The Ancient Magus’ Bride is a popular Japanese fantasy franchise centered around a manga series created by Kore Yamazaki. First debuting as a manga in 2013, it tells the story of Chise Hatori, a teenager sold at auction to become the apprentice and bride of an inhuman magus named Elias Ainsworth.
The manga is known for its magical storyline combining romance, mystery, and folklore. It has been adapted into anime films, an anime TV series, drama CDs, and light novels. As of 2023, the manga has sold over 5 million copies.
The franchise has garnered critical praise and won multiple awards. The manga ranked highly in annual “best manga” polls and polls of bookstore employees in Japan. The 2017 anime TV series won Best Drama at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards.
With engaging characters, imaginative fantasy elements, and beautiful artwork, The Ancient Magus’ Bride has built a devoted fanbase eager to follow Chise’s coming-of-age tale in the magical world of its creators. The franchise continues to release new content, recently announcing a second season of the anime TV series.
The Ancient Magus’ Bride Wiki
| Genre | Dark fantasy Mystery Supernatural |
| Manga | |
| Written by | Kore Yamazaki |
| Published by | Mag Garden (2013–2023) Bushiroad Works (2023–present) |
| English publisher | NA: Seven Seas Entertainment |
| Magazine | Monthly Comic Blade (November 30, 2013 – July 1, 2014) Monthly Comic Garden (September 1, 2014 – March 10, 2023) Comic Growl (December 21, 2023 – present) |
| Demographic | Shōnen |
| Original run | November 30, 2013 – present |
| Volumes | 19 |
| Anime television series | |
| Directed by | Norihiro Naganuma (S1) Kazuaki Terasawa (S2) |
| Written by | Norihiro Naganuma (S1) Kazuaki Terasawa (S2) |
| Music by | Junichi Matsumoto |
| Studio | Wit Studio (S1) Studio Kafka (S2) |
| Licensed by | Crunchyroll[5]SEA: Plus Media Networks Asia |
| Original network | AT-X, Tokyo MX, MBS, TVA, TVS, CTC, BS11, HBC |
| English network | SEA: Aniplus Asia |
| Original run | October 7, 2017 – December 21, 2023 |
| Episodes | 48 |
The Ancient Magus’ Bride Plot
The story follows Chise Hatori, a teenage girl who auctioned herself off to be sold into slavery due to feeling unwanted. She is purchased for a high price by a magus named Elias Ainsworth, who takes her on as his apprentice and future bride. Elias is a tall humanoid with an animal skull for a head, and his intentions in purchasing Chise are a mystery, though he seems to want to help her.
As Chise begins studying magic under Elias, she discovers she has a rare gift for sorcery as well as a cursed destiny. Various fae, humans, witches, and other beings take an interest in Chise’s untapped power. Her relationship with Elias also grows complex, both student-teacher and romantic.
The Ancient Magus’ Bride Cast
- Chise Hatori (voiced by Atsumi Tanezaki) – The orphaned teenager sold at auction and fated Sleigh Beggy apprentice to Elias.
- Elias Ainsworth (voiced by Ryōta Takeuchi) – The mysterious, inhuman mage who purchased Chise to wed and train in magic.
- Ruth (voiced by Koki Uchiyama)- Chise’s shapeshifting familiar that is loyal to her as a sister.
- Angelica Barley (voiced by Yūko Kaida) – An old friend of Elias skilled in magical crafting.
- Simon Kalm (voiced by Toshiyuki Morikawa) – A priest assigned to observe Elias and his dealings.
- Silver (voiced by Aya Endō) – A silent fairy landlady who cares for Elias’s household.
- Cartaphilus (voiced by Ayumu Murase) – An immortal, wandering experimenter with a long history and secret name.
Reception
The Ancient Magus’ Bride has garnered significant praise from critics and fans alike. Reviewers note the series’ beautiful artwork, imaginative worldbuilding, engaging characters, and entertaining balance of fantasy, romance, and mystery elements.
The manga is a commercial success, having sold over 5 million copies worldwide as of 2023. It frequently ranked highly in Japanese polls and surveys of best manga series and most anticipated new manga.
The 2017 anime television series broadly continued the critical acclaim, winning Best Drama at the inaugural Crunchyroll Anime Awards. Fans and critics praised the anime’s faithful adaptation of the rich fantasy setting and complex character relationships.
The Ancient Magus’ Bride has succeeded in combining folkloric magical realism with coming-of-age themes to create a franchise that enchants viewers while telling a poignant story of finding connection. The series continues to expand, recently announcing a second season of the anime TV series to further explore the realms first glimpsed in Kore Yamazaki’s celebrated manga.
