Homura Akemi

Homura Akemi
Puella Magi Madoka Magica character
Homura as portrayed in her school uniform in Puella Magi Madoka Magica.
First appearance As If I Met Her in My Dream...
Created by
Voiced by Japanese
Chiwa Saitō
English
Cristina Vee[2]
Profile
Species Magical girl
Devil (Rebellion)
Gender Female
Weapon Shield (time manipulation)

Homura Akemi (Japanese: 暁美 ほむら, Hepburn: Akemi Homura) is a fictional character and one of the main heroines of the 2011 anime series Puella Magi Madoka Magica. She is a mysterious veteran magical girl that first appeared as a vision in one of Madoka's nightmares. Homura transfers into her school the day after the dream. As a magical girl, Homura has the ability to travel back in time, and uses this in an attempt to save Madoka from her fate. Because of her time-travelling, she has become excellent at academics and sports. Created by Akiyuki Shinbo and Gen Urobuchi, and designed by Ume Aoki, the character plays an important role in Madoka Magica media and merchandise.

Development

Homura is voiced by Chiwa Saitō.[3]

The pair of black wings Homura sprouts in the final episode of Madoka Magica was not originally written in the script by Urobuchi. The detail was added by production designers Gekidan Inu Curry, and Urobuchi was happy with the addition as it added more "mystery and depth" to the character. Urobuchi also described Homura's role at the end of the series as that of an "evangelist", the only person in the world that understands Madoka's existence and importance.[4]

Cristina Vee, voice actress of Homura in the English dub of the anime, stated in 2012 that Homura is the most "complex" character she has voiced.[2]

Appearances

Characterization and themes

Writing for Otaku USA, Ryotaro Aoki dubbed Homura "a stoic, justice-seeking righteous" character.[5] Critic Richard Eisenbeis of Kotaku stated that upon a second watch, the plot twists and character motivations becomes "a new story—not about Madoka but about Homura." Concluding that "the story can be looked at as Homura being the only sane person in an insane world—and the only one who really has a clue about what's really going on. Moreover, many of her lines have double meanings that can only be appreciated upon a second viewing."[6]

Regarding The Rebellion Story, Author Jed A.Blue at Goodreads stated that Homura had "extensive character development" and described her as a "complex" character who "embodies evil and love" and is the "embodiment of contradictions and opposites".[7] Geoff Berkshire of Variety described Homura and Madoka's friendship as "deep" and "loving".[8]

Media

Homura is a popular character to cosplay.[9]

The character of Homura has played a large role in all Madoka Magica media, including the original anime series, the subsequent feature-length films, and the main Madoka Magica manga series. In 2015, two spin-off manga series featuring Homura as the main character were announced: a four-panel fantasy slice-of-life comic titled Puella Magi Homura Tamura, and Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Homura's Revenge, an alternate universe story where Madoka joined Homura in her time traveling.[10]

The focus of the third Madoka Magica film, Rebellion, is primarily on Homura and her relationship with Madoka.[11][12] Homura is the player character of Puella Magi Madoka Magica TPS featuring Homura Akemi, a third-person shooter video game for Android released in 2011.[13][14]

A large amount of Homura-related merchandise has been created, such as a Nendoroid figure produced by Good Smile Company,[15] a figure produced by Kotobukiya based on an "itain" stamp,[16] and a replica set of Homura's ear cuff that sold for 21,600 yen.[9] In 2014, 2 PM Works created two sets of high heels, inspired by Madoka and Homura respectively.[17]

Reception and legacy

Homura has garnered critical acclaim. Zac Bertschy of Anime News Network called Homura's episode 10 as "the strongest one in the series" and described her as the series "most crucial" character.[18] Ryotaro Aoki wrote "One of the series’ most compelling moments, Homura Akemi’s origin, ends up seeming more like a digression than a revelation."[19] THEM Anime reviewer Jacob Churosh praised both Homura and her voice actress, writing "But the absolute standout of the cast, Yuuki's Madoka notwithstanding, has to be frequent Shinbo collaborator Chiwa Saitou as Homura Akemi, whose mask of cool aloofness and brutal indifference crumbles in spectacular fashion over the second half of the series, as we probe the depths of her history and begin to discover what tragedies caused Homura to don such a mask in the first place."[20] Tim Jones stated Homura has the most developed backstory in the series.[21] In her article "The Hair Flips Of Madoka Magica’s Homura", Cecilia D'Anastasio of Kotaku stated that "Homura Akemi is the best girl". She added, "Among her many virtues, including strength and compassion, is her incredible hair, which often is in her face and needs a good flip."[22]

