Madoka Magica - Character Discussion - Akemi Homura

[Fishbait]

Originally Posted by Kazu-kun

Madoka appears as an archer in official and concept artwork, and it's the same with Homura. The truth is that we don't know in either case.

Homura has her bow on the manga cover as well.

[Kazu-kun]

Originally Posted by Fishbait

Homura has her bow on the manga cover as well.

It's true, now that I see it. I wonder why I didn't notice it before.

[Seihai]

When asked why she is always so cold, she answered that she probably is not human anymore. Plus another odd reaction. And maybe add the fact that she mentioned yet again that Madoka should have given up on Sayaka.

Homura didn't want either of them to turn MG. But when Sayaka did, Madoka was supposed to give up on her. It would seem like Homura was able to predict that something along those lines would have happened to Sayaka.

Homura still tried to help her and actually did so several times, but it seems like her safety was only secondary reason, as seen with this episode's repeated cold reaction that Sayaka should be given up on. Her main concern was Madoka.

Now to what I'm getting at. I speculate that Homura used to be quite human, maybe not as much as Madoka, but close to. She told many MGs before about the SG thing but it's just no one ever believed her so there was no further reason why she should have done so this time, plus it's a rare case that your SG takes an over 100 meter distance.

From Homura's view, Madoka should give up on Sayaka because if she doesn't, it will be the moreso painful and bothersome when it turns out that any concern or support for Sayaka was futile in the future. I imagine that Homura relived a similar case. Or it even might be that Homura herself was the cause for the events which happened and which are eventually responsible for why she turned cold. These events caused her persona to be traumatized and in the end she evolved into the cold personality that she is.

Of course her emotions are still intact as we can see from her rare reactions to certain things mentioned, but her facade pretty much turned to stone at this point.

Maybe it's not the best comparison but she reminds me a bit of DTB's Yin. However Yin surely wanted to bring across her emotions, she just couldn't partially due to what she was. And her fate was kinda predetermined.

And there's still something wrong with someone that doesn't smile. Gyaah!

[creb]

Btw, where is Homura getting all her power from? Is she killing off a lot of witches off-screen?

I got the distinct impression from the Mami arc that one's soul gem clouds up pretty fast just by using your power. Homura has been using a lot of power me thinks.

Anyways, just one of those things that could be a detail we shouldn't fret over, or maybe not?

And I'd still love to know what she does with the grief seeds she collects, as I think we can rule out her giving them to Kyuube.

[Kanon]

^She got Charlotte's grief seed not that long ago. It should have been enough to keep her going for a while. We're still in the dark about how often they need to use Grief Seeds.

[Sekirei07]

A friend of mine presented me with the idea that Homura might be from the future. Like her wish was to come into the past. That would seem tangent to explain why QB does not know of her despite being the creator of the MG, as well as what is speculated that she has some kind of time manipulative abilities that could be an bonus of said wish.

The opening also show some hints to the future with Madoka's transformation sequence with what appears to be her future self. I still want to think its speed based, but this idea does fit better in my mind, although I hate to admit it ><

[risingstar3110]

Somehow, i have the feeling that Akemi Homura is the black cat in the OP, and Madoka saved her/ turn her into human. Then later on Akemi return back the time to save Madoka...

[Fishbait]

Originally Posted by Sekirei07

A friend of mine presented me with the idea that Homura might be from the future. <

It's been a very popular theory since episode 1.

Oh and it looks like Homura just confessed doing everything for Madoka's sake....was pretty obvious but hearing herself say that...

[Tenjo_Utena]

After watching episode 8, I'm wondering if

Spoiler for Episode 8:

Homura collapses because she's so emotional, or maybe actually trying telling the full truth to Madoka causes her physical pain?

I'm basically groping for a reason why she just didn't tell everyone everything from the start? I'm going with ... "cannot".

[Vsin]

Whelp...

Spoiler for Theories...:

Homura is confirmed as being from the future.

