Audience reviews
20 · Sample from the first available page, separate from the total number of ratings.
JJtheDarkMage
The film had some great action, romance, and aesthetic scenes. On the other hand, the plot was all over the place and hard to follow. It would've been helpful if some additional context was given. While the chaotic plot didn't create the best watching experience, it did give the movie uniqueness and charm.
The simulated reality trope is definitely one I enjoy, so it was good to see it. The movie's ending was honestly really odd, but there were things I liked about it. It raises ethical questions to reflect on and leaves the interpretation of its events up to the watcher.
Read at the sourceSnocZz
I'd give this movie a 10 even if it didn't even have a plot tbh, like holy shit this is the most visually appealing thing I've ever seen in my life bar none im not joking, words dont do justice how gorgeous this film is, every frame is wallpaper material art i swear
its a good thing i like the writing and everything too innit, the way gen urobuchi writes characters never ceases to amaze me
i still prefer the original series overall though, i neeeeed the upcoming movie next august to stick the landing and deliver on a satisfying finale or else this one film in specific is gonna feel retroactively extremely bitter and miserable icl
still adored this with every fiber of my soul though yaaayyy
Read at the sourceJohn_Banana
The original Puella Magi Madoka Magica (PMMM for short) has always been touted as the best subversive genre-redefining take on Mahou Shoujo and deservedly so. This series is one of Shaft’s magnum opus with its tightly written script by prime Gen Urobuchi with wonderful direction from the legendary Akiyuki Shinbou. While the series was always held in high regard, its sequel movie Rebellion has always been met with mixed reception, as its controversial ending is often deemed as a cop-out ending that ruins Akemi Homura, undeniably the most beloved character in the franchise, just for a cash grab sequel. To me, however, this is one of my favourite sequel movies of all time that further expands on the original series and adds more depth to all of the characters, especially Akemi Homura. I want…
Read at the sourceFinnC200
This movie is one of the hardest to understand. Although I have to say that I loved the Madoka Magica series, with its flawless ending.
I feel that with this movie they wanted to break away from those rules, and created a world that feels like something else.
I also have to say that the beginning of the movie felt a bit slow and heavy. It takes too long to reveal that they are inside a labyrinth created by Homura (it takes more than half the movie). Kyuubey's revelation was incredible to me. That was the moment I enjoyed the most, along with the fight against Witch Homura.
And the ending, being very convoluted, felt very heavy to me, and suddenly it concludes with Homura as a demon. A Madoka who has never been a god, and doesn't even remember she was one. And a completely new, rewritten…
Read at the source-Sunn_
Rebellion did not improve my opinion on PMMM that much. It was entirely pointless to exist as a movie, if you ask me.
First, I'll say what I like about Rebellion, since it's not all bad:
Mami had a character in this movie. She feels a bit more like an actual character than in the anime, at least. Not by much, but she did Things.
Sayaka appears. Not much, which is extremely disappointing, but Sayaka appearing at all is a good thing in my opinion! (Sayaka is still my favorite character. Go look at my review for the original series for why.)
It looked pretty cool. The fighting was interesting enough as well.
Now, for the bad:
Homura did not improve in the movie that's about her. How unfortunate. This movie could've improved my opinion on Homura, but it didn't. She feels just as boring a…
Read at the sourceDai_Kallan
Just about any video you watch about this movie will start out with. "Okay I hated this movie the first time I watched it, but when I dug into it in depth to make this video I came to really like it!"
All of the Magical Girls in the original series have a similar character arc, except for Homura who had almost no arc in the series and kinda just got left on read at the end of the series. This movie is focused on Homura and we watch her go through the same steps but with a different resolution that sets the stage for the next and presumably final movie.
A lot of people think that Homura's ultimate decision is out of character but after rewatching the series again it really is entirely in character for her.
All in all an amazing continuation that I didn't see coming.
Read at the sourceMrKuandohan
After watching the excellent series again since its release, it was actually much better than I originally remembered it being. Due to life getting in the way, I have been eagerly awaiting the viewing of this film ever since its release, and only in 2025 was I able to watch it. After the heaps of praise it’s been getting for over a decade (it’s even rated higher than the series), I was expecting the film to really blow me away… Well, that’s not exactly what I got.
