Akira

[JustinKing665]

Since notch started up a thread about an anime classic "Grave of the Fireflies" that seemed to have gone unnoticed on these boards, I felt it would be appropriate to start a topic about another overlooked anime classic, Akira.

Akira is widely regarded as the be-all end-all of anime movies, and for good reason. This movie confused me but literally blew me away. When the end credits started to roll I just sat there, staring at the screen, hardly able to believe what I had just seen.

Akira's mind-blowing, epic, apocalyptic action scenes still beats out most live-action Hollywood movies that come out today IMO. In fact, "mind-blowing" would probably be the best word to sum up Akira. It's animation is still impressive and unique even by today's standards, considering the movie came out in 1989.

The complicated plot starts out as member of a motorcycle gang Tetsuo gets involved in an incident and is somehow exposed to a mysterious energy source known as "Akira". The government takes him in along with the other test subjects and performs experiments on him, unknowingly giving him the potential to use this powerful energy. Soon, Tetsuo goes on a rampage against the world that has oppressed him, while his best friend Caneda tries to stop him. Mayhem ensues.

Besides the action, what really worked for me in this movie was the friendship and conflicts between Caneda and Tetsuo. And just when you think the movie's about to end, one of the most bizarre and weirdest climatic sequences you've ever seen unfolds before your eyes.

Watch it about 3 times to fully get the scope of the plot. However you only need to watch it once to get blown away.

10/10.


Please, if any of you have seen this, share your opinions on it.

[Dafixer]

It was excellent, but I suggest you read the Manga. Not only is it on par with the Anime, but the story itself it totally awesome. But I agree - 10/10

[bowieee]

Akira will always have a special place in my heart. It was the movie that introduced me to Anime when I was a kid. I't was the spark that light my interest in the genre. I must have see it at least 50 times over my childhood years. Ahhhh. WHat a great flick :)

[Cosimo]

As with a large majority of films to be fully appreciated Akira needs to be watched stoned.Wasnt there word of a remake?

[quoth_the_raven]

well i have never watched it stoned, nor am i likely to. but it is a great movie all right. its been a favourite of mine since i was abou 13. i am still not sure i 100% understand it though ;)

[Slim]

I have seen it several time and still probably haven't fully understood it. There's the whole allegory thing with Akira that I didn't pick up on until several viewings. I think the ending perhaps could have been done better. It left me confused the first time.

[mattjk_17]

Akira was the animé that got me interested in all animé. A great story even though it may take a few viewings to understand, 10/10.

[Shockwave]

Akira is a classic in the truest sense of the word and one of the best animated movies there is but stumbles a little when compared to the Manga.

[Duke]

Akira is a anime classic that should be seen by fans of anime and people who have never seen it. It is the movie that introduced as ALL to anime mostly, when we were in our teens. So if we liked it THEN...it's a movie you have to continue to watch again and again. Sure it's slightly confusing, but you get used to it. The Manga makes a "little" more sense as far as story.
And I understand that a LIVE ACTION version has been mentioned in the Hollywood circuits. Whether anyone would DARE try it, I don't know. I don't think there is any production info on it yet.
Would you WANT a live action version. Live action has yet to translate a anime. It hasn't even really touched on the style, which anime has one of it's own.

[Chris411]

I saw it for the first time a while ago. It is hard to put my feelings about it into words.... I loved it, but I was dissapointed (?). I loved the art, the story, all of it. I really liked the ending, and was totally satisfied by the movie, and yet I was also really unsatisfied. I wasn't confused by the story or anything, but I was confused by myself. Arrgh. Actually, there was a minor thing I didn't like. First of all, the end part with Tetsuo grossed me out. Yuck. Also, I went into this movie thinking it was an anime about bikers in this unbelievabley cool futuristic city, although that is not to say I did not like where the movie went. Arrgh.

Does anyone know of a site that is sort of the joblo.com of anime? You know, reviews of translated anime movies and tv shows, previews/news etc?

[Grim H.]

AKIRA has worked it's way up on my list of top 50 movies. I believe it's probably the only animated flick on my list, though. Still, a very creepy and kick ass movie, that will have you scratching your head until it's bloody and infected. Seriously, a trippy movie (though I've never watched it stoned). It will leave you in jaw-dropping awe...

AKIRA...10/10.

[CSmith_Fan]

Akira is the best..ok, kind of sort of. Before you all beat me with the ugly stick here's why I say that..the first sets of Akira (japanese, japanese w/english subtitles and English dubed) were good..but the new, revamped version just plain takes out the good parts and even got me confused (note : I watched the jap. w/eng sub. like 10x, got it the frist time but just loved it eoungh to watch it again and again).True, most of the voices (like the Cabinet members) sounded more like they fit the characters but still..something was...lost...in the revamp version..like Ted Turner colorizing movies.The colonal in the new one lost lines like the somewhat humorous "Men..we're going to the Olympics" Yama never got to call Tetsueo a 'pea brain', I dunno..
..but as for Akira as a whole? Yes..one of the greatest. For those who havent seen it..like everyone else has pretty much said..see it. Consider..all 'major' anime movies are compared top Akira and few have come close to the mythical status of 'the Akira Killer" (though..Ghost in the Shell did come close and Princess Monoke (sp?) was a bit close too as I understand it)

Stoned or not..damn good animation..likeable and hatable characters and some good scenes..and the soundtrack isnt too bad either.

