Maboroshi (2024): Cast, Ratings & Ending
Maboroshi is a 2024 animated drama directed by Mari Okada, starring Robbie Daymond as Akimune Kikuiri, Kento Hayashi and Junya Enoki. It runs 1 hour 51 minutes. Critics gave it 67% on Rotten Tomatoes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 51m (111 min)
- Director
- Mari Okada
- Original language
-
Japanese
- Studio
- Bushiroad
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Maboroshi About?
The premise of Maboroshi without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
Following a mysterious industrial accident that leaves a landscape frozen in time, two students find their lives disrupted by the discovery of a mysterious young man living in the wilderness. Drawn to his unconventional nature, they forge a passionate and intense connection that challenges their perceptions and upends their ordinary lives.
Maboroshi Cast & Characters
Robbie Daymond leads the cast as Akimune Kikuiri, with Kento Hayashi as Tokimune Kikuiri and Junya Enoki as Masamune Kikuiri. Directed by Mari Okada; 20 actors are credited in all.
- Director Mari Okada
-
Robbie Daymond as Akimune Kikuiri - Kento Hayashi as Tokimune Kikuiri
- Junya Enoki as Masamune Kikuiri
- Reina Ueda as Mutsumi Sagami
Also Starring in Maboroshi
· 16 more- Misaki Kuno Itsumi
- Lizzie Freeman Yuko Sonobe
- Brandon Engman Yasunari Semba
- Tasuku Hatanaka Atsushi Nitta
- Yukiyo Fujii Reina Yasumi
- Kirsten Day Misato
- David Errigo Jr. Atsushi Nitta
- Maki Kawase
- Andrew Kishino
- Madeline Dorroh Reina Yasumi
- Zeke Alton
- Daiki Kobayashi
- Felecia Angelle
- River Kanoff
- Jonathan Leon
- Valerie Rose Lohman
Maboroshi Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Maboroshi 67% on Rotten Tomatoes. Our Echo Score gives it 77/100, strongest in art & craft (92) and weakest in story & flow (55).
Maboroshi Echo Score Breakdown
Maboroshi excels in visual craftsmanship but struggles with narrative clarity. Critics consistently commend the animation, art direction, and overall sensory polish, while both critics and viewers highlight a convoluted, uneven plot and pacing issues. Audience reactions note emotional moments and occasional resonance, yet many describe the story as tangled or confusing. Consequently, the film offers strong aesthetic appeal tempered by a mixed narrative experience.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 92
In terms of art and craft, Maboroshi is widely praised for its animation and visual design. Critics describe the animation as excellent, gorgeous, and high‑quality, and users echo this sentiment, noting pleasant animation styles and striking visuals. No substantial criticism of direction or editing appears, resulting in a strong overall impression of the film’s artistic execution.
- Character & Emotion 78
When evaluating character and emotion, the film receives both commendations and critiques. Positive remarks focus on skillful voice work, nuanced emotional resonance, and relatable teenage struggles noted by several reviewers. Conversely, some critics and users point out a flawed cast and an unsatisfying relationship dynamic. The balance of praise and criticism leads to a moderately high but not uniform character assessment.
- Story & Flow 55
Story and flow present a mixed picture for Maboroshi. Reviewers commend its thematic depth, nostalgic tone, and occasional compelling moments, yet many describe the plot as convoluted, overly slow or fast, and lacking clear direction. Critics label the narrative as a mess, while users report difficulty following the story despite appreciating its emotional core. This split perception yields a lukewarm story rating.
- Sensory Experience 88
Sensory experience in Maboroshi is largely praised across reviews. The soundtrack, sound design, and visual style receive consistent positive comments, with critics highlighting excellent music and evocative auditory elements. Users also note the pleasant animation and atmospheric qualities. No notable criticisms of sensory aspects arise, supporting a high score for this dimension.
- Rewatch Factor 72
Rewatch factor for the film is moderately positive. Some viewers explicitly state an intention to revisit the movie, citing its emotional relevance and relatable themes. However, the confusing plot and mixed narrative reception temper universal replay appeal. Overall, the film holds reasonable replay value for audiences attuned to its aesthetic and emotional strengths.
-
Rotten Tomatoes 67% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 68%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
TMDB 72% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.1 /5
24635 ratings
See on Letterboxd
Maboroshi Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Maboroshi from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 6-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In the picturesque steel mill town of Mifuse, tucked away in the depths of rural Japan, two brothers, Akimune Kikuri and Tokimune Kikuri, strive to make a living amid the rusting remnants of machinery. Their son, Masamune Kikuri, spends his days preparing for an upcoming entrance exam with friends, when suddenly, a catastrophic explosion on January 1st, 1991, rocks the mill, casting the town into an everlasting winter of stark desolation and cold.
Full summary
The whole story of Maboroshi, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Maboroshi Trailers & Videos
4 videos: 1 trailer and 3 clips.
- Clip The Mysterious Girl Clip [Subtitled]
- Clip I Want to See More! Clip [Subtitled]
- Clip A Crack in the Soul Clip [Subtitled]
How Well Do You Know Maboroshi?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What catastrophic event occurs on January 1st, 1991, in Mifuse?
Maboroshi Also Known As
19 alternative titles, including “Alice to Therese no Maboroshi Kōjō” and “Alice to Therese no Maboroshi Koujou”.
- Also known as
-
- Alice to Therese no Maboroshi Kōjō
- Alice to Therese no Maboroshi Koujou
- The Illusion Factory of Alice and Therese
- Alice and Therese's Illusion Factory
- 아리스와 테레스의 환상공장
- Alice and Therese's Illusory Factory
- 앨리스와 텔레스의 환상공장
- Фабрика иллюзий Алисы и Терезы
- Мабороси
- توهم
- سراب
- 爱丽丝和特蕾丝的梦幻工厂
+7 more Show fewer
- 마보로시, maboroshi:愛麗絲與特蕾絲的虛幻工廠
- มาโบโรชิ
- مابوروشي, maboroshi:爱丽丝和特蕾丝的梦幻工厂
- Maboroši: Továrna na iluze
- מאבורושי
- माबोरोशी
- Maboroshi – Az illúziók gyára, мабороші
Seen Maboroshi?
Maboroshi FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Maboroshi, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Maboroshi?
Maboroshi runs 1 hour 51 minutes (111 minutes).
When was Maboroshi released?
Maboroshi was released on January 15, 2024.
Who directed Maboroshi?
Maboroshi was directed by Mari Okada.
More films by Mari Okada Who is in the cast of Maboroshi?
Maboroshi stars Robbie Daymond as Akimune Kikuiri, Kento Hayashi as Tokimune Kikuiri and Junya Enoki as Masamune Kikuiri, among 20 credited actors.
How is Maboroshi rated?
Maboroshi has 67% on Rotten Tomatoes, 72% on TMDB and 3.1/5 on Letterboxd.
Does Maboroshi have a post-credit scene?
No. Maboroshi has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Maboroshi in?
The original language of Maboroshi is Japanese.
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