Satoshi Kon passes away at age 47

[blkmage]

Earlier today, former Madhouse president Maruyama Masao posted on Twitter that one of their directors had passed away. Later, Gainax's Takeda Yasuhiro posted on Twitter that the director was Satoshi Kon, which was confirmed by Otakon staff.

Various writeups: UK Anime Network, io9, ANN

Satoshi Kon was a ridiculously influential and innovative director. He's the guy behind Perfect Blue, Tokyo Godfathers, Paranoia Agent, Millenium Actress, and Paprika. He was working on a project called The Dream Machine (Yume Miru Kikai) with Madhouse at the time of his passing.

[TheSubtleDoctor]

I am absolutely stunned. The anime/manga world is a lesser place now without Satoshi Kon. I know that there are lots of fans of his work that will miss him greatly. My prayers go out to his family and freinds.

[Blitzkrieg1701]

A very sad day for anime, man. He'll be missed.

[bigsleepj]

He'll certainly be missed.

[Mr. Hat'n'Clogs]

Oh, that's awful. He'll be missed.

[Radical Dreamer]

That is seriously such sad news! He will definitely be missed; he was behind a lot of my favorite anime films. Do they know how it happened?

[ShiroiHikari]

Such a terrible thing. I had only recently discovered his films, too, and was looking forward to more.

I heard that the cause of death was cancer.

[Cognitive Gear]

This is a true tragedy. Not only was he an excellent director, but he was also very young to have already passed away.

[Cloud500]

Woah. This is a shock.

Was this something he had been dealing with for many years?

[GeneD]

Oh no, this is so sad.

[rocklobster]

Drat! And I loved his work! The only movie I haven't seen of his was Paprika. I think Paranoia Agent and Perfect Blue were my favorite works.

[Psycho Molos]

I heard this on Twitter..but not from those sources. Malf malf malf malf malf malf......

[Atria35]

...No way! That's terrible! He was so talented, and has made many of my favorite movies/series. That's so sad...

[Lilac#18]

[color="Plum"]This is sad.[/color]

[Sheol777]

Wow, this is how I find out.

He was my favorite director, really. I loved his surreal style and storytelling ability. I have seen every work he has ever done, and own most of them.

The anime world is a lesser place now that he is gone.

[steenajack]

Wow, this is very sad. I've only seen one of his works thus far, but I still feel bad that he died very young.

[ich1990]

Even though I haven't seen any of his work, I find this news to be very sad. From what I have seen he was a very talented director, and often worked outside the conventions of anime to produce truly original work. I am sure the industry will sorely miss his creative spark.

[KhakiBlueSocks]

[font="Trebuchet MS"][SIZE="4"][color="RoyalBlue"]My condolences to his family and friends. He was a very talented individual who created very creative, beautiful, and thought-provoking works. The anime world owes him a debt of gratitude.[/color][/SIZE][/font]

[rocklobster]

According to Marzgurl's ANE (Anime News Editorial), he was also working on a new movie called Yume-Miru Kikai.

[blkmage]

Before his passing, Satoshi Kon wrote what was basically his last words, which his family posted on his website on August 25. It's probably not accessible right now because it's probably getting hammered by traffic. Here's a translation of it. It's definitely an incredible read.

[ChristianKitsune]

Wow...that's really sad. Even though I wasn't a major fan of his work. (I had only seen Paranoia Agent and Paprika (Which I loved!) ) I really think he was a very influential man in this genre.

Let's be real here, he was more than just an anime director, while it's okay to be sad that we won't see anymore of his works; this man was a person with a family. Let's pray for them!

Edit: Wow, I just read that entire entry...it is so eerie to read the words of a man who is not here anymore. And it is so very, very sad too. Gosh, tears are flowing from my eyes; especially when his mother told him, "I'm sorry I couldn't bring you into this world with a stronger body!"

Bawwww...

[Atria35]

According to Marzgurl's ANE (Anime News Editorial), he was also working on a new movie called Yume-Miru Kikai.

Ah, The Dream Machine! I am so going to see that when it comes out. I loved Satoshi Kon as an anime director (I own all of his works) and want to see what his last project was- especially since he was working on it just days until his death. I don't know whether it was because he felt strongly about this project or whether it was the studio influencing that, but the name alone is fitting for the man.

But yes, I really feel for his family. They really loved him- you can tell. His last words to them made me cry!

[Mr. Hat'n'Clogs]

Reading that really hits how awful this is.

[mkalv]

Aw well. Thats pretty sad. I feel for his family.

[ShiroiHikari]

Before his passing, Satoshi Kon wrote what was basically his last words, which his family posted on his website on August 25. It's probably not accessible right now because it's probably getting hammered by traffic. Here's a translation of it. It's definitely an incredible read.

Everyone should read that link.

[Fish and Chips]

[quote="Satoshi Kon"]Now excuse me, I have to go.

―]Godspeed, Mr. Director.

A man dies only when there is no one left to remember him. Satoshi Kon, in his own way, has achieved immortality.

[ich1990]

Everyone should read that link.

Agreed. Nate's title seems almost prescient: Memento mori.

[KhakiBlueSocks]

Before his passing, Satoshi Kon wrote what was basically his last words, which his family posted on his website on August 25. It's probably not accessible right now because it's probably getting hammered by traffic. Here's a translation of it. It's definitely an incredible read.

[font="Trebuchet MS"][SIZE="4"][color="RoyalBlue"]That has to be the most moving thing I've read in a long time. Especially his last line: [/color][/SIZE][/font]

Now excuse me, I have to go.
--Satoshi Kon

Dewa mata, Satoshi Kon-sama. Arigatou-gozaimasu.

[KeybladeWarrior]

R.I.P. Satoshi Kon

[rocklobster]

Here's a commemorative Anime News Nina strip: click here