Perfect Blue
Updated: 12/11/2025, 2:37:49 PM Wikipedia source
Perfect Blue (Japanese: パーフェクトブルー, Hepburn: Pāfekuto Burū) is a 1997 Japanese animated psychological thriller film directed by Satoshi Kon. It is loosely based on the novel Perfect Blue: Complete Metamorphosis (パーフェクトブルー：完全変態, Pāfekuto Burū: Kanzen Hentai) by Yoshikazu Takeuchi, with a screenplay by Sadayuki Murai. Featuring the voices of Junko Iwao, Rica Matsumoto, Shiho Niiyama, Masaaki Okura, Shinpachi Tsuji and Emiko Furukawa, the plot follows a member of a Japanese idol group who retires from music to pursue an acting career. As she becomes a victim of stalking by her obsessive fan, gruesome murders take place, and she begins losing her grip on reality. The film deals with the blurring of the line between fantasy and reality, a commonly found theme in Kon's other works, such as Millennium Actress (2001), Paranoia Agent (2004), and Paprika (2006). The film garnered critical acclaim and is now regarded as a masterpiece of animation and one of the best anime films of all time.
Infobox
Directed by
Satoshi Kon
Screenplay by
Sadayuki Murai
Based on
Perfect Blue: Complete Metamorphosisby Yoshikazu Takeuchi
Produced by
mw- Masao Maruyama Hitomi Nakagaki Yoshihisa Ishihara Yutaka Tōgō Hiroaki Inoue
Starring
Junko Iwao Rica Matsumoto Shiho Niiyama Masaaki Okura Shinpachi Tsuji Emiko Furukawa
Cinematography
Hisao Shirai
Edited by
Harutoshi Ogata
Music by
Masahiro Ikumi
Productioncompany
Madhouse
Distributed by
Rex Entertainment
Release dates
August 5, 1997 (1997-08-05) (Fantasia) February 28, 1998 (1998-02-28) (Japan)
Running time
81 minutes
Country
Japan
Language
Japanese
Budget
¥90 million (US$830,442)
Box office
$3 million €572,669 (Italy rerelease)
Tables
· Cast
Main characters
Main characters
Character
Main characters
Mima Kirigoe (霧越 未麻, Kirigoe Mima)
Mima Kirigoe (霧越 未麻, Kirigoe Mima)
Character
Mima Kirigoe (霧越 未麻, Kirigoe Mima)
Japanese
Junko Iwao
English
Ruby Marlowe
Rumi Hidaka (日高 ルミ, Hidaka Rumi)
Rumi Hidaka (日高 ルミ, Hidaka Rumi)
Character
Rumi Hidaka (日高 ルミ, Hidaka Rumi)
Japanese
Rica Matsumoto
English
Wendee Lee
Mamoru Uchida (Me-Mania) (内田 守, Uchida Mamoru)
Mamoru Uchida (Me-Mania) (内田 守, Uchida Mamoru)
Character
Mamoru Uchida (Me-Mania) (内田 守, Uchida Mamoru)
Japanese
Masaaki Ōkura [ja]
English
Bob Marx
Television drama personnel
Television drama personnel
Character
Television drama personnel
Tejima (手嶋)
Tejima (手嶋)
Character
Tejima (手嶋)
Japanese
Yōsuke Akimoto
English
–
Takao Shibuya (渋谷 貴雄, Shibuya Takao)
Takao Shibuya (渋谷 貴雄, Shibuya Takao)
Character
Takao Shibuya (渋谷 貴雄, Shibuya Takao)
Japanese
Yoku Shioya
English
–
Kenichi Sakuragi (桜木 健一, Sakuragi Ken'ichi)
Kenichi Sakuragi (桜木 健一, Sakuragi Ken'ichi)
Character
Kenichi Sakuragi (桜木 健一, Sakuragi Ken'ichi)
Japanese
Hideyuki Hori
English
Sparky Thornton
Eri Ochiai (落合 恵理, Ochiai Eri)
Eri Ochiai (落合 恵理, Ochiai Eri)
Character
Eri Ochiai (落合 恵理, Ochiai Eri)
Japanese
Emi Shinohara
English
–
Murano (村野)
Murano (村野)
Character
Murano (村野)
Japanese
Masashi Ebara
English
–
Director (監督, Kantoku)
