Perfect Blue

Summary

The story begins with Mima Kirigoe playing her final show with the J-pop group known as "CHAM!” She decides to cross over into acting after strong arguments by her office manager Tadokoro which comes with stiff resistence by her personal manager Rumi. Mima is playing a small role on the direct-to-video drama "Double Bind” which upsets many of her fans particularly her stalker "Me-Mania.” Mima finds a website called "Mima's Room" that has public diary entries that seem to be written by her discussing her daily life in disturbing detail. Mima tries to tell Rumi about it, but she says to ignore it.

Mima finally gets a leading role in "Double Bind,” but she has to be a rape victim in a strip club. Rumi warns Mima that this will ruin her reputation, but Mima accepts the part, though she remains indecisive. The scene's atmosphere is so intense that Mima is traumatized to the point that she can't differentiate reality from fantasy, or specifically her role in the drama.

Several individuals who had a hand in tarnishing Mima's reputation are murdered, the first being the delinquent from Mima's final show, and Mima is considered the prime suspect. Mima begins doubting her own innocence when she finds evidence of the murder and her mental instability deteriorates even more. The faux diarist of "Mimi's Room” as well as the serial killer, who believes herself to be the pop idol Mima, sets up Me-Mania as a scapegoat for the killings.

Mima's mental instability becomes obvious as the story jumps around from scenes from the tv drama to dreams to hallucinations of Mima's pop idol form. She continually wakes up from various dreams. Mima can no longer tell if something really happens or if its just another one of her dreams. After the final shooting of "Double Bind” Mima is attacked by Me-Mania who attempts to rape her. Mima knocks him unconscious with a hammer, and runs to her final support left alive, Rumi.

Mima attempts to call Mr. Tadakoro but doesn't get an answer. It is revealed that has been killed along with Me-Mania. When Mima encounters Rumi she finds her wearing a replica of the dress she wore as a pop idol. Rumi is shown to be the false diarest who believes that she is the real Mima, and she is angry with the way Mima has been ruining the "real Mima's” image. She decides to save Mima's pop idol image by killing all who attempt to ruin her reputation. Rumi's final act is to remove Mima who she believes is an imposter who is trying to ruin Mima. Mima manages to incapacitate Rumi after a long chase through the city. Rumi is permanently deranged and institutionalized while Mima grows from her experience as she moves on to her new life new found confidence and independence.

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