Fans of the critically acclaimed Puella Magi Madoka Magica franchise were treated to a second official trailer for the upcoming film, “Madoka Magica -Walpurgisnacht: Rising-” (Gekijouban Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica〈Walpurgis no Kaiten〉), which premiered during Aniplex Online Fest 2024 on September 15, 2024. The new footage offers a tantalizing glimpse into the highly anticipated sequel, while also confirming a revised release schedule, with the film now slated for February 2026.
The second trailer builds anticipation for the movie, which continues the narrative established in “Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie -Rebellion-“. Following its debut, an extended version, “Trailer 2: Side Homura,” featuring additional cuts and narration, was screened after “Revival Screening” events of Rebellion from October 25 to October 31, 2024, and subsequently uploaded online on November 1, 2024.
A Deeper Look into the Latest Visuals
The newly released trailer showcases a blend of surreal imagery and action sequences, characteristic of the Madoka Magica series. Viewers were quick to note the presence of multiple Homuras, suggesting a potential internal conflict for the character, a plot point that has fueled much fan speculation since the ending of Rebellion. The visual feast also introduced three mysterious new characters, identified by their green, faintly pink/white, and orange hair, all donning the familiar school uniforms of the main cast, leaving their roles in the unfolding narrative open to interpretation.
Among the striking scenes, fans observed Madoka and Homura dancing, a moment that has generated considerable discussion. The trailer’s enigmatic nature has led to various fan theories, including speculation regarding Homura’s descent into darkness or even the possibility of Madoka herself becoming the formidable Walpurgisnacht.
Production Team and Returning Talent
The upcoming film sees the return of the core creative team that brought the original series and previous movies to life. Akiyuki Shinbo is once again at the helm as Chief Director, with Yukihiro Miyamoto directing the film. Gen Urobuchi of Nitroplus is penning the script, promising another dark and thought-provoking story. Original character designs are provided by aokiume, with Junichiro Taniguchi adapting them for animation, ensuring the distinctive visual style remains consistent. The hauntingly beautiful score will be composed by Yuki Kajiura, and Gekidan Inu Curry is returning to design the intricate and unsettling Witch Spaces.
The beloved voice cast from the previous installments will also reprise their roles, including Aoi Yūki as Madoka Kaname, Chiwa Saitō as Homura Akemi, Kaori Mizuhashi as Mami Tomoe, Eri Kitamura as Sayaka Miki, Ai Nonaka as Kyōko Sakura, Kana Asumi as Nagisa Momoe, and Emiri Katō as Kyubey.
Shifting Release Dates and Anticipation
“Madoka Magica -Walpurgisnacht: Rising-” was initially announced during the Madoka Magica 10th Anniversary event on April 25, 2021. The first trailer, unveiled during Aniplex Online Fest 2023 on September 10, 2023, initially indicated a Winter 2024 release. However, due to production circumstances, the film was subsequently delayed to Winter 2025. Most recently, an announcement on July 15, 2025, further pushed the release date to February 2026. Despite these delays, the consistent stream of new visuals and details continues to heighten anticipation for what promises to be a pivotal chapter in the Madoka Magica saga.
