The latest entry in the Puella Magi Madoka Magica franchise, Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie: Walpurgisnacht: Rising, has officially revealed the role of voice actress Maaya Sakamoto. She portrays an enigmatic upperclassman referred to as "Wasu," a character whose physical resemblance to Homura Akemi has sparked significant speculation regarding her true identity and connection to the series' complex narrative.
This announcement follows the film's successful theatrical debut in Japan on August 28, where it secured the top spot at the box office during its opening weekend. The production, which serves as the direct sequel to the 2013 film Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie: Rebellion, brings back a veteran creative team including chief director Akiyuki Simbo, scriptwriter Gen Urobuchi, and the team at studio SHAFT. The film also introduces new magical girls voiced by Shion Wakayama and Tomoyo Kurosawa.
While the film is currently making waves in theaters, the franchise continues to hold a strong reputation among viewers, with recent database snapshots from Kitsu placing the series at a 91/100 rating. As the story continues to unfold, the addition of Sakamoto’s character adds another layer of mystery to the long-awaited follow-up. Given the film's focus on the aftermath of the Rebellion arc, how do you think this new "Wasu" character will influence the already fractured reality of the magical girls?
