Paprika (novel)
| Paprika | |
|---|---|
 Book cover |
|
| Author(s) | Yasutaka Tsutsui |
| Country | Japan |
| Language | Japanese |
| Genre(s) | Science fiction |
| Publisher | Chūōkōron Shinsha |
| Publication date | 1993 |
| Media type | Print (hardback and paperback) |
Paprika (パプリカ Papurika) is a 1993 novel written by Yasutaka Tsutsui. It first appeared in Marie Claire in four parts, each appearing chronologically in the January 1991, March 1992, August 1992, and June 1993 issues. A manga adaption of the novel was created by Reiji Hagiwara in 1995 but was not published until 2003. The novel was adapted as an animated film in 2006, which was itself adapted into a manga the following year by Eri Sakai. The novel was translated into English by Andrew Driver, was published by Alma Books in April 2009
Contents |
[edit] Story
Dream monitoring and intervention as a means of treating mental disorders is a developing new form of psychotherapy in the near future. Nobel Prize-winning psychiatry research establishment employee Atsuko Chiba (千葉敦子 Chiba Atsuko) is the most prominent scientist in this field, using her alter-ego Paprika (パプリカ Papurika) to infiltrate the dreams of others and treat their illnesses. Her collegue, the brilliant but obese Kōsaku Tokita (時田浩作 Tokita Kōsaku) has created a super-miniaturized version of the Institute's existing dream-analysis devices calling it the DC Mini (DCミニ DC Mini). Unrest ensues when the new psychotherapy device is stolen, allowing the assailant to enter the mind of anyone and enact mind control. The frantic search for the criminal and the DC Mini has begun.
[edit] Characters
- Atsuko Chiba/Paprika - an attractive but modest researcher and therapist at the Institute of Psychatric Research. When treating her patients she assumes her alter-ego, Paprika.
- Kōsaku Tokita - a brilliant but overweight collegue and friend of Chiba whom she is in-love with. He is the inventor of the DC Mini.
- Toratarō Shima - the administrator of the Institute who asks Chiba to bring out Paprika to help Noda's axiety.
- Morio Osani - a handsome but deeply amoral therapist who harbors both jelousy and love for Chiba.
- Tatsuo Noda - a prominent car company executive and friend of Shima who suffers from axiety.
[edit] Animated film
An animated film adaption of the novel, directed by Satoshi Kon, was released in 2006, with Yasutaka Tsutsui himself providing the voice of a bartender.
[edit] Manga versions
- Reiji Hagiwara's version in Kodansha's Mister Magazine
- Eri Sakai's version in Kodansha's Monthly Shōnen Sirius (from May to July 2007)
[edit] See also
[edit] References
 |
This Japanese literature-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 |
This anime/manga-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
