The Meaning of Puella Magi Madoka Magica
With several symbolisms of words and images, Madoka Magica is one of the animes with many hidden secrets related to its story, starting with the name, have you ever wondered the Meaning Behind Puella Magi Madoka Magica? Yes, the title hides a hidden meaning that makes the story even more interesting!
The Meaning of Puella Magi Madoka Magica
The keyword Puella Magi Madoka Magica holds more depth than it initially seems. Although “Puella Magi” is commonly translated as “Magical Girl,” this is technically incorrect. If the intent was to literally translate “Magical Girl” into Latin, the correct phrasing would be “Puella Maga” or “Puella Magica.”
As it stands, Puella Magi translates to “Girl of the Sorcerer.” This choice might not be a mistake but a deliberate one. Episode 8 gives this phrase more weight, as “Girl of the Sorcerer” aligns with the idea that Puella Magi are immature forms of witches within the series. Furthermore, it suggests the girls are being used, particularly by Kyubey.
Interestingly, in Japanese, Kyubey uses the term “mahou shoujo” (magical girl), creating a wordplay between shoujo (girls who are growing up) and majo (witches). This emphasizes the connection between magical girls and witches. However, this nuance is lost in the official English subtitles, removing the original implication of the series.
Madoka’s Logo Also Hides a Mystery
Japanese fans noticed that the kanji “魔法” (mahou, magic) in the series’ logo is heavily stylized, making it readable as “廃怯” (hai-kyou), meaning “abandon cowardice/hesitation.”
The alternate title, “廃怯少女 まどか☆マギカ” (Hai-Kyou Shoujo Madoka Magica), could be translated as “The Girl Who Abandons Cowardice Madoka Magica.” This interpretation visually enhances the theme of sacrifice and courage portrayed throughout the series.
Did you enjoy learning about the meaning behind Puella Magi Madoka Magica? The Madoka Magica manga is available on Amazon.
via Você Sabia Anime
