Anime 49303 Alice To Therese No Maboroshi Koujou Reviews Filter Check 1

Review summary: Fantastic MAPPA art work. The story is difficult to understand. But a story you can't get anywhere else.
Who should see it: Interested in story that closed space and feelings. Or People who have seen Mari Okada's past works.

(+) Fantastic Art Work
Produced by MAPPA. The worldview, the description of the steel mill, the expressions of the characters, everything was wonderful. If you've seen the trailer, Fantastic Art work continues from beginning to end. If you know MAPPA, I would recommend watching the movie.
This story is set in January 1991. I'm glad that the scenery from my childhood has been clearly captured in a movie. ... Example, Beverage vending machines and shopping streets.

(+) music
In addition to fantastic art work, it was a wonderful music. It expresses a closed space and feelings. It's close to the character. And, Miyuki Nakajima's ending theme song is wonderful as a closing song for the story. Even if it's translated into another language, I hope it reaches as many people as possible. This is a song that hopes to overcome many things and move forward strongly into the future.

(-) difficult story
It was impossible for me to understand everything about the setting of the story the first time. (I found it cathartic, but my thoughts remained confused). Looking at Japanese reviews, many said that it was difficult to understand. I read guess in many reviews and finally understood the whole story.

(+) The actions that result from the feeling of love are strongly expressed
After understanding the overall story, I watched the movie again. An atmosphere filled with the feelings of many characters. The actions that result from the feeling of love are strongly expressed. Run through that atmosphere with strong force towards the ending. The second viewing was satisfying.

How should I introduce this movie? If I were to compare this movie, I would think of "Kumo no Mukou, Yakusoku no Basho". The reason for this is not only the character, but also the area is closed. However, this movie is more damp, dark, and horror-like.

Some Japanese reviewers have tried to understand this work from Mari Okada's past works and her autobiography, "From the time I couldn't go to school until I wrote Anohana and Kokosake". If anyone wants to know more about the work, look for it. You can see that the director's personality is too strong in this work.
It's good things that the director's personality is reflected in the works. The problem is that the story and setting are difficult to understand.

I wasn't sure whether to Recommended or Mixed Feelings, but I decided to recommend it. I don't think it's a movie at the general public. Is there any value in a movie if you can't understand it in one viewing? However, if you are interested, I recommend watching this movie. It has strong power. I'm sure some MAL members will rate this movie highly. I hope that more people will see it and the discussion on the forum will grow.

This opinion will have spoilers and I am going to divide it into 3 points, the animation, the plot and the message.

First speaking of the audiovisual, it is crazy, all the details are very careful, it has incredible fluidity, backgrounds to match and what would stand out the most is the color palette and the good use they gave it to emphasize and elevate many moments , they knew how to convey the despair of the world very well and they also knew how to highlight the small happy moments that the characters can have. As for the music, it is well implemented and thanks ... to it it accompanies different emotional moments very well.

Regarding the plot, it could be said that it is similar in several ways to Alice in Wonderland, but this time the point of view we have is that of someone inside the place and not that of the person who is lost. The narrative of the film seemed abstract to me, they leave us some clues in a tenuous way and this may mean that not many people understand everything 100% when watching it for the first time, but I do think that the message is clear.

I personally liked the message, it is an optimistic message since what the author wants to tell us is that although we do not have a future, objective or a clear goal, we should try to continue improving, getting excited, having fun in the same way, the example is like Masamune He considers this and decides to look for variants within the static life he was leading, an example could be the relationship he establishes with Mutsumi, improving as an illustrator even though he did not have a clear goal or having fun with his friends despite everything, we can also see How there are people who take advantage of circumstances like this to gain status despite everything. Another thing that I liked is the temporal reference to what is called in Japan as “The Lost Decade” since the film is initially set in 1991 and there is a very interesting dialogue from Masamune's grandfather in which he emphasizes that what This reality is not a punishment, but rather the gods encapsulated the happiest moment of the town before it ends.

It is an optimistic message about the search for identity, the growth and expansion that we can have as people and never losing the feeling of being alive.

A contrast that I liked was how those who were trapped wanted to escape from the reality they were living in order to find their reason for loving life and how the visitor found what he loved within this place and wanted to stay.

