Madoka Magica: Walpurgisnacht Rising Release Date & Trailer 2

Fans of the Puella Magi Madoka Magica franchise received exciting news as Aniplex's YouTube channel began streaming a new trailer for Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie: Walpurgisnacht: Rising- (Gekijōban Mahō Shōjo Madoka Magica: Walpurgis no Kaiten), the official sequel to the Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie Part 3: Rebellion film. This second trailer, released on December 21, 2025, unveiled new footage and dialogue for the first time in 12 years, showcasing Homura Akemi's continued struggle in the world she reshaped. This long-awaited sequel has been highly anticipated by fans who have waited over a decade for the continuation of the story. The film is officially scheduled to premiere in February 2026, bringing the story of Madoka Kaname and her companions to theaters. The release date represents the culmination of a production journey that has seen several delays. Originally announced in 2021 for a "Winter 2024" release, it was first delayed to "Winter 2025" and finally pushed to February 2026. The production committee cited "production circumstances" and a commitment to delivering a higher-quality work as the primary reasons for these postponements. Yukihiro Miyamoto, known for his work on Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story, and Arakawa Under the Bridge, is directing the film. The anime film will feature a returning staff from the original anime series and films, ensuring continuity and maintaining the distinctive style that has made the franchise so beloved among fans. The core creative team from the original series returns at studio SHAFT, including chief director Akiyuki Shinbo, director Yukihiro Miyamoto, screenplay by Gen Urobuchi of Nitroplus, original character design by Ume Aoki, music by Yuki Kajiura, and alternate space design by Gekidan Inu Curry (Doroinu). This reunion of the original creative team promises to deliver a film that honors the legacy of the series while moving the story forward in exciting new directions. The film features a returning voice cast that brings back the beloved characters from the original series. The cast includes Aoi Yūki as Madoka Kaname, Chiwa Saitō as Homura Akemi, Kaori Mizuhashi as Mami Tomoe, Eri Kitamura as Sayaka Miki, Ai Nonaka as Kyōko Sakura, Kana Asumi as Nagisa Momoe, and Emiri Katō as Kyubey. The return of this iconic cast ensures that fans will experience the same emotional depth and character chemistry that made the original series so memorable. The television edition of The Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part 1: Beginnings and Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part 2: Eternal compilation films began airing on October 12, 2025, on 28 MBS/TBS affiliated stations at 5:00 p.m. JST, providing fans with an opportunity to revisit the story leading up to the new film. The original 12-episode Puella Magi Madoka Magica television anime premiered in January 2011, introducing viewers to a dark and thought-provoking take on the magical girl genre. Crunchyroll later streamed the series, making it accessible to international audiences. The Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part 1: Beginnings and Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part 2: Eternal compilation films opened in Japan in October 2012, retelling the television series in a cinematic format. The Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie Part 3: Rebellion sequel film opened in October 2013, continuing the story beyond the original series as a completely original sequel. Aniplex of America released the television series, two compilation films, and the sequel film in North America, bringing the franchise to English-speaking audiences. Funimation also streamed the series, further expanding its reach to international fans. A television anime adaptation of the Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story smartphone game premiered in January 2020, exploring a parallel story within the Madoka Magica universe. The anime's second season premiered in July 2021, and the third and final season debuted in April 2022, providing fans with additional content set in the same world. The Magia Record smartphone game launched for iOS and Android devices in Japan in August 2017, and was free to play with optional in-game purchases. The English version launched in the United States and Canada in June 2019. The English version of the game ended service in September 2020, and the Japanese version ended service in July 2024. The Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Magia Exedra smartphone game launched on March 27, 2025, following a delay from the previous year for the staff to "ensure even higher quality in the final game." The game got a version for PC via Steam on July 17, 2025, providing players with additional ways to experience the Madoka Magica universe. Puella Magi Madoka Magica stands out as a unique and influential series that redefined the magical girl genre. The series is widely considered a "deconstruction" of the magical girl genre, subverting bright, heroic tropes with a bleak, cosmic horror narrative. The series follows middle school student Madoka Kaname, who is offered a wish by a cat-like creature named Kyubey in exchange for becoming a "magical girl." Unlike typical genre entries, it explores the horrific sacrifices and psychological trauma inherent in these supernatural contracts, featuring avant-garde visual direction from SHAFT and a heavy focus on philosophical themes regarding hope and despair. The series is praised for its complex storytelling, psychological depth, and stunning visual style, making it one of the most acclaimed anime series of the 2010s. With the release of the second trailer for Walpurgisnacht: Rising, fans can look forward to seeing how the story continues after the events of Rebellion, as the film promises to deliver new revelations and emotional moments that will captivate both longtime fans and newcomers to the franchise. The film will initially premiere in Japanese theaters in February 2026. While specific international streaming dates have not been finalized, Aniplex of America has launched an official English website, and past entries have been distributed via platforms like Crunchyroll and Netflix.