Paprika: The Storm of Progress

Paprika, Satoshi Kon's last film, introduces us to a psychedelic and surreal interpretation of the dreaming mind, but are these unconscious visions the only dreams it explores? This analysis focuses on what Paprika might have to say about our aspirational desires, and why we might fear them as much as we desire them.
Thanks for watching, I hope you enjoyed this video essay!
If you have any thoughts on the ideas in this video, or just your interpretation of the film in general, please leave them down in the comments. :)
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[@ProfDrLaeradr]

"And hopefully whenever we chose or have chosen, our future can be informed, instead of controlled, by our past." Love that quote!

[@kieranmandy9987]

This is a fantastic reflection on a film that most people find impenetrable, to the point that even many Satoshi Kon fans write it off as eye candy with little in the way of meaning. Thanks for making this a more digestible and approachable film. I look forward to your future videos as well as my next watching of paprika.

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you very much!

[@spideybot]

digestable? Paprika? yes! In some languages Paprika = (chilli )Pepper

[@giraftlop7047]

Splendid research. I like how Paprika holds so many meanings and themes that people might focus on one or multiple if can. It inspire me of creating a new character influenced and based on a Vietnamese creation myth and dreams. I thought the english dub was great.

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you! It's such a great film. :)

[@Gleanix]

I watched about 30 seconds of this yesterday, but specifically stopped so I could watch the movie tonight. I just finished and immediately came back to watch this video. The movie was incredible and your analysis blew my mind. I probably never would have seem it if not for your comment on my video. Thanks for adding to my dream world!

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Amazing, I'm so glad you enjoyed the film, it's one of my favourites. Thank you for coming back to watch my video!

[@GrashUriza]

The Dub'd version of the film is the version I know and saw. To think that's somehow a taboo is outrageous gatekeeping. Thank you for using the Dub.

[@mrupload4381]

Not to mention the awesome soundtrack

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Indeed! One of the best!

[@marcomaldonato5247]

Great video, the parallel with Benjamin's Angelus Novus is pure genius

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you very much!

[@thestampede4999]

Now this is a great video ! Paprika is regarded as Kon's weakest work by a lot when actually it's the inspiration for his unique style(about the novel i'm talking, because he wanted to adapt it when it was released back in the 90s but he couldn't because of budget issues, miraculously the writer of the novel himself asked him to adapt it later on). but i don't think it's his weakest, it's a great one, the perfect portray of dreams, with their madness and influence on reality, the all carried with beatiful visuals,subtlety and great direction. While i watched the movie twice i never went as deep as you in analyzing and extracting its treasures as you did, Good job. Good luck and i really hope you review his other masterpieces such as Perfect Blue and Millennium Actress

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you very much! I don't think of Kon as having a weakest works, haha. His other films are certainly on my list of things to cover, as well as Paranoia Agent. :)

[@whitedude877]

The parade being the Chairman's fear of the future was something I did not catch. Ace stuff. I dismissed it as wacky surreal imagery. Big mistake. It reminds of No Country For Old Men and True Detective. In NCFOM, specifically it reminds me of the conversation between Sheriff Ed Tom Bell and a fellow sheriff after the death of Llewelyn Moss. They talk about the times changing, how shocked they are that greed is causing such chaos as drug wars. They're confused that teenagers are dyeing their hair, wearing piercings, unsure of where it's all leading to. Then you have Uncle Ellis, towards the end of the film, telling Ed Tom that the world's always been an awful place. That nothing's changed. Then there's True Detective. You have Marty talking to Maggie's father. Her father is waxing on about how the world's getting worse, to which Marty replies, "You know, throughout history, I bet every old man probably said the same thing. And old men die, and the world keeps spinning." The DC Mini would allow men like Ed Tom, the sheriff he spoke to, and Maggie's father to bring to reality their ideal vision of the world, like the Chairman tried to do, instead of accepting reality as it is and doing what they can. In another scene, Marty is talking about a feeling of time slipping through your fingers. The feeling that the future is behind you, and it always has been. He relates this to failing to be the family man he needed to be. It's too late to go back and pay more attention to his daughters, it's too late to be a faithful husband. He accepts it, and is able to move forward. For Kanokawa, it's too late to go back and undo his envy of his friend. It's too late to stop himself from tearing their friendship apart. The only thing we can do is accept who we are and do what we can in the present. Marty thanks his wife for the life they had and says goodbye, allowing him to fully help in Rust's investigation with no doubts. Kanokawa accepts that he can no longer become the filmmaker he wanted to be as a wide eyed youth, allowing him to help Dr. Chiba and co. with no doubts. Thank you for this video. I finished the film recently and felt like I didn't get all I could out of it. This really helped.

