Looking back I always found the desire for fame to be a paradoxical one. On one hand there is passion involved in most pursuits that can make you famous. And for some people becoming famous is maybe a side-effect of actually following said passion. But then you also have to consider all the people that strive for fame for the sake of it. Bathing in the glamour the public can provide. Living a luxurious lifestyle of extravagant vanity. And so on and so forth. The shadowy side of this whole matter is largely ignored until it fells one of its victims. The more fabricated the image the harsher the reality. I can not think of a pop culture phenomenon that exemplifies this dichotomy better than the asian (japanese or korean, pick whatever you want) idol culture of the past and present. And with this I invite you to a terrific and also terrifying journey through exactly this more nebulous side of glamour and glory.

Art & Animation

If you, like me, are more familiar with the more stylized and polished look of modern anime one of the first things you are going to notice is the, maybe, surprising sense of realism the movie tries to portray. The faces aren't beautiful (except for characters like the idols that would be considered beautiful in our world as well), the bodies realistically proportioned and the colors not overly striking (for the most part). Speaking of colors, the thematic depth the movie accentuates with colors is something else. The interplay between red and blue permeates the entire movie and if you dig a little deeper there is a reason for both the interaction between these colors as well as the frequent switch between different magnitudes of lighting. The titel alone should already tell you all about the importance of art and especially color and saturation that you need to know.
The animation itself is crafted with a lot of attention to detail (the art is too). It never takes you out of the experience and manages to convey even the most surreal parts as completely "real".

Sound

It's a well known fact that music is essential to any form of film but that its role in horror is all the greater as it can help to exploit your senses and therefore subtly influence your mindset while watching a movie. And dare I say, Perfect Blue's score fits this role perfectly. Just hearing a piece like "Mima's Theme" creates a strong unnerving and chilling feeling that isn't easily shed. Sound itself is used in a subtle way to undermine your own psychological walls and therefore increase the effect the movie has on you. It exemplifies the way japaense horror is set up. Subtle, psychological and well ... horrifying.

Characters, Direction & Plot

The story follows the retiring pop-idol Mima Kirigoe as she embarks on a new path in her career. The path of a TV actress to be a bit more specific. In the wake of this reimagination of herself her past can't seem to let go as a stalker begins to haunt her life and reality itself begins to tumble. From there on out...the horror ensues.
More important than the general structure of the plot however is its execution which was absolutely amazing to say the least. Underscored by the above mentioned aspects of art and music, the foundation for a great work has already been laid which leaves the masterful direction of director Satoshi Kon to elevate it above the masses. And wonderful it is. It manages to sell the breakdown of reality in such a way that makes it look and especially feel real. Confusion in the movie becomes confusion for the audience. The genius use of transitional shots and subtle detail work in the scenes' environment are extremly effective in merging dream, reality and halluzination.
Another major selling point of the movie are its characters. Mima in particular stands out as a perfect example of great characterization. Her entire arc, starting with the contradiction her aspirations, reality and desires lead her to, is portrayed in a completely authentic way. A hallmark of great character work. But the other characters also hold up under scrutiny. At least as much scrutiny as the abstract structure of the movie allows. I don't want to spoil too much so if you want to know more about the cast, from her agency's managers to the people she encounters over the course of this horrifying journey, you'll have to watch the movie yourself (or spoil yourself ahead of time if you prefer that route).

Closing Thoughts

I'd say the biggest value of this movie can be found in an analysis of its themes. And believe me there are plenty. From the relationship between fandom, entertainer and the people working behind the stage, to the damning and uplifiting effect, one's own desires can have upon oneself, to regret, obsession, mental disorder, trust, love and so much more. Towards the end of this review I chose to put a bit more focus on the theme of obsession and avatars. I am not the first person to mention this and everybody reading this definitely knows this but our modern life has been jammed full of avatars and personas. It is no wonder that in a world that puts such heavy emphasis on these caricatures of real people behind the device questions concerning identity like "Who am I" or "Who and what defines me" become ever more prominent and ever more important. Perfect Blue is definitely way ahead of its time in this regard. The theme of obsession in all its ugly shades also drives the narrative for a huge part of the movie's runtime. Seeing how culture promotes an obsessive conduct towards its consumerist elements (and especially the kind of mindset that can create)it is more than worth a deeper look. Maybe this movie can provide this for you.

I therefore officially recommend this movie (if my review hasn't made this clear already) to almost everyone. Obviously some people will be turned off by its violence, depictions of sexuality and overall harsh subject matter but if you believe you can stomach (spoil yourself if it helps or fast forward especially gruesome moments if necessary) it in any way it will be a thrilling, nerve-wrecking, moving and terrifying experience. So buckle up because...

All the world's a stage!