The Imaginary Review: Tries Hard To Impress But Fails

The Imaginary the movie is based on the very famous topic of imaginary friends that is relatable to many people out there. Let us see how this movie fared and whether you should watch it or skip it.

What is The Imaginary the Movie About?

Studio Ponoc’s The Imaginary anime (屋根裏のラジャー) delves into the depths of humanity and creativity through the experiences of young Amanda and her imaginary friend, Rudger. Created by Amanda to partake in her vivid adventures, Rudger becomes central to the story.

This movie is directed by Yoshiyuki Momose, who is also known for his work on Spirited Away, and written by Yoshiaki Nishimura. With this 108-minute film, you go on an unforgettable journey exploring themes of love, loss, and the healing power of imagination.

The film’s groundbreaking hand-drawn animation is enhanced by innovative techniques in light and shadow, bringing a unique visual experience. The Imaginary is adapted from A.F. Harrold’s beloved and award-winning novel, illustrated by Emily Gravett and published by Bloomsbury.

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The Imaginary Review and Recap

At first glance, you will feel like this is a Ghibli movie, but upon closer inspection, you will know that it’s not. Do not get me wrong, even though the animation reminded us of the brilliant Japanese studio, the other essential bits were nowhere near as good.

This is a story about the imaginary friends that we leave behind in our childhood when we grow up. They accompany us and keep us away from loneliness, but when reality strikes, these friends leave us just like innocence. Rudger is a young boy who is the playmate of Amanda, a highly imaginative girl of his age. One day, she conjured Rudger up and since then, they have been on innumerable adventures in fantastical worlds filled with monsters, brilliant creatures and lush landscapes. But one day a stranger approaches the duo and their world gets disrupted when he sets his eyes on Rudger, who should only be visible to Amanda.

The movie tries very hard to be a seasoned Ghibli movie but forgets to emulate one of the most important features, a good plotline. The book this movie is based on is no doubt a good one, but the way the makers adapted it, fails to impress with its predictable developments and obvious twists and turns. The only redeemable thing that is going for this anime, is the animation which looks brilliant and even breathtaking at times. But again if you are a hardcore Ghibli movie fan, you’ll know the difference.

However, it is not all meh, the movie does keep you entertained with the visuals and the likeable characters, but again the topic of imaginary friends has been utilised previously as well, and the approach shown here is nothing new. On top of that, the conclusion also makes little sense and the villain remains underdeveloped and unexplored.

Even the origin of the villain and his companion is unclear and confusing. It almost felt like they were trying to prove anything flies because it’s imagination, thus, little logic is required to watch this story unfold. I would have preferred if they focused on creating a more developed and fleshed-out storyline rather than focusing too much on the animation.

Verdict

I believe a younger audience would love this movie much more than the older ones. Because unlike us, they will not look for complex narratives or proper character developments. But again, for a one-time watch, this should do just fine. So, see it yourself and determine if this works for you.

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