Akira (1988) Dir: Katsuhiro Otomo
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Katsuhiro Otomo's 1988 neo-noir science fiction anime is easily one of the most influential and acclaimed animated films ever made. It has impacted so many filmmakers and film lovers the world over, and deserves its place amongst the most talked about and reveered animes. I had already seen it once before, but I wanted to watch it again so I could talk about it with a refreshed memory.
The film has a breathtaking animation style, which boasts some excellent character design, world design, use of colour, and, generally speaking, some of the very best visuals you'll ever see in an animated film. The whole thing looks immense. You can see so clearly the influence it has had on cinema as a whole, let alone other anime films and series.
There is also an epic sci-fi soundtrack, which feels very 'Blade Runner' esque, especially in the first half. That's most definitely not a criticism - both film's soundtracks are phenomenal. The use of synthetic and percussion sounds blend perfectly to create the neon spundscape that accompanies the heavily noir-inspired world that the film takes place in.
The story is a hell-for-leather combination of a number of dystopian themes, many of which ring true to real life as well, especially in a late-stage capitalist reality we find ourselves in. What starts out as a story about rebellious bikers quickly explodes into a chaotic and dystopian sci-fi thriller, which is full of conspiracy, twists, betrayal, and is truly epic to watch.
Of the original Japanese voice acting cast, the best performers are also the most prevalent. Mitsuo Iwata's protagonist is an expressive and determined hero, while Nozomu Sasaki provides a classic antagonist's performance, which works excellently to contrast Iwata's. There are some very enjoyable performances from the supporting cast too, namely; Mami Koyama, Tarō Ishida, Mizuho Suzuki, Tessyo Genda, and Yuriko Fuchizaki.
Overall, I think this is a quintessential piece of cinema, let alone anime, which any half-serious film lover should go out of their way to watch. Its excellence is only matched by its longevity, as it continues to be extremely watchable over thirty years after it originally came out. There's so many cool scenes in this film, and it has so much vibrance to it too. It's a magnificent piece of animation, quite simply.
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