Simply great...

Rating: Null/10 (24 September 2001)

I am not a hardcore anime fan. However when my friends told me to see Akira I decided to check it out and what I found is simply amazing. The animation is stunning, making a solid bridge between the world of anime and typical style of animation we are used to in american cartoons. The characters are very much alive, with distinct and varying personalities that the viewer gets acquainted with. And the story is well developed, with various plots entangling and carrying the viewer onward. Akira is a trip. It is a journey from simple view of the world to a more enlightened one. Thus, it is not for everyone. THe movie contains a rather entangled story that requires a certain understanding of the Akira philosophy. I suggest reading some FAQs (Search for WHO IS AKIRA) either before or after watching it. So what is Akira about? It is hard to say. According to the creator, it is about friendship. Indeed, some interesting relationships are explored. It is also deeply philosophical, exploring various concepts dealing with destiny and the value of human life. Watch it. You might not understand everything from the first time, but it will be entertaining nonetheless. My only wish is that I knew Japanese so i could watch it in its original, and perhaps even more meaningful version.