Film Review: ‘The Imaginary’ is a Beautiful Animated Tale of Childhood Whimsy

Over the holiday weekend, The Imaginary was released on Netflix. The animated fantasy movie is the latest from Studio Ponoc, a studio formed by Academy Award-nominated producer (and writer of The Imaginary) Yoshiaki Nishimura. Directed by Yoshiyuki Momose, the story is the young company’s second feature and third title overall, and it crystallizes the house as a quality maker of films. Every aspect of the hand-drawn film is enchanting, from animation to music and the timeless tale it brings to life.

Adapted from a story by A.F. Harrold, The Imaginary is the story of Amanda and her imaginary friend, Rudger. They live somewhere in England and go on all sorts of adventures, only limited by what Amanda can conjure up with her mind. One day, they might face scary giant birds, and another day, it might be a visit to a castle in the sky. But they’re always together. And they’ve promised each other to always stick together in a sweet bond befitting childhood innocence.

Amanda lives with her mom, and they own a bookshop that’s going out of business. Her dad passed away years before, so it’s just them. Amanda’s mom loves her daughter deeply, but is burdened by the typical worries and concerns that adults often have and try to shield children from. Not long into the movie, things start to change for Amanda and Rudger and their whimsical world after a chance encounter on a rainy day. A man named Bunting (who we later learn has lived for hundreds of years) has sniffed out her vibrant imagination. He’ll stop at nothing to consume it, and pushy his tactics leave Amanda and Rudger separated. Amanda is hurt (or worse – we don’t know for much of the film), and things get a little less vibrant for Rudger as he starts to fade away because someone isn’t there to imagine him.

Thanks to a mangy cat who literally opens a door to a new magical world, Rudger is brought a place where imaginaries who have been forgotten thrive. It’s a colorful and gorgeous place, where one’s limits feel even more nonexistent than in Amanda’s imagination. Imaginaries can stay in this place as long as they work, helping kids explore their imaginations, maybe even someday becoming more than one day friends. But Rudger won’t forget Amanda or their bond, especially with the danger of the mysterious Bunting and the villain’s own dark imaginary. He holds onto his hope. Rudger goes on a quest to find out what happened to Amanda and what results is a story is full adventure where the stakes are existential. It’s an exciting and fun watch.

Visually, this film is simply stunning. Director Yoshiyuki Momose skillfully navigates a world of possibility, blending story and art. Through the world on screen, we get a sense of the world at large and the human (and imaginary!) stories within. The animation is beautiful and creative and there is a certain poetry to it. It’s hand-drawn, and the detailed craftsmanship with light and shadows in each frame really helps you feel like you’re in this magical world. There are gorgeous scenes in the town of Imaginaries, where the skyline is full of stars and grand buildings that make you want to pause and just appreciate the beauty. Amanda’s secret library is also quite stunning and could be straight out of a storybook.

The score to The Imaginary, from Kenji Tamai through aghesprings, is beautiful and befitting an animated story where the limits are imagination. The main theme is especially a standout. The opening notes of the piano to this, followed by grand orchestral notes, immediately cue the sense of wonder and wistfulness that permeates childhood. And the rest of the score, too, playfully synchronizes with the onscreen animated world, jumping styles and genres to match the worlds of both make-believe and also reality. If you’re a Kubrick fan, there’s a song that will cue you to 2001: A Space Odyssey or maybe even last year’s Barbie if you’re more modernly inclined.

If you’re a parent or if you’ve had loss in your life, there’s an extra layer to The Imaginary that’s especially affecting. Like the imaginaries that fade away as they are forgotten, the story has an ephemeral feeling and is touched by a sense of vulnerability. Perhaps it’s a deeper commentary on our human fragility. A quiet scene towards the end of the movie drives this home, where Rudger and the Old Dog are having a conversation. Without spoiling the story, the Old Dog asks Rudger if a particular human is happy as an adult. The adult has forgotten the Old Dog as she’s grown older. There’s an extra something in that conversation that’s both sad and profound and speaks to growing up.

The Imaginary is a great choice for families or even adults who just appreciate the art of animation. It’s beautifully written with both adventure and family-appropriate danger and is gorgeously brought to life on screen with hand-drawn animation and inspiring music. You won’t regret watching it.

SCORE: ★★★