"They were trying to kill each other in episode five, and now this..."
"It feels like the bond Kyoko and Sayaka built in such a short time is deeper than years of childhood friendship. At least Madoka didn't have the courage to become a magical girl for Sayaka's sake, but Kyoko was willing to die for her."
Kyoko finally realized that Sayaka could not be brought back.
If the ultimate fate of a magical girl was to become a monster, Kyoko preferred to end that cycle while she still had her humanity. Gathering the last of her strength, she forced Madoka and Homura to safety.
Then, she summoned a massive spear beneath her feet, launching herself into the air. Clutching her Soul Gem with both hands, she drove herself and her weapon straight into the heart of the witch. Her Soul Gem shattered, its fragments scattering like stardust against the dark sky.
She used every ounce of her life force.
'If I can't wake you up, then I'll stay with you in the darkness forever.'
This was the depth of Kyoko's feelings for Sayaka.
This scene caused a heartache among the millions of viewers. Many were moved to tears.
To have yet another major character death in episode nine felt like an act of narrative cruelty.
Then came the final revelation.
Kyubey's conspiracy was laid bare.
Its goal was to ensure all the other magical girls were eliminated so that when "Walpurgisnacht" arrived in a few days, Madoka would have no choice but to sign the contract to save the city. Mami, Sayaka, and Kyoko had died so easily because the creature had calculated their deaths as part of its plan.
This calculation drove the audience into a frenzy of rage. The wicked mascot was the most hated antagonist in recent memory.
As the credits began, a special ending theme, a duet between the voice actresses of Sayaka and Kyoko, played for the first and only time. The melancholic melody accompanied a new visual of Sayaka sinking into the depths, only for Kyoko to grab her hand with a smile and sink with her. It perfectly mirrored the plot.
If I can't stop you from falling into the dark, I'll be there to keep you company.
This was the breaking point for the audience.
"This is a double suicide."
"The characterization of these two is giving me goosebumps."
"Out of all the anime I've watched in years, this is the most heartbreaking pairing."
"I hate that Kyosuke guy. Sayaka should have just stayed with Kyoko."
"I'm going to eat a spicy rabbit snack for dinner tomorrow just to get revenge on Kyubey."
"Did their friendship just transcend into something more?"
"It's a spiritual bond. Kyoko saw her past self in Sayaka and couldn't leave her behind."
"Is anyone else literally sobbing? Why did Sayaka have to suffer so much?"
Following the broadcast, the names of Sayaka and Kyoko immediately trended across all major platforms.
In the Most Popular Female Character poll on the AniSphere Forum, Kyoko Sakura, despite being a supporting character, received an overwhelming number of votes overnight, dethroning several protagonists from rival series to take the top spot.
Every character in the show was receiving massive acclaim, and the series was sweeping the Red Lists. Meanwhile, the Warrior of Love and Kyubey remained firmly at the top of every Black List.
The fans were mourning the characters while simultaneously acting as evangelists, pushing more newcomers to jump into the series.
However, Haruto's creator account was hit with the largest wave of anger yet. Overnight, millions of angry messages flooded his inbox. The deeper the love for the show, the more intense the hatred for the one who created it.
The public could see that Haruto was logged in, but he remained silent, which only fueled the fire.
You're logged in but you won't say a word? You're playing dead, aren't you?
"Don't let us find out your real identity, or you're in for it!" the fans warned.
The viewership ratings for the ninth episode were released shortly after.
4.05%.
Despite being just as depressing as the previous episodes, it was equally as moving. The news that Madoka Magica had officially broken the 4% barrier nationwide sent shockwaves through the entire animation industry. To hit 4% by the ninth episode was a staggering achievement. Everyone could see the potential the series still held.
Was Madoka Magica about to completely redefine the limits of the industry?