What do you think?
Rate this book
Puella Magi Madoka Magica: The Different Story #1
Puella Magi Madoka Magica: The Different Story, Vol. 1
Mami's warm personality has made it difficult for her to adjust to her solitary life as a magical girl, where survival often takes precedence over kindness. When she meets Kyouko Sakura, a fellow lone wolf, she is excited at the prospect of working together with another magical girl and forging a friendship built on ultimate trust. But many are the sacrifices all magical girls must make, and the consequences of Kyouko's choice are only just becoming clear to her. When the pain becomes unbearable, will Kyouko remain standing beside Mami as a force for the greater good...?
160 pages, Paperback
First published October 12, 2012
22 people are currently reading
1593 people want to read
About the author
Magica Quartet
168 books199 followersA group collaboration consisting of director Akiyuki Shinbou, writer Gen Urobuchi, the original character designer Ume Aoki, and the producer Atsuhiro Iwakami.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
June 14, 2018
I really loved how this took the story back to before the original drama, I liked seeing a different side of Kyōko and exploring her story more. 4/5 for volume 1, I hope the next 2 are just as good
March 30, 2014
Of all the Madoka spinoffs, this is the first one I've read that's actually good. And coherent.
April 9, 2019
This review contains spoilers for the whole series (volumes 1-3).
This miniseries answered the question: “What if Mami survived the battle in chapter 3 of the original series?” Mainly these three books follow Mami and Kyouko (pictured on the cover above), as they become magical girls and learn to fight witches. It’s the same premise from the original story in that the witches are still fallen magical girls. Kyubey is still evil and tricks all of the girls into making contracts with him that will ultimately seal their fate.
Mami and Kyouko mistakenly believe that they are saving humanity from the destructive powers of the witches. The story is still incredibly dark, as all versions of the Madoka series have been (that I’ve read or watched). Mami and Kyouko end up going their separate ways after Kyouko’s family is killed as a result of her being a magical girl. Mami, who previously lost her parents in an accident, is now alone as she feared. Soon however, Kyubey brings Sayaka and Madoka to her as apprentice magical girls. At the same time, Homura seeks Kyouko’s alliance against Mami and Sayaka after they refuse to join her. Madoka hasn’t turned into a magical girl yet at this point; She’s always the last to turn into a magical girl, at least in every version of the series I’ve read so far.
I honestly think that Mami was the favorite of the creators, which is why they gave her her own miniseries (if not to also explain Kyouko’s story better too). If you pay attention to all the extras, many of them revolve around Mami despite her dying so early in the series. I guess the Magica Quartet took the phrase “kill all your darlings” too literally in these series. Even though Kyouko is also important in this series, it truly begins and ends with Mami.
I gave this series three stars. I had hoped to see Mami survive just once, but even in this version where she is the main character, she dies. It seems that she and Sayaka will always die, no matter how many times Homura turns back time.
Triggers/content warning: Extreme violence and mentions of suicide
This miniseries answered the question: “What if Mami survived the battle in chapter 3 of the original series?” Mainly these three books follow Mami and Kyouko (pictured on the cover above), as they become magical girls and learn to fight witches. It’s the same premise from the original story in that the witches are still fallen magical girls. Kyubey is still evil and tricks all of the girls into making contracts with him that will ultimately seal their fate.
Mami and Kyouko mistakenly believe that they are saving humanity from the destructive powers of the witches. The story is still incredibly dark, as all versions of the Madoka series have been (that I’ve read or watched). Mami and Kyouko end up going their separate ways after Kyouko’s family is killed as a result of her being a magical girl. Mami, who previously lost her parents in an accident, is now alone as she feared. Soon however, Kyubey brings Sayaka and Madoka to her as apprentice magical girls. At the same time, Homura seeks Kyouko’s alliance against Mami and Sayaka after they refuse to join her. Madoka hasn’t turned into a magical girl yet at this point; She’s always the last to turn into a magical girl, at least in every version of the series I’ve read so far.
I honestly think that Mami was the favorite of the creators, which is why they gave her her own miniseries (if not to also explain Kyouko’s story better too). If you pay attention to all the extras, many of them revolve around Mami despite her dying so early in the series. I guess the Magica Quartet took the phrase “kill all your darlings” too literally in these series. Even though Kyouko is also important in this series, it truly begins and ends with Mami.
I gave this series three stars. I had hoped to see Mami survive just once, but even in this version where she is the main character, she dies. It seems that she and Sayaka will always die, no matter how many times Homura turns back time.
Triggers/content warning: Extreme violence and mentions of suicide
December 26, 2017
So from what I understand, this spin-off was included in the DVD/Blu-Ray of the Madoka movie? I've never seen it, so I think I'm missing out on a little bit by reading the manga before watching the anime. But so far, it's still awesome!
