Released in 1988, directed by Katsuhiro Otomo and based on the
successful manga of the same name. This sci-fi film is became a cult
film in many parts of the world. It was one of the first well recognised Japanese animated movies to become big outside of Japan. It is based on a manga of the same name by the director.
Genre: Science Fiction
Director: Katsuhiro Otomo
Year: 1988
The setting in Neo-Tokyo, 31 years after Tokyo was destroyed in 1988
by World War III.
The film begins with an iconic motorbike scene that
quickly grabs your attention, and is held throughout the film. The new
city is covered in gangs, and there’s almost a war waging between the
government and anti-government organisations. A young motorcylce punk, Tetsuo Shima,
runs into an odd boy. When he starts hallucinating and gaining
supernatural powers, a secret organisation come after him.
Kaneda (the gang leader), worried about his friend and trying to impress a girl is caught up in trying to stop the increasingly powerful Tetsuo from waking up Akira and raining down destruciton. Everything
leading closer to who/what Akira was.
If you enjoy anime, this is a definite must see. A classic of the sci-fi anime genre.