From the last episode, Homura saves Sayaka from Kyoko’s attack. Unfortunately, there are unresolved tensions between Sayaka and Kyoko. As a result of Sayaka’s stubbornness, Madoka gets worried. (Image Source)
It’s understandable that Sayaka would be upset with Kyoko and Homura because of what they did to her friends in the past and her wish to win Kyousuke over. First, Kyoko tries to kill her, which created a rivalry. Second, she is mad at Homura because she took the grief seed that had Mami in it. The grudges Sayaka against these girls would eventually cause her to retaliate against them to release her feelings. For example, she got really angry when Kyoko entices her to attack with insults. The recklessness shown by her could result in dire consequences as she find out later. Lastly, the wish Sayaka made to have Kyousuke to regain his ability to use his hands has backfired. When Sayaka goes to his house, he was immersed in his love for music that he does not answer. It’s obvious that her love towards him is unrequited, which is the breaking point of her wish. The problem is, love cannot be given, its needs to be earned by understanding each other’s feelings.
Shown in this episode are two instances, which gives evidence that Kyubey has evil intension. First off, Kyubey eats the grief seeds on the back of the body with the usual excuse of keeping it safe. The way he just absorbed it made it feel sinister. I feared the possibly of himself releasing the grief seed behind Sayaka’s back just to convince Madoka to make a contract to save her friend. Second, when Sayaka became unconscious, he left the girls without any information about the Soul Gem until after Madoka dropped Sayaka’s Soul Gem off the bridge. After he told the disturbing details, Kyoko got so angry that she almost dropped Kyubey off the bridge for revenge.
The Soul Gem is somewhat familiar to the Fractale System in terms of additional abilities and self-healing, but with several consequences. The drawback with this gem is the separation of the soul from the body to a small gem when a girl makes a contract. Having the soul in the gem gives optimal performance and safety if a magical girl if they get injured. However, if the gem goes out of range, the body becomes an empty shell and the girl won’t be able to control it. So basically, Kyubey is making the girls into a magical zombie. The thought of being one seemed to be very gruesome with the lack of individuality that makes a human. With the absence of morals with Kyubey has made me wander… what he wants to do with the Soul Gems? Perhaps he wants to make a harem so he can do something perverted with all these girls or maybe wants a collection of colorful gems. Whatever may be the reason, it seems malevolent.
Considering Madoka’s reaction from Sayaka unconsciousness, it raises questions about her indecisiveness of becoming a magical girl. Since she witnessed Mami’s death, Kyoko fighting Sayaka and the Soul Gem thing, it’s pretty obvious that Madoka does not want or reluctant to make a contract. Since Madoka is special, there is a possibility that Madoka can become a magical girl without making a contact with some caveats like not being able to make a wish and the lack of invincibility. Whatever might be the case, Madoka will probably not become one until the last couple episodes so she can make the right decision.
Lastly, I have wondered about Homura since she knew so much about the girls and the magical girl thing. When she tells Kyoko just to sit there while she defeats a witch that would appear in a specific time suggests that she is from the future. She probably used her magic or a second wish to travel back to several years when she is in a tight spot. By traveling back in time, she can save the girls by preventing Kyubey from making contracts while fixing her mistakes and be better prepared to defeat the final witch. In addition, she holds all the knowledge behind the magical girl from experience. She could possibly use this to convince the other girls not to become one so they won’t face a horrible fate.
Episode 6 like the last few episodes does not change the risks of becoming a magical girl. While being missing is bad, the loss of individuality makes the decision an extremely difficult one. While Madoka has acted in a mature manner, she was emotionally reckless when she threw the gem knowing that it wouldn’t work. With her failed attempt to break the contact, she has to ask herself whether or not to make a contact so she can help Sayaka or find a different way, which allow her to keep her individuality and be stronger. This is foreshadowed by her mother’s belief that mistakes in youth are not as harmful compared to an older person and could make a person stronger. Whatever her choice may be, only time can tell…
Not to mention, Madoka was drinking something that looked like MOOOOOOOOOOOORNING RESCUE!
I think this episode really shows that Kyubey is super evil. It makes us wonder why she’s so intent on contracting Madoka. I’m also curious about Homura, who was trying to kill Kyubey in the first episode. And what would happen to the Mahou Shoujo if Kyubey does die?
That is a good question. Considering that there is a possibility that there are multiple Kyubeys, there will probably be no effect if one of the girls killed him. If not, considering the soul is separated from the body… they might have their souls rejoin the body or something possibly worse… death.