The Ancient Magus' Bride, Vol. 1

What an utterly charming read. As I was farting around at B&N, I saw a review in OtakuUSA, in which they recommended this manga. I just so happened to have pulled it off the shelf to read that very same evening. It was kismet. So far, Chise, the human, is a blank slate. She's an orphan sold to a skull-headed magus. He's a fairly decent, if ditzy, sort who wants her for both his apprentice and, apparently, his bride. And misadventures ensue.

The art is quite lovely, and the world is well constructed. Yamazaki's magic in the story is interesting and seems to be thought out well. The characters are utterly delightful. The adventures are engaging. From London witches who make magical implements to dragons in Iceland, to the Molly the King of Cats, everything was just absurdly, engagingly charming. And I even cried.