
The hand-drawn animation film The Imaginary from the Japan-based Studio Ponoc has an OTT release date. Netflix will start streaming from July 5 onwards. It is part of an agreement between Studio Ponoc and Netflix that was made this January. The makers are planning to run the film theatrically for a period of time that will qualify it for the Academy Awards. The Annecy International Animation Film Festival will also screen the film, with direction by Yoshiyuki Momose and illustration by Emily Gravett.
It is an adaptation of AF Harrold's novel The Imaginary and is called a fantasy film "portraying the depths of humanity and creativity through the eyes of young Amanda and her imaginary companion, Rudger. Their fantastical adventures launched from her attic, lead them to discover a magical world of creatures and places never before seen until a sinister force threatens to destroy their imaginary world and the friendship within it."
Its voice cast includes Kokora Terada, Rio Suzuki, Sakura Ando, Riisa Naka, Hana Sugisaki, Takayuki Yamada, Atsuko Takahata, Akira Terao, and Issey Ogata.