Written by Mari Okada

January 22nd and 23rd: “The train came out of the long tunnel into the snow country” (by Y. Kawabata). But we didn’t need to get through the tunnel, because the whole place was already covered with snow.
The nationwide private preview tour for Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms has begun.

Black roof tiles look like solemn ink paintings against the white mountain peaks.
Toyama, the home of true tears, and the first loves of Noe, Hiromi, and Aiko…
It’s a lively city, with plenty of history.
Kanazawa, where Ohana and friends followed their dreams, learning about tradition in the TV-anime Hanasaku Iroha…
…it sounds like I’m writing a travel guide.
Anyway.
The screening tour started in Toyama and Kanazawa, which are places important to P.A. WORKS and myself.

We hope everyone enjoys Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms.
The entire staff has worked very hard for this day.
So I have to take charge and represent the feelings of the entire staff…
but my nerves are catching up to me, and my stomach is doing flips.

But when it’s time to get on stage to talk, all that nervousness goes away!
…sorry, that’s an exaggeration. I was nervous, but luckily, I was much happier.
Everyone who came to the previews welcomed us warmly.
Everyone also had very kind thoughts about the movie.
Even though I have been somewhat excited from the beginning, now I feel like I’m going to lose my mind…!
Thanks to everyone who came out even in the face of bad weather.
Every single one of your words are like treasure to me.

I came to like my mother very much.

Mother and child, always getting along.

Next is Sendai, and then Hokkaido.
To everyone who will be attending, it is expected to be very cold on those days, so please stay warm!
I’m looking forward to seeing everyone.