Ancient Magus Bride finally has a new season in the hands of a new studio, Kafka, which directed the side stories earlier last year. With a new studio, director, sub-character designers, and art director, how did they do?
They did a pretty great job if you ask me. I recently rewatched the entire Ancient Magus Bride, and while there are definitely some differences, like in the composition, which looks a bit brighter than usual in some shots, with a larger contrast between light and shadow however the show's atmosphere and designs feel overwhelmingly the same as the last season, which is great. I was super excited about this season, and I was not disappointed.
The beginning shot of the episode was incredibly mesmerizing and a great representation and reminder to fans of all the curious, dark, yet whimsical magic world the story takes place in, taking us from beautiful color crystals to the deep underwater, and eventually through the mysterious hallways of a magical school.
Kazuaki Terasawa's direction in the episode heavily relied on the control of lighting and shadows. Throughout the episode, windows were utilized at various points to create a contrast between light and dark rooms, resulting in meticulously intertwined lighting that helped create a sense of space and emphasize the impact of the situation without the need to show the room or the characters' full expressions. As a result, every scene felt like it had a significant sense of importance.
Additionally, the direction in the episode also focuses on close-ups of the eyes and reflection, which creates a slightly unnerving vibe. Despite the world of Ancient Magus Bride being beautiful, this technique serves as a subtle reminder of how this world can also be frightening at times.
The episode had all the elements of why people love Ancient Magus Bride in the first place, and I believe moving the story from Elias's home to the new environment of magic college is a great change of pace and I can't wait to see where it goes from here.
It was a fun episode and it was very interesting to see the show function with a more extensive cast. I can't wait to learn more about them. The world and magic of Ancient Magus Bride continue to be extremely fascinating. The anime truly has not skipped a beat from season 1, and it has been great to see the wonders in the magic, the threat in the creatures, and the mystique of our cast. The preview for the next episode also seems to have returning faces…