Paprika (movie)

"Paprika" was a sci-fi story by noted Sci-Fi author Yasutaka Tsutsui serialized in the Japanese women's magazine Marie Claire in 1991. It was very popular, although it didn't win any awards. It was also Tsutsui's last published work before he withdrew from the industry in protest of the restrictions of the Japanese publishing world.

Writer Tsutsui approached Satoshi Kon to create an anime version of Paprika after being deeply impressed by "Millennium Actress". Kon was already a great fan of the story, and considered Tsutsui one of his major influences -- and was already hoping to create an anime version.

Kon's adaptation of the story leaves out many of the technical details of the original, aiming for more of a visual approach. His aim was to create a world that would surprise the audience. Tsutsui has expressed his approval of the film version, which he admits is "simpler."

In interviews, Kon has noted that the budget for "Paprika" was roughly the same as "Tokyo Godfathers." However, "Paprika" looks much better, due mostly to better technology and methods in blending 2D and 3D that have come about since "Tokyo Godfathers" was completed.

At the world premiere at Venice Film Festival 2006 (Sept. 2, 2006), the screening was followed by a five-minute standing ovation.

The movies playing at the theater in the final scene are - except for Dreaming Kids - Satoshi Kon's previous work : Perfect Blue, Millennium Actress and Tokyo Godfathers.

The scene where Paprika is soaring through the sky on a cloud dressed in red and holding a staff is clearly an homage to "Journey to the west" (monkey) something not overly rare in anime.

This is Satoshi Kon's only voice acting role.