More interesting than Tart Magica by far, but still lacking something from the original series and The Different Story. Pros are Kazumi's really cute personality and cute new magical girls but the book leaves something to be desired in getting us to care about the battles with witches. If you really love the magical girl universe created by the Madoka series, you'll probably enjoy this simply for a little bit more of that world. However, don't expect to be as enthralled with it as the original so you won't be disappointed.

okay, the first half of this novel was weird, as if the author was high as they wrote. all the sexual poses made me so uncomfortable because you know, they're in middle school and i considered giving up, but it seems like there isn't any more fanservice in the series.
the first half felt rushed as if the author wanted to get it over it. but after they set it up, the book's plot smoothed out and it became enjoyable.
the art style is flipping incredible.
it's different when compared to the originals, but it has the same ideas with magical girls, witches and the same darkness that make puella my favorite series.

I don't like anything about this, but that last panel ...

Ugh, fine, I'll keep reading.

Kind of disappointed by this series. It's like the fanservice version of PMMM with none of its charm or heart or even a plot that makes sense.

A couple of years back, there was a surprise hit anime titled Puella Magi Madoka Magica. While many magical girl stories have dark undertones beneath their fluffy, candy-colored exteriors, Madoka went full on into very dark places by twisting some of the standard genre cliches. I won’t spoil those plot points here, just in case.

Kazumi takes place more or less in the same world as the Madoka series. Young Kazumi wakes up to find herself stuffed in a trunk, naked, and with no personal memories beyond her name. After some confusing adventures, Kazumi discovers that she can use magic, and is told that she is a mahou shoujo, a “magical girl.” Kazumi is told that magical girls make a bargain with certain beings. In exchange for having a wish granted, they must use their magical powers to fight monsters known as “witches.” Being amnesiac, Kazumi does not remember what her wish was.

Kazumi meets other magical girls, and fights some monsters. But given the world she’s in, there must be something else going on….

It’s difficult to go into too much detail about the plotline without discussing spoilers. Suffice it to say that this volume is deceptively light-hearted, and the subtitle “The Innocent Malice” will apply by the end of the series. I should mention that despite the main characters being junior-high age girls, the target audience for the series is seinin, young men. In this volume, that’s most notable with some blatant fanservice scenes that the artist’s notes make clear are to appeal to him.

I’m a bit dubious about recommending this volume, as for the people who are into the deeper themes and plot twists, the series will read better as a whole.