History NightmareFuel / PuellaMagiMadokaMagica

** Izabel (who resembles the [[GayParee Arc de Triomphe]]), is an "artist" whose minions resemble Picasso paintings come to life. When a hapless human stumbles into her barrier, [[BodyHorror they tear his/her body to pieces]] ''[[BodyHorror and incorporate the bits within themselves]]''.

* The Witches and their Familiars, of course. It would be easy to just say "all of them", but since this is the NF page, we might as well describe in detail how they're scary, just like we described how the characters are Woobies in TheWoobie page. The fact that many of them are animated in UncannyValley-riffic [[MediumBlending cut-and-paste]] animation courtesy of Gekidan Inu Curry (the graphic studio that animated ''SayonaraZetubouSensei'''s [[WhatDoYouMeanItWasntMadeOnDrugs trippier]] [[DerangedAnimation sequences]] have helped earn this anime a seat in Japan's NightmareFuel Hall of Fame.
** The Anthonies are pictured above and described under the entry for Episode 1. Their mistress Gertrud is not much better, looking like a butterfly with a [[MediumBlending cut-and-paste]] rosebush for a head. Also, after they've sucked the life out of their human victims, they use their bodies to fertilize Gertrud's precious rose garden (a theme we shall be revisiting).

** Albertine (seen only in the video game) resembles a CreepyDoll. Her familiar Anja is a living childish scribble.

*** [[spoiler: Which creates a horrifying suspicion in this troper's mind -- did the ending ''actually happen''? Or is it just Madoka the Witch at work?]]

Considering the [[{{Nitroplus}} pedi]][[StudioShaft grees]] behind ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'', some creep factors are to be expected. However, the sheer level of NightmareFuel to be found in the series's life has been rather terrifying. Do NOT be fooled by UmeAoki's TastesLikeDiabetes [[ArtStyleDissonance character design]], this show is basically "''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'' [[XMeetsY with]] {{Magical Girl}}s; a TearJerker with tears made of pure NightmareFuel. [[RunningGag Yeah, it's that kind of show.]]

* Episode 4 feature Madoka being drawn into a witch's barrier...by being torn apart and drawn into the barrier piece by piece through several monitors before being reconstituted within. If that wasn't enough, the witch/familiar preys on Madoka by [[spoiler:playing on her grief, replaying Mami's death over and over]] to convince her to give up as she's nearly stretched and torn apart for good. Lovely little BodyHorror there. Although, for a change, all of these horrors are strangely absent from the manga.

* In episode seven, Sayaka is informed by Hitomi that she, too, has feelings for Kyosuke and plans to confess the next day. After she has a good cry about it, Sayaka takes out her frustration on a Witch...[[FridgeHorror whose silhouette makes her look vaguely like Hitomi.]] ([[HopeSpot Fortunately, it's NOT her]]), [[UnstoppableRage Sayaka just keeps beating the Witch with a ferocity that has never been seen before]], [[LaughingMad laughing maniacally all the while.]] Much like [[spoiler:Mami's death]], this is ''also'' worse in the [[http://www.mangareader.net/mahou-shoujo-madoka-magica/7/31 manga]].

* At the beginning of the episode, Kyubey was torturing Sayaka and then pushing her towards the berserker rage she uses to attack Elsa Maria. That much cruelty to someone who's that vulnerable is unbelievably repulsive. This is even worse when you remember that she is only ''14 years old''. We are talking a fourteen year being subjected to the pain of ''impalement.'' Some would still get shivers watching the scene where Sayaka crumbles down to the floor gasping for breath while Kyubey sits there smiling as though the whole thing was no big deal.

** And her idea of "mercy" is strongly rumored to be something like [[Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion Instrumentality]] or even worse, a [[Film/TheMatrix Matrix]]-style LotusEaterMachine. Yeah, worldwide happiness is just ''so'' much easier once you remove that pesky "individuality" thing, right? [[FridgeHorror Perhaps it's not such a big step from]] a WideEyedOptimist who just wants people to be happy to OmnicidalManiac.
*** [[spoiler: Which creates a horrifying suspicion in this troper's mind - did the ending ''actually happen''? Or is it just Madoka the Witch at work?]]

* Episode 12 was mostly just [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome awesome.]] However, [[spoiler: that universe ending witch Madoka was unbelievably unsettling. Just...that enormous EldritchAbomination with two halves of a face? Completely engulfing the earth? Dear ''[[http://wiki.puella-magi.net/File:Madoka_the_Ultimate_Witch.jpg Christ.]]'']]. [[BigOMG OH MY LORD]]!!! Yes, that ''thing'' [[spoiler:is Kriemhild Gretchen, the witch form of our adorable protagonist.]][[spoiler:Every new timeline]] sees her [[spoiler:absorb all the magical energy of the previous universes that Homura has went through,]] meaning that each time, [[spoiler: Kriemhild Gretchen]] is bigger and stronger -- way beyond [[spoiler: Walpurgisnacht]] could ever hope to be. And there have been [[spoiler: at least 10 timelines]], although [[spoiler: only 2 versions of Kriemhild Gretchen were seen prior to this.]] And the wish that created that ... '''thing''' was [[spoiler: infinitely stronger than any other wish, powered by 10+ universes worth of magical potential.]] There's a reason that version of [[spoiler: Kriemhild Gretchen]] is using ''celestial objects'' for ''eyes.''

