Akira

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Akira

R

Released Jan 1, 1988

2h 4m

Sci-Fi

Anime

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Popcornmeter

91%

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54 Reviews

90%

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100,000+ Ratings

In 1988 the Japanese government drops an atomic bomb on Tokyo after ESP experiments on children go awry. In 2019, 31 years after nuking the city, Kaneda, a bike gang leader, tries to save his friend Tetsuo from a secret government project. He battles against anti-government activists, greedy politicians, irresponsible scientists and a powerful military leader until Tetsuo's supernatural power suddenly manifest. A final battle is fought in Tokyo Olympiad exposing the experiment's secrets.

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Critics Consensus

Akira is strikingly bloody and violent, but its phenomenal animation and sheer kinetic energy helped set the standard for modern anime.

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Chris Stuckmann

ChrisStuckmann.com

The opening motorbike chase is still thrilling, but the dedication to the backgrounds as well as crowds of people filling the screen, explosions happening in the distance, and a jaw-dropping sense of scope make Akira the classic that it is.

Rated: A

Jan 25, 2021

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Akira's strangeness is very startling and sometimes bewildering. But there is a thanatonic rapture to its vision of a whole world ending and being reborn as something else.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 8, 2020

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David Jenkins

Little White Lies

While its typically convoluted sci-fi plotting and sprawling ensemble of characters occasionally lead it to border on the incoherent, it's hard not to be in awe of the giant hand-drawn cityscapes that make up the backdrop for the eye-popping action.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 18, 2013

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Howard Waldstein

CBR

Akira is one of the great anime sci-fi classics and has been influential across various forms of media.

Jul 18, 2023

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Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

Great to look at, but more exhausting than entertaining.

Rated: B

Aug 31, 2022

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Such an extraordinary achievement demands to be seen and seen again for re-evaluation into its deeper relevance—and to be appreciated as a landmark not just of anime but of international cinema.

Rated: 3.5/4

Aug 19, 2022

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Joshua

Neo Tokyo really blew up

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/17/22

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Keedo T.

I REALLY LOVE THIS MOVIE LIKE ITS ONE OF A KIND

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/01/25

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Reashat G

Akira poke out thoughts of rebellion from the lazy self centred room of brain .

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/15/25

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Leo

In my opinion, what makes Akira so unique is its animation and action, especially for a movie like this back in its day. It doesn’t try to reinvent spaghetti and meatballs, it is perfectly content with telling a simple story that we’ve seen a million times before, but this masterpiece executes it very well. The characters are so unique in their own ways, and they all play a very important role in this absolute gem of a movie. The action, I’d say Akira, is even better than a lot of modern-day action movies, which is a big deal because of how old this movie is. The art style is top tier, especially for a 2D animation-style movie. This film alone puts a lot of 3D animated movies to shame. And lastly, my biggest bone to throw for this movie is the iconic bike sliding scene that sparked a whole new generation of filmmaking. BIG PROPS TO THIS MOVIE FOR THAT! I think Akira is a straight-up masterpiece, and it is without doubt one of the best anime movies I have ever seen.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/06/25

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Linus D.

Very weird plot that with beautiful cinematography and a good vibe of a post-war environment. Not to mention the animation.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/06/25

Full Review

The R

Quite possibly the greatest anime movie ever made. Definitely the best I have ever seen. What I wouldn’t give to watch it for the first time again.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/30/25

Full Review

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Katsuhiro Ohtomo

Director

Mitsuo Iwata

Shôtarô Kaneda

Nozomu Sasaki

Tetsuo Shima

Mami Koyama

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Tessho Genda

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Hiroshi Otake

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Akira: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

In 1988 the Japanese government drops an atomic bomb on Tokyo after ESP experiments on children go awry. In 2019, 31 years after nuking the city, Kaneda, a bike gang leader, tries to save his friend Tetsuo from a secret government project. He battles against anti-government activists, greedy politicians, irresponsible scientists and a powerful military leader until Tetsuo's supernatural power suddenly manifest. A final battle is fought in Tokyo Olympiad exposing the experiment's secrets.

Director: Katsuhiro Ohtomo
Producer: Shunzo Kato, Ryôhei Suzuki
Screenwriter: Izou Hashimoto, Katsuhiro Ohtomo
Distributor: Streamline Pictures
Production Co: Akira Committee Company, Ltd.
Rating: R (Graphic Violence|Brief Nudity)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Anime
Original Language: Japanese
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 1, 1988, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Mar 30, 2001
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 12, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $390.0K
Runtime: 2h 4m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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