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you very much for your comment! Great comparison with NCFOM and True Detective. I'm glad you feel this video helped you appreciate the film more. :)

[@moiseslozano6906]

Paprika is one of my favorite films and even tho I have re watched dosens of times I never truthly understand the meaning of the unstopable Parade. Is pretty instresting your conexte that it symboilises a dream of prosperity for humanity in contrast also being chaos that can never end because time flows fowards. I really like you opinion on this, keep it up!

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you!

[@jsalnut]

Beautiful video! I enjoy how you reference other philosophers while inputting your personal analysis.

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you!

[@Tristan97122]

Pretty fascinating take on Paprika! A lot of analysis focuses only on the "fiction creates reality" part of Satoshi Kon's works, but you covered some pretty un-looked at parts here and that was amazing. Thank you!

[@ruttomaski6833]

Great video again. I don't remember how I found your channel but I'm glad I did, keep up the good work!

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you very much! I'm glad you're enjoying them.

[@anirudhkumar4507]

Losing our possible futures.... 🤔 Now that's scary

[@LaVolpeWhy]

Fantastic analysis, you absolutely nailed it. Everything from the analogies to contextualising the events of this film were all spot on - you've essentially spared me the effort of having to make a video on Paprika, haha! Excellent work, I'll definitely be keeping an eye on your channel as it blossoms!

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you very much! There's certainly a lot more that can be said about this film so I'm sure you could still make another video that's completely different to mine. :)

[@LunamrathP]

This analysis is much appreciated. A lot was lost on me having just watched it, and I feel like with these ideas in mind I may have a deeper appreciation of the film the next time I watch it.

[@crunchybones3165]

this was amazing!! I think that your acceptance of satoshi kon’s movies not having one central focus helped a lot in understanding not only Paprika, but his other works.

[@sarahl701]

Fantastic work, really thorough analysis. Watched the movie for the first time in about 7 years and felt my understanding of the movie had changed in a way similar to your thinking. Good job!

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you very much!

[@mikei6605]

This is what I was looking for, thank you for all the effort you put into making this!

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you!

[@DarkAngelEU]

Satoshi Kon is probably my favourite director because of his originality in expressing the things that are so simple yet so awesome and contemporary. He really understands what things like social media would mean for the future and the way he shows it is just WHOA. Also your last sentence really hits it home to what I'm attempting to make from my art practice: to be informed - not controlled - by the past. I might just nick it for my next presentation ;)

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Nick away, haha! :D

[@DarkAngelEU]

Thanks for the approval haha Can I ask where you're from, btw? I can't make up what kind of accent your voice has.

[@christopher2327]

Excellently written analysis and video essay!

[@wilmcvey3665]

Just one of the best film essayists working right now. You kick ass.

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you so much!

[@otakudnp6534]

Such a great analysis of such a classic film You have motivated me to re watch this movie once again

[@dulceratoncita7139]

OMG I love your videos! They offer something unique I can't quite figure out but I love it!

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you very much! Offering something unique is what I aim to do. :)

[@topiarycreatures1796]

Brilliant analysis that somehow umbrellas many people's interpretations. Your writing was so dense and nuanced I felt like I was reading Hegel. So good.

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Haha, thank you!

[@laurelevermore1918]

Beautiful analysis! I have been meaning to watch the film and this has just convinced me to do so.

[@AnotherPCAddict]

This is just the most beautiful video. Thank you for making this.

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you very much!

[@vdubfilms]

Beautifully put.

[@jessequimpo7354]

Amazing analysis im subscribing right now ❤❤❤

[@luispacubero]

Best video I have seen about this masterpiece

[@bradleylintmore3492]

wow, great video. I was just trying to refresh on what happens in the movie but you provided a new insight. Thank you!

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you!

[@MikeReidWrites]

Brilliant. I think this theme of nostalgia for past potential, and what it means to hold on to that feeling of possibility throughout one's life, shows up just as strongly in Kon's "Millennium Actress," too.

