Maboroshi ending explained: Who is Itsumi?

MAPPA’s Maboroshi anime movie has finally arrived on Netflix – so, here’s a breakdown of the film’s ending.

Coming from critically acclaimed author Mari Okada, Maboroshi is an original anime film that was released in Japan in September 2023. Since then, the International fanbase has been waiting for the film’s Netflix release.

Well, first of all, Maboroshi is produced by the powerhouse animation studio MAPPA, which has gathered next-level popularity over the years. That’s because it has blessed us with several classics, including Jujutsu Kaisen and Attack on Titan Final Season.

Maboroshi follows a love story narrative with several complexities that can send you into a tizzy with its mind-bending twists and turns. But there’s no reason to fret because we are here to explain everything about the film’s complex yet intriguing plot.

Maboroshi: Who is Itsumi, and where did she come from?

MAPPA

The girl who was kept as a captive in the steel factory turns out to be the daughter of Masamune and Mutsumi in an alternate reality. One day, when she goes to an amusement park with her parents, she is mysteriously teleported to the time-frozen world of Mifuse. In the alternate world where things don’t change, the little girl is found by the Sagami and Aki, the fathers of Mutsumi and Masamune, respectively.

The girl arrives at the phantom world of Mifuse on a sacred train that can send Itsumi back to reality. However, after a brief discussion, Sagami convinces Aki that the little girl has been chosen by the gods to protect their world. Hence, she was held as a hostage in the steel factory for years, and Mutsumi was chosen as her caretaker.

Why doesn’t Itsumi want to return to reality?

MAPPA

Since the very beginning, Itsumi appears as someone who has grown physically but not mentally. That’s because the timeline she comes from sees her as a toddler. When she shows up in the time-frozen town, she remains unaffected. However, even if her physical appearance keeps changing, she doesn’t get any mentor to help her with the mental aspects. She was forced to live in captivity for several years, and she wasn’t permitted to leave the premises of the factory. So, it’s evident that she does not get the training to act like someone her age.

Initially, Itsumi is exposed to Mutsumi, and one day, when the latter brings Masamune to help her, the former feels a connection with him. For years, Mutsumi maintained a distance from Itsumi as when she first met her, she saw the label on the little girl’s bag. Mutsumi felt a connection with Itsumi, so she never wanted to get attached to the girl. However, Itsumi built a strong bond with teen Mutsumi and Masamune, and this became a reason for her to deny going back to her real parents.

Does Itsumi escape the phantom world?

MAPPA

Since the day Masamune realized that Itsumi did not belong to his world, he decided to send her back to the real world. Mifuse was destroyed in the explosion that happened in the steel factory long ago. However, the people of the town learned that they were dead when Itsumi showed the world beyond the cracked skies to Masamune.

One day, Masamune gets a letter that his father had left for him before abandoning his family. In the letter, he reveals everything from the day he found Itsumi to the day he and Sagami decided to imprison the little girl in their world. Masamune also learns about the train that can take Itsumi back.

The path was going to be difficult as he had to face Sagami, who could go to any limit to stop Itsumi. However, he doesn’t give up, and with the help of Mutsumi, he sends Itsumi back to the place where she belongs.