Wow, I came here hoping to laugh at how crazy this movie was, but instead I find myself fighting back tears and thinking about how hard it is to make one's dreams come true. Well done Sage.

Kon's very direct commentary on the anime business in Paranoia Agent is mandatory viewing. As is the whole series, really.

Bennett talking about Paprika? *THE DAY HAS COME*

I hope Dream Machine gets made. Even if it’s an imitation, the script is still his. I think he’d be both thankful and grateful that his efforts before his death weren’t all in vain, and the film in one form or another gets released.

Jesus this film is like watching ghibli but with crack on your system

Fun fact: This is the only animated movie that my dad has ever watched. He also thinks all anime is like this movie.

This was quite a spicy film, very ambitious and thought provoking. A must watch film imo

My god that was Simultaneously the most inspiring and most depressing episode of Anime Abandon I've ever seen. Still good episode.

The auteur note at the beginning did not lead where I expected, but I absolutely agree with the conclusion. I hope Kon’s wish is fulfilled someday. On a much lighter note, I think this is the second work composer/musician Susumu Hirasawa is most known for in the West.

Paprika was the reason I bought a Blu Ray drive for my PC. Movies like this, Studio Ghibli ones, Akira and a few others deserve to be seen in the best way possible.

This drove me to tears to watch; this was really well stated and made me want to go and watch all of Satoshi Kon's films just to immerse myself in the world that Kon saw. Thank you for making this, Bennett. This was a lovely watch, if not very somber.

you know who fits the Aurtor label perfectly, Mamuro Nagano and sadly we will never get a weastern release of GothicMade a film made almost entirely by himself.

Here is something interesting about Tokyo Godfathers, Kon made a tribute to his wife. In the film, there is a name that keeps popping up, and finding all of the instances can be tricky, that name is Kiyoko, the name of Kon's wife. To get into every instance would give spoilers to the film, but when you watch it, keep it in mind.

Boy that was a somber one Sage. Good stuff on this one.

That new opening is just... amazingly uplifting. Please keep up the awesome.

Your content is to good to be at only 88k subs, seriously production quality here and writing is deserves so much more

Oh hey, I just watched this movie! "Mindfuck" is a *major* understatement. And *really* looking forward to Steamboy. The plot is more than a little jumbled, but the animation is just sublime, to the point that one particular action sequence had me actually exclaim "How did they do that?!" before remembering - oh yeah, it's animated.

It's been 20 years...

I literally bought this movie less than a week ago, so I'm watching as far into the review as I can without getting any spoilers. I will finish watching it, and then return promptly. I did the same thing with Outlaw Star and Memories, so Bennett's track record for telling me to stop a review to watch something myself has been really good

Man, episodes like this are why i love your show, Bennett. That was an amazing and very thoughtful analysis. Great choice of backing soundtrack too.

Greatly needed honest retrospective on my favorite movie. Subbed with a smile 🤙🏼

That was a very heartfelt and insightful review, thank you Sage

I may be wrong on this, but didn't the people who made Black Swan buy the rights to Perfect Blue? To me, it's like covering a song, give credit to the original artist, but then do your own thing. (An example would be Infernal Affairs, and The Departed)

Great episode! Couldn’t help but get emotional over hearing the fate of ‘Dream Machine’, especially when hearing Kon’s parting words hoping the project would be finished. Really great content keep it up!

Another awesome video, you are quite good at talking of stories like you did at the end, you always had a way with words, especially when it come to talking of sadder or dramatic things, keep up the great work, we'll be waiting eagerly for the next video :)

This review is masterful. I own this movie and have watched it several times but never knew the backstory. So many pieces fall into place now with a deeper understanding all thanks to you Bennett.

Everytime you do a review, you get better, Sage. That is the epitome of true evolution. You always have something to say that jogs my mind. And talking about Kon's last wishes and hopes really struck a chord with me. I would love to see his final film finished so much.

