The Ancient Magus' Bride (TV Series 2017– ) Poster

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9/10
Absolutely Beautiful
jamesorobber31 August 2018
Such a colourful, mysterious and beautiful anime with deep emotional moments and vibrant characters
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8/10
Wonderfully weird
jonlain-797-451582 March 2018
The Ancient Magus' Bride is a wonderfully weird anime series. Even though "the mage's apprentice" theme is a pretty common trope, the show feels unique and is unlike anything I've ever seen. I enjoyed it start to finish, even though it feels more like a setup for following seasons than a standalone. The main antagonist is introduced early on, and seems to pose a serious threat, but is then soon forgotten about to make place for world building and (side)character development. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but the first season of this show does lack plot and mainly focuses on the main characters bonding with each other, and meeting all kinds of different characters in all kinds of different places. Although present, exorbitant use of magic is rare, so don't expect a flashy action-packed experience.

As of now I rate TAMB 8/10 stars, but it could very well turn into a 9/10 rating if all the setup pays off in later seasons. The show is a breath of fresh air and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a pretty and relatively slow paced fantasy themed anime. It's beautifully drawn and benefits highly from hd quality.
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7/10
A sweet simple show
manshowerdan28 September 2018
A sweet anime with nice art, good voice acting and an interesting premise. That being said I feel this show is a bit overrated. The story doesn't really go anywhere, the antagonist turns out to be somewhat boring, and the main character is going to die if she keeps using magic. Of course she keeps using magic and always gets gravely sick/injured but she always turns out ok so it doesn't matter and she keeps doing that in almost every episode. The emotions are somewhat shallow despite what some people have been saying. It almost feels like a children's show at times. The character development is there but it was hard to get invested for me. I had a hard time keeping myself engaged with the show and had to take a break a couple times from the 24 episodes to watch more entertaining animes with better writting and deeper emotions. In the end i couldn't wait for the last episode to end so I use my time to watch something better. A fairly boring anime with a boring ending.

It might sound like i didn't like the show but it really wasn't all bad. i just wanted to tell you the cons that are not included in the other reviews. If you have time and you're looking for something new and different to watch this wouldn't be a bad choice but I wouldn't say this is one of the best animes like some people are saying.
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10/10
The Ancient Magus Bride
Tweekums7 December 2018
This anime series is centred on fifteen year old Chise Hatori, a girl who can see supernatural beings. After a childhood full of sadness she allows herself to be sold to Elias Ainsworth, a mage with an animal skull for a head who later intends to marry her. She moves into his house in England. Here she is treated as his apprentice; learning more about herself and the supernatural world that interacts with ours. Some of the beings she encounters are friendly, others are mischievous and some are malicious. They are all drawn to her because of what she is; a Sleigh Beggy... a magus capable of drawing on the magic of her surroundings at the cost of her health.

This is one of the best anime series I've seen in some time; the story is interesting from start to finish and provokes a range of emotions from sorrow to joy. The characters have real depth with Chise making a great protagonist. Elias Ainsworth is an interesting character; sympathetic yet slightly ambiguous. The world shown beautifully combines the fantastical and the real; the creators perfectly capture the feel of the part of England in which it is set; when they go to town it isn't an imaginary place but a realistic view of the village of Bourton on the Water that anybody who has been there will instantly recognise. This doesn't mean there is no ugliness in this world; there is often a real sense of threat and even some gore that is likely to disturb more sensitive viewers. Overall I'd definitely recommend this beautifully rendered modern fairy tale.

