The Impact of Akira: The Film that Changed Everything

[@supereyepatchwolf3007]

List of Anime that appears in the 80s section in order of appearance (Going to make a thread about this in my twitter if you stillcant find what you need): GunBuster Mobile suit Gundam Zeta Patlabour Gunbuster (Again) Urusei Yatsura Beautiful Dreamer Mobile Suit Gundam Fist of the North Star movie Royal Space Force Ranma 1/2 3x3 Eyes Devilman OAV (Guy in car with glasses) Project Ako My Neighbor Totoro Patlabour (Again) Urusei Yatsura Beautiful Dreamer Project Ako 2 Uriotoskudoji (cant actually place this next mecha shot) Urusei Yatsura Beautiful Dreamer Dirty pair flash (girls in car) Urusei Yatsura Beautiful Dreamer Angels Egg Wicked City Angels Egg My Neighbor Totoro Angels Egg Grave of the Fireflys My Neighbor Totoro Gunbuster Wicked City urutosuki Wicked City 3x3 eyes (guy getting impaled by mosnter) Ogre urutosuki Wicked City (Spider Woman) (next one) Dirty Pair Flash Akira

[@pilotamurorei]

It's mobile suit ZETA Gundam. The Zeta comes first. How the hell you dont know that baffles the fucking mind dude.

[@Mrsupermatt2172]

Will be making a presentation thursday on my animation class about 80's anime and just rewatched your video about Akira taking tons of notes. Besides giving a context about 80's Japanese animation I will also be talking especifically about the original Dragon Ball, Akira and Angel's Egg. A lot of your work is serving as a main source for my research so I wanted to thank you for that. Also, any chance we can get a video on Angel's Egg? I found out about it in this video and I'm currently obsessed by it.

[@vankesselable]

When was Ghost in the shell ?

[@Helghast73]

95

[@Helghast73]

No Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind on your list?

[@faded9521]

watching akira with my dad and then driving through the city streets at night to get some late night popeyes will always be one of my greatest memories. thx akira

[@Allplussomeminus]

This sounds pure and beautiful as heck.

[@cass5710]

I watched Akira with my dad at the cinema a few weeks ago, before taking McDonald's at night, all that before me leaving for a few months and not seeing him, which makes it a great memory to me. Your comment really made me smile!

[@faded9521]

@@cass5710 yours too! Watching akira alone just isnt as good to me anyway

[@deadhomelessbum]

Wholesome

[@ssjwes]

You mean thanks dad?

[@kianhess1577]

One of the reasons i love akira (the movie) so much, is its lack of context. You don’t really have time to think and you just sit there seeing all these things happen only slightly realizing the references to real life. And its only after the movie, that you just sit there with your mind slowly comprehending what just happened and starts to connect certain story plots. That is the only way i can describe how watching akira for the first time felt.

[@soldatheero]

well put. which also makes for great rewatches

[@vadimnimarov8796]

This movie IS an overrated pile of crap. Only the animations and the soundtracks are worthy. The story telling is absolute garbage, i dont care what you say but THAT IS A FACT not my opinion. The way the story explains everything and what happens is beyond dumb. Only the fan fags will tell you this is the best crap. Dont bother watching if you care about storywriting and plot. This CARTOON is like watching a super sick CGI movie but the writing and plot is just thrown out the window. 5/10

[@chaz200711]

Right! It leaves room for interpretation. You can come to your own conclusions about what you think the movie is tryna say.

[@warzoneidiot881]

Questions after questions. Loved everything about AKIRA

[@Nakedmole]

The lack of context you experienced was simply a result of how the story is trunkated in the AKIRA anime. The manga however has the whole story.

[@Magerquark]

It's honestly incredible that this came out 31 years ago in 1988 and STILL looks better than most films these days Just imagine the reaction this got back then..

[@leahparsuidualc666]

The reaction was either a) ignoring it exists, because it is too truthfully depicting what humans are, or b) "Well, that was my brain. I'm done. And now i'm reborn." - Simpl az dat, nuttin ta menshen et ol ...

