Crest of the First Wave

Rating: Null/10 (29 February 2000)

"Akira" was the first Japanese Animated film (anime) to receive theatrical release here in the United States. It is considered to be the bringer of anime to the American mainstream, despite the fact that it was only in limited release.
Personally, I thought Akira was a bit over-complicated. This was probably the result of the difficult transition from comic to screen, and the limited time frame of film. But even so, Akira's story leaves the viewer somewhat lost and confused. In it, the viewer follows the exploits of a teenager who becomes endowed with powerful psychic abilities. The character development was rushed, and the establishment of scenarios was a bit weak. Akira did excel in cinematography and animation. Unrivalled in its pacing and high quality animation, few other anime has been able to meet, or match Akira for production quality. The English release was somewhat lacking in vocal acting, but not the worst.
All in all, Akira is deserving of it's "anime classic" status, if not simply for bringing about a new type of animated cinema.