Akira (1988) Review

 

Akira (1988)

Set in Neo-Tokyo in 2019, 30 years after an explosion that decimated the city, Akira follows Kaneda, who must stop his friend Tetsuo after he is experimented on, giving him otherworldly powers that threaten all life on Earth.

There’s a reason this post-apocalyptic anime, from TMS Entertainment, has stood the test of time. It’s real world themes and inspirations on the world of cinema are far reaching, seeming even more relevant today than it did over 30 years ago. Civil unrest towards the government, terrorism, and the dangers of meddling in things the human mind can’t comprehend are ever present, giving this dystopian film a feel that constantly grows in scope. For some of these characters, the worst thing to worry about were motorcycle gang battles that feel right out of Tron and Mad Max. By the end though, it’s a battle of beings endowed with unbelievable power with all of Neo-Tokyo as their battle ground.

It feels so much deeper than just big, extravagant explosions though. There is a hope within the madness and destruction—Akira’s return, or the concept of it. No evil character is strictly evil and almost always have been made that way to where you feel for Tetsuo and his journey.

The animation in Akira is also so detailed, and visually, it’s a gory but spectacular experience that revolutionized sprawling cityscapes, dialogue, and light. The techniques used feel inherently Japanese and don’t cater to children or the Western world. It’s dark, gritty, and beautifully artistic in it’s brilliance.

I saw the 2001 English dub, but even with that, the voice acting is so emotional and driven, featuring Johnny Yong Bosch, Joshua Seth, Wendee Lee, James Lyon, Anthony Pulcini, and Simon Isaacson. Bosch and Seth drive so much of the heart of this film and I really liked how neither were the usual strong, silent types. They, like everyone else, were vocally broken and open about their pain.

Akira, directed by Katsuhiro Otomo, who also did the manga, is a revolutionary, gratuitous bloodbath of love, betrayal, and loyalty to and for ones closest to you that details the epic power of the universe and how we, as humans, connect with it.

10/10