Director (監督, Kantoku)
Character
Director (監督, Kantoku)
Japanese
Kiyoyuki Yanada
English
–
Assistant Director
Assistant Director
Character
Assistant Director
Japanese
Kyousei Tsukui
English
–
CHAM personnel
CHAM personnel
Character
CHAM personnel
Tadokoro (田所)
Tadokoro (田所)
Character
Tadokoro (田所)
Japanese
Shinpachi Tsuji [ja]
English
Gil Starberry
Yada (矢田)
Yada (矢田)
Character
Yada (矢田)
Japanese
Tōru Furusawa
English
–
Yukiko (雪子)
Yukiko (雪子)
Character
Yukiko (雪子)
Japanese
Emiko Furukawa [ja]
English
–
Rei (レイ)
Rei (レイ)
Character
Rei (レイ)
Japanese
Shiho Niiyama
English
–
Electric Soldiers Powertron (電脳戦士パワートロン, Dennou Senshi Pawātoron)
Electric Soldiers Powertron (電脳戦士パワートロン, Dennou Senshi Pawātoron)
Character
Electric Soldiers Powertron (電脳戦士パワートロン, Dennou Senshi Pawātoron)
Red (レッド, Reddo)
Red (レッド, Reddo)
Character
Red (レッド, Reddo)
Japanese
Kōichi Tōchika
English
–
Green (グリーン, Gurīn)
Green (グリーン, Gurīn)
Character
Green (グリーン, Gurīn)
Japanese
Sōichirō Hoshi
English
–
Blue (ブルー, Burū)
Blue (ブルー, Burū)
Character
Blue (ブルー, Burū)
Japanese
Kishō Taniyama
English
–
Other characters
Other characters
Character
Other characters
Tadashi Doi (土居 正, Doi Tadashi)
Tadashi Doi (土居 正, Doi Tadashi)
Character
Tadashi Doi (土居 正, Doi Tadashi)
Japanese
Akio Suyama
English
–
Taku (タク)
Taku (タク)
Character
Taku (タク)
Japanese
Shin-ichiro Miki
English
–
Salaryman (サラリーマン, Sararīman)
Salaryman (サラリーマン, Sararīman)
Character
Salaryman (サラリーマン, Sararīman)
Japanese
Osamu Hosoi
English
–
Child (子供, Kodomo)
Child (子供, Kodomo)
Character
Child (子供, Kodomo)
Japanese
Megumi Tano [ja]
English
–
Child (子供, Kodomo)
Child (子供, Kodomo)
Character
Child (子供, Kodomo)
Japanese
Emi Motoi
English
–
Reporter (レポーター, Repōtā)
Reporter (レポーター, Repōtā)
Character
Reporter (レポーター, Repōtā)
Japanese
Kaori Minami [ja]
English
–
Reporter (レポーター, Repōtā)
Reporter (レポーター, Repōtā)
Character
Reporter (レポーター, Repōtā)
Japanese
Makoto Kitano
English
–
Presenter (司会者, Shikaisha)
Presenter (司会者, Shikaisha)
Character
Presenter (司会者, Shikaisha)
Japanese
Shocker OH!NO! [ja]
English
–
| Character | Japanese | English |
| Main characters | ||
| Mima Kirigoe (霧越 未麻, Kirigoe Mima) | Junko Iwao | Ruby Marlowe |
| Rumi Hidaka (日高 ルミ, Hidaka Rumi) | Rica Matsumoto | Wendee Lee |
| Mamoru Uchida (Me-Mania) (内田 守, Uchida Mamoru) | Masaaki Ōkura [ja] | Bob Marx |
| Television drama personnel | ||
| Tejima (手嶋) | Yōsuke Akimoto | – |
| Takao Shibuya (渋谷 貴雄, Shibuya Takao) | Yoku Shioya | – |
| Kenichi Sakuragi (桜木 健一, Sakuragi Ken'ichi) | Hideyuki Hori | Sparky Thornton |
| Eri Ochiai (落合 恵理, Ochiai Eri) | Emi Shinohara | – |
| Murano (村野) | Masashi Ebara | – |
| Director (監督, Kantoku) | Kiyoyuki Yanada | – |
| Assistant Director | Kyousei Tsukui | – |
| CHAM personnel | ||
| Tadokoro (田所) | Shinpachi Tsuji [ja] | Gil Starberry |
| Yada (矢田) | Tōru Furusawa | – |
| Yukiko (雪子) | Emiko Furukawa [ja] | – |
| Rei (レイ) | Shiho Niiyama | – |
| Electric Soldiers Powertron (電脳戦士パワートロン, Dennou Senshi Pawātoron) | ||
| Red (レッド, Reddo) | Kōichi Tōchika | – |
