Maquia & Mari

Maquia: When The Promised Flower Blooms is prolific writer Mari Okada's directorial debut - and in many ways it feels like the film her entire career has been building towards. In this video I take a look at Okada's difficult life and explore how it has influenced her work in the two decades she has spent shaping the anime industry.
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[@Amuro1X]

*Maquia gets mentioned* Me: *ugly cries on command*

[@Oveyz]

I tell people you can see how this is directed by a woman, because in the end, you ugly cry, BUT the director gives you a trailing shot of a couple minutes before rolling credits. I still believe that's time for the audience to wipe their tears and snot before the light comes back up.

[@Amuro1X]

@@Oveyz I was lucky enough to see it in a full art house theater, and I swear, there wasn't a dry eye in the house.

[@Minx-4321]

Same

[@dreamimgflowerd976]

I’m telling all my friends and family to watch this movie because of how beautiful this is.

[@itsblitz4437]

I still haven't seen that movie.

[@ZeusPluchinoish]

I had no clue about Okada’s personal life and how tightly intertwined Maquia was to it. This was profound.

[@AConstanTole]

Anybody who even mentions Maquia gets my eternal respect, that's how I know they're an OG. Knowing your channel tho, I had a feeling you would make a review. Thanks for proving me right lol.

[@DongHuaReviews]

Mari Okada is definitely one of the most emotional storytellers in anime. My favourite of her works tend to be melancholy and angsty ones. I thought she had lost it a bit after anohana, nagi no asukara and anthem of the heart but her newest series O Maidens brought back all that I love from her. Thanks for the beautiful video as always.

[@AngelaTehaha]

when the maquia theme played ( 4:42 ) I felt a pierce in my heartttttt. Maquia is definitely underrated, and is sucha beautiful story.

[@maisify]

It's named Viator

[@MultiMetal31]

One of my all-time favorite movies. I watched the movie without having seen any trailers and only knowing it was directed by Okada. I only wish there were more people in my local cinema watching it.

[@damoodaiki]

I would've joined you in a heart beat, and maybe watched it 5 times

[@keiichimorisato98]

The film was never in a theater near me, but I was interested in the film due to the director being the writer to Anohana. I ended up buying the blue ray. Though I wish i could afford the CE version.

[@dreamimgflowerd976]

I stumbled upon a few chapters of the manga adaption. Wanted to know more about the story and found the movie. Best decision ever.

[@poleaxed6447]

This didn't make the cinema where I live. However I'm a member of a film club where we put forward films to screen and I suggested this so fingers crossed.

[@MultiMetal31]

@@poleaxed6447 Good luck

[@lizhasasthma]

I work at a library and we have a copy of Maquia that I see just about every time I shelve dvds, so if it's there when I work tonight I'll check it out.

[@antontchuck]

Highly recommend it along with a box of tissues!

[@PersonalGoliath]

Sooo have you watched it?

[@sleepydei]

Prepare for your heart to break a million times!

[@beetlehuicesis]

You left everyone hanging😔

[@andrewkawam2603]

I can't wait to see how Okada's work continues to evolve. I'm super excited for her second directorial work 'Alice and Therese's Illusion Factory'. Honestly if she keeps things up I feel like she could become like the female Miyazaki.

[@MrApple-yw9vp]

Oh Man, There the promised flower blooms is such a gem. I really fell in love than I first saw it, somehow the struggles story of an immortal girl seems more real than all the media we consume in the last decade, I am not saying that the shows now are all bad, but they all are disconnected with the audience, you can't relate to a character and you can't feel , in Maquia though I get a feeling like I am speaking to my grandmother and he passes me the knowledge and struggles of her youth. I love this movie, and I recommend it to all of you

[@MrApple-yw9vp]

@@Firechick12012 yeah but after seeing the video and realizing that Leilia is a projection of the mother of the producer I can understand why she is like that

[@clsandals9926]

I didnt plan on snotting all over my dinner from crying too much tonight so thanks for that.

[@JoelBurger]

Regardless of how you feel about her work (personally thought AnoHana, Hanasaku Iroha, NagiAsu, Wixoss, Dragon Pilot, and now O Maidens were some of the best shows their respective years, and that complaints of "melodrama" usually don't hold up to scrutiny), I think it's good that we have a creator like Okada out there. Someone who is able to break down the barriers around anime screenwriting and get her name out there, when usually those responsible for screenplays and series composition are all but unknown to the wider anime-watching populace.

[@princessthyemis]

You're right!!

[@damoodaiki]

I'm speechless. I have already seen Maquia and cried my eyes out. Tapped on the vid and i was instantly brought to tears the moment the first scene cut off and you started narrating. You give us so many feels BG. Thank you. Thank you for your research into this.

