Maboroshi

It is a 2023 Japanese Anime film. It is Mari Okada ‘s second directorial feature.It is different from the recent wave of light teen-centric anime.

It was originally titled ‘Alice & Therese’s Illusory Factory’ during it’s Japanese release. It is titled ‘Maboroshi’ with the owl clock & large eyes. In a rural Japanese town, an explosion at the local steelworks factory shatters the sky.The town gets cut off from the rest of Japan.

Seasons stop changing, people stop aging. Nothing changes till 14 year old Masamune is approached by his classmate Mutusumi, who sneaks him into the factory to help her take care of the mysterious feral girl living there.

Critics agree that it is visually impressive, thought provoking drama that uses a well worn fantasy scenario to explore the emotional pain of being an adolescent.

Very well executed. Only on Netflix.