TRAILERS

Netflix Trailer for Studio Ponoc's Animated Adventure 'The Imaginary'

by Alex Billington
June 13, 2024
Source: YouTube

"There is something that imagination can never defeat." Netflix has revealed a new trailer for the animated movie The Imaginary, the second feature film by Studio Ponoc, the animation house in Japan that is pretty much the successor to Studio Ghibli. This film is even directed by one of the key animators on many Ghibli features, including Porco Rosso and Spirited Away, who has been working at Ponoc ever since Mary and the Witch's Flower. Rudger is a boy no one can see, imagined by Amanda to share her thrilling make-believe adventures. When Rudger arrives alone at "The Town of Imaginaries" – where forgotten Imaginaries live and find work – he faces a mysterious threat. Directed by renowned animator Yoshiyuki Momose, The Imaginary is an unforgettable adventure of love, loss, and the healing power of imagination. The English-language voice cast includes Louie Rudge-Buchanan, Evie Kiszel, Hayley Atwell, Sky Katz, Jeremy Swift, Kal Penn, LeVar Burton, Jane Singer, Ruby Barnhill, Roger Craig Smith, Miles Nibbe, and Courtenay Taylor. This looks remarkably similar to John Krasinski's IF movie, with the same kind of imaginary friends premise. We featured trailers last year – now Netflix is releasing it this summer to watch.

Here's the new official Netflix trailer for Yoshiyuki Momose's film The Imaginary, direct from YouTube:

You can rewatch the original Japanese trailer for Studio Ponoc's The Imaginary right here for more footage.

Studio Ponoc's The Imaginary portrays the depths of humanity and creativity through the eyes of young Amanda and her imaginary companion, Rudger. Their fantastical adventures launched in her attic, lead them to discover a magical world of creatures & places never before seen until a sinister force threatens to destroy their imaginary world and the friendship within it. The Imaginary is directed by the acclaimed Japanese animator / filmmaker Yoshiyuki Momose, director of the Modest Heroes segment "Samurai eggu", the film NiNoKuni, and Tomorrow's Leaves previously; he was also an animator on Studio Ghibli's Grave of the Fireflies, Porco Rosso, Spirited Away, and Tales from Earthsea. The screenplay is written by producer Yoshiaki Nishimura, founder of Studio Ponoc, and writer of Tomorrow's Leaves previously. Based on the novel by A.F. Harrold; illustrated by Emily Gravett. It's also produced by Nishimura. Made by Studio Ponoc in Japan. This already opened in Japanese theaters in December last year. Netflix will release The Imaginary streaming on Netflix worldwide starting on July 5th, 2024 this summer. How does that look?

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