[@odinstemple1832]

This movie strikes hard, really hard. I’m glad that he is talking about it. It’s a gem in a sea of trashy isekai seasonal garbage

[@damoodaiki]

@@odinstemple1832 couldn't agree more. In a way, it's a movie that could stand the test of time imo. I feel like, regardless of what or how you're going through something. It touches you; it touches the parts of you that relate to the movie. The smallest amount of kindness or empathy are enough to make you understand its message, and making you want to relate yourself/life to it.

[@SephiMasamune]

Immortality is not a blessing, it's one of the darkest curses you can imagine. Maquia is a hauntingly beautiful story that shows this fact again and again. AnoHana introduced me to Mari Okada's style of storytelling, but Maquia has made me fall in love with it. This movie needs more people to watch it, i still consider it an insult that it has received so little attention thus far. Thank you, Joe and Isla, for shedding some much-needed light on this film.

[@teiadam134]

I saw this movie on a flight to Tokyo and it broke my heart. It's an amazing movie

[@maisify]

I watched it last year on the way to Dubai lol

[@rixku3358]

This movie somewhat made me cry and I never thought I would cry for this movie.

[@dr.shinkai6604]

Thank you very much...thank you . This video & 'Maquia' will remain In my heart forever. Even after my death. Thank you.

[@nicolaimarquez2211]

Man that first part of the video is a brutal recontextualization of every work Okada has ever done, especially Maquia. And the rest is no slouch. What a great ode to Mari Okada. She's the only writer that actually makes me give shit about narrative, because her works's characters are always so true to life that I rarely even care if the narrative is making any sense or not. Though that isn't to say that she's bad at narrative. She's been progresively becoming better at it, with Maquia being a masterwork in narrative, theme and, of course, characters. But as flawed as some of her works might be, I still consider her one of the best writers out there, and one of my personal favorites.

[@Ariel089]

Water comes from my eyes. Thank you for making this video. God bless you.

[@IslaMcTear]

I'm so damn happy this video ended up going a different way because the way it went was so insightful, I feel like I understand Okada a bit more! Thank you so much for letting me be a part of another video - this was a true pleasure!

[@stratoge]

I knew Okada's life was bad I had no idea about her relationship with her mother. This brings all her works into a whole new context. Thank you for this well-edited insightful video. I shelved watching this vid for a few days cuz I knew I had to be emotionally ready (I was on the verge of tears the entire time).

[@bouncycow3010]

Wanted to tell you how incredible your video is. Amazing how you weaved mari and maquias story. Really helped me to understand the movie a bit better :D

[@iangaskins3843]

Forgot how much I teared up during this movie.

[@MrMcKnite]

I wish Mari Okada makes more of these genre of works, because she knows best of these feels and emotions (slice of life, nostalgic moments) involved while these movies and animes are being realised through her directory.

[@derdome1702]

Man just the music brings me to tears

[@tryomama]

I did not expect the few seconds of the beginning of the video to be true

[@MapleMilk]

I always say, anime is an art contest, not a writing contest. But sometimes, there are writers like Okada that show me the two aren't mutually exclusive.

[@Litera_Trotter]

man your intro made me want to read the autobiography and i completed within few days while there is a exam on the horizon.

[@test-s7i]

That was beautiful. Your shedding a light on the background of Mari Okada made it even more so. Her life, her works, and this video has inspired me. The words about how she wanted to make anime that would have an impact on people's lives, change the way people think, or that would change the colours of the world of them, because that's what anime did for her. It's almost the same as the things that have been floating around in my mind of wanting to create works that make people think, touch people's hearts, and change people's lives, to make works that have as much of an impact on other people as those works had on me. Thanks for this video. Truly beautiful, especially for an underrated film such as Maquia. Please continue to make videos like this.

[@RevanMaverick]

I saw Maquia in theaters when it came to the west and I loved it. Beautiful film

[@SouthernGothicYT]

She wrote the script for the Black Rock Shooter anime? That's awesome!

[@darkling669922]

I'm so lucky that this movie was brought to Mexican theaters recently. It was worth the wait and it is an amazing movie. I hope more people have the chance to watch it.

[@OlOneEye]

Maybe I'm biased, but this is definitely my favorite anime of all time.

[@alonespirit_1Q84]

We all have our personal likings and dislikings, it's not biased at all. Though, what biased actually is when one thinks that his/her favourite is better, special and superior than everyone elses. P.S.- It's also one of my most favourite anime movies of all time.