In my own interpretation, the movie aims to show that life is not essentially a search for happiness or control; life is a search for meaning. When we give ourselves a cause to serve or another person to love, we become more human, and we love ourselves more. The movie represents love as a power that offers the experience of dreaming and helps you escape loneliness. The world needs love. The power of love is what can help you survive. Love is about wisdom. Love is what makes our hearts live and beat. The movie succeeded in addressing the theme of love and showing its ... importance and how it gives meaning to our lives. While it is true that love has a bright side, on the other hand, it also has a dark side that can break your heart and destroy your own life.

Why is this so Underrated?

By Far the best Anime Movie I have seen to date, this including big named Ghibili Films from Miyazaki, Shinkai films, Kon’s Psychological films, etc.
one of the best Mappa Works ever produced.
One of the Best animations.
One of the Best coming of age stories.
Very very very great job done Netflix.

I don’t wanna go to in-depth here, Just really wish this gets out to more people who also see it for the beauty that it is. I know it’s a recent work from late 2023 but still.

I know recall how this anime was hyped up even since 2022 where I ... seen few glimpses of clips and edits from trailers/teasers and really wanted to see it then but it was yet to be made. Over time I forgotten about it and now when I opened up Netflix not knowing that this was the same anime from that clip I seen a few years ago, I thought it looked interesting and gave it a watch and when I came to that scene (yeah that scene of them running and falling on top of each other in the rain/snow or whatever) I was like “OHHHH its this” and it just clicked to me and on top of having a splendid animation, good plot, decent cast and characters, the thematic elements of the story are carried out so well and balanced in tones. Everything about this movie was great and there really isn’t much for me to complain about.

The second i finished this movie, i knew i had to write a review! oh myy gosh! What a WORLD BUILDING, It sucks you inside of it, The plot, events in the story, depth in charecters, animation, World creation, environment, Vibes, Emotions, Philosophy and the climax dude. This type of movie comes once in a decade. I saw some guys writing review on 'mal' that it has so many plot points and his weak brains couldn't understand whats going on, im like dude you are incompetent to understand the movie just go and watch boruto and shit, and thats the reason why i dont watch ... any anime or movies based on their rating and reviews. This movie takes you on a trip make your heart shatter, but will also fill your guts with a magical hope that is worth any wisdom i can ever get about life. Genuinly the charecters were so lively, so natural i never once realized its just some animations born out of someone's imagination. Every charecter was built unique and different and again so LIVELY, The story was so amazing any information will lead to a spoiler so i will avoid that.

Alice to Therese no Maboroshi Koujou feels like an anomaly in the modern anime world.

Despite being produced by arguably the most well-known animation studio currently in the game (MAPPA) and written / directed by one of the greatest living authors in the Slice of Life-genre (Mari Okada), this movie has had almost zero marketing or "hype" behind it. Its theatrical release in Japan came and went without much fanfare, until Netflix eventually bought the rights to it and decided to all but shadow-drop it on their platform. No one I talked to even knew this movie was coming out, which makes its "non-existence" in the ... public eye all the more confusing to me, especially considering how good it actually is.

First up, let's touch on the story. The story is... good, but convoluted. If you've read or seen a Mari Okada work before, you'll know more or less what you're in for: sharp dialogue, introspective characters, a mystery element that is somehow both well-defined and not explained much at the same time. The pacing is race-car fast - the movie expects you to pick up on certain concepts very quickly, and does not slow down to re-explain or hammer home things you may have missed. Multiple viewings may be necessary for certain people in order to fully understand what is going on at all times, but that shouldn't be much of a problem when the whole thing looks and sounds THIS GOOD.

Because yes, of course the movie looks phenomenal. We're talking Makoto Shinkai "Your Name" levels of animation quality here, but you already knew that, because the movie is made by MAPPA, and if there is one thing MAPPA consistently gets right, it's the visuals. I shudder to think how hard the animators must have worked on some of the segments here, because they're truly spectacular - easily up there with some of the highest-quality and most striking movie animation ever produced in the medium.

The music is good, if not a touch unmemorable. The main theme is recognizable but not catchy, and does its job well enough. It immerses you in the scene and elevates the action, which is the most important thing for a soundtrack to do. I'm not likely to listen to it on my own time outside of the movie, but I liked it as a companion piece.

