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I watched Akira for the first time and I dont get the love for it.
- Thread starter Hydrus
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SillyEskimo
Member
It is a cartoon of its time.
Triggerhappytel
Member
It was one of the first animes I ever saw (about 17-18 years ago) so I've no doubt that there are degrees of nostalgia there, but I think it's still a great film. The animation is incredible and it took me a long time to understand the plot but I think it's fine - although I've no experience of the manga at all. The music is great and a lot of the ideas and imagery and really weird and creepy and have stayed me since the first time I watched - when Kaneda faces off with the clown gang leader on his bike, when the three kids attack Tetsuo with the toys, when Tetsuo destroys the satellite in complete silence, when he loses control of his powers and starts to grow and mutate, and more.
It's one of my favourite anime films, and I'm now thinking about it so I might bust it out for a re-watch this week.
It's one of my favourite anime films, and I'm now thinking about it so I might bust it out for a re-watch this week.
ElBoxyBrown
Banned
Does Kaori still die horribly in the manga? That is a death scene I have to always look away. She didn't have to go out like that.
No idea on that one I'm afraid, though I'm with you on the whole digital thing. I have zero room for new books these days, but a full run of Akira is something I'd be down for.
stump sock
Member
Kaori's story is one of the things that is actually very different in the manga.
Thanks. With posts like this, I can retain some of my sanity
I had no issue understanding the story and I was 11 years old the first time I watched it. Well some stuff was a little abstract perhaps, but I loved it.
Tizoc
Member
I would have to agree
It has superb animation which is its main highlight
What i didnt like about the plot is how it quickly jumped forward at around the last 1/4
Like there was more plot and characterization to be shown but htey had to cut it out due to time
I was reading the manga when the movie came out, so that colored my perception of the movie.
Artwise, it is great. Music- I don't really remember it, so I can't comment on it quality. I know when researching soundtracks to buy, the style personally didn't grab me.
Story.... yeah, I just can get over the butchering of the story. To be fair- the whole story of Akira is just too big for movie format. Haven't watch it since then.
If I were ever to revisit Akira, I would pick up the manga.
Artwise, it is great. Music- I don't really remember it, so I can't comment on it quality. I know when researching soundtracks to buy, the style personally didn't grab me.
Story.... yeah, I just can get over the butchering of the story. To be fair- the whole story of Akira is just too big for movie format. Haven't watch it since then.
If I were ever to revisit Akira, I would pick up the manga.
JasonUresti
Member
If we discount characterization, pacing, depth of plot, narrative consistency and skillful dialog, maybe.
Otherwise it's pretty meh.
Dusk Golem
A 21st Century Rockefeller
My brother and I discussed this a year or so ago, but Akira is one of those things you need to consider when and where it was told to understand why it's so beloved. The problem is that it was such a smashing success, so many things were inspired by it in one way or another, so a lot of what the film did original back then doesn't really seem that original anymore.
It's the whole effect where it was so successful, years later it simply can't have the same effect on current day audiences because so many things it did have spilt into so many other works where it can seem tame due to our exposure to things that were influenced by it, and even at this point things that were inspired by things that were inspired by it. In fact, it can be seen as tame or even dull because of just how influential it was and how so many of its elements are pretty common nowadays. So as others have said, it was a piece of its time, it is a masterpiece and applauded as such but it's the sort of masterpiece which won't be as appreciated in this day and age because by modern standards it isn't anything really special, but back when it released it was something very special.
Probably the element that stands out the most in the current era is that it's completely hand drawn, which as hand drawn animation has died out and how intricate and complex some of the drawings in it are, is pretty impressive still.
It's the whole effect where it was so successful, years later it simply can't have the same effect on current day audiences because so many things it did have spilt into so many other works where it can seem tame due to our exposure to things that were influenced by it, and even at this point things that were inspired by things that were inspired by it. In fact, it can be seen as tame or even dull because of just how influential it was and how so many of its elements are pretty common nowadays. So as others have said, it was a piece of its time, it is a masterpiece and applauded as such but it's the sort of masterpiece which won't be as appreciated in this day and age because by modern standards it isn't anything really special, but back when it released it was something very special.
Probably the element that stands out the most in the current era is that it's completely hand drawn, which as hand drawn animation has died out and how intricate and complex some of the drawings in it are, is pretty impressive still.
Ragnar Blackmane
Member
Found the movie mediocre. Eye candy can't make up for bad characters and plot.
Not when you have competition like Ghost in the Shell in hindsight.
Still have to read the manga though, looking forward to it if I get around to it.
Not when you have competition like Ghost in the Shell in hindsight.
Still have to read the manga though, looking forward to it if I get around to it.
I saw this move in the early 2000s and didn't particularly like it, though I respect it's impact and the animation/music undoubtedly holds up well today. It really is a zeitgeist of 80s cyberpunk aesthetic and the perception of Japan as a futuristic country. I hear the manga is great, though I'm not sure if I'll ever be in the mood to read it.
Doc Holliday
SPOILER: Columbus finds America
Wow, This is the exact opposite of I how I felt. I thought Ghost in the Shell was too short and it was all eye candy compared to Akira.
