The Ancient Magus Bride Season 2

[Guardian Enzo]

Morrigan is about the only interesting thing that’s happened the last few eps, so More-iggan is a good thing.

[Twi]

I respectfully disagree. This is the kind of stuff I love and can actually move my black heart.

Anyway, the review is done. The content cut is below as per usual. They went through about 3 chapters this time.

Spoiler:

This episode covers from Chapter 89 to part of Chapter 92:

1. Lucy was about to charge the old hag for answers when the Mother Werewolf showed up, as she explained she only kept one of the spiders for herself but it died soon after due to being too weak. Isaac held her back.
   
2. The reason the Hex shaped in Adam's image can screw over the Old Hag is that while Hexcraft operates on a similar principle as Wizardry/Sorcery, it differs in that the strength and duration of the spell are increased by being as straightforward as possible. He likens it to the Geas that Cu Chulainn was under, in that as long as he doesn't eat dog meat he was gifted with great strength, but once he broke it he died.
   
3. Elias has some introspection as Alcyone dies where he questions why he felt compelled to reach his hand out to her as she went to Philomela's side.
   
4. We also get introspection from Adam on how Hexes worked, tying back to when he and Iris were coughing up blood. Since Hexes are powered by emotion by studying them he learned more about people, being filled with resentment and envy but also love. To that end, he placed a "Curse of Fate" that tied himself and Iris together, she would be protected as long as she was near him but if he failed to protect her he would die together with her. That's probably why his body turned to salt.
   
5. However, he couldn't bring himself to do the same to Philomela since it would be wrong to ask her to die with him. So he crafted this "Curse of Vengeance" instead to be triggered if Alcyone was to be destroyed by someone else's malice and ordered Alcyone to protect Philomela since artificial spirits can't refuse their roles. If someone wanted to kill Philomela, they would have to go through her and in doing so trigger his trap.
   
6. Chise was worried Morrigan would have her crows devour the eyes of her friends for looking directly at her (as seen previously with the dude in the mansion), but she stated she wouldn't since wars can't be won without your own soldiers.
   
7. Morrigan also explains that the foreign god spread its influence into the realm before she had been granted her name and it consumed the one who tried to finish the summoning, turning her into a bridge between this world and its own. Since there's a curse that exists solely for the purpose of destroying the old hag, he was the best tool to do so.
   
8. Ruth was also pulled into the excitement to join the hunt because granting Morrigan her name gave her influence over Chise and him, with Chise feeling her excitement being the reason she was smiling.
   
9. Morrigan noted it was brazen of the old hag to try to summon a god directly, but since the beginning of the world, it has been mankind's duty to quell the heralds of ruin, whether they be gods, monsters, or beings not of this world. Humanity must be the ones to push them back.
   
10. The Mother Werewolf gave a few reasons for why she helped them. First, children should live on. Second, she owed Chise for sparing her back in the tunnels. Third, they carried the God who freed her (Zoey's) scent on them, meaning they were close and she wanted them to survive.
    
11. The reason banishing the god with the book made sense to Elias was because he had read the book before. Chise didn't know that, at which point he shuts up because it would have reminded her that he tried to sacrifice Stella with it.
    
12. The old hag's body plopped down half-melted from when she was inside of it rather than draining her dry like a mummy. Ruth noted that she was still alive as he retrieved the book and brought it back over to them.
    
13. Performing the banishment is possible because while it requires magical energy, it doesn't require dozens of people since anything that tethers itself to their realm with magical powers and sacrifices will be forced back to its own realm if the tethers are broken. And since gods need to be granted names that embody their nature otherwise they remain incomplete, they can put an end to it before it can become whole.
    
14. Philomela was worried she might fail, but the others assured her that even if she did, they'd try something else and that she was not alone.
    
15. Elias notes while thinking back to the Stella incident that it's completely different from when he read it in secret, and since it was created only to be used by human hands his plan might have failed regardless.

[Master_Yoma]

Well so its everyone vs the old corrupted lady and Chise finely being hold back by Ainsworth so she dosnt hurt her self again

Morrígan really going at it with that eyeball with Ruth just running around distracting it

[grecefar]

underwhelming end for the old hag, unless they show her in the next chapter and curse adam dealing with her.

too bad we got "happy" philomela at the end of the season.

[Kanon]

Originally Posted by Twi

I respectfully disagree. This is the kind of stuff I love and can actually move my black heart.

Anyway, the review is done. The content cut is below as per usual. They went through about 3 chapters this time.

Spoiler:

This episode covers from Chapter 89 to part of Chapter 92:

1. Lucy was about to charge the old hag for answers when the Mother Werewolf showed up, as she explained she only kept one of the spiders for herself but it died soon after due to being too weak. Isaac held her back.
   
2. The reason the Hex shaped in Adam's image can screw over the Old Hag is that while Hexcraft operates on a similar principle as Wizardry/Sorcery, it differs in that the strength and duration of the spell are increased by being as straightforward as possible. He likens it to the Geas that Cu Chulainn was under, in that as long as he doesn't eat dog meat he was gifted with great strength, but once he broke it he died.
   
3. Elias has some introspection as Alcyone dies where he questions why he felt compelled to reach his hand out to her as she went to Philomela's side.
   
4. We also get introspection from Adam on how Hexes worked, tying back to when he and Iris were coughing up blood. Since Hexes are powered by emotion by studying them he learned more about people, being filled with resentment and envy but also love. To that end, he placed a "Curse of Fate" that tied himself and Iris together, she would be protected as long as she was near him but if he failed to protect her he would die together with her. That's probably why his body turned to salt.
   
5. However, he couldn't bring himself to do the same to Philomela since it would be wrong to ask her to die with him. So he crafted this "Curse of Vengeance" instead to be triggered if Alcyone was to be destroyed by someone else's malice and ordered Alcyone to protect Philomela since artificial spirits can't refuse their roles. If someone wanted to kill Philomela, they would have to go through her and in doing so trigger his trap.
   
6. Chise was worried Morrigan would have her crows devour the eyes of her friends for looking directly at her (as seen previously with the dude in the mansion), but she stated she wouldn't since wars can't be won without your own soldiers.
   
7. Morrigan also explains that the foreign god spread its influence into the realm before she had been granted her name and it consumed the one who tried to finish the summoning, turning her into a bridge between this world and its own. Since there's a curse that exists solely for the purpose of destroying the old hag, he was the best tool to do so.
   
8. Ruth was also pulled into the excitement to join the hunt because granting Morrigan her name gave her influence over Chise and him, with Chise feeling her excitement being the reason she was smiling.
   
9. Morrigan noted it was brazen of the old hag to try to summon a god directly, but since the beginning of the world, it has been mankind's duty to quell the heralds of ruin, whether they be gods, monsters, or beings not of this world. Humanity must be the ones to push them back.
   
10. The Mother Werewolf gave a few reasons for why she helped them. First, children should live on. Second, she owed Chise for sparing her back in the tunnels. Third, they carried the God who freed her (Zoey's) scent on them, meaning they were close and she wanted them to survive.
    
11. The reason banishing the god with the book made sense to Elias was because he had read the book before. Chise didn't know that, at which point he shuts up because it would have reminded her that he tried to sacrifice Stella with it.
    
12. The old hag's body plopped down half-melted from when she was inside of it rather than draining her dry like a mummy. Ruth noted that she was still alive as he retrieved the book and brought it back over to them.
    
13. Performing the banishment is possible because while it requires magical energy, it doesn't require dozens of people since anything that tethers itself to their realm with magical powers and sacrifices will be forced back to its own realm if the tethers are broken. And since gods need to be granted names that embody their nature otherwise they remain incomplete, they can put an end to it before it can become whole.
    
14. Philomela was worried she might fail, but the others assured her that even if she did, they'd try something else and that she was not alone.
    
15. Elias notes while thinking back to the Stella incident that it's completely different from when he read it in secret, and since it was created only to be used by human hands his plan might have failed regardless.

I'm confused. The book was used by Elias in season 1? How did he manage to sneak it out of the college?

[Twi]

Originally Posted by Kanon

I'm confused. The book was used by Elias in season 1? How did he manage to sneak it out of the college?

Torrey snuck him into the Library in his shadow and allowed him to read it in exchange for showing him the magic that tore apart the paper, but Elias never took it out of the Library. From reading that, Elias learned how to transfer the curse to Stella. And he learned about the book from Marielle, which was brought up as to why she could give Isaac (the witch) and the insect guy the means to track it down.

I mentioned in my notes when that chapter aired (post 158) that the witches themselves speculate that she might have looked at the book in the first place because she was meant to help them in the future, as coincidences are rare for their kind. It all builds on itself, but between the cut content and the time since Season One, you're hard-pressed to remember it.

