Akira (1988)

Directed by Katsuhiro Otomo. Starring (voices) Mitsuo Iwata, Nozomu Sasaki, Mami Koyama, Tarô Ishida, Mizuho Suzuki, Fukue Itô, Tatsuhiko Nakamura, Tetsusho Genda, Kazuhiro Shindô, Yuriko Fuchizaki. [R]

Seminal cyberpunk feature became an international success, expanding the global popularity of anime across the globe (especially for Western audiences). Bleak, violent science fiction saga set in dystopian Neo-Tokyo; Tetsuo, the best friend of biker gang leader Kaneda and the test subject of a top-secret military project, demonstrates powerful psychic abilities while losing control of his mind and body and “evolving” into a cataclysmic weapon of mass destruction. Ambitious, thoughtful and kinetic, but the striking designs and imagery are undermined by trite dialogue and exaggerated character expressions. It never really tops the stunning early segments, and in the second half, much of the convoluted storytelling and apocalyptic action scenes become redundant. Inspired by a Japanese manga from director/co-writer Otomo, and has developed a fervent fan following.

67/100