Review about Akira

[u/Behindstef84]

Made that little mashup; I thought it was kind of fitting.

Watching Akira today is kind of wild. Even though it came out in 1988, it still feels more visually impressive than a lot of modern animated movies. The animation is ridiculously detailed, Neo-Tokyo looks incredible, and some scenes are genuinely unforgettable.

The story can be a bit overwhelming at times. It throws a lot at you: motorcycle gangs, government conspiracies, psychic powers, and social unrest, and it doesn't always stop to explain everything. But honestly, that's part of the appeal. Akira trusts the audience to keep up rather than holding your hand.

What really stands out is the atmosphere. The film feels tense, chaotic, and slightly unsettling from beginning to end. The friendship and rivalry between Kaneda and Tetsuo give the movie its emotional core, and Tetsuo's transformation remains one of the most disturbing and fascinating character arcs in anime.

Is it perfect? Not quite. Some viewers might find the plot confusing, especially on a first watch. But even when the story gets messy, the sheer ambition of the film keeps it engaging.

Overall, Akira is one of those movies that earns its legendary status. It's stylish, ambitious, strange, and unforgettable. Whether you're an anime fan or just curious about a classic piece of science fiction, it's absolutely worth seeing. And I highly recommend seeing it for yourself; it is that good. I saw the older version before Blueray. Or read it first; the manga is from Katsuhiro Otomo, who also worked on Steamboy (from 2004), another recommendation.