The Ancient Magus' Bride: Those Awaiting a Star (2016)
A tender three-part anime OVA prequel exploring Chise's childhood memories of magic, books, and a hidden forest library.
The Ancient Magus' Bride: Those Awaiting a Star - Series Information
- Original Title: 魔法使いの嫁 星待つひと
- First Air Year: 2016
- Last Air Year: 2017
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (23 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 3
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: August 13, 2016 (United States - TV-14), August 13, 2016 (Germany - 12), August 13, 2016 (South Korea - 15)
- Alternative Titles: Mahoutsukai No Yome: Hoshi Matsu Hito (JP), The Ancient Magus' Bride: Those Awaiting a Star (HU), 魔法使的新娘：等待繁星之人 (CN), 魔法使的新娘 等待星星的人 (TW)
- Production Companies: WIT STUDIO, FlyingDog, Production I.G
- Production Countries: Japan
The Ancient Magus' Bride: Those Awaiting a Star - Plot
A three-part OVA series that will tell a story that takes place before Chise meets Magus. Angelica sends Chise some magical supplies, including a gift. The gift turns out to be a book that Chise read in her childhood. Elias asks Chise to tell him the story behind the book. Chise tells him about Miura-san and the mysterious library she found in the forest when she was a child.
The Ancient Magus' Bride: Those Awaiting a Star - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a first look at this enchanting OVA prequel.
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The Ancient Magus' Bride: Those Awaiting a Star - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Atsumi Tanezaki
- Ryota Takeuchi
- Koki Uchiyama
- Aya Endo
- Takahiro Sakurai
- Aya Hisakawa
- Ami Naito
- Natsumi Fujiwara
- Yumi Hara
- Makoto Yasumura
Writers
- Aya Takaha
Executive Producers
- Yoshihiro Hosaka
- Mitsuhisa Ishikawa
The Ancient Magus' Bride: Those Awaiting a Star - FAQs
What is The Ancient Magus' Bride: Those Awaiting a Star about?
This three-part OVA serves as a prequel to the main series, exploring Chise Hatori's childhood. When Angelica sends her a magical book she once read as a girl, Chise recounts to Elias the story of Miura-san and a mysterious library she discovered hidden deep in a forest.
Is Those Awaiting a Star a prequel or sequel?
It's a prequel. The OVA takes place before Chise ever meets Elias Ainsworth, diving into her lonely childhood and the enchanting encounter with a forest library that shaped who she became. Watching it before the main series adds meaningful emotional context to Chise's character.
How many episodes does Those Awaiting a Star have?
The series consists of three episodes, each running approximately 23 minutes. Released as an OVA (original video animation) across 2016 and 2017, the three parts together form a complete, self-contained story set within The Ancient Magus' Bride universe.
When did Those Awaiting a Star first release?
The first episode premiered on August 13, 2016, in the United States, Germany, and South Korea simultaneously. The remaining two episodes followed in 2017, completing the OVA trilogy ahead of the main television anime series adaptation.
What is the content rating for Those Awaiting a Star?
The OVA carries a TV-14 rating in the United States, indicating it contains material that may be unsuitable for children under 14. The series deals with themes of loneliness, loss, and childhood trauma, handled with sensitivity rather than graphic content.
Who are the main voice actors in Those Awaiting a Star?
Atsumi Tanezaki voices Chise Hatori, with Ryota Takeuchi as Elias Ainsworth and Koki Uchiyama as Ruth. The supporting cast includes Aya Endo, Takahiro Sakurai, Aya Hisakawa, Ami Naito, Natsumi Fujiwara, Yumi Hara, and Makoto Yasumura.
Do I need to watch the OVA before the main series?
It's not required, but highly recommended. Those Awaiting a Star enriches your understanding of Chise's emotional history and her deep connection to books and magic. Many fans find that watching the OVA first makes Chise's journey in the main series feel even more resonant and moving.
What are similar anime series to Those Awaiting a Star?
Fans of this OVA often enjoy Ascendance of a Bookworm for its love of libraries and quiet magic, Nina the Starry Bride for its fantastical romance, and Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle for its playful supernatural charm. TONIKAWA: Over the Moon for You also shares a warm, heartfelt tone.
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