Perfect Blue

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Alternative Titles

Japanese: パーフェクトブルー

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Information

Type: Movie

Episodes: 1

Status: Finished Airing

Aired: Feb 28, 1998

Producers: Rex Entertainment, ONIRO

Licensors: GKIDS

Studios: Madhouse

Source: Novel

Genres: Avant Garde, Drama, Horror, Suspense

Themes: Adult Cast, Psychological, Showbiz

Duration: 1 hr. 21 min.

Rating: R+ - Mild Nudity

Statistics

Score: 8.55¹ (scored by 380,153 users)

¹ indicates a weighted score.

Ranked: #107²

² based on the top anime page. Please note that 'Not yet aired' and 'R18+' titles are excluded.

Popularity: #284

Members: 708,290

Favorites: 19,256

Available At

Official Site

Resources

AniDB

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Synopsis

J-pop idol group CHAM! has spent the last two years entertaining its fans. Sadly, all good things must come to an end, and CHAM! must see one of its members, Mima Kirigoe, leave the group to pursue her acting career. While Mima's choice is met with a mixed response, she hopes her fans will continue to support her.

However, Mima's life begins to change drastically after her departure from the group. Wanting to shed her pop-idol image, she takes on a role in a crime drama series, and her career as an actress gradually becomes more demanding and taxing for both Mima and her manager, Rumi Hidaka. To add to Mima's growing unease, an obsessed fan who is incapable of accepting that Mima has quit being an innocent idol, begins stalking her; a new anonymous website begins to impersonate her life with intricate detail; and CHAM! also appears to be doing better without her. One by one, each disturbing development drives Mima to become increasingly unhinged and unable to distinguish reality from fantasy.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

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Background

Perfect Blue is the directorial debut of animator Satoshi Kon and is an adaptation of the 1991 novel Perfect Blue: Kanzen Hentai (released in English by Seven Seas Entertainment as Perfect Blue: Complete Metamorphosis) written by Yoshikazu Takeuchi. The film made its world premiere at the 1997 edition of the Fant-Asia film festival in Montreal, where it received awards for Best Asian Film and Best Animation Film. It went on to earn additional awards and critical praise at film festivals worldwide before opening in Japanese theaters in 1998.

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Related Anime

Adaptation:

Perfect Blue: Kanzen Hentai

More characters

Characters & Voice Actors

Kirigoe, Mima

Main

Iwao, Junko
Japanese

Uchida, Mamoru

Supporting

Ookura, Masaaki
Japanese

Hidaka, Rumi

Supporting

Matsumoto, Rica
Japanese

Sakuragi

Supporting

Hori, Hideyuki
Japanese

Mima Fan C

Supporting

Murano

Supporting

Ebara, Masashi
Japanese

Ochiai, Eri

Supporting

Shinohara, Emi
Japanese

Doi, Tadashi

Supporting

Suyama, Akio
Japanese

Rei

Supporting

Niiyama, Shiho
Japanese

Actor

Supporting

More staff

Staff

Maruyama, Masao

Producer

Maseba, Yutaka

Producer

Inoue, Hiroaki

Producer

Kon, Satoshi

Director, Script, Character Design

Edit

Opening Theme

"Ai no Tenshi" by Misa, Emiko Furakawa and Mie Shimizu

Edit

Ending Theme

"Season" by M-Voice

Reviews

Apr 12, 2024

XOArama

Recommended

I was almost afraid this movie might not hold up on rewatch, being the kind of movie that works by catching you off guard and causing confusion while watching. Being one of my favorite movies, after watching, I'd put off rewatching it for those reasons. Luckily, after rewatching it now years later, I can definitely say it's held up to how much I liked it on the first watch. Perfect Blue is definitely a staple of its times, and you can really get a sense of that while watching.

