RIP Satoshi Kon

[David.Seth2]

I know many of you here aren't anime fans, but the few of you who might care: Satoshi Kon, one of the great anime directors, died today at the age of 47 (the reason why hasn't been published to my knowledge). He is the reason I go into anime. I remember when I first saw Perfect Blue... It took my appreciation of animation to a whole new level. To bad we had to lose him so soon. For all of you who don't like watching anime (or animated movies in general), I highly recommend you watch any of the films he made. He was a gifted director and story teller, and his films should be watched by any film lover.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0Rj7nn0ZVs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqg3Sw3s9Wg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-anabfAg06U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpGrD5wUzKE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Q6mcx2qF4Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jjR_t0ikoU

edit: according to a few other news outlets he was 46.

 

[Bad^Hat]

That sucks, 47 is way too young for a great filmmaker like him, he mightn't have even hit his stride yet. Actually I haven't seen many of his films, keep meaning to remedy that. I guess now's as good a time as ever.

 

[Deleted member 56031]

woah he's dead?

RIP

 

[Sparta]

That really sucks. This guy was a hell of a talent, easily one of the best directors in Japan

 

[kupocake]

It's pretty heartbreaking. The only other anime director the world needs is Miyazaki himself, and he's an old, old man. If we'd lost Miyazaki at 46, he'd have died during production of My Neighbour Totoro... that's insane. I know there's nothing logical about looking at the life of a director like for like, but it kind of puts into perspective how much awesome Kon could have been yet to do. The translated last post on his blog is sad stuff:

May 18 of this year, an unforgettable day.

My wife and I received the following prognosis from a cardiologist at the Musashino Red Cross Hospital:

"The pancreatic cancer is terminal and has metastasized to the bone. You have at most a half year left."

...

When I conveyed my concerns for Yume-Miru Kikai* to Mr. Maruyama, he said, "It's fine. Don't worry, we'll do whatever it takes."

I cried.

I cried aloud.

...

With feelings of gratitude for all that is good in this world, I put down my pen.

Well, I'll be leaving now.

Satoshi Kon

* Kon's upcoming film The Dream Machine has been in production some time, and the characters are actually teased in parts of Paprika.

And on the subject of Miyazaki, it was recently revealed that considering their difficulty finding directors to take over at Studio Ghibli they've made a 'dissolution plan' for a worst case scenario within the next few years. What a bad week for traditional animation.

 

[Kaptain H]

Oh well, I guess no more anime. Never heard of him.

 

[kupocake]

Oh well, I guess no more anime.

Oh, there'll be anime. Just even less of the good stuff, as if that were possible.

 

[kupocake]

http://www.japanator.com/satoshi-kon-1963-2010-16301.phtml

Sorry for the double post.

 

[DEATHMASTER]

Heard about this a while ago, pretty horrible losing such a talent. But I think Miyazaki will live to at least 100 continually making his work.

 

[Jerry_111]

what the hell? he had so many more years of anime ahead