amazing. you must see this film

Rating: 9/10 (10 March 2005)

most anime is kinda average. quite a lot of the rest is below average to extremely poor. (see British effort Dominator) but the odd one or two shine. akira is one of them. the story while basic, is beautifully written and the voice acting, yes even the dubbing, is well acted. and while the ending strays from the gritty, dreamlike 'realism' of the rest of the film, its vision of a boy realising the damage power can do, is heartbreaking as you know he and his girlfriend are going to die. but the story of the biker gang is not the only one. many different morally based stories of corruption, greed and power grabbing men are interwoven into the film without straying from the main idea. its about power and the damage it can do. but also about friendship, loyalty and life on the streets. with a touch of romance added in. its dark, horrific, funny, uplifting and desperately depressing. a must see.