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Satoshi Kon... One of the Rare Creators of Anime For Grown-ups Has Passed Away
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Column by Scott Green
The sad new is coming out of Studio Madhouse that anime director Satoshi Kon has passed away at age 47. His work included Perfect Blue - 1998 Millennium Actress - 2001 Tokyo Godfathers - 2003 Paranoia Agent - 2004 Paprika - 2006 And the Good Morning short for the Anime*Kuri 15 compendium. He had been working on children's feature Dream Machine I remember when Satoshi Kon's pyscho-thriller Perfect Blue hit the US. The to be revered director's initial calling card was actually divisive. Many anime fans laughed at and rejected it. Didn't like its lost lead. Snickered at its depiction of proto-blogging. However, it wasn't long before Kon became one of the paramount names in anime being produced for older audiences. Anime might be a medium of artistic possibilities, but given its economics, more often than not, it turns out works for children and specialized audiences. A thinking artist like Satoshi Kon producing works as tricky as Kon's was truly special. From a look at his career, written in response to Andrew Osmond's Satoshi Kon: the Illusionist In the last decade, movies and video games have made deep incursions into territory that was once the domain of anime and animation in general. There were images that were tremendously difficult to realize in live action and impossible in games, but available to animation. CG and improved game hardware have flipped the script. As a consequence, whole genres of anime have lost their importance. Who wants to sit back and watch elves and dragons fantasy anime, when games often offer a comparable visual experience, while allowing a player to participate. Yet, an area in which anime/animation can still assert an advantage is narratives in which the fantastic is blurred with the objective. Leveraging animation's ability for a director to erase boundaries and exercise nuanced control of the entire image, Kon is the master at this. There's the world as it theoretically is. Then, there is the world as it is reflected in media. Then, the world as it is interpreted by the human mind... subdivisible into conscious and subconscious, rational and irrational. In Kon's anime, these distinctions all collapse in on each other. Often starting with the foundation of a live action associated genre, whether it is Hitchcockian thriller (Perfect Blue), a Christmas story (Tokyo Godfathers) or life in retrospect drama (Millennium Actress), Kon convolutes it with the mind's paradoxes, contradictions and chambers of mirrors. His subjects project their interpretations out onto the world, at times seeing themselves as fantastic beings, dancing through the air or skipping through a city's neon signage. And yet, those interpretations are shaped by pressure from those around as well as a saturation of media influence. Rather than mechanistic stories, Kon's are shaped into knotted feedback loops. As a fan of anime and animation in general, this lose is deeply felt. Beyond technical considerations, business concerns makes anime a difficult medium to work in. Creators able to produce works like Kon's have been and will continue to be rare. You probably will not see many replicating works like Kon's. Anime had its boom and contraction of the 00's, but I'd argue that it turned out to be great decade for works for adults, in large part thanks to the unforgettable contribution of Satoshi Kon.
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So velly velly sad
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Paprika and Paranoia Agent are awesome.
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...in most of it sucking so bad.
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Paprika was superb, but you're right, Perfect Blue was a true case of a brilliant story, told in a unique medium (for that kind of story), cruel, tense, but always keeping the viewer on edge. The world is a worse-off place to lose such a talent.
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47 is not old & his movies were unforgettable
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I'm not a huge anime fan, but between Kon and Studio Ghibli, they were the masters. <p> This is very shocking. I recently watched his body of work last week so this is very sad.
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You're both utter idiots of the worst kind. I don't really need to say much more than that, other than RIP Satoshi, your movies were truly wonderful. It's sad that we won't see what you had in store for us next.
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This is the ugly side to fandom: the total apathy towards talented people, just because they're 'ignorant' to them. Kidding or not.
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This totally bums me out! Satoshi Kon was an amazing director! R.I.P. my friend!
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He was the most talented anime director working, in my opinion. Yes, even better than Miyazaki.