Akira : 9.5/10 (only because Kenada didnt let Tetsueo finish the fight)

[Droog989]

I love Akira and it will always be one of my favourite films. even if you don't feel the same way as I do, I'm sure a lot of people would agree with the claim that it is one of the most influencial animé's ever to hit the North American market.

The enormously popularity it had in the early 90's helped to bring about recognition to animé; if it wasn't for Akira, its doubtful that we would have seen any great japanese titles brought over (anything by Miyazaki, Metropolis, Jin - Roh, Cowboy Bebop, Macross Plus, Ghost in the Shell, etc. etc.)

Almost every die-hard animé fan has seen Akira, and almost all my friends saw Akira when it first came out, and it's the sole reason they are now fans of animé. It's a brilliant work of art (on PAR with the manga IMO. They're both two different entities, but genius in their own worlds) and I'm thankful for the influence its had on North American animation culture.

[Ed]

9/10 This movie was very good, i had a great time watching it and I can't wait to see the director's next Steamboy that's coming very soon.

[eraserhead_99]

I agree with you whole heartedly on all counts except that AKIRA is an overlooked movie. It is considered a classic great movie, not just a great anime, by all. 10/10. I love this movie though.

[CSmith_Fan]

Ya know..Forum wise, there's what? General and Horror? Why not SciFi/Fantasy? That way Anime can have it's own little sub-forum instead of really as what? 2 maybe 3 threads here in General?

Oh yea..if anyone is planning to initiate someone into the Anime culture and plans on showing that person "Akira" as they eye-popper to draw them in..dont forget "Martian Successor Nadesco" for the humor factor. Gotta love an anime that pays homage to other anime in the humor that only anime can pull off. (if that made sense)

;)

[Whiggles]

I don't put Akira on some pillar to be worshipped, but I do think it's a superb movie. It has almost limitless replay value, and it still looks like a vision of the future even today. I enjoyed it so much I actually own four versions of the DVD: the UK release (first purchase), then I bought the US release for better extras, than the Australian DVD because it contains the hilarious 1990 US dub, and then the Japanese DTS audio edition.

[Dead Halloween]

I heard that Guillermo del toro is interesed in making a live action movie of Akira.

[rilocay]

My fave anime, it's confusing in the end, hell im not even sure if my interpretation of the ending is correct lol, but it's a great watch. Id love ot get all the manga's too but they so god damn expensive! lol. Was one of the frist dvd's i ever got and definatly proud to have!

[Cronos]

when i first saw Akira a number of years ago i found it to be good but very boring at times

i got the Tin a couple of months ago and rewatched it and it was a hell of a lot better and is one of the best anime films (or animated films) ive seen, the animation is wonderful and very detailed, the soundtrack is excellent and it has great characters and storyline....i also dont find the film that confusing

[metalnightmare]

Akira is confusing but one way that i have come to understand it a little more is by getting "the speical edition". this version has been redubbed to fit closer with the oringal Japanese dialogue. The movie made a little bit more sense after i watched TSE again

[blk_flower]

probably the best animated anime film ever, just grand

[Psychocandy]

Akira has a special place in my heart. It was my introduction to anime (if you ignore Battle Of The Planets and Ulysses) and it left me wanting more of the same. Unfortunately there are very few anime that come close to matching the sheer spectacle of Akira. A stunning achievement. I really need to get this on DVD. I did used to own one of the Limited Edition metal tins but in a moment of insanity brought on by poverty I sold it on Ebay (goddamn fool that I am). Definitely about time I bought it again. Think i'll go do so right now.

[therealjohng]

Originally posted by La Motta
As with a large majority of films to be fully appreciated Akira needs to be watched stoned.Wasnt there word of a remake?


There was until they actually figured out how much it would cost for it to be a true remake. The starting budget was over 200 million I think.

[outsyder]

Originally posted by therealjohng
There was until they actually figured out how much it would cost for it to be a true remake. The starting budget was over 200 million I think.


And thank God too. The guy who directed Catwoman was set to direct it.:(


But it seems that some people made an independant live action Akira remake. Despite the obvious lack of everything, it looks ok.:)

http://www.ifilm.com/ifilmdetail/2646362

[therealjohng]

Originally posted by outsyder
And thank God too. The guy who directed Catwoman was set to direct it.:(


But it seems that some people made an independant live action Akira remake. Despite the obvious lack of everything, it looks ok.:)

http://www.ifilm.com/ifilmdetail/2646362


Actually I think it was Stephen Norrington who was supposed to do it.

[X-Nightcrawler]

Damned, talk about being a minority. I hated this movie.

Horrible soundtrack, terrible character designs (they were just so annoying to look at, espcially the girls), a mess of a plot (which isn't complex, it's just visually complicated), well developed -but annoying- characters, great action, great animation, great acting. It was just such a horrid dissapointment.

4/10.

[outsyder]

Originally posted by X-Nightcrawler
Damned, talk about being a minority. I hated this movie.

Horrible soundtrack, terrible character designs (they were just so annoying to look at, espcially the girls), a mess of a plot (which isn't complex, it's just visually complicated), well developed -but annoying- characters, great action, great animation, great acting. It was just such a horrid dissapointment.

4/10.


http://www.knifton.com/images/yoda/yoda.h1.jpg
"That is why, you fail."

[X-Nightcrawler]

Originally posted by outsyder
http://www.knifton.com/images/yoda/yoda.h1.jpg
"That is why, you fail."

Yo!
http://theruse.net/wp-gal/lostfiles/middle_finger.jpg
:D