[@TheSweBoo]

Absolutely fantastic video! Saw this movie recently and it bended my mind completely. I guess you could say this video bended it back and made sense of it haha :D

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you! Glad your mind is back in order now, haha.

[@bilykralik885]

This was a gorgeous video essay Thank you

[@Craw1011]

Amazing Video. Thank you so much

[@yellowhello2415]

Grace lee, knowns what she wants to do in life and its undobtly respectable. Congrats on being this amazing. Not everyone has been this professional with their work and still makes it entertaining too listen too and watch. Good job.

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you very much!

[@Vosk21]

damn your channel is very underrated. subbed. thanks for this video. you provide a very clear reasoning to an otherwise cryptic film

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you!

[@ashec6606]

Thanks so much for this analysis!

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you for this comment! :D

[@cplkao]

Great analysis, thanks for doing it.

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you!

[@TheGreatBusta]

Your videos are fantastic and excellently written. Subscribed!

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you!

[@pdyepes]

great analysis. thanks!

[@mrtangelo885]

amazing video. keep up the nice work!

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you very much! :)

[@8windows135]

Thanks for explaining the movie. I couldn't fully understand the issues and messages the movie was trying to discuss because of the weird visuals which bring up a lot of questions but after watching your vid, I have reached a satisfying conclusion to this movie I watched as a kid. My favourite character has to be the detective. I thought he would be the generic grumpy and moody detective cop but he was a really fun loving, mellow dude.

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Glad it helped you get more out of the film! :)

[@keyqui05]

Amazing analysis, best one on youtube, I wish you have the chance in the future to explore the topic you didnt get to put in this video :) and my favorite line is 5:36 "we must accept that the possible futures we lose are the price you pay for existing in the present"

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you!

[@miramerali5807]

Your analysis is great :)

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you!

[@MedlifeCrisis]

I declared my fandom of Kon in a comment under the first video of yours that I watched, so it was obviously going to be this one I chose to watch next. Just as great. Subbed & looking forward to watching your back catalogue. Can I ask if you've had any issues with copyright when using music from these movies? I made a 60 second anime-style opening featuring some J-pop (not film soundtrack) and whole vid was taken down with strike added. So bit nervous about doing anything similar again.

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you so much! I've actually never had issues with copyright. The only video I've had claimed was the one on The Lego Movie, and that was lifted when I refuted it. I don't know if I've just got lucky or if it's because I consistently talk over the music, haha.

[@stefanosabido]

Wow Love your videos and channel. Please keep it up!

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you very much!

[@delaneyklutes5579]

You cover some of my favorite topics and bring new insight I could never conceive of

[@teakay5927]

I love this analysis! And I really like the Paprika dub. I think it did a pretty decent job.

[@TallerdeRetazos]

Thank you for this :,)

[@Mr00001jon]

Love this video, I keep coming back and watching it again and again. Not many people can analyze satoshi kons work in such a mindful way, but you really did so. ( BTW: Do you have the name of the song that plays at 3:20 when talking about the characters pasts?)

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you very much! I'm glad you think it worthy of repeat viewing. :) The song is 'Bathed in Fine Dust' by Andy G. Cohen. He has a lot of great instrumental music.

[@Mr00001jon]

Ah thank you so much! This didn't appear in my notifications but thank you for responding. I hope to see more videos soon -v-/

[@MeatloafGreaserFilms]

Amazing

[@TheRainySky]

Hey just wanted to say this channel is magnificent i just watched your nights in the woods, adventure time, over the garden wall and paprika videos and they are all so on point that they resummoned the feelings i had when first watching/playing the things you talk about. Great job!

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you so much! :D

[@morgie4378]

Watched Paprika so many times gonna watch it again.

[@korzinietz2136]

nice vid thanks

[@juliaharano9548]

paprika é top, muito legal o video

[@fatmouth007]

Goddamn this was a good video! Subbed!

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you!