[@thatsoneinterestingpfpyago2521]

Sam Brown “i HaTe tHiS nEw GeNeRaTiOn” - Basically your comment

[@AbsoluteSkycaptain]

@@thatsoneinterestingpfpyago2521 He's right though. You just don't see much animation like this anymore, most studios don't want to invest the time or money when everyone else is pumping out CG on the cheap.

[@AbsoluteSkycaptain]

@@thatsoneinterestingpfpyago2521 Nope, there's plenty of modern animation I enjoy, I'm also looking forward to seeing where animators take CG once we get better at integrating it into 2D art. But very little is hand drawn with this attention to detail and that's just a fact.

[@AbsoluteSkycaptain]

@@thatsoneinterestingpfpyago2521 2/10 disappointing troll

[@BeansLacking]

I just finished this movie today. Absolutely a visual masterpiece - despite the somewhat vague and confusing plot, it manages to create a powerful atmosphere, one that sticks with the viewer for a long time.

[@heavyribs1563]

The movie is about a third / a half of the manga books. If you enjoyed the movie the books are really worth picking up.

[@BeansLacking]

@@heavyribs1563 Yeah, heard that the ending of the manga was somewhat inspired by the movie, since it did came before the other half of the original story was finished. I actually might, probably after a movie rewatch

[@vadimnimarov8796]

This movie IS an overrated pile of crap. Only the animations and the soundtracks are worthy. The story telling is absolute garbage, i dont care what you say but THAT IS A FACT not my opinion. The way the story explains everything and what happens is beyond dumb. Only the fan fags will tell you this is the best crap. Dont bother watching if you care about storywriting and plot. This CARTOON is like watching a super sick CGI movie but the writing and plot is just thrown out the window. 5/10

[@vadimnimarov8796]

@@heavyribs1563 if the movie was shite story why read the mange?

[@rimut230]

@@vadimnimarov8796 because manga might be different and actually be better?

[@aswinr936]

Akira predicted the best description of 2019 .Never showed any flying cars, telportation. Like back to the future.

[@aswinr936]

@Han Boetes what's wrong with the bikes? They ain't shooting lasers or. Bullets, normal asf.

[@arcinino8509]

it predicted the cancellation of tokyo olimpics in 2020 too

[@aswinr936]

@@arcinino8509 damn, that's true

[@grubbybum3614]

@@aswinr936 the film did have those hover-mobiles, though. Like when they got chased through the sewers...

[@iliveinsideyourhouse3943]

Well in the manga there are some flying hover bikes.

[@ridewiththemob5194]

80's anime aged like fine wine

[@marlona6642]

Yes it is such age wine

[@eldavid8774]

You clearly havent seen golgo 13 or Nora

[@omnianti0]

all anim i watched on the 1980 until now was crap else akira

[@fedreck89]

@@omnianti0 what kind of anime did you watched lmao

[@omnianti0]

@@fedreck89 goldorak

[@Eeveeteevee]

how does ONE guy draw, write, AND direct all so elaborately well?

[@sirwilliams5532]

11 billion dollars and a dream shared with many others

[@PrimetimeYsl45]

Sir Williams u mean 1.1 billion japanese yen

[@sirwilliams5532]

Gōdon Gurando *proceeds to put fake fake news on my sandwich

[@machina5]

@@sirwilliams5532 Eating your own shit I see lol

[@luckykennedy7364]

Because he doesn't work for Modern Marvel

[@carbilicon]

Akira is required viewing for important films and not just for animation and anime. It's seminal. And it was shocking. To see such a vibrant dystopia in an animated film... in the west, we were enjoying Ren & Stimpy, the western cartoon that changed animation forever. It showed us that cartoons can be anything. Akira showed us that, too.

