After five years, Studio Ponoc is ready to release its new anime movie, The Imaginary. The studio company, founded by Studio Ghibli’s former lead film producer Yoshiaki Nishimura, has been hyping up the film’s release since it was first announced in December 2021. And after a year of delay, it has finally unveiled a new trailer, cast details, and its official release date.
The Imaginary is based on the award-winning novel by A.F. Harrold with illustrations by Emily Gravett, published by Bloomsbury Publishing in 2021. It became critically acclaimed, nabbing major literary awards, like the United Kingdom Literacy (UKLA) Book Award and the British Book Design and Production Award. Studio Ponoc is about to bring this story to the big screen with superb animation.
The movie’s official website has dropped major updates about The Imaginary today. It started by releasing its new trailer, featuring stunning visuals and promising epic fantasy scenes.
Of course, the preview gives a glimpse of the main characters, led by Rudger and Amanda. Later, a voice could be heard saying, “Humans forget us. There’s no getting around that. There is but little time for you. Either you simply disappear or come with me.” You can check the trailer below:
Who is in the cast of The Imaginary?
The anime’s website also announced the official cast members of The Imaginary. You can check the full list below:
Kokoro Terada as Rudger
Rio Suzuki as Amanda
Sakura Ando as Lizzie
Riisa Naka as Emily
Atsuko Takahata as Granny Downbeat
Issey Ogata as Mr. Bunting
Takayuki Yamada as Zinzan
What is The Imaginary about?
The Imaginary tells the story of Rudger, an imaginary boy that no one can see—except Amanda. Amanda created Rudger in her imagination after she lost love. But Imaginaries like him eventually disappear when humans start to forget them. However, Rudger ends at The Town of Imaginaries, where Imaginaries live together. You can read the synopsis below:
Rudger is Amanda Shuffleup's imaginary friend. Nobody else can see Rudger--until the evil Mr. Bunting arrives at Amanda's door. Mr. Bunting hunts imaginaries. Rumor has it that he even eats them. And now he's found Rudger. Soon Rudger is alone and running for his imaginary life. He needs to find Amanda before Mr. Bunting catches him--and before Amanda forgets him and he fades away to nothing. But how can an unreal boy stand alone in the real world?
When is The Imaginary’s release date?
The Imaginary was originally scheduled to be released last summer but was delayed due to production issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Thankfully, Studio Ponoc has unveiled its official release date, which will be on December 15 in Japan with the Japanese title Rudger in the Attic.
For international fans, the studio promises it’s working hard to bring the movie around the world in 2024. Based on the preview and its new story, The Imaginary will be another great movie from Studio Ponoc after Mary and the Witch’s Flower, with director Yoshiyuki Momose at the helm.
