Let me start by saying I am in no way saying Madoka is bad. I think it's a really really good series. That said I'm not quite as crazy about it as a lot people were.
It's possible this is due at least partially due to being spoiled on many of the secrets of the franchise. But really seems to be me that it didn't blow my mind as much because I've seen a lot of the stuff before...including in non-deconstructive Magical Girl works before. Questions of Identity and Personhood go back at least to Sailor Moon and Star Seeds. Questions of Wishes and their Selfish/Selfless Nature go back to Magic Knight Rayearth. I like Madoka more when I look it at as a straightforward Magical Girl show then when I try and look at it as a deconstruction of the entire Magical Girl Genre.
Again that's not to say I think it's bad anyway. Far from it, it's visuals and imagery are stunning, the conclusion of the main series is deeply satisfying (I even like the controversional Rebellion movie), the characters are complex enough (my favorite character is Mami), the worldbuilding is solid etc. Not a personal favorite Magical Girl Series (My favorites are the classics Sailor Moon and Cardcaptor Sakura) but it's definitely high up there!
Good, but a touch overhyped
Let me start by saying I am in no way saying Madoka is bad. I think it's a really really good series. That said I'm not quite as crazy about it as a lot people were.
It's possible this is due at least partially due to being spoiled on many of the secrets of the franchise. But really seems to be me that it didn't blow my mind as much because I've seen a lot of the stuff before...including in non-deconstructive Magical Girl works before. Questions of Identity and Personhood go back at least to Sailor Moon and Star Seeds. Questions of Wishes and their Selfish/Selfless Nature go back to Magic Knight Rayearth. I like Madoka more when I look it at as a straightforward Magical Girl show then when I try and look at it as a deconstruction of the entire Magical Girl Genre.
Again that's not to say I think it's bad anyway. Far from it, it's visuals and imagery are stunning, the conclusion of the main series is deeply satisfying (I even like the controversional Rebellion movie), the characters are complex enough (my favorite character is Mami), the worldbuilding is solid etc. Not a personal favorite Magical Girl Series (My favorites are the classics Sailor Moon and Cardcaptor Sakura) but it's definitely high up there!
4/5