 Puella Magi Madoka Magica has received widespread critical acclaim . In his 10 out of 10 review , UK Anime Network 's Andy Hanley lauded the series for its deeply emotional content and described it as immersive and filled with grandiose visuals along with an evocative soundtrack . Additionally , he recommended that viewers watch it several times in order to fully comprehend the complex and multilayered plotline . He went on to claim that it was the greatest TV anime series of the 21st century thus far . Scott Green of Ain 't It Cool News commented that the series was " hugely admirable " and he would give it the highest possible recommendation to anyone even slightly interested in anime . He also praised the animation team 's attention to detail , stating that the series " would not work nearly as well if the characters in general and as magical girls specifically weren 't presently so spectacularly winningly by the production . " T.H.E.M. Anime reviewer Tim Jones criticized what he regarded as weak character development but nevertheless remarked that the series was " beautiful , well @-@ written , and surprisingly dark " and gave it four out of five stars . In the review , Jones also commended the unique animation and design of the backdrops shown during witch fights , which he described as surreal and " trippy " , but beautiful . In his review of the three BD volumes of the anime series , Zac Bertschy of Anime News Network characterized the story as very emotionally dark and " one of the most ambitious and beautiful anime series in recent memory . " He went on to award each of the volumes A or A + overall ratings . 
