Madoka Kaname is depicted as a petite girl with pink hair typically styled into twin pigtails, secured by her signature red ribbons. When her hair is worn down, it falls to shoulder length. Her bangs are choppy and pointed, with side strands that frame her cheeks. She has large, oval-shaped red eyes that contribute to her gentle and innocent expression.

In her everyday life, Madoka is usually seen wearing the standard Mitakihara Middle School uniform. The outfit consists of a beige square-neck blazer with black trim around the collar, puffy long sleeves with white cuffs edged in red, and a bow at the lower back. The hem of the blazer is trimmed with red zigzags and decorated with small white zigzag accents. She pairs this with white thigh-high stockings and brown loafers.

As a magical girl, Madoka dons an elaborate pink and white dress with a soft, frilly aesthetic. Her outfit features a pale yellow panel bordered by white frills on the front, adorned with a vertical row of red buttons. The puffed sleeves have pink frilled ends, held in place by red cuffs. Two large pink bows decorate each side of her skirt, while a red choker tied in a bow sits at her neck. The dress’s skirt is composed of seven petal-shaped segments with white floral patterns and red trimming, layered over a donut-shaped petticoat. A small heart-shaped cutout is present between her shoulder blades on the back of her dress. Completing the ensemble are white gloves with red cuffs, frilled white thigh-high stockings, and red heels with ribbon laces, lending her a ballerina-like appearance.

In her divine form as Ultimate Madoka also known as Madokami her appearance becomes more ethereal and celestial. Her pink hair grows significantly longer, flowing down her back while retaining her iconic pigtails, now tied with white bows. Her eye color changes to a soft golden hue with lightened pupils, symbolizing her ascension to godhood. She wears a flowing, three-layered white gown with the front kept short and the back trailing behind. The innermost layer of the dress reveals a cosmic pattern resembling the universe, with soft hues of purple and pink. The wide-cut collar opens down the center to just below her chest and is fastened near the top by her Soul Gem, flanked by two smaller gems. Her airy, double-layered sleeves extend just past her elbows, the underlayer tinted a light purplish-pink. She also wears white gloves, soft pink thigh-high stockings, and white heels adorned with wing-like decorations near the ankles. A simple white choker completes her divine appearance.

Madoka Kaname is introduced as an ordinary eighth-grade student with a warm and compassionate nature. Gentle, kind-hearted, and soft-spoken, she is the type of person who goes out of her way to support others, often putting their needs before her own. Her friendly and approachable demeanor makes her well-liked by her classmates, and she is frequently surrounded by friends who are drawn to her sincerity.

Initially, Madoka is portrayed as somewhat shy and lacking in self-confidence. She views herself as someone without any special talents, which fuels her desire to become useful by helping others. This sense of self-doubt is a recurring aspect of her character, and it plays a major role in her eventual decision to become a magical girl. Her emotional vulnerability also makes her susceptible to manipulation, particularly when her desire to protect others is exploited.

Despite her insecurities, Madoka is shown to be level-headed and capable of making difficult decisions. Her moral compass is strong, and she strives to do what she believes is right, even in situations that overwhelm or frighten her. As the series progresses and she becomes more involved in the magical girl world, Madoka gradually grows braver and more self-assured, displaying a deepening resolve to stand up for others, no matter the cost.

Much of her strength can be attributed to her family upbringing particularly her relationship with her mother, Junko, who instilled in her a sense of courage and integrity. Madoka’s development throughout the series transforms her from a timid bystander into a symbol of hope and selflessness, culminating in her decision to rewrite the laws of the magical girl system and sacrifice her own existence for the greater good.