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Amazing series. If you start it make sure you finish it.. ending ranks up there with Cowboy Bebop..
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He made some good movies. Paprika is great film to go out on though. Lets hope he's in an afterlife that's at least half as magical as the dreamworlds he created. Also, DickJones, I hate you, but you did make me laugh. It doesn't matter where I am, or how sad the situation, a Robocop reference will always work on me.
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He was one of my favorite animation directors.
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I love this guys stuff. He'll be missed.
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I remember when I went to a late night screening in one particularly old indie cinema theatre here in Vienna, when they screend "Perfect Blue" once. That was some five years ago or even more. I enjoyed the movie, as I did "Paprika" too! RIP Kon-sama!
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RIP Satoshi Kon.
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I got to sit through a Q&A w/ Satoshi Kon at a Paprika screening once, he seemed to have so much left in him! So shocked to hear about this news.
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I'm saying anime sucks,not that this gentleman does/did.
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THis is truly a sad for for animation in general, not just Anime. Condolences to his friends and family.
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Satoshi Kon was one of the few animation directors still pushing the boundaries of the medium. Losing such a unique visionary - especially one who was not yet 50 - is huge blow to both anime and animation in general. RIP
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but this isn't really the place for your generalized views on anime.
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i understand.<P>tell them BITCHES LEAVE
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what did this guy die from. Had to be cancer or a tragic accident or something. Sad when people go out so young, even worse when it's a someone who's trying to enrich their world as well as ours with creativity. RIP
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Thanks for the chuckle.
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Aug. 24, 2010, 3:54 p.m. CST
Ok, I don't condone bathman's actions, but I did chuckle a bit
by RedBull_Werewolf
and the fact that he got in first, like he ws waiting for an obit to be posted so he could zing the man. thats trolling at it's finest<P>Anyway, RIP, i'm not an anime fan but I can respect it and he obviously was very important in it
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This truly breaks my heart. He and Miyazaki ARE my favorite anime directors in the world. This is an ENORMOUS loss not only to the world of anime but that of animated features and art itself.
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A staggering, heartbreaking loss of an extraordinary artist. :-(
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He was one of the few anime-ka whose name I bothered to learn, I was really looking forward to his next project. 47 is way too young.
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bathman thats hilarious. and anime is a waste of time! its a bunch of turds whom never seem to grow up and have absolutely no social skills so they create cartoons to fill the void. sad that he died but still. my point has been made. BRING ON THE HATE
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Let's be honest.
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Especially around here. Consider your surroundings before opening your north.
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... and talk shit about anime. But those idiots never saw 'Millennium Actress'. And if you did see it and didn't like it... then you're a fucking idiot with a 'Boondock Saints' poster on his wall. Let's be honest.
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Talk about a kick in the nuts. Kon was a true genius. From Perfect Blue on, he changed anime for the better. His now final film, Paprika, was pure cinema at its best. With the color palette in that film and its striking visuals, you didn't need LSD to take a great trip. Just a horrible, horrible loss to the anime and film world. I was so enamored with what I was hearing about Dream Machine too. I wonder if Madhouse will complete it?
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And what exactly do YOU do to fill the void hm?
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Owes it to themselves to check out Kon's works. With the exception of Tokyo Godfathers, they all were likely influential in the creation of Nolan's opus.
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He was only just hitting his stride, IMO. I wrote an appreciation of his work here: http://bit.ly/bKSRTs
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...that scene in 'Requiem for a Dream'... with Jennifer Connelly in the bathtub was a shot-for-shot homage to a scene in 'Perfect Blue'.
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ht tp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anlHmGA-Bvs
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You left us too soon, but your works will be admired and inspire people for years to come.
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He didn't direct, but he did write the first segment "Magnetic Rose" and it has his handprints all over it.
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I'm shocked and saddened.
