Gertrud
Gertrud (GERTRUD) is a witch born from negative emotions, who loves roses more than anything else--her barrier is full of them. She uses humans' life energy to feed her roses and hates humans entering her barrier. Her minions are Anthony and Adelbert. She and her barrier are presented in a surreal manner with bizarre cut-and-paste-style photo collages. She also seems to like mustaches as both of her minions have some. The special page has confirmed that the mustaches are set by the witch herself. Her "body" has parts from a butterfly, and butterflies are seen in her barrier at many points. (See also: Gertrud's maze).
使魔
Note
In Episode 1, Anthonys are seen surrounding Sayaka and Madoka and yelling the following German phrases in a distorted manner:
| Original | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Das sind mir unbekannte Blumen. Ja. Sie sind mir auch unbekannt. Schneiden wir sie ab? Ja. Schneiden wir sie ab! Die Rosen schenken wir unsrer Königin. Und die schlechten Blumen steigen auf die Guillotine. Ja. Schneide sie ab! Ja. Schneide sie heraus! |
Those flowers are unknown to me. Yes. They are also unknown to me. Shall we cut them off? Yes. Let us cut them off. We present the roses to our queen. And the bad flowers go to the guillotine. Yes. Cut them off! Yes. Cut them out! |
Trivia and Speculation
- Gertrud's name may be a reference to Queen Gertrude from Shakespeare's play Hamlet.
- Her name may be a reference to Gertrud Barkhorn from Strike Witches.
- In episode 2 there's a grotesque image of Napoleon right before the door to Gertrud's barrier opens. Gertud may have been inspired by Joséphine de Beauharnais, wife of Napoleon Bonaparte. She was known as Rose until she married Napoleon, and she patronized the development of rose breeding at her gardens at Malmaison, collecting some 250 varieties.
- Seiyus called Anthony ひげおじさん (Higeojisan, Uncle Moustache) in the audio comentary tracks of BD/DVD.
- They think he is cute.
- In the Catholic tradition, St. Gertrude is considered the patron saint of gardeners and herbalists.
- Incidentally, she is also the patron saint of cats (and those who also loved them), travelers in search of lodgings, and insane people.[1]
Gallery
Screenshots
The barrier
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Gertrud's barrier appears around Homura.
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Madoka and Sayaka running around in the barrier.
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Madoka and friends entering the witch's barrier.
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The barrier in Episode 2 is different to the one in Episode 1.
Gertrud
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The girls' first encounter with Gertrud.
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Gertrud as seen in the "final room" of the barrier.
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Mami fighting Gertrud in the "final room" of the barrier.
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Gertrud displays what may be her original magical girl symbol overlayed with the witch's kiss symbol while attempting to attack Mami.
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Gertrud's inner barrier from the Blu-ray of episode 2.
Anthony
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Closeup on Anthonies faces
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Anthonies as seen in Episode 2
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When Anthonies die only their upper body disappears: their bottom butterfly simply flies away. Gertrud herself bursts into butterflies after being slain by Mami.
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Bless all forms of intelligence.
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A pair of Anthonies.
Adelbert
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Adelberts flying around in the barrier
Other
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The Grief Seed Gertrud dropped is a round ball decorated with thorned vines and topped by the rose and butterfly symbol.
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Gertrud's witch's kiss.
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Gertrud Grief Seed from Puella Magi Madoka Magica Portable
Speculation and analyses
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Speculah that appeared 2ch, positing that Gertrud's true form may have been a butterfly.
Official Documents
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Production notes.
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Puella Magi Madoka Magica Official Guidebook "You Are Not Alone"
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Napoleon & the Anthonies
