Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms Review: Beautiful, but Emotionally Incomplete
- The Weebersons
- May 15
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 6
Introduction
Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms (Sayonara no Asa ni Yakusoku no Hana o Kazarō) is a 2018 fantasy anime film written and directed by Mari Okada. Known for her emotionally charged storytelling, Okada delivers a visually stunning, emotionally ambitious tale about motherhood, mortality, and the enduring cost of love. While the film offers breathtaking visuals and a powerful concept, it sometimes struggles to fully deliver on its emotional promise.
Plot Summary (Spoiler-Light)
Set in a fantasy world, Maquia is a young member of the lorph—a long-lived race who age slowly and live in isolation. When she is separated from her people, she discovers an orphaned human baby named Ariel and decides to raise him as her son. As Ariel grows and Maquia remains unchanged, the story explores their evolving relationship and the emotional tension between eternal youth and fleeting human life.
This is not a fast-paced epic, but a quiet, sweeping story that asks: Is love worth the pain of inevitable loss?
Themes and Genre
Maquia is a fantasy anime with strong emotional and philosophical undercurrents. It weaves together themes of:
Motherhood and identity – Maquia’s choice to raise Ariel is both an act of love and a journey of self-discovery.
Mortality and time – The contrast between Maquia’s agelessness and Ariel’s rapid aging underscores the fragility and beauty of human life.
Love and loss – The film doesn’t shy away from portraying how deep love inevitably carries deep sorrow.
While Maquia introduces profound themes, it often gestures more than it explores. Its emotional weight is felt, but not always earned through clear character development or narrative resolution.
Character Analysis
Maquia
Maquia is soft-spoken and nurturing, shaped by the loneliness of her immortal origins. Raising Ariel reveals her quiet strength and longing for connection. As a mother, she’s tender and steadfast, embracing grief for the joy of loving someone. Her emotional arc remains subtle—more about constancy than change. She becomes a figure of quiet sorrow and grace, though some may wish for a clearer sense of personal evolution.
Ariel
Ariel grows from a dependent child to a man grappling with identity and emotional distance. His adolescent resentment toward Maquia feels authentic but is briefly explored. Even so, his longing and confusion about their differences add complexity. With more narrative space, Ariel could have served as a fuller emotional counterweight to Maquia.
Supporting Characters
The supporting cast—including other lorph and political figures—adds context but lacks emotional dimension. Characters like Leilia and Krim hint at deeper stories, but remain symbolic—standing for sacrifice, resistance, or tradition rather than undergoing growth themselves.
Animation and Sound
The animation by P.A. Works is absolutely breathtaking. Lush fantasy landscapes, detailed cityscapes, and soft, expressive character designs bring a timeless elegance to the film. The visuals elevate even the quieter moments.
Kenji Kawai’s soundtrack enhances the tone beautifully, filled with melancholic orchestral pieces that deepen the film’s emotional atmosphere. The music swells naturally with the story and complements the visuals without overwhelming them
Who Should Watch This?
Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms is ideal for viewers who appreciate thoughtful, visually rich fantasy anime that focuses more on emotion than plot mechanics. It’s suitable for teens and adults who are willing to sit with ambiguity and introspective pacing.
Content Warnings: Emotional themes involving death, abandonment, and grief. No graphic violence or sexual content.
Final Verdict
Maquia is a heartfelt, haunting exploration of love across time. Though its story structure sometimes sacrifices clarity for scale, its emotional and visual ambition makes it worth watching. It ultimately confirms that love is worth the pain—Maquia is glad to have had Ariel in her life. But whether she opens her heart again remains unanswered, leaving the film resonant but quietly unresolved.
Pros:
Stunning animation and fantasy world design
Emotionally resonant themes of motherhood and loss
Evocative soundtrack and visual atmosphere
Cons:
Rushed character arcs due to time skips
Underexplored emotional development
Ambiguous resolution lacks inspirational payoff
Our Rating:
Similar Titles
If you appreciated Maquia, consider these emotionally resonant fantasy and coming-of-age anime:
Violet Evergarden – Grief and healing in a post-war fantasy setting
When Marnie Was There – A quiet, emotionally layered tale of memory, loneliness, and healing
Wolf Children – A mother’s love tested by time, identity, and change
Weathering With You – Emotional stakes and magical realism
A Silent Voice – A tender look at regret, connection, and personal growth
FAQs
Is Maquia worth watching?
Yes—for viewers who appreciate emotional storytelling, stunning animation, and reflective fantasy. While the pacing and structure may frustrate some, the film's themes of love and loss leave a lasting impression.
What genre is Maquia?
It’s a fantasy drama with elements of coming-of-age and maternal narrative. It combines high fantasy aesthetics with deeply personal, emotional stakes rather than epic battles or political intrigue.
Does Maquia have a happy ending?
Not in the traditional sense. The ending is deeply bittersweet—Maquia finds meaning and peace in having loved Ariel, but the film leaves her future open-ended. The emotional payoff is quiet rather than triumphant.
Who directed Maquia?
Mari Okada, known for her emotionally resonant writing in anime like AnoHana and Anthem of the Heart, made her directorial debut with this film. Her signature style of intimate, heartfelt storytelling shapes every scene.
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