The appeal and reviews of "AKIRA": A masterpiece anime depicting a dystopian future city

AKIRA: An epic tale of the futuristic city of Neo-Tokyo

■ Public Media

theater

■ Original Media

comics

■ Release date

July 16, 1988 - January 1, 0000

■Distribution company

Toho

■ Eirin Number

112405

■Frequencies

124 min

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 1

■Original Story

Katsuhiro Otomo

■ Director

Katsuhiro Otomo

■ Production

Animation Production: Tokyo Movie Shinsha

■Works

©1988 Mushroom/Akira Production Committee

■ Story

Neo Tokyo in 2019, the year before the Tokyo Olympics. A group of motorcyclists led by Kaneda are racing down the highway in pursuit of a rival motorcycle gang. However, Shima Tetsuo, who was leading the group, is injured when he is unable to avoid a strange child that appears in front of them. Immediately afterwards, Tetsuo and the child are taken away by an army helicopter. Kaneda and the others search for Tetsuo. At the same time, Tetsuo is given a certain drug and begins to awaken mysterious powers.

■Cast

Kaneda: Mitsuo Iwata / Tetsuo: Nozomu Sasaki / Kei: Mami Koyama / Colonel: Taro Ishida / Dr.: Mizuho Suzuki / Ryu: Tessho Genda / Nezu: Hiroshi Otake and others

■ Main staff

Screenplay: Katsuhiro Otomo, Izo Hashimoto / Music Director: Shoji Yamashiro / Character Design: Katsuhiro Otomo / Animation Director: Takashi Nakamura / Assistant Animation Director: Koji Morimoto / Art Director: Toshiharu Mizutani / Sound Director: Susumu Aketagawa / Sound Recordist: Tetsuo Segawa / Director of Photography: Katsuji Misawa / Editor: Takeshi Seyama

■ Theme songs and music

[Insert Song] Song title: AKIRA's Theme / Performed by Geino Yamashirogumi / Lyrics: Shoji Yamashiro / Composition: Shoji Yamashiro / Arrangement: Geino Yamashirogumi [Insert Song] Song title: Tetsuo's Metamorphose / Performed by Geino Yamashirogumi / Composition: Shoji Yamashiro / Arrangement: Geino Yamashirogumi

The appeal and evaluation of "AKIRA"

"AKIRA" is a Japanese anime film released in 1988 by director Katsuhiro Otomo, which has received worldwide acclaim for its innovative visuals and profound storytelling. The film is set in the futuristic city of Neo-Tokyo and tells the story of a group of boys with supernatural powers. Below, we will take a closer look at the appeal and reviews of "AKIRA."

Visuals and animation

The visuals of "AKIRA" are known for their timeless beauty and detail. Director Katsuhiro Otomo has created a realistic yet fantastical portrayal of the futuristic city of Neo-Tokyo, successfully drawing the audience into the world. In particular, the motorcycle race scenes and explosion scenes are hand-drawn animation with a quality comparable to CG, making for a visually stunning experience. The character designs are also unique, skillfully expressing the inner lives of each character.

The teamwork between animation director Takashi Nakamura and assistant animation director Koji Morimoto is superb, with the movements they create flowing with great fluency and rich emotional expression. The background art by art director Toshiharu Mizutani also perfectly recreates the atmosphere of Neo-Tokyo, enhancing the quality of the film as a whole.

Story and Themes

The story of "AKIRA" deals with complex and profound themes. Through the existence of boys with psychic powers, it depicts scientific progress and human desire, and the resulting destruction and rebirth. In particular, the character of Shima Tetsuo symbolizes the fear and loneliness that comes with having powers, and his growth and transformation leaves a strong impression on the audience.

The friendship and conflict between Kaneda and Tetsuo is the central theme of the story, and through their relationship, it depicts the value and fragility of friendship. Furthermore, elements such as government and military conspiracies, and social chaos and collapse are skillfully incorporated, encouraging the audience to think deeply.

Music and Sound

The music for AKIRA was composed by Shoji Yamashiro and further enhanced the atmosphere of the film. In particular, the insert songs "AKIRA's Theme" and "Tetsuo's Metamorphosis" effectively express the tension and emotion of the story, resonating with the audience. The sound design by sound director Susumu Aketagawa and sound recordist Tetsuo Segawa is also excellent, with realistic sound effects such as explosions and motorcycle engine sounds that enhance the film's realism.

Cast and acting

The cast of AKIRA is supported by the superb performances of its voice actors. Iwata Mitsuo as Kaneda skillfully expresses the strength of a leader and the kindness of someone who values ​​friendship. Sasaki Nozomu as Tetsuo realistically portrays the fear and loneliness that comes with having power, evoking deep empathy from the audience. The voice actors for each character, including Koyama Mami as Kei, Ishida Taro as the Colonel, Suzuki Mizuho as the Doctor, Genda Tesshō as Ryu, and Otake Hiroshi as Nezu, also perfectly play their roles, enriching the story.

Impact and Evaluation

"AKIRA" has been highly praised around the world for its innovative visuals and profound storytelling. It has had a major impact on Western filmmakers and animators, and its influence can be seen in many of their works. It was also the first animated film to be released in the US, and its success helped to spread Japanese anime around the world.

Critics have praised AKIRA for its artistic and technical perfection, and it has won numerous film awards, including a special award at the 42nd Cannes Film Festival, which helped raise the profile of anime films thereafter. It also has a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and has been well received by audiences.

Recommendations and how to watch "AKIRA"

AKIRA is highly recommended for anyone who enjoys an epic story set in the futuristic city of Neo-Tokyo and innovative visuals. It is a must-see for fans of anime and science fiction movies, those who enjoy deep themes, and anyone interested in the technical aspects of film.

"AKIRA" is available to purchase on DVD and Blu-ray. It is also available on streaming services, such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, so you can enjoy it easily. It is also screened in theaters, so we recommend experiencing the thrill of the movie on the big screen.

"AKIRA" related works and information

"AKIRA" is based on the manga of the same name by Katsuhiro Otomo. This manga was serialized in "Weekly Young Magazine" from 1982 to 1990 and was completed in six volumes. The original manga has different plot developments and character developments from the movie, so it is a must-read after enjoying the movie.

Other films and anime that were influenced by "AKIRA" include the following:

• "The Matrix": A science fiction film that is said to have influenced the visuals and themes of "AKIRA."
• "Ghost in the Shell": A science fiction anime set in a futuristic city, with character design by Katsuhiro Otomo, who also worked on "AKIRA."
• "Evangelion": An anime known for its profound themes and visuals, which shows influence from "AKIRA."

Furthermore, to gain a deeper understanding of the world of "AKIRA," the following books and materials are also useful references.

• "AKIRA Art Book": An art book that provides a detailed explanation of the film's production process and visual design.
• "AKIRA Official Guidebook": A guidebook introducing the film's story, characters, and behind-the-scenes stories.
• "The World of Katsuhiro Otomo": A book that comprehensively summarizes Katsuhiro Otomo's works and their influence.

"AKIRA" is a work that leaves a strong impression on audiences with its innovative visuals and profound storytelling. If you want to enjoy a grand story of the futuristic city of Neo-Tokyo, be sure to watch this movie. Then, explore the world even more deeply through the original manga and related works.