These comments are based on watching the series in Japanese with English subtitles.
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10/10
Lovely anime with a beautiful style.
carrotstick-0459223 December 2019
There are so many stunning scenes in this anime, it has elements of old english mythology and has very interesting characters and character designs, Elias in particuar I find to be a very interesting character . It has deep emotions and a great soundtrack which somehow balances celtic and japanease music wonderfully. I highly recommend this series, although warning it can get a little dark at times but it can also be very lighthearted and touching. There are OVAs too which I really recommend watching at some point too.
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10/10
Beautiful
payton-godon5 July 2020
There is no other word to describe this anime. It deserves a much higher rating than it has on IMDB, that's for sure. This is not a typical romantic anime. Elias isn't just another handsome leading man, he is mysterious and is constantly learning about human, and his own emotions. Chise is a young lady who is actually very relatable and quite strong. Their relationship grows and changes throughout the series and it's really lovely to watch. The art and music is also very nice and the plot is unique. I highly recommend it!
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10/10
Its Really Interesting
chelseajmbelehar2 February 2018
So far it sticks really close to the manga, which I am also reading and I love it. The characters are all so individually important you don't notice until you final something new about them and then you fall in love with them all over again. The relationship between Elias and Chise is very interesting to watch because its not your traditional roles but you can still see those moments in them. The only way to describe the visual effects is breath taking. Despite being so very colorful this anime really touches on sensitive subjects and raw emotions to a new level that I've never seen an anime or a manga do before. So that is why I give it and its OVAs 10 stars and I can't wait to see what happens next!!
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6/10
Awesome, except for the terrible parts
TheresAMillionLees19 November 2021
Visually beautiful, slow and a bit melancholic series, that really should have been called "The Ancient Magus' Apprentice". The "Bride" part of the show is addressed very scarcely, doesn't make sense, and could be completely cut out by a skilled editor. Same goes for the random slapstick "comedy" scenes, that aren't funny, and are ruining otherwise serious tone of the series. Together with few instances of really awkward and unnecessary dialog, these flaws manage break your immersion in like every single episode.
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8/10
Cute strange anime
Irishchatter30 March 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I really didn't expect an anime to be like this but anyways, it worked out well for me anyways! I liked the fact this series is different because we have never seen a human having a buffalo skeleton as a face before and the fact a young teenage girl like Chise would accept him for who he is. It kinda reminds me of "Beauty and the Beast" but except the beast was way rougher then Elias, when he first met Belle. Whereas Elias was like such a gent even when he bought Chise out of the auction. I tell ya, I wish he was my knight and shining armour if my family didn't look after me. I felt so sorry for Chise like she experienced so much s*it in her life. Her mother killing herself in front of her and the fact, she doesn't know where her father and brother, makes it sadder. What was even more sad is when she was trying to get of that dark thing on the island of cats(?), we experience a spirit of a woman who was killed by a mage and her husband from using cat blood when she was sick with a flu. I warn ya, if you are a cat/animal lover and don't want to see cats being slaughtered, this one is not for you folks!

Trying to get into a positive note here, I thought Elias and Chise were so cute together like Elias really didn't need lips to be the kind of guy any girl/guy would like to have. I loved how he always nuzzled Chise with his skeleton buffalo head whenever they want to be close together. I'm so glad that they found each other and became husband & wife <3 It literally does melt your heart if you ask me!

Really good romantic anime and nicely strange, I give this a 8/10!
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6/10
Kind of boring.
invisibleunicornninja29 December 2018
This show is beautifully animated with well-written characters, but the problem for me personally is that its not very interesting. Its too slow and meandering for me to really care. Its not bad at all, and I can see how people could love it, but after watching around the first three episodes I can tell that its definitely not for me. The creature designs are great though.
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10/10
Loved it
chrishenwood-1688626 August 2018
Defo recomendable. Art music story etc all really good imo the calm atompshoere at times really makes the series good
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6/10
Season 2 Review
RebelPanda23 June 2023
The second season of The Ancient Magus' Bride continues the enchanting tale of Chise, a Sleigh-Beggy with extraordinary powers, and her enigmatic master, Elias. This season lacks the creative visual storytelling and captivating artistry of the first, but it provides a compelling plot nonetheless.

As Chise navigates the magical world, she is offered a place at a college by Adolf. This sparks uncertainty and support from Elias. In her first class, she learns about sorcery basics and meets new classmates with unique magical abilities. Amidst her exploration of her unique physiology, Chise encounters a silver-haired student who faints, leading her to question their mysterious connection. Elias watches over Chise at school as a temporary professor, maintaining his relevance to the narrative.

The season further delves into Chise's relationships with her newly made friends. Chise's happiness with her friends sparks jealousy in Elias, revealing their relationship's complexities. Amidst personal growth and character dynamics, Chise encounters Rahab, Elias' master. These revelations shed light on Elias' mysterious nature and provide a deeper understanding of his motivations and inner struggles. This revelation sheds light on Elias' struggle to process emotions and his growing concern for Chise.

The plot takes a darker turn when a mystery arises, solving the stolen Grimoire. Chise seeks answers from Cartaphilus, who has connections to her cynical roommate Lucy: She's perhaps the most prominent side character at Chise's Hogwarts-esque school. Lucy is one of the last surviving members of her family and initially confrontational. As her past is explored, she reveals glimpses of vulnerability and curiosity. Slowly the two roomies bond, even leading to processing trauma and thoughtful drama between their other classmates. Lucy's character carries much of season 2's fleshed out themes, such as mistrust, loss, and resilience. Her relationship with Chise also allows for comedic moments. These quick cuts to chibi art are less forced than the first season's tonal shifts.

