The Ancient Magus` Bride

"The Ancient Magus' Bride" (Japanese: 魔法使いの嫁, Mahō Tsukai no Yome) is a Japanese fantasy shōnen manga series written and illustrated by Kore Yamazaki. It was originally serialized in Mag Garden's Monthly Comic Blade from November 2013 before moving to Monthly Comic Garden. The manga is licensed in North America by Seven Seas Entertainment. The story follows Chise Hatori, an orphaned high school student ostracized by both her relatives and society, who sells herself at an auction and is purchased by Elias Ainsworth, a magus with an animal skull for a head. Elias brings her to Great Britain, where he declares that she will be his apprentice and future bride. The series presents a romantic slice-of-life storyline with a surreal and supernatural touch. In addition to the manga, there is a three-part prequel original animation DVD (OAD) series produced by Wit Studio, and an anime television series that aired from October 2017 to March 2018. A second three-part OAD series produced by Studio Kafka was bundled with the manga from 2021 to 2022, and a second season of the anime aired in two parts in 2023. The series is highly acclaimed for its beautiful art, well-developed characters, and unique plot.