The "Godfather" of Anime

Rating: Null/10 (12 February 2001)

Apparently, many people already had much to say about "Akira"-- and with good reason. The animation for this movie (and mind you, it was made in the mid-1980s) surpasses any animation done in America, and frankly puts the ever-increasing trend toward computer-drawn imaging TO ABSOLUTE SHAME.
Also-- and this is a big ALSO-- like most anime which have followed it, this movie is not for the kiddies. Characters are routinely beaten and/or shot, with many gallons of blood and entrails thrown liberally around. But if you are already a hardcore anime fan, then you already know this is par for the course. It IS what makes Japanese anime so very different (and, indeed, superior) to American cartoons.
And, on a tangent-- and a bit of a rant-- despite the adult nature of most anime, Japanese kids usually watch them on a regular basis and seem to emerge well-adjusted. Go figure; we Americans apparently can't even let our kids watch the simplistic stylings of "Beavis and Butthead" for fear they will set each other on fire-- imagine if they tried to copy the semi-realistic fighting moves they saw in something akin to "Fist of the North Star"
For those of you who enjoy anime, and have seen "Akira", the best advice I could ever suggest is to go watch it again, for the same reason I will give those who have never seen the movie: The first time you watch "Akira", watch it for the purely wonderful assault it puts on your senses as you begin to experience the world of Neo-Tokyo. The second time you watch "Akira", watch it in order to better understand the rich and complex story BEHIND the movie, which you most likely missed while drooling over the incredible artwork.