I'm hesitant to write much more here out of a fear of spoiling things for any potential viewers - because I genuinely do want you to watch this movie. It's a beautiful piece of artwork full of heart from a studio at the top of its game, likely produced at the cost of its creators' own health (it's no secret that MAPPA treats its employees like shit.) And despite having a story that can, at times, be a little confusing and convoluted, it contains a very human tale of what it means to love something in the face of absolute despair, and the human spirit's ability to persevere against all odds.

So do yourself a favor and don't sleep on this like everyone else is doing - I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

“Being alive here is painful, but together with you make it less painful”

Story 7.5/10

A story of desperation and love in the world that is hopelessly lost.

I’m never a fan of high abstract plot like Bubble and the Floating Apartment one, which I thought was pretty bad and a wasted potential with no message to say.

Yet, Maboroshi, I manage to understand the whole plot on my first viewing and understand the message it tryna say pretty well. The story does create a good parallel for us to learn in real life which I thought a high abstract story never manage to do.

Still though I wish for ... a more world building on how the mechanic work and how life were before and after the story that takes place so I could feel more satisfied.

Visual 10/10

This is MAPPA’s original movie that took 4-5 years to make. It should be no surprise that this is their best-looking work yet. The best aspect has to be the background art direction and the CGI integration which was flawless.

Music 8/10

Many track beautifully fit for the moment to establish the sense of mystery and love.

Overall 8/10

This will be a complicated watch that will require your attention. Yet, I thought it was unique and has a great message to say in the end anyway, the things that similar type of abstract plot simply failed to do.

The story feels incomplete, like they had an idea for a movie and just ran with it without having an actual story to tell.

Story 5/10
There is no story, just an idea for one. The story had potential to be decent but just doesn't deliver. There are countless instances where content is missing between scenes, or so it feels.

Art 8.5/10
Beautiful art and good animation, just not quite movie quality. There is nothing to complain about. Near the end, some of the car scenes looked somewhat funny, but it's not a big deal.

Sound 9/10
Great voice acting fitting of the characters. Other sounds such as environmental ones are ... also really good. The soundtrack is just amazing, especially the ending song by Miyuki Nakajima, easily one of the best anime songs of 2023.

Characters 6/10
Most characters are there to just fill the room, but the important ones fill their purpose.

Enjoyment 6/10
The way the story progresses really hinders with the enjoyment, but with the art and music being so great it's still fun to watch most of the time. Kind of a drag at the beginning, but fine the rest of the way through.

Overall 6.5 ≈6/10
Won't miss much by not watching, but no actual reason to refrain from watching. At the very least give the ending a listen.

Ignore the hate. It’s a solid movie. Great art, great sound, feel good storyline and most importantly great characters. People are trying to find “logical” flaws everywhere but forget to realize this is a work of fiction and it should be enjoyed as such. Kick back, relax and enjoy :)

The story was not predictable. Art style was beautiful, and loved the detail in minor things. Sound design was also awesome.

I seriously think you all will enjoy it as long as watch it for what it is and not what it isn’t. If you want something scientifically accurate watch a documentary or National Geographic.

Okada’s work is always so difficult to talk about. She blends surrealism with melodrama and conventional narrative tropes in a way that completely absorbs you in the beauty of her worlds, without sacrificing mainstream accessibility or emotional edge. Often it can come across as underdeveloped or lacking in cohesion (or even just generic), but generally I’ve always managed to find a personal connection somewhere within her stories, although I understand that they don’t work for everybody.

Maboroshi, like the rest of her work, really struggles to hold itself together sometimes, but at its best moments it’s absolutely brimming with passion. Its contemplative reflection on the ... human condition, on the nature of love and ultimately on motherhood is just so Okada. Her direction has gotten much stronger since Maquia, and my god the art style and world building are just stunning; like virtually all of my Okada experiences (excluding Toradora), it’s so hard not to love.

On a side note, anime fans do this thing that I really hate where they attribute all of a film or series’s best features to the studio that produces it. Maboroshi is not great because it is MAPPA, nor does it look good because it is MAPPA. It’s great because Okada’s usual team poured their talent into it for 5 long years; I suppose film fans do this too with stuff like A24, but the point is that it’s a misleading form of praise that neglects the artists involved.

