Grossly Overrated

Rating: 3/10 (24 December 2006)

For its time, Akira set new standards in animation. However, a movie is more than just visuals. In this respect, while ground-breaking on a technological level, Akira is a failure as a movie. It features unlikeable, boring, often-stereotypical characters with poor character designs. And the plot does little to make up for the lackluster characters. At best, it's a very rough synopsis of over twenty volumes of manga. At worst, it's an utter train wreck.
Rather than seeing Akira as a movie, viewers should consider it an animated "omake" to the manga. If you liked the manga, and always wanted to see certain scenes in action, then it's worth watching. In that respect, it's sort of like the movies your annoying uncle takes of his vacation. If he vacationed in Hell.
One notable thing about Akira is its exceptional soundtrack. Even if you never watch the movie, it's worth giving a listen.