Image: Magica Quartet/Aniplex, Madoka Project
AMBot | 06/28/2026 | Reading Time: 3 Min.
The official main trailer for the upcoming film 'Gekijōban Mahō Shōjo Madoka Magica: Walpurgis no Kaiten' (internationally: Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie: Walpurgisnacht: Rising) was released on June 29, 2026. The film is the long-awaited sequel to 'Rebellion' from 2013 and is scheduled to hit Japanese theaters on August 28, 2026.
The roughly two-minute video provides a deeper insight into the plot for the first time. It shows Homura Akemi, who transformed into a 'demon' at the end of 'Rebellion' to avoid losing Madoka Kaname. In the world she has newly created, she seems to have everything under control, but a mysterious threat is looming. The trailer hints at the existence of 'Nazuka Sokotsune,' the origin of all witches, and addresses the 'Walpurgisnacht' that once tormented Homura. Additionally, the line 'We will not forgive Akemi Homura' can be heard, spoken by magical girls seeking the 'Circle of Reason' (Enkai no Ri).
Alongside the trailer, the production team announced that the film's theme song is titled 'Kanata' and is performed by FictionJunction, the solo project of composer Yuki Kajiura. Kajiura, who is also responsible for the film's score, commented in a statement: 'I have been waiting for 'Walpurgis no Kaiten' for a long time. It is an indescribable honor to compose the music for this beautiful, nostalgic, painful, and fascinating film.' She added that she developed the song and background music in close collaboration with the script and storyboards to give the characters a fitting farewell.
The production of the film began several years ago but experienced multiple delays. Originally announced for winter 2024, the release was first postponed to February 2026 and then to August 28, 2026, to further improve quality. In the lead-up to the theatrical release, Japanese television will air newly edited TV versions of the first two Madoka Magica films starting October 2026. Additionally, revival screenings of all previous films took place in June 2026.
The core creative team remains loyal to the series: Akiyuki Shinbo serves as chief director, Yukihiro Miyamoto as director. The screenplay is by Gen Urobuchi (Nitroplus), with original character designs by Ume Aoki. Junichiro Taniguchi is responsible as character designer and chief animation director, while the eerie spaces of the witches are once again designed by Gekidan Inu Curry. The animation is provided by Studio Shaft, and distribution is handled by ANIMEC, a joint venture of Aniplex and Kadokawa.
In April 2026, two new magical girls were introduced: Murasaki Choka, voiced by Shion Wakayama, and Selma Therese, voiced by Tomoyo Kurosawa. The rest of the ensemble consists of the familiar voices: Aoi Yuki as Madoka, Chiwa Saito as Homura, Kaori Mizuhashi as Mami, Eri Kitamura as Sayaka, Ai Nonaka as Kyoko, Kana Asumi as Nagisa, and Emiri Kato as Kyubey.
The main trailer is available on the franchise's official YouTube channel. A specific theatrical release date outside Japan has not yet been determined.
The roughly two-minute video provides a deeper insight into the plot for the first time. It shows Homura Akemi, who transformed into a 'demon' at the end of 'Rebellion' to avoid losing Madoka Kaname. In the world she has newly created, she seems to have everything under control, but a mysterious threat is looming. The trailer hints at the existence of 'Nazuka Sokotsune,' the origin of all witches, and addresses the 'Walpurgisnacht' that once tormented Homura. Additionally, the line 'We will not forgive Akemi Homura' can be heard, spoken by magical girls seeking the 'Circle of Reason' (Enkai no Ri).
Alongside the trailer, the production team announced that the film's theme song is titled 'Kanata' and is performed by FictionJunction, the solo project of composer Yuki Kajiura. Kajiura, who is also responsible for the film's score, commented in a statement: 'I have been waiting for 'Walpurgis no Kaiten' for a long time. It is an indescribable honor to compose the music for this beautiful, nostalgic, painful, and fascinating film.' She added that she developed the song and background music in close collaboration with the script and storyboards to give the characters a fitting farewell.
The production of the film began several years ago but experienced multiple delays. Originally announced for winter 2024, the release was first postponed to February 2026 and then to August 28, 2026, to further improve quality. In the lead-up to the theatrical release, Japanese television will air newly edited TV versions of the first two Madoka Magica films starting October 2026. Additionally, revival screenings of all previous films took place in June 2026.
The core creative team remains loyal to the series: Akiyuki Shinbo serves as chief director, Yukihiro Miyamoto as director. The screenplay is by Gen Urobuchi (Nitroplus), with original character designs by Ume Aoki. Junichiro Taniguchi is responsible as character designer and chief animation director, while the eerie spaces of the witches are once again designed by Gekidan Inu Curry. The animation is provided by Studio Shaft, and distribution is handled by ANIMEC, a joint venture of Aniplex and Kadokawa.
In April 2026, two new magical girls were introduced: Murasaki Choka, voiced by Shion Wakayama, and Selma Therese, voiced by Tomoyo Kurosawa. The rest of the ensemble consists of the familiar voices: Aoi Yuki as Madoka, Chiwa Saito as Homura, Kaori Mizuhashi as Mami, Eri Kitamura as Sayaka, Ai Nonaka as Kyoko, Kana Asumi as Nagisa, and Emiri Kato as Kyubey.
The main trailer is available on the franchise's official YouTube channel. A specific theatrical release date outside Japan has not yet been determined.
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This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical support and editorially reviewed before publication.
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