[Frontier]

I love how the God just straight up chucks Lizbeth out like the trash she is. Meanwhile Philomela has the power of friendship pushing her forward as she tries to seal it !

Lizbeth just couldn't leave well enough alone? She just HAD to try to get through to Philomela in a mindscape and try to tear her down one last time with her toxicity and verbal abuse. But this time Philomela has found her voice, her reason for living, and she's not going to listen to her grandmother, and that means bringing down the lightning on this rotten old hag .

I did not expect creepy yet eerily hot spider waifu, but okay .

Lizbeth basically did herself in, and she never really understood what it meant to truly care for someone and open her heart to another, leaving her alone and without anyone by her side, the opposite of her son and granddaughter. She's not worth pitying .

Philomela is free but she still lost Alcyone...and seeing a visage of her father fade away will probably still traumatize her .

I love Philomela prioritizing getting answers about the Webster massacre for Lucy's sake (and for her own conscience). Too bad Wolf Pup sliced off Lizbeth's head before she could give them any answers, not that it isn't what that old hag deserves .

Never get between a wolf mama and her cub, as Ruth finds out! Ouch. Looks like wolf mama still has a ways to go to get her kid back .

Aw, Chise brought everyone home to her and Elias' house! They even get to meet Silkie! It feels like a Christmas sleepover with Chise and her friends! Complete with Silkie stripping Philomela and tossing her out to enjoy the snow !

I'm glad Rian was able to make things right with Philomela and show he cares in his own, rough, Rian way .

Chise finally gives the Morrigan her mistletoe and she rebirths into her daughter once more. After everything Morrigan did, this was probably the best ending for the situation. And same time next Winter, right Chise ?

Is there anything more rewarding than watching Chise and her friends just hanging out, goofing off, and having fun while they get everything set up for Christmas? All that drama and emotional trauma and now everyone can be together and be happy !

Chise also meets with Joseph and lets him know that she's started prioritizing herself, even if it comes at the expense of others, even if she's not happy about it. But she's still searching for herself, and what she wants, and even Joseph, in his own way, can comfort her .

Veronica, I knew you were shady! You were controlling the wolf pup the whole time! Now you've got the book! Were the Rickenbacker's behind everything ?

Philomela finally has friends and finally free of her controlling grandmother and the shackles tearing her down. And nowhere is that more evident than the genuine and open smile and laugh she lets loose with her friends. It's all been worth it just for that smile .

Next arc! Chise and Elias take on dragons !?

[grecefar]

that's that, I'm happy that the old hag is dead and philomela can smile again and I appreciated the happy ending. Still I didn't like the school arc, I hope the next one is better.

6/10.

[Endscape]

I always liked this arc precisely because it's when Chise started really branching out and getting her own identity apart from Elias. I don't think that would be possible in the cottage.

[SeijiSensei]

This episode reminded me of all the things we missed being stuck in that school. Luckily it looks like we won't be going back there next season.

[Kanon]

It was worth it just to see Philomela's beautiful smile.

Not surprised Veronica, or at least her family, are behind everything. I mean, the Sargant are in their service so that was always kind of obvious. And Veronica proved herself to be creepy when she was knocking on Philomela's door.

Originally Posted by SeijiSensei

This episode reminded me of all the things we missed being stuck in that school. Luckily it looks like we won't be going back there next season.

Chise has no reason to drop out, especially after she made friends. The school has also been a good environment for Elias. They're 100% going back. Not to mention the author spent a good amount of time developing Lucy and Philomela in particular, they aren't going to disappear from the story.

I've heard the manga only just resumed publication after this arc, so it'll be years until we see another season anyway.

[Frontier]

Originally Posted by Kanon

It was worth it just to see Philomela's beautiful smile.

Not surprised Veronica, or at least her family, are behind everything. I mean, the Sargant are in their service so that was always kind of obvious. And Veronica proved herself to be creepy when she was knocking on Philomela's door.

Chise has no reason to drop out, especially after she made friends. The school has also been a good environment for Elias. They're 100% going back. Not to mention the author spent a good amount of time developing Lucy and Philomela in particular, they aren't going to disappear from the story.

I've heard the manga only just resumed publication after this arc, so it'll be years until we see another season anyway.

And the college is the most likely opportunity they have of developing the Veronica storyline at this point.

