Joshua
Neo Tokyo really blew up
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
10/17/22
Full Review
Avery C
This movie is insane, easily one of my new favorite animated films ever. The animation and colors are so vibrant, and even though it’s from 1988, it still looks amazing. Right from the start, it hooks you, and the chaos just keeps building—it’s such a wild ride. The characters really make it, though. Kaneda and Tetsuo’s relationship is so tragic and intense. You can tell Kaneda doesn’t want to hurt Tetsuo, but he knows he has to stop him before things get worse. Even the side characters, like Kei and the Espers, are super interesting and add to the story. The plot is packed with cyberpunk vibes and deep themes, but some parts feel rushed, like the government stuff or the rebellion. The ending was a bit too quick for me—I wanted more explanation—but it’s still super impactful. The animation? Next-level. Every frame is so detailed, and the action scenes are just epic. Tetsuo’s mutation is gross but also kind of mesmerizing, and Neo-Tokyo looks incredible and makes you want to go into the screen to explore the city. The animation is absolutely groundbreaking from the iconic bike scenes to the gritty, neon-lit Neo-Tokyo. The action sequences are mind-blowing, and Tetsuo’s mutation is both horrifying and mesmerizing.
Akira is a total classic for a reason. It’s influenced so many other movies and shows, and it’s a must-watch if you’re into anime or sci-fi. Even with a few flaws, it’s a masterpiece. Honestly, I’d rewatch it just to catch anything I missed because I want to fully appreciate the movie and all of the work animators put into it!
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
12/20/24
Full Review
Kelly K
Watching Akira for the first time, I had no idea what to expect. While I am an avid anime watcher, Akira is one of the movies I just never came around to watching, though I knew it was considered the most impactful anime feature that existed. The plot was nothing like I had anticipated, both good and bad. While I think the movie was good, I don’t entirely understand the massive and overwhelmingly positive reception. I understand the underlying themes and messages such as abuse of power, and distrusting the government, but personally the work as a whole didn’t resonate with me. I just didn’t feel too attached to the characters, and I suppose part of that comes from the fact that I struggled to empathize with Tetsuo. Regardless, there are many things I still liked about the film, such as the cool cyberpunk aesthetics and the design of the iconic red bike. Another thing that is notable about this film is the violence. I think the amount of violence and the way it was portrayed was perfectly necessary. It wasn’t too much to feel overwhelmed, but the body horror from the supernatural and the violence from other people definitely made me a bit uncomfortable. I also appreciate the fact that this story was told through animation, not just for the sci-fi effects, but the way the characters were drawn and their reactions, specifically in the end scene with Tetsuo’s transformation, really were impactful. The fear in the characters is so well conveyed by the art style. Overall, I liked the story and the animation, but the fact I wasn’t attached to the characters hurt my appreciation.
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
12/20/24
Full Review
Andy R
This movie was one heck of a movie and is one of my favorite animated movies ever. The animation and colors in this movie were so vibrant and extraordinary. From the start of the movie you can already tell that its gonna be one heck of a movie and I wasn’t wrong. The movie is so fast paced and its all over the place it just keeps on getting hectic as the movie progresses. I would definitely recommend this movie to anyone because every needs to see the movie at least once in their life and appreciate the countless hours and days it took to make this movie of what it is. I would definitely recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys watching anime. Even though this movie came out in 1988 it still holds up to its name and I don't think this movie will ever be forgotten because it influenced so many other movies. This movie pushed the boundaries of animation with its complex story and its stunning visuals. One of my favorite things about the movie is that you get really close to the characters and you understand the relationship between them. That fact that Kaneda wants to stop Tetsuo from destroying everything makes it seem that Kaneda doesn’t really want to kill his close friend. There were many chances that Kaneda could of kill Tetsuo but he would call Tetsuo name to prepare himself since he doesn’t want to kill him. I was really confused about the ending, like what happened to Tetsou and the other espers. I definitely would watch this movie over again because I did feel like I missed a lot in the movie.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
12/19/24
Full Review
Anthony C
This week's film was 1988 Katsuhiro Ohtomo’s Akira. I’ve definitely heard of this movie before but never actually seen it, so it was nice to finally take it off my bucket list. it was refreshing to see animation in this class after seeing so many crazy live-action movies, but the thing is that this movie was actually pretty dope. First of all, if you're a lover of anime, I’d definitely recommend this movie to you, as Akira has been a staple among anime fans/community since the film was released in 1988, and visually and narratively, it still holds up today. visually, it looks great, and you have to keep in mind just about all you’re watching was hand-drawn frame by frame. I do know from my anime-lover friends that this film was actually pretty revolutionary in animation and storytelling with dope bike shots, and the look it gives Tokyo is very cyberpunk and gives me a dystopian feel. The characters and relationships keep you invested, such as the conflict between Kaneda and Tetsuo, and the supporting characters like Kei and Espers were likable as well. while watching this animation, I realized that I loved the old animation that anime used to have compared to the over-the-top styles and themes animes have today. I’d recommend this movie to even people who don’t like anime or feel like it isn’t their thing this film is a great start down the anime rabbit hole as this film and it shots still hold up today. 5/5
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
12/19/24
Full Review
Phillip P
Akira is an absolute classic within the aninme community and, for me, it was a great watch. Although the film was released in 1988, it is mind-boggling how well it holds up both visually and narratively, considering its age. The film is absolutely revolutionary in animation and storytelling, with its iconic bike shots and the gritty yet captivating cyberpunk dystopian setting of Neo-Tokyo.
One of my favorite part about Akira is its characters and relationships, especially between Kaneda and Tetsuo. Tetsuo’s transformation and eventual conflict against Kaneda was very tragic and compelling. I felt so muchh tension and stakes in every interaction, making their clash all the more impactful. The supporting characters, like Kei and the mysterious Espers were likeable and realistic too.
The plot, while intricate and packed with political undertones, as expected of the cyberpunk genre, does feel a little weirdly paced in certain areas. The ending, in particular, resolves the chaos of Tetsuo’s transformation and Neo-Tokyo’s destruction too quickly, leaving me a bit dissatisfied at the end. While some enjoy this open-ended conclusion, I personally found it a bit of a letdown. Similarly, some other parts, like the government’s involvement or the rebellion or Akira's return, could have been expanded upon.
The animation is genuinely groundbreaking. Every frame is so beautifully crafted, and the action sequences are simply exceptional. The depiction of Neo-Tokyo and its crawling nature are drawn wonderfully, as are the visuals of Tetsuo’s tragic mutation.
Ultimately, Akira has always been popular within its communities of anime and cyberpunk, one that I have been a part of since I was just little; though not without its minor flaws. Its impact on cyberpunk and adult animation is undeniable, and its story filled with action, philosophy, and majestic visuals makes it very much worthwhile.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
12/17/24
Full Review
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