* [[spoiler: Madoka in the middle of her transformation into Kriemhild Gretchen]] in the PSP version is certainly [[http://images.puella-magi.net/a/a4/Gretchen_in_PSP_Game_Kyoko_Route.jpg?20120324101542 creepy]], if not terrifying. Just from the way it looks like the grief seed is splitting [[spoiler: Madoka]]'s body in half, and the silhouette of [[spoiler: what used to be Madoka]]... -shudder
** Also in the PSP game, there's an event that happens if [[spoiler:Charlotte eats Sayaka's Soul Gem and Madoka and Homura, being inexperienced, can't find Charlotte's barrier.]] We learned in Episode 6 that [[spoiler: Soul Gems are [[SoulJar Soul Jars]], and the body is useless without it.]] Add that to the fact that [[spoiler: Magical Girls die when they lose contact with their Soul Gems for 2 days,]] and that's pretty creepy on it's own. But, no, they had to make it ''[[UpToEleven even creepier]]'' by adding that [[spoiler:when a Magical Girl loses contact with her soul gem, she starts to '''decompose'''.]] [[spoiler:Luckily, Kyouko kills Charlotte before Sayaka dies. Happy ending right? '''Wrong'''. Sayaka's body had started decomposing already, before her Soul Gem came back. So she wakes up, unaware of what she looks like, and just happens to meet Kyousuke. Who '''FREAKS. OUT.''']] [[DespairEventHorizon You can guess what happens next.]]

Considering the [[{{Nitroplus}} pedi]][[{{StudioShaft}} grees]] behind ''PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'', some creep factors are to be expected. However, the sheer level of NightmareFuel to be found in the series's life has been rather terrifying. Do NOT be fooled by UmeAoki's TastesLikeDiabetes [[ArtStyleDissonance character design]], this show is basically "''NeonGenesisEvangelion'' [[XMeetsY with]] {{Magical Girl}}s; a TearJerker with tears made of pure NightmareFuel. [[RunningGag Yeah, it's that kind of show.]]

** The whole mob of Anthonies chants in synch, like they're reciting a poem they've all memorized. But the German translates to a back-and-forth discussion between at least two people. Eerie.

** To elaborate: [[spoiler:Madoka, now Kriemhild Gretchen, is '''not''' simply a witch; and Walpurgisnacht (easily the most powerful witch in the Madoka universe up to this point) is merely a ''blip'' compared to her. She's become something that [[NeonGenesisEvangelion Big Mommy]] would envy and that [[Manga/HellStarRemina Remina would fear.]]]] To make things even ''worse'', take a look at [[spoiler: her [[http://wiki.puella-magi.net/Kriemhild_Gretchen Witch's Card]]]]. That thing? That giant, mountainous thing? [[spoiler: That's the Witch of [[LetThemDieHappy MERCY]].]]
** And her idea of "mercy" is strongly rumored to be something like [[NeonGenesisEvangelion Instrumentality]] or even worse, a [[TheMatrix Matrix]]-style LotusEaterMachine. Yeah, worldwide happiness is just ''so'' much easier once you remove that pesky "individuality" thing, right? [[FridgeHorror Perhaps it's not such a big step from]] a WideEyedOptimist who just wants people to be happy to OmnicidalManiac.

* Episode 12 was mostly just [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome awesome.]] However, [[spoiler: that universe ending witch Madoka was unbelievably unsettling. Just...that enormous {{Eldritch Abomination}} with two halves of a face? Completely engulfing the earth? Dear ''[[http://wiki.puella-magi.net/File:Madoka_the_Ultimate_Witch.jpg Christ.]]'']]. [[BigOMG OH MY LORD]]!!! Yes, that ''thing'' [[spoiler:is Kriemhild Gretchen, the witch form of our adorable protagonist.]][[spoiler:Every new timeline]] sees her [[spoiler:absorb all the magical energy of the previous universes that Homura has went through,]] meaning that each time, [[spoiler: Kriemhild Gretchen]] is bigger and stronger -- way beyond [[spoiler: Walpurgisnacht]] could ever hope to be. And there have been [[spoiler: at least 10 timelines]], although [[spoiler: only 2 versions of Kriemhild Gretchen were seen prior to this.]] And the wish that created that ... '''thing''' was [[spoiler: infinitely stronger than any other wish, powered by 10+ universes worth of magical potential.]] There's a reason that version of [[spoiler: Kriemhild Gretchen]] is using ''celestial objects'' for ''eyes.''