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and what makes it even worse is just how few people know the true impact of his work. And then we get the assholes around here spitting the usual shit about anime and blah blah. Kon was not only a incredibly gifted illustrator, he was also a master not only of anime, a master of cinema, period. Time will put Kon in the high place he deserves.
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Aug. 24, 2010, 5:26 p.m. CST
Checked Wiki. He died from a heart attack
by Planty_McPlant_Plants_His_Plant_At_AICN
Apparently he developed an eating disorder and was addicted to drugs. What a terrible shame. Oh, and Bathman - FUCK YOU ASSHOLE. I HOPE YOU DIE OF ANAL CANCER.
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I was about to ask what happened to him, but Planty answered it I guess. Terrible loss for the film world. I was anticipating his next movie too :( man, so sad.
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Sad news to say the least. He was one of the most talented in the anime field. To lose him at such a young age is tragic. I grew up on this stuff and don't watch it much anymore but I watched all his movies as well as those of Miyazaki and in some ways Kon's work is more innovative in terms of storytelling. Sad news indeed. RIP
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A creative genius is gone...to never have another one of his movies...man, this sucks...
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...sigh.
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This is sad. Rest well Mr. Kon.
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Kon died of a broken heart when he realized that Nolan ripped him off.
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so evil it's funny.
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If any of you bitches never seen Paprika please get your lazy asses to Blockbusters and enjoy!<p>You'll find it will stimulate your senses to the max!
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His films are amazing.
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There was so much to look forward to from him. He is without a doubt one of the greats, even beyond anime; in no small part due to his understanding of the medium, and the creative process itself, but also of the imagination in general. <p>I have nothing more to add. His work speaks for itself.
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_,.,~'`'~, (RIP) ,~'`'~,.,_
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Only 47! Jesus. He was one of my fave talents not only in anime, but working in cinema fullstop. Loved his work; Paranoia Agent was downright genius imo.<P>The world is a poorer place.
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Millenium Actress was such a powerful piece of work, Paprika was a stunning experience and Paranoia Agent was a mindfuck of greatness. He will be missed.
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this news hits me like a ton of bricks, Satoshi Kon was one of my absolute favorite anime director's
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Damnit we lost a good one here! R.I.P. Kon! I loved every one of your works! Incepion may have been great, but Paprika truly showed what entering a dream world was all about! I too started out a fan of his from Perfect Blue, it showed that anime could be as great and provoking a medium for adult thriller drama! Millenium Actress is by far my favourite movie of his! A love story to cinema! Tokyo Godfathers was also a gem with great characters! Paranoia Agent was also brilliant! Even the few seconds of that NHK short were so awesome and it was the best one out of that compilation! I was looking forward to Dream Machine!!! Damn!!!!!!!!!!!!<br><br>And Bathman and dickjones... I hope the next time you walk through a door, someone takes a screwdriver to your eyeballs!!!!
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It's ironic the usual ignorant xenophobes pulled out their tired "teh anime sUcKz!" rhetoric. This guy's stuff was so different from what everyone else in Japan was doing.
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... anime sucks really baffle me. It's like saying Hollywood movies suck because you don't like romantic comedies. For those of you that will never venture into Kon's work because it was anime... consider this: Kon is to anime what Pixar is to CG cartoons.
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47 is way too fucking young
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"People who say anime sucks really baffle me."<p> You have to realize something: The people saying that are just really fucking stupid. Hence, as you point out, their ridiculous blanket condemnation of a medium. It's like somebody not liking 'Cats', and so hating all theater, everywhere.
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http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/41520/
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Goddammit. I've only seen Paprika, Tokyo Godfathers, and Millennium Actress, and that was enough to cement him as one of my top directors list. We just lost a giant who should have had decades more to amaze and move us. I am crushed. I think I'm going to go cry now. RIP, Mr. Kon. You will be missed.
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should be quite a show.
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Ugh. The animation industry mourns. Our hearts sigh.
