The Imaginary is more classical: it is designed and animated in a Miyazaki-esque mode to match the story, notwithstanding the pronounced use of CGI and small innovations like the dimensional shading on the characters.

With no Ghibli film in the offing, The Imaginary is an often delightful way to fill the anime gap.

The movie falters periodically under the weight of its own dream logic, which can be hard to follow or flimsily constructed as the story gains momentum. But it’s mostly easy to move past those flaws in a work of such rich magical realism and heart.

The Imaginary may wear its influences on its sleeve, but its gut-wrenching emotional moments and gorgeous animation more than make up for it.