The Imaginary, the latest film from Studio Ponoc, has revealed the first trailer and main cast information. The film will be released in Japan on December 15. Yoshiyuki Momose, known for his work with Studio Ghibli, directed the film. The cast includes:
- Kokoro Terada as Ruger
- Ryo 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. Originally published in 2015, the novel follows a girl, Amanda, and her imaginary friend. Bloomsbury published the book with illustrations by Emily Gravett and described the plot as:
Ruger is Amanda’s best friend. He doesn’t exist, but no one is perfect.
Only Amanda can see her imaginary friend – until the sinister Mr. Bunting arrives at Amanda’s door. Mr. Banting hunts imaginary thoughts. Rumor has it that he eats them. And he has sniffed out Ruger. Soon Ruger is alone and on the run for his imaginary life. But can a boy who isn’t there survive without a friend to dream him?
This is Studio Ponoc’s first feature film of 2018 Humble characters. Their first film, Mary and the Witch’s Flower released in 2015. In 2021, they created a short 8-minute film titled Tomorrow’s leaves.
source: Official site
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