2024 is the year of childhood nostalgia and imaginary friends. With the release of Paramount Pictures’ comedy IF (short for Imaginary Friends), Lionsgate’s horror film Imaginary, and Disney Pixar’s Inside Out 2, there are many stories centering on the emotional nostalgia of the mind. Yet, none actually target the young minds that create these imaginary beings — the children.

Netflix’s upcoming animation The Imaginary, based on the 2014 British children’s novel of the same name by A.F. Harold, tells the story of a young girl, Amanda, and her imaginary companion, Rudger. It tells the story from the perspective of imaginary friends who fear being forgotten and finding their purpose. Directed by renowned animator Yoshiyuki Momose, best known for his work on Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away, the film is given the Japanese “Studio Ghibli” animation treatment, which usually means elaborate imagery full of colors and lighting in each frame. 

Amanda’s imagination is endless — from riding on a flying muskox (named Green Lager after her mother’s favorite beer) in the snowy mountains to an underwater submarine that swiftly turns into a speedboat. Rudger, who was made when Amanda needed him most, looks like a human boy, which gives the feeling of a sibling created to combat Amanda’s loneliness. They have a sweet relationship with the rules: never forget each other, protect each other, and never cry. 

But a strange old man named Mr. Bunty visits Amanda’s home with ominous intentions. There is also a young, ghostly girl who always follows him. While Amanda’s mother cannot see the little girl, Amanda and Rudger can, realizing Mr. Buntly is a threat. They encounter Mr. Bunting and the girl again, but Amanda gets into an accident this time, leaving Rudger all alone. 

Fearing that he would disappear without Amanda, Rudger finds himself in a new world filled with imaginary friends who have been forgotten by their original creators. This stunning imaginary world is filled with strange and interesting creatures seeking new children to play with. Although Rudger does find joy among his new friends and duties, his connection with Amanda remains strong, and he is determined to locate her and stop Mr. Bunting from destroying other imaginaries. 

The animation feels heavily like a Studio Ghibli production, which makes sense as many of the Ghibli creatives left to create Studio Ponoc. However, in their attempts to be different, they did add some new elements to the artwork, including special effects and computer-generated animation. It’s not that noticeable; there are obvious moments when it is used, but it doesn’t take away from the story. That is partly due to Toshihiko Kojim’s fluid editing of the film, alongside Kenji Tamai & Agehasprings’ soothing score, which elevates the story and the visuals.

The film’s initial pacing is slow. Though Amanda’s world is beautiful, which helps establish Amanda and Rudger’s relationship, it isn’t all that interesting until they encounter the villains. It is only when Rudger goes on his solo adventure to figure out his place in the world without Amanda that things pick up, and there is finally weight to the story, which contains the most sincere moments. 

There are many deep and heartfelt moments that children who have experienced grief and loneliness can understand. While adults can enjoy this film and reflect, The Imaginary is aimed at children who imagine these worlds and characters and want to immerse themselves in a good animated movie. It also contains a message for children and parents to keep their imagination alive because life is hard enough, so it’s okay to escape to another world sometimes. 

Rating: 8/10