The Ancient Magus’ Bride – Season 2 Episode 23 Recap & Review

Of two evils choose the less

Episode 23 of The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 begins with Zoe falling unconscious and Fabio preparing to tackle the next phase of his plan. Suddenly, a cloaked warrior approaches him. Elsewhere, Chise, Alcyone, and the others comfort Philomela. Lizbeth’s infuriated with Chise for ruining her plan and Elias and Chise realize she’s become influenced by the magic book. Chise tells Lizbeth why she’s involving herself in Philomela’s matters and vows to protect her. 

Lizbeth vows to retrieve Adam by any means and attempts to harm Chise and the others. Suddenly, the female werewolf arrives and fights Lizbeth. The female werewolf tells Lizbeth she’s no longer under her control and wants to see her children. Lizbeth tells the werewolf her children are nowhere in this world, but the werewolf doesn’t believe her. Alcyone intervenes in the middle of the werewolf and Lizbeth’s dispute and we cut to a flashback involving her and Adam. 

Adam tells Alcyone she’ll become Philomela’s shield and he plans to confront Lizbeth in the present. Philomela approaches Alcyone and Alcyone tells Philomela that she’ll be departing soon, alluding to her dying. Alcyone apologizes to Philomela for her failure and bestows Philomela with her memories. Alcyone disappears, leaving behind a dead bird in Philomela’s hands. Philomela glares at the man who arrived on the battlefield and realizes it’s Adam (her father).  

The gentleman claims he’s not Adam and confronts Lizbeth about murdering Alcyone. Lizbeth attacks this Adam doppelganger but her attacks prove meaningless. The doppelganger says he’s a program of Adam’s memories and shape. Suddenly, Lizbeth feels something strange. The doppelganger confirms she’s been affected by a curse that Adam implanted in Alcyone’s body. He says it’s affecting Lizbeth since she destroyed Alcyone and threatened Philomela. 

The doppelganger says he’s arrived to destroy Lizbeth. Lucy tells the doppelganger to wait because she wants Lizbeth to explain her past actions before dying. This clone understands Lucy’s qualms with Lizbeth but refuses to back down from his mission. Before the female werewolf and Adam’s doppelganger kill Lizbeth, the magic book beast retrieves her. Suddenly, Morrigan arrives to everyone’s shock. Morrigan says she’s here because the magic book beast is a god threatening her territory. 

Elias confirms Morrigan’s claims but says the magic book god isn’t a true deity as he hasn’t received a proper name like Morrigan. Morrigan asks Adam’s doppelganger to help her defeat the false deity. His doppelganger transforms into a spear and Morrigan uses him to fight the deity. Suddenly, Ruth appears and lends Morrigan a hand. As the two combat the deity, Elias and the others get caught in their exchange. The werewolf grabs Lucy and Isaac while Elias protects Philomela and Chise. 

The werewolf shares critical information about Lizbeth’s connection to the Webster Family Tragedy with Lucy. The werewolf blames the book for being solely responsible for the murders. While observing the battle, Chise theorizes that a human is only capable of stopping the false deity. Philomela says they’ll need to retrieve the magic book from the false deity’s clutches if they hope to stop it. Philomela offers to sacrifice herself. Lucy and Isaac arrive and Lucy hits her on the head for suggesting that. 

Lucy suggests they retrieve the book without losing Philomela in the process. Chise offers to lend Philomela magic power so she can control the book. Isaac and Lucy offer to lend their power to Philomela too. The group asks Elias to split into multiple copies of himself to give Philomela and the others a chance to swipe the book. Their plan works and Lucy, Isaac, and Chise give Philomela the power to control the book. The episode closes with Philomela preparing to use the book to send the false deity away. 

The Episode Review

With how matters concluded last week, it appears Chise and her friends have one more hurdle to contend with before they can return to their peaceful lives again. This chapter was jam-packed with fine action, great drama, and some revelations concerning Lizbeth’s and Alcyone’s characters.

It’s unfortunate to see Alcyone leave this tale. Fortunately, she got to have a touching moment with Philomela before departing this narrative. Nonetheless, her demise will strike at several fans’ core.

While the animation was great in this episode, it was difficult to make out most of it. Therefore, the episode would’ve benefitted from better lighting. That way, fans can immerse themselves in the choreography on display. 

In other news, it’s great seeing Adam somewhat return to the human world. Although this entity isn’t the real Adam, it was great to see Philomela interact with this being. Hopefully, this doppelganger doesn’t perish too soon as it’d be nice to receive a heartfelt conversation between him and Philomela.

Overall, this was an interesting episode of The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2. I’m interested to see how things conclude next week.