[Master_Yoma]

Well it seems everything to work out for Chise injured in anyway and all it cost her was some magic

Its good to see Silky one last time even throwing out Philomela out the door to

7/10 Dont know why they did that in the end

[Twi]

Sorry about the delay. I was burned out yesterday due to work and computer issues, so I wouldn't have been able to get the review done then.

Anyway, I've made no bones that I loved this series and this season. Not only did it introduce a new slew of characters, many of whom I love, but we got to see how the other side of the supernatural works. The College and Wizards/Sorcerers being so technologically advanced contrasts how Magi are so traditional, yet they're all beautiful in some aspects and horrifying in others.

Chise has truly grown, considering the costs of what it means to save someone else without harming herself. She accomplished what she set out to learn by attending the College, learning more so that she wouldn't need to sacrifice her body in the process. And while the blood price for that was high, and she'll have to live with it, she got to protect the ones closest to her.

I do wish there were more of the old recurring characters, and they did skip a lot of relevant information revolving around them. Father Simon's entire backstory, along with his role in the upcoming arc, for example. But I understand why they did it since there just wasn't enough time, and I posted those changes to fill in the gap.

Speaking of which, buckle up because there's a lot this time as this episode covers the rest of Chapter 92 to Chapter 95, finishing the arc in the manga before the hiatus:

Spoiler:

1. When Philomela got dragged into the book's mindscape, it showed more memories of her past, such as being bullied because she was chosen as Veronica's attendant, and the grandmother attempting to lull her into going into an everlasting sleep.
   
2. Philomela questions why she even cared about losing Adam as, given her personality, she seemed like it wouldn't faze her. That causes the Old Hag to get angry and refer to her as the child of that woman who stole her only son. That helps Philomela understand her a little more but she keeps her decision to banish her.
   
3. The thing that came from the gateway was not of this world. Elias immediately blocked Chise's vision because meeting its gaze would result in another pact, which she didn't need.
   
4. When Veronica wakes up she thinks that someone managed to get "it" to work successfully.
   
5. The Hex questions what the Old Hag would have done even if she brought him back since Adam hated her enough to kill himself. It questions if she planned to tamper with his mind until he obeyed her.
   
6. She asks why the Hex chooses to linger since it didn't intend to follow through with killing her. The Hex likewise questions why she treated Philomela how she did as the child of the woman she hated. Adam wished she would have let her go, but she kept her here while refusing to do anything and then taking away her guardian's role. There had to have been other ways to handle things. The Hex then asks if she was intended to be a substitute for Adam, which the Old Hag admits that she had been hoping would be the case at the time.
   
7. The Old Hag tells Philomela not to offer her any final words, as things like that tend to become curses aimed at the person. Instead, Philomela points out that she doesn't know how the Old Hag stole the grimoire from the Academy as the security was too strong for her to do it, meaning someone else helped her. The Mother Werewolf was getting ready to kill her at that point but the Wolf Cub killed the Old Hag before she could, at which point Zaccheroni showed up.
   
8. The Silver Lady gave Philomela coffee or tea and used magic without words or gestures, leaving her shocked while she questioned if she was an artificial spirit or something else. Then she sent her out to follow Chise and Ruth's footsteps.
   
9. Elias brought them to his home in his shadow and sent a messenger bird to the College to tell them what happened.
   
10. The College actually sent Narcisse and Wachmann to the scene of the massacre caused by Morrigan along with a team to handle the clean-up and concealment. They note Morrigan's battle madness stopped the humans from going on the defensive or fleeing a fight they couldn't win.
    
11. Wachmann actually considers Fabio akin to a younger brother despite how sternly she is when in public, bantering about how he failed because he didn't get the book and he'd have to take on more assignments to make up for it.
    
12. Then Narcisse begins a necromancy ritual to call forth the Old Hag's spirit, decorating her corpse and tending to it carefully as, regardless of what she did in life, there are no more paths ahead for the dead. He was taught that you can't hurl stones or draw the whip on those who have completed their journey in any manner, as he is one of those chosen who desire to hear what the dead have to say.
    
13. Torrey, Philomela, and Rian were stunned when the Yule Twins arrived because interacting with fae and spirits who aren't hostile to them is such a rare occurrence. Philomela states that's because usually when they meet, the Wizards try to destroy or purge them with an exorcism. Elias states that they aren't on good terms with all of them since a number have tried to eat Chise.
    
14. Rian, while looking at Philomela, briefly recalls how she said she had always hated him. While Philomela looks over to her side and briefly envisions Alcyone being there only for it to be empty. He then invited her to come back to the house since she was cold.
    
