Here we are. The Tiro Finale of Oriko Magica. A good recap shall show what has happened throughout the entire span of the manga: Kyouko takes in a girl after she was orphaned by a Witch attack. In a later Witch attack, said girl contracts and becomes a Puella Magi. Mami investigates the Puella Magi murders and finds the culprit, who attacks her. Mami drives her off and mortally wounds her. The killer and her girlfriend then rush off to invade Madoka's school, killing everyone. Despite the killer turning into a Witch herself, our heroes manage to defeat the Witch and nearly save the day. However, there is still one more obstacle left: Kyubey. Who will win? We all know it will end badly, but just how badly? Let's find out!
TIRO FINALE!
So apparently, Madoka managed to break out of Homura's barrier and finds Sayaka and Hitomi. They go off to help Homura. Oriko then goes berserk on Homura, attempting to kill her and take her down as she dies. After a glorious fight, we then are revealed to Oriko's wish: To find out what is her purpose in life. Kyouko was about to stab Kirika's corpse (er... why?) and Oriko takes the blow. Homura then shoots Oriko. I'm going to have to say it, don't I? SHOT THROUGH THE HEART!
Also, why can't Homura just try and explain to her that she doesn't want Madoka to become a Puella Magi? Oh, that's right. "There's no point in trying to convince them."
Wataru: Keep in mind too, they're crazy psychopathic killers, even before the story began. Even if Homura was some evil entity who cares so much for one person that she's willing to screw over the entire universe, which I pray isn't the case, she'd have qualms against allying with Oriko.
Well, whatever. Poor Communication Kills Madoka. Yeah. Oriko uses a piece of Kirika to kill Madoka (and Kyubey too, but he's Kyubey, he can come back and eat his own corpse). Homura decides that this would be the perfect time to Rage Quit and condemn everyone to yet another round of hell.
And we end the manga with Oriko and Kirika meeting up again in the afterlife, with Oriko realizing that the ends didn't justify the means and Kirika offering to take up some of that burden, and off they go into... Does the Afterlife even have sunsets?
Kamen Ride: Diend!
Well that was an entertaining ride. And I do mean that. This manga was probably more enjoyable than the actual Madoka Manga. Half of that is because it's an original story and not abridging it to the point where Adaptation Induced Plot Holes ensue. Not knowing exactly how everything goes down also benefits the experience.
One thing I do like is that this shifts attention from Madoka to other characters entirely. The only person of the main five that didn't get a focus was Sayaka, but that could be because the Anime had about half its episodes devoted to her character arc. Characters that got very minor appearances such as Mami and Kyouko got a huge chunk of the focus with Homura acting as a sort of side character.
I like the new characters, which was a big surprise from me, since I was expecting them to either not be all that good or downright bad. However, they manage to be good. I wound up liking these characters more than I did for the other five. That's saying something. I felt very sorry for Yuma at times, and I can probably say that Kirika and Oriko's relationship is probably the one I like the best. Yes, that includes Kyouko/Sayaka and Homura/Madoka.
The Witches... What the hell. I get it, they're supposed to be weird. They're supposed to be strange. But there's a fine line between "these will haunt your nightmares" and "Leaning Witch of Pisa". I wasn't kidding when I said I had to stop myself from laughing to death. Compare these Witches to the Witches in Madoka. In Madoka, you had a cute looking doll, though if you hurt her, she turns into this giant ass worm that can swallow you in one gulp, but not before munching on your head. In Oriko? You have some woman with a cat head and some extra arms. It's so weird.
Speaking of weird, the art style is also weird. Kyubey looks too alien, the moe-chibiness is increased twofold in this manga than it did in the Madoka manga (At least they knew when to stop acting cute), and yet the characters are drawn good. I already commented on Kyouko looking more like a Cool Big Sis, Mami's designs, I got used to, and Homura looks like a Tall, Dark and Bishoujo... wait, Bishoujo is already a noun so saying woman would be redundant.
As for the plot itself, I can say it's pretty good. Magical Girls are dying left and right and it's up to the minor Puella Magi to stop the killings. It's a good concept and was executed somewhat decently. The fights are epic and awesome and I didn't manage to call out Homura in a huge "The Reason You Suck" Speech this time, so that was pretty good.
Bottom line, if you like Madoka, give this a try. You might blow through it faster than Madoka. If you're an outsider, be warned that there are things that may be alien to you unless you watched or read the Anime. Well, this is Psyga saying sayonara.
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