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Satoshi Kon is my favorite anime director, and one of my favorite directors of all time in any genre. He was really akin to Hitchcock with his treatment of dreams, identity, and even, romance. I've been turning people on to him ever since I saw "Sennen Joyu" (Millenium Actress). I am very sad.
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Aug. 25, 2010, 12:47 a.m. CST
Perfect Blue Is A Great Film That Deserves A Live Action Version
by Media Messiah
"Perfect Blue" is a great movie. It would make a truly great live action thriller. I have said for years, but is anybody in Hollywood listening?
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What a loss. Kon's style and direction was consistently unique, clever and inspirational for fans of animation. If the cause of death was Cancer, I did notice him smoking on the "Paprika" DVD extras; so hopefully not another great pulled out of our lives by the #%&@%! cigarettes. Thankfully his animated films were distributed around the world with the due respect and high quality - and will live on.
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He was born in October 1963.
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That Scott Green will ever have. Right here.
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who else gets excited by monsters raping 14 year old girls?
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Every obit turns into a shitshow of trolls trying to be "shocking". This is a great loss.
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just happened to browse imdb and caught that headline today and just froze when i read the words R.I.P. Satoshi Kon....ive been in a daze for the rest of today. fuckng sick to my stomach that life decided to take from us a beautiful person who through his work has truly moved me, inspired me, and provoked deep thought. i really felt that i got to know him as a person through his work, and that is a rare thing indeed. i will always be grateful, that in an industry monopolised by uninspiring, cliched dreck, that Kon sought to push the medium of animation to its limits, not only through animation, but storytelling and theme. I'll miss him so fucking much.
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YOu obviously missed he live action Akira and Robotech story threads
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One of the great directors in the history of cinema (animated for otherwise). A brilliant artist. Just think we will never get another Satoshi Kon film after Paprika. :(
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That was the last thing I expected to see this morning. He was one of the few truly-brilliant directors working in Animation, Japanese or otherwise.
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...not lung cancer according to wiki. Just think... for the rest of your life, you will never get another Satoshi Kon film. He had been working on 'The Dream Machine' for two years now, so I'm sure there's enough of it to be completed by someone else. I nominate fellow Madhouse director Rintaro.
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There's some concept art as well as some still from the animation over at the The Dream Machine website. http://yume-robo.com/
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one of the best in his field
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Even his series had a quality animation. God damn that man knows how to do anime. He will be deeply missed, its breaking my fucking heart.
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ad least thats what wiki and some anime sites say. fucking cancer, scares the shit outa me. i lack the ability to properly articulate a heartfelt message never having been very good with words. i will simply say his works where some of the first animes I ever watched and having never even met him i feel a sense of sadness and loss at his passing. I hope theres an afterlife, i dont think there is which scares me sometimes if i think about it for too long, but if theres anything at all i hope he's out there somewhere.
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but my condolences to his family. I think I may have started watching Paranoia Agent once, but didn't get to finish it, I'll have to seek it out.
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Seriously, what a loss.
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Your incredible vision and imagination brought me alot of joy, particularly during painful periods of my life. I will treasure your movies always.
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Coming back to this article 14 months later, it pleases me to see how little trolling was done in this forum. Satoshi Kon was an amazing visionary. He was easily as talented as his peers like Miyazaki and Oshi. His work was completely original, combining tightly plotted storytelling with brilliant, hallucinatory visuals.<br /> <br /> Paprika & Perfect Blue remain two of my favorite films of all time. We are fortunate that his final film is being completed. Before he died, he left a series of videos for his animators so that he could continue to direct the film, posthumously, from beyond the grave.<br /> <br /> He was truly something special and even now, fourteen months after his death, I continue to mourn his loss. He was my favorite anime director to come out of Japan. I still get sad whenever I think about his passing.<br /> <br /> I miss you Satoshi. I hope when I take my own journey to the other side, that I can meet you there and talk about all the films you would have made had your life not been cut so tragically short.
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