Renn’s 12 Moments in Anime: 4 Fights

Warning: Spoilers for Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica.

Madoka Magica isn’t the first magical girl anime to have intense fight scenes. From what I’ve heard, Nanoha has some brutal ones as well, and I’m sure there are others. But I’d be surprised if any magical girl anime had fights that are just as good.

Because there aren’t that many fight scenes in general that can rival Madoka Magica’s. Sure, there are some with way bigger budgets and significantly less derp. There are ones that go on for much longer and have much better choreography. But Madoka Magica’s fights aren’t just good-looking. They’re creative. They cater to the action fans, sure, but they also cater to critics, to moe fans, to everyone.

So without further ado, my top four fight scenes of Madoka Magica:

4: Patricia VS Homura/Madoka/Mami (Episode 10)

This is the shortest fight on the list, and it’s not as substantive as my top three. But the scenery here is breathtaking. How many times have you seen a uniform flap in the wind against the backdrop of the sky? If you’re an anime fan, a lot. SHAFT takes that carefree cliche and turns it into a battleground. Bonus points for the unsettling suggestiveness of Patricia. Usually, sailor uniforms float to reveal some skin, and it’s hot. Here? It’s disturbing.

3: Charlotte VS Mami (Episode 03)

Mami’s fight with Gertrud (Episode 02) makes just as much a spectacle, but I favor this fight for two reasons. First, the setting is much cuter. Episode 02 makes you realize how sinister the witches are. Gertrud is a putrid monster, surrounded by mustache cotton balls. In contrast, Charlotte, from Episode 03, is an adorable stuffed animal, surrounded by cakes and tea. Second, and on a related note, I prefer this scene because Episode 03 really makes you realize how sinister the witches are, no matter what they look like. To Charlotte, magical girls are as delicious as chocolate.

You can watch the fight here.

2: Elsa Maria VS Sayaka (Episode 07/08)

A scene as stylish as it is sad. Sayaka searches for salvation in Elsa Maria’s church. She finds nothing, and she breaks. Red tears crack her cheeks; lighting fractures her face. It’s the beginning of the end for her.

You can watch the fight here.

1: Walpurgis Night VS Homura (Episode 11)

It’s cliche to put the final, climatic scene as my favorite, but SHAFT went all out here. The fight starts as the lace curtain rises, and as the circus stomps on the stage. SHAFT knew they were putting on a show. But it’s not fun and games for Homura, who pulls out every trick in the book. Her snazzy explosives look great, but even better, the scene doesn’t let you forget how desperate she is to win. It packs a visual and emotional punch.

You can watch the fight here.

So, moment four? Realizing that magical girls beat out their shounen competition for the best fights of the year.

Note: Finally on time! This is the fourth moment in my “12 Moments of Anime” project. It’s a project where bloggers write about an anime moment per day for twelve days straight. Moment five is coming tomorrow. Thanks for reading!

Image Credit: 1, 2

/ 5 Commentsleave a comment /

• foshizzel says:

  December 18, 2011

  I love me some Madoka! They had some great fights, and I like your list for the top three ;D

  Reply
  • Renn says:

    December 19, 2011

    Thanks, Fosh! ^_^ I would've made it a longer list, but four fights took long enough to cap lol. xD

    Reply
• foomafoo says:

  December 19, 2011

  I'd probably rank the Patricia fight higher than the Charlotte and Elsa Maria fights because it was the only fight where I get to see Madoka fight competently alongside Mami. XP

  Reply
  • Renn says:

    December 19, 2011

    They fought Izabel together, too (at the beginning of episode 10), but I agree there was a bit of wish-fulfillment in that scene. Just the three of them acting like good, heroic magical girls. Great scene.

    Reply