By shifting the narrative over fully to Homura, she becomes a character that you can sympathize with and feel the pain of in a huge way. She’s been a decent if cold character up until this point, but here she becomes something far more. It’s almost hard to put it into something simple, but it comes down to that you understand her pain and the way it drives her, both based on her past prior to becoming a magical girl as well as what she sees in watching Madoka live her life what must be countless upon countless times after that. The series does go big picture with it in the fight that has to happen with the most powerful of witches on the planet, but it’s made all the more compelling because of the sacrifices that Homura is making for Madoka, and the way Madoka doesn’t quite understand.

Chris Beveridge, The Fandom Post.[23]

Although widely acclaimed, Homura has sparked controversy regarding her character's motivation, specifically her role at the end of The Rebellion Story. Anime News Network's Jacob Hope Chapman noted how more powerful became Homura and Madoka's relationship which he also considered one of the film's greatest strengths. However, he criticized her character at the last part of the film, stating "Homura is no longer the same girl fans once knew and loved by the time Madoka arrives to rescue her."[24] Fellow critic Lynzee Loveridge stated she enjoyed having Homura's character focused on in the film but hated its ending.[25] Chris Beveridge of The Fandom Post gave high praise to her development and on how she deals "with things once she gained her understanding". Beveridge also noted that "Homura has always been the key character for me and why I watched and she owns this movie well."[26] David West of Neo praised the friendship between Homura and Madoka, writing: "Far more complicated than merely turning friends into enemies, Rebellion takes their relationship and stands it in front of a funhouse mirror."[27] Reviewing The Rebellion Story, Richard Eisenbeis stated that Homura's wish is the complete opposite to Madoka's wish, in which he called it as a "selfish" wish and goes on to write, "She wants exactly what she has always wanted: Madoka in a perfect, happy, normal life. And so she remakes all of reality just to give it to her—blatantly disregarding Madoka's own wishes. Effectively she becomes the devil to Madoka's god."[28] Dan Rhodes of UK Anime Network wrote "The road to hell is paved with good intentions. If you remember that as you watch [Rebellion], you may very well find yourself feeling a little sympathy for the Devil."[29]

Homura won the 2011 Newtype Anime Award for best female character.[30] Her rank began to go down, slipping to fourth place in Newtype's best female awards two consecutive times in 2013 and 2014.[31][32] Homura was awarded the Animage Grand Prix Editors Choice award for best female character by the editors of Animage in 2011.[33][34] In 2014, NTT customers ranked Homura as their 5th favorite black haired female anime character.[35] Homura is considered to be among Shaft's most beloved heroines, where she took second place for "Top 10 Shaft Heroines" in 2016, three years after her debut in The Rebellion Story.[36] A reader poll conducted by NHK also determined that Homura is one of the best heroines, having garnered 14% of votes.[37] In September 2017, Homura ranked at No. 19 on "Most Splendid Heroines" list, making her one of Heisei Era's most marvellous anime heroine ever.[38]