[@EvilKookie]

Great video, incredibly high effort. I disagree with your treatment of themes but I think you've identified them spotlessly. I think S. Kon's take on the invasive mediation of technology into everyday life, or the "storm of progress" as W. Benjamin characterizes it, is on the whole an optimistic take. It engages in a thorough dialectic with the pessimistic/nihilistic (maybe even reactionary?) takes of the likes of Baudrillard or Kittler, and finds itself siding with the fervent (but cautious) optimism of the likes of McLuhan. This is just some food for thought. I think your analysis is more aptly applied to the works of Sion Sono, particularly "Suicide Club" and "Noriko's Dinner Table" (it is especially true for the latter).

[@MsClaireEverett]

Would love to see this film analyzed in regards to Baudrillards theory of Hyperreality

[@yellowcougar18]

So good...gotta subscribe.

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you!

[@nastyasch6680]

Similair idea of possiblities that awaits us in the future is represented in film "Mr. Nobody" ( I hope that you would made video about that film as well🙏♥️)

[@diego4lonso]

Nice:)

[@edwardabela4431]

Brilliant essay! Can you tell me what the music starting at 2:25 is please?

[@yasminelucman4827]

damnn that was a good review!

[@nullavitasinemusica1]

YOU ARE AMAZING

[@nullavitasinemusica1]

This is one of my fav videos about anime Im so glad i found it

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you! I'm glad you liked it so much. :D

[@Zodiak34]

nice one. as for Paprika's identity/origin, I think it only gets clearer when Chiba Atsuko (the real, conscious, ego) thinks Paprika is part of her mind. Paprika tells her ''have you ever considered maybe YOURE a part of me ?'' Suggesting that reality is subjective, just like consciousness. Then ''To think that you can control yourself and others, you're just like an old baldy I know'' referring to Dr Sei-jiroh who is all ego and wants to control everything. Paprika then pushes Chiba to admit her love for Tokita, and when Chiba decides to follow her heart and try to save him, Paprika says 'She's become true to herself' My humble theory (after a first watch) is that Paprika is both the unconscious of Chiba and also what you could call ''God'' or 'Light', which is exemplified when she absorbs the darkness and restores light. During all of the movie, she wanders around dreams to show Light to the characters, even the bad ones (by revealing their harsh truth). I think what she is telling Chiba is that the unconscious is both a part of you, but also a higher consciousness at the same time. It's part of you, and you are part of it, and trying to control it is delusional and egoistical.

[@Eugenio545]

Great video! +1

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thanks! :)

[@devinedecay]

rest in peace shitoshi kon ! may you make the afterlife more brilliant

[@kerouactfspy2622]

Great take on an awesome film. Thank you for this.

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you!

[@youssefelbouzidi1016]

Fantastic analysis but I would have added that part when paprika says that men need women with a little bit of spice. Because love can be something that really makes us accept our current life (that is not our lost futures) and consider it worth living, overcoming the problem that resulted from failing in the pursuit of our original dream.

[@HarioGu]

I guess no one figured out that the main villain was still at large(literally) at the end of the movie and got away with his master plan. Hear me out. Tokita is the mastermind and main villain, he was the one that created the device and had chiba use it to create this dream world were she would basically experience this alternate reality or "dreamwolrd" were she would experience this story(the movie we just watched) were she felt she was progressing in the story thinking she was in control but in reality is was a just a script ultimately brainwashing her into falling in love with him.... think about it. For a genius like him it wouldnt be that hard for him to sabotage the device to brainwash her. This movie was so confusing that quite honestly just about any interpretation could be plausible lol

[@cariburn1]

Honestly that is the one interpretation that's pretty wrong and unlikely at best. I'm not trying to insult you or attack you, I recommend you give it a second watch. It's not really about any villain at its core. As the chairman is more a stepping stone for the character development and themes. Hope you're having a great day and stay healthy lad

[@cariburn1]

His lackey is arguably a more compelling antagonist even though he has zero to little power in comparison to paprika and the chairman

[@salmanzella3307]

I must say, you did a great video I watched this in chinese website by translated chinese. i think this video is logical and thought-provoking if you can translate chinese in your video, chinese can see and understand you easily. thank you .

[@casualinterception9264]

This movie woke me up

[@chickrepelant]

wonderful video! amazing movie, which i'm STILL trying to get my head around .

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you!

[@MeretrixTricks]

Watching this masterpiece with English dubbing is a hate crime.