[@Seinsmelled]

all the characters look so ugly bro Akira sucks

[@vday16]

I've watched Akira several times at home but saw it for the first time on the big screen at Prince Charles Cinema in London. Let me tell you its an entirely different experience where you really get to fully appreciate the highly detailed animation and overall production value. I can only imagine how mind blowing it must have been for audiences back in 1988

[@Narglar]

Tomorrow, the first public viewing of Akira (4k) in Finland since 1992. I've got ticket and am beyond excited!

[@deadhomelessbum]

Seeing in IMAX this Friday - I am stoked

[@condorX2]

Not interested in any of those animes. The reasons are: To much talking, this mean reading subtitles if you aren't Japanese. To many things happened on the screen that get very confusing. Avater the last air bender is the only anime that I enjoyed watching because they have a great story that's easy to follow and I love their characters build up.

[@TheWutangclan1995]

I just saw this at the local theaters and it goes to show why you can’t just stream it on your tv and expect the same outcome. Spending the money to see it was worth the experience. I wasn’t born when Akira came out and seeing this for the first time made me feel like I was part of it.

[@tayk-47usa41]

condorX2 is.... is this satire?

[@garrytalaroc]

Akira was light-years ahead of its time.

[@blackblackstatic]

Light years are still not used for time my dude

[@cheddar2648]

well at one tenth of superluminal speed heading for Proxima Centauri, he would mean they were 40 years ahead of time. The purpose of language is to convey meaning, and I know what he meant.

[@lew0013]

@@cheddar2648 hahahaha comeback of the day

[@YG-us6tl]

Still is :)

[@ysdnsingh]

Garry Superales Like The Matrix and Tron

[@ms.pirate]

I love 80s to 90s anime, their animation is something really special, like a hidden gem, a mystery

[@cabnbeeschurgr]

Honestly, I love the older stuff like robotech where the attention to detail is insanely good

[@bean181]

Omg I love robotech my dad showed it to me and i wish I could forget it so I could see it again

[@phuckilljoy7191]

Yeah they put alot of effort

[@golemraven7765]

in 1990 Akira got a Award Oscar academy...

[@highdefinition450]

Not that hidden

[@bluny8392]

You did an amazing job of showing how impactful this movie really was, even decades later this movie is still amazing in every possible way, the animation is incredibly beautiful and the story is so well made. Akira is astonishing.

[@preciisiionxx]

When Kaneda pops out of the water and spits it out it had that goofy, cartoonish vibe to it but a literal second later the guy behind him gets half his face blown off in a brutal animation. Just a small moment that made my jaw drop

[@bheemareddy5699]

Duude,saame.I went from laughing to “😶😶oh damn”

[@alexlee2581]

The frame rate, art and lighting was ahead of its time

[@NachoCheeseDorito-Kun]

It still is.

[@bjornstromberg4481]

The framerate was before it's time if anything

[@MultiSersho]

We still haven't catch up lol

[@jaxteller1606]

Alex Lee it‘s still better than todays anime in my opinion. 80‘s and 90‘s anime all are

[@sollertiskhan3254]

but the story and narrative was terrible?

[@specialnewb9821]

The biggest sign as to how incredible the film is, is that no one has ever adapted it again. Because you can't top it. well supposedly a more faithful adaptation is coming. But we'll see.

[@kalexis6484]

SpecialNewb sadly a live action may be on the way - don’t have faith in it sadly

[@jeijei3255]

I have read that Taika Waititi is adapting it, and will be basing it on the manga. But i think it got delayed or canceled not sure

[@iliveinsideyourhouse3943]

I'm very hype for the Akira anime. Maybe it won't top the animation in the original film but the story will be 10x improved.

[@Ratchet2431]

@@jeijei3255 It was delayed indefinitely but I honestly hope it gets canceled.

[@ibrahimsohail423]

you should watch perfect blue its such a classic unbelievably level good

[@rob-fb3ph]

There is no shortcut in Akira. From frame one to the end, it's anime masterpiece. Every detail, every movement combined with cinematography that could surpassed movies, and gut wrenching, brutal story line. Great narration btw!