Homura has been featured in several critics list. Lynzee Loveridge of Anime News Network ranked Homura first in her article "8 Essential Time-Travelling Heroines", a list that recognized some of best heroines that "will find a way to travel through time and save the world" and heroines that do "right wrongs, prevent deaths, and try to carve out a perfect future." Lynzee wrote, "Homura relives tragedy after tragedy in hopes of saving her best friend, and ultimately the world, from destruction. If Homura can be faulted for inadvertently creating the situation she hopes to prevent, she can also be credited for destroying the system of despair magical girls were trapped in."[39] She also included Homura second in her article "7 Cruel Gods" list. Comparing the character's selfishness personality and her rebellion against Madoka to that of Paradise Lost's Lucifer. Lynzee wrote, "She controls everyone within her selfish reality, stripping her captives of free will in the name of her "love"."[40] Alex Crilly-McKean of WatchMojo.com ranked Homura at number one on list of "Top 10 Anime Characters That Are Better Than The Hero", with Alex writing, "it’s the sacrifices of this fractured young lady that truly makes her the unsung hero of the show."[41] Oscar Pearson Bang also ranked her fifth on "Top 10 Badass Anime Gunslinger", stating that Homura "gives “overprotective” a whole new meaning".[42]

Chiwa Saitō's portrayal of Homura won her the 2011 Newtype Anime Award for Best Supporting Actress, with Saito commenting: "I'm surprised. I never imagined I could have such a big prize. I could not ask for more, and I would like to send the words of gratitude."[43] Her English VA, Cristina Vee was also nominated for Best Female Lead Vocal Performance in Television at the 1st BTVA Voice Acting Awards.[44]

