Directed by Katsuhiro Otomo. Originally released in Japan, 1987. DVD technical details: Special Edition Collector’s Tin (2-Discs), 1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen, Color, English 5.1 (new translation) and Japanese 2.0 Dolby Surround sound; Distributed by Pioneer; MPAA Rating: R (for re-release);
Yamagata readies to inflict pain on a rival gang member.
Kaneda and his iconic bike.
Synopsis: In the distant future, Neo-Tokyo’s streets are overrun by violent biker gangs, pro-war protestors, and skyscrappers of government secrets. Unbeknownst to Neo-Tokyo citizens, the slumbering power of the mysterious force known only as Akira is about to awaken.
Kaneda, a young man and charismatic leader of a hardened biker gang, must face his greatest challenge when his best friend Tetsuo’s powers are unlocked and unleashed to destroy all of Neo-Tokyo.
Review: No anime fan would be geniune without having seen this masterpiece. When I first saw the original American-dub (on the mighty VHS tape) in high school, I became an instant anime fan. With it’s unique look and "mature" subject matter, Akira proved to naysayers of "animated movies" that anything treated with enough effort and respect can transcend the label of children’s entertainment.
The colonel aims his gun at a deadly foe.
Tetsuo, our teenage tragic hero of this sci-fi drama, works the dramatic stage.
Although, for the educated viewers, the repressed anguish of the Japanese (due to the United States dropping the atom bomb on them) is prevalent as visual metaphors throughout this movie, as is the case in most anime, it shouldn’t be distracting enough to enjoy the visuals and the core story. At the heart of all this mayhem and sci-fi, cyberpunk (an antiquated term from the ’80s) drama is the story about two childhood friends whose sibling-like rivalry is pushed to extremes by unexpected forces and the two must make life-or-death decisions.
[Spoiler ahead, highlight the whited-out text to reveal spoiler… ] To me, that’s the heart of the story to see a young man like Kaneda (who is care-free and rebellious) make a burdensome choice to personally kill his best friend Tetsuo in order to save the rest of the city. Who takes that kind of responsibility in real life, right? And when you witness Tetsuo’s fully-matured powers and realize what kind of hell needs to go down, you’ll probably shed a tear for these boys, too.
It's Tetssssuuuuoooooo!
Also, lookee, it's Kaaaaannnedaaaaa!
According to the special feature commentary, filmmaker Katsuhiro Otomo says that he has worked a lot of themes into his epic. One of those themes that I have interpreted is that generations differ in how they view war, the old vs. new theme. It’s also interesting to see that youth values friendship and thrills while the older folks value money, power, and war.
The anime differs in some aspects from Otomo’s 2,000+ page manga (which was finished almost a decade after the film), but if you are patient enough, it’s a worthwhile viewing and reading experience.
And if Hollywood actor Leonardo Dicaprio manages to localize this awesome anime into a live-action American feature, I hope he does it right. Otherwise, I already got mine right here (or if I got some spare change, I’ll get the minty new remastered Blu-ray disc).
Reviewed on Nov. 26, 2008.
Tags: 80s, akira, carrie, cartoon, cyberpunk, dvd, film, japanese, kaneda, katsuhiro, otomo, rage, review, sci-fi, tetsuo