->''"You're cute, but I won't let you become popular with the guys. You're going to be my wife!"''
-->--Sayaka Miki declaring Madoka to be her waifu in Episode 1

''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'', an angsty MagicalGirl show with an ImprobablyFemaleCast, has quite blatant homosexual implications (some even call it "Miserable Lesbians: The Anime"). The show was ranked as the best {{Yuri}} anime in Japan, beating even ''[[KannazukiNoMiko Kannazuki no Miko]]''. Go figure. It even has [[http://wiki.puella-magi.net/Yuri_undertones its own page]] on the Puella wiki ([[TVTropesInOtherWikis which links back to this page]]).

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[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder:Homura x Madoka]]
The most important couple, borderline canon.
* This couple was shipped even before the anime was aired because of their promotional art.
** Followed by plenty of [[http://wiki.puella-magi.net/Puella_Magi_Madoka_Magica_Official_Guidebook_%22You_Are_Not_Alone%22#Prior_Illustrations official arts]] of these two hugging, dancing, holding hands lying on grass, Madoka looking at Homura in locker room, playing piano and singing together, building sand castle at the beach.
** [[http://wiki.puella-magi.net/Animage_2011-03 Madoka blushing, holding a Valentine chocolate courtesy of Homura, who was also blushing, shyly glancing at each other]]. The short message on Valentine card is very Homura-like. No need to say that fans went wild after seeing this image.
** The cover of official Guidebook featured [[http://wiki.puella-magi.net/File:Front_cover_homumado_-_you_are_not_alone.jpg Madoka and Homura facing each other, smiling with slight blushes, while having]] IntertwinedFingers. Once again canon art fiercely fueled fans' love for the couple.
** [[http://images.puella-magi.net/d/dc/MadoHomu_Lily_megami_improved_scan.jpg At what point]] does it officially stop being subtext? Because if we're not already there...
** That's a good question, given that for Valentine's Day [[http://wiki.puella-magi.net/Mobage_Madoka_Magica_Mobile_Game the mobile game released a short comic]] in which Homura gives Madoka chocolates claiming that she is her 'most precious person', and Madoka accepts them, saying that she also likes/loves (the word used is 'daisuki') Homura a lot. Hmm.
* Homura's fixation on Madoka is infamous, not only in the anime but also portrayed in Oriko Magica manga, in Drama CD 1 'Memories of You', and Drama CD 2 'Sunny Day Life'.
** She verbally admits to not giving a fuck about anyone who is not Kaname Madoka (Episode 8).
* Since Homura keeps very close eyes on Madoka, always being in time to save her, it's no surprise that many think of her as a [[MemeticMolester stalker]].
** Combined with her [[spoiler: time stop]] power, [[http://danbooru.donmai.us/pool/show/3171 Perverted Homura]] has become a popular fanon interpretation.
* Homura threatens to kill Sayaka - and has real intent to do so - if the latter continues making Madoka sad.
* Homura practically confessed to Madoka twice.
** In Episode 8, she confronted Madoka right after saving the latter.
** In Episode 11 we see another confession as well as a long, desperate hug. [[http://wiki.puella-magi.net/Yuri_undertones The talk was heartfelt and heartbreaking]].
* In Episode 10, the truth is laid out on why and to what extent Homura cares about Madoka. [[spoiler: She became a Magical Girl in the first place for the chance to change history and keep her alive. It only gets slashier from there; possibly the best non-angsty moment (er, overly-narrow-superlative, sorry) is the way Homura blushes when Madoka glomps her.]]
** Homura's backstory: [[spoiler: she's been enduring a [[BreakTheCutie brutal and depressing]] GroundhogDayLoop, watching her friends [[KillEmAll die horribly]] over and over again, [[YouAreWorthHell all in the hope]] that she might be able to [[AlwaysSaveTheGirl save Madoka's life]].]]
** And a bonus Faustian reference: [[spoiler: Madoka's witch name is Gretchen, the same name as Faust's lover. And since Homura is Faust in this series...]]
* In the season finale, [[http://images.puella-magi.net/b/b2/Yuri_evidence_madoka.jpg Madoka and Homura having naked hugs.]] Which is also a [[http://i.imgur.com/aV6f8.jpg clear reference to the iconic shot]] from [[KannazukiNoMiko Kannazuki no Miko]]. And then [[spoiler: after Madoka gets erased from existence, Homura wears Madoka's [[RedStringOfFate red hair ribbons]] in remembrance of her.]]
