Ask any fan what the best anime is, and they’ll probably respond with this film. Though released 1988, Akira stills stands unrivaled as one of the landmarks of animation. First of all, the animation is still superb, with amazing detail. However, the story is where the film really shines.
The story centers on Tetsuo and Kaneda, members of one of the bike gangs that roams Neo-Tokyo in 2019. A chance encounter involves them in a convoluted series of military experiments, political machinations, and social upheaval that surround the mysterious entity called “Akira.”
After undergoing treatment, Tetsuo begins to develop incredible psychic powers that rapidly drive him insane and unstoppable. Kaneda, with the help of political revolutionaries and a group of military psychics must try to stop him. That only touches the surface.
Believe me, I had to watch this film about three or four times before I finally understood all of the plot’s elements. Adapted from Katsuhiro Otomo’s long-running manga series, the film only scratches the surface of the manga’s plot. A challenging film to be sure, but it’s this challenge that makes it so rewarding and long-lasting.
A note of caution, though: Akira gets pretty bloody and the scenes of Tetsuo’s transformations may be a bit disturbing for some. But if you’re looking for a good dystopian film, it doesn’t get much better than Akira. Forget about Blade Runner and its ilk.
One question remains unanswered, though. Why hasn’t Akira come out on DVD yet? Oh wait, I guess it is.