Mentioning just about anything specific in this film would spoil it, but I do want to explain my disappointment with the film. It has a noticeably higher budget so the visuals are more impressive than the TV show. The avant-garde segments are just as captivating and unique as the series. The acting is excellent. There are a lot…
Read at the sourceLicentia
THIS WAS INSANE.
This movie challenges boundaries of our mind, it's written with multiple plot points that make sense, yet I was not able to figure out
any of the answers that were right before my eyes. It has so many cool and interesting concepts that humans cannot know the answer of, not now, not ever. If I were to give an example, this movie feels like what you feel when you try to think how our universe is infinite, and what infinite means. Or what happens when your existence completely disappears, what is nothingness? Yeah, that feeling.
First of all, I'd like to assume all anime enjoyers appreciate art. And believe me when I say this, this movie is a piece of art. From beautiful illustrations to fluid animation, it has everything. Not only that, but the usage of those abstract ba…
Read at the sourcebossunhimeswitch
The nice thing about the Madoka franchise is that so far there's a lot of care put into foreshadowing, structure, and pacing. This movie was no exception. From the beginning we're brought into a world that's not quite right and as the characters begin to realize this, we're taken places we can guess but also places we can't guess, which is what made this movie truly enjoyable. True to the original anime, I found myself caught up in the emotions of it all and the ending had an impact and left me eager for more. I'm really glad that there's a fourth movie. I can't wait to see what it's about and how I'll feel when it ends.
If you enjoyed the previous movies and/or original anime, then you'll likely enjoy this movie. If you want things to be more straight forward from the beginning, then yo…
Read at the sourcebergars
I knew it was coming, that moment that nails your jaw to the floor in awe.
I didn't just enjoy the first season of the show. Absolutely loved it, adored, it. A mesh of concepts that far surpasses the premise it builds. A piece of mixed media that uses a simple, and rather bland genre of anime, to create a soul crushing story, that brutalizes the audience with the power of hope, and the piercing hopelessness of everything.
The unsatisfying ending wasn't unintentional. The story couldn't end happily at all, and it's a show that respects itself enough as to follow what it should do. And now, I thought, maybe anything else would've been unnecessary. We know the future, we know what will happen, and suffering may continue, but hope will always prevail. And now, the sequel comes out to prope…
Read at the sourceAzope
This film is a insult to fan of madoka
The serie of maddoka was almost perfect and was close. The end was best ending we need to finish the story.
This film was just made to milk some money and by doing it they soil the ending and the theme of the story.
Overalll the story of the film is a destruction all the serie was etablishing.
The character are the worst version of themselve all the good developement we made beford is send to the garbage bin.
The film is not ending probabily because they have no idea how end it and so fat ( 10 year after ) they still not end it.
If you want to seen a intersting take on the madoka universe better watch the gaiden.
I am personaly decide to considerate this film as never hapening.
Read at the sourceTumanater22
Have you ever had such a special connection to a piece of media that you end up perceiving it as not just perfect in general, but perfect for you? That's how I've felt with Madoka Magica and more specifically this movie, Rebellion. Even though I can see myself recommending this movie to many people in my life in the future I doubt that most people will understand just how much I love this film and why. I also understand this movie has its vocal crowd of people that straight up don't agree with how the story's direction was taken and there is a valid discussion to be had there. I'm willing to acknowledge that some critiques of this film have legitimate reasoning and validity but even after all of that I always find myself appreciating what I love about what this movie did.
On my first view…
Read at the source0fred0m
Ignoring the weird scheme that they got with the movies, two of them being recaps:
-“Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part 1: Beginnings”
-“Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part 2: Eternal”
The sequel and the movie I’ll be talking about:
-“Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part 3: Rebellion”
This is a direct continuation to the original series. It’s clear that they got a bigger budget and time to produce the film. Taking into account my previous gripe with the characters having blocky faces and looking similar, they possess dimension and contrast this time around, which is appreciated. I’m unsure if Gen Urobuchi the creator devised this scheme of movies to roleplay as Kyubey, or copy Evangelion’s homework in regard to their branding, but that’s beside the point.
