Series Timeline[]
Mami first appears while Madoka and Sayaka are trapped inside a Labyrinth for the first time. The two girls had rescued Kyubey from Homura's attacks, and in the chaos, a witch's Labyrinth had swallowed all of them up. Confused and afraid, Sayaka and Madoka endured the Labyrinth for as long as they could, when finally, Mami Tomoe arrives and takes out the witch, aka Gertrud which had been causing all of the surrounding illusions.
Later at her apartment, Mami explains to Madoka and Sayaka that she is called a Magical Girl, tasked with fighting witches in exchange for one wish, which is granted by her companion, Kyubey. She tries to encourage the girls to think hard on the wish they would want, driving home the point that there is no turning back from the fate of a Magical Girl. No one but them can see witches, and no one but them can do this kind of work. It's lonely and hard, and not for the faint of heart, but she believes in the both of them. Mami decides to mentor Sayaka and Madoka, bringing them along on her witching patrols so that they can receive firsthand experience of what it's like to fight witches so that they can make an educated decision on whether to make a contract with Kuybey.
The next day at school, Madoka, Sayaka and Mami practice their newly found telepathic skills with one another while in class, avoiding Homura's intense glare as Madoka hangs on to Kuybey in her lap. Mami reassures both Madoka and Sayaka that Homura is not a danger to them, and that she is on standby should they need her. At some point that day, a Grief Seed hatches, birthing a witch, and Mami comes to the rescue of Sayaka and Kuybey at the behest of Madoka. Both Madoka and Mami enter the Labyrinth together--restraining a frustrated Homura in the process--and they discuss the lifestyle of a witch, their friendship, and Mami thanks Madoka for being there with her because it helps her be less alone and afraid while she fights. The two shed happy tears, agreeing to fight together as witches, eventually promising to share cake with one another after slaying this witch. Mami and the witch begin their battle, with Mami maintaining the upper hand for the majority of the fight. She uses her specialty move, Tiro Finale, shooting down the body of the witch, seemingly defeating. Her celebration is in haste, however, because the witch's form changes shape, growing in size and animosity. It looms over Mami, chomping down on her upper half so that her Soul Gem is shattered as it feeds on her fallen body. Madoka and Sayaka watch in horror as Mami is killed, and Homura is released from Mami's restraints, allowing her to slay the witch and collect its Grief Seed, much to Sayaka's dismay.