The Japanese animation industry experiences significant growth, setting the stage for influential anime movies like Maquia.
Mari Okada develops her career as a screenwriter and director, leading to the creation of Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms.
The anime film Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms is released in Japan, receiving critical acclaim for its storytelling and animation.
Maquia lives as an immortal Iorph, whose people age extremely slowly and are often considered ageless by outsiders.
The neighboring kingdom attacks and destroys the Iorph village, killing Maquia’s family and friends, leading Maquia to flee alone.
While wandering alone, Maquia discovers an orphaned baby boy after a battlefield tragedy and decides to raise him as her own son.
She names the child Ariel and begins caring for him, forming a deep mother-son bond despite her agelessness.
Ariel ages at a normal human rate, while Maquia remains youthful, causing emotional challenges due to their differing lifespans.
Prince Emmanuel of the kingdom seeks to capture Maquia for her Iorph qualities, leading to confrontations and danger for Maquia and Ariel.
Due to escalating threats, Maquia and Ariel face separation, which deeply affects both, signifying the pain of loss and the passage of time.
Symbolizing hope and reunion, the flower blooms at the movie’s conclusion, marking a new chapter in Maquia and Ariel’s lives.
