The ratings for the first episode of 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica' were exaggeratedly high—but still within market expectations.
If it had been written by a rookie screenwriter, with such a slow-burning first episode, even airing in prime time on one of the three major television networks, breaking 4% would have been extremely difficult.
But Su Yan had spent several years in this world and built up immense fame. Even though he didn't personally act in the series, his name alone as the screenwriter was the biggest draw.
On top of that, Shen Liqian—currently one of the most popular actresses in the Xia Nation thanks to her role as Akana Rika—and Gu Qingyuan, who had risen to A-list status after starring in multiple Su Yan hit dramas in recent years.
There was also idol singer Qiao Tianxi joining the cast as Tomoe Mami, along with second-tier actresses Wada Haruka and Tang Dongxue playing Sayaka. And though she had yet to appear, Sakura Kyoko was still to come.
The fan traffic attached to this show was massive. Not to mention the production quality—undoubtedly top-tier within the Xia Nation television market.
Because of that, the media only casually mentioned the ratings on Monday.
No one in the entire Xia Nation television industry felt this was anything other than exaggerated for Su Yan.
The real focus was Episode 2.
But fans didn't think that far ahead.
For a magical girl series, compared to ordinary dramas, merchandise was undoubtedly the real profit center.
It wasn't just anime fans who were interested in merch. As long as a drama or movie was well-produced and popular, character outfits and props could sell explosively in the Xia Nation plane.
For 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica', Su Yan had already established deep partnerships with manufacturers long ago.
The Mitakihara Middle School custom JK uniforms worn by the characters in Episode 1.
Homura Akemi's magical girl transformation outfit from the opening.
Tomoe Mami's yellow magical girl costume from the middle of Episode 1—
All had already gone on sale via Dimensional Pictures' official website, major Xia Nation online shopping platforms, and Zhongxia TV's televised shopping channel.
A large number of Su Yan's fans had pre-ordered in advance and were already cosplaying as characters from the show.
Short-form cosplay videos flooded the internet.
Even though Episode 1 progressed slowly, with the combined efforts of the creative team and overwhelming promotional campaigns, it did nothing to hinder the drama's rapid surge in popularity.
On Friday night, Sakura TV aired Episode 2 of 'Peerless'.
As always, it received widespread praise.
The ratings climbed to 5.14%.
But inside Sakura TV's production department, hardly anyone felt happy.
They couldn't even surpass the first episode of 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica'—how were they supposed to compete?
In the office, Akasaka Yoshitoki's expression was ashen. Several times, he nearly called the 'Peerless' production team.
But in the end, he restrained himself.
For an S-tier drama to reach 5.14% in its second week—what more could one ask for?
Even in today's era, that was excellent. Put it ten or twenty years ago, and it would've been cause for celebration.
The 'Peerless' main creative team had already done their best. They had reached the limits of their abilities.
And this was already the strongest television production team Akasaka Yoshitoki could assemble. If even that couldn't defeat Su Yan, what else could he do?
He took a deep breath, recalling how Su Yan and his people had publicly mocked him at the Xia Flame Awards.
His fists clenched.
Su Yan's ceiling had already been proven through 'Tokyo Love Story'.
"You can't possibly always be this good, can you? You're bound to mess up at least once," Akasaka Yoshitoki gritted his teeth.
"'Rurouni Kenshin: Trust & Betrayal', 'An Ancient Love Song', 'To the Moon'—all the way until now. So many works, and not a single flop. Who can perfectly predict market trends every time? If you're flipping a coin and it keeps landing heads, unless you're cheating, how is that possible? With 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica'… you have to lose once, right?"
Depending on his opponent to make a mistake rather than controlling his own fate made him sick.
Moreover, the ratings battle between 'Peerless' and 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica' was tied directly to his position as department head.
Sakura TV had repeatedly launched attacks against Su Yan and suffered crushing defeats. Although profits hadn't dropped drastically, their reputation had taken too much damage, and their stock price had been hit.
Akasaka Yoshitoki now had to take the blame.
This was his last chance to regain the board's trust.
The buzz around 'Peerless' only lasted through Saturday.
On Sunday, the Xia Nation television market was once again flooded with analysis posts dissecting the setting of 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica', along with waves of cosplay short videos.
Even though the story hadn't yet entered its main plotline, the images of Shen Liqian, Gu Qingyuan, and the other main cast members were already deeply etched in viewers' minds. The very concept of "magical girl" had spread far and wide.
That evening, Zhongxia TV's ratings surged again.
["It's here."]
["Episode 2! I've waited a whole week."]
["I hope they finally introduce the main storyline. I still don't know who the final boss is, who the enemy is, or what the protagonist is trying to do."]
["Maybe it's just a simple story about a group of girls fighting evil witches together! Can't it just be lighthearted? Why does everything need conspiracies and deep main plots? Goals and life ambitions don't matter that much."]
