Creative Staff
Story: Magica Quartet
Art: Mura Kuroe
Translation: William Flanagan
What They Say
Oriko is determined to use any means available to her in order to prevent the destruction she has glimpsed in the future. Her companion, Kirika, has been useful in creating a distraction by murdering other Magical Girls, but Oriko recognizes that the time for diversionary tactics has passed – she must target the source directly and eliminate the threat.
Little does she realize that her quarry has a protector who is as passionate about keeping the girl alive as Oriko is about seeing her dead. What future ultimately awaits in the eye-opening conclusion of Oriko Magica?!
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
After a quick glimpse into Kirika’s past, her fight with Mami continues. Though Mami is able to escape, she’s at a complete loss as to how to fight the murderous Magical Girl. However, while limping away she comes to a realization: Kirika doesn’t move fast, she just causes her enemies to slow down. Having forged a plan, Mami confronts her attacker once more. By cleverly using Kirika’s own magic against her, Mami is able to win the fight, but Oriko appears in order to rescue her friend before she can be finished off.
While Kirika recuperates, we learn that her past is depressing and just a little pathetic. Having previously been shown kindness by Oriko, Kirika tracked her down, but she was unable to bring herself to approach her savior. Weak-willed, she ended up using Kyubey’s wish to insert herself into Oriko’s life. Even so, Oriko makes Kirika promise to stay by her side.
Deciding to bring things to a climax, Oriko and Kirika decide to invade Madoka’s school. When Homura steps up to confront her, who will come out on top in the battle to stop the horrific fate initiated by Kyubey? And will our heroes be able to make it out of the conflict intact?
In Summary
By making Kirika and Oriko the central pillar of this volume, the conclusion to this tale ends up stronger than its beginning. The characters actually interweave pretty well, and it’s definitely intriguing to see their solution to the problem presented by the original anime. Even if they’re misguided, you can’t help but feel a little of what’s pushing them onwards even in the face of such adversity. Homura also takes a bit more of a focal role here, and she makes a great parallel to Oriko. Even so, I imagine a lot of what happens with her character here would be missed by someone who hasn’t seen the original series. Even so, it may still be accessible for newcomers to the series, and regardless it remains a fun entry into the lore for fans of the anime.
Content Grade: A-
Art Grade: B+
Packaging Grade: A-
Text/Translation Grade: B+
Age Rating: 16+
Released By: Yen Press
Release Date: October 29th, 2013
MSRP: $11.99
