Dance Of The Forest Ancent Magus Bride

Okay, let's talk Ancient Magus Bride: Dance of the Forest. Yeah, the OVA series. The one everyone seems to adore.

Don't get me wrong, I love Elias. He's a weirdo skull-faced wizard. What's not to like?

The Magic Is… Missing?

But sometimes, I feel like the "dance" is more of a polite shuffle. You know? Not a full-blown jig.

The original series had this certain *oomph*. A raw, emotional current that pulled you in.

This OVA? It's… calmer. Perhaps too calm for its own good.

Don't come at me! I appreciate the beautiful animation. Seriously, the forest looks gorgeous. Like, screensaver material.

Chise's Character Conundrum

Here's my unpopular opinion: Chise feels… different. Not *bad* different, just… less Chise-y?

She's often presented as this super-capable, almost unflappable mage-in-training. But wasn't her initial charm the raw fear and vulnerability? The fact that she was, well, a scared kid?

Where's the girl who needed constant reassurance from Elias? Did we skip ahead several character development milestones?

Maybe it’s just me romanticizing the past. The original series felt like a rough sketch. Full of promise, full of heart. But *Dance of the Forest* feels too polished.

The Sidekick Situation

And the kid? The new character? Cute. But… necessary?

He adds a layer of "protect the innocent," which, okay, fine. It's a classic trope for a reason. But did the story *really* need it?

We already had Chise needing protection in the original series. That whole dynamic was already explored. I feel like adding another layer is like adding more cake to a cake. Sure, cake is great, but at some point, you’re just eating a pile of sugar.

Elias: Still Best Boy

Let’s be clear. Elias Ainsworth remains a top-tier anime husband. Skull-face and all.

His weirdness is endlessly endearing. His protectiveness towards Chise is actually touching. He's still the saving grace here.

Whenever he is on screen, I am ready to jump.

I mean, who wouldn't want a magical bone daddy who can also turn into a shadow dog? I am raising my hands!

Maybe my expectations were too high. Maybe I was hoping for the same emotional gut-punch as the original.

Or maybe, just maybe, this "dance" just wasn't my cup of tea. I am a tea lover, but not all cups taste the same.

It is still pretty enjoyable, and I definitely recommend it if you like the original series. Just don't go into it expecting lightning in a bottle.