Readers' Guide: The Very Soil (Madoka Magica)

In early 2014 I embarked on a new project, an in-depth analysis of every episode of Puella Magi Madoka Magica entitled The Very Soil. I posted updates (nearly) every Wednesday for the next several months, covering every episode of the series and multiple aspects of the sequel film Rebellion. The Very Soil is now complete, and will be released as a book in Q4 2014.

Every post in that series:

• The Measure of All Structures (Introduction)

The TV Series

• A Secret Streamlet Trickles (I First Met Her in a Dream... or Something)
• Just because you decide one day to take up this most unusual career (I Think That Would Be Truly Wonderful)
• By disrupting that order--a way of surprising (I'm Not Afraid of Anything Anymore)
• Always Be Somewhat Suspect (Magic and Miracles Are Real)
• The role of the writer is not simply to arrange (There's No Way I'll Ever Regret It)
• Even a Purely Moral Act (This Just Can't Be Right)
• The Only Lost Cause (Can You Face Your True Feelings)
• The constant increase of entropy is the basic law of the universe (I Was Stupid, So Stupid)
• Gradually and indirectly, over time, gain in political significance (I'd Never Allow That to Happen)
• Definitely not the same thing as optimism (I Won't Rely on Anyone Anymore)
• Perhaps hopelessness is (The Only Thing I Have Left to Guide Me)
• That nourishes human hope (My Very Best Friend)

The Movie

• Against Analysis (Rebellion)
• Against Love and Salvation (Rebellion)
• Against Madoka (Rebellion)
• Against God (Rebellion)
• Against Homura (Rebellion) 
• Against Ourselves (Rebellion) 

 Background and Other Posts

• Latin Latin Madoka More Latin: Notes from a panel Viga and I gave at Anime Boston 2012.
• Latin Latin Madoka More Latin 2: Thermodynamic Boogaloo: Notes from a panel Viga and I gave at Anime Boston 2013.
• Spoiler-Filled Review: Madoka Magica 3: Rebellion: Initial thoughts after watching Rebellion.
• Corpse of Milk: Themes of Putrefaction in Madoka Magica 3: Rebellion: Further thoughts on ,y first watching of Rebellion.
• Latin Latin Madoka More Latin 3: The Search for More Mami: Notes for my portion of a panel Kit Paige and I gave at Anime Boston 2014.
• The Nutcracker, the Mouse King, and the Puella Magi: Chatlog of a conversation I had with 01d55 regarding Madoka Magica and E.A. Hoffman's "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King."