Chise's encounters with various magical beings intensify, despite this season's plodding pacing. One of whom is a Banshee who is cursed to sing until someone hears her true voice. Meanwhile, the story explores family dynamics as Chise and her friends assist a young sorcerer in reuniting with her estranged father trapped as a monstrous creature. This allows Chise to reflect on forgiveness and acceptance from her own history. Furthermore, the story introduces a powerful ancient dragon named Nevin, who seeks Chise's help to stop a malevolent force. Throughout the arc, different magical creatures and forces are brought together, allowing Studio Kafka to set their production standards high. The animation manages to breathe life into these creatures despite their not overly detailed designs.

Within these overarching storylines, the season explores individual characters' personal growth. The most compelling character I witnessed was Zoe Ivey, a half-Gorgon student at college who constantly wears headphones. Initially fearful and hostile towards Chise and Elias, whom he saw as hidden monsters, Zoe gradually grows to accept them as friends. Zoe struggles with self-esteem issues, feeling caught between two worlds due to his mixed background. When Chise tries to reconcile with him, Lucy removes Zoe's headphones, triggering a transformation that exposes his fear. Zoe's past provides an intriguing connection to Chise's Dragon's Curse-the curse in her arm that grants her shapeshifting abilities.

Despite her struggles with self-worth, Chise eventually embraces her magic abilities as a Sleigh-Beggy. She might not win over viewers who were frustrated by her subdued personality, but I never had an issue with it personally. Notably, her friendship with her classmate Alice provides a supportive bond and an opportunity for both characters to heal together. This season's robust character growth is showcased in the climax as Chise and co. Confront the dark forces threatening their world.

Season 2 of The Ancient Magus' Bride weaves together a tapestry of personal journeys, magical encounters, and complex emotions. While it doesn't quite capture the same awe-inspiring feeling of the first season, it still offers moments of heartfelt storytelling and character growth for the next installment to build upon.
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10/10
ABSOLUTELY MEZMERISING
mitsuhastarplayz10 September 2021
I was ignoring this anime for quite a bit thinking it was a basic anime with a common trope & plot. But I finally gave it a go few days back. And when I started watching it I was STUNNED. I was a bit angry at myself for not watching it before.

There aren't really much good anime in the Fantasy, Romance genre (and these are actually my fave genres :( ) But The Ancient Magus bride is Absolutely one of them. Its SO CUTE and wholesome it just melted my heart. Am waiting for the second season VERY eagerly. I really hope it gets more seasons. This anime is Definitely worth watching. And if you a looking for a sign, This is it <3.
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10/10
Simply amazing
poornimagurunir2 August 2020
I love this series. It's only about true love and kindness. This story has so many beautiful little stories inside it. The visuals are very pretty to watch and background musics are very selective . The characters are not boring . It's an interesting series.
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9/10
Love it and even read the manga
bkrwriter1 January 2020
The show is very beautiful, I wasnt fond of one of the earlier episodes (cat lovers who have seen the show will know). But it was still a good anime, and it's a slice of life so theres not a lot of action but it's funny. I even started reading the manga which is even better. I would recommend watching it.
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9/10
An instantly captivating and enthralling tale!
I really wasn't sure what to expect from this going into it completely unspoiled; and without reading the manga or any other form of media on the ancient magus bride...

Was absolutely blown away by the lore, Faye creatures and breathtakingly beautiful world/animation this show has to offer.

The character dynamics are immediately interesting and I found myself bingeing right through to catch up to the newly released season 2 in only a few days.

The show is never predictable and maintains a sense of mystery and excitement throughout. Well written character development with absolutely unique cast of mages, alchemists and creatures unlike I've seen in anything else.

Easy to get completely lost/immerse yourself in. Could not recommend enough !
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6/10
Great animation, but the execution of the story could have been better.
erikacunanan2930 September 2020
I thought I would like this a lot more than I did. The story and the dynamic between the lead characters had so much promise. Sadly, it wasn't able to deliver. For a 24 episodes anime, the pacing was slow, and honestly, nothing much happened. It felt like most of the plot points were introduced, but they didn't play out well. Don't get me wrong, the build-ups and side stories were interesting to see, especially in the first few episodes. However, the conflict felt lacking, and I somewhat didn't care about them. I was disappointed because I liked the setting and the lore used. The fairies were intriguing creatures to know about, and I wish that more information about them was shown. The backstories of the lead characters weren't elaborated. We got some bits of information here and there, but it lacked coherency. The main thing I loved about this is the visuals. It was very pleasing to the eyes. There are also funny scenes and heartwarming scenes, so that helped. I think the source material would be better with dealing with all of the plot-wise stuff, so I think that it would be better to try that.

In terms of art, I loved everything about it. The character designs and the animation of the magical scenes were beautiful. I was able to appreciate everything about it. Also, there are times where Elias turns chibi, and I found that adorable.

