Puella Magi Madoka Magica Walpurgisnacht Rising delayed for a year – what we know so far

The official X account of the upcoming anime film Puella Magi Madoka Magica -Walpurgisnacht Rising- has just announced there will be at least a year’s delay from the planned release before the film premieres.

The anime film was originally scheduled to release some time during the Winter, 2024 anime season, but has now been delayed until the Winter, 2025 season instead.

The reason animation studio Shaft gives is the usual response anime fans normally get when a project is delayed, especially for an extended period of time — “production reasons”.

In a post on the anime’s official website, the studio also said:

We sincerely apologize to everyone who was looking forward to the release of this work. We will continue to work on production as we can deliver better works.

Thank you for your understanding.

Fans want the latest Puella Magi Madoka Magica film to be exceptionally good

Considering Shaft has had a disappointing release of several anime recently — with series like League of Nations Air Force Aviation Magic Band Luminous Witches, RWBY: Ice Queendom, Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story Season 2 – The Eve of Awakening and Pretty Boy Detective Club being poorly received, the delay isn’t too surprising.

Especially as Puella Magi Madoka Magica -Walpurgisnacht Rising-, which is the follow up to the very popular Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie: Rebellion — is highly anticipated by fans of the franchise.

Many of whom are now commenting on social media they would much rather wait for the anime film to release than be served something of poor quality.

More information about the upcoming anime film will also be announced at the Aniplex Online Fest, which will be held on September 15th, beginning at 8PM (PDT), and can be watched via Aniplex’s YouTube channel.

Puella Magi Madoka Magica -Walpurgisnacht Rising- staff and cast

Puella Magi Madoka Magica -Walpurgisnacht Rising- is being directed by Yukihiro Miyamoto (Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story), under chief director Akiyuki Shinbou (Monogatari Series: Off & Monster Season).

Gen Urobuchi (Revenger) is writing the script, while Junichirou Taniguchi (Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night) is designing the characters.

Members of the main cast are also reprising their roles from the previous movie.

Watch the recent Puella Magi Madoka Magica -Walpurgisnacht Rising- trailer below, and cross your fingers Studio Shaft eventually releases a film that was worth the wait.

And, of course, if you want to refresh your memory as to why this anime franchise became so popular, Crunchyroll is currently streaming the anime’s original season Puella Magi Madoka Magica.

 

About Michelle Topham

Brit-American journalist based in Austria,. Former radio DJ at 97X WOXY, and Founder/CEO of Leo Sigh. I've covered K-drama, K-pop, anime, and manga news for over a decade.