by Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie -Walpurgisnacht: Rising- has made a spectacular start at the Japanese box office, surpassing 1 billion yen in revenue just four days after its theatrical release.
The long-awaited new Madoka Magica movie opened in Japan on August 28, 2026, and immediately claimed the No. 1 position in the weekend box-office rankings for both attendance and revenue.
From August 28 through August 30, the film attracted 534,722 viewers and earned ¥939,647,100. By the end of Monday, August 31, its fourth day in theaters, the movie had reached 583,638 admissions and ¥1,018,375,620 in cumulative box-office revenue.
The result is particularly significant because Walpurgisnacht: Rising is the first new mainline Madoka Magica theatrical movie since 2013’s Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie: Rebellion.
The new film’s second-week theatrical campaign is already underway as well. Beginning September 5, 2026, Japanese moviegoers will receive a new Mini Shikishi-style Card [Second Edition] as a weekly visitor bonus, featuring illustrations by original character designer Ume Aoki.
Three designs will be distributed at random, featuring Homura Akemi, Kyoko Sakura, and Shichika & Selma Therese. The second-week bonus is scheduled to run from September 5 through September 11, while supplies last.
A new web commercial featuring additional footage from the film has also been released, giving fans another glimpse at the mysterious sequel without revealing its biggest surprises.
Walpurgisnacht: Rising Opens at No. 1 in Japan
The new Madoka Magica movie arrived in Japanese theaters on Friday, August 28, 2026, after years of anticipation.
The opening weekend results were:
- 534,722 admissions
- ¥939,647,100 in box-office revenue
- No. 1 in Japan’s weekend attendance ranking
- No. 1 in Japan’s weekend revenue ranking
The film was released in approximately 292 theaters across Japan.
With almost ¥940 million earned during its first three days, the movie was already extremely close to the ¥1 billion milestone.
It then crossed that milestone on August 31.
For a franchise that has been waiting more than a decade for a new theatrical chapter, the opening represents a remarkably strong return.
The Film Surpassed ¥1 Billion in Four Days.
By the end of its fourth day, Walpurgisnacht: Rising had reached:
583,638 admissions
and
¥1,018,375,620 in box-office revenue.
The film therefore crossed ¥1 billion in only four days.
This is especially notable when compared with its immediate predecessor, Rebellion.
The 2013 film took 13 days to surpass ¥1 billion in Japan, meaning Walpurgisnacht: Rising reached the same milestone much faster.
Of course, differences in ticket prices, theater distribution, audience habits,s and release conditions mean that opening speed should not be treated as a direct prediction of the final box-office total.
Still, the early numbers clearly demonstrate that the Madoka Magica franchise has retained a substantial audience after a 13-year wait.
A 13-Year Wait for a New Mainline Movie
For longtime fans, the most important part of the announcement is not simply the box-office result.
It is the fact that Madoka, Homura, Mami, Sayaka and Kyoko are back on the big screen in a completely new story.
The previous mainline theatrical installment, Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie: Rebellion, was released in Japan in October 2013.
That film continued the story after the original television series and became one of the most discussed entries in the franchise.
Since then, Madoka Magica has remained active through spin-offs, games, merchandise, and the Magia Record project, but fans have been waiting for the next major continuation of the original storyline.
That wait finally ended in August 2026.
What Is Walpurgisnacht: Rising?
For newcomers, Walpurgisnacht: Rising is not a remake of the original Madoka Magica anime.
It is a new theatrical sequel that follows the events of 2013’s Rebellion.
The film’s official promotional material presents it as a legitimate continuation of the main story and a new beginning for the franchise.
The original Madoka Magica universe began with the 2011 television anime.
It introduced a group of young girls who become magical girls after making contracts with the mysterious creature Kyubey.
At first, the concept resembles a traditional magical-girl story.
However, Madoka Magica quickly reveals that becoming a magical girl comes with devastating consequences.
That combination of cute character designs, psychological drama, supernatural horror, and emotional storytelling became the franchise’s trademark.
