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

Full Review

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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Corina C

I saw this movie at 14 years old, immediately bought a copy, and from then on, I have defended and praised this film as the best Anime movie of all time. The visuals alone are award worthy, not to mention the brilliant and engaging plot, the unique and heroic characters, the hypnotizing soundtrack, and the fluid and visceral action scenes, with which the film is jam-packed. From the first 10 minutes to the last 10 mins, Akira dragged me, headfirst, through an animated wormhole that demanded my attention, and gripped my senses, refusing to let go even after the credits had rolled. With only the Ghost in the Shell as its possible rival and equally matched competition, Akira is and will always be the best (hands down) anime, nay, sci-fi film EVER made... at least to me.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/17/25

Full Review

Audience Member

Even more mind-blowing now, absolutely incredible art in every scene truly amazing to say it was made in 1988. This is one of the films that not only got me in to anime but in to Japanese cinema has a whole. The Cyberpunk vibe is captured perfectly. Characters are great, action scenes are great, plot is you guess it great. A must watch

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/10/25

Full Review

Carlos T

Filme: AKIRA Assistido: 08-01-25 Elenco: @katsuhiro.otomo.art @katsuhirootomo Modelo: #posapocalipse #ficção Duração: 2H 4m Ano: 1988 Minha opinião: Este desenho, anime é um ícone da história. Exaltado Katsuhiro Otomo é aclamado como um visionário. Neste anime temos a visão da Neo-Tokyo de 2019. Temos Kaneda como líder de uma gang de Bosozuko (gang de motoqueiros) e entre os membros temos Tetsuo amigo de infância de Kaneda, mas ele sempre teve inveja e muito estopim curto. E eles sempre tem uma rixa com a gang do palhaço. Em um dos confrontos com leva Tetsuo a perseguir e isso acaba em um acidente e onde ele encontra com Takashi, que é uma cobaia e foge do laboratório e eles são classificados por números. Uma vez que todos são levados para o laboratório até Tetsuo. E lá se descobre que ele também tem poderes, e são despertados, e assim ele passa a não ter mais controle sobre ele. Enquanto isso kaneda trama uma forma libertar Tetsuo. Mas agora já é tarde pois Tetsuo esta fora de controle que mesmos outras cobaias não consegue segura-lo. E quando ele libera AKIRA que o numero 001. E começa a destruição de tudo e a engolir tudo. Até que em uma ultima ação Kaneda e Kei, conseguem salvar. Roteiro e enredo incrível para uma época onde tudo era feito a moda antiga, as cores, o desenho, designer, estilo inovador, o roteiro, o enredo,... tudo perfeito e por isso se tornou um ícone da história. Não sei porque até os dias de hoje não fizeram um filme ou seriado. Katsuhiro Otomo Omedetou. Vale apena assistir? Com certeza. Nota: 10

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/10/25

Full Review

Teddy B

Although maybe a tad convoluted for first-time viewers, 'Akira' is still a phenomenal work of art with a tumultuous influence over modern media in its sheer visceral gutsiness.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/07/25

Full Review

james o

the anime film was influenced by Star Wars, Sherlock Holmes, Arsene Lupin, Walt Disney Studios, Lego, DC Comics, Marvel Comics

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/01/25

Full Review

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Katsuhiro Ohtomo

Director

Mitsuo Iwata

Shôtarô Kaneda

Nozomu Sasaki

Tetsuo Shima

Mami Koyama

Kei

Tessho Genda

Ryûsaku

Hiroshi Otake

Nezu

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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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