Mari Okada is one of the most prominent — and prolific — writers in anime today. A native of Chichibu, Saitama, she's perhaps best known for penning a pair of deeply personal titles that take place there, "Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day" (2011) and "The Anthem of the Heart" (2015). But Okada has contributed to a range of genres, from sci-fi to horror to live-action. What ties these seemingly disparate works together is her interest in people who have been, in some way, emotionally damaged, and the way these people ultimately (re)form human connections.
"Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms," which marks Okada's directorial debut, is no exception. The fantasy film, which she also wrote, is the tale of titular Maquia (Manaka Iwami), a member of an elf-like race who live for hundreds of years while maintaining a youthful appearance. Her clan, expert weavers, live in peace on an isolated island, and Maquia enjoys the company of many friends, though it is revealed she is an orphan.
One day, the peace is shattered when humans invade, looking for the secrets of eternal life. Maquia manages to escape and, as she flees, she discovers a human baby crying inside the arms of its dead mother. In an impulsive moment of empathy, Maquia takes the baby, intending to raise him as her own.