The Best Way for Beginners to Watch Madoka Magica
Anyone discovering Walpurgisnacht: Rising because of the box-office news may wonder where to begin.
Because the new film is a direct continuation of Rebellion, watching the previous installments first is strongly recommended.
A simple viewing order is:
- Puella Magi Madoka Magica TV anime — 2011
- Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part 1: Beginnings
- Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part 2: Eternal
- Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie: Rebellion
- Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie -Walpurgisnacht: Rising-
The first two movies are compilation films covering the television story, so viewers can either watch the original TV series or use the two compilation movies as a condensed version.
However, Rebellion is important because it is an original continuation rather than simply another recap.
Why Rebellion Matters So Much
Rebellion dramatically changes the situation established at the end of the original TV anime.
The movie places particular emphasis on Homura Akemi and her relationship with Madoka Kaname.
Homura has always been one of the most important characters in the franchise, and her motivations become increasingly complicated as the story progresses.
The events of Rebellion leave the characters and the world in a radically different state.
That is the foundation on which Walpurgisnacht: Rising builds.
For this reason, newcomers should avoid jumping directly into the new film if they want to understand the emotional stakes.
The Second-Week Bonus Features Ume Aoki’s Artwork
The second week of the theatrical run brings another special gift for moviegoers.
Starting September 5, participating Japanese theaters will distribute the Mini Shikishi-style Card [Second Edition].
The cards are illustrated by Ume Aoki, the original character designer of Madoka Magica.
There are three designs:
- Homura Akemi
- Kyoko Sakura
- Shichika & Selma Therese
The cards are distributed randomly, meaning viewers do not necessarily get to choose their preferred design. The second wave is scheduled for September 5–11, with distribution ending once supplies run out.
This follows the first weekly bonus that accompanied the movie’s opening week.
The rotating bonus campaign gives dedicated fans another reason to return to theaters during the film’s early theatrical run.
Who Is Ume Aoki?
Ume Aoki is the original character designer of Madoka Magica.
Her distinctive designs are one of the elements that helped give the series its recognizable visual identity.
The contrast between Aoki’s soft, expressive character designs and the darker themes of the story became one of the franchise’s defining characteristics.
That is why the Ume Aoki-illustrated visitor cards are more than ordinary promotional merchandise for many fans.
They connect the new theatrical release directly to the visual identity of the original series.
Homura and Kyoko Return in the Second Bonus Set
Two of the three new bonus designs feature Homura Akemi and Kyoko Sakura.
Homura is arguably the most important character outside Madoka herself. Her determination to protect Madoka has driven much of the franchise’s story.
Kyoko, meanwhile, is known for her strong personality, independence, and complicated relationship with the other magical girls.
Both characters have remained extremely popular with fans since the original TV series.
Their appearance in the second-week bonus set gives longtime viewers another collectible connected to the new film.
Shichika and Selma Therese Add a New Mystery
The third design features Shichika and Selma Therese, two characters associated with Walpurgisnacht: Rising.
Shichika is voiced by Shion Wakayama, while Selma Therese is voiced by Tomoyo Kurosawa.
Their inclusion is particularly interesting because the new movie is not simply bringing back the original magical girls.
It is also expanding the cast and introducing new elements into the established Madoka Magica world.
For viewers who want to avoid spoilers, it is best to discover the exact roles and relationships of these characters by watching the movie itself.
A New Web Commercial Has Been Released
Alongside the box-office announcement, a new web commercial featuring new footage from Walpurgisnacht: Rising has also been released.
The additional cuts give fans another look at the film’s characters and atmosphere while continuing the franchise’s deliberately mysterious promotional approach.
This is particularly fitting for Madoka Magica.
The franchise has always relied heavily on mystery, symbolism,m and unexpected revelations.
Even a seemingly simple image can potentially have a deeper meaning once the full story is understood.
As a result, fans have been carefully examining every new visual and trailer since the film’s production was first announced.
The Movie Was Years in the Making
The road to Walpurgisnacht: Rising has been unusually long.