| Green (グリーン, Gurīn) | Sōichirō Hoshi | – |
| Blue (ブルー, Burū) | Kishō Taniyama | – |
| Other characters | ||
| Tadashi Doi (土居 正, Doi Tadashi) | Akio Suyama | – |
| Taku (タク) | Shin-ichiro Miki | – |
| Salaryman (サラリーマン, Sararīman) | Osamu Hosoi | – |
| Child (子供, Kodomo) | Megumi Tano [ja] | – |
| Child (子供, Kodomo) | Emi Motoi | – |
| Reporter (レポーター, Repōtā) | Kaori Minami [ja] | – |
| Reporter (レポーター, Repōtā) | Makoto Kitano | – |
| Presenter (司会者, Shikaisha) | Shocker OH!NO! [ja] | – |
References
- Reference to the quote is provided by Napier as: Jay, "Satoshi Kon", Otaku (May/June 2003):22
- "パーフェクトブルー戦記1 発端"http://konstone.s-kon.net/modules/pb/index.php?content_id=2
- World Bankhttps://data.worldbank.org/indicator/PA.NUS.FCRF?end=1998&locations=JP&start=1997
- The Numbershttps://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Pafekuto-buru-(Japan)
- "Il regno del pianeta delle scimmie parte al primo posto - Il box office di mercoledì 8 maggio"https://cineguru.screenweek.it/2024/05/il-regno-del-pianeta-delle-scimmie-parte-al-primo-posto-42430/
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/1999/film/reviews/perfect-blue-1200459946/
- "Satoshi Kon's Psychological Thriller "Perfect Blue" Heads to U.S. Theaters"https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2018/08/09-1/satoshi-kons-psychological-thriller-perfect-blue-heads-to-us-theaters
- "Perfect Blue"https://www.allmovie.com/movie/perfect-blue-v181843
- Extreme Cinema: The 40 Most Disturbing Horror Movies Ever Made – PHASRhttps://phasrmedia.com/most-disturbing-horror-movies/
- Washington Posthttps://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/15/AR2007061500492.html
- Empirehttps://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/best-anime-movies/
- SlashFilmhttps://www.slashfilm.com/607074/must-see-horror-anime-movies/
- Vulturehttps://www.vulture.com/article/best-horror-anime.html
- The Animated Movie Guide
- Interview with English Mima
- Interview with English Rumi
- Interview with Mr. Me-Mania
- kirkthornton.comhttp://kirkthornton.com/KIRKTHORNTON.COM/VO_Resume.html
- A Perfect Blue Day
- Cinema Anime: Critical Engagements with Japanese Animationhttps://archive.org/details/cinemaanimecriti00brow
- KON'S TONEhttp://konstone.s-kon.net/modules/interview/index.php?content_id=3
- KON'S TONEhttp://konstone.s-kon.net/modules/interview/index.php?content_id=5
- The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2010/aug/26/anime-satoshi-kon-japanese-cinema
- KON'S TONEhttp://konstone.s-kon.net/modules/interview/index.php?content_id=6
- KON'S TONEhttp://konstone.s-kon.net/modules/interview/index.php?content_id=10
- KON'S TONEhttp://konstone.s-kon.net/modules/interview/index.php?content_id=2
- BANGER!!!https://www.banger.jp/anime/3904/
- KON'S TONEhttp://konstone.s-kon.net/modules/interview/index.php?content_id=7
- KON'S TONEhttp://konstone.s-kon.net/modules/interview/index.php?content_id=8
- KON'S TONEhttp://konstone.s-kon.net/modules/interview/index.php?content_id=11
