Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie: Walpurgisnacht: Rising is finally set to hit the big screen, and the production team has confirmed that the film will receive an IMAX release in Japan starting August 28. This premiere date marks the conclusion of a lengthy journey for the project, which has faced multiple delays since its initial 2021 announcement.
Studio SHAFT returns to helm this direct sequel to the 2013 hit Rebellion. The creative powerhouse behind the original series—including chief director Akiyuki Simbo, writer Gen Urobuchi, and composer Yuki Kajiura—are all back to maintain the franchise's distinct psychological and magical aesthetic. The film also introduces new voices to the cast, with Shion Wakayama playing the new magical girl Shichōka and Tomoyo Kurosawa joining as Selma Therese.
Given the high bar set by the franchise's legacy—which remains a titan in the psychological magical girl genre—the anticipation for this sequel is immense. Following the conclusion of the Magia Record spin-off series and the recent launch of the Magia Exedra mobile game, Walpurgisnacht: Rising serves as the long-awaited continuation of the main timeline. With the return of the original core staff and the visual flair expected from the team behind the 2011 classic, the IMAX screenings are positioned to offer the most immersive way to experience the next chapter of the story.