The project was first announced during the Madoka Magica 10th-anniversary celebrations, revealing the return of major members of the original creative team.
The production later experienced multiple delays before the final release date of August 28, 2026 was announced.
That long production history makes the film’s actual theatrical release an important moment for the franchise.
Fans who first watched Madoka Magica in 2011 have now waited more than half of the series’ original lifetime to see a new mainline theatrical story.
The Original Creative Team Is Back
One of the strongest reasons for excitement is the return of many key members of the original production.
The film’s principal staff includes:
- Original Work: Magica Quartet
- Chief Director: Akiyuki Shinbo
- Screenplay: Gen Urobuchi
- Original Character Design: Ume Aoki
- Director: Yukihiro Miyamoto
- Character Design / Chief Animation Director: Junichiro Taniguchi
- Chief Animation Director: Hiroki Yamamura
- Parallel World Design: Gekidan Inu Curry
- Storyboard / Visual Concept Design: Tomohiro Furukawa
- Visual Concept Design: Kazuki Kawada
- Color Design: Hitoshi Hibino
- Art: Ken Naito, Shuichi Kusamori
- Art Setting: Morihito Ohara
- Director of Photography: Takayuki Aizu
- Editing: Rie Matsubara
- Music: Yuki Kajiura
- Sound Director: Yota Tsuruoka
- Animation Production: SHAFT
- Distribution: ANIMEC
The return of this core creative team is a major part of the film’s identity.
SHAFT Returns to Animate the Movie
SHAFT is once again responsible for animation production.
The studio played a crucial role in creating the visual style of the original Madoka Magica anime and Rebellion.
The franchise is particularly famous for its surreal environments, unusual camera compositions, symbolic imagery,ry and highly distinctive witch sequences.
Gekidan Inu Curry also returns for the parallel-world design, helping preserve one of the most recognizable visual elements of the series.
For fans who have been waiting since Rebellion, the return of SHAFT and the wider creative team provides a strong sense of continuity.
Yuki Kajiura Returns to Compose the Music
Music has always been an important part of Madoka Magica.
Composer Yuki Kajiura returns for Walpurgisnacht: Rising, continuing the musical tradition established by the earlier anime and movies.
Kajiura’s dramatic orchestration and distinctive vocal compositions have become closely associated with the emotional atmosphere of the franchise.
Her return is therefore another major connection between the new film and its predecessors.
“Kanata” by FictionJunction Is the Theme Song
The film’s theme song is “Kanata,” performed by FictionJunction.
FictionJunction has a long creative association with Yuki Kajiura, making the collaboration a natural fit for the new movie.
The combination of Kajiura’s music and FictionJunction’s performance continues the franchise’s tradition of using emotionally powerful music to complement its dramatic storytelling.
Returning Cast Members
The main cast includes many of the original voice actors:
- Madoka Kaname: Aoi Yuki
- Homura Akemi: Chiwa Saito
- Sayaka Miki: Eri Kitamura
- Kyoko Sakura: Ai Nonaka
- Mami Tomoe: Kaori Mizuhashi
- Nagisa Momoe: Kana Asumi
- Shichika: Shion Wakayama
- Selma Therese: Tomoyo Kurosawa
- Kyubey: Emiri Kato
The original cast’s return is particularly important because these characters have developed extremely strong identities over the course of the TV series and Rebellion.
A Small Correction to the Original Cast List
The correct romanization of Kyoko Sakura’s voice actress is Ai Nonaka, not “Aiba Nonaka.”
Likewise, the character name in the new bonus set should be written as Shichika & Selma Therese, rather than “Teika & Selma.”
These corrections are important for SEO and for readers searching for the cast or the new characters online.
What Makes Madoka Magica Different From Other Magical-Girl Anime?
If you are new to the franchise, the most important thing to understand is that Madoka Magica is not a conventional magical-girl series.
The characters may have cute costumes and colorful designs, but the story explores much darker ideas.
The magical girls receive supernatural powers by entering contracts with Kyubey, a mysterious creature who offers to grant wishes.
