The long-awaited Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie -Walpurgisnacht: Rising- is here, and the early verdict is strong. Anime News Network's Richard Eisenbeis scored it A-, calling it "a great film" that doesn't quite surpass what came before. It continues directly from Rebellion: Homura has become a godlike figure holding together a rewritten reality where Madoka lives as an ordinary girl — until three magical girls she didn't create show up.
Quick answer
According to SenpaiRanks, Puella Magi Madoka Magica -Walpurgisnacht: Rising- is the newest film in the SHAFT-produced Madoka Magica franchise, continuing Homura's arc after Rebellion. Critical reception is strong — ANN rated it A-, praising the animation and character work while flagging an ambiguous ending. The essential watch order remains the 2011 TV series, then the Rebellion film, then Walpurgisnacht: Rising. SenpaiRanks tracks the original series at 8.14 on its dual-axis ranking board — top-tier, one of the highest-rated psychological anime we track.
Is it good?
Short answer: yes, with an asterisk. The praise centers on the animation and on how the film handles Homura's arc — the series has always been her story, a girl who turned admiration into friendship and friendship into obsession. The reservation is the finish: reviewers call the conclusion ambiguous and "more than a bit unsatisfying." If you loved Rebellion's swing-for-the-fences ending, that will read as a feature, not a bug.
Here is the trailer:
Watch order and where to watch
Newcomers, do not start here. The entry point is the 2011 TV series (or the two 2012-2013 recap films that compress it), then Rebellion (2013), then this film. The new movie is theatrical in Japan first, and an international/streaming date has not been confirmed — we will update when it is. We keep platform calls neutral: check your region for the series and Rebellion, since rights differ across services.
If psychological anime is your lane, our best psychological anime ranked hub is built for exactly this, and the lighter Madoka Magica x Monogatari crossover shorts are a fun side note.
Where it ranks
Madoka Magica is a benchmark, and the board reflects it: the original series holds 8.14 on SenpaiRanks — top-tier, and one of the highest psychological entries we track. MyAnimeList gives it a single number; our Consensus and Quality axes show both how universally it lands and how well it has aged, which for a 2011 title is the more interesting question. Seen it? Add your score on its ranking page.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Is Madoka Magica: Walpurgisnacht Rising good?
A: Reviews are strong — Anime News Network rated it A-, praising the animation and character arcs while noting an ambiguous ending.
Q: What is the Madoka Magica watch order?
A: The 2011 TV series (or the two recap films), then Rebellion (2013), then Walpurgisnacht: Rising.
Q: Where can I watch Walpurgisnacht Rising?
A: It opened theatrically in Japan first; an international and streaming date has not been confirmed.
Q: Do I need to watch the series before the new film?
A: Yes. It continues directly from Rebellion and assumes you know the earlier story.
Q: How does Madoka Magica rank on SenpaiRanks?
A: The original series sits at 8.14 on the dual-axis board, top-tier among psychological anime.