Manga Review: Madoka Magica Homura's Revenge Volume 1 Part 2: Two ships passing in the night.

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"Let's see here, gains their power because their friend broke their hand thus lost their ability to perform music, check, sword wielder who's presented as the true protagonist of the series with a blue color scheme, check, and slow descent into madness and bloodlust due to misplaced concepts and expectations of heroism, that's three checks for all counts"

 Yes, it's been a while, again but I'm back with more of my Madoka Spinoff Manga reviews. In case you've forgotten what happened last time here's the link to Part 1, with that we're back on track.

https://ondavidsbrain.blogspot.com/2019/04/manga-review-madoka-magica-homuras.html

 In case last time wasn't clear we've switched gears from self aware goofy near parody story to totally serious story so from here on out look for more head slapping and leaps in logic thus more snark. We start the head slapping right away as chapter 4 starts with Sayaka making the contract with Kyubey so she can get revenge for Mami. Ah, the most worthless of causes and because she got fridged too, double points. Madoka goes through the motions and starts to realize the hell that Homura's subjected herself too, getting used to the fact that she can't save her friends. Sucks doesn't it?

 Up on the roof Sayaka blames Homura for Mami's death. Even though Madoka tries to dissuade her Kyubey points out the fact that when Homura showed up she distracted Mami enough for the witch to  chomp her head off like a squishy yellow Gummi Bear. When Madoka tries to tell Sayaka that Homura really was trying to save Mami she remembers that Homura told her not to mention that she's from the future, that nobody would be willing to listen about their futures which causes her to clam up muddying her argument. Getting flashbacks to Futures End here, not wise! Though at least this only lasts two volumes and not 50 or so issues of drawn out, contrived stupidity.

 While I can't disagree with Kyubey's statement (ignoring that he was the one who set her free in the first place to set up the circumstances to discredit her, Sayaka not knowing that detail and Kyubey's not telling her anytime soon) I can however argue with Homura's warning. Though in this case all Sayaka knows is what she saw and what she saw was a magical girl who had an antagonistic relationship with a new friend of hers set up an opportunity that took her out. I can't really blame her and Madoka and Homura know Sayaka will never listen to their argument, hell even Madoka was somewhat skeptical of Homura's claims during the last timeline. But to just say nothing just makes you look like you have no idea what you're talking about and only makes Sayaka less inclined to listen to either of you. The two hear the class bell and Sayaka decides that there's nothing more to talk about and walks off. 

 Later on Homura visits Mami's apartment and reminisces on when Madoka and Mami saved her from a witch and how whenever she tries to save anyone besides Madoka it never turns out well. Kyubey shows up and speculates about Homura's relationship with Mami, what she intends to do about Madoka and if she intends to drag her along with her repeating timelines and if she's strong enough to handle that. Yep, he pressed the Madoka button but before Homura can teach him why he shouldn't'a done that he blinds her with logic and struts off.

"Yeah you didn't want to lose her, you just wanted her to become another witch you miserable sociopathic rat!"

 Madoka runs into Homura at the bottom floor and the two walk back. Homura blames herself for Mami's death in this timeline but Madoka tries to tell her that they can just keep trying again until they get it right. 

 When Madoka brings up Sayaka and Kyoko; Homura remembers that today is the day she's supposed to make her contract when Hitomi gets possessed by the Box Witch. Homura heads to Hitomi while Madoka rushes off to persuade Sayaka not to make the contract. Homura manages to get to Hitomi and the other victims before they finish their Jonestown cocktail and then proceeds to deal with the Box Witch. She has it on the ropes but the Witch drags up her memories of when she first had to kill Madoka. But before she can become worm food Sayaka kills the witch in one attack.

"Well Duh and or Hello! But, you still have to admit Sayaka does have a far better execution of the concept of a Gunblade than either Squall or Lightning."

 Sayaka is about to attack Homura but Madoka protects her. Sayaka falls back for now but swears to Homura that she'll never accept her as a Magical Girl worthy of protecting Mitakihara and walks off. The chapter ends with Kyubey talking with Kyoko who's more then willing to take a crack at killing Homura since she killed Mami before she could. Chapter 5 opens on Sayaka and Madoka on the grassy hill where Sayaka gives her reasons for making the wish. When Madoka tries to tell Sayaka that Homura isn't just in it for the Grief Seeds Sayaka asks how she can trust a transfer student that they know nothing about. 

 So Sayaka heads off to see Kyosuke when Kyubey tells her that there's someone he wants to introduce to her. At the mall Madoka and Homura talk about how they both failed to save Sayaka and Mami, Madoka didn't reach Sayaka in time and Homura rightfully points out that her timing was absolutely horrible when she barged into the Witch's sanctum. Gee it's not as if you could have frozen time as soon as you got in to make sure that everything was secure OH WAIT!!! Homura suggests that Madoka should keep her distance from her lest her relationship with Sayaka deteriorate. But Madoka shoots that down saying how for all the good she's trying to do nobody sees that. 

Sometimes, just a little recognition is all you need.

 Madoka meets back up with Sayaka and the two go on her first solo witch hunt. Along the way Kyubey tells Madoka that he's made preparations to make sure that Sayaka doesn't end up like Mami. The two find the rogue familiar but this time Sayaka kills it without interference from Kyoko, that's because she's too busy pointing her spear at Homura's throat.

"Look, I know that she's got plenty of milk to go with that tea if you know what I mean. But let me tell ya from experience, ya ain't her type. And this creeper shit? Losing some serious points in attractiveness."

 She then begins her assault on Homura and the volume ends with Madoka and Sayaka investigating the noise and see the two fight with a surprising figure entering the fight making it a 2-1 brawl and no it's not John Cena.

Cue Roundabout

 So that was Volume 1 of Homura's Revenge. As I said before after the tonal shift in chapter 3 we have to look at this story with a whole new set of glasses. And with the serious story glasses on we have to sadly point out that Homura does come off as more then a bit of an idiot with her not anticipating Kyubey taking advantage of his new future knowledge to advance his own agenda, which she knows for a fact he would do because he's him! But I'll save the rest of my rants for now. Now unless something else comes along that requires my attention I'll be back next week when I start covering Volume 2.

Special thanks to my Patreon backer Jesse for his support.

Puella Magi Madoka Magica Homura's revenge is owned by, Masugitsune/ Kawazukuu, Magica Quartet and Yen Press.
The Simpsons are owned by Matt Groening, Gracie Films, and 20th Century Fox Television. 
Hellsing Ultimate is owned by Kouta Hirano, Studio Madhouse, Madman Entertainment, Manga Entertainment, Geneon and Funimation.
Hellsing Ultimate Abridged is owned by Team Four Star.