The last feature film that the late Kon Satoshi completed before his untimely demise in 2010, Paprika is likely the director’s most internationally renowned work, with Christopher Nolan paying tribute to it in his film Inception.

This new volume by Fukkan ( who also published Kon’s Perfect Blue storyboards ) collects the full storyboards for Paprika, beautifully drawn by the director himself. The storyboards were previously available as part of the Japanese special dvd box in a smaller format, but this is the first time the boards have been released as a proper publication.

This book was published on the 24th of August 2017 – marking the 7 year death anniversary of Kon Satoshi.

(above & below) At the beginning of the book there is a short masterclass on the storytelling/visual techniques often employed by Kon Satoshi, some of which include -the use of tight, claustrophobic spaces; distorted dimensions; lens effects; metaphors, and more.

(above) The storyboards are often accompanied by instructions and detail for camera movement and treatment. Some common lingo used in anime/storyboards include T.U ( track up ) and BOOK ( foreground elements that are overlayed on top of other elements – more detailed explanation here ).

(above) Robot characters from the director’s hitherto uncompleted project The Dream Machine make several appearances in the film.

The level of detail that the storyboards contain is incredible – on par with those of Miyazaki and Otomo, the latter whom Kon Satoshi studied under.

Some storyboarding techniques and notes, as well as omitted cut(s) are included near the end of the book.

This is a beautiful volume documenting the meticulous storyboarding work that Kon Satoshi put in for his magnum opus Paprika. The book serves both as an excellent study tool as well as a great way to appreciate the late director’s amazing draftsmanship. My highest recommendations.

Just like the Perfect Blue storyboards, this book will be highly sought after, so get your copy before it goes out of print.

“Paprika – Kon Satoshi Storyboard 今 敏 絵コンテ集:パプリカ″ book details :

– Dimensions – 21 x 15 x 3.5 cm
– Softcover,704 pages
– Full color /B&W, Japanese language

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