* [[spoiler: Madoka in the middle of her transformation into Kriemhild Gretchen]] in the PSP version is certainly [[http://images.puella-magi.net/a/a4/Gretchen_in_PSP_Game_Kyoko_Route.jpg?20120324101542 creepy]], if not terrifying. Just from the way it looks like the grief seed is splitting [[spoiler: Madoka's]] body in half, and the silhouette of [[spoiler: what used to be Madoka]]... -shudder

* While most remember the nightmare fuel from episode 3 onwards, the Nightmare Fuel was there as early as episode ''one,'' with the Anthonies. [[http://wiki.puella-magi.net/File:Anthony_scary.jpg See how freaky those things are?]] Now look at them in action--the animation for them is [[UncannyValley deliberately jittery]], and their babble translates to ''planning to cut Sayaka and Madoka up and present them to Gertrud.''

** The first two episodes interlaced the credits with the action. The third had a ending theme song and a video. Just in case you weren't paying attention during episode 3... lets just say it would probably fit in with the {{Higurashi}} crowd. (High note: Madoka, floating in a fetal position... which is revealed after the camera zooms out to be taking place inside the eye socket of the Mephisto mask from a ''Nazi-era stage production of Faust''.)

* Episode 6 proves itself as a WhamEpisode by turning the whole premise into NightmareFuel: [[spoiler:The Soul Gems are the literal crystalization of the soul. As in, the Soul Gem is the True Magical Girl, and the body is simply a puppet.]] And if the hints weren't already there, the revelation turns [[spoiler:Kyubey]] into this personified.

'''''In General''''': Episode 8. Dear god, episode 8.

* Homura's fate also worths some mention. Specifically, she [[spoiler: constantly going back in time to prevent Madoka's death/corruption. She has to watch the suffering of Madoka and the other Magical Girls over and over again, and the outcomes only seem to be getting crueler with every timeline. At one point, she was forced to ''[[MercyKill shoot poor Madoka to death]]'' to prevent her transformation into Gretchen. And it was ''at Madoka's own request''.]]

** From chapter 9 on, his eyes maintain the frightening tone except from the flashback chapter before returning in the same chapter and onward.

** Also a remainder to those who think of [[MagicalGirl MagicalGirls]] as cute and pretty, being warriors their magic is aimed at KILLING, not just being flash and entertainment... also the target doesn't necessarily have to be other magical beings..
* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WC49OdDoC-g There's something seriously unsettling about the ED.]] The flickering silhouettes of all the girls is really creepy, but the last one, with what seems like a naked Madoka running hysterically into the darkness and [[NothingIsScarier slowly disappearing]] is just...damn.

** To elaborate: [[spoiler:Madoka, now Kriemhild Gretchen, is '''not''' simply a witch; and Walpurgisnacht (easily the most powerful witch in the Madoka universe up to this point) is merely a ''blip'' compared to her. She's become something that [[NeonGenesisEvangelion Big Mommy]] would envy and that [[HellStarRemina Remina would fear.]]]] To make things even ''worse'', take a look at [[spoiler: her [[http://wiki.puella-magi.net/Kriemhild_Gretchen Witch's Card]]]]. That thing? That giant, mountainous thing? [[spoiler: That's the Witch of [[LetThemDieHappy MERCY]].]]

Considering the [[{{Nitroplus}} pedi]][[{{StudioShaft}} grees]] behind ''PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'', some creep factors are to be expected. However, the sheer level of NightmareFuel to be found in the series's life has been rather terrifying. Do NOT be fooled by UmeAoki's TastesLikeDiabetes [[DisonnantArtStyle character design]], this show is basically "''NeonGenesisEvangelion'' [[XMeetsY with]] {{Magical Girl}}s; a TearJerker with tears made of pure NightmareFuel. [[RunningGag Yeah, it's that kind of show.]]

Considering the [[{{Nitroplus}} pedi]][[{{StudioShaft}} grees]] behind ''PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'', some creep factors are to be expected. However, the sheer level of NightmareFuel to be found in the series's life has been rather terrifying. It's often been called "''NeonGenesisEvangelion'' [[RecycledInSpace with]] {{Magical Girl}}s, and to paraphrase one Troper's description of ''{{Evangelion}}'', ''{{Madoka}}'' is a TearJerker with tears made of pure NightmareFuel. [[RunningGag Yeah, it's that kind of show.]]

