English Dub Review: The Ancient Magus’ Bride “Look before you leap”

Careful what you say out loud.

Chise stumbles into a girl who’s lost her brother– and is slowly forgetting who he is.

Our Take:

Many anime series, especially the more popular ones, have heroes that make widespread declarations. Things like, “I’m going to save the world”, without realizing just how hard that is. This episode reminds us how words can be harsh and unforgiving, and it isn’t so easy to take things back. Stella’s brother, Ethan, is missing, but finding him isn’t so easy. He wasn’t merely abducted by Ashen Eye, but rather, was allowed to be abducted. Stella and Ethan got into an argument earlier, where they cast each other aside. In verbally breaking their familial bonds, it made Ethan a wanderer, and therefore susceptible to be snatched up by wandering creatures. Stella admits that she didn’t mean to cast Ethan away, but it didn’t really matter what she meant. The most important thing is that she said it out loud, and Ethan responded to it.

Everyone says things they don’t mean, but even a passing statement can mean a lot to someone else. Intentions aren’t always clear-cut, and it’s words that really matter. Even if a hurtful statement is said by accident, that doesn’t make it hurt any less.

Chise is unable to use her magic, but she still makes to help Stella out in a different way. She uses the byproduct of her magic and her knowledge as a Sleigh Beggy to manipulate her environment. It’s her careful ear that allows her to figure out the key to Ashen Eye’s trick, and find Elias and Ethan. Her life is dwindling, but she’s still willing to give her absolute all. Chise’s still not used to taking care of her own wellbeing, and fails to understand why giving her blood would freak out someone who is unfamiliar with magic. As strange as it may seem to an outsider, Chise is kind, kind enough to be willing to use her blood and being to help save someone in need. In the end, her kindness is rewarded with Stella’s trust and friendship.