Manga Review - 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Wraith Arc, Vol. 1' by Magica Quartet (Writer), Hanokage (Artist)

2026 REREAD:

WELCOME TO OCTOBER MAGICA!

'Wraith Arc' is set between the original 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica' series and the 'Rebellion' movie (so I'll go light on spoilers here). The first volume is about Mami, Kyouko and Sayaka working as a team and fighting the mysterious wraiths, and protecting their city of Mitakihara. But mostly it is about Kyouko and Sayaka fighting each other. They are constantly butting heads and "training" together in spars... "to the death".

Will they ever get along and become real friends?

Homura and Madoka barely appear - at first. Homura becomes the (unfortunate, fallen) star, starting from the third and last chapter of the volume.

'Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Wraith Arc, Vol. 1' is solid, entertaining, thoughtful, clever, intriguing, and foreboding enough for 'Madoka' fans. The artwork, especially in the action scenes - and there are many of those - is incredible and creative, and the character work and drama are strong; at the highest standards for this franchise. Many characters are involved, and none are wasted.

The epic-ness and potential of this story arc has barely begun...

The loss of a piece of hair ribbon has never been more shocking and heartbreaking...

But no more of that, for now. Next up, I'll be revisiting the subsequent, consequent 'Rebellion' movie - in manga form, specifically its first volume.

Happy October Magica!

Final Score: 4/5

BONUS: - from the 'Puella Magi BONUS MAGICA' inside covers:


SAYAKA: Question for Nagisa-san--what do wraiths want?

NAGISA: Answer--no idea.





Original Review:

'Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Wraith Arc, Vol. 1' - it's exactly what you'd expect if you've seen the original anime all the way through. Especially its ending.

The manga is supposedly set between the original series and the 'Rebellion' movie, and it aims to explain how the events of the latter came to be.

Strangely, Homura Akemi barely appears, and she's front and center on the cover. Though she takes center stage at the end, in a gigantic wraith battle mirroring Walpurgisnacht.

The first volume is mainly about the magical girls Mami Tomoe, Kyouko Sakura and Sayaka Miki trying to work as a team as they fight the wraiths in their city. Mami is the levelheaded leader, though she has questionable and even manipulative motives, and Kyouko and Sayaka are constantly fighting each other, physically and verbally. It is ultimately about Sayaka dealing with her own issues and heartache (Kyousuke and Hitomi remain key players.)

Yet again, it is about a magical girl's loneliness...

Madoka is a goddess-like presence, a symbol of hope and light, rarely seen but always there, always felt, regardless.

Only poor Homura remembers her, and believes in her, and cannot stand to lose her again...

'Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Wraith Arc, Vol. 1' is an enjoyable yet bittersweet manga story for any 'Madoka Magica' fan. The action is awesome, as are the characters and their development. Of course it doesn't hold a candle to the original anime - nothing can ever match that self-contained package of perfection, I don't think. But it's a good, fulfilling story in its own right.

For more of my 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica' reviewing and gushing, read these links:


'Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Vol. 1'

'Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Vol. 2'

'Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Vol. 3'

'Puella Magi Madoka Magica: The Different Story, Vol. 1'

'Puella Magi Madoka Magica: The Different Story, Vol. 2'

'Puella Magi Madoka Magica: The Different Story, Vol. 3'


Final Score: 4/5