Mami’s death came out of left field. She was advertized in the promos, had a strong presence as a main character, and, well, the yuri. I sat there shocked, all through Homura’s win and I felt the tears and the pain of Madoka and Sayaka through the end credits. At this moment, I cannot remember the last thing that hit me with a ton of brick proportion.
So it was that I understood Madoka’s lament in the next episode. How could she not be so sad, so scared, so confused. How could she not turn to Homura, the veteran, for guidance. Being a magical girl was supposed to be her saving grace from her normal, uncharacteristic life. And now, death was an all too prominent thing. She can’t, won’t become one, and this fact hurts her.
The one person funeral Madoka had in Mami's apartment brought me to tears.
Which brings me to the righteous Sayaka. Her love is spiraling down, fading from her grasp. The pain of his that she shares is tearing her apart. The only answer she knows sits, ever smiling, in the shadow of the twilight sky. Something that was very much needed, a action that had an immediate use.
Hitomi, a friend who is now much more a side character, not only in the story but the girls’ lives as well, gets involved with a witch and drags the frightened Madoka with her. The witch ensnares Madoka and puts on display her shame, her lament of her failure to be able to do anything to help Mami, to achieve her wish.
Sayaka flies in, justice her sword and friendship her armor, and saves Madoka. Much to the disdain of Homura.
At this point, it is the characters that get the focus.
Sayaka, new to the game and believing she has no regrets, steps shakingly out into the world. Getting bits of starter help from Kyubee, she feels it’s time to go hunting. Sadly a certain burning flame wants otherwise. The fire that is Kyoko plunges into the story with greed and selfishness. The town is a great hunting ground and she thinks Sayaka in undeserving. Maybe so. At least that’s what Homura thinks.
Sayaka wants to be Mami’s replacement, saving people even if it costs her what it cost Mami. She believes in the good of humanity and wants to protect it. So, even when she begins to see that her love may very well be one sided, she hopes that her righteousness will overcome. That is, if Kyoko’s fire doesn’t burn her down.
