There’s no doubt Hayao Miyazaki and Makoto Shinkai have made banger movies that took anime films’ popularity to a global level, and they do get a lot of love for that. But how can we forget there was another genius in the Japanese anime film industry that even Japanese people don’t talk about much nowadays? It’s none other than Satoshi Kon!
His movies are truly one-of-a-kind, blending psychology, social commentary, and stunning visuals in a way that’s still hard to replicate. From the mind-bending surrealism of Paprika to the eerie social commentary of Perfect Blue, each and every Kon’s films is extremely thought-provoking and also visually stunning.
Recently, industry insiders like MAPPA founder Masao Maruyama and anime critic Ryusuke Hikawa shared the same feeling of losing sight of Kon’s contributions. They also believe this is a real loss for the Japanese animation industry.
The forgotten hero of the Japanese anime industry: Satoshi Kon!
Literally, no one did it better than Satoshi Kon. The movies he made are not only great by anime standards, but the depth they had far surpasses most media ever created in global entertainment history. However, it’s quite unfortunate to even think about, but his legacy is slowly fading away from the Japanese people.
Although Kon’s life was cut way too short, it is fair to point out that his influence on anime and global cinema still left a huge mark. His psychological insight in storytelling has inspired filmmakers around the world, including big names like Christopher Nolan and Darren Aronofsky. It’s ironic that while Kon is celebrated internationally, his legacy in Japan hasn’t been as well-preserved. Anyone would think that at least his country would be proud to have him, but sadly, that’s not the case.
Kon’s legacy will remain thriving among the people who have watched his generational works
At the Niigata International Animation Film Festival, producers Masao Maruyama and Taro Maki (who previously worked on several of Kon’s films) shared their concerns about how Kon’s films are slowly fading from memory, especially among younger audiences in Japan.
Madhouse and MAPPA founder Masao Maruyama says he feels that the general public in Japan has somewhat forgotten director Satoshi Kon (Perfect Blue, Paprika).
In a talk event after a screening of Kon’s movies, anime critic Ryusuke Hikawa agreed with him saying that while Kon is… pic.twitter.com/JFcOuDckxm
— Manga Mogura RE (Anime & Manga News) (@MangaMoguraRE) March 21, 2025
Maruyama, who collaborated with Kon at Madhouse, shared his incredible experience while working under Kon for Perfect Blue. There were a lot of challenges to deal with, but Kon’s creativity still thrived, and the film became a masterpiece. Maki, who produced Millennium Actress, lamented how Kon’s films are buried under streaming platforms, which is why no new anime enthusiasts get to know about them easily.
Maruyama said it would be a waste if Kon’s films were forgotten. Unlike any other anime director, Kon’s unique blend of unique visuals and narrative complexity was way ahead of its time. Almost everyone who had first-time watched Perfect Blue was blown away by the complexity and intensity of the film. It’s clear that Kon’s works had a profound impact on those who knew him.
Internationally, Kon’s legacy is still going strong. His films are regarded as groundbreaking works of psychological storytelling and artistic innovation. The way he blends reality and illusion, with his exploration of human psychology, easily makes him the best out of other anime directors. Yet, in Japan, his films haven’t received the same level of reverence. No one knows if it will ever be the same again.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
