Title: Akira

Format Reviewed: Criterion Collection LaserDisc (CAV)
Viewer Ratings:

• Violence: 3
• Nudity: 2.5
• Maturity: 3
• Sexuality: 3

• Comedy: 1
• Action: 3
• Drama: 4
• Romance: 1
• Adventure: 2

• Animation - Character: 4.5
• Animation - Background: 4.5
• Plot: 4
• Sound: 4.5
• Recording: 5
• Extras: 5

In a decaying Neo-Tokyo, rebel bikers accidentally stumble upon a secret military research project on psychic phenomena. Neo-Tokyo is about to explode!

Future, Cyberpunk, Military, Psychic, Rebels, Bikers, Political, Apocalypse

It really isn't fair, but you have to compare against something. Akira is what all other anime is going to be compared against for a long time. With well over a dozen major anime studios contributing to this masterpiece, it's no wonder this is still the best. Smooth animation, smooth computer assists, and lips synched to the voice actors, Akira does that which makes Disney so wonderful, without the Disney hangups.

I am not entirely fond of the character style; it's just a personal preference, but the motions and faces bother me just slightly. The plot is a bit disjointed; in typical anime style, the writers leave out just enough of the background to keep you on your toes. The voice actors could have been a bit better on the English side of the house, but it is still better than most.

If you have to get Akira, and you own a LaserDisc, get this disc! Criterion has dual-language, lots of trailer bits, and adds back in the 4 minutes cut for the English VHS tape (I think it was just random frames - I couldn't point out an actual scene). The action is great, the plot is original, and the art is to die for.