** {{YMMV}}: Some people saw these [[NightmareFace "Nightmare Faces"]] more as {{Narm}} than as horror. Just because he can feign emotions doesn't mean the faces he uses to do so can't be seen as [[CardCarryingVillain way too overdone]] than truly scary sometimes.

* What's scarier? A Kyubey that can't feel emotion with an unchanging face, letting you know that something's off with him, or a Kyubey that can't feel emotion, but '''knows how to fake it'''?
* From chapter 9 on, his eyes maintain the frightening tone except from the flashback chapter before returning in the same chapter and onward.
* EmiriKatou, who played Kyubey, was supposedly brought into a HeroicBSOD by the character according to the Trivia section. Same with her co-star AoiYuki.
* {{YMMV}}: Some people saw these [[NightmareFace "Nightmare Faces"]] more as {{Narm}} than as horror. Just because he can feign emotions doesn't mean the faces he uses to do so can't be seen as [[CardCarryingVillain way too overdone]] than truly scary sometimes.
** Made even better/worse/whatever by how from then on, Kyubey has BlackeyesOfEvil. It's so stupidly and ridiculously {{Anvilicious}} that it seems he's constantly tripping balls, or that the manga author thinks [[ViewersAreMorons the readers are complete idiots]] who need to be constantly told how eeeeeeevil he's supposed to be.

** Hey, you know how Kyubey's FrozenFace freaks us out? Well guess what? Kyubey ''does'' show different expressions in the manga! [[NightmareFace Expressions]] just like [[http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/5600/1299904425248.jpg these!]]
** What's scarier? A Kyubey that can't feel emotion with an unchanging face, letting you know that something's off with him, or a Kyubey that can't feel emotion, but '''knows how to fake it'''?
** From chapter 9 on, his eyes maintain the frightening tone except from the flashback chapter before returning in the same chapter and onward.
** EmiriKatou, who played Kyubey, was supposedly brought into a HeroicBSOD by the character according to the Trivia section. Same with her co-star AoiYuki.
** {{YMMV}}: Some people saw these [[NightmareFace "Nightmare Faces"]] more as {{Narm}} than as horror. Just because he can feign emotions doesn't mean the faces he uses to do so can't be seen as [[CardCarryingVillain way too overdone]] than truly scary sometimes.
*** Made even better/worse/whatever by how from then on, Kyubey has BlackeyesOfEvil. It's so stupidly and ridiculously {{Anvilicious}} that it seems he's constantly tripping balls, or that the manga author thinks [[ViewersAreMorons the readers are complete idiots]] who need to be constantly told how eeeeeeevil he's supposed to be.

Considering the [[{{Nitroplus}} pedi]][[{{StudioShaft}} grees]] behind ''PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'', some creep factors are to be expected. However, the sheer level of NightmareFuel to be found in the series's life has been rather terrifying. It's often been called "''NeonGenesisEvangelion'' [[RecycledInSpace with]] {{Magical Girl}}s, and to paraphrase one Troper's description of ''{{Evangelion}}'', ''{{Madoka}}'' is a TearJerker with tears made of HighOctaneNightmareFuel. [[RunningGag Yeah, it's that kind of show.]]

* Episode 6 proves itself as a WhamEpisode by turning the whole premise into HighOctaneNightmareFuel: [[spoiler:The Soul Gems are the literal crystalization of the soul. As in, the Soul Gem is the True Magical Girl, and the body is simply a puppet.]] And if the hints weren't already there, the revelation turns [[spoiler:Kyubey]] into this personified.

*** This troper ''has'' to give props to Sayaka's English VA, here. The [[LaughingMad manic giggling]] was extremely well done and, coupled with the blood, it just sent shivers up my spine.

** Also in the PSP game, there's an event that happens if [[spoiler:Charlotte eats Sayaka's soul gem and Madoka and Homura, being inexperienced, can't find Charlotte's barrier.]] We learned in Episode 6 that [[spoiler: soul gems are {{SoulJar}}s, and the body is useless without it.]] Add that to the fact that [[spoiler: Magical Girls die when they lose contact with their soul gems for 2 days,]] and that's pretty creepy on it's own. But, no, they had to make it ''[[UpToEleven even creepier]]'' by adding that [[spoiler:when a Magical Girl loses contact with her soul gem, she starts to '''decompose'''.]] [[spoiler:Luckily, Kyouko kills Charlotte before Sayaka dies. Happy ending right? Wrong. Sayaka's body had started decomposing already, before her soul gem came back. So she wakes up, unaware of what she looks like, and just happens to meet Kyousuke. Who '''freaks. Out.''']] [[DespairEventHorizon You can guess what happens next.]]

* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBbZQ3pYnqU There's something seriously unsettling about the ED.]] The flickering silhouettes of all the girls is really creepy, but the last one, with what seems like a naked Madoka running hysterically into the darkness and [[NothingIsScarier slowly disappearing]] is just...damn.