Akira

Japan, 1988. An explosion caused by a young boy with psychic powers tears through the city of Tokyo and ignites the fuse that leads to World War III. In order to prevent any further destruction, he is captured and taken into custody, never to be heard from again. Now, in the year 2019, a restored version of the city known as Neo-Tokyo—an area rife with gang violence and terrorism against the current government—stands in its place. Here, Shoutarou Kaneda leads "the Capsules," a group of misfits known for riding large, custom motorcycles and being in constant conflict with their rivals "the Clowns."

During one of these battles, Shoutarou's best friend Tetsuo Shima is caught up in an accident with an esper who finds himself in the streets of Tokyo after escaping confinement from a government institution. Through this encounter, Tetsuo begins to develop his own mysterious abilities, as the government seeks to quarantine this latest psychic in a desperate attempt to prevent him from unleashing the destructive power that could once again bring the city to its knees.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Kaneda, Shoutarou Main

Iwata, Mitsuo Japanese

Shima, Tetsuo Main

Sasaki, Nozomu Japanese

Kei Main

Koyama, Mami Japanese

Shikishima Main

Ishida, Tarou Japanese

Akira Supporting

Kai Supporting

Kusao, Takeshi Japanese

Yamagata Supporting

Ookura, Masaaki Japanese

Kaori Supporting

Fuchizaki, Yuriko Japanese

Kiyoko Supporting

Itou, Fukue Japanese

Miyako Supporting

Kitamura, Kouichi Japanese

Maseba, Yutaka Producer

Otomo, Katsuhiro Director, Script, Original Creator, Original Character Design

Aketagawa, Susumu Sound Director

Hashimoto, Izou Script

Reviews

Feb 12, 2025

crunchysoup

Recommended

Watching Akira for the first time in my high school living room with friends was a transformative experience. It was my first full-length anime, and it struck a chord with me in a way that few films ever have. Even now, years later, the film still holds a monumental place in my heart. Akira isn’t just a movie; it’s an experience, a harrowing, thrilling, and awe-inspiring journey through chaos, power, and the human psyche.

What starts as a rebellious gang turf war escalates into a narrative that explores psyche, government corruption, and a city on the brink of chaos. This movie isn't about simple battles between ... good and evil—it dives deep into themes of power, control, and the human condition, leaving you to wrestle with its meaning long after the credits roll.

But what truly sets Akira apart isn’t just the compelling story, it’s the sheer artistry that floods every frame. The animation is beyond revolutionary. The fluidity of the action sequences, the intricate detail in the environments, and the raw intensity and emotion that you can see in gestures alone are like nothing else.

For me, the real jewel of Akira is the soundtrack. It's not just music, it’s a living, breathing force that enhances every scene. The pulsating rhythms, the eerie atmospheric soundscapes, and the hauntingly beautiful choral arrangements work in perfect harmony with the film’s visuals. I loved it so much that in 2021, I attended a special theater screening of the film just for the audio experience alone. The score is something that resonates in your bones; it adds depth to the already complex narrative and elevates the intensity of every moment.

While Akira may be notoriously complex for first-time viewers, I found its underlying themes surprisingly comprehensible. The story is about the potential for power, both in its corrupting influence and its capacity for destruction. It’s about human frailty and ambition, the consequences of tampering with forces beyond our control, and the endless cycle of violence that can result. These ideas are timeless, and even decades after its release, Akira’s message still feels as relevant as ever.

The film also captures a rawness that you rarely see in mainstream cinema. Its unflinching portrayal of violence, the decay of society, and the emotional turmoil of the characters is unfiltered and unapologetic.

Akira is an iconic piece of cinematic history. It’s a film that continues to captivate audiences around the world, and rightly so. From its explosive action to its complex, thought-provoking themes, it is a perfect blend of style, substance, and emotion. If you’re looking for something that will challenge you while still delivering a thrilling experience, look no further. It’s a 10/10 in every sense of the word, and I’ll forever be grateful for the chance to witness it in all its glory.

Reviewer’s Rating: 10

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Feb 22, 2025

jennisiaria

Mixed Feelings

So, Akira. You’ve probably heard people say it’s the “greatest anime of all time” or “a masterpiece that changed the entire anime landscape.” Look, I get it. It’s 1988. They had to show off their cool new animation skills somehow. But after finally watching it, I’m like, “Okay, I get why it’s iconic, but this isn’t exactly my idea of a good time.”

