Madoka Kaname

Madoka Kaname
Puella Magi Madoka Magica character
Created by Akiyuki Shinbo, Gen Urobuchi, and Ume Aoki[1]
Voiced by Aoi Yūki (Japanese),[2]
Christine Marie Cabanos (English)[3]

Madoka Kaname (鹿目 まどか Kaname Madoka) is the titular protagonist of the 2011 anime series Puella Magi Madoka Magica and its related media. In the anime, she initially lives a normal and happy life, but is then faced with the decision of becoming a magical girl. Created by Akiyuki Shinbo and Gen Urobuchi, and designed by Ume Aoki, the character plays an important role in Madoka Magica media and merchandise.

Character

The character of Madoka is set up as an eighth grade student with a normal life and loving family. At the start of the series, she and her friend Sayaka Miki come across Kyubey, a creature that offers them a wish in turn for becoming magical girls. The plot of Madoka Magica centers around what Madoka may wish for and whether striking a deal with Kyubey is a good idea.[4]

Development

Cosplay of Madoka Kaname

Madoka is an unusual character for Gen Urobuchi's writing style, but fits more closely to character designer Ume Aoki's worldview. In order to incorporate a "foreign character that did not exist inside [himself]," Urobuchi wrote the initial script as if Yuno, the main character of Hidamari Sketch, was the protagonist. During this phase, Urobuchi even intended Asumi Kana to take on the voice acting role for Madoka. The personality of Madoka was specifically designed as an "Ume Aoki character", while other characters of the cast, such as Homura and Sayaka, are more typical for Urobachi's style.[5][6]

In the English dub of Madoka Magica, Madoka is portrayed by Christine Marie Cabanos. During the recording process, Cabanos had trouble not overthinking her role, but she learned to "let go" as the dubbing process continued.[3]

Media

Being the protagonist of the franchise, Madoka has played a large role in all Madoka Magica media, including the original anime series, the subsequent feature-length films, and the main Madoka Magica manga series. She also takes on a major role in most spin-off media, such as a mobile app by Namco Bandai,[7] a PlayStation Vita game by Artdink[8] and Weiß Schwarz trading cards.[9]

A large amount of merchandise related to Madoka has been created, such as a nendoroid figure by the Good Smile Company[10] and a 48cm high, $600 USD doll.[11] 2 PM Works created two sets of high heels, inspired by Madoka and Homura respectively.[12]

Reception

Aoi Yuuki won a Seiyu Award in 2012 for her portrayal of Madoka.[13] In 2013, Madoka Kaname won the Saimoe Tournament poll for being the "most moe" anime character.[14] In 2016, WatchMojo.com ranked her at number two on its list of the "Top 10 Magical Girls In Anime".[15]

References

  1. ↑ 新房昭之×虚淵玄×蒼樹うめ×シャフト 1大プロジェクト始動 [Akiyuki Shinbo × Gen Urobuchi × Ume Aoki × Shaft: The Start of One Large Project]. Megami Magazine (in Japanese) (Gakken) (127): 115. October 25, 2010.
  2. ↑ "Puella Magi Madoka Magica's Voice Samples Posted". Anime News Network. 2010-11-04.
  3. 1 2 Green, Scott (2012-01-14). "VIDEO: "Madoka Magica" English Dub Interviews". Crunchyroll News.
  4. ↑ Del Castillo, Chris (2012-03-02). "Puella Magi Madoka Magica review – Magical Girls have never been so fun". Nerd Reactor.
  5. ↑ "Gen Urobuchi Interview". Monthly Newtype (Kadokawa Shoten). July 2011. p. 30-31.
  6. ↑ Sayaka and Madoka. Otona anime Vol. 20 (Yosensha).
  7. ↑ Loo, Egan (2012-01-20). "Madoka Magica iP iPhone/Android App Launched for Free". Anime News Network.
  8. ↑ Eisenbeis, Richard (2014-01-14). "If You Skip the Madoka Magica Vita Game, You Won't Be Missing Much". Kotaku.
  9. ↑ Loo, Egan (2012-04-04). "Madoka Magica, Fate/Zero's English Card Games Listed". Anime News Network.
  10. ↑ "Good Smile Company réédite sa version Maiko de Madoka Kaname". Manga-News.com. 2015-04-23.
  11. ↑ Green, Scott (2013-05-09). "Huge 1/3 Scale "Madoka Magica" Doll Finally Previewed". Crunchyroll News.
  12. ↑ Baseel, Casey (2014-06-04). "With Madoka Magica high heels, the choice between good and evil is always a fashionable one". Rocket News 24.
  13. ↑ 2012-03-01. "6th Annual Seiyū Award Winners Announced". Anime News Network.
  14. ↑ Dong, Bamboo (2013-11-27). "Madoka Magica's Madoka Kaname is the Most Moe of Them All". Anime News Network.
  15. ↑ "Top 10 Magical Girls in Anime". WatchMojo.com. Retrieved 2016-02-29.
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