October Magica - 'The Different Story Volume 2'

WELCOME TO OCTOBER MAGICA!

'Puella Magi Madoka Magica: The Different Story, Vol. 2' - It's a solid drama piece, and direct follow up to 'Vol. 1'. It's about team-up trauma, inevitability, and history repeating itself. And humans, even the most noble and altruistic, always being inherently selfish and self-serving in their actions?

Read my rereview for more.

Extra: an excerpt from the end of that rereview:

I love each character, as different and unique as they are, in this different 'Madoka' story/timeline. Everybody is so complex, and capable of doing and saying unexpected things, without them seeming out of character. It will, in fact, be inevitable - nay, inescapable - for them. In their locked fates...

Above all, it is all exceedingly, extremely exciting, as well as shocking; even for readers who are familiar with the 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica' anime. You bet I can't wait for the conclusion in 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica: The Different Story, Vol. 3'. Even if it won't be as epic, smashing, cathartic, satisfying and gratifying as the OG canon finale.

Even if, for the reveal of some unanswered questions, nothing matters in the end anyway...

Taste the bittersweetness.

Feel the friendship turmoil... and fallout.

The imminent doom.

The choices we make.

...

And what about Walpurgis Nacht?

...

Ah, happy endings.

Happy October Magica, everyone!

October Magica - 'The Different Story Volume 1'

WELCOME TO OCTOBER MAGICA!

Today I reread the first volume of the first 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica' spinoff manga I checked out, 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica: The Different Story, Vol 1'.

I confess to remembering pretty much nothing of 'The Different Story' spinoff before embarking on the October Magica quest. All I knew peripherally was that it is a, well, different story and retelling from the canon; it is from an alternate timeline, as opposed to the timeline we follow in the anime (time travel in stories opens up so much potential, doesn't it? As long as it's written thoughtfully and carefully). But I'm glad to be revisiting it, because it is really excellent, and it holds up well.

'Vol. 1' is, oddly, both a comfort read, and a deep dive depressing reel.

Read more on my rereview here.

Hope and horror, dreams and despair, wishes and warnings, miracles and melancholia, teams and tears and tragedy, soul sisterhood and cynicism, no light without darkness and vice versa, let's go!

October Magica - 'Volume 3'

WELCOME TO OCTOBER MAGICA!

The end is nigh.

Of the main series, that is.

My rereview of 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Vol. 3', in all its 'Madoka Magica' glory, emotion, triumph and heart, can be read here.

The next 'Madoka' manga I'll be taking another look at is... a different story.

"They're saying that it's a mistake to embrace hope. I want to show them that they're wrong. And I'll repeat it as many times as it takes. I'll keep saying it forever."

"So now I understand everything. Every little bit, even how you gave your all for me, Homura-chan!" [...] "All those times you were driven to tears and all the countless scars... But still you kept fighting, just for my sake... Here I had this extremely precious friend... And I never even realized it. I'm sorry!"

"[...] magical girls are those who have their hopes and dreams come true! So it's possible that a tiny miracle might happen."

"Don't forget. Always, somewhere, someone is fighting for you.

As long as you remember her, you are not alone."

Happy October Magica, everyone.

October Magica - 'Volume 2'

WELCOME TO OCTOBER MAGICA!

"[Sayaka] has a sweet and brave side that's willing to do just about anything when it's for somebody she cares about!"

"That could be fatal for a magical girl. Too much of that sort of kindness leads to mistakes. Those who are reckless let their guard down. And there is no reward given for self-sacrifice."

"Why can't you realize that there would be people who'd cry if you were to vanish!? What do you think would happen to someone who's been trying to protect you!?"

"In the end, what was so important? What was I trying so hard to protect? I don't really know... anything about anything anymore.

You know what you said about hope and despair coming out to a zero-sum game? It's only now that I've figured that out. It's true that I've managed to save a number of people's lives... but the same amount of hatred and spite has filled my heart. I've even hurt the friend I love the most... If you're praying for somebody else's happiness, you have to curse somebody else the same degree. That's the whole setup for us magical girls, huh?

What an... idiot I am!"

'She will not know yet if this encounter is a mere coincidence or a necessity.

Which would be an encounter that will change her destiny.'

We are continuing October Magica, with the second volume of the manga adaptation of 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica'.

'Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Vol. 2' rereview link here.

October Magica - 'Volume 1'

WELCOME TO OCTOBER MAGICA!

"I want you to contract with me... and become magical girls!"

"These wishes... do they absolutely have to be for yourself?"

"Do you truly want that person's dream to come true? Or is it that you want to be that person's savior for making that dream come true?"

'Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.

Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.'

Fresh off of September Moon, comes another month where I reread another popular magical girl manga series.

This time it's October Magica, where each day I will reread and rereview a manga volume based on the anime, 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica'.

