NOTE: This WandaVision editorial was recently released in February of 2020. In light of the new trailer, I figured it would be a good time to push this likely theory forward once again.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Not gonna lie, there’s a lot in the Marvel Cinematic Universe that excites me. With TV shows being brought into the mix, they really are doing anything and everything to keep our attention following Avengers: Endgame. However, the show that has captured my imagination is none other than WandaVision. It has a great premise and is the one series that truly seems to be taking things in bonkers direction — which I’m all for. However, as details have come out, I couldn’t help but wonder if the plot of the show could end up shaking out like a little anime film from several years back.

For starters, I guess it’s worth getting a basic understanding of what WandaVision is about. Details are sparse, but from what we know, the show will have Wanda and Vision living a sweet suburban life, only to realize their life isn’t what they thought. I imagine it’ll be the black-and-white coloration and the laugh track that’ll give it away.

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Anyway, since we know Vision is dead, and many are aware of Wanda’s abilities, it’s pretty much a given that this world is a fabrication she has created as a defense mechanism. As such, I think I may have a good idea of how this whole series will play out. But first, let’s talk about that little anime film that I think could be indicative of the plot of WandaVision.

Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Series

Ew, gross, right? What a title. Yes, it’s a mouthful, but it’s still far and away one of my favorite series of all-time. This was a 12-episode series that was later adapted into two films, with a third film acting as a continuation of the story. It is the third film, Rebellion, that I think will be a solid representation of what WandaVision will be, but in order to understand that, I should probably give you some insight to the core series.

Spoiler alert for the Madoka Magica series…if you care.

The series is a deconstruction of the Magical Girl genre — you know, the whole Sailor Moon girl with powers trope? In this story, teenage girls can make any wish they want, and in doing so, commit to a life of fighting witches. These witches create extravagant labyrinths to trap their victims and are responsible for random deaths and suicides. These are usually portrayed in super-psychedelic fashion, which you can see below.

As it turns out, however, these “witches” aren’t born evil. They’re actually just magical girls who have given in to despair, and this entire system was put in place to create energy for an alien race. Yeah, it’s weird, but it makes sense in the context of the world. And don’t worry, I’m getting to the relevant stuff in a bit. 

As it turns out, one magical girl with time travel abilities named Homura has been reliving the same few weeks over and over again in hopes of preventing her friend Madoka Kaname from becoming a magical girl, thereby preventing her death. In the end, she fails. Madoka ends up making a wish that puts an end to this cyclical nature of magical girls becoming witches — a process called “the Law of Cycles.” The downside? Madoka is no longer a person, but a sort of concept or god that is weaved throughout reality.

The ending itself is bittersweet, with Homura being the only person to remember who Madoka is, but the world ultimately being saved.

Rebellion

Now, let’s get into that movie. 

Spoilers for Puella Magic Madoka Magica Movie 3: Rebellion. Again, if you care.

In the film, we are treated to an odd first act. In it, we see Madoka and Homura officially a part of a magical girl team, along with a few others from the series who had died or ended the show in different circumstances. It’s an overly-happy, cringingly-cheesy opening, sort of meant to make it feel like the audience had missed a part of the story.

“In what world did they work together? In what world were they all friends? Wasn’t the concept of witches eliminated at the end of the show in favor of a different foe?”

By the end of the first act, however, Homura notices something off and immediately gets to work uncovering this façade of a city. As it turns out, this city and perfect reality is actually a labyrinth of a witch. The witch in question…Homura herself.

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Following the events of the series, she apparently gave in to despair, creating a reality where everything was perfect. The next part of the film becomes a fight for her friends to free her from her own labyrinth and successfully allow her to pass on, giving in to the “Law of Cycles” that was created by Madoka at the end of the series.

But things don’t go according to plan. In the end, Homura succumbs to her selfishness, and in the process, ends up undoing that law of cycles in order to have Madoka come back to life as a human. Except, as a result, she becomes a sort of wicked, devil-like embodiment. If Madoka was the portrait of love and selflessness, Homura is the portrait of obsession and selfishness. And so, the world goes on under these new laws.

Yeah, it’s weird, but also kind of awesome. And speaking of awesome, feel free to watch this awesome fight scene from the film.

So, What Does This Mean For WandaVision?

Admittedly, I sort of expect WandaVision to play out similarly. We all know Wanda was in love with Vision, and I don’t think it’s a stretch to assume she created this world so that she could live with her true love. It’s an elaborate coping mechanism that runs so deep that she doesn’t even know what’s real and what’s not…not unlike Homura’s witch’s labyrinth.

I expect the end of the first episode will see Wanda and Vision noticing something isn’t quite right. The next couple of episodes, I expect to see them running through different sitcom themes, potentially uncovering the truth surrounding the illusion in the first place. I then expect we will find out this reality is one Scarlet Witch created — but she won’t be alone.

Perhaps there was a villain that put her in a vulnerable position that created this reality. She not only needs to find the strength to say goodbye to Vision for good and push her way out of the illusion, but she has to fight this villain as well.

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However, when all said and done, I expect this experience to leave her broken emotionally, and can see her becoming something of an antagonist for a bit. We’ve heard rumors of her being as such in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness in the past, and this falls into that perfectly. It’s also possible that she ultimately gives in to her selfishness, like Homura did in the film, and as a result, becomes something of a “selfish witch.”

Conclusion

Of course, all of this is just an observation on my part. An observation based on limited to no plot details.

I’m sure Marvel Studios will do what they do best in making this a fun entertaining ride, but I couldn’t help but spot the potential parallels here. It’s very interesting and emotionally-risky ground they could be treading over, and I’m excited to see if they’ll take some huge risks that can leave both Wanda and audiences in tears.

What do you think of these comparisons? Let us know your thoughts down below!

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