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3rd Madoka Magica Film's New Footage Debuts on Japanese TV

Fuji TV's morning program Mezamashi Terebi aired a new feature on Gekijō-ban Mahō Shōjo Madoka Magica Shinpen: Hangyaku no Monogatari (Madoka Magica The Movie -Rebellion-) on Friday. The program premiered still more new footage from the upcoming third Madoka Magica film.

The program notes that 51 of 129 participating theaters are holding midnight screenings on Saturday. The program also notes that a new magical girl named Nagisa Momoe appears:

After giving a short briefing about Madoka Magica's storyline so far, Mezamashi Terebi introduces Chiwa Saito as the voice of Homura Akemi. Saito talks about her own adolescence, in which she thought deeply about big hypothetical events such as "the end of the world" — only to appear years later in Madoka Magica, a show that actually depicts such an event.

Next, Mezamashi Terebi showed the Puella Magi Madoka Magica Orchestral Concert that was held in Tokyo, particularly a performance of "magia." The program introduces music producer Yuki Kajiura, best known outside anime and game circles as the composer for Takeshi Kitano's Achilles and the Tortoise film.

Kajiura talked about the eerie fear that prevades this work, unlike the previous works she composed. She also acknowledged that one of her composing traits is using words without any meaning as lyrics — to stir people's imaginations when they listen. Mezamashi Terebi played a sample of "Credens justitiam" as an example.

Finally, the program aired exclusive new footage from the third film, with the teaser "What happened to the girls in the new world that Madoka created? Homura is the only one who harbors memories of the world before. Magical girl vs magical girl." Saito describes the new film as one that will split people's opinions completely one way or another. Kajiura says she was "astonished" by the film.

The film will play in the United States and Canada with English subtitles starting December 6. In addition, there will be a Hollywood premiere event at the Egyptian Theater on December 3, although it is now sold out.

The film's premise is as follows:

[Note: Highlight the text below for the story, which contains spoilers for the end of the television series and first two films]

A girl becomes a magical girl in exchange for her wish. The magical girls have a fate to fight against the witches, the harbingers of destruction that plant the seeds of despair, and in the end, they will succumb to despair and transform into witches themselves... The terrible cycle that had repeated so many times was finally ended by Madoka Kaname's sacrifice, and the world was led into a new order. However, the magical girls' battle must continue. The reason for this is because it is the compensation for the miracle. Unable to let her memories of Madoka die, Homura Akemi, the magical girl left behind continues to fight alone in the revived world. Her feelings pave the way for a new story.

...Madoka Kaname, the girl who had become the pillar to the order of the circle and Sayaka Miki, the girl who had lost her life when her magical power ran out both appear in front of Homura. What is the meaning of the appearance of two girls who should not exist anymore at all? Will Nagisa Momoe, the new magical girl who has an unsure face, tell the truth of the matter? And what is the new being that fights against the order of god and tramples the world?

The true climax of Puella Magi Madoka Magica! The story reaches the unbelievable “incredible finale”...

Akiyuki Shinbo and Yukihiro Miyamoto are directing the film at SHAFT with original character designs from manga creator Ume Aoki (Hidamari Sketch). Yuki Kajiura will be providing the music, while musical units ClariS and Kalafina will perform the movie's opening theme and ending theme ("Kimi no Gin no Niwa" or Your Silver Garden), respectively.

The main cast will be returning from the television series and previous two films, with Aoi Yūki as Madoka Kaname, Chiwa Saito as Homura Akemi, Eri Kitamura as Sayaka Miki, Kaori Mizuhashi as Mami Tomoe, Ai Nonaka as Kyōko Sakura, and Emiri Katō as Kyubey. Kana Asumi joins the cast as the new magical girl Nagisa Momoe. There is also a new enemy named Nightmare who is not a witch.

The third film will open in Japan on October 26. Aniplex announced at Japan Expo in Paris that the film will debut in France in November. Aniplex aims to release the third film in still more countries worldwide, just as it did for the first two films.

[Via NicoTubeAnime]

Images © Magica Quartet/Aniplex, Madoka Movie Project Rebellion