Quick Summary • Best Moment • Setup • Delivery • Other Posts
The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Part 2 Episode 14 – Quick Summary
In The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Part 2 episode 14, “Nothing venture, nothing have. II,” Chise and Lucy took Philomela back to her room, where Alcyone waited. When Philomela defeated a familiar, the effort cost her – Alcyone said that violence made Philomela ill. But what bothered Philomela more than anything was why Chise would be nice to her. And Chise’s answer only made things worse. Can Chise ever get her point of view across to Philomela? Is Philomela in a position to understand? Or has her grandmother made such things impossible?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Favorite Quote from The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Part 2 Episode 14
This scene was everything I wanted from a supernatural thriller. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
I’m going to have to start referring to Isaac (the student who’s sweet on Philomela) and Other Isaac (the witch werewolf). Otherwise, it’s going to get confusing. So in this episode, Mariel and Other Isaac needed information. To get that information, they visited a storefront run by a being dressed to look bipedal. But between us? I’m pretty sure that’s not the individual true form. If they even have a form.
I love this show.
This scene was everything I want in a magical, other-worldly sense. Mariel the witch had a specific goal in mind. The business owner had his own agenda and perspective, and even though they appeared cordial on the surface, the scene had an undercurrent of profound danger.
He offered her two boxes for 1 coin – to keep the “imps” away. After consulting with Other Isaac, who flicked his ears (he was in werewolf form), she offered six coins for five boxes – she wanted something with “a little more sugar.”
Delighted, the store owner said (17:00), “I admire a witch who isn’t stingy. I was ready to eat you if you’d held back.”
You know what? I think he’d do it, too! Or at least try to.
Favorite Moment from The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Part 2 Episode 14
Philomela understood Chise’s words. But their context was beyond her experience. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Setup: The Clash of Two Worldviews
Um, was that Chise’s glove in the last scene? Hovering over Jasmine’s chest? Was it just a dream? Is the magical energy-sucking beast actually Chise’s dragon arm? What was up with that?
It had nothing to do with my favorite moment. But I thought I’d bring it up!
My favorite moment is all about the conflict inherent in the relationship Chise is trying to build with Philomela. When Philomela regained consciousness, she said that she did not understand why Chise was nice to her. Philomela confessed to always spying on her and Zoe. Shouldn’t Chise be suspicious of her?
Chise chose her words carefully. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Chise’s answer was calm and considered. It felt just like all the experiences she’s earned informed each word. She said that in Philomela, she saw someone who was in pain, just as Chise had been in pain. She went on to say that if Philomela wanted, Chise thought they might have something to say to one another about their shared emotional experiences.
I love those kinds of heart-to-heart conversations between characters I care about. Chise took it a step farther, though. Chise’s a thoughtful young woman. Even as she said that Philomela was free to choose not to talk to Chise, Chise said (06:47), “Being free is hard, but even if you make a mistake or you fail, you can always try again. It’ll be all right.”
Chise spoke from the context of her experience with Elias. Remember when he let the neighbors nearly kidnap her back in episode 1? He could have shut that down from the start. But he wanted her to experience and learn. But, that’s not the experience Philomela has had with the world.
Delivery: The Experience of Two Young Women
Chise’s words were so alien that for a moment, Philomela couldn’t even speak.
Finally, she said, in a quietly desperate voice (07:00), “I don’t understand you. Freedom? I can fail? No one’s ever told me that.”
You could feel her confusion and disorientation rolling off the screen. Chise’s words weren’t just alien. They were heresy. The very concepts were forbidden to Philomela. Nothing in her life prepared her even for the idea that those concepts might have a place in her life.
Chise’s words challenged her worldview so much that they terrified Philomela. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
These clash of world views add a level of intensity to what might otherwise have been an interesting but largely undramatic series of events. Here, they represent the spearhead of two larger movements within this world. The evil grandmother on one side (and she’s apparently involved in the kidnapping of the werewolf children in addition to ruining Philomela’s life), and Chise and her allies on the other.
Chise probably doesn’t even see herself as a side. She’s just trying to live her life and follow her heart as best she can. Whereas the grandmother accumulates personal power and leaves destroyed lives in her wake, Chise doesn’t give much thought to personal power – and leaves a series of healings and restored faith wherever she goes. Talk about being a protagonist who’s easy to support!
What did you think of the gardening class at the beginning? What were your favorite moments? Feel free to let me know in the comments!
The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Part 2 Episode 14: Other Posts
Other Anime Sites
- Reddit: Mahou Tsukai no Yome Season 2 Part 2 • The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Part 2 – Episode 14 discussion
- Kvasir369: Ancient Magus Bride: Season 2 – Episode 14 Review
- Lost in Anime: Mahoutsukai no Yome Season 2 – 14
This Site (Crow’s World of Anime!)
- The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Part 2 Episode 13 – Nothing venture, nothing have. I
- The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Part 2 Episode 14 – Nothing venture, nothing have. II
- The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Part 2 Episode 15: Needs must when the devil drives. I
- The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Part 2 Episode 16: Needs must when the devil drives. II
- The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Part 2 Episode 17: Gather ye rosebuds while ye may.
- The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Part 2 Episode 18: Coming events cast their shadows before.
- The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Part 2 Episode 19: Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity.
- The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Part 2 Episode 20: Even a worm will turn.
- The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Part 2 Episode 21: A burnt child dreads the fire.
- The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Part 2 Episode 22: Give a thief enough rope and he’ll hang himself.
- The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Part 2 Episode 23: Of two evils choose the less.
- The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Part 2 Episode 24: The show must go on. I
“but the lack of results is heartbreaking”
They really are!
That little gesture of Philomela, when she tentatively reached for Chise but pulled back — as you seaid, heartbreaking.
I’m really looking forward to Chise winning the battle for Philomela’s happiness. In this case, I’m also really looking forward to seeing granny get hers. Because dang! She’s a bad one!
Chise’s attempts to understand and help Philomena are welcome, but the lack of results is heartbreaking. There’s still a serious mental block deep within Mena caused by her awful, awful granny. If anyone can break her out of it (like she does in the OP), it’s Chise!