Studio Ponoc, the animation studio formed by former Studio Ghibli staff, announces its first film since Mary and The Witch's Flower.
Known in Japan as Yaneura no Rudger (Rudger in the Attic), The Imaginary is based on A. F. Harrold's 2015 children's novel. The story follows Rudger, the imaginary friend of Amanda Shuffleup, who lives an odd life since no one but Amanda can see him. However, when Mr. Bunting appears, Rudger's life changes forever as he is forced to go on the run to avoid getting eaten by the sinister figure. Studio Ponoc released the first teaser trailer for the movie, giving viewers a preview of the film's colorful, dreamlike animation.
Animation industry veteran Yoshiyuki Momose is attached to direct The Imaginary. He previously worked as the character designer and animation director on multiple installments in Bandai Namco's Ni no Kuni role-playing video game franchise. He was also a primary animator for many of Studio Ghibli's feature films, including 1991's Only Yesterday, 1992's Porco Rosso, 1994's Pom Poko, 1997's Princess Mononoke and 2001's Spirited Away.
In a statement translated by Crunchyroll, Momose explained the difficulties in translating Harold's work to film, saying "It is a very difficult task to materialize "imagination." While it is a high hurdle to show "something that has never been seen before" in a film, that is why I find it interesting as an animation expression, and I'm making this film with a sense of challenge." The director continued, "Rudger and his friends who live in the 'Imaginary Town' are innocent, pure, and ephemeral. Rather than portraying the world from the perspective of these imaginaries with a sense of stagnation, I would like to make a film filled with rich feelings and a sense of liberation that will give us the strength to live in this age."
The Imaginary isn't the only anime film scheduled to premiere next year: Scherzo of a Dark Dusk, the second movie in the Sword Art Online the Movie - Progressive series, and Netflix's original film Bubble, which features Attack of Titan's director, Madoka Magica's writer and the Death Note manga's lead artist as part of its creative team, will both make their debuts in 2022.
Studio Ponoc's The Imaginary will hit theaters in Japan next summer. It is currently unknown when the film will receive an international release.
Source: Crunchyroll, YouTube