Suffice to s…
Read at the sourceSyph_
Probably the most well-written anime movie out there. Structured so well, with good pacing and progression. Leaves you pondering the many questions the movie will ask of you and each will have a sound, reasonable answer. Divides fans in a positive way. Everyone will have their own things that they take away from it. Can't believe something can juggle all these complex themes and concepts so smartly when other anime crumble or go off the rails at the idea. Super rewatchable. That doesn't even mention how gorgeous the whole thing looks.
So happy I finally got around to watching this series. Heard a sequel may be coming sometime soon, so I'm looking forward to that. Still gonna miss it though.
Read at the sourceEmperorThor
If you liked girls themselves in the original Puella Magi Madoka Magica, then do not watch this one.
It just ruins everything there is to love in the original, undoing the whole sacrifice of Madoka as well as ruining Homura's character beyond repair.
As one guy on this forum put it: 'it spits on everything Puella Magi Madoka Magica is. This is a good example of how you do not make a sequel.
i gave it 4 instead of 1 because plot is still somewhat reasonable. Unique art style and feel of Madoka Magica is as present here as well.
As to people who can watch it without hatred, then perhaps if you do not feel much about these poor girls in the original, you will not find this one too bad.
Overall this is another disappointing sequel of a show that deserves way better than that.
Read at the sourcemateoid
Great anime continued by a weak sequel. Dropped this off by a little past the hour mark and I'm glad I did as it only went donwhill from there. With an overly long beginning, the movie focuses its final hour in attempting to stick two different stories, creating a mess. The world-building, its characters and their relationships completely change, betraying most of what was portrayed in the anime. Plus, the ending is so unsatisfying, the fact there hasn't been a follow-up leads me to believe this is the actual ending of the whole saga, which sucks. Though the great animation and entertainment remains intact, the story is unncessarily complex with cheesy moments, making this an incosistent sequel to an series that wrapped up pretty well. I'm very on the fence to expect or even watch Walpurgi…
Read at the sourceepicgamer231
A whole bunch of visually stunning emptiness. Rebellion's biggest issue is that it doesn't need to exist. The story in the original TV show was resolved. Here you have what is essentially one giant fanservice movie. What is shown is gorgeous but the characters are a shell of themselves and there is basically no story until the ending. There have been pages upon pages of what everything "means" but does that make what is shown here a good film? Absolutely not. What you have here is something that's fun to show as what is basically a moving painting on a video screen that people occasionally glance at and go, "Oh wow that looks cool." That's pretty much the extent of the "depth" this film has. Even when something visually stunning happens it is often so incoherent it take away from how good…
Read at the sourceSpirit_Chaser
This is a very complex anime. Watch it before looking anything up about it or reading any reviews. If you have seen it or don't care for spoilers, do continue.
Going into Rebellion blind, I felt anticipation and excitement to see the continuation of Homura's struggle. That's because I wanted to see the best for her and Madoka. Then I remembered what exactly it is that I am watching, the reputation it has, and decided that as much as I would like a happy ending, there is a really good chance that this is not going to give me that. I at least felt hope by the end of the television series with Madoka, but this film crushed it. It gave me what I wanted, though it twisted it into something so evil that I no longer desired it. This film destroyed everything I found beautiful about Madoka Magica…
Read at the sourceJustAce11
This anime is rather.............
that's how I feel about it I was pretty much overwhelmed as I finish this anime. To be honest at first I thought that this would only be about gore or psychological horror and such, rather I found something even better. This anime made me think for a while and stop thinking about anything after finishing it.
In all honesty I want to be fair and give this anime a 9/10, but I enjoyed it so much that I felt bad giving this a 9 which is also pretty good score, 10/10 is my personal score but to all who wants to watch it I'll give it a 9, because I think not everyone will understand how I experienced this anime.
Read at the sourceSachoza
So since i was very negative about movie 1 and 2, i can honestly say, yes watch this one, but watch anime first.
If u watch the movies first u wouldnt get has much details has u desire about the background of each characters.
This movie feels like a follow up after the anime, which i truly like, but....
the end is leaving us with open questions, which the anime didnt do, so will there be a next movie or anime? or is this the end ? i dont feel satified with this ending cause of that.
The editing of this movie felt much more smoother, like they did in the anime, and it felt more whole and completed together.
i do recommand watching this if u watch the anime first :)
Read at the source
