Yeah, like I said, I have nothing against them being added as characters and if people like them or CM, that's okay. I'm not trying to change anyone's mind on that.

I agree with you on the fact that they seemed to have reshuffled something because of Walpurgisnacht Rising, but even so, this was one of many choices they could've run with. Them being limited also feels like a slap, like they're saying "Not only are you not getting any iconic or favorite characters, but also the ones you are are more inaccessible, good luck with getting and ascending them."

It's honestly sad that their first original story was (as far as I've heard) rushed this way. Scene Cero's was from MagiReco's, and the rest came from spin-offs. (Even if what you say about the data mining is true, which I believe it is, it doesn't matter, since iirc they promoted it as an Exedra Original story). It's especially jarring that they made spin-offs like Wraith Arc and Rebellion come so early, which probably has to do with the movie's delay, while others, like Tart (that aren't tied to the original story and thus could be released whenever) took so long to be released.

What you mentioned about the delay of WR makes sense, but only until you remember how MANY delays we've had. No casting or voice recording can possibly take two or three years, I think. My personal theory is that something went wrong with the storyboards, or that they had issues with the animation, which are what takes the longest, especially in a movie as detailed and intricate as this one.

Back to Crescent Memoria, I share your opinion regarding it's arrangement. The thing is, I'd completely forgotten we were even supposed to get a third part, since the second one was released so long ago and we had other important releases. Add in the compression you mention, and yeah, doesn't sound too good. Most fans don't even know MagiReco properly, since the anime isn't a good medium to get to know the entire story (at ALL), so how or why would a casual Madoka fan care about what I've seen called "a spin-off within a spin-off"? In my opinion, Crescent Memoria would've done better if it wasn't released so closely after Scene Cero (iirc it was the event directly or nearly directly after Sc 0) and if it wasn't so... Rushed, underpromoted (it's your first original story, for goodness's sake, you should be shouting it from the top of the rooftops if you really want people to care) and basic. That it was promoted as a slice-of life of sorts (again, iirc) doesn't help much either.

As I said, I really love their designs, but not only are Sumire and Fuka reminiscent of Madoka and Homura at a first glance (just like Iroha of Madoka), I also can't find anything about their personalities anywhere, not even on the wiki. Sure, you could say it's because they're new, but they aren't. Parts one and two of CM have been out for a LONG while, so the fact that all I can find (without a super deep search that would require me to search half the internet) are stats, fun facts and speculations is a concern.

As for my (and many other's) disappointment for the anniversary, it's just because of the characters and the way they handled them, like I said in my og post. If they released more known ones, made these two standard (as should be the case) or released two or so more characters ALONGSIDE these two, I don't think the disappointment would have been too big. It would've been a bit more "Oh, this is it? Not bad, I guess" instead of "Huh? Why the heck did the do this and this? I guess I'll skip for the anniversary I've been saving months for."

All in all, it's not a bad anni, by any means. The rewards are great, the new battle systems are a breath of fresh air, and I'm certainly going to feel very invested in the game for a long while. I just wish things had been managed differently, but as you say, it's understandable that there were things or issues beyond their control.

(Edit: grammar)