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1st 3 The Ancient Magus' Bride Episodes, Children of Ether to Screen in U.S. Theaters

Crunchyroll announced on Wednesday that it will screen the first three episodes of The Ancient Magus' Bride in 300 United States theaters on July 26. In addition, the screening will include the premiere and behind-the-scenes look at Crunchyroll and LeSean Thomas' Children of Ether original anime short. The event is the second in Crunchyroll's Anime Movie Night series.

The first three episodes of The Ancient Magus' Bride will also screen at Anime Expo on July 2 alongside a Q&A with WIT Studio president George Wada and director Norihiro Naganuma. The anime will premiere in October and will run for two consecutive cours (half a year). Crunchyroll will stream the anime.

Most of the staff from the three-part prequel anime The Ancient Magus' Bride: Those Awaiting a Star (Mahō Tsukai no Yome: Hoshi Matsu Hito) is returning for the television anime. Naganuma is directing the anime at WIT Studio, and he is also in charge of the series scripts. Aya Takaha is penning the scripts. Hirotaka Katō is adapting the character designs for animation. Yuko Kobari is in charge of color design, and Yusuke Takeda is the art director. Mayo Suzuki is director of photography, and Shinya Sugai is the CGI director. Chie Nishitani is credited for 2D work. Kumiko Taniguchi is supervising the special effects, and Ayumi Arahata is credited for special effects. Daisuke Imai is editing, and Junichi Matsumoto is composing the music. Flying Dog is producing the music in collaboration from BASiLiCA. Shoji Hata is the sound director.

Seven Seas publishes Kore Yamazaki's original manga in North America, and it describes the story:

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!

Crunchyroll describes the story of Children of Ether:

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.

Thomas (Cannon Busters, The Boondocks) is directing the project at Yapiko Animation. The staff also includes character designer Hiroshi Shimizu (Michiko & Hatchin), storyboard director Shingo Natsume (One-Punch Man, Iron Man: Rise of Technovore), animation director Yûichi Takahashi (Gatchaman Crowds, Comet Lucifer), and animator Mitsuo Iso (Den-noh Coil). British musician Mr Hudson will compose and perform the soundtrack. American comic artist Ronald Wimberly provided some early concept art.