15. Chise asks if Elias has any stories where he regrets the choices he made or failed. He admits he does have some and he'd tell her as much as she'd like when the chance arises.
    
16. We actually get to see Stella, who is complaining to Ashen Eyes that since her grandmother was hospitalized they were staying home this year for Christmas. Ashen Eyes, meanwhile steals a cookie and states that things have been interesting these past few days the dragon that slumbers at the depths of the isles has stirred.
    
17. We also get to see Lindel and Adolf. One of the dragons allows Adolf to babysit his egg because it missed him so much, with Lindel noting that fewer of them are hatching each year. But as they discuss that and prepare stew to eat, Rahab shows up as they are pulled to her cabin covered in mist like Chise was.
    
18. Narcisse reports to the Principal that he concluded the seance but didn't get any information. He states that a spirit is a shadow of the departed that contains their soul and memories, so while they could convince her to talk, it was difficult and would take both time and psychotherapy. However, the ritual she performed damaged her soul and spirit, leaving her vile enough that reaffirming her existence runs the risk of turning her into an evil spirit or demon that would be bound to this realm. He decided that it would be more merciful to let her fade away instead of doing so.
    
19. The Principal doesn't think Zaccheroni took the grimoire and Narcisse suspects that someone else was after the grimoire all along and wonders if the original owner came to reclaim it so the Academy didn't take possession of it. But ultimately, he dropped the topic since his role was done for now.
    
20. Elias was making his usual Teddy Bears for Angelica, but this time he decided to make a Scapegoat Doll that could transfer small wounds to it instead of the owner. It would only work once and not against illnesses, but that was interesting enough that Lucy and Rian wanted to learn. Elias would have to put the finishing touches on it since he doesn't know their processes very well though.
    
21. Chise talks to Elias about him getting a gift for Father Simon, as the topic of them being friends comes up. Elias admits that his being seen as friendly could lead to the Church opening up another audit against him, but he agrees to do so.
    
22. When Elias goes to ask him if there's anything he would like, he states there's nothing he really wanted but he would like more of the medicine. He also admits that he realized that Simon is most likely someone he treats as a friend as well without realizing it until now.
    
23. We also see the Japanese kid who Simon sent to get "reprogrammed" staying at his house, who he tells that Chise is around the same age as him.
    
24. Joseph gloats a bit about what Chise did, stating that it's times like these that make sweets taste sweet. He explains that even if she didn't want to hurt them, the dead will bear a grudge against you for eternity since you caused their deaths. She always harmed herself instead of others, even though she knew she could hurt other people and chose not to until now.
    
25. He also revealed he saw everything because his eye was still in her head, and tells her that she won the coin toss as this time she came out on top while her enemies were crushed. But he also warns her that the time will come where the coin lands in the enemy's favor and she'll be crushed, and then she'll be reduced to crawling on her hands and knees like him.
    
26. Chise tells him that when that time comes, she'll picture his face and that would make it so she couldn't bring herself to lie down and give up.

Here's hoping we get another season in five or so years.

[blakstealth]

Enjoyed this season, but I think it got dragged out a little bit at some parts. Still, I enjoyed the College setting, the new characters, and Elias/Chise getting their own character development. Last episode was very comfy.

[Twi]

As a reminder, the Manga picks up right after the end of this episode in chapter 96, which is now Simupub from the Japanese publisher via an AI translation. The reason for this from what I've heard was that some Japanese translators got their hand on some western translated products and were horrified by the quality of their translation compared to the original product and made a big deal on social media.

We have a manga thread if you want to continue to follow the manga.

[Endscape]

Originally Posted by Twi

The reason for this from what I've heard was that some Japanese translators got their hand on some western translated products and were horrified by the quality of their translation compared to the original product and made a big deal on social media.

That's the reason why? Thought it was the usual lie about piracy.

[Twi]

Originally Posted by Endscape

That's the reason why? Thought it was the usual lie about piracy.

That's the reason I've personally heard from the person who informed me originally. That being said, the group who did the "unofficial" translations did vouch for the quality as being decent enough that they would stop, so it got the results they wanted.

[Endscape]

Originally Posted by Twi

That's the reason I've personally heard from the person who informed me originally. That being said, the group who did the "unofficial" translations did vouch for the quality as being decent enough that they would stop, so it got the results they wanted.

That sounds off since both the scans and Seven Areas translation were pretty good IMO.