Parents' Guide to Perfect Blue

The first of director Satoshi Kon's major films, this psychological thriller tops many critics' best anime films lists and certifiably put Kon on the map. For many, the subject matter and grisly violence in Perfect Blue might be too off-putting, as despite its age and vibrantly colorful animation, this film has brutal killings, scenes of sexual assault, and lots of blood. Further, there are plenty of creepy psychological moments that tingle the spine as main character Mima starts to lose her mind. Days start to repeat themselves or blend into each other, mirrors and reflections begin to reflect different selves, and a stalker continues to randomly appear throughout Mima's daily life. But for those who can stomach it, this film is an incredible trip that masterfully examines pop idol worship and fan obsession, the dangers stardom sometimes demands, and the exploitation of young fame seekers eager to become the next big thing.

This film could also be considered psychological horror, as there are plenty of killings and spikes of violence that ramp up toward a wonderfully tricky but also satisfying conclusion. On the way to this climax, Kon takes full advantage of playing with reality. For example, Mima acts out various scenes for a TV show, but sometimes these moments blur into reality and vice versa. Soon, it isn't clear what's real and what isn't, and what might be part of the TV show being filmed. As a bonus, many of the visuals in this film have been copied by many popular and successful films that came after it, either as homage or simple thievery. Either way, it's clear how influential this film is.