Reviews

Perfect Blue: Awaken from a Dream by Yoshikazu Takeuchi

jisubunny's review

adventurous challenging dark mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.5

I think this is a great followup read to the original perfect blue story. Which not actually being a sequel, and being three short stories carrying the same themes, they are very interesting reads. 

azirserinus's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Violence, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Torture, Suicide attempt, Mental illness, Excrement, Death, Confinement, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, Kidnapping, Murder, Physical abuse, and Vomit

If you have sensory issue descriptions like "nails on a chalkboard" it has one moment similar to that.

nelsbels's review

dark emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

I liked the writing in this book a lot better than the first. At points too uncomfortable, but generally compelling.

anotherday's review

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

3.25

caramelpon's review

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

‘Awaken From a Dream’ contains three short stories, all delving into obsessions with Japanese idols during the 1980-1990s. Recurring concepts include: parasocial relationships, harassment and stalking. 

 

The stories are all similar to one another and the former book: ‘Complete Metamorphosis’ (with 'Even when I Embrace You' seeming like an alternate version of CM’s finale, sans the symbolism). In many ways, these stories feel like rejected and repurposed CM scenes. 

 

Despite this, the fast pace and the predator/prey relationships between the idols and their deranged fans was emotionally thrilling. The era is captured wonderfully and the writing is comfortable to read, creating clear pictures of the characters lives. Characters in each story fall into the categories of: ‘pure, young idol’ or: ‘skin-crawlingly disgusting creep’, so don’t expect any development. Since these stories are focused around perverted fantasies being acted out when obsession reaches its peak however, and the tension/suspense of idols navigating their situations with the goal of making it out alive, I recommend it as a lovely compliment to the first Perfect Blue novel.

 

My favorite dialogue line is: “I don’t want to be loved by someone like you!” (p175). I think it so perfectly combats the one-sided nature and entitled mentality which is a constant across the stories.

eiranosaur's review

tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

maymother21's review

2.0

Perfect Blue follows the stories of idols and their stalkers, but they all seem to blend together in the same pattern: rising idol star pushes herself, obsessive fan becomes a stalker to preserve the idol's image, violence and obscenity ensues. "Even When I Embrace You" seemed to try too hard, and I personally checked out after the climax reveal. The stalkers are all sociopathic recluses where they are all written to fill the reader with pity and disgust. While it could have easily taken the stance of becoming social commentary on fans of idol culture, in my opinion, it further spurs the "creepy otaku" stereotype of having no redeeming qualities but a passion for their hobbies.

xvampkxll's review

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Pretty good

celbl8o's review

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? No

3.5

lapingveno's review

4.0

Perfect Blue: Complete Metamorphosis was better, but these three additional stories weren't bad (same basic themes, at least).

This Perfect Blue universe has a way of illustrating just how dangerous obsession can really be!