[@Wikigul]

why does the microphone quality pick up at the last 18 seconds? the whole video sounded like it was recorded in a muffled and padded room

[@PopeOwned]

Loved it. My video essays are nowhere near as well constructed/tightly edited as yours, so consider myself subscribed!

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you very much!

[@arghyaprotimhalder5592]

Such a good movie but still less recognition and STILL around 800k USD max after so much expense.

[@axelssantoso5667]

Guys i still dont understand how the dreams merge w reality? Can someone pls explain it , or is it all still a dream where tokita is a giant robot and walking around town and when the chairman becomes a tall black thing?

[@supersaiyandrizzy804]

❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@evna9246]

I think it’s fine that you used dub, just make sure to look at both because some dubs will probably change meaning in dialogue.

[@gringo420]

I fucking LOVE Paprika. Bad ass movie

[@jargon2568]

*this is more than surreal memes*

[@apiemikey]

Im as lost at the end as i was at the beginning

[@ThatMovieNerdKevin]

Is the dubbed version any good? Saw the subbed version and really liked it. Your analysis was fantastic!

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thanks! I think the dubbed version is fine.

[@johnhoyle6390]

I worry that this may present more about your own frame of reference, or even bias, than a clear examination of the films content. I enjoyed it, the presentation was captivating and interesting. But as to validity it felt like an effort was made to fit philosophical elements to the film. Once that is accepted, one only need pick their philosophy and they can splice the film into it. While everyone has a lens, not all lenses are equally clear and some are intentional filters. While compelling, philosophical filtering can feel as artificial as compressed audio, even if subtly applied.

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

This wasn't intended to be an objective assessment of the whole film, just some details I noticed and found interesting. I thought there were enough references to the anxiety of the future (and nostalgia for lost futures) to warrant talking about - and, as far as I could find, no one had. Glad you enjoyed it anyway! :D

[@SeaOfMany]

This vid had me spiraling What the h

[@Ihateyoutube666]

Could you do dogtooth? you really make quality videos!

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you! Dogtooth is actually on my (granted, very long) list of possible films to look at so it's certainly a possibility. :) It just depends on if I think I have anything interesting to say.

[@Ihateyoutube666]

What's So Great About That? even if you don't end up covering it I will still be around ✌

[@TindraSan]

as someone who's usually subs before dubs, I prefer the dub of this movie, because the soundtrack is louder in that version lol

[@notsam7928]

I like to watch anime in the original language (with subs of course) but in these videos I'm in favor of dubs for clips. Nothing is usually lost and I don't have to suddenly switch to reading.

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Good to know!

[@MrRemorseless]

Some of the most perfect imagery when it comes to dreams and mental degradation. Fans of the visuals, especially towards the film's climax, might like this image by Japanese artist Takashi Murakami. reply2julian.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/gero_tan.jpg

[@heliosmorningstar]

Who was the jerk that dislike this video?

[@elfsieben1450]

"Paprika" is one of the best sci-fi films ever made, together with "Living in Oblivion" it is also one of the best films ever made on the topic of dreams, and together with "Dark City" it surely is one of the best films ever made on the topic of identity, illusion and/or reality of personality.

[@Nereus00]

now i need an explanation video for the movie explanation ahaha jeez why do people want to talk like printed book i'll never get that.

[@civilisedhumanbeing]

Lol 66.6k subs

[@mons3020]

Great video! I might also add though that the writer of the book was very nationalistic (not to be confused with patriotic), so that might've also influenced the chairman's "fear of the future" because the original author was that way.

[@princehans8541]

You haven't once mentioned *LUCID DREAMS*

[@myautobiographyafanfic1413]

I'm not sure the pun about dreams and dreams works in Japanese.

[@myautobiographyafanfic1413]

Also, dubs are better. We've been listening since before we were human. But we've been reading maybe 200 years.

[@arpeggi1801]

I’m on board with all of this, but the English voices... gross lol

[@JohnJones-th8by]

A lot of wasted time overanalyzing a very TRASH film. Totally NONSENSICAL and full of plot holes. Its really only enjoyable to artsy people. And plz dont say cliche shit like, "Its cause u didnt get it." Thats a cop out. Someone tell me, what the point was? I mean, are we all just supposed to go, "Man thats so deep" by the end of the pretentiousness? I hated this film. Id rather comb my underarm hair with a fork to kill time than to watch 30 min of this time wasting film. Garbage.