Top 3 in Top 10 Best Classic European Romance Novels of All Time: Immerse Yourself in the Royal World!.
Details
- Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Slice of Life, Mystery, Drama, Seinen (although it has romance elements, it is aimed at a more mature audience).
- Age Range: Teenagers (13+) to Young Adult (16+).
- Author: Kore Yamazaki.
- Chapter Number: Ongoing (as of July 2025, there are 21 tankōbon volumes).
- Status: Ongoing.
Protagonist Name:
- Chise Hatori: The female protagonist, a 15-year-old Japanese orphan who has the ability to see and is attracted to supernatural creatures (Sleigh Beggy).
- Elias Ainsworth: A mysterious ancient wizard with a skull shape who has acquired Chise as his student and future "bride".
- Silky: A house fairy (Banshee) who lives in Elias' house, taking care of the house and cooking.
- Ruth: A black dog spirit who has become Chise's guardian and companion.
- Angelica Barlei: A magical craftsman, Elias' friend.
- Lindel: Elias's master mage, living in the land of dragons.
- Story: "The Mage's Bride" tells the story of Chise Hatori, a 15-year-old orphan girl living in Japan, who has lived a life full of misfortune and abandonment. She has a special ability to see and be attracted to supernatural creatures, which often gets her into trouble and is shunned by everyone. Desperate and without a place to go, Chise decides to sell herself at a slave auction.
At the auction, she is bought by Elias Ainsworth, a mysterious mage with a skull appearance and not quite human nature. Elias takes Chise to his home in the English countryside, a place filled with magic and mythical creatures. Elias declares that Chise will become his apprentice, and eventually, his "bride."
Chise begins her new life under Elias' guidance, learning about the world of magic, fairies, dragons, and countless other magical creatures. She gradually discovers her special nature as a "Sleigh Beggy" - a person who has the ability to naturally absorb and create magic, but this also causes her to have a short lifespan.
The relationship between Chise and Elias is central to the story. Elias, an ancient being who does not understand human emotions, gradually learns to love and care for Chise through their daily interactions. Chise, once a hopeless girl, gradually finds meaning in life, belonging, and love in this fantasy world. Not only does she learn magic, but she also learns to face her painful past and accept herself.
The series has a quiet, sometimes sad, but also very romantic and hopeful atmosphere. It explores themes of loneliness, self-discovery, love and acceptance. With beautiful and detailed drawings, "The Magician's Bride" takes readers into a unique fantasy world where the line between humans and gods becomes blurred.