The Imaginary trailer for Studio Ponoc’s forthcoming fantasy anime movie has been released. The film is based on the A.F. Harrold and Emily Gravett’s bestselling novel of the same name. It will have its world premiere on December 15 in Japanese theaters, followed by its global theatrical release in 2024.
The video welcomes the audience to a magical world where people’s imaginations reside. It introduces Rudger, an imaginary boy who must embark on an adventure to find his way back to his creator before he gets truly lost and forgotten.
Check out The Imaginary trailer below (watch more trailers):
What to Expect in The Imaginary?
The Imaginary is directed by Yoshiyuki Momose, who was part of the animation teams for some of the most popular anime features including Grave of the Fireflies, Spirited Away, Whisper of the Heart, and Porco Rosso. The film’s voice cast includes Kokoro Terada, Rio Suzuki, Sakura Ando, Riisa Naka, Takayuki Yamada, Atsuko Takahata and Issey Ogata.
“Born from a young girl’s imagination, Rudger is a boy no one can see who lives in a world where imaginations can live and be eaten by others,” reads the synopsis. “The Imaginary is an extraordinarily touching and beautiful hand-drawn fantasy film in which Rudger and his new friends in ‘The Town of The Imaginaries’ embark on an adventure no one can see at the risk of the futures and fates of those they love.”
The film is produced by former Studio Ghibli producer Yoshiaki Nishimura. The project hails from Studio Ponoc, the Japanese animation studio behind the anime films Mary and the Witch’s Flower and Modest Heroes.