Sayaka Miki
Sayaka is Madoka’s childhood friend and closest companion. The two have shared a strong bond since elementary school, when Sayaka protected Madoka from bullies. Their friendship is marked by deep mutual care and loyalty both are willing to sacrifice their own well-being for the other. As Sayaka begins to spiral emotionally after becoming a magical girl, Madoka becomes increasingly concerned for her. She tries to support Sayaka during her descent into despair but is left emotionally hurt when Sayaka rejects her kindness and accuses her of inaction. Distressed by this change, Madoka seeks her mother’s advice to better understand how to help her friend. Despite these struggles, Madoka’s feelings for Sayaka remain heartfelt and unwavering.

Mami Tomoe
Madoka looks up to Mami as a graceful and experienced magical girl who initially serves as her mentor. Mami’s strength and composure inspire Madoka, but as Mami begins to open up and reveal her emotional vulnerabilities, Madoka gains a more realistic understanding of the burdens magical girls carry. This only deepens her admiration for Mami. Her tragic death early in the series becomes a turning point for both Madoka and Sayaka, confronting them with the harsh realities of their potential fates.

Kyoko Sakura
Madoka and Kyoko have a more cordial relationship than Kyoko shares with most others, though they often clash in ideology. While Kyoko believes in survival-of-the-fittest logic and is quick to resort to combat, Madoka prefers empathy and dialogue. Despite these differences, they find common ground in their concern for Sayaka, especially after her transformation into a witch. In that moment, their mutual desire to save Sayaka allows them to set aside their opposing views and work together.

Homura Akemi
At first, Homura appears distant and cold toward Madoka, confusing and worrying her. However, Madoka senses kindness beneath Homura’s aloof behavior and believes in her good intentions. It is eventually revealed that Homura has traveled through countless timelines in a desperate attempt to protect Madoka from becoming a magical girl and meeting a tragic end. Madoka, in turn, greatly values her friendship with Homura and shows appreciation for her quiet devotion. In their earliest interactions before Homura became a magical girl Madoka is seen welcoming her warmly, even admiring her name and showing kindness without hesitation.

Hitomi Shizuki
Hitomi is one of Madoka’s close friends and a fellow classmate. While Hitomi and Sayaka share a more complex and sometimes antagonistic dynamic, Madoka maintains a peaceful and friendly relationship with Hitomi throughout the series. She shows genuine care for her, going so far as to save her from a Witch’s Kiss in Episode 4. In supplementary media, such as the second audio drama CD, Madoka is shown to protect Hitomi from becoming a magical girl, reinforcing her desire to shield others from harm.

Tatsuya Kaname
Madoka’s younger brother, Tatsuya, is someone she adores despite his occasional mischief. Their sibling relationship is affectionate and warm. Notably, after Madoka’s transcendence into Ultimate Madoka and the erasure of her existence from memory, Tatsuya appears to retain a faint recollection of her referring to her as an “imaginary friend” implying a deep, unbreakable familial bond.

Madoka Kaname’s magical abilities are not fully defined, but she is considered one of the most powerful magical girls across all timelines. As a magical girl, she wields a mystical bow that fires energy-based arrows capable of striking multiple enemies at once. While her primary ability remains unclear, it has been noted in Magia Record that her magic bears similarities to that of Iroha Tamaki, hinting at a connection in their powers.

Upon ascending to her divine form as Ultimate Madoka, she gains abilities that far exceed those of ordinary magical girls. In this state, she exists beyond time and space and possesses the power to purify Soul Gems of corruption with a single touch. This divine purification prevents magical girls from turning into witches and enables her to fundamentally alter the laws of the magical girl system. Interestingly, even in her standard magical girl form as seen in Magia Record Episode 14 Madoka is shown purifying the impurities of her Soul Gem during transformation, foreshadowing her celestial potential.

Madoka also performs several named attacks throughout the series and related media. In The Rebellion Story, she executes Tiro Duet, a dual attack in collaboration with Mami Tomoe, which is a variant of Mami’s iconic Tiro Finale. Additionally, in Magia Record, she utilizes Connect, a unique technique where magical girls join hands to merge their weapons and unleash a more powerful, combined attack.