Loving this new take on Anime Abandon, and thank you for the insight to Kohn's work, really sets things into perspective

I was hoping he was able to compare Paprika with Dreamscape and Inception. Re Edit: He still didn't talk about Dreamscape. That was the original idea.

Wow. Sent shivers down my spine for a director I've never paid attention to before. You can't see everything, and Paprika, Three Godfathers are on the list of things I always wanted to look at but never did. Thank you, well done, and keep going. You're doing God's work, Sage.

When it mainly comes to Anime as a whole, it is true that most of half of the reason why at least from a personal standpoint of watching anime is due to the fact that's it's drawn or also due to its vast artistic merits/many varying stories that go into it. Especially when it comes to the anime directors within the industry whose puts so much of themselves within their works that I came to heavily love & enjoy said series and movies due to the fact that's its made by some of my favorites creators in anime, like Shinichiro Watanabe, Takeshi Koike, Kazuto Nakazawa, or Masaaki Yuasa amongst others who have such unique recognizable themes & styles, motifs, designs, specific touches in their works that you can tell that this anime is possibly from them and them alone because of it. It's due to that is one of the many reasons why anime tends to mean so much to me.

I held off from watching this review because I hadn't seen the movie. Having just now seen it, I now watch the review and I'm once again overwhelmed. The detective's story really got me something fierce, and it's honestly inspiring me to see my own work to completion. (ironically enough dream themed as well...that antagonist could've been SO much better *takes notes*) The detective's and his friend's words at the end struck one hell of chord with me and it's doubled by the fact that Kon's last work may never see the light of day, yet at the same time, I can completely understand why. "A reality made in fiction" How could anyone else but Kon finish Dream Machine? I'm actually quite impressed that no one's trying or tried to cash in on the last great work of the late Satoshi Kon, and that's saying a LOT in an age where reboots, remakes, and revivals are monster money makers. I'm just glad your review finally got me to see what I can honestly say is my 2nd favorite Satoshi Kon film (nothing tops Tokyo Godfathers) and even MORE stoked to see you taking on my all-time fave (at least until Pluto next year! >w

Great job on the review

Nice review,Bennett. Loved how you handled the topic with care.

*Waits patiently in the corner for your review on Steamboy*

Prior to this video, I didn't know anything about this film save for the brilliant soundtrack by one of my favorite music performers/composers, Susumu Hirasawa. I was not even aware of the name of the director, although I recall his work. While it is tragic that he wasn't able to complete his final dream project, I can't help but agree that a significant piece of the puzzle would've been missing without the dreamer's involvement. I do like the idea of someone making it their own, though. It feels to me like a balance would be restored in some way when it comes to the fiction once again becoming reality in that way. I guess you could say that just as art imitates life, so too can life imitate and even become something more from art. As always, Sage, you leave me with a lot of things to think about, and that's what I love about your work the most. Thank you.

I haven't seen a post from you on my home page. Im glad to see you back ! ❤

(First of all thank you getting the elephant in room out when talking about Paprika) I actually still remember when it was reported that Satoshi Kon had died, I was in high school and when saw the headline all I could think was “WAIT WHAT!? HOW!!? WHY!!?” Even though I did know about his movies and Paranoia Agent, what kills me is that my true introduction to Satoshi Kon...was this film; his very last film. Now looking back, it just breaks my heart now seeing all the signs of Kon telling the viewers and the staff “thank you for everything, it was an amazing ride”, and even more sad is that I don’t know if “Dreaming Machine” will ever be finished or if someone else will take a crack at it because of it’s heavy baggage(not to mention me having the “Art of Satoshi Kon” book and it features not only sketches and some storyboards for “Dreaming Machine”, but also other projects he wanted to do but never came to be); I honestly think that Kon probably did not take himself that seriously as a director and believed that he had to keep on climbing an invisible mountain in order to be up the greats of not just anime but of film as well and I don’t think he ever realized he was already on top of the mountain and his legacy continues on, which makes me happy that GKIDS got the rights to his filmography so that they don’t fade away and indeed, keeping the dream alive. Man, I have not felt this emotional since your “Video Girl Ai” review(which by the way, thanks again for signing my copy) but it really makes me think about my plans of wanting to become an animator/director/writer someday but to always remember as Kon always said “it wouldn’t be without my amazing staff”, god I just now really miss Satoshi Kon again. I think I’m going to watch my copy of “Paprika” again just to honor him. Excellent review, Bennett. (Also, JESUS CHRIST INCEPTION IS NOW A DECADE OLD!!? NOW I FEEL OLD TOO!!)

