The Ancient Magus' Bride Episode 15 Review: There is no place like home.

We were left hanging at such a bad spot last week, so I was terribly anxious to see what happened to Chise in this week’s episode of The Ancient Magus’ Bride! Brace yourselves again for angsty and heartwarming feelings at the same time, and information on the most mysterious yet helpful member of Elias’ household!

Plot

The toll for Chise has escalated, and it is now far worse than she has ever experienced! Sleeping for two weeks seems like nothing now that she vomited blood! In order to save their beloved robin, Oberon offered to get her treated in the land of fairies by a fairy doctor, someone who totally knew what to do compared to human doctors! With Elias bringing Chise (and Ruth in tow) to get help, Silky was left alone in the house.

Episode Highlights

To the Fairy Kingdom: Oberon didn’t even need to berate Chise for doing something illegal because her own body punished her for it! Poor Ruth suffered with her as well! I’m so sad that he experienced the negative effects of being a familiar, especially that of a Sleigh Beggy’s. Yet, he still asked how Chise was, even if he was bleeding himself! Elias was also quite affected! The normally composed mage who always acted promptly according to what he thought was best, was unable to move as he saw Chise bleeding to death! Not only that, but even if he knew what condescending comments awaited him in the world of faeries, he still thought of Chise’s wellbeing first. You’ll really know who the people who care about you are once you’re in trouble, huh?

The fairy doctor: Shannon caught my eye the moment she appeared, more so when she disclosed that she’s a changeling, and that she married the human child she got switched with! But then she shocked me by trying to kill her patient, despite being a doctor, of all people! If she were still in the human world and there were witnesses about, not only would her medical license be revoked, she’d be in jail too! So, I guess Oberon really did a good thing by suggesting Chise be treated in the Anthill, even if there was a hidden motive behind it. Only a fairy doctor would know that trying to invoke someone’s will to live would help heal them. The fact that Chise succeeded Shannon’s test made me incredibly happy! To think that the series started with her wanting to kill herself, but due to her time with Elias and the events she encountered, her desire to live grew, albeit reluctantly!

Invitation: I’m wondering if Titania genuinely wanted Elias to live in her kingdom, or it’s just because of Chise. I did notice the fairies only like her because she’s a Sleigh Beggy. Though Titania always seemed really concerned about her ‘children,’ Elias thought only a human like Chise has accepted him for who he is. Hearing that made me really sad, but I now appreciate even more just how much he cared for her. Though it was possible that living in the land of Fairies would delay or prevent her death, he still wanted her to live life normally, with a normal body and with fellow humans.

Keeper of the house: Knowing something about Silky made me incredibly happy, but I wasn’t expecting such a sad tale! She lost the family she was haunting (even though it has a negative meaning to us), so no wonder she was really lonely when Elias, Chise, and Ruth suddenly left! It wasn’t on a good note either. She was so worried about them that she just buried herself in work, hoping that they’d just come back like usual! That part when she put the chimes over the door so she can hear them come in, it was so cute!! It made me appreciate Silky’s presence in Elias’ household a lot more! That’s why I’m relieved her family got back to her safely. Seeing them all together with that warm and fuzzy atmosphere touched my heart a lot! Even the part when Spriggan helped her, it was lovely! Though he’s a stickler for rules, seems like he’s a real softie inside, whether or not he did it only because of his duty. (Ship? Lowkey yes.)

Themes & Trivia

There is no place like home: Pretty sure a lot of you have already heard this phrase, and relate to it a lot! I personally do; I’d rather be in my own house with my family than anywhere else! Even more for Chise and Silky, who have finally found a family they can go back to and wait for.

Changeling: I mentioned this in my very first review of this show, so I was delighted to see Shannon and Shanahan as fine examples! In folklore, there are many reasons why the fae switch the children, either because the human child hasn’t been baptized yet, because fairy babies need human milk to survive, or maybe because the fairies preferred beautiful human babies than their ugly fairy ones.

Banshee: I thought they were scary ghosts at first. But actually, banshees are female spirits who warn the family of the impending death of a family member or mourn a death by wailing. They don’t cause the death. In fact, they give the family time to prepare. Now we know why that other Leanan sídhe said there’s nothing sadder for a banshee to lose her whole family since no one will hear her screams anymore.

Comments

Beautiful, beautiful episode! I appreciate the fact that after an episode about death and parting, it continued on that possibility, and how the characters relate to it. Elias got scared that Chise will die, Silky was lonely since her family left her behind, and then Chise… Hers was the most beautiful part of all because it clearly showed growth from something difficult to move on from. I’m quite excited to see how she acts from now on with that newfound will in herself, and the love and care she receives from others!

Welcome home

Oberon wasn’t kidding when he said time flowed differently in the two worlds! What will Chise do to make up for the time she had lost? From the preview, it seemed we’ll be seeing an old acquaintance, too!

Please do leave some comments about your thoughts on this episode! And while you wait for next week’s episode, check out our other Winter 2018 reviews!