In The Imaginary, imaginary friends are very real — at least to the people who imagined them. “Imagination is for us imaginaries what oxygen is for humans,” one says in the new trailer for the animated adventure. When imagination runs out, they face disaster, and only one young woman’s invisible friend can help. 

“This is a tale of Rudger, neither human nor animal, who is dismissed by adults as a fake, a mere figment of imagination,” screenwriter and producer Yoshiaki Nishimura said. “Our vision is to be as true as possible to our own stories, founded on our belief in this outrageous and wild fantasy.” That vision is brought to life with groundbreaking animation that renders the world of the imaginaries in gorgeous light and shadow.

Read on for more information about The Imaginary, coming soon to Netflix.

What is The Imaginary about?

Studio Ponoc’s The Imaginary portrays the depths of humanity and creativity through the eyes of young Amanda and her imaginary companion, Rudger, a boy no one can see, imagined by Amanda to share her thrilling make-believe adventures. But when Rudger, suddenly alone, arrives at The Town of Imaginaries, where forgotten Imaginaries go to live and find work, he faces a mysterious threat. Directed by renowned animator Yoshiyuki Momose (Spirited Away), The Imaginary is an unforgettable adventure of love, loss, and the healing power of imagination.

Who is in the cast of The Imaginary?

The voiceover cast of The Imaginary includes Louie Rudge-Buchanan, Evie Kiszel, Hayley Atwell, Sky Katz, Jeremy Swift, Kal Penn, LeVar Burton, Jane Singer, Ruby Barnhill, Roger Craig Smith, Courtenay Taylor, Miles Nibbe, Ian James Corlett, A.F. Harrold, Cassandra Lee Morris, Colleen O’Shaughnessey, Christopher Swindle, Fred Tatasciore, and Kari Wahlgren. 

When will The Imaginary be on Netflix?

The Imaginary hits Netflix on July 5.