Ghibli Alum Brings All-Ages Anime 'The Imaginary' to Netflix
![Ghibli Alum Brings All-Ages Anime 'The Imaginary' to Netflix](/content/images/size/w1200/2024/06/fa008f53-b3e3-4a94-b6b6-4a9d01e31439.png)
"The Imaginary," an animated film from Japan's Studio Ponoc, is set to premiere on Netflix on July 5. Directed by Yoshiyuki Momose and produced by Yoshiaki Nishimura, the film is based on a 2014 children's book by British author A. F. Harrold. The story follows a young girl named Amanda and her imaginary friend, Rudger, as they embark on magical adventures.
Studio Ponoc, known as the successor to Studio Ghibli, features veterans from the acclaimed animation house. The English-language voice cast includes Hayley Atwell, Kal Penn, Jeremy Swift, Ruby Barnhill, and LeVar Burton. Nishimura, speaking at the Annecy Animation Festival, emphasized the studio's vision of creating animation that resonates with both children and adults, reflecting the broader audience demographic in Japan.
The film showcases the signature hand-drawn animation style associated with Studio Ghibli, enhanced with innovative techniques of light and shadow. Netflix has released a trailer highlighting the film's fantastical elements and the emotional depth of the characters, promising a visually captivating experience.