Spoiler warning: This article discusses the new character shown in the September 12 trailer. It avoids the ending, but the official video contains major footage from the movie.
Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie: Walpurgisnacht Rising opened in Japan on August 28. Two weeks later, Aniplex released a trailer that shows far more than a normal post-release ad. It introduces a character who looks almost exactly like Homura and includes story scenes that many overseas fans have not had a legal way to watch yet. The official U.S. site still says only “Coming Soon.”
Why are fans calling the new trailer a spoiler?
The video arrived on September 12, the date the production had asked Japanese audiences to wait until before discussing the movie openly. Aniplex also released 12 scene cuts for impression posts and a third key visual drawn by original character designer Ume Aoki. The campaign has clearly moved into post-release mode in Japan.
That timing is rough for viewers still waiting outside Japan. In the main r/anime discussion, fans immediately asked for a U.S. theatrical or streaming date, and the video was shared with a spoiler warning. A trailer can be official and still reveal too much for viewers who have no way to see the full movie.
Who is the new character WAS?
Aniplex calls her the “unnamed upperclassman” and labels her WAS. The official description says she was once guided by the Law of Cycles, has returned to the present world, and has a face almost identical to Homura Akemi. Nobody in the story is said to know her real name or identity.
Maaya Sakamoto voices WAS. The returning Japanese cast includes Aoi Yuki as Madoka, Chiwa Saito as Homura, Kaori Mizuhashi as Mami, Eri Kitamura as Sayaka, Ai Nonaka as Kyoko, Kana Asumi as Nagisa, and Emiri Kato as Kyubey. The resemblance between WAS and Homura is now official; what connects them is the part the movie answers.
When will Walpurgisnacht Rising release in the U.S.?
Aniplex of America has not announced a date. The official U.S. website lists Walpurgisnacht Rising as “Coming Soon,” with no theater list, ticket sale, streaming service, or home-video plan. Neither that site nor Aniplex of America’s current listing gives American viewers a date.
Walpurgisnacht Rising is a direct sequel to 2013’s Rebellion, so the wait is especially frustrating for fans who have followed Homura and Madoka for more than a decade. A U.S. release announcement would solve the immediate problem. Until one appears, every new clip makes avoiding spoilers harder.
Should you watch the new trailer?
Skip it if you want to enter the movie without knowing the new character or seeing major scenes. The thumbnail alone reveals WAS, and the full video goes further. Fans who are already reading Japanese post-release discussion will get a clear look at the film’s new conflict and Ume Aoki’s latest visual.
The trailer is available through Aniplex’s official YouTube channel below. U.S. viewers who prefer to avoid spoilers should wait for a release date and stick to the older promotional material.