[@mikeymegamega]

Not the easiest to get into, but one of the most important titles out there!

[@Th0tSlAyErIII]

mikeymegamega I LOVE your channel. Your drawing videos helped me SO much.

[@akileaves2669]

I think if you've watched enough anime, akira shouldn't be that much of an alienating movie

[@Irisverse]

Hell, I've heard of people who got into anime WITH Akira.

[@SKULLKR3W]

its super easy to get into wtf are you talking about like you just put the movie in and within ten minutes people are getting shot and beaten to death that will grab most people instantly if anything the manga is way harder to get into due to its length and the fact most places dont carry physical copies

[@Frellyouall]

I did

[@VGMFan20XX]

Hand drawn will forever be king.

[@UNSCPILOT]

Expensive as heck, but utterly jaw-dropping

[@psxcsomething6114]

@@UNSCPILOT can't argue with that

[@WaterKirby1994]

Even though I never could bring myself to like Akira, I agree that Hand drawn anime was always far better than the computerized animation. All the anime from prior to the 21st Century was hand drawn. Jungle Emperor Leo (Kimba the White Lion) looked amazing, same for DBZ & several other series that were drawn by hand.

[@MrDestroyedSoulx]

Hand drawn anime is still a thing... It's just not done on paper as much as before. It's done on computers. But it IS still hand drawn if you consider drawing on a tablet with a digital pen to be hand drawn, which I do. I don't know if you meant hand drawn as in CGI is the only form of movie animation we tend to see outside of Japan or not. Hell, even CGI is still technically often hand drawn since it's also drawn on a graphics tablet in some way. It's not that CGI animation is bad though. It's just that Japanese CGI animation is still in its infancy and poorly used most of the time. CGI animation can be beautiful if done right. Land Of The Lustrous is the perfect example of CGI anime done right. RWBY is another great example of CGI anime taking full advantage of the medium and using its strengths properly instead of just using it to save money and nothing else. (I don't care if people don't consider RWBY anime, I personally do. At the very least it's American anime. But I'm not trying to get into a debate about it in this comment). Besides, hand-drawn animation is only as good as the people who work on it. Plenty of GARBAGE hand-drawn animation also exists. Even Disney tried to cut costs with reusing shit in multiple movies. 2D animation by its very nature tends to lead to cut corners whether in America or Japan.

[@MrDestroyedSoulx]

@Laguna Mudembei Yeah, clearly. I mean, even something like Pixar CGI animation is still drawn. It's just drawn with polygons in a computer program like Maya. (I assume they probably use it since it's the industry standard for movie CGI) they can probably get away with only drawing key frames and let the computer animate the inbetweens now, but they still gotta animate the characters. Though with CGI models it's just a matter of rigging and then moving a contraint joint and animating key frames with motion. But anime isn't CGI, generally. It's done in a computer, yes. But it's not a 3D model so it's still drawn. They still use inbetweens. I think they might even still draw on paper and then scan it into the computer for at least some anime though I don't know for sure. Digital artwork is still artwork. Programs just make animating things a bit easier and they can do stuff in it that you couldn't do as easily without computer graphics. I do sorta miss things like hand drawn vehicles, sometimes. But the CGI ones are okay. I personally prefer CGI anime backgrounds though. They're just WAYYY more detailed than a painting background tends to be. And can even have animated things in the background whereas a static painting can't.

[@sufyanqureshi7247]

That's crazy that Akira takes place in 2019 and its 2019 now wow!!!

[@user-pv9pv4xf9c]

I was just thinking that. Honestly man I think some crazy shit is about to go down soon too. A lot of times fiction can somewhat predict the future. Escape from New York had a scene where a hijacked airplane was heading towards the world trade centers. I've been talking with other people and doing a lot of praying to God, and I feel as though some major world changing event is about to take place. It's a good idea to get right with Jesus now.

