Summary
In the most interesting episode so far, the series chooses to flesh out several mysterious side characters, giving Chise students her age to play off of and making her character and the series more compelling.
We recap the Crunchyroll anime series The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Episode 5, “First impressions are the most lasting,” which contains spoilers.
Things took a turn last week when Chise (Atsumi Tanezaki) and Ruth (Koki Uchiyama) were kidnapped. Still, luckily everything worked out in the end when it just turned out to be Rahab (Kotono Mitsuishi) who had summoned them.
After learning a little bit more about what makes Elias (Ryota Takeuchi) tick, Chise was able to come back with a new understanding of the mage.
While everything worked out at home, things at school may soon get more complicated for Chise, as several students and teachers seem more than just a little interested in her behind her back.
The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Episode 5 Recap
The episode begins with Chise attempting to enter her dorm, only to hear her roommate Lucy arguing with someone over the phone. Although Chise hesitates out of politeness, Lucy later scolds her for being timid, reminding Chise this is just as much her room as well.
While walking to class, Chise runs into Jasmine, who comments on Lucy’s attitude resulting from the Webster Tragedy, but then hesitates to say anything further.
Who are Isaac and Zoe?
In the lunchroom, Chise and Rian run into several other students. Although Zoe, a student with green hair and headphones, quickly runs off to avoid Chise, Isaac stays behind to introduce himself as a fellow classmate and Zoe’s tutor.
According to Issac, the Seven Shields are the “seven distinguished families that founded the college.” They consist of the Saint George, Nightingale, Forsyth, Roseingrave, Rickenbacker, Hohenheim, and Scrimgeour families, with Rian being a member of the Scimgeours.
What kind of creature is Zoe?
After Zoe ignores Chise, Lucy grows angry, removing his headphones. As he tries to claim that Chise is the monster they should be worried about, Zoe transforms into a Gorgon, his hair made up of snakes, as he runs away.
READ: The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Episode 4 Recap
Isaac informs them that gorgons normally cannot filter noise by themselves or speak to humans before Zoe reveals that he is only half gorgon.
What are the private gardens?
The private gardens seem to be a maze of hedges that, according to Lucy, are set up so that you don’t know who’s inside and suppress sound.
The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Episode 5 Ending Explained
As the group talks in the garden, Ruth catches Philomela, the girl Chise previously caught in her arms, spying on them. Rian then reveals they are second cousins, assuming her family must have her spying at college, as they do everywhere else. He then decides the only way to ensure they all stay quiet about Chise and Zoe is to use a contract spell, to which she agrees after Chise asks.
While Zoe apologizes to Chise for avoiding her, Lucy tells Philomela that she still does not trust her as her family died as a result of people like her.
Later, Rian confronts Jasmine for telling Chise about the Websters and says they should be more careful as a member of a Seven Shields family. The episode ends with Violet comforting his sister, chastising Rian for being condescending while suggesting they could always run away from their family if needed.
While this was quickly the most exciting episode of the season thus far, I keep feeling like I’m being introduced to new people and mysteries without even attempting to clear up all the random shady things happening in the background.
While the series does seem to double back some, giving us more information on characters like Philomela, it still feels like a lot of stuff is happening all at once, while I still have no idea what the actual problem is or who the enemy is this season.
It’s starting to feel like a filler or a setup season, especially since I doubt Chise will only spend 12 episodes at the college in general.
I will say the new characters have been interesting so far, but with so many popping up in the last few weeks, I only hope they get the attention they deserve because it seems some of them have the potential for some entertaining storylines.
What did you think of the Crunchyroll anime series The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Episode 5? Comment below.