I like how your style for this review was more like the style you used for your “Grave of the Fireflies” review all of those years ago. That was actually one of my favorite reviews you did.

I'm so glad you covered this! Loved it! My favorite film of his is milenimun actress.

*Everytime I see an anime movie or serie, I search for Anime Abandon Review, cause you are sooooo entertaining, and it feels good to share the same movie/serie with somebody else. lots of Love to you bro!* or if I havent seen the movie and wants to know if it is worth it. :)

Hell, there’s a series of novels from the late 80s and early 90s by Pat Cadigan that have the same ‘go into minds/dreams using a device for therapy’ plot. It’s not an unusual cyberpunk concept. Inception reminded me of that the first time I saw it.

Sage isn't even 30?! Now I feel old...

I loved the review! Keep up the good work!

I just realized.. that we are probably the same age. I am also glad that you changed intro. This video was a pleasure to watch. Thank you so much for making it.

That a great review of Paprika! Can't wait for the next review and it was a good movie!!

I still think this movie, Tokyo Godfathers and Millennium Actress are his best works. Perfect Blue was good visually but story yea nope. Satoshi Kon is very wonderful director and its sad we lost him

Great analysis, Sage.

I love your new intro!

Love the hell out of the new intro. No shit, I first saw this film playing in a ramen shop in Baltimore.

Wow. I just love this new intro. Great work.

New intro makes it look like you want to be on KZfaq Rewind 2019.

Your back!

I like to laugh at your reviews and indulge heavily in being able to remember what anime was like when we were desperate for whatever we could get, but it's reviews like this that make me wish I could subscribe more than once.

Love Kon's work. I remember when they announced his passing I basically lost it. I didn't even know the guy personally and only saw maybe one picture of him, but it just felt so personal like I had lost a family member. The way he told stories was very unique and inspiring to me, and it left a very deep imprint on my soul. Great review Sage. Normally I glaze over these kinds of in-depth reviews of Kon's movies because turn pretentious, but this was to the point just made me tear up.

Great video Sage

Great video as always. Do you think you'll do a video on the new Alita Battle Angel movie at some point now that it's been released on video?

Very well done, sir. Not overly laudatory, but intensely respectful and deeply moving.

what amazing insight this is by far my favorite Kon film but I haven't seen it in a while and now knowing all this man it is definitely going to be a different watch than before

Damn an episode of anime abandon made me cry. This was a great episode Sage.

Beautiful movie. I still miss him to this very day.

This was an amazing story. Thank you for pointing me in Paprika's direction

I like the new style of Anime Abandon. Good Job Bennett! Glad to have you have back in the saddle my friend. Hope you and your family are doing well!

the last Kon work is my favorite of all his work and I cannot wait for that day love the review

Oh, and a suggestion for a future video...how about Luna Varga? I think that goes back far enough to be in your wheelhouse.

This is probably another one of my favourite episodes. Beautiful and touching.

Glad Steamboy is the next review. I'm interested in seeing what Bennett thinks of it. I remember liking it but I haven't seen it in years so I don't know if that opinion would hold up now or not.

I have always loved how an artists work and ideas can live on long after their passing.

Great content this episode, one of my favorites of your catalog. Quick note, the mic was too low. I struggled multiple times to hear what you were saying if there was any other noise in the room (someone talking, jostling of keys, etc).

