Akira

Akira (1988)★ 8.1/10

Not Rated · JP · 124 min · July 16, 1988

  • Action
  • Animation
  • Drama
  • Sci-Fi

Directed by: Katsuhiro Ôtomo

Written by: Katsuhiro Ôtomo, Izô Hashimoto

A military project turns a biker gang member into a psychic psychopath, threatening Neo-Tokyo, and only a teenager and a group of psychics can stop him.

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Reviews

KKeoni MeauxNovember 20, 2025
The blueprint for all modern anime. It was also completely hand-drawn. Dedication and care really showed in the final product. Even nearly 30 years later the story is still relevant to the world. Which is unfortunate since it was a commentary on the commodification of people and the harms of tapping into shit we don't fully understand (nuclear weapons)
OOlga321July 21, 2024
The protagonist, much like the director himself, witnesses the end of one era and the beginning of another. Creating such a prophetic and apocalyptic film during Japan’s bubble economy era showcases Katsuhiro Ohtomo’s brilliance. The film’s depth and breadth aren’t hindered by the mediocre script, making it a masterpiece of Japanese animation, though a more streamlined plot would have been ideal.
JJames29July 21, 2024
Akira depicts the trauma experienced after nuclear devastation and economic anxiety. In the face of despair, people turn to destruction in hopes of rebirth, and the final explosion symbolizes the birth of the universe, underscoring the cyclical nature of existence. Akira represents both past and future, with its exquisite visuals and eerie soundtrack being extremely impactful. The saviors of the world can be anyone; there's no absolute good or evil—everyone is just human.
AandrewdsMarch 27, 2024
The first part of Katsuhiro Otomo's trilogy, this animated movie from 1988, really set the bar high; it's just so thrilling. Its big picture view and deep thoughts might have even outdone "Ghost in the Shell," or to be exact, "Ghost in the Shell" and "EVA" got ideas from it. The way it envisions the future, thinks about human strength, and dives into the big questions is really something. It brings to mind Cixin Liu's The Three-Body Problem, which paints a picture of humanity's fate that makes you wonder if all we'll be facing is destruction, like what's shown in this film.
OOmphaliMarch 27, 2024
8.9/10. This movie falls into the anarchist genre. The director tries to tackle too much, but the short length leaves the central theme unclear, with many characters only getting brief attention. It could potentially work better as a TV series. The central theme revolves around humanity's fear of science progressing too far and technology spiraling out of control. It was definitely a super cult film for its time.
RrMaxínMarch 27, 2024
This film has influenced many directors in terms of visual storytelling down the line. Some scenes remind you of stuff you'd see in later works by other directors. The story itself doesn't bring much originality to the table, except for the ongoing exploration of the mysterious concept of Akira. Still, it stays engaging by constantly shifting perspectives to flesh out and tighten the narrative. It's a solid storytelling method, but it does have its drawbacks. The second half isn't as polished as the first, with a plot that races forward like an avalanche, missing some details but still packing a punch.
LlexieeFebruary 21, 2024
Akira stands as a crucial milestone in Japanese animated cinema, not solely due to its groundbreaking achievements in hand-drawn animation. It endeavors to address one of the most unspeakable tragedies in human history, grappling with the essence of atomic power and historical transformation.
Rredjohn42January 25, 2024
An incredible and beautiful anime that is to drop your jaw to the floor. And maybe mutate you a little.
EEva-stilaJanuary 2, 2024
The world-building has a few flaws contributing to plot holes, which makes it hard to fully immerse oneself. The visual effects are stunning and have served as inspiration for numerous other works, and Tetsuo losing control of his powers was the most impactful scene for me. In addition to the dystopian backdrop (clearly influenced by "Blade Runner") and the mentality of fearing nuclear power, it creatively connects the post-apocalyptic landscape with rebellious youth, emphasizing concerns about the loss of control and destruction.
Mmax-2January 2, 2024
B+. The first third of the movie is outstanding, with exceptional editing and cinematography. The dramatic highlights are reminiscent of the art design in "Blade Runner”. However, the middle section of the film feels somewhat long and cumbersome in explaining the Akira world. And in the end... I was expecting a more logically intricate, complex story, but it turned out to be an "eighth-grader syndrome" kind of Super Saiyan showdown.
Lleno2873January 2, 2024
The Japanese directors of that era undoubtedly couldn't forget the catastrophic clash between war and civilization, and they'd even used the spectrum and beings of extrasensory perception to delve into this theme even in animation. What's most surprising about "Akira" is that it introduced the pessimistic theme of "humans failing to control power, leading to destruction and self-destruction" at such an early time. However, the movie has many disjointed segments, with some fights being there simply for the sake of fighting, being violent without having violent aesthetics, and having scenes that are unconvincing and hard to resonate with the audience.
SsaNTOS_7January 2, 2024
Many sci-fi films face the challenge of needing to provide the story with an ultimate answer, yet often fall short of doing so. As a result, they often resort to using love, friendship, or justice as a vague answer, or even sidestep the issue altogether.

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