Mari Okada and MAPPA’s highly anticipated original anime film, “Maboroshi” (Alice and Therese’s Illusory Factory), released its full trailer for the movie. The trailer also revealed the banger of the theme song “Shin-on” (Heartbeat) by Miyuki Nakajima, adding to the film’s atmosphere.
Furthermore, the preview confirmed additional cast members, whose characters were previously unveiled in a poster visual. “Maboroshi” or “Alice to Therese no Maboroshi Kōjō” is set to premiere on September 15, will it be another MAPPA hit?
Brought to life by the creative mind of none other than the renowned Mari Okada, this original anime film is expected to be an absolute game-changer in the world of anime films. Okada made us forget everything we thought we knew about storytelling with her effortless blend of heart-crushing drama, detailed character development, and mind-bending twists into one complete narrative.
With the release date revealed, characters unveiled, and even a taste of the soundtrack, will Maboroshi reach and perhaps, even exceed the previous works of MAPPA and Mari Okada?
Maboroshi: Cast, Staff, Plot
During the MAPPA Stage 2023 event, attendees were thrilled to receive the exciting news of the upcoming film, Alice to Therese no Maboroshi Kojo (Alice and Therese’s Illusion Factory). The event also revealed the film’s main cast, a teaser trailer, a teaser visual, and of course, the release date of September 15.
With Warner Bros. handling distribution, fans can expect a wide global release.
The Cast
The new cast and characters include Taku Yashiro voicing Daisuke Sasakura, Tasuku Hatanaka voicing Atsushi Nitta, Daiki Kobayashi voicing Yasunari Semba, Ayaka Saito voicing Yūko Sonobe, Maki Kawase voicing Hina Hara, Yukiyo Fuiji voicing Reina Yasumi and finally, Setsuji Satoh voicing Mamoru Sagami.
The main cast includes Junya Enoki as the 14-year-old main character, Masamune Kikuir. Reina Ueda voices Masamune’s classmate, Atsumi Sagami, and Misaki Kuno voices a mysterious girl, Itsumi.
Akimune Kikuiri, Masamune’s father, is voiced by Koji Seto. He works at a steel mill. Tokimune Kikuiri, Masamune’s uncle, is voiced by Kento Hayashi.
The Staff
Mari Okada writes and directs the film, while MAPPA produces it. Okada is accompanied by Tadashi Hiramatsu as assistant director. Yuriko Ishii is in charge of character designs and animation direction, Kazuki Higashiji is the art director and Masaru Yokoyama composes the music for the film.
Renowned singer-songwriter Miyuki Nakajima performs the theme song, “Shin-on” (Heartbeat), for Maboroshi. While Nakajima’s songs are featured on the soundtracks of various anime productions before, this marks the first time she has contributed a theme song for any anime or game.
The invitation came directly from the film’s director, Okada, who approached Nakajima personally last fall. She was hesitant, at first, due to her limited knowledge of anime and games, but Nakajima found herself captivated by Okada’s script and ultimately agreed to make a song that specifically for the film.
The Plot
Meet Masamune, a middle schooler stuck in a town where time’s at a standstill after a catastrophic explosion at a steelworks factory. No exits, no changes, just gloomy days on repeat. But things take a twist when his mysterious classmate Atsumi takes him to the forbidden fifth blast furnace to meet a wild wolf-like girl who can’t speak.
As these three collide, brace yourself for a rollercoaster of a “love impulse” that’s about to change everything. Maboroshi has all the makings of a deep, psychological film that will stick with us for years to come. Will it follow themes of Serial Experiment Lain or Heavenly Delusions? We just have to wait to find out.
