Dreams, reality mix in Japanese anime tale

By Matthew Price

Published: July 27, 2007

In "Paprika,” the line between dreams and reality is blurred in a surrealistic thriller from "Perfect Blue” director Satoshi Kon.

This Japanese anime takes place in a near-future world and is based on the science fiction novel of the same name by Yasutaka Tsutsui.

Dr. Atsuko Chiba (voiced by Megumi Hayashibara) is a research psychologist working with a device called the DC Mini. This device allows therapists to enter and record patients' dreams to aid in their treatment. When the modest Atsuko enters someone's dream, she becomes Paprika, an outgoing, superpowered dream detective.

While the DC Mini hasn't been cleared for public use, Paprika has been helping police detective Toshimi Konakawa work out his feelings about an unsolved murder case. Konakawa is a college friend of Atsuko's boss, Torataro Shima.

Tokita is the brilliant yet nerdy and overweight scientist who developed the DC Mini. When one of only four working DC Mini prototypes goes missing, suspicion falls on Tokita's assistant, Himuro. Suddenly, those who have had the most exposure to the DC Mini find themselves vulnerable to being attacked through their subconcious. Shima leaps from a window, following a parade only he can see. The lab's chairman, Seijiro Inui, wants to close down the program. But the chief — who recovered from his attempted suicide — agrees with Atsuko that they must catch the perpetrator. With the help of Konakawa, Paprika begins to search the dreamworld for the thief.

As the investigation continues, the mystery deepens, and the ability of the characters — and the viewers — to discern fantasy from reality is impaired.

"Paprika” succeeds as a wonderfully animated and enthralling dreamscape that recalls Philip K. Dick and Neil Gaiman while remaining wholly original.

— Matthew Price

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