In Maboroshi, also known as Alice and Therese’s Illusory Factory, there’s an uncanny resemblance between Mutsumi and Itsumi, leading Masamune to assume that they are related. But what is Mutsumi and Itsumi's relationship, exactly?
Spoiler Warning: This article contains spoilers from the Alice and Therese’s Illusory Factory (Maboroshi) movie.
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Who Are Mutsumi and Itsumi?
Mutsumi Sagami is Masamune Kikuiri’s middle school classmate. She is the step-daughter of Mamoru Sagami, an employee at Mifuse Steel Factory who is also from Mifuse Shrine’s hereditary Shinto priesthood.
Her mother died a little before the world changed, and she started living by herself after Mamoru kicked her out.
Apparently, the Sagami family wanted an heir, but Mamoru had no interest in women, so they chose Mutsumi’s mother, who already had a child. But in a static town like Mifuse, Mamoru no longer needs an heir.
On the other hand, Itsumi is the feral girl whom Masamune Kikuiri named after Mutsumi.
She acts like a wolf, not being able to speak or express her emotions properly, unlike other children.
She has been locked in the 5th blast furnace within the steel factory, with Mutsumi acting as her caretaker.
At first, Mutsumi was afraid to get involved with Itsumi, for fear that she would get attached to her, but she eventually gave in to her real feelings.
In Mifuse, only Itsumi is different. She has an unusual odor, but most importantly, she's the only one who’s changing and growing, much to Masamune’s surprise.
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So, Are Mutsumi and Itsumi Related in Maboroshi?
Yes, Mutsumi Sagami and Itsumi are related in Maboroshi, which explains their uncanny resemblance. They have similar features, which could make anyone think that they are siblings or close relatives.
When the cracks in the sky got bigger and reality could be seen indoors, Masamune discovered that Itsumi was actually his daughter with Mutsumi.
They are husband and wife in the real world, but they are mourning the loss of their daughter.
Itsumi’s real name is Saki Kikuiri, and she has been missing in the real world after being spirited away to the abnormal town of Mifuse.
However, the Mutsumi in the real world doesn’t acknowledge that Saki is her child. She believes that the Mutsumi in the static town is completely different from her.
If she were truly Itsumi’s mother, she wouldn’t have locked Itsumi in the blast furnace and left her suffering for years.
Still, Mutsumi believes that the real Mutsumi is kind and has always been waiting for Itsumi to return.
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