TGWTG User Blogs

Ah, now this is dangerous territory. When it comes to the term 'adult anime', people are easily turned off. After all the controversy created by 'Legend of the Overfiend', people tend to assume half the time that any anime with an 18+ rating is purely for sick, sex obsessed freaks.

So here we have Perfect Blue, a film by pioneering anime director Satoshi Kun, creator of Millenium actress and Paranoia Agent. In this film a pop artist called Mima decides to swtich to acting, and after a series of small roles in a TV drama she lands a bigger part as the victim in a rape scene. Already to the casual anime dweller this is a turn off, but those with a more open mind will probably want to look deeper, and they won't regret it.

The film is reminiscent of classic Hitchcock: mind messing story telling with a horror inspired plot. After all the previously mentioned events, Mima realizes she is being pursued by some unknown stalker, who logs her every action and feeling online. Not only that, but she finds herself haunted by the 'pop idol' former persona of herself.

The thing that this film does brilliantly is to fool us. Even when we think we have the plot figured out: 'Mima's insane, and she's killing people but her mind makes her think it's someone else', the film throws in new pieces of evidence that proves otherwise. There is an element of dective drama in her, we try to figure out who the culprit is, and let me assure you the twist ending is amazing.

The film moves at a stange pace. It tries to blur our perception of what is occuring, with the TV drama sharing a similar plot to the storyline, we are unaware whether Mima is acting in the drama or in real life, and as it constantly swaps we, like Mima, become lost, and it's through this impressive story telling that Satoshi Kon lures us into the illusion that this film is based on.

That said, it does get a little tiring. The scene of Mima unexpectantly waking up in her bed 5 times in a row starts to get ridiculous, and at times you can't decide whether the plot is conjuncted or if it's the illusion of unstable mentality.
Also, I felt the role of the stalker seemed a little odd, he remains silent throughout the whole movie, yet his presence is known, and when he finally gets involved (and speaks), he's dealt with pretty quickly and we're left wondering why such a  prominent character was actually so insignificant to the films plot.

A regular criticism of the movie is that it didn't need to be animated, and that the nudity and violence were un-needed. Whilst I can agree with point one, there's nothing here which couldn't be unaccomplished with live action (but to be honest it wouldn't have looked as great), the sex and violence match the intelligence of the film, so that it appeals to an audience who will understand it, and are only sparingly used (albeit in large chunks), and ultimately don't ruin the film.

Overall Perfect Blue is a good movie, not as great as more regognised works of Sataoshi Kon's, but otherwise well worth a look, espicially if you're one of the mindless idiots who believe adult anime is just nudity and violence with no plot or purpose, who need a slight reality boost.

Rating: ****