Review of The Ancient Magus' Bride
First things first. My "reviews" system is explained on a blog entry. Which can be found through my profile. ------ ✦Story An episodic heartful slice-of-life fantasy Anime? Is probably how I would define it. Although it was fairly emotional, relaxing, exciting, it doesn't really dominate the kings of this genre/type of Anime. (Mushishi, Natsume Yuujinchou, Kino no Tabi... etc). But nevertheless it was very enjoyable experience. Where I got intrigued enough about the story to add Manga to my plan to read. Which also means, Anime ends a bit on unsatisfactory point. I can't really explain much else about the story. As synopsis has all you need. But Ican tell one thing for sure. If you are type of viewer that cannot stand relaxing/slow-paced/chill type of Anime. Don't bother watching it. The whole "feeling" of this Anime is rather slow and "heavy?". Can't find exactly the right word for it.
Aside that we get rather depressive start, where I can relate thus another reason why I found it really enjoyable. After that we get into rather wondrous yet dark adventure. And as slowly the dark feelings expand during the story, as well we get that small glimpse of bittersweet light.
Long story short. If you want a beautiful, emotional, relaxing, depressive, slow paced Anime. Then this Anime will deliver it. If you can't stand slow-paced things, don't waste your time nor others enjoyment.
✦Art & Sound
.......Art is great and animation is absolutely beautiful. There were so many wondrous Animated moments. The whole lustrous world filled with magic simply gave so much eye candy moments. As well the world, magic design, character design and pretty much everything else was simply amazing. If it would have given me a bit "something" more. It would been perfect.
One thing to add regarding Art. It had rather sexual/lewd characters, but the way everything was presented, it somehow had no "fanservice" weight for me. That simply shows how we can have eyecandy that doesn't overshadow everything else.
Sound,, well. Aside godlike first opening theme. The whole anime OST is brilliant. There were so many memorable tracks. I loved it. Many, many emotions and moods were delivered and I enjoyed OST enough to get OST collection.
✦Character
To sum it up. We get odd coupling about human who fell deep into dark and essentially prepared herself to be thrown away. And a pseudo-human who doesn't understand emotions. And slowly, as story goes along. They find new emotions, meanings, thrive and will for life.
I really loved Chise- Characters with rather depressing backstory usually simply make me wish for their smile, happiness and hopefully a good end. Opposite of what I would think of myself haha.
Elias is creature of mystery. Has issues with emotions, but isn't bad creature by it's heart. Just rather conflicted.
Aside that...we get plenty of other heartful, odd and twisted characters. A lot of them really intrigued me and made me wonder what would be their role in endgame. Especially those wizards who been around the globe for eternity.
To sum it up. I did love main characters and most of the side ones.
✦Enjoyment & Overall
Oddly enough, I had rather conflicted feeling about enjoyment. Throughout the Anime I felt like it was good, I enjoyed it, but simply couldn't feel to give it any higher score than 7. I actually wanted give overall 7 as well, but since everything I rated so high, whereas even double weight of enjoyment wouldn't allow me to give i 7. Thus I ended up giving overall 8.
Anyhow... as mentioned. It's episodic heartful and bittersweet Anime with blissful visuals and amazing OST. But it doesn't top the kings of this type of Anime for me. It's slow paced, relaxing but very fitting and enjoyable.
I do hope for season 2, and will surely checkout Manga later.