J-pop Star LiSA Reveals Why Perfect Blue and Spy x Family Speak to Her Soul
J-pop superstar LiSA recently opened up about her deep connection to the anime movie Perfect Blue, a ’90s psychological thriller by the visionary director Satoshi Kon. Known for her powerful anime theme songs like the global hit “Gurenge” from Demon Slayer, LiSA finds a surprising resonance between her own experiences and the dark, complex themes of this cult classic.
- LiSA’s admiration for Satoshi Kon’s Perfect Blue and its psychological depth
- How the film’s themes of identity and fame relate to her life as a public figure
- Her appreciation for the anime Spy x Family and manga culture
- The connection between the struggles in Perfect Blue and the heartfelt story in Spy x Family
LiSA’s Connection to Perfect Blue
During an interview, LiSA revealed that she wears her love for Perfect Blue quite literally — sporting a T-shirt featuring the film. She described Satoshi Kon’s work as “cruel and dark,” yet praised his ability to capture “something you know [I have] deep inside.” Kon’s films, including Millennium Actress, Tokyo Godfathers, and Paprika, are famous for blending reality with illusion and exploring themes like identity and perception.
LiSA explained, “[Kon’s films] resonate so much demon-like feelings, and also the struggle between, like, ‘I want to be human. You want to be good, but also I could be dark.’ And that kind of struggle, it resonates with me so much.”
Why Perfect Blue Hits Home
Perfect Blue follows Mima Kirigoe, a former pop idol who quits music to pursue acting, only to face a terrifying identity crisis. As she’s stalked and haunted by her past self, the lines between her real life, roles, and online persona blur. This psychological thriller explores how fame and media can distort not only how others see us but also how we see ourselves.
For LiSA, the story hits close to home because she’s also a public figure navigating the pressures of recognition and love. She said, “It’s a story about how much she wants to be loved. Or how much she wants to be recognized. Those are true feelings inside that are actualized in the characters. And sometimes I feel I can identify myself in those characters.”
From Perfect Blue to Spy x Family
While LiSA is best known for her anime music, she admits she usually spends more time reading manga than watching anime. However, when her favorite manga gets adapted into anime, she always shows respect to the animators behind the scenes.
One anime that recently blew her away is Spy x Family, especially the character Anya — a playful 5-year-old telepath who steals the show. The series follows a master spy named Twilight who creates a fake family to infiltrate an elite school, unknowingly adopting Anya and marrying an assassin. Despite their secrets, they form a genuine bond.
LiSA sees a clear link between the identity struggles in Perfect Blue and the family dynamics in Spy x Family, both stories revolving around the universal desire to be truly seen, accepted, and loved.
Check out LiSA’s interview and her thoughts on these fascinating connections:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1kZIiLmS0k
