New Netflix Anime Already Looks Better Than Ryan Reynolds Blockbuster
This year has already seen the arrival of two feature-length films based around imagination in the supernatural horror-flick, Imaginary, directed by Jeff Wadlow, and the recently released comedy family film, IF, helmed by John Krasinski. So, naturally, Netflix is answering the call as they prepare to release Studio Ponoc’s The Imaginary. Originally released in Japan at the end of last year, the anime feature arrives on Netflix on July 5 with a voice cast brimming with recognizable Hollywood names.
See the trailer for yourself.
Included in the call sheet for The Imaginary are Hayley Atwell (Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One), Kal Penn (Smile), LeVar Burton (Star Trek: The Next Generation), Colleen O’Shaughnessey (Sonic the Hedgehog), and Jane Singer (Batman: The Brave and the Bold), with up-and-coming actors, Louie Rudge-Buchanan and Evie Kiszel voicing the two leading characters.
The movie centers on a young girl named Amanda (Evie Kiszel), who has an imaginary best friend named Rudger (Louie Rudge-Buchanan).
To celebrate the film’s impending arrival, Netflix also paired a trailer with The Imaginary’s release and casting announcement that paints a vibrantly colorful picture of the adventure that audiences can plan to set out on in early July. The movie centers on a young girl named Amanda (Evie Kiszel), who has an imaginary best friend named Rudger (Louie Rudge-Buchanan). Although the blonde boy is very much real to her, no one else in Amanda’s life can see him, so they brush off his existence as childhood naivety.
Tucked away from all the adults who doubt his existence, Rudger has the time of his life in the attic of Amanda’s family home, where the pair spend every day playing and visiting faraway places. One day, they stumble upon a fantasy land filled with imaginary creatures and friends who have been long forgotten by the children who brought them to life. With little time left before they vanish completely, the residents of The Imaginary town have close to no hope left until Rudger and Amanda come crashing into their lives.
The Imaginary, which serves as an adaptation of the book by A.F. Harrold, hails from Studio Ponoc.
The Imaginary, which serves as an adaptation of the book by A.F. Harrold, hails from Studio Ponoc. Many fans of the world-renowned Studio Ghibli will recognize the name of the production’s director as Yoshiyuki Momose has been the visionary standing behind numerous projects from the studio including iconic titles such as Grave of the Fireflies, Whisper of the Heart, and Spirited Away.
Equally as notable is The Imaginary’s writer, Yoshiaki Nishimura, who also has ties to Studio Ghibli as he was previously the studio’s lead film producer. Breaking out on his own, Nishimura founded Studio Ponoc in 2015 with The Imaginary being the sophomore feature-length production to come from the nearly 10-year-old company. An Academy Award-winning creative, there’s no doubt that Nishimura’s newest movie will be another hit with anime lovers everywhere.
Tucked away from all the adults who doubt his existence, Rudger has the time of his life in the attic of Amanda’s family home, where the pair spend every day playing and visiting faraway places.
Because the style is bold and colorful, it’s easy for a lot of adults to write off anime as a genre only for children. But as is the case with movies like the recently released Pixar and Disney feature, Inside Out 2, there’s plenty of depth and heavy themes to be found in movies like The Imaginary. Find out for yourself when the movie believes itself onto Netflix on July 5.