A couple things I noticed:

- Her Soul Gem is apparently Pink, despite her entire appearance being Black. Compare that to...well, everybody else having the Soul Gem match their colour.
- One Homura theory is that she's the black cat in the OP.
- Kyuubey states that Madoka has the inherent power to defy physics, or in summary do anything. So far, Kyuubey hasn't outright lied and Homura's actions seem to support this claim.
- Personal theory, but something about Homura's breakdown really, REALLY sounded like Madoka.
- Madoka merging with long-haired Madoka in the OP.
- Both Homura and Madoka apparently use a bow (see: official artworks).

So, how about we tie these together?

Homura is the black cat from the OP, but is actually using her timeline's Madoka['s soul gem] for magical power, thereby making her Madoka yet not Madoka. The origin of this theory comes from the first point, which it of itself seems suspicious. The second point would cause Homura's colour scheme to make sense, since everyone is themed after their hair colour (for some reason). The third point justifies Homura's powers, and also justifies the second point because time manipulation is definitely physics-bending and Madoka being able to do anything could also cause a cat to take on human form. The fifth point strongly suggests that it's a merge and not just Madoka doing it all herself, this in turn being supported by the sixth point.

The fourth point is sketchy, but not entirely unfounded. First, keep in mind that she's the only character other than Madoka who's had a breakdown in that style. Also note that Homura REALLY broke down when Madoka called herself worthless. Since there are zero potential yuri partners in Madoka's regular timeline, the only thing that makes sense is for Madoka herself to react to things like that.

Well, assuming at least some of that is true, it begs the question: what happened to Madoka in that timeline?

[SagaraSouske]

How do you explain Madoka's dream and her impression of knowing Homura from somewhere then if she was herself from future using cat body?

[Fishbait]

Originally Posted by Vsin

Whelp...

Spoiler for Theories...:

Homura is confirmed as being from the future.

A couple things I noticed:

- Her Soul Gem is apparently Pink, despite her entire appearance being Black. Compare that to...well, everybody else having the Soul Gem match their colour.
- One Homura theory is that she's the black cat in the OP.
- Kyuubey states that Madoka has the inherent power to defy physics, or in summary do anything. So far, Kyuubey hasn't outright lied and Homura's actions seem to support this claim.
- Personal theory, but something about Homura's breakdown really, REALLY sounded like Madoka.
- Madoka merging with long-haired Madoka in the OP.
- Both Homura and Madoka apparently use a bow (see: official artworks).

So, how about we tie these together?

Homura is the black cat from the OP, but is actually using her timeline's Madoka['s soul gem] for magical power, thereby making her Madoka yet not Madoka. The origin of this theory comes from the first point, which it of itself seems suspicious. The second point would cause Homura's colour scheme to make sense, since everyone is themed after their hair colour (for some reason). The third point justifies Homura's powers, and also justifies the second point because time manipulation is definitely physics-bending and Madoka being able to do anything could also cause a cat to take on human form. The fifth point strongly suggests that it's a merge and not just Madoka doing it all herself, this in turn being supported by the sixth point.

The fourth point is sketchy, but not entirely unfounded. First, keep in mind that she's the only character other than Madoka who's had a breakdown in that style. Also note that Homura REALLY broke down when Madoka called herself worthless. Since there are zero potential yuri partners in Madoka's regular timeline, the only thing that makes sense is for Madoka herself to react to things like that.

Well, assuming at least some of that is true, it begs the question: what happened to Madoka in that timeline?

Yea...no

-Homura's gem is clearly purple.
-Homura getting emotional over Madoka calling her Akemi
-Homura getting emotional over Madoka promising to always remember her
-Madoka getting the impression they knew each other

She shouldn't be doing any of these if she's just some....cat. You didn't even explain who this cat is.

[creb]

Any speculations on what implications the level on Homura's shield might represent?

[Forsaken_Infinity]

Originally Posted by Fishbait

Yea...no

-Homura's gem is clearly purple.
-Homura getting emotional over Madoka calling her Akemi
-Homura getting emotional over Madoka promising to always remember her
-Madoka getting the impression they knew each other

She shouldn't be doing any of these if she's just some....cat. You didn't even explain who this cat is.

