English Dub Review: The Ancient Magus’ Bride “You can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs”

The unkindness of self-sacrifice.

Overview:

Chise attempts to halt the rampaging damage- at the cost of her own health.

Our Take:

The dragon is loose, and in its fit of confusion and fury, has transformed into something else. The only way to stop it is to absorb its energy, so Chise decides to take on that task. While she was originally supposed to do it with Elias and Ruth as anchors, the dragon’s sudden flight leaves her alone. Despite the circumstances, Chise decides to take the energy into herself, which leaves her recovering with a dragon’s arm replacing her own.

It’s largely about Chise’s specific kind of selfishness. She isn’t the type to demand things from others- the exact opposite. She takes on burdens and problems all on her own, and while she doesn’t turn away help, she doesn’t feel it’s necessary. If she can do it, she can- no matter the cost. As long as she accomplishes what she needs to, then she is willing to forsake even her own health. Contrary to how it seems, Chise really doesn’t want to die. She wants to live as long as she can with her limited lifespan. The issue is that sort of thinking comes with her sacrificing herself for the greater good. She’s willing to martyr herself if it means that she can accomplish her goals and help the people she cares about.

That’s a roundabout sort of selfishness. It’s not that Chise is acting in direct self-interest, but she puts the feelings of those who care about her on the backburner. She still has yet to fully grasp that people will miss her and worry about her if she puts herself in danger. As Elias says, Chise thinks that by destroying herself she has the right to exist, even if she’s proven that her life is anything but unnecessary. The struggle between this martyrdom and her will to live is a complex one, and tears at her a lot this episode.