Dreaming Machine was Kon Satoshi’s fifth anime film in production. Anime powerhouse Madhouse started the production of the film in 2009 under the leadership of Maruyama Masao. Long time producer of Kon’s work since his debut as a director in Perfect Blue. Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in May of 2010, Kon Satoshi left production. He died in November of the same year. Production resumed in November of 2010 but cancelled in August, 2011.
A Road Movie for Robots by Kon Satoshi
Dreaming Machine is about the adventure of three robots. Ririco, the leader and a love letter to Paprika’s character. The main character Robin, who’s personal growth set the pace of the film. It is Robin the machine that is dreaming about its own future, maybe. And big and loyal hearted King. Kon said “There are no human characters in the movie. It is a road movie for robots. An adventure targeted to younger audiences” The troupe of robots can be seen in Paprika. In the scenes at the abandoned theme park. And Tokita Kousaku is wearing a shirt with Robin on its back.
Producer Maruyama Masao was clear about ending the movie no matter what, after Kon Satoshi’s death. The Storyboard was already completed. As well as the script. And around 30 minutes of animation ready. According to Maruyama, 600 shots out of 1.500 were ready. After Dreaming Machine was cancelled in 2011, producer Maruyama Masao left Madhouse to found Mappa. And insisted there wasn’t enough investment to finish the film.
In 2018 Maruyama stated that he tried to find a director to get into Kon’s shoes in the unfinished film. He even thought about Hosoda Mamoru. One of the best anime directors these days. And just like Kon produced a movie about Paprika, Hosoda did the same with another Tsutsui Yasutaka’s novel, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time. But Maruyama finally thought that no one could make justice to Kon Satoshi. And he abandoned the idea to finish Dream Machine. “Maybe some international figure would direct a new adaptation of this original script and storyboard”
Dreaming Machine After Paprika’s World of Dreams
Dreaming Machine was not meant to continue the path of Kon Satoshi’s last movie, Paprika. The dream in the title refers to a robot dreaming and not about a machine like-device about dreams. This is maybe, in my opinion, something that made it hard for producers to find investment after Kon Satoshi’s death. I remember hearing the title way back at the start of production and thinking about a personal view about the world of dreams by the director. Being Paprika the adaptation of TsuTsui Yasutaka’s novel of the same title. But it was not the case.
These days and after the limited material we could see about the movie, it looks more close to what Kon did with Tokyo’s Godfathers. A troupe of three characters in the search of their own destiny. A travel that will define their future and lives. More on the light side of storytelling, in the best of ways. Don’t take me wrong, I think the approach of Kon to the adventure genre by Tokyo’s Godfather is great. A fantastic Anime film. And a unique one, what is a plus really. But the built expectations of the audience after a cult classic like Paprika maybe turned against the production of a juvenile adventure. Even coming from one of the bests of all times. Kon Satoshi