“Maboroshi”: life and love in a strange world

For anime lovers, a new MAPPA original film was released on Netflix on Jan. 15. The film first aired in Japanese theaters in September 2023 but is now available in the United States after Netflix gained license to it. 

The famous studio, while notorious for its extreme labor conditions and high-quality standards, has released a multitude of critically acclaimed and popular anime series and movies since its start in 2011. Some examples include “In This Corner of the World,” “Chainsaw Man,” and “Jujutsu Kaisen.” 

“Maboroshi” is an original film that follows 14-year-old Masamune and his friends as they try to navigate life following a steelworks factory explosion that leaves their rural town frozen in time and creates mysterious smoke creatures that affect the town’s people.

The people of the town try to go about their lives, living the same days over and over, all while faced with the looming threat of deadly smoke that emerges from the factory. After years of this loop, one of Masamune’s classmates sneaks him into the steelworks factory, introducing him to a peculiar girl who finally brings some change to his life.

A catalyst for unexpected events, this discovery alters the course of the lives these people have been living in their isolated, time-frozen town. 

The movie focuses on friendships and relationships as themes of love, life, and what it truly means to be “human” are explored. 

On top of being “stuck in time,” other fantastical elements, such as the smoke creatures and questions of divine intervention, are spread out throughout the movie that add to the beauty of it.

The animation and atmospheric art style of the film are stunning and very well-executed, once again reflecting the studio’s consistent, top-notch film quality. The visuals, in combination with the storyline, create an emotional coming-of-age story that explores young love and self-discovery through times of tragedy and confusion. 

Going in blind or somewhat blind can best provide a meaningful experience. It had many unexpected twists and turns that sparked multiple emotions, as well as thoughts and conversations that asked questions important to the themes portrayed. 

While the movie has stunning visuals and an emotional story full of metaphors and life lessons, some plot points felt unnecessarily unresolved.

Specifically, the way the plot points progressed left a lot to be desired as the story became somewhat convoluted, leaving a sense of whiplash in the third act. 

Left with unsatisfactory reactions, there is room for improvement, but despite that, the movie is impactful with a meaningful story and offers something for every viewer. 

With new anime shows and movies constantly being released, movies like “Maboroshi” can be swept away in the flow of releases, but this is one that stuck. 

The beautiful visuals, storyline, and unique characters make for a heartfelt experience that leaves viewers with much to reflect on about humanity and one’s own life.