The plot? It’s like someone was told, “Hey, throw in every single dystopian cliché, add some superpowers, and make sure to include at least 50 explosions,” and then they just went wild. Kaneda is the typical “I’m too cool for my own good” ... biker gang leader. He’s got all the charisma of a guy who spends 90% of his life riding around on a motorcycle and calling it “life.” Meanwhile, Tetsuo, his best friend, gets some bad government experiment shoved down his throat and suddenly has psychic powers. Naturally, he goes from “average guy” to “I’m going to destroy everything” in about two seconds. It’s like giving your annoying little brother a superpower and telling him “Go ahead, break whatever you want.” Guess what? Chaos ensues. Shocking, right?

And then there’s Akira. Who is supposedly important. He’s this big, mysterious figure who everyone is obsessed with... except he doesn’t do anything except look like he’s napping through the entire movie. I mean, I get it, the guy is a “legend,” but all he does is exist. Maybe I missed the memo, but if you’re gonna be hyped up as the “big deal,” at least throw a punch or something. But nope. He’s basically just a plot device that everyone keeps screaming about, like, “Oh, Akira will save us!” Spoiler: He doesn’t.

Now let’s talk animation. I can’t deny that Akira is a technical marvel. For 1988, the animation is insane. The detail, the fluidity, the “look, we can make everything look like it’s on fire at once” vibe — it’s gorgeous, and you can definitely see where all the love and time went into it. But... here’s the thing: when a movie spends more time showing me a neon skyline on fire than actually explaining what the heck is going on, I start to lose interest. The animation is cool, but it’s like watching an Instagram influencer show off their “amazing” life without ever showing the actual substance behind it. I’m impressed, but also kinda annoyed I’m not getting any real answers.

Now, the soundtrack? Oh boy. It’s like someone threw a bunch of random instruments into a blender, hit “chaos,” and just let it go. The music in Akira is the auditory equivalent of your mom finding your secret stash of energy drinks and letting you loose in the house. It’s unsettling, weird, and at times you’ll think “Okay, is this the soundtrack to my existential crisis?” But hey, if you want your brain to feel like it's about to explode in slow motion, the soundtrack has you covered. Honestly, it’s haunting in a way that makes you question why you even signed up for this movie in the first place.

But here’s where Akira deserves some serious respect. It literally broke every rule for anime and, somehow, made the world take anime seriously. This thing influenced not only every dystopian movie ever made but probably every single show that’s tried to make you feel uncomfortable in a “I have no idea what’s going on, but I’m too scared to look away” way. From The Matrix to Black Mirror, you can see Akira’s chaotic, mind-bending fingerprints all over them. But just because it changed the game, doesn’t mean I’m sitting here going, “Wow, I really loved this.” Akira is that movie everyone tells you to watch, and you’re like, “Sure, okay, I’ll get to it.” Then, after you watch it, you’re left sitting there going, “Okay... but why?”

In the end, Akira is a landmark film, but for me, it’s one of those “I get why it’s important, but it’s just not my vibe” situations. I can respect the artistry, the influence, and the insane animation, but emotionally? It didn’t hit. The plot’s too tangled, the characters too... well, I just didn’t vibe with them. So, yeah. It's a cool movie to look at, but as far as connecting with it? Nah. It’s like trying to enjoy a rollercoaster when you’re too dizzy to even open your eyes. If you love mind-bending chaos, this movie’s a 10/10 for you. If you like, you know, movies with a little heart and coherence, you might wanna skip this one and go watch something else that doesn’t leave you with more questions than answers.

Reviewer’s Rating: 5

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Jan 9, 2024

DeviantKuroi

Not Recommended

Funny

Akira sucks. Overrated.

So many people saying "It's a great piece of art". OK, I didn't see it.

There's many anime movies and animes who work abstract concepts in the same way that akira's art pretend to do, and they did it so much better and with more (of any) sense. So it seems to me that is very, very overrated.

Art to me, like an old classic, it's not that special (There's other with more stetic)

Furthermore, I find the machism and sexist in the movie disgusting and repulsive. I know, I know, is an 80's film... But fuck, there's others anime and 80's film. And they aren't ... like that.

So in resume, not - in any case - that good as I thought by the amount of good reviews saying it's a wonder, a deception and a movie for dry and smelly machirulos.

Reviewer’s Rating: 2

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