- 加點音樂誌https://blog.addmusic.tw/2020/08/24/%e4%bb%8a%e6%95%8f%e9%80%9d%e4%b8%96%e5%8d%81%e9%80%b1%e5%b9%b4%e4%bd%9c%e6%9b%b2%e5%ae%b6%e5%b9%b3%e6%be%a4%e9%80%b2%e8%81%8a%e4%bb%8a%e6%95%8f%e8%88%87%e4%bb%96%e7%9a%84%e5%8b%95%e7%95%ab%e9%9f%b3/
- BANGER!!!https://www.banger.jp/anime/3913/
- KON'S TONEhttp://konstone.s-kon.net/modules/interview/index.php?content_id=13
- "Perfect Blue"https://fantasiafestival.com/uploads/Archives/Programmes-et-affiches/FT97-Programme.pdf
- Art of Satoshi Kon
- "PSP Perfect Blue"https://web.archive.org/web/20060125031151/http://www.anchorbayentertainment.com/index.asp?p=CatalogDetail&SKU=PSM2035&PriCatID=8
- Screen Anarchyhttp://screenanarchy.com/2014/03/now-on-blu-ray-perfect-blue-gets-some-much-needed-attention-from-anime-ltd-uk.html
- The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/nov/23/perfect-blue-out-on-dvd
- Anime News Networkhttps://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2018-08-03/fandango-lists-fathom-events-screenings-of-perfect-blue-film-in-u.s/.135019
- Blu-ray.comhttps://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=24342
- Helsingin Sanomathttps://www.hs.fi/kulttuuri/art-2000011360646.html
- Anime News Networkhttps://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2025-08-23/gkids-screens-4k-restoration-of-satoshi-kon-perfect-blue-film-in-u.s-on-october-3/.227978
- Anime News Networkhttps://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2025-09-10/gkids-reveals-4k-trailer-for-perfect-blue-restoration-film/.228645
- "Perfect Blue"https://web.archive.org/web/20040613072404/http://www.animerica-mag.com/features/perfectblue.html
- Perfect Bluehttp://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/perfect_blue_1999/
- Metacritichttps://www.metacritic.com/movie/perfect-blue
- Timehttps://web.archive.org/web/20080113072853/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1088692,00.html
- Total Filmhttp://www.totalfilm.com/features/50-greatest-animated-movies
- "Ranking The 13 Scariest Animated Movies Ever"https://www.slashfilm.com/13-scariest-animated-movies/3/
- Entertainment Weekly'shttps://web.archive.org/web/20121114044227/http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20483133_20609091_21180933,00.html#21180933
- IndieWirehttps://www.indiewire.com/gallery/best-90s-movies/
- Bluehttps://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/Animated-Blue-Has-a-Surreal-Twist-Japanese-2903346.php
- Anime News Networkhttp://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/perfect-blue/r4
- Perfect Bluehttps://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Perfect-Blue-Blu-ray/204571/#Review
- Perfect Bluehttps://www.fandompost.com/2021/01/15/perfect-blue-blu-ray-anime-review-2/
- Clements & McCarthy 2012 – entry: Urotsukidoji
- Slant Magazinehttps://web.archive.org/web/20070320005000/http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/features/drownedworld.asp
- Dazedhttp://www.dazeddigital.com/artsandculture/article/26075/1/the-cult-japanese-filmmaker-that-inspired-darren-aronofsky
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