Back to Shokkz's Profile Shokkz's Profile

-TL;DR

Plot: 9/10. Starts a little cliché but it knows how to break the mold and give its proper twist to the genre.

Characters: 9/10. The main cast is excellent but it can't be said the same for all the supporting characters.

Animation and sound: 10/10. Nothing to fancy but excellent overall. Very memorable ost.

Enjoyment: 10/10. Perfect movie for a slow paced drama lovers like me.

... I give this movie a solid 10.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-Introduction

The anime that makes you feel at home. The anime that no matter what, you always come back and it feels like nothing's changed, the feelings are there like the first time you experienced it. Maquia is that anime. Yes, I may not be impartial with this particular anime, since it's my favorite movie of all times, but well, I'm not a critic after all, only a fan of this masterpiece.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-Plot and Story

Iorphs, the clan of departed, a mythical clan that can live up to hundreds of year, that is the clan of Maquia, a lone orphaned Iorph who longs to experience the outer world, a world that she was told not to engage on, because it only brings sadness. She is a shy and soft-spoken girl, living with Racine, the clan elder, until one day, the kingdom of Mezarte invades her home and almost annihilate the clan. Maquia got away in a rampant Renato, another mythical creature almost extinct, and finds herself alone, without his family. While considering suicide, she finds an orphaned baby, who she saves and name him Ariel.

The story is about them, their life, their conflicts and their unconditional love.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-Characters

The cast is lovable, with the bond between Maquia and Ariel being the focus of the movie. Their character development it's excellent, coming from a small child, to adolescence and, finally, adulthood.

Being both orphans, the family bond that develop between Ariel and Maquia feels very natural, where they clash and have conflicts, but in the end they forgive and love each other, becoming a real family.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-Animation and Sound

The animation is on point, the CGI used does not feel clunky and out of place. The art it's beautiful, sober with the cast but very rich in detail with the locations and cities. It's not game changing but it's adequate for the movie.

The sound is excellent, the OST is really soft and memorable. My favorite song is Aviator from the last scene, it's a perfect song for the perfect ending.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-Enjoyment and Overall Impressions

Some may think that there are moments in this movie that are boring or too slow paced, but this is no action movie, this is a journey. Yes there is a war, and some fights, but they are decorations, little moments that are mere specks of dust in the grand life of a Iorph, mere anecdotes. The greatest point in Maquia IS the slow pace drama, journey before destination, the ups and downs of life and the bonding with the people you find most comfortable with and love.

I would absolutely recommend this movie to ANYONE, but if you are more of a fast paced, action fan, you may find yourself waiting for things that'll never happen. You are warned.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-Conclusion

Maquia is a journey, a journey of love, but not a romantic love, instead a less explored one, family love. The life of Maquia has its ups and downs, but she realized that yes, departings are sad, but it's a sadness coming from a long, beautiful journey, enjoying lots of pleasant and beautiful moments that were spent with the people you love and care, because that's the people that makes you feel like home.