Akira 1988: The Greatest Anime Movie of All Time!

Without any hyperbole, Katsuhiro Otomo’s Akira (1988) is one of the most impactful, influential, and cutting-edge anime ever. Its depictions of the gritty and neon-soaked city of Neo-Tokyo and the struggles of its many different heroes and villains have captivated fans of science fiction for over forty years.

What began as a manga series quickly transformed into a global media sensation, drawing in the talent of countless companies and artists worldwide. Join us as we dive into the history of Akira, one of anime’s most significant science fiction epics. 

The History of Akira As A Manga

While this article will focus on the history of Akira as a film, it’s still essential to discuss its origins as a manga. Otomo had already been an accomplished mangaka for several years before he began work on Akira. His publisher, Kodansha, had been asking him to create a new story for their magazine, Young Magazine, which eventually became Akira (1988).

Otomo explained that while he had completed a two-page synopsis for the story before he began work on it, new ideas and issues arose as he created it. This led to the manga becoming larger and more complex than he originally envisioned. It is funny because Otomo also stated that he had never expected it to succeed significantly.

Otomo’s inspirations for the story’s concept were heavily drawn from post-World War II Japan. A country filled with uncertainty, a rebellious and disillusioned youth, and countless anti-government protests laid the groundwork for the manga. Otomo stated that the story was a retelling of the Japan he saw firsthand, set far into the future.

The manga’s success was unprecedented. What began initially as a story that Otomo hadn’t invested much stock into became a national best-seller. With the manga becoming massively successful, Otomo met with the editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics and collaborated with Marvel to translate the manga into English. Soon after, the idea of turning it into an anime was pitched.

The Production History of Akira (1988) As a Movie

While Otomo had never envisioned the manga becoming an anime, he was thoroughly interested in the matter as long as he could retain full creative control of the venture. As plans were made and put into motion, the Akira Committee was formed, a coalition between Kodansha, Mainichi Broadcasting System, Bandai, Hakuhodo, Toho, Laserdisc Corporation, and Sumitomo Corporation. Together, after funding the starting budget of 500,000,000 yen, the anime was put into production.

What makes the anime’s production so interesting is how the voice dialogue was produced. Often, principal animation is done first according to a script, and then voice actors match the lip flaps. The dialogue was recorded first in Akira‘s case, and the animation followed suit. Also, the anime utilized computer-generated imagery to assist with parallax scrolling, debris physics, and computer data in the film.

The anime cost nearly 1.1 billion yen ($5.7 million), making it one of history’s most expensive animated films. However, the cost was absolutely worth it, as the anime found resounding universal acclaim upon its release in Japan. When the anime was released in the West, it became immensely popular in the US and enjoyed multiple theatrical releases and new dubs.

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Akira’s Cultural Impact Cannot Be Overstated

It’s difficult to gauge just how transformative Akira was upon its release as an anime. Since its conception, it has been praised for being a pivotal moment in Japanese animation. It has been credited as one of the single most essential pieces of anime to break into the American market. Its post-apocalyptic and cyberpunk aesthetics handling has been declared one of the best in anime and science fiction. Akira is, simply put, a masterpiece in science fiction anime.

One of the most easily identifiable examples of its influence on science fiction and anime is the famous “Akira Slide,” a sequence that depicts a rider sliding sideways on a motorcycle away from the screen. This sequence has been imitated, referenced, and alluded to in countless other media pieces, including Pokémon, Teen Titans, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, and countless more.

Why should you watch Akira (1988)?

If Akira had remained a manga, it would undoubtedly have enjoyed a title as one of the greatest manga ever. Otomo’s stunning art is timeless, with its hyper-detailed depictions of a post-apocalyptic metropolis. His narrative tackles government corruption, military overreach, and the postmodernist angles of unstable personal identities. As a manga, the story would still have been celebrated as one of the crowning achievements of the medium. 

But, as a film, Akira became so much more than just a comic. It became a living, breathing vehicle in a world so far removed, and yet unsettlingly close to our own. It brought a cast of damaged, hurtful, hopeful characters to life in ways otherwise impossible for a manga. Most importantly, anime helped open the door for Western acceptance and distribution of anime.

There really aren’t enough words to truly convey just how seminal a piece of art Akira was and is. It’s hyper-graphic and relentless in its crushing nihilism, but it’s a wild and frenetic ride that lets its viewers go long after they walk away from the screen. Have you seen Akira before? What are your thoughts on it? Do you think it deserves all its praise? Let us know in the comments below! We’d love to hear your thoughts on it!

Cited Sources

• Screen Rant. “10 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About Akira“.
• MUBI. “The Future Is Now: “Akira” at Thirty“.
• The Guardian. “Akira review – apocalyptic anime’s startling message of global annihilation“.