Summary
- Perfect Blue, the director's debut, is perhaps Satoshi Kon's most popular and acclaimed movie.
- Millennium Actress weaves Japanese cinema history seamlessly, paying homage to the influence of films on culture.
- Tokyo Godfathers is a heartwarming Christmas movie, showcasing Kon's ability to create unique, character-driven narratives.
If you've looked into Japanese animation, odds are you've heard the name Satoshi Kon at least once. Or, if you haven't, you've probably heard of one of this award-winning filmmaker's critically acclaimed movies (and it's probably Perfect Blue). His realistic character expressions (and characters in general), both hand drawn and digitally, as well his editing style, which focused on blending reality and fiction, are emulated to this day by creators.
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PostsIf you're a fan of psychological thrillers, dark sci-fi content, strange but beautiful animation, and even heart-warming stories, then Satoshi Kon's work has something for you. We especially recommend this list to any anime fans who are looking to deepen their relationship with the genre (or just want to see some cool stuff, as usual).
While we added Paranoia Agent as part of our collage, it's worth mentioning that it won't be here since it's a series, not a film. One you should definitely watch, by the way.
5 Memories (Magnetic Rose)
The Past Calls To The Future
Release Date
December 23, 1995
Streaming
Amazon Prime
In this anime anthology, three animators give their take on the sci-fi theme. The first installment is "Magnetic Rose," Satoshi Kon's work about a distress signal coming from a space station that should be long abandoned. As the crew explores, they find the past blending into the present, and they have to quickly figure out what's real in order to survive.
Haunting, dark, and a space-opera in the truest sense, Kon's work sets the tone for the entire anthology. It's also easily the stand-out work in the collection. As it is, the only thing holding Magnetic Rose back was that it wasn't given a full feature length run-time to shine.
4 Paprika
This Is Your Brain On Anime
Release Date
May 25, 2010
Streaming
Tubi, YouTube, Amazon Prime, Google Play, Apple TV, Fandango
Paprika quite literally delves into the psyche, taking on how our personalities are shaped and defined by our hopes, fears, and subconscious fictions. Dr. Atsuko Chiba is a therapist working with her team on a device that allows her to travel into people's dreams. When that device is stolen, she has to work to get it back before it's used to destroy people's minds.
Because the movie takes place inside of people's heads as much as it does in the real world, it's filled with surreal animation sequences that have us questioning the true power of the mind. Certainly, it's the most vibrant of Kon's movies, and it's so packed to the brim that you'll miss something if you look down for even a second.
3 Millennium Actress
A Life Through Cinema
Release Date
September 12, 2003
Streaming
Tubi, Pluto TV, Peacock, Sling TV, YouTube, Amazon Prime, PLEX, Google Play, Apple TV, Fandango, The Roku Channel, Crunchyroll, Philo
After actress Chiyiko Fujiwara went missing at the height of her career, documentary filmmaker Genya Tachibana dedicates himself to tracking her down. When he finally does, he not only learns more about her career and life, but discovers some surprising things about himself.
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PostsUsing the actress as a focal point, Kon weaves a tapestry of Japanese cinema history all while paying homage to the power of films and the influence of fiction on culture. It's beautifully animated in a way that seamlessly incorporates the films she starred in with the interview itself, and the characters' personalities really have a chance to shine.
2 Tokyo Godfathers
Meet The Ultimate Dysfunctional Family
Release Date
November 8, 2003
Streaming
Tubi, Pluto TV, YouTube, Amazon Prime, Google Play, Apple TV, Fandango, The Roku Channel
Heart-warming, magical, and chock-full of character, Tokyo Godfathers is the perfect Christmas movie. Three homeless people, each in their own situation for very different reasons, find an abandoned baby. In trying to find its mother, they go on an all-night adventure united by the power of coincidence.
While this is the tamest of Kon's movies visually, it keeps both feet centered in reality and feels like a slice-of-life anime, but that doesn't mean it isn't having fun. Each of the protagonists feels unique and alive on screen, and Kon's use of facial expressions to convey the character isn't showcased better anywhere else. If you're worried about the darker content of his other works, this one was made for you.
1 Perfect Blue
The Color Of Illusion Is Perfect Blue
Release Date
February 28, 1998
Streaming
AMC+, Sling TV, YouTube, Amazon Prime, Google Play, Apple TV, Fandango, The Roku Channel
When pop-idol Mima Kirigoe wants to change careers and become an actress, she has to contend with her fans' reactions to the evolution of her image. She also has to contend with the other version of herself that claims to be the real one. Perfect Blue is a twisty, psychological thriller that blends fear, self-doubt, and paranoia into a brilliantly dark movie about what determines who we are.
Considered one of the best horror anime of all time, Perfect Blue is a masterclass in unsettling imagery and capturing spiraling mental states. Only 82 minutes, it's hard to believe just how much Kon captures in such a short movie. As his debut, it hits everything that Kon would become known for.
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