too (and that it means Madoka WILL die/become a witch, regardless of whether the manga shows it or not). Everything else is not that obvious. I'm really curious so far.

EDIT: just dug up an interesting thought at /a/. If the threat Oriko foresaw in her vision and freaked out at was Gretchen wrecking havoc upon this world... then it IS timeline 4. And since Madoka only grows stronger progressively, it means Gretchen (existing or potential) was weaker in previous timelines, meaning Oriko didn't have to make a fuss about it. And that's why the whole issue didn't surface before.

[Jimmy C]

But, even in her first appearance in timeline 2, Gretchen was already worse than Walpurgis.

[GDB]

Originally Posted by Snork

just dug up an interesting thought at /a/. If the threat Oriko foresaw in her vision and freaked out at was Gretchen wrecking havoc upon this world... then it IS timeline 4. And since Madoka only grows stronger progressively, it means Gretchen (existing or potential) was weaker in previous timelines, meaning Oriko didn't have to make a fuss about it. And that's why the whole issue didn't surface before.

Doesn't explain what happened to her in timeline 5 though, unless the last page or so of the series shows timeline 5 and Homura dealing with the problem before it starts.

Originally Posted by Jimmy C

But, even in her first appearance in timeline 2, Gretchen was already worse than Walpurgis.

But if she were just considered a city or state/country-level threat, then it wouldn't be as bad as timeline 4's Gretchen who was a global threat.

[Snork]

And timeline 5's Gretchen was a universal threat... But in TL4 Gretchen was a force nobody could stop. In TL5, she was destroyed right after being born. If Oriko foresaw that, there would be no need for her to act up either.

[Snork]

Volume 2 preview

Spoiler for I continue to...:

keep my fingers crossed for Mami... she's doing rather well against such an opponent.

[Liddo-kun]

Spoiler for Volume 2 preview:

I wonder how the witch barrier is still up? The cat witch is dead already..
Mami is really in danger of dying, I hope someone comes to help her and fast.

[Snork]

Spoiler for @Liddo-kun:

maybe keping barriers up has something to do with Kirika's powers? Or maybe the witch is not quite dead yet... not sure which option is worse.

[Used Can]

I couldn't keep my eyes off the panel with Mami's injured leg.