Mari Okada's inherent knack for the melodramatic surprisingly assumes a lesser role than usual, and instead, she opts for a thought experiment of sorts, choosing to exhaust all of htrer previous ideas around pure coming-of-age thematics. maboroshi is immersed in itself, willingly sifting through fluctuating narrative focus, completely engrossed in the microcosm of identity, or rather, the search for it. I'm fond of Okada's scope in this film, and while it's not her strongest piece of individual character writing (that would be her directorial debut), this breathes new optimism into values humanity has always held in high regard. The excitement of growth and the broadening ... of one's horizons are predominant in the assertive nature of the screenplay. I would argue the film's greatest strength is firmly retaining its frenetic survivalist tendencies throughout its runtime, particularly because the leads rarely cave into the despair of circumstance. The cast is diverse; some are beyond eccentric, crafting a holistic angle on the tumultuous fantastical disaster that the quiet industrial town is faced with.

maboroshi's structure is slightly unorthodox, and the plot slowly answers certain questions at unlikely times, maybe even slipping past an unattentive viewer. It's an interesting mechanic because practically nothing is left unrevealed, albeit the bits of context may boast differing levels of clarity, yet nonetheless, there is indeed an explanation for the mental turmoil stirred by supernatural phenomena. I found the themes of divine punishment to be a clever contrast to the film also posing realistic justifications, and both sides may be mere sophistry disguising the irreversible illusion of time. The viewer's inability to discern the legitimate relationship between the steel factory and the film's ultimate premise is part of the intended goal, as we're aware of the cause and effects but not quite the tangible connection. This approach to abstract leitmotifs is far from Okada's style; on the contrary, she's literal about interpersonal struggles. Whereas this film is much more reserved for the greater part of the first two acts, underpinning a portrait of collective solitude while simultaneously redefining the term.

From what I understand, unlike her prior works that precariously explore similar areas of insecurity, maboroshi is significantly more personal. There is a sense of intimacy that she applies to the script, their blank stares, and the roaring intensity of suffocating in open space. Okada's 2018 autobiography, From Truant to Anime Screenwriter, describes herself as a truant, a common case of severe social isolation and depression. The novel's overarching message details her attachment to the past, giving form to her anxiety during a period of expected exuberance. One could argue that translating these raw emotions sways the narrative unevenly, and it's difficult to not agree with that observation because multiple instances of spontaneity disconnect the viewer with what I would argue are deliberately uncomfortable moments. It wouldn't be too far-fetched to hold the emotional immaturity against the rest of the resolution; however, the visual storytelling operates with honest splendor. The integration of relatively simple mindsets supersedes the cryptic setting.

Mappa's production values aren't necessarily the most noteworthy element; more so, the staff has managed to build impressive technical qualities. The quality of character acting in crucial segments is high, exhibiting micromovements and subtlety to highlight minor glances and moods. Both movement and freeform character animation are often present, characterizing the idiosyncracies of realism. It's weaker in the layout department, and some of the CG environments aren't blended as well as I would have liked, not to mention that I find the locations underused as a whole. Generally speaking, the audiovisual storytelling capitalizes on color consistency rather than background detail, and it coordinates scenes around the mild urbanization of the town. The audio has solid use of non-diegetic sound with varying levels of effectiveness in the score, although the incorporation of 90s tracks was a great choice. I was pleasantly surprised by the powerful performance from Miyuki Nakajima in the theme, an excellent showcase of vocalization and relevant lyrics. Mari Okada dissipates the idea of self in maboroshi, vying for a purposeful reflection on living in and for the moment.

Ended up being way better than expected after seeing the mostly negative reception to this. I guess the movie just knew how to get to me emotionally while still trying to put some effort in its story.

I understand that the plot can be hard to follow and how the logic makes sense in its setting, but this like a Your Name thing where it does prioritize evoking strong emotions over trying to succeed in its seemingly complex storyline.

What really made this work for me is its how effective it managed to pull off that youthful angst that I keep craving for every time. It's cheesily ... romantic and dumb at times, but it's that unapologetic approach that makes it endearing for me.

