Hello and welcome to the new year! New Year, a new Cour for Mahoutsukai no Yome, this time with slightly more plot. These past two weeks have been a bumpy ride of Mahoutsukai, with plenty to talk about. So let’s jump in!
To start off, the new OP is terrible. The music isn’t as good and the actual animation part is mostly just reused shots from the 1st cour. Initially I thought this was a placeholder, but episode 14 proved that wasn’t the case. Disappointing, considering the quality of the 1st OP. As far as animation and art goes everywhere else, it all looks good. There are some interesting bits like episode 14’s ending scene with Joel and Chise’s creation of the Fairy Ointment. Mahoutsukai continues to make the magic and lore surrounding it the most interesting part of its story. More so even than the characters or the non-existent overarching plot. From the looks of things though, the latter is starting to change.
Episode 13 of Mahoutsukai started off with something new, a flash into the future I suppose. I quite liked it really. It’s a promise of things to come, of drama, of growth on Chise’s part and of an actual conflict. Considering what we have had so far, with basic magic of the week arcs, its a big step up. Sadly Mahoutsukai doesn’t make full use of this, instead choosing to continue its predictable formula of cliffhangers. The sad thing is that some of these cliff hangers, like Ashen Eye and Fox!Chise, are quite good but get resolved within a minute of the next episode, only so a new one can be introduced. The status quo rarely changes, with Chise slowly becoming useful via magic, often resetting at the end of each episode. You could argue for character growth, but with episodes like 14, even on that front little happens.
Speaking of episode 14, I can already tell I am in the minority here. I was not a fan. It undermines the cliffhanger of episode 13 immediately, ends on its own cliffhanger, and absolutely nothing really happens. Its a side-story with characters I don’t particularly care about, who aren’t relevant to the story as a whole. Yes Chise works to help people, after her talk with Nevin this matters a lot as she takes charge. I just don’t care about Joel or the Vampire. Their story doesn’t move me, so when we have another episode focused on them, its a waste in my eyes. There are better side characters worth spending time with, that could have a more direct effect on the plot. One of those, who I am disappointed left so quickly, is Ashen Eye.
Ashen Eye, for the first time in awhile, actually made me excited for a few moments. I thought “This is it, we are getting an interesting antagonist”, yet him and his cliffhanger got resolved immediately! It’s a terrible shame to me, as the design and presentation of the character was so strong. Ashen Eye brought other types of magic to the forefront, and hints of things behind the scenes. Considering that the magic and world-building is Mahoutsukai’s strongest point, this was a very good thing. Using a fox-pelt for a transformation spell, demonstrating how Chise’s amulet lets her see the true nature of things, and the menace of Elias wanting to erase Chise’s memories were all good scenes. However these are few and far between, instead choosing to focus on our weak characters and their unresolved problems. It’s a terrible shame.
All in all, Mahoutsukai is flagging in this middle portion for me. The magic of the first few episodes has worn off and the lack of an relevant plot is making me lose interest. Its very pretty, with some amazing art and the lore leads to some great scenes like with Oberon. However the 2 cour long format isn’t doing it any favors. Its more of a “problem of the week” magical show than it is any kind of character drama or romance. The flash-forward at the start of episode 13 has given me some hope, made me want to keep watching for promises of more. But Mahoutsukai needs to start delivering on some of these promises or be lost one-season-wonders.
I think I disagree, to me, this series continues an overarching theme about relationships and how that reflects on Chise and Elias. The concept of one part of the relationship being harmful to the other. Elias and Chise have shown at moments losing control of their power and there’s a fear of either hurting the other. Chise by overdoing her power and being closer to dying and Elias inner instincts though it seems that’s changing to a sense of loneliness and grief over losing Chise.
I do get the hanging plot points. The villain and the prospect of other magical dangers, yet I think at this point the constant has been how they continue to be in situations about couples and closer relationships. At times it feels like the Harry Potter more relaxed moments of wonder.
I can understand the focus on relationships, I just dont think Elias/Chise’s relationship is particularly… well done? Probably the wrong words, its doesn’t resonate with me. So since everything else branches off of that core aspect of the show, I find everything lacking.
I have noticed that every arch has a couple of some kind. Be it the Husband/Wife of the cat story, the Teacher or Adoptive Father/Student with the Sorcerer, the Friend/Companion relationship of Ruth/Isabel and now the Vampire/Joel. I get what its going for. It just doesnt connect with me.
I much prefer the magical/lore aspects of the show. Who/what is Elias, why are there so few mages, what is Ashen Eye, Nevin/Oberon/Tatiana. The magical and fantastical parts are so much more interesting to me, I always feel let down when they are put to the side in favor of the relationships.
That’s fair to wanting to see that. Still I was just commenting that maybe that wasn’t the focus of the story. It is said a good story are the ones that tell two stories. The one where you’ll hook and guide your reader and the story you really want to tell.
As an adaptation I could also see rushing that stuff towards the end, that does happen often.
Objectively, there’s a trap in this series, since it does have a lot of downtime, in which visuals mainly happen, and depending on how in, you are, they can be chill or boring. There’s enough going on to be interesting, but not enough to keep one invested in what’s happening. Kinda like the memories in Zelda, there’s enough to add personality, yet the present main event isn’t explored that much, getting distracted in secondary aspects of the world.
That could also be on how like Beauty of the Beast is mostly a passive story. Some versions adding more conflict to the relationship.
*and the Beast