The Imaginary, the latest movie from Studio Ponoc, revealed the first trailer and main cast information. The movie will open in Japan on December 15. Yoshiyuki Momose, known for his work with Studio Ghibli, is directing the movie. The cast includes:
- Kokoro Terada as Rudger
- Rio Suzuki as Amanda
- Sakura Ando as Lizzie
- Riisa Naka as Emily
- Atsuko Takahata as Granny Downbeat
- Issey Ogata as Mr. Bunting
- Takayuki Yamada as Zinzan
The Imaginary is based on a children’s novel by A. F. Harrold. Initially published in 2015, the novel follows a girl Amanda and her imaginary friend. Bloomsbury published the book with Emily Gravett’s illustrations and describes the plot as:
Rudger is Amanda’s best friend. He doesn’t exist, but nobody’s perfect.
Only Amanda can see her imaginary friend – until the sinister Mr Bunting arrives at Amanda’s door. Mr Bunting hunts imaginaries. Rumour says that he eats them. And he’s sniffed out Rudger. Soon Rudger is alone, and running for his imaginary life. But can a boy who isn’t there survive without a friend to dream him up?
This is Studio Ponoc’s first feature-length film since the 2018 Modest Heroes. Their first movie, Mary and the Witch’s Flower came out in 2015. In 2021 they created a short 8-minute film, titled Tomorrow’s Leaves.
Source: Official Website
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