Following a limited North American theatrical run over the summer, director Satoshi Kon’s acclaimed anime feature Paprika makes its way to home video today. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has released the movie on DVD, Blu-ray Disc and PSP, complete with special features, including four behind-the-scenes documentaries.
Based on a 1991 story by legendary Japanese writer Yasutaka Tsutsui, Paprkia tells the story of Dr. Atsuko Chiba, an attractive, young Japanese research psychotherapist who uses a breakthrough device to enter patients’ dreams and synchronize with their unconscious to help uncover the source of their anxiety or neurosis. When one of the only four existing prototypes of the machine is stolen, Atsuko must find out who has taken it and prevent the thief from using it to destroy people’s minds.
Bonus Materials include Tsutsui and Kon’s Paprika, a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film with novelist Yasutaka Tsutsui and director Satoshi Kon. The director and author also collaborate with voice actors Megumi Hayashibara and Toru Furuya on A Conversation about ‘The Dream.’ The Art of Fantasy takes a look at the art direction with art director Nobutaka Ike, while The Dream CG World offers insight into the cinematography and computer-generated world of Paprika with cinematographer Michiya Kato. The Blu-ray edition also includes storyboard comparisons, animatics and photo galleries. The high-definition Blu-Ray Disc lists for $38.96, while the standard DVD carries a suggested retail price of $26.96, and the PSP UMD release retails for $26.96.