'Madoka Magica', while more recent than the classic 'Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon', has no less become almost as synonymous with the magical girl genre as the latter franchise - the dominating cultural phenomenon across the globe. Considerably a "dark deconstruction" of magical girls, that is overall a darn great, intricately and solidly written Faustian story - and really a perfectly written, characterised and animated twelve-episode anime, as compact as they come - 'Madoka''s success and popularity in both Japan and the West are more than deserved. It has remained a beloved anime darling since its first airing in 2011.

The fact that I remember vividly when it came out, and when I first saw it online, fifteen years ago... time is scarier than any monster and existentialist theme.

That said, I have to wonder why the magical girl genre is still not respected and taken seriously in the mainstream pop culture sphere, compared to anime and other media aimed at "boys". Why is it still not talked about nearly as much - not even close - as other genres in anime and manga, like those in Shōnen Jump? Deep rooted, persistent misogyny, and the patriarchy's insecure and pathetic hatred of all things "girly" and "feminine", definitely come to mind...

'Puella Magi Madoka Magica' is a freaking goddess-send of an animated series, that everyone should watch, and it is one of my favourite anime, period; not only of the magical girl genre.

My way of celebrating 'Madoka Magica' in 2026, and, appropriately, in the witchy month of October, is to spend each day rereading and rereviewing a volume of the various manga adaptations and spinoffs I own - and only what I own; I haven't read every manga spinoff series, as I don't have the time, money, or inclination to.

I'll start with the very first manga adaptation, 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Vol. 1', for October 1st.

Rereview here, for your (re)reading pleasure.

'Feel the witches' curses and wards, and the horrifying aura, and step into the dark.

But whatever you do, never, ever make a contract with Kyubey.'

Graphic Novel Review - 'The Legend of Korra: Kya and the Secret of the Sand' by Kiku Hughes (Writer), Alexandria Monik (Artist), Diana Sousa (Colourist), Richard Starkings (Letterer), Jimmy Betancourt (Letterer)

A nice little comic treat for Kya from 'The Legend of Korra'.

'Kya and the Secret of the Sand' is framed as a story that Kya tells Korra, set between seasons three and four of the show, when Korra is recuperating and going through physical therapy, among other therapies, as she has sunk into a deep depression after her trauma, inflicted on her in the third season finale. Kya tries to help her, by explaining a time when she also felt disconnected from everything she is, and who she thought she was; when her world had turned upside down in conflict, confusion, and generational and spiritual trauma.

Avatar or not - a child of the Avatar or not - trauma of all kinds is real, and felt by everyone affected by it from all sides, levels and layers, whether they consciously realise it or not. History, including all of its human travesties and pain, needs to be passed down, and shared openly and honestly - for learning, for healing, for progress, to begin earnestly, within and without. As a support group and community, for no one should suffer alone.

One of the lessons to take away from 'Kya and the Secret of the Sand'* is: Stop ongoing corruption and the aftereffects of war. Pick up the pieces, and heal as best you can, externally and internally. And uncover the truths deliberately left buried, figuratively and literally. It won't be easy - it never is - but your efforts will be worth it some day.

Just because a war is over in favour of the "good guys"'s side (for no one truly wins in war - it shouldn't have happened in the first place, and it only leaves behind mass death and devastation), it doesn't mean the work is done, and it's all happily-ever-after onwards. It's not that simple. Leave no stone (or dune) unturned; no trace of a fascist regime unchecked, and left to carry on and continue to make people suffer, in the hands and in the pockets of the rich and privileged.

I like this one. I like these 'Avatar' and 'Korra' comics that give the spotlight to female characters who were otherwise underutilised in their respective shows, such as Suki in 'Suki, Alone'.

Indeed, Kya is more than just the daughter of Aang and Katara, and the middle child of her family. In 'The Secret of the Sand', Kya is as great a young waterbending healer as she is an elderly waterbending master.

In a snippet of her past, she's a wide-eyed, optimistic healer and teacher - a doctor, professor and missionary, basically - wanting to help people in places unfamiliar to her - in this case, the deserts and outskirts of the Earth Kingdom, among the recruited and unfairly reviled and stigmatised sandbenders. Above all, she wants to find herself; her identity outside of being a child of Avatar Aang, who saved the world. (Also, she's moving on from her first heartbreak, possibly connected to her queer awakening).

I like that both the writing and the art don't make Kya into a clone of her mother. The comic makes sure that we know she is her own separate, independent character, and a likeable, loving, altruistic heroine worth rooting for, as she roots out (sorrynotsorry) just a part of the grand scale, systematic corruption at the Earth Kingdom that's been going on for generations. Slight spoiler, but it's to do with draught, and restricted water access - life source access - for people everywhere. It's about governments limiting resources for survival (or not), depending on class, of course.

Kya is a waterbender and master healer, so this task suits her in many ways. She will have to overcome inner, spiritual conflict and blockage (the story's use of metaphor is not lost on me) on this coming-of-age adventure. And she has other women by her side as comrades and friends, to face this man-made-and-led, rotten system head on.