["Exactly. As long as it's not tragic, I don't care about the main plot!"]
["Isn't the real highlight of this show the magical girl transformations? Mami's transformation was so beautiful. I can't wait to see Madoka, Sayaka, and Shizuki Hitomi transform."]
["Shizuki Hitomi? I checked the official setting book—doesn't seem like she has that much screen time. Can she even transform?"]
["Maybe! Such a cute girl not transforming would be a waste."]
["What I'm most looking forward to right now is magical girl transformations. It's kind of pervy, but I don't know why an eighteen-year-old guy like me enjoys watching this."]
["Bro, you're not alone."]
["I'm thirty-eight and still love it!"]
["Twenty-nine here. Magical girls are great."]
["I strongly recommend watching the Sakura Island-region voice actor dub after finishing the mainland version of 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica'. That 'mahou shoujo' line hits different."]
["Yeah, the Sakura Island dub is more emotionally charged. Somehow it fits Su Yan's style perfectly."]
Online, countless Su Yan fans chatted in forums and fan groups, passing the time while waiting for Episode 2 of 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica' to begin.
Finally, the time arrived.
Chi Jingyan straightened in her seat.
The cheerful and heartwarming theme song of 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica' began to play.
After the opening ended, the story moved into the main thread.
The episode continued from Madoka, Homura, and Sayaka's encounter in the previous episode.
Before leaving, Homura once again hinted that Madoka should not become a magical girl.
Why shouldn't Madoka become one?
And why was Homura always speaking in riddles?
Was becoming a magical girl dangerous?
Well, fighting witches did seem dangerous. But if no one stepped up, who would eliminate these unseen monsters?
And what was the source of Homura's inexplicable attitude toward Madoka?
Chi Jingyan sensed something subtle.
But there was too little information to continue speculating.
The camera pulled back. In the distance, Mami calmly watched the three of them.
The next arc began with Mami taking Madoka and Sayaka to fight a witch, so they could seriously consider whether they truly wanted to become magical girls. She wanted them to understand what the job entailed and what dangers it carried before making a decision.
Chi Jingyan watched this part intently.
Because only during witch battles did the explosive, high-budget special effects appear.
And—
"Mami is so strong!"
Watching Mami slice through the witch with effortless grace, Chi Jingyan felt reassured.
Witches were nothing special.
In front of magical girls, they were just loud beasts!
As the battle unfolded, Chi Jingyan gradually grasped the show's setting.
After becoming a magical girl, one would possess a Soul Gem as the source of power.
But each time power was used, the Soul Gem would grow clouded.
Defeating a witch would drop a Grief Seed, which could purify the clouded Soul Gem.
Hmm…
So if you didn't fight witches or use magical powers, your Soul Gem wouldn't cloud.
Conversely, fighting witches caused clouding, and the reward only reset it.
From the perspective of combat alone, there was zero profit—just pure altruism, saving the world for love.
[Even someone as useless as me… if I could help others like that… that would truly be wonderful.]
Seeing Mami's heroic figure, admiration flashed in Madoka's eyes.
The following scenes centered on Madoka, Sayaka, and Mami together.
They experienced witch battles side by side. Mami recounted how she had wished to become a magical girl to survive. Sayaka spoke about wanting to make a wish to save someone important who had suffered misfortune.
"Sayaka, do you want his wish to come true? Or do you want to become the benefactor who makes his wish come true?"
Mami's words made the atmosphere heavy.
["Stop overthinking it and just become magical girls already! If you're going to wish for something, why not wish for humanity to achieve immortality? Why are your wishes so narrow-minded?"] Chi Jingyan internally complained.
But after calming down, she realized her own logic was flawed.
It was said to be an all-powerful wish—but surely not literally anything could be granted.
Otherwise, wishing for the universe to explode would be absurd. No matter how magical the show was, it couldn't completely disregard logic.
Madoka and Sayaka's confusion deepened. Late at night, the rabbit-like Kyubey kept persuading Madoka to become a magical girl.
It even bluntly stated that if Madoka became one, she would be even more powerful than Mami.
Of course, the extent of that power depended on her wish.
In Kyubey's words, Madoka was the most gifted magical girl candidate it had ever seen.
["Uh… what makes Madoka so special?"] Chi Jingyan frowned.
Just because she's the protagonist, does she have the highest talent?
She couldn't figure it out.
The story continued—Madoka's family life, the trio's school days, and the tense standoff between Mami and Homura over Madoka.
Before she realized it, the episode had entered its second half.
Sayaka was suddenly attacked and dragged into a witch's barrier.
To rescue her, Madoka and Mami entered the barrier together.
Of course, Homura was involved as well.
The girl shrouded in mystery was immediately restrained by Mami upon entering the barrier, prevented from interfering.
Chi Jingyan perked up.
Even though Madoka still hadn't transformed, it didn't matter.
Mami's battles were just as beautiful—and just as cool.