The Imaginary (Japanese: 屋根裏のラジャー, Hepburn: Yaneura no Rajā, lit. 'Rudger in the Attic') is a 2023 Japanese animated fantasy film directed by Yoshiyuki Momose from a screenplay written by Yoshiaki Nishimura, who also produced the film, and animated by Studio Ponoc. Based on A.F. Harrold's 2014 novel of the same name, it is Studio Ponoc's first full-length animated film since Mary and the Witch's Flower (2017).[3][4][5] The Japanese voice cast includes Kokoro Terada, Rio Suzuki, Sakura Ando, Riisa Naka, Takayuki Yamada, Atsuko Takahata and Issey Ogata. The narrative focuses on Rudger, a boy who is one of the invisible entities known as Imaginaries, created by a girl named Amanda who is coping with emotional loss.
The Imaginary | |||||
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![]() Theatrical release poster | |||||
Japanese name | |||||
Kanji | 屋根裏のラジャー | ||||
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Directed by | Yoshiyuki Momose | ||||
Screenplay by | Yoshiaki Nishimura | ||||
Based on | The Imaginary by A.F. Harrold | ||||
Produced by | Yoshiaki Nishimura | ||||
Starring | |||||
Cinematography | Susumu Fukushi | ||||
Edited by | Toshihiko Kojima | ||||
Music by |
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Production company | |||||
Distributed by | Toho | ||||
Release date |
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Running time | 105 minutes[1] | ||||
Country | Japan | ||||
Language | Japanese | ||||
Box office | $478,300[2] |
The Imaginary is produced with hand-drawn animation. It was originally scheduled to be released between June and August 2022,[6] but it was postponed due to production delays.[7][8][9][10] It was theatrically released in Japan on December 15, 2023,[6] and was released worldwide by Netflix on July 5, 2024.[11] It received positive reviews from critics, who praised its animation, themes, screenplay and visuals.
Synopsis
editIn a world where imaginations can live, Rudger, an Imaginary boy, can be seen by no one but his creator, a young girl named Amanda. Their shared existence is confined to the attic of Amanda's residence, where they delve into her vibrant imagination. However, Imaginaries are subject to an inexorable fate: dissolution with human forgetfulness. Baffled by this eventuality, Rudger clings to a glimmer of hope, embarking on an inconspicuous odyssey after Mr. Bunting, who hunts and eats Imaginaries, arrives at Amanda's doorstep. His journey leads him to the enclave referred to as "the town of Imaginaries", a sanctuary for forgotten Imaginaries. This encounter initiates a monumental voyage that steers the course of familial bonds and cherished connections, shaping their forthcoming trajectories.
Voice cast
editCharacter | Japanese voice[12] | English voice[12] |
---|---|---|
Rudger | Kokoro Terada | Louie Rudge-Buchanan |
Amanda Shuffleup | Rio Suzuki | Evie Kiszel |
Elizabeth "Lizzie" Shuffleup | Sakura Ando | Hayley Atwell |
Emily | Riisa Naka | Sky Katz |
Jinzan | Takayuki Yamada | Kal Penn |
Fridge (Reizōko)/The Old Dog | Akira Terao | LeVar Burton |
Downbeat Grandma | Atsuko Takahata | Jane Singer |
Mr. Bunting | Issey Ogata | Jeremy Swift |
Aurora | Hana Sugisaki | Ruby Barnhill |
Snowflake (Koyuki) | Mitsuaki Kanuka | Roger Craig Smith |
Cruncher-of-Bones | Teiya Ichiryusai | Courtenay Taylor |
Release
editBox office
editThe film grossed 68,169,730 yen (about US$478,300) in its first three days.[2]
Home media and streaming
editJapan
editThe film was released on DVD, Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD on May 15, 2024, by Walt Disney Japan.[13]
Overseas
editOn January 25, 2024, Netflix announced that they had acquired worldwide streaming rights to the film, which was being added to the platform later in the year. The deal also included global streaming rights to the studio's future feature projects.[14] In April, Netflix announced that the film will premiere on July 5 on the platform.[15] The film received a limited theatrical run on June 28, 2024.[16]
Reception
editOn Rotten Tomatoes, 91% of 80 critics gave the film a positive review, with an average rating of 7.4/10. The consensus on the website states, "A visually splendid and emotionally resonant anime film that appeals to the child in everyone, The Imaginary is a flight of fancy that audiences won't mind getting swept up in."[16] Based on 18 critics on Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 66 out of 100, indicating that it received generally positive reviews.[17]
References
edit- ^ "English Press Release" (PDF). STUDIO PONOC(スタジオポノック). Retrieved August 24, 2023.
- ^ a b "The Imaginary Anime Film Opens at #9". Anime News Network. December 21, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
- ^ "スタジオポノック新作「屋根裏のラジャー」夏に公開、主人公は誰にも見えない少年(動画あり)". 映画ナタリー (in Japanese). Natalie. December 8, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
- ^ "スタジオポノック5年ぶり長編アニメ映画「屋根裏のラジャー」来夏公開 監督は百瀬義行". アニメハック (in Japanese). December 8, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
- ^ "スタジオポノック最新作『屋根裏のラジャー』公開! 主人公は"誰にも見えない"少年". cinemacafe.net (in Japanese). December 8, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
- ^ a b "News". The Imaginary. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
- ^ "Studio Ponoc Unveils The Imaginary Anime Film Based on A.F. Harrold's Novel". Anime News Network. December 7, 2021. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
- ^ "Studio Ponoc's The Imaginary Film Delayed From Summer Release". Anime News Network. March 2, 2022. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
- ^ "Studio Ponoc's The Imaginary Film Opens in Winter 2023". Anime News Network. December 13, 2022. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
- ^ "Studio Ponoc's The Imaginary Film Opens in Japan on December 15". Anime News Network. July 14, 2023. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
- ^ "The Imaginary Invites You Into a Fantastic New World".
- ^ a b Loo, Egan (June 6, 2024). "Hayley Atwell, LeVar Burton, Kal Penn Star in English Dub for Ponoc's The Imaginary Film". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
- ^ "屋根裏のラジャー|ディズニー公式".
- ^ Mateo, Alex (January 25, 2024). "Netflix Acquires Global Streaming Rights for Studio Ponoc's The Imaginary Anime Film". Anime News Network. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ^ Milligan, Mercedes (April 24, 2024). "Netflix Drops New Image, Release Date for Studio Ponoc's 'The Imaginary'". Animation Magazine. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
- ^ a b "The Imaginary". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
- ^ "The Imaginary". Metacritic. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
External links
edit- The Imaginary on Netflix
- The Imaginary at IMDb
- The Imaginary (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia