On August 24, 2010, the acclaimed anime filmmaker Satoshi Kon died from pancreatic cancer, which he had been diagnosed with only a few months before. Kon, who directed Paprika, Paranoia Agent, and Perfect Blue, was seen by many as one of the great anime filmmakers — one whose stunningly animated films often delved into disturbing subject matter but were also driven by a deep concern for the growing sense of alienation and confusion in modern society.

After his death, Anime News Network published a six-part series of articles that provide as good an overview of Kon’s life and career as you’re likely to find.

Kon is one of those rare filmmakers whose oeuvre I can recommend in its entirety. All of his films are worth watching, both for their technical and animation brilliance and for their striking and haunting social commentary.

Related: “Satoshi Kon’s last words”