Akira
Summary: Japan, 1988. An explosion caused by a young boy with psychic powers tears through the city of Tokyo and ignites the fuse that leads to World War III. In order to prevent any further destruction, he is captured and taken into custody, never to be heard from again. Now, in the year 2019, a restored version of the city known as Neo-Tokyo—an area rife with gang violence and terrorism against the current government—stands in its place. Here, Shoutarou Kaneda leads "the Capsules," a group of misfits known for riding large, custom motorcycles and being in constant conflict with their rivals "the Clowns."
During one of these battles, Shoutarou's best friend Tetsuo Shima is caught up in an accident with an esper who finds himself in the streets of Tokyo after escaping confinement from a government institution. Through this encounter, Tetsuo begins to develop his own mysterious abilities, as the government seeks to quarantine this latest psychic in a desperate attempt to prevent him from unleashing the destructive power that could once again bring the city to its knees.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Description
Japan, 1988. An explosion caused by a young boy with psychic powers tears through the city of Tokyo and ignites the fuse that leads to World War III. In order to prevent any further destruction, he is captured and taken into custody, never to be heard from again. Now, in the year 2019, a restored version of the city known as Neo-Tokyo—an area rife with gang violence and terrorism against the current government—stands in its place. Here, Shoutarou Kaneda leads "the Capsules," a group of misfits known for riding large, custom motorcycles and being in constant conflict with their rivals "the Clowns."
During one of these battles, Shoutarou's best friend Tetsuo Shima is caught up in an accident with an esper who finds himself in the streets of Tokyo after escaping confinement from a government institution. Through this encounter, Tetsuo begins to develop his own mysterious abilities, as the government seeks to quarantine this latest psychic in a desperate attempt to prevent him from unleashing the destructive power that could once again bring the city to its knees.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Available At
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Akira Trailers
Akira Pictures
Akira Review
Akira — Japan, 1988. This overview is intentionally spoiler-free and focuses on tone and intent rather than plot specifics.
Thematically, It sits firmly within Action, Horror, Sci-Fi conventions as a Movie work and has garnered attention (MAL score: 8.16). This work explores character dynamics, tonal shifts, and the interplay between narrative ambition and execution. The story's pacing and tonal choices are crafted to complement the central ideas, often emphasizing atmosphere and emotional truth over explicit exposition. The show's ability to evoke a consistent mood — whether melancholic, exuberant, or contemplative — is a recurring strength, and the scenes are constructed so viewers can infer stakes without needing explicit spoilers.
Characterization is a core pillar here. Protagonists and supporting figures are written with distinct motivations and narrative roles; even when archetypal, the series invests in small behavioral details that make choices feel earned. Character arcs are handled with an eye for gradualism: development often arrives through incremental beats rather than abrupt, expository shifts. The interactions between characters create texture, and relationships are used to illuminate both personal flaws and larger thematic concerns.
On the visual front, production values play a significant role. The animation quality varies by sequence but frequently showcases thoughtful direction and composition. Background art, framing, and color palettes are used deliberately to support tone — quieter scenes favor muted palettes while action or heightened emotional beats employ brighter, more kinetic visuals. Direction choices, such as camera movement and shot selection, often elevate scenes beyond their raw script, creating moments that linger in the viewer's mind.
The soundscape — score, incidental music, and sound design — complements the visual language. Music cues are placed to maximize emotional resonance without manipulating the audience with melodrama; this restraint often leads to more authentic emotional payoff. Sound design punctuates key moments, and when the series leans on silence, those quieter moments are given weight by measured audio choices.
Pacing and structure are handled with craft. Episodes are arranged to build tension and release methodically, and the narrative rarely rushes through important emotional beats. That said, the deliberate pacing may feel slow to viewers who prefer faster plot turnover; the reward is greater nuance and an accumulation of meaning across the series. Accessibility is generally good — one can appreciate surface-level pleasures, while repeat or attentive viewing reveals additional layers.
No title is without flaws. Occasional unevenness in subplots or variable animation across episodes can be distracting. Some tonal shifts might feel abrupt if you expect uniformity; others will argue that those shifts are purposeful. These are worth noting, but they seldom undercut the larger achievements of the work.
In sum, Akira offers a rich experience for viewers who value character-driven storytelling, considered visual design, and a soundtrack that supports rather than overwhelms. For fans of Action, Horror, Sci-Fi, this is an especially rewarding watch. It's recommended for those who appreciate layered narratives and artistry in animation, and best approached with patience and attention to nuance.
Characters & Voice Actors
Kaneda, Shoutarou
Main
Bosch, Johnny Yong
English
Kaneda, Shoutarou
Main
Iwata, Mitsuo
Japanese
Kaneda, Shoutarou
Main
Clarke, Cam
English
Kaneda, Shoutarou
Main
Daayán, Irwin
Spanish
Kaneda, Shoutarou
Main
Bezerra, Wendel
Portuguese (BR)
Kaneda, Shoutarou
Main
Haggége, Julien
German
Kaneda, Shoutarou
Main
Rollo, Alfredo
Portuguese (BR)
Kaneda, Shoutarou
Main
Csőre, Gábor
Hungarian
Kaneda, Shoutarou
Main
Zamora, Sergio
Spanish
Kaneda, Shoutarou
Main
De Gracia, Ángel
Spanish
Kaneda, Shoutarou
Main
Ramos, Gabriel
Spanish
Kaneda, Shoutarou
Main
De Porrata, Nacho
Spanish
Kaneda, Shoutarou
Main
Schalla, Björn
German
Kaneda, Shoutarou
Main
Terranova, César
Portuguese (BR)
Kaneda, Shoutarou
Main
Kozlowski, Mathias
French
Kaneda, Shoutarou
Main
Meli, Manuel
Italian
Kaneda, Shoutarou
Main
Maggi, Angelo
Italian
Kaneda, Shoutarou
Main
Leguizamo, Elliot
Spanish
Kei
Main
Lee, Wendee
English
Kei
Main
Koyama, Mami
Japanese
Staff
Maseba, Yutaka
Producer
Otomo, Katsuhiro
Director, Script, Original Creator, Original Character Design
Aketagawa, Susumu
Sound Director
Hashimoto, Izou
Script
Machado, Nelson
Script
Aoyama, Hiroyuki
Key Animation
Arai, Kouichi
Key Animation
Araújo, Alessandra
ADR Director
Ebisawa, Kazuo
Background Art
Emura, Toyoaki
Key Animation
Endou, Masaaki
Key Animation
Fujioka, Yutaka
Production Manager
Fukushima, Atsuko
Key Animation
Futaki, Makiko
Key Animation
Geinoh Yamashirogumi
Music
Hamasu, Hideki
Key Animation
Haryuu, Katsufumi
Background Art
Hashimoto, Shinji
Key Animation
Hatsumi, Kouichi
In-Between Animation
Hiramatsu, Tadashi
In-Between Animation