Full Trailer for Studio Ponoc’s New Fantasy Adventure ‘The Imaginary’
by Alex Billington
August 21, 2023
Source: YouTube
“Humans forget us. There’s no getting around that. There is but little time for you.” Studio Ponoc in Japan has unveiled an official trailer for their latest fantasy adventure movie called The Imaginary, their second feature after Mary and the Witch’s Flower previously (and the anthology project Modest Heroes). Based on the novel “The Imaginary” by A.F. Harrold, this was originally set to release in 2022 – we featured the first teaser trailer back in 2021. After being delayed for a few years, it’s now set for open in Japan in December 2023, and sometime in 2024 for the rest of the world. An imaginary friend must return to his creator before he is forgotten or captured by an evil man who can see imaginary friends. “Can a boy who isn’t there survive without a friend to dream him up?” The main Japanese voice cast includes Kokoro Terada, Rio Suzuki, Sakura Ando, Riisa Naka, Takayuki Yamada, Atsuko Takahata, and Issey Ogata, with an English dub voice cast being finalized as well. This looks extraordinary! Some incredible animation in here, from former Studio Ghibli animators, as well as some mesmerizing set pieces and visuals. Wow – I’m in awe.
Here’s the two official trailers (+ poster) for Yoshiyuki Momose’s The Imaginary, direct from YouTube:
Born from a young girl’s imagination, Rudger (voiced by Kokoro Terada) is a boy no one can see who lives in a world where imaginations can live – and be eaten by others. 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 Imaginary, originally known as 屋根裏のラジャー (or Yaneura no Rajā) in Japanese (which translates directly to Rajah in the Attic), is directed by the acclaimed Japanese animator / filmmaker Yoshiyuki Momose, director of the film NiNoKuni plus a few shorts, and a key animator on Porco Rosso, Whisper of the Heart, Spirited Away, Tales from Earthsea, and Ponoc’s Mary and the Witch’s Flower previously. The screenwriter credit has not been finalized. Adapted from the book ‘The Imaginary” by A.F. Harrold and Emily Gravett. Produced by Yoshiaki Nishimura. The film will open first in Japan starting on December 15th, 2023 later this year, and in theaters around the world in early 2024. How does that look? Exciting?
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