Marvel Artist Takes on One of Anime’s Creepiest Projects

In the world of anime, Junji Ito is often considered the undisputed master of horror. However, he’s not the only creator to have contributed chilling works to the medium throughout its history. A prime example is Satoshi Kon’s 1997 masterpiece, “Perfect Blue,” an anime epic that delves into the dark aspects of a pop idol’s life. Recently, a renowned Marvel artist, known for their work on numerous comic book covers, has shared their unique interpretation of this story’s protagonist on popular social media platforms.

If you haven’t watched “Perfect Blue” yet, this Studio Madhouse film delves into the boundary between fame and madness, following Mima Kirigoe as she seeks to escape her pop idol past for a career in serious acting. Her initial role thrusts her into some dubious situations, causing her to ponder if she made the correct decision in abandoning her carefree life as an idol. Haunted by a fanatic admirer and grappling with murders happening in her city, “Perfect Blue” stands as a timeless demonstration of the extraordinary storytelling capabilities of anime when it ventures beyond common narratives prevalent in the genre.

Artgerm’s Perfect Blue

Stanley “Artgerm” Lau is well-known for his extensive artistic contributions, whether it’s for Marvel comics or other projects. Previously, Lau has contributed a significant amount of work to a major North American comic book publisher, particularly on prominent titles like The Fantastic Four, The Amazing Spider-Man, Ms. Marvel, The Mighty Thor, and many more that are too numerous to mention. Besides his work with Marvel, Lau has also lent his talents to popular DC Comics properties such as Harley Quinn, Supergirl, Wonder Woman, Batman, and Superman.

In a recent interpretation, Mima Kirigoe from Perfect Blue is not the first time the comic book creator has ventured into the realm of anime. Previously, they’ve also expressed their unique perspectives on series like Chainsaw Man, Spy x Family, Tokyo Revengers, Naruto, Dandadan, Yu Yu Hakusho, Attack on Titan, and others. Although this crossover isn’t officially recognized, it underscores the ongoing fusion between anime and North American comic book worlds.

Have you watched it? Done with markers and ink. #mimakirigoe #perfectblue

— Stanley Artgerm Lau (@Artgerm) April 24, 2025

The Perfect Blue Controversy

Although a follow-up to the anime movie “Perfect Blue” is unlikely, it made headlines recently due to a significant uproar. It’s worth noting that director Darren Aronofsky, who admires the film, included a tribute scene in his movie, “Requiem For A Dream.” In the mind-twisting film, there’s a moment when the character submerges her face in the bath and appears to be suffocating, which resembles a similar scene in “Perfect Blue.” Darren shared that this was intentional as an homage to the anime movie. He even had the chance to discuss it with Kon when he visited for “Requiem for a Dream.” Upon watching “Requiem for a Dream,” Kon noticed these two specific scenes, which mirrored each other in angle, pose, and more, were indeed inspired by his work. When asked about this, Aronofsky confirmed that it was an homage to the anime film.

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2025-04-24 17:14