This "Different Story" is a prequel of sorts, telling the story of a rise and fall of the friendship of two characters we rarely get to see interacting in the main series: Kyoko and Mami. (In fact, I believe Kyoko comes into the main storyline after Mami's death, so we only get to see them interact a very tiny bit in the alternate realities.) Kyoko's friendship with Mami is much like Sayaka's friendship with Mami: It starts out bright and hopeful and twists into loathing and pessimism. This adds a whole new layer to Sayaka's story in the main series, as she goes through the tug-o-war between what Mami taught her before she died, and what Kyoko tries to teach her as Sayaka slips into depression.
As usual, 5/5 stars. Whoever the Magica Quartet is, they're great at parallels and character foils. Can't wait to see this storyline through to its conclusion!
This "Different Story" is a prequel of sorts, telling the story of a rise and fall of the friendship of two characters we rarely get to see interacting in the main series: Kyoko and Mami. (In fact, I believe Kyoko comes into the main storyline after Mami's death, so we only get to see them interact a very tiny bit in the alternate realities.) Kyoko's friendship with Mami is much like Sayaka's friendship with Mami: It starts out bright and hopeful and twists into loathing and pessimism. This adds a whole new layer to Sayaka's story in the main series, as she goes through the tug-o-war between what Mami taught her before she died, and what Kyoko tries to teach her as Sayaka slips into depression.
As usual, 5/5 stars. Whoever the Magica Quartet is, they're great at parallels and character foils. Can't wait to see this storyline through to its conclusion!
May 29, 2023
Capenguei horrores no final, tão triste quanto o anime. (Adorei ler de trás pra frente)
August 5, 2017
A great manga addition to the 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica' franchise. Not having heard many positive things about its other spin-off titles, I stayed clear of them despite loving the original series so much. But that wasn't the case with 'The Different Story'. Plus it stars only the characters from the anime, so I was more than a little curious.
'Puella Magi Madoka Magica: The Different Story, Vol 1' doesn't just focus more on the backstories of the Magical Girls Mami Tomoe and Kyouko Sakura, nor does it only explore their never-seen-nor-established-before relationship with each other. When I read the last few pages I discovered that 'The Different Story' really is that: an alternative storyline from the one in the anime. The only tweak so far is the development of the tragic friendship (if you already know that 'Madoka Magica' is a tragic series, this shouldn't technically be considered a spoiler. If so, sorry) between Mami and Kyouko.
Mami is a Magical Girl who wants to save as many people from witches and familiars as possible. She doesn't want to be like the other Magical Girls who will wait for the familiars to kill people so that they will grow to become witches to destroy for power-ups for the Girls' soul gems. Yeah the story is already pretty dark and cynical for a manga of this genre. Having performed her self-appointed duties for a year now, Mami meets the newbie Kyouko, who is more willing to try different techniques to fighting witches. Kyouko even asks Mami to take her on as her disciple, her student. Mami is to be her senpai. The two instantly become best friends, having been lonely and lost for so long.
Mami even invents a phrase for Kyouko to yell out for one of her magical attacks. How adorable!
We see Kyouko's family in this manga, and the struggles she had to face in being both a Magical Girl and a priest's daughter. Her tragic past is explored in a lot more detail than in the anime series, making it more poignant towards the inevitable climax. I have never felt sorrier for Kyouko Sakura. It seems she really was an innocent, idealistic Magical Girl once.
And poor, poor little Momo...
Mami is perhaps the stronger of the two for sticking to her goals and ideals in the face of tragedy. She may even be interpreted as a big sisterly saint who only lets her guard down in the worst possible moments. But in a myriad of ways Kyouko's story is the most heartwrenching. You can't exactly blame the fourteen-year-old girl for turning and abandoning her senpai's view of life as a selfless Magical Girl. Heck I'm impressed she didn't commit suicide after all she suffered through. You understand her reasoning, and why Mami's logic of protecting people and their happiness could be flawed.
Mami Tomoe once again is alone in the world, with no family and friends who share her understanding, and her desperate need to be a good hero and teacher to others.
The girls had a sisterly bond which started out so hopefully; to have it shatter is the final tragedy of this volume.
Kyuubey doesn't appear much here, which is just as well. Madoka and Sayaka don't show up until the very end, with Homura drawn ominously in one panel...
'The Different Story' has nice, expressive artwork (I especially love Mami’s numerous facial expressions), as well as being a good companion tale to the 'Madoka Magica' series. It is not nearly as violent or horrific as the original story - those sorts of scenes are either off-panel, implied or merely told to us - and it is a little short, with well-drawn but too-brief battle scenes. But the themes of friendships being tested, knowing what you are doing when trying to make other people happy, and what it truly means to be a so-called powerful person who thinks she knows all the right answers, are all present. The manga presents one or two different angles in viewing what it entails to be a Magical Girl.