In terms of characters, it was a bit lacking. Elias was a very intriguing character, yet sometimes he just served as comical relief. Also, I wanted to know more about how he became the magus that he is, but we didn't get that. We mostly just got angry and unreasonable, Elias. I get that he's still trying to understand human emotions, but it happened multiple times, and it pissed me off. Chise was the epitome of a self-sacrificing character I disliked the most. She had a hero complex, and she didn't care about how it would affect her and everyone around her. It's good that she wanted to help others, but I dislike it that sometimes it is at the cost of her life. It's like she forgets that she has a limited lifespan most of the time.

In terms of the relationship, sometimes it was a bit weird. I like the relationship between Elias and Chise, but sometimes I get confused. Are they father and daughter? Lovers? Friends? Family? Sometimes the distinction gets blurred, but hey, the title is bride, so I guess they are lovers (or soon to be at least). There are also some disturbing dynamics about their relationship, especially with Elias buying Chise. Still, their relationship with the other characters was adorable, funny, and great to watch. Sometimes it was also heartwarming, so there's that. This is true, especially with Silky.

SHOULD YOU WATCH IT: If you like fantasy, then yes. Still, I really suggest trying the source material instead because the anime would just give you more questions to ponder after watching it.

WOULD I WATCH IT AGAIN: Maybe if someone wanted to watch it with me. I think the animation is worth sticking for.

CHECK OUT MY BLOG (booksequalhappiness in blogspot) FOR MY FULL THOUGHTS!
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8/10
A Beautiful Exploration of Human Emotion
bill_allison29 April 2023
If I were to describe this concisely, I would call it Violet Evergarden meets Beauty and the Beast.

The artwork and animation are exceptional. There is some unexpected fine music. The voice acting is excellent. There are some action sequences, but the emphasis is an exploration of human emotions and values. How should we value ourselves and others? What is friendship and love? What actions go into a good relationship with another? How do we forgive? How do we put a painful past behind us? You might think of this as a psychology course.

The story is strongly influenced by the folklore and ancient religions of Scotland and Ireland. The music used is a reflection of those traditions.

The Beauty and the Beast relationship may seem creepy at times, but that is the point, to try and make us look at the interior of someone and not the surface. Just like psychotherapy, the characters will gradually discover truths about themselves as well as about those around them. When we watch or read the story, we will go on this journey together.

As for action, there will be some great action from time to time, just not in every episode.
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7/10
Delivered less than it could
aldias-9362024 January 2021
This work is one of those that promise and has the potential to deliver much more than the end result. The main problem is the development of the story, which seems to simply move forward and then stop ... The ending may be grand, but before it arrives it is clear that it will not end well, due to the accumulation of things with little time to close ... It has beautiful images, a good theme, beautiful music ... but little used. A feather. As I said, there was no lack of raw potential, the problem was the polishing ...
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8/10
very strange yet fascinating show
That_electric_cat6 August 2022
Not gonna lie back when i first watched it couple of years ago the description kind of freaked me out , but don't judge the book by its cover as it says!

It has really nice character designs and beautiful animation.

The story is kind off slow but that's how it was intended to be!

Definitely a recommendation for people who like strange anime's.
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10/10
Loved it
deeduh-king14 May 2021
Not a big thrill ride, but a great fantasy. The romance aspect was done well - it wasn't over the top with love confessions and kept to a believable pace. The "worst villain" had enough depth that they didn't come off as this one dimensional bad guy who had no real reason to be bad. The magic aspect was my favorite part. Some fantasy/magic stories overdo the magic, so much so that the "magical air" of the story becomes a thick fog of convenient plot devices - but not this anime. The magic here mixes well with the complexities of the human experience, so it feels realistic. 10/10.
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9/10
It's Beautiful
starboymorning20 July 2021
I found it by chance...never thought it can be this good...I really enjoyed..
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10/10
Not what I was expecting
luluhoney-1924316 August 2021
I skipped over this so many times expecting a comedy Romance but it was full of sorrow , Passion a quest to find exactly how much no matter what creature we need a guiding hand .. Bravo !!
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9/10
Looks great!
HarleyRose14 March 2020
Sweet, I found a new one to watch! Within the first couple of minutes I could see the great potential of this storyline. So much possibility! First episode made me want to want the rest of the series. It will be interesting to follow the balance of the magic, sweetness and creepy tones.
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10/10
Why is the trailer in English ?
razielmsh12 April 2021
The trailer should be in the language the cartoon was original made in, I don't see the trailer of Avatar: The Last Airbender being in Spanish, or the trailer for How To Train Your Dragon being in Italian. Then why show the trailer for this wonderful piece in English ? Am I missing something?
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