The official website for Kore Yamazaki's The Ancient Magus' Bride announced on Monday that the third and final The Ancient Magus' Bride: Those Awaiting a Star ( Mahō Tsukai no Yome: Hoshi Matsu Hito ) prequel anime will open in Japanese theaters on August 19. Like the previous two parts, the anime will run for two weeks in theaters.

The first part had its limited two-week run in eight theaters throughout Japan starting on August 13, 2016, and later bundled with the sixth compiled volume of the manga in December. The second part (pictured right) opened in seven Japanese theaters on Saturday, and will bundle with the seventh manga volume on March 10. After its run in theaters, the third part will bundle with the eighth volume of the manga on September 9.

Yamazaki wrote the original story for the anime. Norihiro Naganuma ( Hozuki's Coolheadedness assistant director, Yowamushi Pedal movie director) is directing the anime at Wit Studio (Attack on Titan, Seraph of the End), and Aya Takaha ( Psycho-Pass episode 12 script) is penning the scripts. Hirotaka Katō ( Empire of Corpses animation director, Hozuki's Coolheadedness ) is designing the characters for animation, while Bamboo ( Hozuki's Coolheadedness , Empire of Corpses ) is handling the background art. Film composer Junichi Matsumoto (Hidekazu Kore'eda's Like Father, Like Son film) is composing the music.

The anime's cast includes:



Atsumi Tanezaki as Chise Hattori



Ryota Takeuchi as Elias Ainsworth



Kouki Uchiyama as Ruth



Aya Endo as Silky (Silver)



Takahiro Sakurai as Riichi Miura



Atsumi Tanezaki as 8-year-old Chise



Seven Seas publishes the 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!

The anime project is telling an original story from before Chise meets the Magus.

[Via Comic Natalie]