I also like how it touches on themes of grief and just feeling stuck and hopeless in life, which comes as no surprise given how much angst the movie has in spades. It tries to be hopeful in the end albeit I wish it wrapped things up in a more satisfying conclusion.

The animation and character designs are pure eye candy as to be expected from MAPPA, even the haters will at least admit to its visual appeal that can even rival Makoto Shinkai's films.

Overall, a pleasant surprise that while not perfect in all fronts, managed to stick the landing in telling a resonant tale of altered realities and the optimistic possibilities of a future that lies ahead beyond those cracks.

Hundreds of anime in my pocket, and never have I seen one more underrated than this. This is my first ever review I will keep it very short and sweet. First off, if you like me were worried the story would be confusing or not make sense all i can say is at least for me the entire story made perfect sense and never felt confusing. Every element is written to make sense and I was surprised at how coherent it all was because i had seen so many reviews saying it was confusing. If you are someone who pays attention don't let the reviews ... scare you. The story makes perfectly fine sense and is not hard to follow in my opinion. The animation is beautiful and the art is stunning. The portrayal of emotions is especially superb. I'm sad to see this anime not get the attention it deserves but am very happy I decided to watch it anyway. I have essentially nothing negative to say about the anime. I loved it. I Don't throw a 10 at everything. I'm a generally positive reviewer but I think this anime was truly special. If you are on the fence. Just watch it.

Tl;Dr: "Maboroshi" is a stunning anime bursting at the seams with intriguing storytelling, great cinematic moments, and raw emotion. But it’s also a show with some notable caveats. The first is that there are character moments in here that push the needle too far in terms of shock value and novelty. For the most part, I thought the characters in this show are portrayed well within the show’s odd, mature setting. However, there are at least a couple of character moments that come across as needlessly gross, while others at times feel unjustified or underdeveloped. These abrupt points of whiplash in the story are part ... of a larger issue surrounding the show: that being a shortage of organic character development. Notably, the second act struggles to convincingly connect the other thirds of the film together. Key story beats that feel like they come out of nowhere, as the screenplay sacrifices coherency in exchange for cryptic symbolism. On that note, despite my praise so far in this review, there’s a decent chance that some audiences may come away from "Maboroshi" dissatisfied. The movie’s medley of supernatural elements and shocking twists might leave you not knowing what to think of it all.

***

This is a spoiler-free excerpt of my full "Maboroshi" review, originally published as a video essay on YouTube. For a full analysis on "Maboroshi"'s heavy symbolism and themes, do check out my profile to learn more.

***

A terrible explosion at a steel factory has just shattered the night sky into a million pieces. Everything was about to change. And then, nothing would change ever again. After that night, time began to behave differently, trapping the survivors of the explosion in a strange stasis. These inhabitants of the seaside town of Mifuse are still allowed to go about their day, although the day never changes. With no escape or contact with the outside world, a never-ending winter now mysteriously hangs over Mifuse. "Maboroshi" introduces us to a town that cannot move on from the fallout, a people perpetually trapped in time and remembrance — an existential crisis after the explosion. The radio plays the same live broadcast of the programme heard on that fateful night. A pregnant woman roams around the town with an empty stroller, as she carries a child that cannot be born. The kids at Middle School cannot age, as they lie trapped in a nightmarish Neverland, never to see adulthood. While the town of Mifuse is forever frozen in winter, the passage of time is still deeply felt throughout the town’s inhabitants. So many days have gone by, and yet, none at all. Rather than spend its runtime dealing with the chaos that emerges in the wake of disaster, "Maboroshi" finds its horror in a long-term aftermath, trapping its characters in an existence with no meaning. That hopelessness weighs heavy on Masamune Kikuiri; a boy with talent, ambitions and dreams unfulfilled. So long as the snow continues to fall from a cracked sky, he will remain Forever Fourteen.

Reminiscent of the movies Makoto Shinkai has made over the past decade, "Maboroshi" invokes the supernatural and alludes to real-life tragedy. In order to understand what makes the "Maboroshi" so haunting, we first should compare this imagery to its origin. The damaged steel factory looms large over Mifuse, a fictional seaside town that takes after its real counterpart, Fukushima, which was the site of a tragic disaster that took place on March 11, 2011. The aftermath of the Fukushima Daiichi Power Plant explosion has left monumental damage in its wake. It will take several years for the soil and sea to be fully cleansed from its uninhabitable radiation; meanwhile, the healing process for the Japanese people may take even more time. But after confronting what’s likely the worst experiences of their lives, it’s my hope that the survivors of March 11 have since picked themselves up and moved towards the future. In contrast, no such future exists in the frozen temporal hellscape of Mifuse. "Maboroshi" ‘s director and screenwriter Mari Okada takes this backdrop and amplifies a feeling of despair through the use of supernatural elements, ensuring that the townspeople are literally unable to move on with their lives. "Maboroshi" holds the human spirit hostage at its lowest point, and asks: “What am I living for?” This question will go on to define the rest of the film, as our characters come across crushing revelations.

In "Maboroshi", Okada subtly crafts a thought experiment founded on nihilism, with the people of Mifuse having their lives stripped of almost all meaning. The film makes the great decision of exploring these existential conditions through the eyes of Masamune Kikuiri and his fellow teenage schoolmates. The youth are the perfect vessels for dealing with "Maboroshi" ‘s themes. Adolescence is the time in our life spans in which we are at our most uncertain and aimless — the time where we’re most likely to ask that question: “What am I living for?” With reality continuously making less and less sense, these teens have resorted to cheap thrills: teasing, violence, acts of attrition, and tests of courage — anything to feel something again. There’s a certain numbness that can be observed throughout "Maboroshi" ; be it through the crass, careless way in which our characters interact, or through the film’s gorgeous cinematography and OST. Taken in as a whole, the film’s atmosphere is edgy in a manner that feels odd, yet both intentional and essential in fully following through on Okada’s bold vision. This thought experiment created is full of mystery, and its unorthodox storytelling will keep you guessing all the way till the credits roll. What exactly are the supernatural occurrences that have befallen Mifuse? When will it all end? Can the adults be trusted in guiding the people through this strange new world order? And just who is the secret child that these leaders have stashed away in Blast Furnace #5? The journey to solving these mysteries is rich in harsh character drama, culminating in an emotional third act capable of pulling your heart in all directions. My favorite aspect of "Maboroshi" is its bold willingness to uncompromisingly explore its unusual ideas, achieving narrative and storytelling outcomes that are only possible in its engaging world.

***

Once again, do check out my profile to find my full analysis on "Maboroshi". Feel free to check out my other reviews for seasons past and present, peace~

Simply put it's one of the best animated films, mappa out did themselves. I'm Impressed. Although the story is a lil bit hard to understand but it's good when you get it.

There are a lot of plot hole though. Like if they are in a shut off bubble then where are they getting all their food and other supplies from? The sudden change in characters behaviors is another thing. The most annoying thing is that the MCs father and his uncle are little undistinguishable. In one scene I had to search up their name to see if it was the MCs father or the ... uncle. The sudden change in sceneries and story is a tad bit annoying too.

The movie's strong hold is on the original story and the animations. Without spoiling anything that's all I can say in this review. I would definitely watch it another time and definitely suggest this movie to other people.

When Mari Okada was in elementary school, she thought Aristotle(アリストテレス - Arisutoteresu - Aristotelēs) was two people(アリス と テレス - Arisu to Teresu - Alice and Therese), so if you understand this, you can stop searching for "these two characters" in the movie.

In a world where time stopped flowing and life is replaced by a constant numbness. The Immutables tried to find the feeling of being alive - even if it's pain - under this dome and look for a way to escape, while the visitor found love in this numbness and decided to stay. Every time Okada can create a theme that deeply attracts ... me and makes me enter her story resolutely - until I discovered once again that this subject was not what she was paying attention to.

The positive viewing experience piled up due to the immersion in the world in the first half falls apart in the second half: The pace of the narrative is kinda out of control; The supporting cast is distracting because they don't get enough detail up front; As for the protagonist’s behavior, I can only say that it conforms to the logic of the story setting.

I don’t think a sentimental story about youth conflicts with the larger worldview, but I don't think using a thought-provoking grand background just to package a "seemingly twisted" youth story is a good idea either. Mari Okada made a good start, but didn’t go deep, and that's why I love but also hate her work.

If you haven't figured out how you feel about this movie yet, congratulations and welcome to the Victim Alliance of Mari Okada :D