The problem is that every wish comes with consequences.
The series gradually explores questions about:
- The price of miracles
- The meaning of sacrifice
- Friendship and love
- Hope and despair
- Fate and free will
- The consequences of changing the past
- How far someone will go to protect another person
These themes become increasingly important as Homura’s story develops.
Why Homura Is Central to the New Movie
Although the franchise is named after Madoka, Homura Akemi has become one of its most important characters.
Her relationship with Madoka is at the heart of much of the story.
Homura’s actions are driven by an intense desire to protect Madoka, and the consequences of that goal have repeatedly reshaped the story’s timeline and world.
Because Rebellion placed Homura at the center of its biggest developments, fans have naturally been paying close attention to her role in Walpurgisnacht: Rising.
The second-week bonus card featuring Homura therefore arrives at an especially interesting moment for the franchise.
The New Movie Is Also Reaching International Audiences
Although the film opened in Japan on August 28, the theatrical rollout is continuing in other territories.
Current announced international dates include:
- Taiwan: September 4, 2026
- Mexico & Latin America: October 1, 2026
- Chile: October 1, 2026
- Hong Kong: October 8, 2026
- Germany: November 24, 2026
Release schedules can vary by territory, and additional markets may receive separate announcements.
The international rollout means the film’s audience can continue growing beyond Japan as more fans finally get the opportunity to see the long-awaited sequel.
Madoka Magica’s Broader Franchise Continues to Grow
The new movie is arriving during another active period for the franchise.
The mobile game Magia Exedra continues to receive new content connected to the Madoka Magica universe, while anniversary-related projects and collaborations have also been announced.
A special Madoka Magica × Monogatari mini-animation project titled Puella Magi Yotsugi Peace was also released in August as part of the promotional buildup surrounding Walpurgisnacht: Rising.
These projects demonstrate that the franchise has remained active during the long gap between major theatrical installments.
What Happens Next at the Box Office?
The biggest question following the four-day ¥1 billion milestone is how long the film can maintain its momentum.
The second-week visitor bonus begins on September 5, giving the movie another promotional boost.
However, the ultimate box-office result will depend on several factors, including audience word of mouth, repeat viewings, theater availability, and the strength of competing releases.
The early numbers are undeniably strong, but they should be treated as an indication of a successful opening rather than a guarantee of a particular final total.
The comparison with Rebellion is nevertheless striking: the 2026 movie reached ¥1 billion in four days, while the 2013 film took 13 days to reach the same milestone.
Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie -Walpurgisnacht: Rising- has delivered an extraordinary opening at the Japanese box office.
The film attracted 534,722 viewers and earned ¥939.647 million in its first three days, before reaching ¥1.018 billion and 583,638 admissions after four days. It also debuted at No. 1 in both weekend attendance and revenue.
For a franchise returning to the big screen 13 years after Rebellion, the result is a powerful demonstration of the continuing popularity of Madoka Magica.
The second-week visitor campaign adds another layer of excitement. From September 5, fans can collect one of three Ume Aoki-designed Mini Shikishi-style Cards featuring Homura Akemi, Kyoko Sakura, or Shichika & Selma Therese, with distribution continuing while supplies last.
At the same time, the new web commercial gives fans more footage to examine while preserving the mystery surrounding the film’s story.
For longtime viewers, Walpurgisnacht: Rising represents the continuation of a story they have been waiting years to see.
For newcomers, it is an opportunity to discover a franchise that transformed the magical-girl genre by combining beautiful character designs with psychological drama, supernatural horror,r and emotionally complicated storytelling.
The strongest recommendation for new viewers is simple: watch the original Madoka Magica story and Rebellion before entering the new movie. Doing so will make the relationships between Madoka, Homura and the other characters much easier to understand.
As the theatrical run continues and international screenings begin, attention will now turn to the film’s second weekend, its cumulative box-office performance,ce and the growing discussion surrounding its story.
After waiting 13 years, Madoka Magica is finally back on the big screen—and its opening numbers suggest that audiences were more than ready for its return.
