Madoka Magica 4 Delayed Again, Fans Dub It “The GTA 6 of Anime Films” After 13-Year Wait

Madoka Magica 4, also known as Walpurgisnacht: Rising, has faced yet another delay, leading some fans to wonder if it will ever see the light of day.

The official Madoka Magica Twitter account announced, “We had planned to release the film starting from February 2026, but due to production circumstances, we will be changing the release date. We will provide further details regarding the new release date within February 2026.”

The first two films, Beginnings and Eternal, debuted in 2012, followed by the third film, Rebellion, in 2013. The fourth installment was first revealed in 2021 with an initial release target for 2024, which was then pushed to 2025 and subsequently to 2026. Although tickets for the February 2026 premiere have already been sold, a follow-up tweet clarified that those tickets will still be valid for the new release date.

“This really is the GTA VI of anime movies,” one fan remarked, drawing a parallel to the highly anticipated sixth entry in the popular video game franchise. While some fans are willing to wait, with one stating they would “wait until 2027,” others are left speculating about the film’s completion, particularly regarding the ambiguous “production circumstances” mentioned.

The film series is adapted from the anime TV show of the same name, which tells the story of Madoka, a girl who dreams of becoming a “magical girl.” However, when her wish is granted, she discovers that the reality is far from what she expected, leading her on a bizarre and enchanting adventure.