Remembering Satoshi KON

A year ago today the director Satoshi KON (ANN profile) passed away due to cancer. KON was well respected, and while he left his final film incomplete, the director of Dennou Coil has been tasked with seeing Yume-Miru Kikai though to the end. So, in the spirit of putting something up, even if it's just a few quick videos..

A tribute AMV at this year's Otakon. You'll see why it's runner up, but it's not too bad.



KON also worked on Memories (trailer), which was a compilation of a few shorts presented by Otomo (the director of Akira). It also just so happens to contain the only work by Otomo that completely stuck a chord with me, and that didn't leave me disappointed, which was 'Cannon Fodder'. Of the three shorts, KON's contribution was 'Magnetic Rose', which was based on a oneshot by Otomo.

Two space travelers following a distress signal are drawn into a magnificent world created by one woman's memories.

A random amv for that's a little down:

Not amazingly edited, but well chosen. As per the editors intentions, this is an "AMV of seeking reality within the fantasy." and only focuses on the little bits of background pieced together by the space travelers. (Thus, it's not completely representative of the film.)

And for a few laughs and upbeat mood:
(be advised, some NSFW, and spoilers)


KON liked to reuse certain scenes and themes across his various works, which we've commented on in the past, like the skipping in Paprika which was originally a chase scene in Perfect Blue. Annnd, suddenly- a random Millennium Actress AMV:

Chiyoko, the main character from Millennium Actress, chases after her life, in thousand places and times. Can she catch up with it?

(Good, but I'll understand if you become bored part way through.)

There are several other AMVs on YouTube, and many on the org, though many were a little nsfw or just a bit dark to link to directly. These may not do him justice, but I thought we couldn't go without sharing some love and providing well deserved exposure for a classic director.

News - Anime - Live Action, Matoko's 5cm, and Kintaro

Various Standard News of Interest

Speaking of Satoshi KON (ANN) (director of 'Paranoia Agent', 'Perfect Blue', 'Millennium Actress' and more), his newest project 'Paprika' (ANN) might make it to US Theaters March 2007.
The Paprika Trailer has some rather familiar Satoshi scenes...

(Paranoia Agent?)

(Perfect Blue?)

Some people say that the legacy of science fiction writer Philip K. Dick has revolutionized world cinema, far beyond Hollywood. Or is it, rather, the alternate realities of Japanese manga and anime, which have proved themselves an even more lasting tribute to imagination and futuristic politics? In any case, PAPRIKA is the definitive film of the Third Millennium about Counterfeit and Alternative Worlds. And it is gigantic fun, too. Please, fasten tight your seat-belts: it is a hell of a ride!

Live Action

Honey Clover Live Action (ANN)

Mushishi Live Action? Yeah, apparently.

Saikano Live Action - translation by weird_winghon is a bit flakey (often the grammar is off), but I'm glad to have had the chance to see it.
(Watched the trailer a couple times while waiting on it. :p )


Makoto Fanboy

Byousoku 5 Centimeter (site)
5 Centimeters per Second (ANN) (AniDB)

I've been waiting on this since the beginning of March (old link), but recently we can see some progress.

The 5cm Teaser can be found here 100k 500k 1.5M
And if you can handle it, Right-Click Save-As this 1280x720 version (Translated version out by The-Triad)

So far The-Triad plans to pickup the project.

The animation quality (gallery) seems like it will at the very least meet 'The Place Promised in Our Early Days' (ANN)

'Fanboy' is probably too harsh a word, but I've enjoyed several of Makoto's works (few at ANN) including his short films. Now I wouldn't go as far as to say something like 'Hoshi no koe' was great (it has its flaws). Or rather, that particular movie was in ways somewhat disappointing to me. The concepts he chooses are great, and the way he translates life to anime is very well done, but the arrangement of his 'plots', and at times the lack of 'meat on his characters' is the catch.
(The reason I use the term 'fanboy' is because I once caught myself being a bit too excited in the rush immediately after re-watching 'Other Worlds' (ANN) a few years later. ^_^; )


Fansubbing

Shinsen Just Released Night Head Genesis Ep 01
Trailer (wmv) for the lazy (ANN)

A-Et I love you! Yesterday they finished QC and The Last of Salaryman Kintaro (Anime) has been released! Get it NOW!
I've been eagerly awaiting this release if you couldn't tell. ^_^;

(photos.blogger.com acting oddly, image will be uploaded later)