Note: This review only covers the three OVAs of Mahou Tsukai no Yome. Original writing date: 14/11/2017

Mahou Tsukai no Yome: Hoshi Matsu Hito (The Ancient Magus’ Bride) is a short three-episode side-show of a greater thing and, on its own, stands at a high mark. Much like a mixture of a Ghibli fantasy with a spice of Harry Potter, this is an emotional tale about Chise, an orphan denied by society due to her ability to see beyond the things humans can typically see. Within these three episodes we get to see how Chise was before she eventually became an apprentice mage under the mysterious Elias Ainsworth, a mage with a goat skull instead of a human head.

The atmosphere

Chise’s new house is a magical place. Small magical creatures wander the house, she is taught by a man with an animal skull in place of a head, and sprites hover around her. The world of The Ancient Magus’ Bride is much like a Ghibli movie, a place so magical it overcomes the weirdness with sheer awe. Yet this tale is about an abandoned girl, rejected by society and treated as freak, lost and hopeless. It’s an interesting mixture of feelings, one that works to give the show a powerful identity.

And it’s gorgeous

Wit Studio seems to have fixed things up and once again delivers a powerful piece of animation. Although too colorful at some sad moments, the overall presentation is sharp, consistent and providing the young Chise with a powerful set of expressions. The library, Elias’ house, and many of the other places where the show take place are also nicely detailed.

However

Where the production truly shines, however, is in its outstanding sound direction, providing powerful themes at the right moments and truly enhancing the magical or saddening atmosphere as the tale requires. Although Elias and old Chise may sound bland and emotionless, her younger version and the librarian do an excellent work at being vibrant and alive.

It’s a good intro

We can’t understand much of the larger tale of The Ancient Magus’ Bride with these OVAs, yet it offers a solid and touching introduction to a magical world. Chise’s got an interesting tale to present us and Elias seems mysterious enough to offer a lot of plot ideas. Those wishing for a emotional fantasy tale can certainly be happy with this and look up as the full series releases in the near future.

Okay. This is really promising. The magical world is presented, we got a female protagonist with an interesting and dramatic past story and a powerful human-like mage whom we have very little information. For these OVAs purpose, successfully doing that is a superb result and it can certainly get us hooked for what is about to come.