Netflix has shared the release date for The Imaginary, the latest film by Studio Ponoc, an anime film studio famously founded by Studio Ghibli alumni, most notably Hiromasa Yonebayashi of When Marnie Was There fame. This is their first feature film since their debut film, Mary and the Witch’s Flower, and promotional material suggests that the film will be just as gorgeous as their previous work, including their work with Studio Ghibli.
There’s a lot to be excited about with The Imaginary, and it finally has a confirmed English release date. After being previously announced for streaming on Netflix with no release date, it’s now been announced that Studio Ponoc’s The Imaginary will officially come to Netflix on July 5 with plans for giving it an Oscar-qualifying run.
It’s not that quick of a turnaround from its Japanese release in December 2023, but considering how great the film looks, it should be well worth the wait.
Studio Ponoc’s The Imaginary is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by A.F. Harrold. The story revolves around Rudger, an imaginary friend being forced to grapple with the reality that he’ll disappear once he’s forgotten by his creator, Amanda. Rudger’s journey of self-preservation eventually leads him to the Town of Imaginaries, a sanctuary for forgotten imaginary friends, but he’ll be quick to learn that even that won’t be enough to preserve his relationship with Amanda.
Studio Ponoc’s The Imaginary is only a few months away from release, and there are several reasons why it could be big. For starters, Studio Ponoc’s The Imaginary looks to be just as good as any Studio Ghibli film on a technical level, the trailers showing not only gorgeous art and animation, but an impeccable direction to complement it, as well. The director, Yoshiyuki Momose, was an animator for Studio Ghibli as far back as Grave of the Fireflies, so their knowing how to create something visually gorgeous should go without saying.
What’s likely to sell the film even more than the visuals, however, is the story. Studio Ponoc’s The Imaginary is looking to be a gripping story about friendship and mortality, and based on the staff’s work with Studio Ghibli and other films, it’s sure to have the execution to live up to the depth of its story. These factors and others set up The Imaginary as a great film from Studio Ghibli’s alumni, and it will hopefully live up to all of that when it releases in English on Netflix on July 5.
Source: Anime News Network.