Paprika (2006) is the last anime movie by Kon Satoshi. Produced once again by Legendary anime power house Madhouse. It features an all time fame voice cast with Hayashibara Megumi and Yamadera Koichi. Together again after Neon Genesis Evangelion, Ranma1/2 or Cowboy Bebop. Kon Satoshi once again blurred the line between reality and dreams at every step taken by the characters. Until a point in which the viewer can’t tell no more what is true. It was Kon’s Swang Song before he passed away. But a movie that influenced even Western Cinema.
Anime – The Best To Create A Dream World
Paprika was meant to become Kon Satoshi’s second movie. Based on the 1993 novel of the same name by Tsutsui Yasutaka. The same writer of another novel turned anime hit by Hosoda Mamoru. After his brilliant directorial debut with Perfect Blue. The director suggested Paprika to the production company, Rex Entertainment. But this one went bankrupt and almost ten more years went by before it materialized. Many believe that Paprika was in Kon’s mind when he directed Perfect Blue. Helping to build the thriller on a blurred mix of reality and illusions.
Paprika was already an influential novel in Japan. Tsuitsui Yasutaka is a cult writer in the science fiction genre. And even a controversial figure about political views. A manga adapted the novel already. Written and illustrated by Hagiwara Reiji and published by Kodansha. But Kon Satoshi thought that the novel’s charms came from the dream scenes. The times when the characters fall from one dream into another. The director was confident about anime being the best media to recreate that driven force. Tsuitsui Yasutaka even voiced a minor role as a bartender. Being his partner behind the bar voiced by Kon Satoshi.
Paprika Breaks the Wall Between Fiction and Reality
Paprika is no surprise for fans of Kon Satoshi. It continues with his deliberate idea to break down the buried between reality and illusion. Making one push the other from the back in a vicious circle. “Fiction and reality are painted things, loosely separated by what I draw in between. In my point of view Kon Satoshi sent a love letter to one of his favorite directors, Takahata Isao (cofounder of Studio Ghibli and director of Grave of the Fireflies among others). With a big parade of dreams and illusions building a parallel with the brilliant parade of Yokai in Takahat’s Pon Poko.
Paprika brings once again to composer Hirasawa Suzumu. The composer was lately into the circus music style for his own albums. This kind of composition was crucial in the come to live illusory world for the anime. Hirasawa used Vocaloid for the movie theme. The voicebank Lola. Being the first time for most Western audiences to listen to the virtual idol. The movie was released in 2006. Acclaimed by critics and audiences alike. Even by filmmakers not used to anime. Six years later Kon Satoshi passed away. His last symphony unfinished. And Paprika became the swang song. A lovely one. Once again breaking down the wall that keeps illusions and dreams away from our black and white world.