It looks like Los Angeles wasn’t quite big enough to contain this event.
Crunchyroll announced that they will screen The Ancient Magus’ Bride as part of their “Anime Movie Night” initiative. Crunchyroll will screen the show’s first three episodes, as well as the première of Crunchyroll’s first-ever short Children of Ether as part of the festivities on July 26.
Other features, billed as “content extras” will be shown, including a behind-the-scenes featurette for Children of Ether. Tickets to the event are currently on sale via the official Anime Movie Night website.
The Ancient Magus’ Bride is based on Kore Yamazaki’s manga of the same name. Norihiro Naganuma (Hiyokoi, Yowamushi Pedal movie) is directing the project at Wit Studio, with Hirotaka Katō (Hozuki’s Coolheadedness, Eyeshield 21) providing character designs. Aya Takaha (Psycho-Pass Episode 12) is writing the show’s scripts.
The confirmed voice cast includes:
- Chise Hatori: Atsumi Tanezaki
- Elias: Ryota Takeuchi
- Silver: Aya Endo
- Seth Noel: Junichi Suwabe
- Ruth: Kouki Uchiyama
- Simon Kalm: Toshiyuki Morikawa
- Angelica Varley: Yuko Kaida
Crunchyroll currently holds the domestic rights to the series. The publisher will screen the first three episodes at Anime Expo.
Seven Seas publishes the The Ancient Magus’ Bride manga in North America. They describe the series as:
Chise Hatori has lived a life full of neglect and abuse, devoid of anything resembling love. Far from the warmth of family, she has had her share of troubles and pitfalls. Just when all hope seems lost, a fateful encounter awaits her. When a man with the head of a beast, wielding strange powers, obtains her through a slave auction, Chise’s life will never be the same again.
The man is a “magus,” a sorcerer of great power, who decides to free Chise from the bonds of captivity. The magus then makes a bold statement: Chise will become his apprentice – and his bride!
Children of Ether is a co-production between Crunchyroll and LeSean Thomas (Cannon Busters, Legend of Korra). Thomas is helming the project at Yapiko Animation, with Hiroshi Shimizu (Michiko & Hatchin) providing character designs. Other staff members include:
- Storyboard Director: Shingo Natsume (One Punch Man)
- Animation Director: Yûichi Takahashi (Gatchaman Crowds Insight)
- Animator: Mitsuo Iso (Neon Genesis Evangelion, Den-noh Coil)
- Concept Designs: Ronald Wimberly
- Music: Mr Hudson
Crunchyroll describes Children of Ether as:
Children of Ether follows Rhonda, a woman with a dark past and a mysterious power, as she is pursued by an unknown assailant after the death of her father. Aided only by her wits and a pair of orphans, Rhonda journeys through a decaying, dystopian metropolis populated by raiders, gangs, and the supernatural. As she struggles to survive in this harsh urban tangle, she meets both friends and enemies, and searches for answers about this power, “The Ether”, awakening within her.