I remember thinking "wait the movie is over already?"
I also liked that Akira characters actually looked asian.
PS They need to make an a movie or series out of No. 5....what a mindfuck of a manga.
The Hermit
Member
My eyes and my ears loved it.
My brain didn't
My brain didn't
I may have confused it by putting too many points in one paragraph.
The 4:3 version was better because of the voice over, not the presentation. I haven't bought a copy since the double DVD edition, so I don't know if the original English dub was ever put over the 16:9 version.
Consequently I haven't watched the 16:9 version more than once or twice. The description of the 'remastered' version talks about colour re-balancing and generally cleaning things up, so it's likely that this caught my eye in some scenes more than others.
The manga is great.
The movie is better than the manga.
The movie already explains a bit too much for its own good (and some people still don't get it, for some reason) but the Manga is overflowing with unnecessary filler shit, especially when they start bouncing Akira around, or when they spend an obscene amount of pages being chased by a tank.
Akira's strength is in its audiovisual tour the force aspect, pseudo religious music, mixed with psychedelic visuals, mix well with the spirit of the movie, and leave its themes of chaotic rebellion against an over controlling authority suggestive enough, to have a bigger impact than explaining every other pointless detail of how this or that came about or how the powers work.
The movie is better than the manga.
The movie already explains a bit too much for its own good (and some people still don't get it, for some reason) but the Manga is overflowing with unnecessary filler shit, especially when they start bouncing Akira around, or when they spend an obscene amount of pages being chased by a tank.
Akira's strength is in its audiovisual tour the force aspect, pseudo religious music, mixed with psychedelic visuals, mix well with the spirit of the movie, and leave its themes of chaotic rebellion against an over controlling authority suggestive enough, to have a bigger impact than explaining every other pointless detail of how this or that came about or how the powers work.
TheGameshark
Member
Kaori has a very different story in the manga.
As a cyberpunk snapshot it's fantastic. The plot's a bit rushed and stuffed, but there's definitely a good story to be had despite that. It is at it's best when it's showing and not telling, because once it starts telling things you get weighed down by needlessly convoluted exposition and poorly conceived characters.
One of the reasons it's at its best when it shows is because it looks magnificent and perfectly encapsulated the cyberpunk aesthetic.
A movie doesn't have to involve some perfectly crafted narrative with tight pacing and well-written characters to be cool as fuck and worth the watch.
One of the reasons it's at its best when it shows is because it looks magnificent and perfectly encapsulated the cyberpunk aesthetic.
A movie doesn't have to involve some perfectly crafted narrative with tight pacing and well-written characters to be cool as fuck and worth the watch.
What? The thing is...It's not nonsenical. Only to you. You just didn't get it.
I love Urasawa's books, too but their kind of storytelling is SO different, I don't even know how you'd compare these authors. It's like comparing Asimov's Foundation Trilogy to Stephen King's IT or something.
The story is a hot mess after book one, which I think it's the strongest volume by a country mile. I liked Kaneda and his gang and their small world and small problems. I liked the military conspiracy angle and the tension and mystery surrounding Akira. After that though things get dumb very fast.
Like there's a whole volume worth of capture the flag sequences with Akira as the flag. Then Akira levels Tokyo and the story just reboots. Kaneda dies then resurrects. Tetsuo turns into a drug addict, then a philosopher. He suddenly has an army of psychics. Then theres a factional war with the monks who are also psychics. Then the army shows up so he goes into space. Like, fucking hell. What? All this and Akira as the world's least interesting villain.
Honestly it's pure shit. It's pretty clear Otomo thinks he's being deep and creating a layered story full of symbolism and stuff when infact he's just cooked up a proto DBZ with all the supernatural overpowered nonsense that came to be associated with Toriyama but none of the humor.
By the way I watched Mononoke again last year when I got the Blu-Ray and it was even better than the first few times I'd seen the DVD back in the day, and that includes the plot and characters.
Have anime movies since then been that good? Spirited Away maybe but what else? Visually at least what sticks out for me post-2000 is Sword of the Stranger, Redline, and Hosoda's movies.
Have anime movies since then been that good? Spirited Away maybe but what else? Visually at least what sticks out for me post-2000 is Sword of the Stranger, Redline, and Hosoda's movies.
Chmpocalypse
Blizzard
I was there. Bootleg video like a month after its release.
Like Ninja Scroll, it's vastly overrated.
bonesmccoy
Banned
I thoroughly disliked it when I first saw it in the mid-90s. I can empathize with the OP.
But when I rewatched it earlier this year, I was blown away by the quality of the animation, and of the entire film itself.
Knowing that the story was whittled down into it's most simplified form certainly helps.
But when I rewatched it earlier this year, I was blown away by the quality of the animation, and of the entire film itself.
Knowing that the story was whittled down into it's most simplified form certainly helps.
sir_kevith
Member
Yeah this was probably even more true for when it came out because nobody in the US read the manga. The good thing about watching an older movie like Akira in today's age is you don't necessarily have to read the manga but can read the plot synopsis on wikipedia or something and rewatch the movie and it makes more sense.
blanchot
Member
i found the one with the pilot pig more enjoyable
They're not even in the same league.