This video was incredibly moving. I watched Paprika years ago, it must have been in 2007 or 2008, and I was overwhelmed by the visuals and was unable to follow the plot, but it was still quite a ride. Seeing this video was enlightening, though. It does make me sad, learning the real life subtext behind this particular movie. I hope someone does take up the reigns to make an adaptation of Dream Machine as well. I may have to put "Paprika" on my shelf in the mean time.

Beautifully done Also will you ever review samurai troopers aka ronin warriors

The earliest instance of a machine assisted dream dive in fiction I can think of is H.P. Lovecraft's "Beyond the Wall of Sleep" Published in 1919. For the curious you can find it free all over the place including free audio book versions of most of Lovecraft's work. If you've never read or listened to any Lovecraft, it's all very different, and all very familiar. He's of a different era and yet his influence is felt in everything that has come since.

Love the new intro music

I like new intro. It says "newer, thinner, happier Bennet". Good for you buddy.

Paprika is my favourite of Kon's movies. I like the bizarre imagination, the characters and the music. There's so much creativity and fun in the movie, you can tell that even though it was hard work it was satisfying and meant a lot to the team behind it.

damn dude, you lost alot of weight, good goin

This review was cast me with conflicting emotions. I'm very thankful Kon was able to finish Paprika. Never knew about his Dreams story-film concept, it would be so wonderful if a director fed life into it. Shoot, I'm now in tears

Bennett, that was easily your most powerful episode to date. Keep up the good work.

Very great video.

Very nice. Thank you.

Learning about the neurology of dreams has kinda ruined soooo much fiction for me. including this movie. D:

I really like the new style you got going for the show. Less jokey and more introspective.

That was a beautiful story you told Sage. Thank you.

........great new intro brother.

I look forward to seen your next video on steam boy

I love the new intro😍

This was a great somber episode, and I can't wait for the next one

This movie was what brought me back into watching anime as an adult, I happened to find it right during the intro by chance while chanel surfing at midnight in late 2010 or early 2011. I liked it so much that I searched about it online and found out that the director had passed recently yet it sparked me to watch his other movies and then his TV anime Paranoia Agent and then I eventually found myself watching anime again after over half a decade of barely watching any. This was the reason for me watching anime during my 20's.

Feels like Bennet gets a new artist every 18 months

Daym, this episode rocked!

Damn the last part. U know after this I probably will continue to voice out my thought if a games, movies, manga etc. didn't live up to my expectation n was made badly. But I probably also need to remind myself bad or good lots of them was created with efforts.

I was a little skeptical of the new anime abandon, but I think you really made a great analysis with this episode and I found it really enjoyable and intriguing. I'm really coming to enjoy it and I found this episode in particular to be really compelling and thought provoking. Well done, Bennett!

Personally, I think Kon (if he were alive today) should finish Dream Machine. I don't want it to fall into the problem that AI had when Spielberg directed Kubirck's unfinished film.

Man, I watched this movie _ages_ ago at one of my first anime conventions so this brought back a _lot_ of memories for me. It's been so long I can't even really say how much of it I followed back then but I definitely watched it before _Inception_ came out so I was relatively young at the time so the answer to that is probably "absolutely nothing but I liked the art" I didn't know anything beyond what I'd seen way back then so as sad as I am right now to think about it, I'm glad I got to learn about the director.

As someone who has difficulty finishing ideas and actually bring them to life, I can look at this review and try my best to my dreams finish.

Holy.... Crap.... Bennett, Ill be honest I havent watched you in, well at least a year. YOU LOOKING GOOD BROTHER! Have you lost weight or am I insane?! Im Proud of you! Now I gotta catch up!

And now, as I sit here at the end. I can only stare in awe, feeling a well of warmth flow from within to coat my iris and let tears fall. I make no attempt to wipe them away, as they fall in time with the beat of a slowed, sad, pained heart. And from these tears, a desire to read the script for dream machine, and be inspired from it.

So, have you ever thought about doing a Tezuka Month Bennett? maybe focusing on some of his more obscure series/films?

Love the Aladdin reference! 😂

I still want that road-roller poster as a shirt!