There is more to the comic than that, crammed into its seventy pages. This lies at the problem of it being too short to show and explore everything its writer, Kiku Hughes, no doubt wanted to, and much further.

But for what it is, it's okay. It's cute.

One area it doesn't explore to its full potential is Kya's budding sexuality - that aspect of her character is not made explicit, only implied. It is subtle, with no words (none are needed?); specifically in her relationship with her female sandbending partner, named Tsetseg, a largely ostracised recluse who ends up teaching her so much, about the Earth Kingdom deserts, her people's forgotten history, and Kya's inner peace and limitless bending possibilities.

Tsetseg's family has suffered greatly, and not only during the hundred years war, but they survived. They always survive. She has brilliant lines such as: "[...] the Earth Kingdom think that strength only comes from immovability. They think that's what a mountain is. But we know that strength also comes from the ability to adapt. To become something new while remaining yourself. It's not easy to do." and "Stealing people's land, their water, their families--that's all any kingdom is."

I hope Kya and Tsetseg did meet again, at the very least.

There is also the moment where Kya is settling in in her camp base, her healing teacher's quarters, and she places her family picture on her desk... then she puts it back in her bag. This is never brought up again. Is it a sign of her independence? But she never wanted to cut herself off from her family, since despite growing up with a significant amount of pressure and expectation, she still loves them, so... why no coming back to that? It could have added more to her character development. It's yet another aspect to her that's left by the wayside - by the blocked waterslide.

Like nearly every 'Avatar' and 'Korra' comic, 'Kya and the Secret of the Sand' could have benefitted from being longer and more developed. Gimme more!

But I remain liking Kya and this little story, from when she was a young woman, finding and healing herself, and fully experiencing a queer awakening in the process. Just like Korra. (No Asami here either, sadly.)

Hooray for Kya, the lesbian waterbending master and healer!

Related is my review of 'Suki, Alone', which can be found here.

Final Score: 3.5/5

Graphic Novel Review - 'Queen of the Sea' by Dylan Meconis

'Queen of the Sea'

It's a big, long historical fiction graphic novel.

But it is utterly engaging, stunning, fascinating and enchanting, and, in my opinion, never boring.

Why, I read it all in one night! I couldn't put it down.

'Queen of the Sea', by Dylan Meconis, author of 'Bite Me! A Vampire Farse' (the main reason I wanted to read this, I'm not ashamed to admit), is basically a reimagining of the early reign of Queen Elizabeth I in the sixteenth century, and her years-long conflict and control for the throne and Crown of England from her half-sister Mary I, aka "Bloody Mary". The names are changed, and Elizabeth of England - or Eleanor of Albion - isn't the main character.

'Queen of the Sea' is told entirely (except for the prologue) from the point of view of Margaret, a young girl raised in a convent on a tiny island off the coast of Albion, where Eleanor ends up in exile.

Margaret's existence is a mystery even to herself, and the kindly yet conflicted and secretive nuns who raised her won't give her straightforward or helpful answers to her probing questions. (Heck, historically, and compared to other portrayals of orderly religious women out there, these are the most positive and human nuns I've seen since 'The Sound of Music'.)

More than anything, this is the coming-of-age story of Margaret. Smart, cunning, compassionate, feisty, brave, bold, redhaired Margaret - sheltered and isolated, yet never alone.

There is so much to talk about in 'Queen of the Sea'. So much happens, and here are numerous themes to explore.

But I'd rather as many readers as possible go into it mostly blind, like I was.

Just know that I'm sure it will be worth it.

It is an alternate history lesson come to life, containing painfully - and heroically - human characters and players.

Chess players, that is.

Devastating, yet beautiful and lush. And magnificently intriguing. It even manages to be funny, witty and clever, at appropriate moments, which are surprisingly many.

It is a book that is hard to put down, and you wouldn't want to.

Which makes it a further devastation that it ends on a cliffhanger, and to date there is no news of a sequel release. At all. After seven years.

It's a real shame.

But I can only surmise - and hope - that things do work out for the bold, daring and determined Margaret, who will be a queen in her own right, whether anyone knows it or not.

Whether history remembers her for it or not.

Dylan Meconis definitely knows her history, and its nuances, and how people would have lived in the various, difficult, dangerous and deadly circumstances and political warfare of sixteenth century England; especially for those on a secluded little convent island, that serves as both a safe haven and prison for political exiles, pariahs, and other innocents. Meconis did her research. Her artwork is excellent, charming and appealing, as well. 'Queen of the Sea' must have taken her years to create and put together.

I can confidently declare it was absolutely worth every pencil stroke.

Best of all, it is all-ages! Anyone can read it, and enjoy it, and learn from it; take its lessons to heart.



'Queen of the Sea'

To be queen of a sea kingdom.

Eh, it would be no worse than any other kingdom that exists.



Final Score: 4.5/5