Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms 2018

The Iorph, a mystical humanoid race, exist far removed from human society, dedicating their lives to crafting Hibiol, a unique cloth that serves as a historical record of time. These extraordinary beings halt their aging at the age of 14, allowing them to live for centuries, earning them the title of the “Clan of the Separated.”

In this tale, we follow Maquia, a young Iorph orphan who serves as an assistant to her clan’s chief, Rashine. Rashine warns her about forming emotional bonds with outsiders, cautioning that such connections will lead to true loneliness. Soon after, disaster strikes when the kingdom of Mezarte deploys armed soldiers and flying dragons named Renato to assault the Iorph village, desperate to uncover their secret of immortality. Tragically, the attack results in the deaths of numerous Iorph and the abduction of Leilia, Maquia’s dear friend. Amidst the chaos, a Renato succumbs to a frenzy and accidentally carries Maquia away, entangled in the Hibiol, before crashing and dying in a forest.

As Maquia awakens, she stumbles upon an ambushed caravan and discovers a newborn baby boy, tightly held by his deceased mother. Choosing not to abandon him, she adopts the child, whom she names Ariel, and heads to the village of Helm. There, she is taken in by Mido, a kind woman who raises Ariel alongside her two sons, Lang and Deol.

Fast forward six years, and Ariel has grown into a spirited child. Meanwhile, the kingdom of Mezarte is facing a crisis as the Renato are succumbing to a deadly illness, leaving the kingdom vulnerable. In a desperate bid to reclaim power, the king seeks to incorporate Iorph blood into the royal lineage. Maquia learns through a message woven into Hibiol that Leilia is being forced into an arranged marriage with the prince of Mezarte. With determination, Maquia boards a ship with Ariel to rescue her friend, where she encounters Krim, an Iorph who longs to save Leilia as well.

Their journey takes them to the capital of Mezarte, where they gather more Iorph to stage a daring ambush on a royal parade. Maquia manages to free Leilia momentarily, only to discover that Leilia is pregnant with the prince’s child and has to flee for safety, aided by a half-Iorph merchant. Despite setbacks, Krim remains resolute in his quest to liberate Leilia.

Nine years later, Maquia and Ariel relocate to the iron-forge city of Dorail, where Maquia works in a restaurant while Ariel grows into a young man at a forge. However, their diverging paths create a rift between them, especially as Ariel enlists in Mezarte’s army. A chance encounter with Lang, now a soldier, further distances them, culminating in Maquia’s abduction by Krim.

Another six years pass, and Ariel has returned to the capital, married to Dita, and soon-to-be a father. In the background, Krim amasses support from nearby nations to overthrow Mezarte, taking Maquia with him to storm the palace. Amid the chaos of war, Maquia helps deliver Dita’s child while Ariel is injured during the battle. They share a poignant farewell, reflecting the love that transcends their circumstances.

In the climax, after a brutal clash, Maquia manages to reunite with Leilia, but tragedy strikes as Krim’s attempt to confront the royals leads to his demise. As the dust settles and Mezarte falls, Ariel meets his newborn daughter, Millia, while Maquia, taking the last living Renato, departs with Leilia, who enjoys a fleeting reunion with her daughter Medmel before they part ways.

Decades later, Maquia returns to Helm, where she encounters Ariel’s lineage. When she finds him as an elderly man, they share a heartfelt exchange during his last moments together. Overwhelmed with grief, she breaks her promise and sheds tears, cherishing the memories they created together. Ultimately, she rejoins the half-Iorph merchant, embarking on a new journey, noting that the profound sorrow of loss cannot overshadow the joy brought by love.

The narrative concludes with a poignant scene in the post-credit, revealing the Iorph village being revitalized by its surviving members and their descendants, alongside Maquia and the last Renato.