Satoshi Kon: The Illusionist

the loss of Satoshi Kon from the anime ranks is felt deeply- though Makato Shinkai is looked upon as a spiritual successor he is not quite the same. This book helps bring some elements in perspective. I would like to see Paranoia Agent finally get a re-release- but hey - that's the problem with copyright- the owner dies and the last copyright holding company is out of business and we are left losing out on a masterpiece work.his last work - dreaming machine will probably never be published- though one of his coworkers promised to - not enough was done prior to Satoshi Kon's death-i am afraid if we see anything it will be an unfinished work- and we will be left wondering where he would have taken us if he was still alive

Satoshi Kon is easily one of my favorite filmmakers. He's one of the rare types that can tell any style of story and make it uniquely his.Andrew Osmond's book The Illusionist details this one of a kind filmmaker and his works.If you're not familiar with Kon's work you may want to rent some before reading, since much of this book is simply an in-depth dissection of his stories.The book is broken into 6 parts- one for Kon's early life and career and one for each of his films and TV series. Each work has a brief summary, a plot breakdown, a more detailed analysis and a sidebar of interesting facts.Personally, I would have liked more insight into Kon himself and less plot breakdowns of his films, all of which I've seen multiple times. There's not much of a point in this book catering to anyone but established fans, so you might as well not talk much about things people already knowI at least would like to have seen pictures of Kon's actual drawings rather than just screen-caps and promo stills.I will say the book prompted me to rewatch Millennium Actress for the first time in quite a while as well as try to purchase the now hard to come by DVDs of Paranoia Agent. So even though I would have liked to see this book done differently, it has made me better appreciate one of my favorite filmmakers. So if you're already a big fan of Satoshi Kon, this book may be right up your alley.

This book gives a very informative rundown of information about Kon's films, and it's worthwhile if you want to flesh out your understanding of the films' production histories. It does this job quite well. The tone of the book is very shallow though, and at times unprofessional.It would have been preferable if Osmond had simply reported the facts, but instead he adds his own very superficial commentary as if he were an expert. It is particularly grating when he nitpicks pointlessly about the fantasy logic of ghosts in Paranoia Agent, or when he harps narrow-mindedly about how Perfect Blue doesn't conform to American feminist politics. His occasional inane attempts at humor further show his lack of commitment towards intelligent analysis.That said, despite its shoddy writing style (which would be more appropriate for a blog than a published book), this book is a useful quick read that provides a convenient string of facts about Kon's films. If you only care about getting the facts, this book will serve that purpose well.

Satoshi Kon is somewhat of a rarity these days: a touted maker of anime who is also a respected filmmaker. Although his first major release in the US was 2007's "Paprika", he made three prior films: "Perfect Blue", "Millennium Actress", and "Tokyo Godfathers", as well as the 13-episode TV series "Paranoia Agent." All of them are different, and all of them are complex, but they are all undeniably Kon's.In this book, Andrew Osmond has done a fine job getting under the surface of these works. He devotes a chapter to each, examining its origins, followed by a plot synopsis and critical analysis. Each chapter also features sidebars full of additional interesting information; kind of like an extra commentary track. The book is full of quotes from Kon himself, taken from many sources, including interviews conducted by Osmond. Osmond also includes a brief biography of Kon, and chronicles his rise through the anime industry (this bit is also an interesting look at the industry itself). This book isn't a superficial highlight reel, but a serious and critical study of the psychology and history of Kon and his work.Osmond has obviously done his homework, making comparisons to characters and trends spanning all five of Kon's releases, as well as other anime. He has a clear understanding of what Kon is trying to say, and communicates his observations and theories in easy-to-follow, entertaining prose. While Osmond is clearly a fan of Kon and his work, he has no problem pointing out what he considers to be inconsistencies or shortcomings. He keeps his analysis objective, which makes it all the more valuable. The book is also quite up-to-date, mentioning Kon's next project, "The Dream Machine", currently scheduled for a 2010 release.This book is not for newcomers to Kon. It is rife with spoilers, and it must be noted that Kon's anime deals with adult subject matter, such as sex and violence (unlike directors like Miyazaki, none of Kon's current catalog is suitable for children). However, Osmond's book is a perfect and rewarding companion for those familiar with Kon, as well as those who want to learn more about this intriguing artist. The book is insightful, well-researched, and intelligent, while still being an entertaining read. Osmond deserves much credit for keeping the book moving swiftly, while not glossing over the complicated subjects of Kon's anime.Most of Kon's work deals with reality and how the perception of his characters affects that reality. Kon's characters are three-dimensional, and seem like real people despite being animated. Each of Kon's work is bursting with creativity, but for different reasons. Whether it's the shifting of reality in "Millennium Actress" and "Paprika", the antics of "Tokyo Godfathers", or the examination of the effects of guilt and identity in "Paranoia Agent" and "Perfect Blue", Kon examines what it means to be human with a flair that's quite unlike any other contemporary filmmaker.While it can be argued that each of Kon's works may be labeled fantasy, it is not always clear exactly what Kon considers to be fantasy or reality (Osmond tends to agree). Kon's anime gives an equal workout to the mind and the heart, and does not always tie up events with a neat bow.Satoshi Kon is one of the most interesting and talented directors in contemporary cinema, and Osmond's fascinating and carefully written book gives Kon the attention he deserves.