Ninja Scroll is just bollocks with some cool action scenes.
Like many in this thread, I didn't love Akira when I first saw it. I watched it some time after it was released (sometime in the 2000s) and found it to be pretty overrated. Years later, I decided to read the manga and thought it was great. This led me to rewatch the movie and then it finally clicked. After having the plot filled in by the manga and familiarizing myself with the context of the film's release, the movie was much more enjoyable upon reevaluation. I'd recommend revisiting it in a few years if you're still not getting it. It worked for me.
I've also noticed this isn't limited to Akira. Other classic movies don't click with everyone right away. Blade Runner is another great example.
I've also noticed this isn't limited to Akira. Other classic movies don't click with everyone right away. Blade Runner is another great example.
Not moe enough.
Got it.
The remaster got a limited release, I know that.
How funny I find this thread after doing a double feature last night of Ghost in the Shell and Akira. I've only seen short snippets of Akira and finally settled to watching it last night. Ghost in the Shell I've seen plenty of times.
Holy shit though. Akira's production values is just balls to the walls insane. I loved it.
Holy shit though. Akira's production values is just balls to the walls insane. I loved it.
Androidsleeps
Member
Same here. I mean I like it, there's definitely a lot to like there, but I don't get the hype.
It doesn't compare to the Ghibli stuff
It doesn't compare to the Ghibli stuff
I never said I didn't like it. I said it was OK. Other than the animation, there was nothing else that made me think this is one of the greatest anime movies ever. This movie gets praised not just for it's animation, but for it's story and "iconic" characters. The last part is what makes me think the way I do. I've already explained why I thought the story and characters were bad. The soundtrack is just my opinion.
sankt-Antonio
:^)--?-<
I love it. But I can enjoy lots of movies with different plot structures like "the void" etc.
Also, there is never going to be another fully handdrawn movie of this scale going to be made. Everyone and their mother was drawing for that movie in Japan in the 80s. The documentaries about the movie are fascinating.
Also, there is never going to be another fully handdrawn movie of this scale going to be made. Everyone and their mother was drawing for that movie in Japan in the 80s. The documentaries about the movie are fascinating.
True Savior
Member
The post-Akira awakening is too essential to the story for the movie to ever be better than the manga. That isolationism still prevails in those conditions, if you gut that section, you will pass over an essential aspect of the story and Otomo's intentions. I do agree the manga is quite a bit long, but just imagine those crazy long actions scenes in the hands of a talented director. Shit would be bonkers. Akira should be the wet-dream of an action director. It has just a bit of everything.
afternoon delight
Member
You're growing even more wrong as the thread continues.
Edit: For those saying it's outdated, what five insane sci-fi punk metropolis anime films have replaced it? I love Perfect Blue, Paprika, and Jin Roh too but for what Akira has to offer there is rarely better. What's better than it? I haven't seen the Patlabor films.
What mixes incredible cosmic body horror, colorful characters and attitude, fun writing, and sci-fi pastiche better? Psychic kids? Milk monster hallucinations?
I actually saw it for the first time this year, it's an amazing movie.
The plot is its weakest part for sure, but I didn't find it bad or confusing, maybe just underdeveloped in a way, you know there is more to it but couldn't really expand on it without making the movie 6 hours long.
The plot is its weakest part for sure, but I didn't find it bad or confusing, maybe just underdeveloped in a way, you know there is more to it but couldn't really expand on it without making the movie 6 hours long.
As I said, the second isn't great. Not sure if watching the first would change your mind, it certainly wouldn't help with being confused by the plot, but the delivery puts more life into the characters. The only thing that bugs me with it is that there are a few parts that are voiced by the same actor/actress to the point that it it recognisable/confusing when they are in scenes close together.
This seems to be the thread to ask, does anyone know if the Blu-ray release has the original English as an option or just the re-mastered English? The description seems to refer to the re-mastered audio so I've never bought it.
blame space
Banned
Akira is the best
Host Samurai
Member
I admit that the story isn't that good because it was a massive manga condensed into a 2 hour movie. I love AKIRA because of the art, animation, action, music and atmosphere. One of my favorite anime movies of all time.
My first (adult) anime. I know the manga is better (as with any manga-to-anime adaption) but fuck it when I saw it when I was 12 years I was just blown away. Way to young to understand everything (need to rewatch it many times before I finally got the plot). Made me a believer in anime. Still have a poster of the movie in my room. That Kaneda jacket and bike god how I've loved it. Yeah sorry but for me it's still the best adult anime because it introduced me to a whole new world. So the answer is: nostalgia?!
Even on a pure action level Akira works way better than Ninja Scroll, imho. But that never sat quite right with me, I've tried watching it many times but the action never really engages me. Except the final headbutting kill, that shit was always awesome. Anyway, it's on a completely different level than Akira.
Megawarrior
Member
Akira is on a whole nother level than ninja scroll...
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