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This is shocking news indeed: mere hours ago people at the Madhouse anime studio confirmed that legendary director Satoshi Kon has died, aged 46.
Satoshi Kon worked on several anime classics under Katsuhiro Otomo and Mamoru Oshii, but is most well-known for his own films released by Madhouse: "Perfect Blue", "Millennium Actress", "Tokyo Godfathers" and of course "Paprika". He also made the brilliant 13-episode series "Paranoia Agent". Currently he was working on his new film "The Dreaming Machine" which was scheduled for release next year.
To say he will be missed is an understatement. I think I will revisit "Paprika" tonight, with the commentary track on...
(Thanks go to the Otakon Web Board for spreading the news, and to Peter van der Lugt for alerting me)
Satoshi Kon worked on several anime classics under Katsuhiro Otomo and Mamoru Oshii, but is most well-known for his own films released by Madhouse: "Perfect Blue", "Millennium Actress", "Tokyo Godfathers" and of course "Paprika". He also made the brilliant 13-episode series "Paranoia Agent". Currently he was working on his new film "The Dreaming Machine" which was scheduled for release next year.
To say he will be missed is an understatement. I think I will revisit "Paprika" tonight, with the commentary track on...
(Thanks go to the Otakon Web Board for spreading the news, and to Peter van der Lugt for alerting me)
This can´t be true. Simply can´t.
Regardless of my opinion of his output he was certainly one of the most distinctive talents in the industry, the kind of cinematic provocateur we badly need more of, and this is terrible news. I hated Perfect Blue and thought Paprika was very over-rated, but I still felt hugely upset when I saw the news on Twitter. Pumping some Susumu Hirasawa nice and loud in tribute. Rest in peace, Satoshi. You'll be sorely missed.
My goodness, no! This cannot be. He'll be missed as one of anime's great masters. Sad news indeed.
This is god damn awful, what a legend.
Holy shit and I have Paranoia Agent on pause behind me right now. Truly sad stuff.
how the hell did he die at 47? anyone know? paprika was brilliant. i saw it on the big screen and loved every minute of it. definately the work of a beautiful and imaginative mind.
This ruined my day.
one of anime's greatest, one of cinema's greatest is gone. he was one of the few to use animation to its fullest and not just mimic reality as so many animation studios do. his imagination flourished within his medium; he was a true master of his craft. he will certainly be missed.
This is just devastating ...
Ruined my day as well.
Wow, wasn't expecting that. How terrible and how utterly too soon.
You were a giant in animation and your loss will be felt throughout the industry, worldwide.
While I feel his best work lies in the past, it's sad to see him go at such a young ago. A very distinctive voice in the anime scene, Kon will surely be missed.
Damn, man. I love Millenium Actress, Tokyo Godfathers, and Paranoia Agent. He lit a path in the anime industry, and now is gone. So, so sad.
RIP. Can't say I've actually seen any of his work in full, but what a huge shame.
VERY upsetting, and a MASSIVE loss to the arts.
He will be sadly and sorely missed.
Bummer, so young.
ANN posted Kon's farewell message. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-08-25/director-satoshi-kon-wife-writes-about-his-passing
A final message was posted to his website on his behalf on Wednesday, after his passing. His website is currently under heavy traffic load, but ANN archived a copy.
In the beginning of the message titled "Farewell," Kon recalled:
May 18 of this year, an unforgettable day.
My wife and I received the following prognosis from a cardiologist at the Musashino Red Cross Hospital:
"The pancreatic cancer is terminal and has metastasized to the bone. You have at most a half year left."
Later, he remembered meeting with MADHOUSE founder Masao Maruyama about the final anime film he was directing:
When I conveyed my concerns for Yume-Miru Kikai to Mr. Maruyama, he said, "It's fine. Don't worry, we'll do whatever it takes."
I cried.
I cried aloud.
He concluded his message with the following:
With feelings of gratitude for all that is good in this world, I put down my pen.
Well, I'll be leaving now.
Satoshi Kon
Very sad news, I love his work
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
I loved every movie he made, especially perfect blue and paranoia agent.
Damn! I really feel upset!
Shouldn't do any swearing here. But this is just unfair.
Rest In Peace Satoshi sensei.
Damn ! This is just terrible terrible news ...
Rest In Peace my friend, sweet dreams forever more ...
It is terrible tragedy that Satoshi Kon has passed away. You can help remember him by contributing to his memorial website at http://satoshikon.people2remember.com/