No romance with a boy in sight, too. Was the author intending a kind of closer-than-friends vibe between Mami and Kyouko? Either way I welcome it; they are good together.
Enjoyable yet sad, I recommend ‘The Different Story’ to 'Madoka Magica' fans everywhere, who don't mind reading into a bit more tragedy and melancholy.
Final Score: 4.5/5
'Puella Magi Madoka Magica: The Different Story, Vol 1' doesn't just focus more on the backstories of the Magical Girls Mami Tomoe and Kyouko Sakura, nor does it only explore their never-seen-nor-established-before relationship with each other. When I read the last few pages I discovered that 'The Different Story' really is that: an alternative storyline from the one in the anime. The only tweak so far is the development of the tragic friendship (if you already know that 'Madoka Magica' is a tragic series, this shouldn't technically be considered a spoiler. If so, sorry) between Mami and Kyouko.
Mami is a Magical Girl who wants to save as many people from witches and familiars as possible. She doesn't want to be like the other Magical Girls who will wait for the familiars to kill people so that they will grow to become witches to destroy for power-ups for the Girls' soul gems. Yeah the story is already pretty dark and cynical for a manga of this genre. Having performed her self-appointed duties for a year now, Mami meets the newbie Kyouko, who is more willing to try different techniques to fighting witches. Kyouko even asks Mami to take her on as her disciple, her student. Mami is to be her senpai. The two instantly become best friends, having been lonely and lost for so long.
Mami even invents a phrase for Kyouko to yell out for one of her magical attacks. How adorable!
We see Kyouko's family in this manga, and the struggles she had to face in being both a Magical Girl and a priest's daughter. Her tragic past is explored in a lot more detail than in the anime series, making it more poignant towards the inevitable climax. I have never felt sorrier for Kyouko Sakura. It seems she really was an innocent, idealistic Magical Girl once.
And poor, poor little Momo...
Mami is perhaps the stronger of the two for sticking to her goals and ideals in the face of tragedy. She may even be interpreted as a big sisterly saint who only lets her guard down in the worst possible moments. But in a myriad of ways Kyouko's story is the most heartwrenching. You can't exactly blame the fourteen-year-old girl for turning and abandoning her senpai's view of life as a selfless Magical Girl. Heck I'm impressed she didn't commit suicide after all she suffered through. You understand her reasoning, and why Mami's logic of protecting people and their happiness could be flawed.
Mami Tomoe once again is alone in the world, with no family and friends who share her understanding, and her desperate need to be a good hero and teacher to others.
The girls had a sisterly bond which started out so hopefully; to have it shatter is the final tragedy of this volume.
Kyuubey doesn't appear much here, which is just as well. Madoka and Sayaka don't show up until the very end, with Homura drawn ominously in one panel...
'The Different Story' has nice, expressive artwork (I especially love Mami’s numerous facial expressions), as well as being a good companion tale to the 'Madoka Magica' series. It is not nearly as violent or horrific as the original story - those sorts of scenes are either off-panel, implied or merely told to us - and it is a little short, with well-drawn but too-brief battle scenes. But the themes of friendships being tested, knowing what you are doing when trying to make other people happy, and what it truly means to be a so-called powerful person who thinks she knows all the right answers, are all present. The manga presents one or two different angles in viewing what it entails to be a Magical Girl.
No romance with a boy in sight, too. Was the author intending a kind of closer-than-friends vibe between Mami and Kyouko? Either way I welcome it; they are good together.
Enjoyable yet sad, I recommend ‘The Different Story’ to 'Madoka Magica' fans everywhere, who don't mind reading into a bit more tragedy and melancholy.
Final Score: 4.5/5
September 3, 2025
The blending of what’s cannon and not in the Madoka Mágica series is such a convoluted conversation that can be seen as a potential timeline homura fabricated. This lingered throughout my head as I read through this and made this “different story” work very well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 23, 2022
(un)local girl ruins everything
decent addition to the madoka universe. the desires and fears that drive mami and kyouko are fleshed out in scenes that occur prior to and concurrent with the anime. we get to see kyouko's family, as well as her and mami's tutelage together. such scenes give historical weight to kyouko and mami's actions later on in the anime.
however, as with the anime, things develop a bit too fast. one can explore — with grace, political acumen, and psychological depth — the power of trauma to radicalise youths into reactionary nihilism. the different story doesn't do this.
the anime got away with its heavy handed character developments by situating such developments in an increasingly hostile and cosmic framework that critiques our commonsensical notions of labour, debt, and desire. its melodrama felt appropriate to a world where . there just isn't the same metaphysical and political heft to the different story.
