Waifu Wednesday: Maquia (Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms)

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Lilia Hellal
November 23, 2022
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I first watched Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms before I started tackling anime reviews here on Rice Digital. It was one of the movies I just missed out on covering at the time of its initial release, and 2018’s unexpected hit for animated Japanese movies, both within Japan and internationally.

Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms is a highly emotional experience, putting the titular Maquia, a 15-year-old girl who does not age, in the forefront to represent and capture the importance of human relationships. While the movie emphasises their relationship as its main focus, Maquia herself has an incredibly satisfying development arc and was always a captivating lead for her authenticity and purity alone. While loveable right from the get-go, her journey makes her an even more appealing character as she matures and grows into becoming a parental figure to her special someone.

Who is Maquia?

Maquia is an Iorph, a mystical race who weave Hibiol fabric throughout all of their lives. After their home is attacked by an Empire to forcibly obtain the source of immortality, Maquia’s once lonely existence is put into further anguish and now jeopardy as she is separated from those closest to her. Now outside the realms of all she once knew, she soon encounters an orphan, rescues him and decides to adopt him. She calls him Ariel.

Maquia’s coming of age tale fast approaches as she learns many lessons for this one important decision she made. Maquia learns how to provide protection to someone more vulnerable than herself, what it means to be a mother, and the consequences of bonding with a mortal across Ariel’s entire lifespan.

Why we love Maquia

What it best means to be a mother is captured beautifully in Maquia. Maquia initially doubts her capability to be a parent as she struggles to adapt to the world of mortals, but she grows accustomed to it to best accommodate for Ariel. She does her best and never falls short of doing so as a fantastic mother. She works endlessly to make ends meet for his sake at every turn, gives words of affirmation and showers him with physical affection, and is ultimately by his side all the way to the very end.

Maquia learns who she truly is from such a drastic shift from the life she once led. She finds worth and reason in forming bonds with humanity, and true joy from leaving her mark on Ariel and vice versa. This is despite knowing and being warned about building strong relationships with mortals. Maquia knew the consequences and how such a relationship would end. But she comes out stronger than ever from it, and accepts and moves on from the biggest lesson to be learned from her story: goodbyes are hard but they do not spell the end.

Why you will love her

Maquia is pure, authentic and genuine, so much so that even though she is often undermined by other characters, she always finds the strength to keep going. Despite her seemingly shy and quiet disposition, she is actually a silent force to be reckoned with. She would further prove such selflessness and drive when she helps to deliver Ariel’s own child as she supports and helps his partner, who has always been dismissive and rude about her. She does not give it a second thought.

Maquia’s personal journey is one that certainly tugs at the heartstrings, and all the more dramatic and soul-crushing for how harmless and well intending Maquia has and always will be. She deserves only the very best.

As the heart and soul of the title, her character from start to end is captivating thanks to her compassionate and self-sacrificing personality. It’s made even better and satisfying in how she still manages to grow from such an enrapturing, solid foundation – she further matures and learns to better understand her identity and belonging.

For more Waifus, check out our column and watch the movie now on Amazon Prime.

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