Studio Ponoc has released a new trailer for its upcoming fantasy film, The Imaginary.
As detailed on Anime News Network, the film is an adaptation of the 2014 children’s novel of the same name by AF Harrold and Emily Gravett. The trailer introduces an animation style reminiscent of Ponoc’s legendary predecessor, Studio Ghibli. A bunch of new actors have also been revealed; Kokoro Terada, who previously played Selim Bradley in the Fullmetal Alchemist live-action series, will play Rudger. Rio Suzuki, who played Dororo in the manga adaptation of Osamu Tezuka’s popular manga series in 2019, will play Amanda. The Imaginary’s Japanese theatrical premiere is scheduled for December 15.
While Ponoc revealed a brief trailer for The Imaginary in 2021, this latest trailer digs deeper into the film’s premise. As an “Imagine”, young Rudger lives invisible and unheard of alongside most humans, except for his creator, Amanda. However, the threat of being forgotten and disappeared from the world constantly stalks him. One day, he is approached by a mysterious figure and given an ultimatum – either stay in Amanda’s world and disappear, or go with him and survive.
Yoshiyuki Momose (Tomorrow’s Leaves and Ni no Kuni) is directing The Imaginary. Ponoc founder and former Ghibli chief film producer Yoshiaki Nishimura will produce the film. Kenichi Konishi, who served as Principal Animator for Princess Mononoke and Ponyo on a Cliff by the Sea, is currently serving as The Imaginary’s Animation Director and Character Designer. Additional cast includes Sakura Ando as Lizzie, Takayuki Yamada (Dragon Quest: Your Story) as Jinzan and Issey Ogata (Phoenix: Eden17) as Mr.
Ponoc has released a number of popular works since its founding in 2015. The studio’s debut film, Mary and the Witch’s Flower, tells the story of a young girl who is drawn to a magical world on back of an enchanted broom. During its theatrical run, the film earned about $42.2 million in worldwide box office, with $3.9 million of that total coming from its opening weekend in Japan. Ponoc’s last major release, Modest Heroes, is an anthology film consisting of three different stories by Akihiko Yamashita (Tales From Earthsea, When Marnie Was There), Hiromasa Yonebayashi (The Secret World of Arriety), and Yoshiyuki Momose. The film premiered in Japan on August 14, 2018.
The Imaginary will be released in Japan on December 15. It is unknown when the film will have its international release.
Source: Youtube and Anime News Network