Nick Hunter
I have reached Yuki nirvana
Quoting things via mobile keyboard is a headache, sorry for the messy comment... ^^;
It's very likely that Homura experienced more loops than we've seen, although it's not a neccesary detail to render Homura cold and reserved. In my view, the third timeline was really a cornerstone: the girls met a really tragic end, and Homura herself was forced to kill the person she was struggling to protect... I think that did the trick. She decided against seeking any direct co-operation from the other girls, seeing as nobody would believe her until too late, and she prioritized Madoka because her initial desire to protect the pink-haired girl was booted up to eleven by Madoka's request. Also, it's a no-brainer that all the experience of past loops may have traumatised Homura to various degrees, and her mission/promise is most likelythe only thing that keeps her from snapping (otherwise she would have witchified herself thrice as fast as Sayaka). Like I said, it's likely she has given up on the other girls, losing the hope to save them all. And the next ep preview hints that she's to undergo a painful trial - being accused by Madoka for her attitude.
Concerning the time leap mechanism, I'm still not sure if it's automatic or not. Most loops we've seen suggest this, but the last to current one gives an impression that Homura activates the leap herself after her conversation with Kyuubey. Add the fact that Kyuubey's speech is too vague to clarify Madoka's status atm (whether she had become a witch or just was going to do so in the short course). The latter, btw, emphasises how Homura's objective changed - if there's really no hope for Madoka as Puella Magi, then the only plausible outcome is preventing her contract. But that raises a question: if Madoka makes it through Walpurgisnacht alive and relativ, will Homura's mission end there? Her first conversation with Kyoko included her mentioning she would leave the city afterwards. Of course, this timeline's Madoka has a painfully full picture of how QB Power Networks operates, so in the absense of a real threat she wouldn't follow the little pest's call that easily... Unless he tempts her with potential ressurrection of her friends, or waits till someone from her family encounters a witch, or till another Walpurgis arrives... Boy, leaving the city should be the last thing on Homura's mind (so it's possible she lied to Kyoko, as the latter was mostly concerned about the territory issues back then).
I also heard a theory that Homura may be Walpurgis, but there are some quirks, including raw potential - a witch's power should depend on the host's soul gem, and Homura doesn't seem all that powerful. Unless her time stop power qualifies in terms of magic power despite limited applcation in battle. Then again, setting Homura as a witch from the ORIGINAL would require a really odd and complex development.
As to the ruins... It all may well be part of the barrier. Although magic CAN be used outside of barriers (remember how Mami saved the woman in ep 2), and Madoka's prospects of destroying the planet may have something to do with that - unless she would simply do it by causing mass suicides (are there any M.Night Shyamalan fans here?
)... Or unless Kyuubey is prone to exaggerations.
Concerning the time leap mechanism, I'm still not sure if it's automatic or not. Most loops we've seen suggest this, but the last to current one gives an impression that Homura activates the leap herself after her conversation with Kyuubey. Add the fact that Kyuubey's speech is too vague to clarify Madoka's status atm (whether she had become a witch or just was going to do so in the short course). The latter, btw, emphasises how Homura's objective changed - if there's really no hope for Madoka as Puella Magi, then the only plausible outcome is preventing her contract. But that raises a question: if Madoka makes it through Walpurgisnacht alive and relativ, will Homura's mission end there? Her first conversation with Kyoko included her mentioning she would leave the city afterwards. Of course, this timeline's Madoka has a painfully full picture of how QB Power Networks operates, so in the absense of a real threat she wouldn't follow the little pest's call that easily... Unless he tempts her with potential ressurrection of her friends, or waits till someone from her family encounters a witch, or till another Walpurgis arrives... Boy, leaving the city should be the last thing on Homura's mind (so it's possible she lied to Kyoko, as the latter was mostly concerned about the territory issues back then).
I also heard a theory that Homura may be Walpurgis, but there are some quirks, including raw potential - a witch's power should depend on the host's soul gem, and Homura doesn't seem all that powerful. Unless her time stop power qualifies in terms of magic power despite limited applcation in battle. Then again, setting Homura as a witch from the ORIGINAL would require a really odd and complex development.
As to the ruins... It all may well be part of the barrier. Although magic CAN be used outside of barriers (remember how Mami saved the woman in ep 2), and Madoka's prospects of destroying the planet may have something to do with that - unless she would simply do it by causing mass suicides (are there any M.Night Shyamalan fans here?
)... Or unless Kyuubey is prone to exaggerations.
great to hear that all the aforementioned people are alright. 
The correct date in such scenario would be April 01st.
On the other hand, vol 5 will contain episode 10 which apparently was a knockout for many viewers. 
I'm worried about Homerun-chan... 
but I just couldn't help posting 
