The Imaginary (film)

Not to be confused with Imaginary (film).

The Imaginary
Theatrical release poster
Japanese name
Kanji屋根裏のラジャー
Transcriptions
Revised HepburnYaneura no Rajā
Directed byYoshiyuki Momose
Screenplay byYoshiaki Nishimura
Based onThe Imaginary
by A.F. Harrold
Produced byYoshiaki Nishimura
Starring
CinematographySusumu Fukushi
Edited byToshihiko Kojima
Music by
  • Kenji Tamai
  • Agehasprings
Production
company
Distributed byToho
Release date
  • December 15, 2023 (2023-12-15)
Running time
105 minutes[1]
CountryJapan
LanguageJapanese
Box office$478,300[2]

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 follows Rudger, an Imaginary, who spends his days delving into adventures crafted by his creator, Amanda. After a terrible accident separates them, Rudger is forced to confront an inexorable fate to which all Imaginaries are subject: dissolution with human forgetfulness.

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.

  1. ^ "English Press Release" (PDF). STUDIO PONOC（スタジオポノック）. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference opening was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "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.
  4. ^ "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.
  5. ^ "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.
  6. ^ a b "News". The Imaginary. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  7. ^ "Studio Ponoc Unveils The Imaginary Anime Film Based on A.F. Harrold's Novel". Anime News Network. December 7, 2021. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
  8. ^ "Studio Ponoc's The Imaginary Film Delayed From Summer Release". Anime News Network. March 2, 2022. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  9. ^ "Studio Ponoc's The Imaginary Film Opens in Winter 2023". Anime News Network. December 13, 2022. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
  10. ^ "Studio Ponoc's The Imaginary Film Opens in Japan on December 15". Anime News Network. July 14, 2023. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  11. ^ "The Imaginary Invites You Into a Fantastic New World". Netflix.