** The [[spoiler:ribbons]] may be a shout out to LyricalNanoha, seeing as to how Nanoha and Fate are another infamously popular couple in anime fandom with waterfalls of subtext.
** Remember [[spoiler:Madoka telling Homura that she will always be with her]]? Fans have used this to ''invert'' the Stalker Homura meme, by having [[spoiler: Madokami stalking Homura with her omnipotence]].
** The naked space hugging scene is, if possible, more blatant on the [=DVDs=]. How? They took out the sparkles.
* The entire Homura x Madoka bond is cast ''more'' romantically in the manga. After she heard of the dream Madoka had, Sayaka's mental image of them casts them as lovers.
** It's got even worse. Remember in episode 12, when Madoka finally left Homura after giving her her ribbon? In the manga, [[spoiler:''she [[ImTakingHerHomeWithMe takes Homura with her]]'' into godhood.]]
* Even ancillary material most of the casual audience won't see is permeated with LesYay.
** In the Anicom magazine's 100 Questions, Madoka answers "Is there a boy you're thinking about?" by talking about how much mischief her little brother gets into. Then she describes her ideal husband as someone like her ''mother''. In the PSP game, Junko mentions that Homura acts just like she did at that age.
** Visitors to the Movic Madoka Magica exhibit got to hear Madoka gushing about how pretty Homura's hair is, and Kyubey telling Homura how Madoka thinks she'd look cute in glasses. Homura apparently goes red upon hearing this.
* During the PSP game, Madoka gets so attached to Moemura it can actually make ''her'' uncomfortable. Even after Homura drops the glasses and starts distancing herself, she can't stop Madoka from [[http://images.puella-magi.net/4/4e/Madoka_Portable_-_Madoka_invites_Homura_for_dinner_English_translation.png?20120419141651 taking her home to meet her parents,]] who are quick to mention she's all Madoka talks about recently. Fish, meet barrel.
* It even shows up in [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzNEQ3RPP_g the English dub bloopers]]. Skip to 4:00.
* The first TV spot for the upcoming movies? About 27 seconds of what looks like existing footage...[[http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mbyry1bns91ryuba0.gif and 3 seconds of Madoka and Homura nuzzling]]. This adorable sequence is also present in the opening of the first [[CompilationMovie compilation movie]].
* The same opening also features Madoka and Homura in white dresses, lying in what seems to be water, reaching for each other’s hands with smiles on their faces.
* The "Madoka's ribbons = RedStringOfFate" thing just got [[http://wiki.puella-magi.net/File:MegamiSpecialBook2012.jpg even less subtle.]]
* In a spin-off manga based on the Drama [=CDs=], the ''second page'' features Homura wondering if, in order to appeal to the [[YuriFan fanbase]], they shouldn't make the whole manga into a [[RomanticComedy rom-com]] starring Homura and Madoka. It even comes complete with a cute little comic about Homura coming home from work to her darling wife Madoka, who asks if she wants to have a bath or dinner, and Homura responding that she wants ''her''. And then there's a little picture of the Naked Lesbian Space Hug. [[http://mangafox.me/manga/mahou_shoujo_madoka_magica_the_different_story/v01/c001/3.html See for yourself.]]
* Homura x Madoka inspired GenUrobuchi - ''[[KillEmAll Gen]] [[DownerEnding Urobuchi]]'' - to write a happy ending (albeit a [[EarnYourHappyEnding well-earned one]]). [[ThePowerOfLove That's as real as real gets]].
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Kyouko x Sayaka]]
The second pairing has a different flavor compared to the main couple.
* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnIjyGqvrUc The shadow play]] in Ep 9 is very suggestive, properly a ShoutOut to ''RevolutionaryGirlUtena''.
** The manga replaced the shadow play with a scene [[http://www.mangareader.net/mahou-shoujo-madoka-magica/9/38 somewhere in their afterlife.]]
* [[spoiler: Kyoko's death has all the hallmarks of the tragic end often associated with GirlsLove: HeroicSacrifice, TogetherInDeath, GoOutWithASmile]].
* Taken UpToEleven is their ImageSong duet [[http://wiki.puella-magi.net/And_I%27m_Home 'And I'm Home']] as [[http://youtu.be/ns47E-2BGRk ending theme for Episode 9]], included in [[http://wiki.puella-magi.net/Products#Blu-Ray_Discs BD volume 5]].
** [[http://wiki.puella-magi.net/File:Kyosaya_i%27m_home_pose_and_knm_pose.jpg The background image]] was compared with that iconic shot from KannazukiNoMiko.
* The mobile game includes a New Year's special with the cast visiting a shrine and picking [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omikuji omikuji]]. Everyone's fortune looks good...except Sayaka's, which says "the person you're waiting for won't come". Kyoko, trying to cheer her up, promises that she'll stay with her.
* The PSP game adds more. In both Sayaka's and Homura's route, it's possible to prevent Sayaka's transformation into Oktavia. In Sayaka's route, this involves Kyoko comforting her after they learn the truth about soul gems. In Homura's route, it requires taking Kyoko to talk with her after the freak out - Kyoko is the ''only'' one who can get through to her. Not her childhood best friend, not her sempai, Kyoko.
** A more light-hearted event: in the True Ending of Madoka Portable, Kyouko expresses jealousy when Sayaka comments on how perfect Mami is, and how she'd like to marry someone like her. Kyouko tells Sayaka it's not her fault that she's sloppy. When Sayaka asks why she's mad, Kyouko denies it in a tsundere fashion.
** A less lighthearted event: You know how Kyouko has gone through complete and utter crap, yet still manages to stay human? Well, if Homura kills Oktavia before Kyouko and Madoka can attempt to save her, Kyouko realizes that there is no hope in the world, and those that ''do'' hope are only naive idiots like herself. [[spoiler:And then she turns into a witch. That's right. It wasn't any of the aforementioned crap she went through that did it, it was someone who she knew for less than a month.]]
* [[http://danbooru.donmai.us/post/show/900865/2girls-bed-blush-comic-mahou_shoujo_madoka_magica- Why limit it to only Sayaka herself?]]
** [[http://safebooru.org/index.php?page=post&s=view&id=799270 Or Kyouko, for that matter?]]
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Mami x Madoka]]
This pairing was the largest ship before Homura's story was revealed.
* While Mami met and recruited both Madoka and Sayaka at the same time, she was obviously more taken to Madoka.
* Shipping fully fueled by Madoka's YouAreNotAlone speech to Mami, and the latter's euphoria when Madoka agreed to be by her side (Episode 3).
* Also, in the first timeline, these two were the main magical pair against the witches.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Mami x Kyouko]]
Back when the series began, [[http://wiki.puella-magi.net/Yuri_undertones#Mami_and_Kyoko Mami x Kyouko]] was considered to be a case of ShipsThatPassInTheNight at best, due to the fact that they barely had any interaction with each other in the anime. ''And then'' came the 3rd Drama CD, ''Farewell Story'', which revealed that Mami and Kyouko used to be quite close before the anime's events.
* Kyouko even took Mami home to meet her family!
* [[http://wiki.puella-magi.net/File:Hilarious_purn_or_hidden_message.jpg There's this delightful double message]], which can mean something else if translated differently.
* [[http://wiki.puella-magi.net/Drama_CD_3 As Drama CD 3 shows]], there are many many hints of this ship:
** In the Drama CD ''"[[http://wiki.puella-magi.net/Drama_CD_2 Sunny Day Life]]"'', the only reason Kyoko comes to Mami's apartment is because she is serving cake. ''Oh Mami, seducing young inexperienced girls with cake.''
** In the manga adaptation of the Drama CD, [[http://mangafox.me/manga/mahou_shoujo_madoka_magica_the_different_story/v01/c001/38.html we get this cute scene]] of Young Kyouko and Mami [[IndirectKiss sharing a Grief Seed]], [[http://mangafox.me/manga/mahou_shoujo_madoka_magica_the_different_story/v01/c001/40.html and then]] [[ImTakingHerHomeWithMe she takes Kyouko home]] to share a cake she baked. [[http://mangafox.me/manga/mahou_shoujo_madoka_magica_the_different_story/v01/c002/1.html The next day,]] her classmate thinks that her good mood is because she got someone ''special'' to spend time with, [[http://mangafox.me/manga/mahou_shoujo_madoka_magica_the_different_story/v01/c002/2.html and Mami confirms]] that it is ''more than a mere friendship'', [[http://mangafox.me/manga/mahou_shoujo_madoka_magica_the_different_story/v01/c002/3.html which is taken as her getting a fiance]]. Oh my.
* "The Different Story" is pure fuel to this ship.[[spoiler: Kyouko practically forfeits her chance to survive for Mami. In this timeline she sacrifices herserlf for Mami instead of doing so for Sayaka.]]
* [[spoiler: And if you look for it, you can even have a tragic love triangle between [[http://mangafox.me/manga/mahou_shoujo_madoka_magica_the_different_story/v03/c012/49.html Kyouko, Mami and Sayaka.]]]]
** [[spoiler: Sayaka had developed a relationship with Mami that mirrored the previous one that Mami had with Kyouko. That also ended with Sayaka "abandoning" Mami.]]
** [[spoiler: When Candeloro tempted Mami we see familiars that resemble [[http://mangafox.me/manga/mahou_shoujo_madoka_magica_the_different_story/v03/c010/41.html Kyouko and Sayaka.]]]]
** [[spoiler: Mami was intending to die with Sayaka, before Kyouko stopped her.]]
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Madoka x Sayaka]]
Not a popular pairing but some fans do ship them.
* In Episode 1, Sayaka say to Madoka "I'll make you my bride!". Of course the scene is only a joke between friends.
* [[MistakenForGay Misundertanding]] in episode 2:
--> '''Hitomi:''' You mean you can understand each other just by gazing into each other's eyes already?! Ah! I can't believe you went that far in just one day! What did you two even do last night?!
--> '''Sayaka:''' It's not really...
--> '''Madoka:''' Well, a lot happened, but...
--> '''Hitomi:''' Two girls can't do that! That's forbidden looove! (runs off)
** Hitomi's playful act had become rather famous because of its humour and the irony that this show is full of implied "forbidden" romance.
* During Mami's route in the PSP game, Sayaka gets so distracted by Madoka and Moemura's womance she starts ignoring her actual love interest.
* Sayaka's righteous nature stems from her constantly protecting the ever-timid Madoka. Madoka's self-sacrificing nature comes from her guilt caused by Sayaka constantly protecting her. Try pondering on that a bit.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Homura x Hitomi]]
* Some might consider this ship as pure as crack can be, but in VideoGame/PuellaMagiMadokaMagicaPortable [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_140870&feature=iv&src_vid=SBDXF6tMFpM&v=OiPFnjSEs8s you get a CG of Homura comforting a heartbroken Hitomi]] when Hitomi lost a duel to Sayaka over Kyosuke. After that she's [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_332477&feature=iv&src_vid=j6ZdKVtQyGo&v=8UPG-lnbaLk unusually]] [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_357458&feature=iv&src_vid=I2RUK3B66Ks&v=v2lEldXp9hk attached]] to Homura. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUFgu-ol62g&feature=relmfu Even before that Hitomi went on how beautiful Homura was]] when talking to Sayaka and Madoka, what makes Sayaka ask if she "swings that way", to which Hitomi [[SuspiciouslySpecificDenial denies]] but ''admits'' being "a little interested".
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Relevant information]]
* Gen Urobuchi (series writer) said in an Madoka Magica interview (see [[http://wiki.puella-magi.net/Shinjidai_no_Mixture_Magazine_BLACK_PAST Black Past]]) that he believes in same-sex relationships, and that they are not different than any man-woman relationship. He also said that if he wanted, he could write a BL story next.
** One of his other works, ''Literature/FateZero'', features its own level of HoYay, between both male and female pairs.
* In another interview, Gen revealed Madoka Magica was started and revolved around the concept "where Homura saves Madoka". Yuri is the pivotal idea of the franchise!
* UmeAoki (original character designer) and Hanokage (manga adaptation artist) ship Homu/Mado and Kyou/Saya.
** Following the ''Different Story'' manga, Hanokage suggests [[http://mangafox.me/manga/mahou_shoujo_madoka_magica_the_different_story/v03/c012/49.html this]] {{OT3}} could inspire 'infinite possibilities'.
* A Madoka Magica staffer created [[http://wiki.puella-magi.net/File:Sayaka_kyouko_spinoff.jpg this]] [[http://wiki.puella-magi.net/File:Kyoko_sayaka_more_spinoff_ova.jpg strip]] [[http://wiki.puella-magi.net/File:Sayaka_kyouko_pocky_game_Nitroplus.jpg for Kyou/Saya.]]
[[/folder]]