Maquia - When the Promised Flower Blooms | さよならの朝に約束の花をかざろう Animezing!
Drama, Fantasy
Presented by JICC, Embassy of Japan
Directorial debut of Mari Okada (Anthem of the Heart) and featuring music by Kenji Kawai (Ghost in the Shell, Ring)
The people of Iorph live far away from the lands of men, weaving the happenings of each day into a fabric called Hibiol. They live for centuries while maintaining their youthful appearance. Maquia, an orphaned Iorph girl, lives her life in an oasis surrounded by friends, yet somehow feels “alone”. But the tranquil lives of the Iorph are shattered in an instant when the Mezarte army invades their territory on a dragon fleet, seeking the blood that grants the Iorph long life.
Maquia manages to escape, but loses her friends and her home in the chaos. She then encounters an orphaned baby who is “alone”. Maquia raises this boy "Ariel", with the help of some new friends. But as the era changes, the bond between Maquia and Ariel changes too, amidst a backdrop of racial tensions between the Iorph and the Mezarte. This is a story of irreplaceable time, woven by two lonely people who can only find solace in each other.
This film is recommended for viewers 13+.
WOMEN IN CINEMA
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR: MARI OKADA
A member of the Writers Guild of Japan and one of the most prolific and well known anime screenwriters today, Mari Okada began her career in 1996 writing scenarios for direct-to-video features, video games, and radio dramas. For her tremendous output and work in several anime series in 2011, including Fractale, Wandering Son, GOSICK, Hanasaku Iroha, and the hit series Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day, Mari Okada was awarded the 16th Animation Kobe Award – Individual Award. Among other anime series and films that she has written for include Fate/Stay Night (2006), Black Butler (2008), Rurouni Kenshin: New Kyoto Arc (2011), Lupin the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine (2012), Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans (2015), and The Anthem of the Heart (2015). Okada made her directorial debut in 2018's Maquia - When the Promised Flower Blooms.
In Japanese with English subtitles | Not Rated | 2018 | 115 min | Directed by Mari Okada
This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required for security purposes. Program begins at 6:30PM. Doors open 30 minutes prior. No admittance after 7:00 PM or once seating is full. Registered guests will be seated on a first come, first served basis. Please note that seating is limited and registration does not guarantee guests a seat.
To modify your registration, please email jicc@ws.mofa.go.jp. Your registration is not transferable.