Written by Mari Okada

Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms was finished through the process of color grading. All the color balance is finalized, cut by cut. Through that work, you can really feel the passion of the staff in every little corner of every scene. Even though we’ve seen these pictures at each stage of the production, nevertheless seeing the completed version is overwhelming. We were blessed to have an amazing staff on this project.

The person we have to thank for putting together this amazing team is line producer and P.A. WORKS CEO Horikawa. There were a lot of people who joined the project because Horikawa was line producer. When he was checking the ending credits, he said to take a picture of him the moment “Director: Mari Okada” came up on the screen, so he continued waiting on the side of the screen. Watching his serious profile, I felt many things.

P.A. WORKS is based in Toyama. Horikawa’s office was in the Tokyo office until now, but with this as his last project, he will go back to the head office to focus on his duties as CEO.

Thinking about Horikawa, I remember always making him angry, ever since true tears. That’s why I wanted him as line producer on this film. I was going to be directing, and there were so many things I didn’t know, so I wanted someone there who could set me straight. And, just as I hoped, I upset him a lot. I could feel his earnestness, and though I took the heat, I stood up straight and knew I had to do it right. Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms ended up a simple, conscientious, honest movie. And I think that’s all thanks to P.A., and especially Horikawa.

Right around the same time that production finished, Horikawa got a Shiba Inu and named it Koshimaru. After color-grading, when I was sad about being away from Horikawa and the staff, he would talk excitedly about the plans he had with Koshimaru… “I’m going to take him for walks along the rice fields every morning!” Come on, at least feel a little sad about having to say goodbye! But… oh, well, Koshimaru is just too cute.

I hope Horikawa always stays excited.
I’m counting on you, Koshimaru!

Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms finally comes out tomorrow. We hope you will go on the journey with Maquia, Ariel, and the others, even as we let them go to run off on their own!