[@abyssalx2]

This channel is the best about anime on KZbin.

[@jeffriart]

It's a beautiful movie, but I have no idea how the story relates so much to Mari Okada own lives. Now, I'm shedding a tear again and might never watch this the same way in the future. :")

[@SecretIdentityStudio]

This is a great look at how the artist informs the art. Thank you!

[@mariapazgonzalezlesme]

Oof. This feel heavy yet motivating at the same time.

[@Crazy-Chicken-Media]

I could listen to this man talk for hours, it's criminal that this was only 11 minute 43 seconds long. here's a like but don't stop making great content.

[@RaulFO]

I did not see the film the way you saw it. And honestly, it's a gorgeous way of looking at it. For me, as I was struggling with anxiety, panic attacks and fear of death, I saw this movie as a reconciliation with death itself and what lays beyond in the decisions we take, the connections we make and the grand beauty in its dramatic end.

[@maybe_change]

My eyes lit up when I saw this in my inbox today ✨ thank you for all of your hard work your videos are truly insightful and impactful

[@SchmitzCinemaStudies]

Maquia is a beautiful film that deserves more attention, so thank you for talking about it.

[@mycotinafulica8896]

Ah it's four years already, I think I'm ready to re-watch this and ugly cry on it again.

[@nnijahk8582]

Someone recommended this on tic tok and my heart thanks them I am a new mom and this movie truly touched me❤️

[@davidkim2016]

oh man thanks for bringing this to my attention in such a beautiful way!

[@ernstfourie7662]

Geez! Wow! What an interesting, compelling narrative you've woven into this! It is truly a great video! Congratulations, I've loved the progression of your videos over the past years! I've loved being a part and witnessing it!

[@violett7159]

This is the ONLY anime movie that made me cry. I felt a loss,lonely,alone.As if I really loss someone I loved. I never understood those feelings.

[@MIS_right]

Maquia is a great film. A must see.

[@mhmdjouni3669]

I watched this movie almost about a year ago with a friend. We both found ourselves looking at the blank screen for a while when the movie ended, appreciating-ly of course. To know Mari Okada had such a background and delivered such a story after many others shown in the video that I could definitely recognize, it only adds to how beautiful the movie was. Great work on this video and many thanks!

[@The1Nomad]

I absolutely love this video. I just finished Kiznaiver, and seeing it in here made me smile.

[@alonachiong666]

She was my favorite director. I never knew Mari had mother issues like me.

[@ravenstewart9899]

I definitely going to give this a watch

[@jancarlomendoza9633]

Me: *hears Viator My brain: you wanna cry? Me to my brain: too late ;_;

[@zorkmid1083]

I loved this movie so much, I went to the theater twice in quick succession to see it, and it has been many years since I did that for any movie.

[@sthiel126]

Having loved Maquia since it came out, and having my own mother/daughter strifes. I found this film very eye opening and healing. It came to me at a time when I could see the differences in all the mothers portrayed in the film. Including Maquia herself. I think that is what made all the difference. Being able to see is what helps us to realise reality for what it is. And it takes maturity and grit to remain hopeful in spite of the those things we see with our new eyes. Films like this help us to gain those eyes. x) Honestly cant make it past the second half of the video. 😂😂😂

[@INFECTION112]

I loved this movie, thank you for talking about it

[@pluspyy]

I dropped Maquia after watching it half way through from boredom, I will try to finish it thanks to you.

[@brettcoster4781]

Just watched Maquia last night (subbed) and loved it. It's been on my to-buy list for years, for no real reason except I knew you'd done a review of it (that I hadn't watched - I don't look at your reviews until I've got the film in hand). I'll be watching it again tonight. But finding out the backstory of its director makes it even more fascinating. So I am as usual happy to have watched one of your videos to get even more from my anime viewing. Many thanks, and hoping that you have a great 2022. Cheers!

[@armandsolermarti4349]

No freaking way. God you are too good at this. Thanks for providing me with more culture I feel like will change my perception in life.

[@Mykasan]

it's one of my favorite movie.

[@KTChamberlain]

Charlie Chaplin also had a way of incorporating autobiographical parts of his life story into his silent movies, most notably his first feature length film: The Kid (1921).

[@giantblob7075]

Why doesnt your channel have more views and subscribers, this is criminal

[@solarwindbear]

When different clips of Okada's works started playing I was like "Oh shit she was part of that?" Followed immediately by "OH SHIT she was part of that?!"

[@addisonhemmings3620]

I’m so happy that joe and Isla are teaming up now Great job on this video it was very moving!!!

[@jancarlomendoza9633]

Yo I'm straight up bawling my eyes.

