To me, Madoka isn't too much of a cop out. I don't see why killing Homura/Madoka does
anything for the show. To me, death needs to be an impactful experience.
Mami's death showed that the life of a puella magi can be quick and morbid.
Sayaka's death showed that even those closest to Madoka were bound to leave her. Also some shit about corruption too...
And Kyouko's death taught us that there are those who can change and still believe in friendship in the face of adversity.
Their deaths meant something to us, and for those who wanted a dark, everyone dead ending....that doesn't make too much sense to me.
What would Homura's death prove? That all pursuits in life are meaningless?
And what would Madoka's death demonstrate? I'll tell you...absolutely nothing.
Here's what I felt at the end:
Madoka's sacrifice isn't just the idea that she transcends and becomes hope/god/actionjesus. It's the idea that Madoka has gone full circle. Pay attention to episode 10 and the first Madoka we meet is so confident in what she does, willing to die for the goodness of others.
As she moves on, Madoka grows weaker, cowarding in despair, only to show confidence in saving her friend (and even then, begs Homura to change her).
Madoka's refusal to become a puella magi and then her acceptance to kill EVERY witch at the end is a huge character change and a full circle back to who Madoka used to be: not the pussy who watched her friends die but the confident girl who is willing to do anything to save others. To me, that feels like the best sort of change.
Then there's Homura. Again, her death would've done nothing to advance what the show is about. But what we did get is Homura's realization that there was absolutely nothing that she could do. The scene where she's about to turn into a witch IS the climax of the show; the part where all hope seems lost.
So why doesn't SHAFT pull the trigger and turn Homura into a witch? Is it because they took pity? Or that Homura's too badass? Or maybe because they wanted a happier ending?
To me, it felt like none of those. Homura's suffering at this point is beyond death. She could become a witch or whatever, but she has already suffered more to become a witch a hundred times over. Her transformation is unnecessary. It proves nothing. It gets the show nowhere and in all honesty, becomes fan service to those who want a dark and depressing ending.
Instead, SHAFT does a great job of bringing Homura from the brink. It showed us that FINALLY, a puella magi who has despaired can come back.
And that's what Homura's story is about: a girl who hopes even in the midst of despair. Unlike others who became witches as they suffered until there was nothing left, Homura's story tells of someone who fought so hard for the person she loved more and hoped until there was nothing left to hope for.
Her salvation proves to us that there is a way to combat all the cruelness and suffering in the world.
And while some people might say SHAFT beats friendship on the top of our heads...it's not just friendship.
More or less, it's hope and goals. Those who survived had goals in their heads. What did Sayaka have? She had friends, but no hope/dreams/aspirations. Same with the others.
Madoka and Homura live on through their dreams and aspirations of saving each other, seeing each other again, preserving the world, etc.
So in conclusion....this rant....is just saying..
That Madoka is pretty
god Madoka damn brilliant.
EPT
