The Imaginary (2023)
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Why watch this film?
The Imaginary is a Japanese film featuring hand-drawn animation by Studio Ponoc, founded by producer and screenwriter Yoshiaki Nishimura (known for Mary and The Witch's Flower) after leaving Studio Ghibli following the production of The Secret World of Arrietty. The plot follows Rudger, a boy imagined by a girl named Amanda. One day, Rudger gets lost and ends up in the City of Imaginaries, home to all the imaginary friends who are being forgotten by their children. Meanwhile, Amanda embarks on an adventure to find him. It is a beautiful story about the loss of innocence to reality and the power of imagination, which also stands out for its hand-drawn animation. Conceptually, it resembles its Hollywood contemporary IF, though truth be told, this film is more imaginative and coherent. A must-watch, especially if you are a fan of Japanese animation and are interested in discovering new names—and studios—dedicated to it.
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Plot summary
Rudger, a made-up friend, gets separated from his best friend Amanda and must team up with lost Imaginaries to get back to her before he fades away.
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