Satoshi Kon's Debut Work 'Perfect Blue' Re-released in Korea on September 11

On September 11, the masterpiece that marked a milestone in the history of Japanese animation, 〈Perfect Blue〉, will be presented to Korean audiences in a 4K remastered version. 〈Perfect Blue〉 is a mystery psychological thriller where ‘Mima’, who transitions from an idol to an actress, experiences a collapse of the boundary between reality and fantasy amidst an identity crisis and becomes embroiled in a mysterious murder case.

The protagonist ‘Mima’ begins a new challenge as an actress, breaking away from her glamorous image as an idol. However, she feels confused by unexpected situations such as a role with only one line, exposure scenes, and nude photo shoots, while the past idol ‘Mima’ starts to appear before her like a phantom. Moreover, a series of murders involving people around ‘Mima’ escalates the tension of the narrative to its peak. The story raises endless questions about who the real ‘Mima’ is and where ‘Mima’ exists between reality and fantasy, captivating the audience.

Satoshi Kon's first feature animation debut, 〈Perfect Blue〉, encapsulates his unique worldview that traverses the boundaries of reality and fantasy, serving as the starting point for his original style seen in later works such as 〈Millennium Actress〉, 〈Paprika〉, and 〈The Probability of Miracles on Christmas〉. Additionally, the renowned studio Madhouse, which produced masterpieces like 〈Cardcaptor Sakura〉, 〈Death Note〉, and 〈One Punch Man〉, contributed to the outstanding direction and delicate visual beauty. Notably, this domestic release is a 4K remastered version produced to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Madhouse in 2023, promising upgraded image quality and sound for both original fans and new audiences.

The released teaser poster vividly conveys the identity confusion and psychological anxiety that ‘Mima’ experiences through two contrasting images: the bright and cheerful ‘Mima’ in reality and the actress ‘Mima’ lying down with a vacant gaze. It effectively expresses the protagonist's inner world, which wavers between reality and fantasy, heightening audience anticipation.

The 4K remastered version of 〈Perfect Blue〉, which unfolds the essence of a mystery psychological thriller occurring at the boundary between idol and actress, reality and fantasy, will meet audiences at Megabox theaters nationwide in Korea on September 11.