Perfect Blue, which was Satoshi Kon's directorial debut, was originally intended to be an OVA. Just as ... they were nearing the end of production, the decision was made that it would have a theatrical release. So, the movie was made in a way that wasn't usually common for the big screen at the time; it was made to be watched and then forgotten. Because of that, we got a movie that was uncommon for its time in Japan, and it really helped break the boundaries of what films could be.

The story of Perfect Blue is amazing; it keeps you on the edge of your seat and always second-guessing what you've just seen. Even when you've reached the end of the film, you have so many things to think about. The way this film is made only elevates the story itself: abrupt cuts between scenes, shots lingering longer than they should be, little details in the background—all these work together to create a sense of unease when watching, where even on my second time watching, it hit me hard. Some of the scenes can be hard to watch, but I could never look away; it's really captivating in the sense that you don't want to miss anything.

The characters we get in this film are really well-written. We get Mima and the struggles she faces in switching from being an idol to an actress and the cost of those actions on her own wellbeing. Rumi, her manager, and her struggle to try and protect Mima from the industry while also struggling to stay true to what Mima wants. Then the stalker character, who is just so stereotypically creepy you can't help but have suspicions. All these characters work together with their personal quirks to really help build that sense of unease, and they all play their role perfectly.

My only gripe with the film was I wish it was a little longer. With the budget they had and the entire situation around its production, I can't blame them for it at all, but I think it for sure could have benefited. Even so, the short run time is a benefit in a way as it adds to the rushed feeling that you get while watching, and then bam, it's over, and you're just left to think about what you just watched. That said, they packed the runtime to the brim, and I think they did a great job making the most of what they got.

This is a really unique story, and while there have been films made after it that attempt to tackle the same themes, I think Perfect Blue succeeds in being the best. With a perfectly fitting art style, a well-put-together soundtrack, greatly written story and characters, and altogether elevated by the medium of animation, it's an easy recommendation to anyone who's a fan of the genre. If you're in search of a thought-provoking movie and can handle the feeling of unease, you will easily be captivated by the perfection that is Perfect Blue.

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Aug 5, 2023

SeraIgnate

Mixed Feelings

It's a cruel masterpiece and one of my favourites, though it has a pretty specific audience.

Still phenomenal.

I honestly didn't know what to expect, but I'm sure that was probably the point.

The animation was amazing, it really worked with the story.

Even though I wildly love it, I'm not sure if I can recommended Perfect Blue to most people.

...

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May 12, 2022

Kot_Schlyopa

Not Recommended

Funny

Summary:
A psychological movie that combines realism and surrealism to 'disturb' the audience and deals with certain themes related to people involved in idol and acting industry like doubting career choice and what one really wants, insanity, idol worship and actresses having to indulge in lewd activities despite their discomfort.
Its about a young idol who decides to switch her career from a pop star to an actress, but isn't sure if thats what she really wants especially after she has to taint her pure reputation by getting involved in sex scenes and nude photography. She is also being stalked by a creepy fan who loathes ...

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Recent Forum Discussion

Few confusing that i don't understand HELP ME, if you didn't watched it plz go away I'm sure it be fully spoilers MadSonic - Feb 18	21 replies	by hi777 »» Apr 15, 9:16 PM
Poll: Perfect Blue Episode 1 Discussion ( 1 2 3 4 5 ... Last Page ) aero - Jul 18, 2009	347 replies	by Cixyz »» Apr 5, 3:37 PM
Great movie... but suffered through the entire thing BustedBayou - Jan 4	17 replies	by Feitan_exe »» Mar 1, 10:29 PM
Confused R1NN_ - Jul 4, 2023	22 replies	by HansDevX »» Dec 13, 2023 7:20 PM
Recommendations like this movie with THOSE scenes SadikTD - Apr 30, 2023	8 replies	by arrianne311 »» Sep 20, 2023 12:41 PM

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Perfect Blue

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Kirigoe, Mima

Uchida, Mamoru

Hidaka, Rumi

Sakuragi

Mima Fan C

Murano

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Doi, Tadashi

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Perfect Blue

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