Fifteen years after the original television broadcast rewrote the dark magical girl genre, the core voice cast of Puella Magi Madoka Magica reassembled at Shinjuku Wald 9 in Tokyo. The stage greeting for Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie: Walpurgisnacht: Rising brought together Aoi Yuki (Madoka Kaname), Chiwa Saito (Homura Akemi), Eri Kitamura (Sayaka Miki), Ai Nonaka (Kyoko Sakura), Kaori Mizuhashi (Mami Tomoe), Kana Asumi (Nagisa Momoe), and Emiri Kato (Kyubey) before a packed audience spanning multiple generations of fans.
Fifteen Years of Legacy
During the event, cast members reflected on the passage of time since the 2011 television broadcast and the 2013 premiere of Rebellion. When asked how many in the audience had watched the original broadcast in real time versus discovering it in subsequent years, hands filled the theatre across both demographics. Aoi Yuki expressed deep gratitude for how wide the audience demographics have expanded over the past decade and a half, noting how she transitioned from a young voice actress learning the ropes to a seasoned veteran mentoring younger colleagues.
Emiri Kato drew laughs from the audience when recalling the overwhelming presence of Kyubey merchandise in Japanese pop culture during the initial broadcast, jokingly warning attendees about the dangers of forming contracts even inside movie theatre restrooms. Kato offered an unapologetic perspective on playing anime's most notorious mascot:
I feel Kyubey is deeply loved precisely because he is hated. In my mind, Kyubey thrives on that hatred. Whenever I discuss Madoka Magica, my mindset shifts toward villainy—I carry zero guilt for what was done to the magical girls!
Emiri Kato, Voice of Kyubey
Reflections on Character Growth
The core cast took turns addressing what they respect most about their respective roles after playing them for over a decade. Ai Nonaka highlighted Kyoko's fierce loyalty beneath her rough exterior, while Eri Kitamura emphasized Sayaka's flawed, relatable humanity and her refusal to be swept away even within Homura's endless timeline loops.
Chiwa Saito addressed the audience directly about the nature of Homura's legendary resolve and how viewers might interpret the new film:
As adults, we learn to compromise and guard our hearts, but Homura never surrenders. She resets and fights again. Madoka Magica is a story that changes depending on where you are in life. Whether you leave the theatre feeling confused or awestruck, it is valid—because this is your Madoka Magica now.
Chiwa Saito, Voice of Homura Akemi
Aoi Yuki closed the stage event by inviting fans to witness the next chapter in the mythos, promising that the new film highlights the newfound strength of Mitakihara's magical girls. With thirteen years having passed since the last feature film entry, the return of Studio Shaft and writer Gen Urobuchi marks one of the most significant theatrical releases in modern anime history.