Erm.. He suggested it was Madoka from an alternate timeline using the cat as the vessel. That would mean its Madoka, not the cat.

[night_sentinel]

Wow episode 8 just confirmed it ... Homura is a time traveler which in retrospect is really obvious. Many even speculated it from episode 1. Now, the question is who was Homura in the previous timeline...

But, before that allow me to do some maniacal laughter Mwha hahahahahahaha....
I really love it when some speculation proved true... Anyway back to my original question who was Homura?

Spoiler for Homura is Madoka ( The Archer theory):

Homura's main motivation is undoubtedly Madoka. It could be in the previous timeline that Homura regretted being a magical girl so much that she used her haxor powers said by Kyubey to cross time and space to prevent herself from making the contract. This maybe because being a magical girl caused her friends and family suffering. Notice that Homura emphasized that if Madoka loved her family and friends so much she must not change.

This would of course if Madoka=Homura means that Madoka wished herself to be someone else which is how Homura Akemi came to be. In case you haven't noticed, Homura has almost perfect abilities - great academics, sports and beautiful. But, this caused a time reset wherein Madoka is erased from the timeline and Homura Akemi came to be or Homura Akemi became a separate existence and Madoka is retained.

Since Madoka's wish is technically reality warping she has lesser extent reality warping power which when everything went to hell used to distort reality and came back in the past.The first episode dream would be a foreshadowing of the the yet to be shown Walpurgist night in which Homura is successful in making Madoka back out of being MG only for Madoka to wish something to save Homura. This event could be in my opinion if Madoka= Homura yet to happen and have happened.

Now, you are wondering what the hell that meant? It meant that the first episode dream could be what every episode is leading on to, but it could also mean that the episode 1 dream is something that already happened and this is Homura's second reiteration of event and the season right now is the third timeline.

This would explain why Homura is outright dismissive of Madoka's other friends like Sayaka and Mami. She tried to save them in the second reiteration but, failed rather badly. In fact, she might not be close to Mami in the first place. Anyway, assuming that in the second reiteration Sayaka and her other friends treated her suspiciously and only Madoka was friendly with her. She might have grown appreciative of Madoka's personality and wished she could still be that.

Thus, in the third try, due to her time warping or perhaps to Madoka's wish. Homura decides to this time to concentrate on save Madoka only.

In this theory, it would be great irony due to Madoka's low self esteem that when Homura became a different person, she saw how her previous trait are great. Thus, Homura being a selfless (selfish) person decided that she would preserve that and would not like Madoka to make a wish and turn to her( Homura)

Spoiler for Homura is Sayaka theory:

This theory after episode 8 seemed to be widely prevalent. Well, due to Madoka's wish Sayaka was able to turn back to being a magical girl to human being. Which caused time to reset to the beginning of the episode or perhaps further that.

If Sayaka became a normal human being and Madoka being MG and suffered. Sayaka made another wish to Kyuubey and went back in time and became Homura since no two Sayaka Miki can exist at the same time or something.

This would explain the antipathy Homura felt for Mami since she was the one who forcibly dragged Madoka and Sayaka to the mix. It would also explain why Homura
is obsessed in protecting Madoka, the only friend who have not abandoned her.

Technically, this version can apply to any of the magical girls right now - Mami, Kyoko and yes even Homura. But, I chose Sayaka for thematic reasons.

Spoiler for Homura is Kyubey:

Now, you guys are wondering what the hell!!!

But, before that listen. Kyubey is perhaps just a well intentioned extremist or amoral something. After Madoka become a magical girl and then became a witch which is so powerful it caused the end of the world as he knows it. Even if he is that evil, he does not wish for the end of the world and thus to fix it went back in the past.

To be able to stop his past version from contracting since apparently he is hard to kill and even perhaps warning his past self went unheeded since past! Kyuubey could not understand why future Kyuubey would protect the world or let a tasty soul go or something . He took a human form Homura Akemi and well befriended Madoka. Homura became good friends with Madoka and perhaps learned to appreciate her. So for the first time Homura came to care for something than the duty (if your on the well extremist Kyubey camp) or pleasure of eating souls (if youre on the evil camp).

