Anime Industry News
Studio Ponoc’s ‘The Imaginary’ Drops Killer English Dub: Star-Studded Cast Revealed!
Jun
Imagine this: you’re chilling in your cozy room, lights dimmed, popcorn in hand, and your Netflix queue ready to roll. Suddenly, a brand-new trailer drops, and it’s none other than the second English-dubbed trailer for Studio Ponoc’s latest masterpiece, The Imaginary. Intrigued? Well, hold onto your Pikachu hats, because this film is gearing up to blow your mind.
A Star-Studded Cast That’ll Make You Swoon
First off, let’s talk about the cast. Seriously, this lineup is like assembling the Avengers of voice artists. We’ve got Hayley Atwell—yep, Peggy Carter herself—as Lizzie. LeVar Burton, the legendary Reading Rainbow star, voices The Old Dog. And wait for it… Kal Penn from Harold & Kumar fame is lending his pipes as Zinzan. Is your otaku heart beating a little faster? Because mine definitely is.
Who’s Who in The Imaginary?
Here’s a quick rundown of the noteworthy voices that’ll be bringing these characters to life:
- Louie Rudge-Buchanan as Rudger
- Evie Kiszel as Amanda
- Sky Katz as Emily
- Jeremy Swift as Mr. Bunting
- Jane Singer as Granny Downbeat
- Ruby Barnhill as Aurora
- Roger Craig Smith as Snowflake
- Courtenay Taylor as Cruncher-of-Bones
- Miles Nibbe as John
And More Familiar Voices
We’re not done yet! You’ll also hear the magical voices of Ian James Corlett, A.F. Harrold, Cassandra Lee Morris, Colleen O’Shaughnessey, Christopher Swindle, Fred Tatasciore, and Kari Wahlgren. It’s a veritable smorgasbord of talent.
A Tale That Tickles Your Imagination
If the voice cast didn’t get you hyped, maybe the plot will. The Imaginary is based on A.F. Harrold’s novel, spruced up with illustrations by Emily Gravett. Picture this: Rudger is Amanda Shuffleup’s imaginary friend. A comfort blanket? Maybe. But things take a wild turn when the sinister Mr. Bunting shows up, hunting said imaginaries like a ghostbuster on a bad day. And Amanda? She forgets Rudger, leaving him to fend for his imaginary life. The stakes? Existential.
Directed by the Maestro Himself
Let’s shift our focus to the visionary mastermind behind the film: Yoshiyuki Momose. If you’re not familiar with this guy, he’s worked on gems like Ni no Kuni, “Life Ain’t Gonna Lose” from Ponoc’s Modest Heroes, and the awe-inspiring Olympic Games short Tomorrow’s Leaves. In other words, the man knows how to tell a story.
Backed by Studio Ponoc’s Magic Touch
Studio Ponoc, co-founded by former Studio Ghibli producer Yoshiaki Nishimura, has been on a roll lately. They’ve already wowed us with Mary and The Witch’s Flower and Modest Heroes. With Nishimura producing The Imaginary, you know you’re in for an emotional, visual roller-coaster.
Earworms to Add to Your Playlist
And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, A Great Big World featuring Rachel Platten drops a heart-melting theme song, “Nothing’s Impossible.” If “Say Something” and “Fight Song” are any indicators, you’ll need tissues—possibly an entire box.
When and Where, You Ask?
Mark your calendar, set a reminder, and maybe even leave a Post-it on your fridge: The Imaginary will be hitting Netflix globally on July 5. That’s a holiday gift for your eyeballs you won’t want to miss.
A Smash Hit in Japan
For our otaku friends in Japan, the film has already made waves. Released as Yaneura no Rudger (Rudger in the Attic), it raked in a hefty 68,169,730 yen (approximately $478,300) in just the first three days. Talk about a successful debut!
Wrapping It Up
Look, if you’ve ever wished your imaginary friends could jump out of your head and into the real world, The Imaginary is the film for you. With a jaw-dropping cast, a plot that tug at your heartstrings, and visuals that will dazzle your senses, July 5 can’t come soon enough. So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and binge your heart out on Tokyo-Cosplay.com for the latest in anime news, reviews, and of course, epic cosplay ideas.
Whether you’re a casual anime fan or a hardcore cosplayer, you’re going to want to catch this film. And hey, if you find yourself needing some inspiration for your next cosplay, why not draw from the vibrant world of The Imaginary? Happy watching!