This is your brain on anime|Oct. 01, 2006|Japan|90 Min.|R
Genre: Animation;Drama;Mystery;Science;Fiction;Thriller
Description: In the near future, a groundbreaking device called the “DC Mini” is developed, enabling users to access and explore people’s dreams. Dr. Atsuko Chiba leads the research team working on this innovative technology. However, she secretly uses the device outside the facility to assist psychiatric patients, adopting her dream-world persona, “Paprika.” Dr. Chiba collaborates closely with her colleagues, Dr. Toratarō Shima, the department head, and Dr. Kōsaku Tokita, the creator of the DC Mini.
Paprika assists Detective Toshimi Konakawa, who is troubled by a recurring dream, and provides him with a website address for further help. However, the DC Mini’s lack of security features poses a serious threat when the prototypes are stolen. Dr. Shima experiences a bizarre episode and attempts to jump out of a window, almost resulting in his death. Upon investigating his dream, which manifests as a chaotic parade of objects, Tokita identifies his assistant, Kei Himuro, as a suspect, confirming suspicions of an inside job.
As more scientists fall victim to the device’s misuse, the company’s chairman, Dr. Seijirō Inui, who initially opposed the project, bans its use. Despite this, the surreal parade continues to wreak havoc, now invading Himuro’s dream and eventually consuming Tokita. Paprika and Shima uncover that Himuro is merely a pawn, and the true mastermind is Dr. Inui. He seeks to shield dreams from human interference through dream therapy, aided by Dr. Morio Osanai.
Cast director: Satoshi Kon
Cast actor: Megumi Hayashibara, Toru Emori, Katsunosuke Hori, Tōru Furuya, Akio Otsuka, Koichi Yamadera, Hideyuki Tanaka, Daisuke Sakaguchi, Mitsuo Iwata, Rikako Aikawa
Original name: パプリカ