Thus, Homura in the second reiteration tries to do fight the thing alone and not involved Madoka in the fight which backfired when in the dream Homura saw Kyubey (who used that opportunity since future self has gone lax) near Madoka and thus using her haxor powers or Madoka's wish itself caused time to reset at the beginning.

So in the next time line which is the season now. Homura tried to stop Kyuubey from meeting Madoka and actively stop any contract granting.

Spoiler for Homura is Homura theory:

Well. this is technically the simplest explanation.

Homura isn't someone that we know of in the past. Homura is Homura, there is no alternate past self running around. When Homura went in the past she erased that version of her or overwrite it. Or Homura arranged her past self not to meet her future self and Madoka for that matter.

It meant that Homura is someone close to Madoka perhaps taking Sayaka's role. Perhaps in the first timeline, it was Madoka who became a magical girl but Homura seeing her friend suffering decided to free her from the role making a wish about something related to time travel.

Of course there is always that first episode dream which could be the past or the future. If its the past that meant the current season is Homuras third timeline. Madoka wished that everything is alright or that this never happened causing everything to reset again but, since Homura has time power she is not affected. This reset maybe even further back than Homura's wish so instead of Madoka knowing Homura perhaps the wish goes further to before Homura and Madoka met. Homura opted not be close to Madoka so that Madoka would not be in danger and perhaps did some plot tinkering to make future events better. This would of course result in Madoka not knowing Homura in this reiteration.

If its the future it meant irony is going to bite Homura very hard since Madoka will make a wish for her.

Or perhaps there is a loop going on with Homura and Madoka, meaning they keep wishing for each other to not be a magical girl but each time in the Walpurgist night the other would wish for them anyway. Which means their role keep going back and forth each loop. And the dream is both a premonition of the past and what will happen in the future.

Hmm... I think I've covered all the main characters...
But... Errgg.... Homura could also be Madoka's mom, her wiped out of existence childhood friend or older sister.... and even a cat ... who knows....

Anyway, what do you think is more probable? Place your bets before the final ep.

[Forsaken_Infinity]

I am going with "Homura is Madoka and there is a time loop where Homura and Madoka keep trying to save each other."

QB's intention is to simply keep growing as many witches as he can. He doesn't think, he is literally an incubator that serves only that purpose.

[Hmm....]

Originally Posted by Fishbait

Yea...no

-Homura's gem is clearly purple.
-Homura getting emotional over Madoka calling her Akemi
-Homura getting emotional over Madoka promising to always remember her
-Madoka getting the impression they knew each other

She shouldn't be doing any of these if she's just some....cat. You didn't even explain who this cat is.

It is simple........ because Homura is MADOKA'S cat. A stray that Madoka saved is probable. Madoka is the one gave her the name. She is indeed a cute little stalker who follow Madoka around, gaining all knowledge of Madoka's school layout, her friends and secrets only veteran MG will know. Can you see many human being willing to sacrifice herself for other like Madoka ? What about a mere cat that own Madoka her life ?? The human Akemi Homura we see is just a vessel. That's why QB/Kyouko/etc. didn't notice her at first. They knew her only as a cat. There may be a memory wipe involve but I doubt it's mass one. The one that effect Madoka only should be plenty. This theory also doesn't need any complicated time traveling or altenative plane which risk more paradox and inconsistance that need even more explaination.

But since it's confirmed that Homura has time manipulation ability (not that she come from the future), I sure hope it's related to something better than a usual I-come-from-the-future-to-fix-it-all.

[applejuice]

New Megami cover. However, you can see something very interesting about it. Beside Homura, you have Kuroneko.

[MeoTwister5]

If I had that in my country, I'd be in 10-20 years and the general spite of society.

[estdesoda]

Originally Posted by applejuice

New Megami cover. However, you can see something very interesting about it. Beside Homura, you have Kuroneko.

Ah, I am 9 minutes too late in posting up this picture...

Big bonus for the cat theory, I guess?