[@ilyhoshi9840]

Anticipated this movie when i first saw the trailer and watched it on the plane flight home. Almost cried because it was so breathtakingly beautiful but had to stop myself because i was sitting next to a stranger haha

[@nao_tomori]

Maquia will always be one of my favorite films. When i need a good cry, this is the one i watch. I ordered the bluray after watching the movie on youtube, sobbing uncontrollably while the credits were still rolling. One of these days ill get through the ending without crying, but it wont be anytime soon

[@dragma907]

Thanks again, I'm resolved to go watch this one again.

[@Bled00]

I didn't watch any other work from Mari Okada besides Kiznaviers, which I loved. I enjoyed Maquia without knowing one bit of the context you give in here. If I would watch it again it would feel a lot more complex and obviously more touching. Always good to watch your videos, thank you very much!

[@raldrid8264]

Had this in my watch later for a full year, glad I got around to watching it. Amazing show.

[@erufailon4723]

Hearing about Okada's problematic childhood makes me feel quilty for not enjoying Anohana. I may not be able to watch this beautiful movie, but at least I can watch her series on streaming services and maybe learn to appreciate her a bit more. As always, thanks for the great video Joe

[@holothewisewolf2579]

I read a comment that said “I dropped the movie halfway due to boredom, I’ll pick it up again.” Basically. I’m raptured, bored? Really. Your life must be boring then, I related heavily on the movie and now even more that I heard her story. I’m sure this person could try to relate?

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

How did this movie passed me by? It looks so amazing!

[@tiagozilliosoares7988]

As always, thanks for the amazing content you create! Maquia has been a favorite of mine for a while now, and hearing your thoughts about it made my day.

[@robertlundstrom8061]

Wow, very well done review. I bought Maquia quite awhile ago and wondered why It made virtually no impact in the anime world. Thanks for the research.

[@Thatguywithadog152]

I saw this movie for the first time only a few days ago. I have not had my heart broken this badly in a long time

[@iBIONICLE]

I am glad u made this channel

[@TheHalomaster256]

Goddammit Isla....stop making me cry

[@gopikarakesh454]

I love it when beyond Ghibli and Isla mc tear collaborate!

[@alvinlyro]

FINALLY U DID MAQUIA. I was wondering months ago why these masterpieces (at least for me it is) was not in your channel. Thank you thank you thank you so muchh!😭

[@stevedouglas8695]

I truly appreciate the hard work you put into these videos giving us incredible insights through your expertise on the genres. Excellent again as per usual!

[@Kusanagikaiser999]

Goddamn it....not even 5 minutes and already tear up....HOW???

[@imroztowhid1284]

a very very very underrated channel. fantastic video as always 'migo!

[@andrewpragasam]

Your best video yet. Both informative and unexpectedly moving.

[@TheGeekShow]

As with all your other videos, this is a well-constructed and thoughtful observation of Maquia. Excellent work!

[@AyBee9725]

This movie has made so many people cry in airplanes it's beyond criminal at this point.

[@ChristopherSavoie]

You are so good at this. You force me to experience a longing for these films alongside a beautiful appreciation for them.

[@cjknight1979]

Thank you. I love everything you do. Your videos inspire me to dive deeper. Beautiful.

[@Cee64E]

I'm really loving these videos. Don't stop.

[@whitecat1441]

this movie leave a hole in me heart, at the end it but only manage cover it and not fill it. i feel empty sad and anger but cover it with joy but i still feel empty and want it more.

[@para-ps1bb]

I didn't know they adapted her biography. Did she write the script for it too?

[@sareykim]

yes. she wrote the screenplay & directed it

[@mechajay3358]

Stunning video and movie.

[@AlvinREDDELTA]

i watch this movie i was HEART BROKEN and i just see the main character my already WATER IN MY EYES.. huhu

[@elderlywhale]

You are killing me Joe. Every time I click on one of your videos I end up buying more anime.

[@tabpanter5750]

I just finished watching this beautiful film and it DESTROYED ME I AM NOT OKAY

[@mhacNH]

Soo good. There should be more viewers!!!

[@Sasscat58]

I didn’t know anything about Okada’s life. Thank you

[@mystodraw463]

Thank you for your well thought and beautiful video😍

[@mattmichelotti4077]

Great video! My eyes got pretty misty in this one

[@numbsock]

I love your reviews mate

[@adosouma]

I watched this movie on my flight to China (it was a layover) and it was sad.I really love this movie and I feel like not enough people know this movie.

[@marioksoresalhillick299]

I really love your writing. It's very beautiful! I'm sure you could write a great novel, poem, or short story with that prose!