Unlike a lot of N. American Sci-Fi there's no simple answer!

Rating: 9/10 (22 December 2001)

AKIRA is an incredible, astonishing film. Yet, there's one thing you should know about the ending, rather the last 15 or so minutes of it. I've watched it so many times and to this day I still can't explain it to other people. I can't even explain it to myself. But don't let that keep you away from the film as it stands, in my humble opinion, as one of the greatest achievements of filmmaking in history. With an awesome cyberpunk/mutant-filled Neo-Tokyo backdrop. At the center are the inherent social problems and barriers that exist within people and government. This is timeless.
There's a certain obvious truth, which lies in the film. It is the simple fact that we, as human beings, are simply not prepared. This applies to any and every aspect of our lives. The characters in the film are certainly not prepared for the things that happen to them. And this fact shows. Unlike many North American sci-fi flicks, there are no simple answers for AKIRA. It's depressing and at the same time refreshing to have an understanding that we are limited creatures. It's a harsh reality and a simple answer. For Tetsuo, the changes that he goes through tear his very mind, and humanity, apart and it's not just him.
If given the unfortunate chance of suffering his same "collision" with destiny it would have the same effect on anyone. And no matter how much we say we would be unaffected it's all just a lie to ourselves. To Tetsuo. When Tetsuo's hallucinations begin the result is only catharsis, and rightfully so. No one would ask to be put into his situation and as the viewer we must watch the madness unfold.
Don't let the fact that it's anime steer you away from this compelling, and albeit twisted tale. The detail put into the imagery and story in the film adds to the unique and realistic feel, which AKIRA possesses. And there certainly wasn't any slacking in the story of the film as we are given an often thorough explanation of the events of the past, which have affected the Neo-Tokyo. Indeed, by the end of the film I felt like I had lived in Japan of the future, that's how drawn in I was. And still am. Whenever I am given the opportunity to watch AKIRA I must put off whatever I am planning to make room for this monster of a film.
If you get a hold of this flick, and it's dubbed, make sure it's the old dub with the truly gravy melodramatic voice acting by the main characters. The new version has some crummy, by comparison, dubbing that is nothing short of inferior to the original.
"TETSSSUUUUOOOOOOOO!!!"
"KANEDAAAAAAA!!!"
What more do you need from a film, people????