Before Satoshi Kon's beloved film, Yoshikazu Takeuchi's light novel Perfect Blue: Complete Metamorphosis had a different story to tell, one with more traditional horror trappings, but with themes about identity and obsession that carried through. In episode 382, join Luke Elliott and James Bailey as they discuss how the book is on its own, how idol culture can exploit both young stars and their audiences, the ethics around writing a book depicting such graphic material, and what bones were present in the story that would go on to inspire the film people know and love.

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• Intro/outro music: Haunted by Ross Bugden

Luke Elliott

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James Bailey

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