Satoshi Kon was a revolutionary Japanese film director, screenwriter, animator, and manga artist who died tragically in 2010 at the young age of 46 due to pancreatic cancer. During his career, however, he left behind a legacy of exceptional work and was beloved by many. While fans may never see Dreaming Time, the film he was working on when he died, it is safe to say that a master like Kon will continue to live on in his legacy for many years to come.
Satoshi Kon's filmography continues to inspire and challenge our understanding of reality and the duality of life. With a penchant for horror and thrillers and an artistic flair for the surreal and strange, few can match the powerful symbolism and unique way he brought art and conversation to the world. Four of his films were free to rent for a whole weekend earlier this year, as part of a celebration of his work that was put on by the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art.
Here is every movie, and a few other projects directed or written by Satoshi Kon, ranked according to what is considered to be his greatest work. Every fan has a favorite, and when it comes to comparing masterpieces, it is difficult to rate one over the other. However, each was ranked based on its critical reception, iconic scenes, and fascinating story. If there is one that someone hasn't seen before, they are truly missing out.
8 World Apartment Horror
World Apartment Horror was not a film directed by Satoshi Kon, but it was based on his manga, a four-story anthology by the same name. This comedic horror story about a yakuza thug sent to rid an apartment building of foreigners only to find a language barrier and an evil spirit, contains all the elements that make Kon's work so unique. That is why, though not exactly his own, it still belongs among his other great works.
7 JoJo's Bizarre Adventure OVA
Again, while it is only a small credit to his name, Satoshi Kon wrote and directed episode five of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure OVA, sparking a series that has come to be much beloved. Even though it was only one episode, many fans of the show have commented that it was one of the best episodes, with scenes that are distinctly carrying the Satoshi Kon touch. The fact that his work shines through even when he is not the forerunner on a project proves just how talented he truly was.
6 Good Morning
The last animation that Satoshi Kon wrote and directed before his death is only one minute long. With ethereal, otherworldly storytelling, it shows the mundane and often overlooked tasks of waking up. Each frame is beautiful and memorable, leading up to the only word spoken by the character, "Ohayo" (good morning). While it is not as flashy or mind-blowing as his other works, this small project is representative of just how little needs to be done to tell a full story. Not only that, but the short clip is identifiable as his work, even though it is perhaps the simplest thing he ever created.
5 Paprika
Adapted from a thriller novel of the same name, Paprika is an excellent representation of Kon's creativity and skill. Satoshi Kon takes fans on an adventure where they will question everything humanity knows about the line between reality and fantasy as fans watch the heroine try to save the world from dream terrorists. It is certainly a trippy whirlwind of color and music (with an incredible film score), with scenes that could have only come from such a brilliant creator.
4 Tokyo Godfathers
For a master of surrealism like Satoshi Kon, this sentimental 2003 Christmas movie is fairly mild when compared to his other works. However, it is still thick with Kon's fascination with liminality, focusing on marginal societal groups and the difference between family by blood and the family one finds. It beautifully retells the traditional Christmas stories, but with a more representative approach to how fine the line is between what is disastrous versus what is miraculous.
3 Millennium Actress
The second of his feature films, Millennium Actress once again exposes the blurry line between reality and fantasy. As a recluse actress recounts the story of her life, her interviews are drawn into her life that has been unalterably mixed with aspects from various roles she played as an actress. It is a masterful movie about movies, and a beautiful examination of accepting the blurred intersection between the real world and the imagination, and how it can bring a sense of peace.
2 Paranoia Agent
Satoshi Kon's Paranoia Agent was his only full television series, but it was brilliant from beginning to end. Set in a city outside of Tokyo, the population is terrorized by a boy who quickly becomes a serial assailant, attacking seemingly random targets as detectives try to catch him. The city slowly sinks into madness as the anxiety spikes and fear wins out, many suffering from a deep depression. Because this psychological thriller is spread out over 13 episodes, the slow build-up of tension as the surreal story unfolds is legendary, even for Satoshi Kon's work. This, all while keeping with Kon's chilling portrayal of his story makes for a creepy and sometimes terrifying ride.
1 Perfect Blue
Easily placed among the best psychological thriller movies ever made, Satoshi Kon's first feature film Perfect Blue is arguably his best. Not only does this movie contain every element that makes Kon's work so unique, but the story itself is also just as unique as the surreal scenes and psychological twists. As the protagonist's world crumbles around her, the young actress is faced with an existential crisis, not only of herself but of reality as a whole.
While dealing with obstacles ranging from an obsessive fan stalking her to a traumatizing role for work, she is pushed to the brink when she finds a website that contains her life records in intimate and disturbing detail. This film is truly in a field all its own, and it is certainly humbling to realize that this was his first feature film and was already breaking ground.