At New York Comic Con this Thursday, Aniplex of America joined forces with Fathom Entertainment to unveil a limited theatrical window for the latest entry in the Puella Magi Madoka Magica saga. The film, Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie: Walpurgisnacht: Rising (Japanese title: Gekijōban Mahō Shōjo Madoka Magica: Walpurgis no Kaiten), will play in select North American cinemas from January 16 to 19.
Fans will be able to choose between the original Japanese audio with English subtitles or the newly produced English dub, which is catalogued in AN’s dub lexicon. Ticket sales open on December 11, and the distributor urges audiences to book early, as the run is intentionally brief.
New Visuals and Promotional Art
Alongside the standard English key visual, Aniplex of America released an exclusive illustration by Australian artist Namie, known for work on Fate/Grand Order and Arknights. The fresh artwork showcases the film’s darker tone while highlighting the newest magical girl, Shichōka, voiced by Shion Wakayama.
Home Video and Streaming Plans
In addition to the theatrical debut, Aniplex announced an Ultra HD Blu‑ray release for the entire Madoka movie trilogy—including Part 1: Beginnings, Part 2: Eternal, and Part 3: Rebellion. The set will feature Dolby Atmos sound, fresh cover art by veteran designer Junichirō Taniguchi, and will be available on October 15 via the Crunchyroll Store and MediaOCD shop.
Streaming follows shortly after the home‑video launch: the three original films will arrive on Crunchyroll on November 8 and on Netflix on January 2. Both platforms will add Latin American Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese dubs on November 15, broadening accessibility for non‑English speaking fans.
Box Office Success in Japan
The film debuted in Japanese theaters on August 28, coinciding with an IMAX rollout that same day (source). Opening weekend figures placed it at the top of the box‑office chart, selling 535,000 tickets and generating roughly ¥939.6 million (about US$5.95 million) in its first three days (source).
Creative Team and Cast Highlights
Directed by veteran Yukihiro Miyamoto (profile), the film continues the franchise’s tradition of assembling a stellar crew. The returning staff includes chief director Akiyuki Shinbo, scriptwriter Gen Urobuchi of Nitroplus, original character designer Ume Aoki, animation designer Junichirō Taniguchi, composer Yuki Kajiura, and the ever‑surreal space designers Gekidan Inu Curry. SHAFT remains the animation studio behind the project.
Musically, Yuki Kajiura’s solo project FictionJunction performs the ending theme “Kanata,” adding a fresh sonic layer to the series’ distinctive soundscape.
New Voices Join the Ensemble
Among the fresh talent, Shion Wakayama lends her voice to the enigmatic magical girl Shichōka, while Tomoyo Kurosawa portrays Selma Therese. Veteran singer‑actress Maaya Sakamoto appears as an unnamed upperclasswoman—referred to by fans as “Wasu”—a figure who bears a striking resemblance to Homura but whose identity remains a mystery.
The core cast from the original series returns unchanged: Aoi Yūki (Madoka Kaname), Chiwa Saitō (Homura Akemi), Kaori Mizuhashi (Mami Tomoe), Eri Kitamura (Sayaka Miki), Ai Nonaka (Kyōko Sakura), Kana Asumi (Nagisa Momoe), and Emiri Katō (Kyūbey). Their continued involvement ensures continuity of the series’ emotional core.
Why the Sequel Matters
“Walpurgisnacht: Rising” serves as a direct sequel to the 2013 movie Rebellion, extending the darker narrative that diverged from the original TV run (announcement). The film’s thematic focus on sacrifice, rebellion, and the cyclical nature of hope aligns with the franchise’s reputation for subverting magical‑girl tropes.
For fans looking to stay updated on future releases and related merchandise, the official Madoka Magica X/Twitter account regularly shares news and teasers.
With its limited North American run, the film offers a rare opportunity for theater‑going fans to experience the series’ latest chapter on the big screen before it lands on home video and streaming services. Whether you prefer the original Japanese track or the English dub, the January dates provide a concise window to celebrate one of the most influential magical‑girl franchises of the past decade.
Featured image: ©Magica Quartet/Aniplex,Madoka Project
Source: Anime News Network