Japanese animation director Kon Satoshi, who gave us such unforgettable films as Perfect Blue, Millenium Actress, Tokyo Godfathers and Paprika, passed away on the 24th of August, 2010, from pancreatic cancer. He was only 46.

No doubt the animation world has just lost one of its brightest stars, for he was certainly among one of the greats – Miyazaki, Oshii, and his mentor Otomo.

While working on Freedom in Sunrise in Ogikubo, Tokyo, we were fortunately indeed to be located just across the street from Madhouse. As such, I had on numerous occasions chanced upon the man himself, who believe it or not, commutes by train, just like us mortals. The ultimate encounter of course, was when I sat next to him in a quaint little restaurant called Fune.

At the end of Millenium Actress, (my absolute favorite Kon Satoshi film) Chiyoko utters :

“だって私…あの人を追いかけている私が好きなんだもの。”
( “After all, its the chase [after him] that I really love.”)

Certainly, the same can be said of the director’s lifelong pursuit for that next great film.

Farewell, Satoshi-sama. Your spirit will endure in the brilliance and beauty of your wonderful animation. Next stop, The Dream Machine. ( Yume Miru Kikai )