Perfect Blue (Satoshi Kon, 1997, Japan)

Satoshi Kon's Perfect Blue, along with Akira and Ghost in the Shell, is perhaps the most widely acclaimed anime film for adults. It is distinct from those two other films in that it is relatively low-octane - instead of envisioning sci-fi worlds, this is a film set in the present day. It centers on a J-pop star named Mima Kirigoe who decides to abandon her successful popstar career and transition into becoming an actress. This proves to be a more than unpleasant experience, and eventually, Mima becomes concerned that someone is stalking her, and eventually the nature of reality versus fantasy is blurred.

Kon's work is clearly indebted to Hitchcock in the film's tension-building and exploration of parallel identities. It fits squarely in line with the psycho-thrillers of the 1990s, though it would also serve as equally inspirational to a new generation of filmmakers, most notably Darren Aronofsky, who purportedly optioned the rights to remake Perfect Blue and whose film Black Swan is clearly indebted to Satoshi Kon's work. Kon's film is remarkably prescient. Despite being made in 1997, it includes something of a meditation on internet culture, celebrity, and parasocial fandom. It is remarkable how current these aspects of the film feel in 2025.

Perfect Blue is eerily effective in its execution, particularly the character of Me-Mania - a disfigured stalker who goes after Mima. The film's finale uses animation to further accentuate the breakdown between reality and illusion. Despite being animated, Kon's film doesn't shy away from some moments of truly brutal and imaginative violence. Perfect Blue is a film that would no doubt be enjoyable for both fans of anime and those who have never watched anime once. It is on a level that can easily be appreciated for its artistry and unique approach to the subject matter.

8/10