it's worth reading of you like character development, but if you want more philosophical despair i'd recommend the wraith arc, which takes place between the series and rebellion.
decent addition to the madoka universe. the desires and fears that drive mami and kyouko are fleshed out in scenes that occur prior to and concurrent with the anime. we get to see kyouko's family, as well as her and mami's tutelage together. such scenes give historical weight to kyouko and mami's actions later on in the anime.
however, as with the anime, things develop a bit too fast. one can explore — with grace, political acumen, and psychological depth — the power of trauma to radicalise youths into reactionary nihilism. the different story doesn't do this.
the anime got away with its heavy handed character developments by situating such developments in an increasingly hostile and cosmic framework that critiques our commonsensical notions of labour, debt, and desire. its melodrama felt appropriate to a world where . there just isn't the same metaphysical and political heft to the different story.
it's worth reading of you like character development, but if you want more philosophical despair i'd recommend the wraith arc, which takes place between the series and rebellion.
November 25, 2022
I’ve reread Different Story a number of times over the years. I really do think this volume always aged the best every time. It feels the most solid and concise and feels the closest to the TV series as a result. It’s effectively a prequel to the original and as a result it doesn’t really have any obligations to iterate on pre existing plot moments. All it really did was be a really good adaptation of the drama cd it was based on. We technically don’t learn anything new about either Kyoko or Mami, but their relationship being explored here does give a lot of context to the arcs they go through within the show.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2022
Este spin off de Madoka empezó fuerte. Todo gira alrededor de Kyoko y Mami, y si bien no descubrimos nada nuevo, se exploran ambos personajes de una manera que disfruté mucho. Mantiene un tono bastante consistente con la serie original, sin el plot twist de la misma. Asume vos ya leiste la primera serie lo que si. Que puede ser una desventaja, pero dudo que alguien agarre este tomo sin haber visto el anime o leido el otro manga. Veremos como sigue, como los eventos de esta linea temporal afectan los eventos de la serie original.
August 26, 2019
Loved this book. I loved the madoka magica series, and since the relationship between kyoko and mami was little to none in the anime, I thought this was really cool. The art is amazing, the plot is amazing, the battle scenes are pretty well drawn, and even though kyoko and mami are the main characters, you see a little of every magical girl towards the end. 10/10
May 11, 2020
This one is good because you get a much more in-depth backstory for Kyouko and Mami, who I now understand why they attract so much fan attention. Previously I thought Kyouko was kinda annoying, now her psychology makes much more sense. It's a good character building volume.
August 17, 2022
This was really well written and heartfelt. I'm not too proud to say I cried a lot. It really played with my emotions and I can't wait to read what's next.
Also, the back cover comic is adorably gay ♡
Also, the back cover comic is adorably gay ♡
February 25, 2024
I REALLY loved this book! It was so entertaining and enjoyable to read. I love how the book was about Kyoko and Mami's meeting before she met Madoka and Sayaka. Mami is so sweet and I really love her. If you really love Magical Girls and Madoka Magica then I recommend this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2025
Maguka is suffering 😔
This is a awesome fleshing out of two characters, and shows the inevitably of the greater tragedy. Love it!! The art is so amazing. Great subway read, even though it’s really thick in my bag.
This is a awesome fleshing out of two characters, and shows the inevitably of the greater tragedy. Love it!! The art is so amazing. Great subway read, even though it’s really thick in my bag.
December 30, 2017
Suicide. Heresy. Self-loathing.
December 14, 2017
Not as impressive as the original stories
August 15, 2018
Can’t go wrong w Madoka Magica , especially when Kyouko is the main lead <3
March 11, 2020
Mami and Kyoko...such a sad story.
February 14, 2021
It was nice to see Mami and Kyoko get fleshed out more, since the anime focused more on Sayaka and Homura.
Read
April 24, 2021沒留意到已經買過了……
September 5, 2021
Honestly, really great. Kyoko and Mami were my favorite characters and I'm glad we got Kyoko's backstory. Even though it was sad af.
December 21, 2021
Este spin-off se centra en la historia de Mami y como va conociendo a mas Puella Magi.
March 22, 2022
Everybody loves Sayko but what about Mamiko?(ship names)
May 17, 2022
This was a cute little AU of the original series. If you liked Mami and Kyouko this would be a good one for you. I really enjoyed the friendship they had together. This series has the possibility of a million AUs so I’m not surprised this was made. Very cute tho!
June 4, 2022
LOVED the story, really enhanced both Kyoko and Mami's character which was nice since they didn't get a lot of development on their own in the original anime
September 15, 2023
I love Mami
January 12, 2024
J’avais oublié que je l’avais et j’avais oublié à quel point cet univers était EXCELLENT ptn
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews