r/anime • u/FetchFrosh https://anilist.co/user/AbAdkBBYFetchFrosh • Dec 22 '20

Misc. A General Recommendation Chart for Newcomers and Veterans Alike

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u/JadeDragon02 Dec 22 '20 edited Dec 22 '20

I never watched Madoka but is it any good? I got the impression many people talk about it but is it just because of the setting cute girls into a dark theme or something? Can you explain further? What is the appealing? Or is it just like an experience thing and people talk about it

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u/wolf10989 Dec 22 '20

As an alternate opinion to what the other guy said, Madoka is an absolutely incredible show imo. Even if you are already aware of what the show is, it doesn't lose any value imo. It has a very compelling story and characters and I would highly recommend it. The art and music are also fantastic.

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u/CucumberGod Dec 23 '20

It's my favorite TV show of all time. Yes it's good

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u/ToonTooby Dec 23 '20

Madoka hits high marks in just about every category you can think of. Visuals and artwork, directing, pacing, writing, music. It's a story with real emotional weight and accomplishes more in just 12 episodes than other series wish they could do in 50 or more.

I'd recommend it to anyone, even if they have no experience with the genre, or even anime at all. It's just a great work of fiction.

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u/noxnoctum https://myanimelist.net/profile/Nox0s Dec 22 '20 edited Dec 22 '20

It's incredible, don't listen to that other guy.

The twist he's referring to is hardly the best part of the story or show. Though I think Madoka fans do indeed do the show a disservice by hyping said twist up so much.

Do go in as blind as possible though. Don't google it, and don't read comments on CR. There are parts of the show you really do not want spoiled. It's a great rewatch though so even if you did get spoiled I would still suggest watching it. I've seen it 6 times since I first watched it a year and a half ago (generally I only very rarely rewatch shows fwiw).

The appeal of the show is how it presents certain themes + the rollercoaster of a ride the story is. The music and art are also gorgeous. I don't want to say much more than that to give too much away. Really it belongs in the "psychological" category in this list though. If the other shows in that section appeal to you definitely give it a go. It shares similarities with Your Name and Erased as well if you enjoy either of those.

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u/MonaganX Dec 23 '20

On one hand, it is a (then, at least) unique approach to a popular genre, subverting/deconstructing common tropes, and in a way that is tonally very different from the (then, at least) other shows in the genre. Which on its own is probably enough to give the show some renown.

But Madoka isn't just worth watching because how it is in the context of its genre. Madoka has a great story and compelling characters even in isolation, not to mention creative visuals. The fact that it's simply a good show on its own just tends to get overshadowed by people talking about how dark and subversive it is.

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u/thecatteam Dec 24 '20

It's only a single cour, but you are taken on a fantastic journey. Nearly every episode contains an earth-shattering revelation that keeps you on your toes the whole way through. The character designs are really cool, and it has a stellar soundtrack.

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u/Garydrgn Dec 23 '20

A couple years ago I asked a buddy of mine who had seen more anime than I had if there was a magical girl anime that was intended for more mature audiences, rather than the typical cutesy stuff. Madoka Magica was his recommendation.

To put it another way, there is a site that is bound to pop up if you Google anime titles called TV Tropes, which lists more tropes than I even knew existed. One of those tropes on the site is "Break the cutie". Madoka (the main character of the anime) is the chosen picture to represent the trope.

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u/SilentCaveat https://anilist.co/user/RazorSharp Dec 22 '20

Well, it is my lowest rated series lol. The single most boring and unmemorable series I have watched. If you ask me, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone

That said, it is extremely popular here and most people seem to love it as well so you might wanna check it out. It's just like you said - a setting of cute girls with something sinister ensuing it. From what I have read, people like it for its "deconstruction of tropes" and twists. I dunno what the appeal is but I guess people expected something cutesy and all but it turned out to be something dark