Back To Index Akira: Special Edition
 Barnes & Noble When Katsuhiro Otomos landmark sci-fi anime feature Akira arrived in U.S. theaters in 1988, fans and newbies alike came, saw, and often walked away with mixed emotions. Which is why Pioneers wonderful 2001 reissue of the film, which brought clarity to various cloudy narrative issues, is such a welcome addition to the library. Upon that initial release, there was no missing that Akira was an animated work of unrivaled power; its Neo-Tokyo cityscape a media-rich, neon-lit labyrinth of plastic, glass, and concrete. Set 31 years after World War III, it was a dystopia where pill-popping tribes zipped around town on tricked-out motorbikes -- a vision destined to be regarded as the stylistic ground zero for sci-fi films yet to come. (You can bet your Matrix action figures that the Wachowski brothers are fans.) Yet, Akiras story seemed vague and unfocused when compared to the version that was familiar from Otomos original graphic novel. The English-speaking audience could only presume that the narrative holes were a result of style over substance, and had to be content with the fact that the style was breathtaking enough to forgive substantive shortcomings. The 2001 re-release of Akira restores focus and clarity in more ways than one. The new, high-definition transfer, produced by using the original negative, captures Neo-Tokyos postapocalyptic luster. And the new English translation and dub, far more faithful to Otomos original text, reveals Akiras symbolic genesis in Japans political zeitgeist. It is an epic conflict between youth and age, chaos and control, personified by two childhood friends, Tetsuo and Kaneda. More-than-casual Akira fans will want to snap up the two-DVD special edition, which contains a wealth of extras, including making-of documentaries about the film and its restoration, plus an interview with director/creator Otomo himself. Patrick MaciasWashington PostThe detail is exceptionally realistic, fluid and multidimensional, suggesting both a futuristic world and ancient quests.... Of course, Akira is not a long cartoon, but an ambitious animated feature that can be seen as a parable of scientific responsibility and cosmic rebirth, or just an action-packed serial. Or it can be seen as a visceral example of the future of animation. Richard HarringtonCustomer ReviewsWrite your own online review >Number Of Reviews: 10 Average Rating: Showing 1-5 NextChuck Church (church4.0@netzero.net), a phycological thriller lover, December 23, 2004 Godfather of AnimeI have known of this title for a long time but just got it. What I found was the most outstanding way to put violence into a cartoon. The story line is the best Iv seen in a movie and is going strong. I am addicted and Im currently collecting the manga, realising that a lot is not in the movie, and it still puts me in a daydream.Also Recommended: Akira (manga), Ghost in the Shell, Blue Gender, Fooly Cooly, Jin-Ra, The AnimatrixNathan, a college art student, June 25, 2004 AddictiveI never watched Akira until a few days ago and it is so great I can not stop watching it. I was a little worried about the dialogue though because most people say the new verson is not interesting. Seeing it for the first time I thought the dialogue was awesome and the graphics are well drawn for its time. The movie was slow and boring at some parts but what movie isnt? This movie also makes you think and it is kind of what you want it to be. Also the music is excellent. If you buy this also get the soundtrack.David Kozak (spongebobhater1017@lycos.com), a Marxist from Cedar Lake, Indiana, May 3, 2004 Superior anime, inferior dialog.I think Akira is the greatest anime in history and always will be. Akira introduced me to anime and made me think about everything. But I hate this version because Pioneer butchered Akira by changing the dub. In the original, Kaneda sounded cool and tough because he was voiced by Jimmy Flinders (he voiced Leonardo from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles). In this one, Kaneda sounds like a sissy because he was voiced by Johnny Yong Bosch (he voiced Vash from Trigun, which stinks). The dialog sounds lifeless, idiotic, and modern. Those groupies from Kanedas bike gang fit all three descriptions because of the revised dub. In the original, they sounded more realistic and authentic. Boycott all the Akira DVDs from Pioneer and buy the Akira ultimate collection DVD from Manga. Heed my advice, youll thank me some day!!Also Recommended: Akira (ultimate collection DVD from Manga), the Star Wars Trilogy, Ghost In The Shell, Spirited Away, Biohunter, Wicked City, Ninja Scroll, and Enemy At The Gates.DEATH_BRINGER_94, A FREAKEN freak about Akira, March 23, 2004 Akira is the coolestAkira is definitely a must see anime that can be confusing at the (no spoilers) end. if you want know why see it for your self. only theres one thing wrong i think that they should make a sequal to the movie. if you want to know why see it for yourself.Also Recommended: the family guy jin-roh naruto one peice yu yu hakashoACE, cool like the blues., December 25, 2003 better, but not.i like the new voices, but at the same time i grew up watching this movie and i just expect the guy who did the voice of leonardo from teenage mutant ninja turtles to be kanaedas voice. when youve seen a movie so many time you can almost quote the whole thing all the way through and then you buy the dvd and its completely different dialogue and voices? it kinda throws you off and you are disappointed.(even though i always thought kanaedas voice was cheesy)i dont think i was ready for it to change. i reccomend it highly anyway, especially if youve never seen it. if youre an ald school fan like me, pass and wait till you find an old vhs. now if they would re-re-release it with the old dialogue (fingers crossed)and the new with an option for whichever one you wanted to hear, that would be AWESOME! then you could compare the two and make your decision. ---- still the best though.-----Also Recommended: Ghost in the Shell, Wicked City, Neon Genisis Evangellion, Cowboy Bebop, FLCL, Jin-Roh, Ninja Scroll, Princess Mononoke, Memories, Vampire Hunter D, ROBOTECH, Macross, Blue Gender, Big O, Inuyasha, Gundam Wing, 0083 Interested in the song lyrics? - Check out themostlyrics.com! 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