Madoka Magica: Walpurgisnacht Rising Gets IMAX Screenings Alongside August 28 Premiere in Japan

Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Walpurgisnacht Rising will premiere in Japanese theaters on August 28, 2026, with IMAX screenings launching the same day. The official website confirmed the news alongside a newly unveiled IMAX visual, marking the first time the beloved magical girl franchise will receive the large-format treatment.

A Franchise First in IMAX

The decision to bring Walpurgisnacht Rising to IMAX represents a significant milestone for the Madoka Magica franchise. Since its debut as a television anime in 2011, the series has earned a reputation for its striking visual storytelling - from its surreal witch labyrinths to its emotionally devastating set pieces. An IMAX presentation promises to amplify these elements on a scale the franchise has never seen before.

A special visual featuring Walpurgisnacht was released to commemorate the IMAX announcement, giving fans a fresh look at the apocalyptic witch that serves as the film's central threat. The visual underscores the epic scope that SHAFT has brought to the sequel, which follows the events of the 2013 film Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie: Rebellion.

Returning Cast and Creative Team

SHAFT is handling animation production for the film, with a stacked creative team steering the project. Yukihiro Miyamoto directs under chief director Akiyuki Shimbo, while Gen Urobuchi of Nitroplus returns to pen the screenplay. Yuki Kajiura, whose compositions have been inseparable from the franchise's identity, is once again scoring the film. The theme song, titled "Kanata," will be performed by FictionJunction, Kajiura's solo project.

The main voice cast is returning in full. Aoi Yuki reprises her role as Madoka Kaname, Chiwa Saito returns as Homura Akemi, Kaori Mizuhashi voices Mami Tomoe, Eri Kitamura plays Sayaka Miki, and Ai Nonaka is back as Kyoko Sakura. Two new cast members have also been announced, voicing new characters named Shichoka and Selma Therese, though details about their roles in the story remain under wraps.

A Long Road to the Screen

The path to Walpurgisnacht Rising has been anything but smooth. The sequel to Rebellion was announced years ago, but it has undergone multiple delays during its production. The most recent postponement came in January 2026, when the film was pushed back from a planned February opening. The August 28 date now appears to be the definitive launch, and the addition of IMAX screenings signals strong confidence from the production committee in the film's theatrical performance.

The original Madoka Magica television series, created by the collective known as Magica Quartet, redefined the magical girl genre with its dark themes and narrative twists. Rebellion expanded on the story in ways that divided and delighted fans in equal measure, leaving a cliffhanger that has fueled speculation for over a decade. Walpurgisnacht Rising will finally deliver answers to questions fans have been asking since 2013.

What Lies Ahead

With less than three weeks until its August 28 premiere, anticipation for Walpurgisnacht Rising is reaching a fever pitch. The IMAX screenings will give Japanese audiences the chance to experience SHAFT's visual spectacle at its most immersive. International release details have not yet been confirmed, but the franchise's global popularity makes wider distribution a near certainty in the months ahead.