さよならの朝に約束の花をかざろう
Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms - Characters & Cast
Character Analysis
Maquia
Manaka Iwami
Motivation
Her primary motivation is to love, protect, and raise Ariel. She seeks to understand what it means to be a mother and to create a happy life for her son, even as she grapples with her own immortality and loneliness.
Character Arc
Maquia begins as a shy, lonely, and somewhat timid girl. After finding Ariel, she is thrust into the role of a mother and must learn to be strong and resilient for his sake. Over the decades, she experiences the profound joy and deep sorrow of motherhood, ultimately transforming into a wise and compassionate individual who understands that love is worth the pain of loss.
Ariel
Miyu Irino
Motivation
Initially, his motivation is to stay with Maquia. As he grows older, he desires to protect her and later to establish his own identity and family. He is driven by a complex mix of love for Maquia, societal pressure, and the natural desire for independence.
Character Arc
Ariel's arc is that of a normal human life, from infancy to old age. As a child, he is completely devoted to Maquia. As a teenager, he becomes conflicted and resentful of her eternal youth and their unconventional relationship. He distances himself from her but eventually comes to understand the depth of her love and sacrifice. He becomes a soldier, a husband, and a father, living a full life shaped by Maquia's love.
Leilia
Ai Kayano
Motivation
Her main motivation is to see her daughter, Medmel. This desire consumes her, leading to moments of emotional instability. She is also a victim of circumstance, caught between the expectations of the Mezarte kingdom and her Iorph heritage.
Character Arc
Leilia starts as a vibrant and confident young Iorph. After being kidnapped and forced into a political marriage, she becomes a symbol of tragic motherhood, separated from her own child. Her arc is one of despair and longing, providing a stark contrast to Maquia's experience. In the end, after a brief reunion with her daughter, she chooses to leave her past behind and fly away with Maquia.
Krim
Yuki Kaji
Motivation
His sole motivation is to rescue Leilia and return to their old way of life. He is driven by a rigid adherence to the past and an inability to adapt to the changing world, which ultimately leads to his downfall.
Character Arc
Krim is initially presented as a heroic figure, determined to rescue Leilia, his beloved. However, his single-mindedness and inability to accept change turn him into a tragic and somewhat antagonistic figure. He is a foil to Maquia, as he cannot let go of the past and is ultimately consumed by his bitterness and desire for revenge. His arc ends in tragedy when he is killed after Leilia rejects his plan to escape.