Satoshi Kon, one of the truly brilliant Japanese filmmakers, passed away yesterday due to pancreatic cancer. He was 46 years old.
While still in college, he made his debut as a manga artist. Upon graduation, he worked as an assistant for Akira author Katsuhiro Otomo.
He went on to create and direct some of the most impressive and striking anime of the last two decades.
Perfect Blue
Millennium Actress
Tokyo Godfathers
Paranoia Agent
Paprika
Kon was working on a new film called The Dream Machine, which was slated for next year.
On August 23, the last tweet was posted on Kon’s Twitter site. It reads: “I might be old-fashioned, or maybe it’s just that I still admire the old values.”
Anime Director Satoshi Kon of “Millennium Actress” Passed Away [Gigazine][Pic]
Tony Law
Wednesday, August 25, 2010 at 11:11 PMRIP Satoshi Kon…this is tragic news
Sughly
Wednesday, August 25, 2010 at 11:55 PMMan what terrible news. He was by far my favourite anime director, some of the best work I’ve ever seen. a very sad day for animation indeed…
Steve M
Thursday, August 26, 2010 at 12:28 AMA tragic loss for the anime industry, he made some fine films indeed.
Peter Richards
Thursday, August 26, 2010 at 12:46 AMJeez, only 46.
The only one I have seen before is Paranoia Agent, which was pretty wild.
vash128
Thursday, August 26, 2010 at 3:13 AMHe was a man of great talent indeed.
I own all but one of those animes mentioned in this article, Paprika, which I will definitely be getting now that I know it was made by that man.
May he rest in peace and his work be remembered forever.
Sughly
Thursday, August 26, 2010 at 10:55 AMYou won’t be disappointed, it’s typical Satoshi Kon brilliance!
Pandafaust
Thursday, August 26, 2010 at 4:55 PMLiterally flicking through channels to check the weather, i stumbled across paprika once. Sat down and watched the whole damn thing, study and sleep be damned. I don’t think i’ve ever done that in my life. Awesome music too btw.
Brink
Thursday, August 26, 2010 at 8:54 AMPoor bugger.
Perfect Blue blew my mind.
Matthew Murphy
Thursday, August 26, 2010 at 10:17 AMI really hate to see him go as his work was outstanding.
RIP Satoshi Kon.
Jayson Solis
Thursday, August 26, 2010 at 10:35 AMhis debut was with Magnetic Rose. great short OVA. rip satoshi kon.
Arcane Azmadi
Thursday, August 26, 2010 at 10:03 PMA tragedy. Kon was truly a genius and a visionary, on par with Hayao Miyazaki himself. Millenium Actress remains my absolute all-time favourite film. I hope they’re able to finish and release The Dream Machine as a tribute to him.
James Worth
Friday, August 27, 2010 at 8:48 PMFUCK NO!!!