The Imaginary is a 2024 animated fantasy from Studio Ponoc, not a Studio Ghibli film. It may appeal to Ghibli fans because director Yoshiyuki Momose worked on Spirited Away, but the film has its own studio, source material and story. Netflix released it in the United States on July 5, 2024.
What is The Imaginary about?
Amanda shares make-believe adventures with Rudger, the imaginary boy only she can see. When the two become separated, Rudger finds his way to the Town of Imaginaries, a place where forgotten imaginary companions live and work. There, he faces a mysterious threat.
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Netflix describes the film as a story about love, loss, creativity and imagination. Its premise uses fantasy to explore what happens to imaginary companions when the children who created them grow up or forget them.
Why might it appeal to Studio Ghibli fans?
The comparison has a specific creative connection: director Yoshiyuki Momose worked on Spirited Away. Netflix describes The Imaginary as hand-drawn animation and highlights its use of light and shadow. Those elements, alongside its imaginative world, may interest viewers drawn to animated fantasy and the creative lineage around Momose’s earlier work.
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That connection does not make the film a Ghibli production or establish that it is equivalent to one. The Imaginary was made by Studio Ponoc, a separate studio. A useful comparison is therefore about creative personnel, visual approach and themes—not studio identity.
Who made the film, and when did it arrive on Netflix?
Yoshiyuki Momose directed the film, and Yoshiaki Nishimura produced it. Netflix identifies Studio Ponoc as the studio and Japan as the country of origin. Netflix’s U.S. media page lists the streaming release as July 5, 2024, at 7:00 a.m. GMT; select U.S. theatrical screenings began June 28, 2024. The title is no longer a new release, and availability may vary by territory and date.
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Netflix announced a multi-film partnership with Studio Ponoc in January 2024, naming Netflix as the exclusive streaming home for upcoming Ponoc films. The Imaginary was the first film named under that arrangement.
Is The Imaginary based on a book?
Yes. It is based on The Imaginary, a novel by A.F. Harrold, illustrated by Emily Gravett and published by Bloomsbury. The novel is a useful optional next step for readers who want to compare the adaptation with its source, but the film and book should not be assumed to be identical. Check the edition and local listing before buying.
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How long is it, and what is its rating?
Netflix Tudum lists a runtime of 1 hour 47 minutes and a PG rating. That rating is Netflix’s listing; classification systems can differ between territories.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How much animation went into it?
Producer and screenwriter Yoshiaki Nishimura told the Academy that the production involved around 140,000 drawings. This is an attributed production estimate, not an independently audited count. In a Netflix Tudum statement, Nishimura described Rudger as “neither human nor animal” and said the filmmakers wanted to be true to their own stories and belief in “outrageous and wild fantasy.”
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