Time is the killer.

Rating: Null/10 (8 August 2004)

Akira really ventures into a realm more then just sci-fi. I think it's a stand alone story. I think it really shows you something you can only find in that group. someone spoke of the fact they couldn't identify with the protagonist. I think this movie(and especially the manga) really bend the rules for this. It's not your typical beat'em up batman bad guy movie(most American flicks) The protagonist isn't really a protagonist he's a hopped up pill popping biker. If you can relate to this type of person, you're probably in jail, right ;). I felt like it was giving me a look into the dark. A look into people that live on the edge, with a variety of personalities, and what really happens when someone with no power is suddenly given too much.
The movie did have holes. I had no choice but to read the manga to fill them. When you compare the movie to the manga, the manga is much deeper and you really understand. You understand more about the rivalries between the bike gangs. More about who the people really are(the test subjects).
Overall I think I give Akira an 8.5 out of 10.
Pros: Stellar animation, Fast bikes and bad attitudes, a antagonist you have no choice but to like.
Cons: Tries to cram too much info into the allotted time, poor translation in some scenes, not enough biker smashing action