References

  1. 1 2 3 新房昭之×虚淵玄×蒼樹うめ×シャフト 1大プロジェクト始動 [Akiyuki Shinbo × Gen Urobuchi × Ume Aoki × Shaft: The Start of One Large Project]. Megami Magazine (in Japanese). Gakken (127): 115. October 25, 2010.
  2. 1 2 Ohanesian, Liz (October 3, 2013). "How Puella Magi Madoka Magica Shatters Anime Stereotypes". LA Weekly. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  3. ↑ Tueac (2011-12-10). "AFA11: CHIWA SAITO~". Ani-Culture.net.
  4. ↑ Ransom, Ko (January 29, 2012). "Report: Kazuo Koike and Gen Urobuchi Chat". Anime News Network.
  5. ↑ Aoki, Ryotaro (November 5, 2013). "Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Rebellion Review". Otaku USA. Archived from the original on September 30, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  6. ↑ Einsenbeis, Richard (October 9, 2012). "Madoka Magica: Beginnings May Be Better Than the Series". Kotaku. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  7. ↑ Jed A. Blue (March 2015). The Very Soil: An Unauthorized Critical Study of Puella Magi Madoka Magica. Goodreads. ISBN 978-1-3119-5733-7.
  8. ↑ Berkshire, Geoff (December 5, 2013). "Film Review: Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie — Rebellion". Variety. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  9. 1 2 Dong, Bamboo (2015-02-10). "Top Off Your Madoka Magica Homura Cosplay with A Replica Ear Cuff". Anime News Network.
  10. ↑ "Yen Press Adds Durarara!! Novels, Strike the Blood, Black Bullet, Rust Blaster Manga". Anime News Network. 2015-01-09.
  11. ↑ Baseel, Casey (2015-11-18). "Magical anime fan art has characters appearing to leap off the page in tender act of friendship". RocketNews24.
  12. ↑ Eisenbeis, Richard (2013-10-29). "The New Madoka Magica Movie is the Sequel You Never Knew Was Needed". Kotaku.
  13. ↑ Loo, Egan (2011-12-08). "Madoka Magica 3rd-Person Shooter App With Homura Unveiled". Anime News Network.
  14. ↑ Spencer (2012-04-23). "Even Madoka Magica Has A Third Person Shooter". Silicon Era.
  15. ↑ Komatsu, Mikikazu (2012-01-20). "Akemi Homura: School Uniform Ver. Figures to Be Sold at Wonder Festival". Crunchyroll News.
  16. ↑ ""Madoka Magica" Homura Akemi Shrine Maiden Figure Includes Kyubey Stamp". Yattar Japan. 2015-01-05.
  17. ↑ Baseel, Casey (2014-06-04). "With Madoka Magica high heels, the choice between good and evil is always a fashionable one". Rocket News 24.
  18. ↑ Bertschy, Zac (June 13, 2012). "Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Vol. 3 Blu-ray". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  19. ↑ Aoki, Ryotaro (October 22, 2012). "Puella Magi Madoka Magica: The Movies". Otaku USA. Archived from the original on September 6, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  20. ↑ Churosh, Jacob. "Puella Magi Madoka Magica". THEM Anime Reviews. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  21. ↑ Jones, Tim. "Puella Magi Madoka Magica". THEM Anime Reviews. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  22. ↑ D'Anastasio, Cecilia (February 10, 2017). "The Hair Flips Of Madoka Magica's Homura, Ranked". Kotaku. Archived from the original on September 7, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  23. ↑ {{cite web|last=Beveridge|first=Chris|title=Puella Magi Madoka Magica DVD/Blu-ray Collection 3 Limited Edition Anime Review|url=http://www.fandompost.com/2012/05/30/puella-magi-madoka-magica-dvdblu-ray-collection-3-limited-edition-anime-review/%7Cwork=The Fandom Post|accessdate=September 6, 2017|date=May 30, 2012|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180107175852/http://www.fandompost.com/2012/05/30/puella-magi-madoka-magica-dvdblu-ray-collection-3-limited-edition-anime-review/%7Carchivedate=January 7, 2018 |df=mdy-all
  24. ↑ Chapmam, Jacob (June 13, 2012). "Puella Magi Madoka Magica Part 3: Rebellion". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  25. ↑ Loveridge, Lynzee (May 6, 2017). "6 "Bad" Endings that Were Actually Fitting". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on January 2, 2018. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  26. ↑ Beveridge, Chris (April 16, 2015). "Puella Magi Madoka Magica -Rebellion- Limited Edition Blu-ray Anime Review". The Fandom Post. Archived from the original on January 7, 2018. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  27. ↑ West, David (November 22, 2015). "Puella Magi Madoka Magica". Neo. Archived from the original on September 6, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  28. ↑ Einsenbeis, Richard (October 29, 2013). "The New Madoka Magica Movie is the Sequel You Never Knew Was Needed". Kotaku. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  29. ↑ Rhodes, Dan. "Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie: Part 3 - Rebellion". UK Anime Network. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  30. ↑ "Madoka Magica Wins 12 of 21 Newtype Anime Awards". Anime News Network. October 9, 2011. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  31. ↑ "Attack on Titan Wins Top Prizes in Newtype Anime Awards". Anime News Network. October 13, 2011. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  32. ↑ "Kill la Kill, Idolm@ster Movie Win Top Prizes in Newtype Awards". Anime News Network. October 12, 2014. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  33. ↑ "Anime Grand Prix 34". Animage (in Japanese). Gakken (8). July 2012.
  34. ↑ "34° Annual Anime Grand Prix (2011)". Animage. July 21, 2012. Archived from the original on September 7, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  35. ↑ "Japanese Fans Rank Their Favorite Black-Haired Anime Characters". Anime News Network. May 5, 2014. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  36. ↑ Green, Scott (May 12, 2016). "MadoGatari Nagoya Exhibit Announces Results Of Top Ten (Plus Two) Favorite Shaft Anime Girls". Crunchyroll. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  37. ↑ Green, Scott (January 3, 2013). "NHK Celebrates 50 Years of Televised Anime By Naming Top Heroines". Crunchyroll. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  38. ↑ Nakamura, Toshi (September 9, 2017). "12,000 Japanese Fans Vote on Japan's Top Heroes and Heroines". Anime.now. Archived from the original on September 9, 2017. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  39. ↑ Loveridge, Lynzee (August 10, 2013). "8 Essential Time-Travelling Heroines". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  40. ↑ Loveridge, Lynzee (August 13, 2016). "7 Cruel Gods". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  41. ↑ Crilly-McKean, Alex. "Top 10 Anime Characters That Are Better Than The Hero". WatchMojo.com. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  42. ↑ Pearson Bang, Oscar. "Top 10 Badass Anime Gunslinger". WatchMojo.com. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  43. ↑ "驚異的な強さで「まどかマギカ」が12部門制覇、ニュータイプ・アニメ・アワード 2011発表・授賞式" (in Japanese). Gizagine. October 9, 2011. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  44. ↑ http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/btva-anime-awards/2012/television/
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