[@limechecksout]

July 16 2019 is gonna be fun

[@chupasaurus]

Nah, that's not. What *actually* crazy is that Akira action was in year prior to Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Guess where would be the next one?

[@limechecksout]

@@chupasaurus The next one after tokyo is paris 2024, then LA 2028

[@click_noice7661]

I just watched it last week too

[@dacoup5955]

Akira, Ninja Scroll, Wicked City, Vampire D, Ghost in the Shell, Hellsing, Evangelion, Gundam ... This was my childhood growing up, going to blockbusters with my parents on a Friday night to pick out a movie and some cheeseburgers as a family will always be special to me, i always darted towards the anime section as soon as we walked in ... The tone has changed since then but the classics remain classics.

[@core1986]

I went to see Akira in 4K in the theatre with my dad a couple of days ago, we both came out of the cinema in awe of the animation, themes and violence and sheer creativity of Akira even though he hasn't even seen an anime before. We talked about it all night and he was genuanely interested in it, it goes to show how well made and culturally signifigant Akira was and still is.

[@calvinjohnstone2664]

Read the Comic if you can mate👍🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 to truly appreciate the scale of it. And the artwork.

[@rorybmcconnachie6701]

did the exact same thing at the biggest cinema in england it was truely stunning

[@seishinIsAnxiousAgain]

I love this comment

[@core1986]

@@calvinjohnstone2664 The manga is better for sure :)

[@nathanb5579]

It's cool you could get your dad to watch that with you. Only a few anime films have gotten my dads interest as he saw me watching it enough for him to sit down and watch it

[@bokchoiman]

My god I didn't even realize how beautiful the animation was in the 80s. The transitions were slower but the detail contained within was enormous!

[@Lipbuzz]

FelineHYPER animation has completely gone to shit in modern times. Even looney tunes looks amazing compared to the shit we get today.

[@GenyaArikado]

Faster transitions just makes an excuse for lazy animation work nowadays.

[@Video-Games-Are-Fun]

look at when the bridge blows up and you see each brick by brick coming apart...

[@GenyaArikado]

@@Video-Games-Are-Fun i will notice that when i see the movie again

[@victuz]

I'm not putting up an excuse here people, but don't movies generally receive a much higher budget than a TV show? Like with Dragon Ball Super for example, the movies and the TV show.

[@Jack_Woods]

I love the absolute SCALE of this film, it's persistent all throughout and it doesn't hold back to show massive detail on every small piece of rubble and every element at play colliding with the environment

[@AlekseyMaksimovichPeshkov]

So it is possible to make realistic, detailed traditional 2d animation?

[@Jack_Woods]

@@AlekseyMaksimovichPeshkov Is is, but it's so costly and tedious it's really unpractical unless you REALLY REALLY love the project and don't mind it not returning its budget in sales, which thankfully it did

[@AlekseyMaksimovichPeshkov]

@@Jack_Woods I want to do that; maybe become the next “Kane Pyxis” on KZbin (I’m sixteen right now and have no experience…)

[@AlekseyMaksimovichPeshkov]

@@Jack_Woods why? Do you have any experience with animation and drawings?

[@boomtaylor8297]

I thought that that fact they animated the pipes and electrical wires in the rubble or when they made a hole in the ground it's a nice touch that grounds you in the scene

[@SynGirl32]

Your mention of the manga's silent moments makes me think of one of the movie's most underrated assets, that being its sound design, or rather, the lack of it. It's probably one of the few movies (along with 2001: A Space Odyssey) to truly master the art of silence in filmaking, using complete or near-complete silence so many times to great effect. It makes the emotional moments hit so hard, it allows us to connect to the world by reflecting real-life silence, and also makes the music better too by concentrating it on key moments that really matter.

[@jred5153]

With all of it’s cheesyness aside, and there is a ton of it, Castaway was, for me, one of those mainstream Hollywood films that grabs that parallel. My useless 0.02…

[@dbrowdy]

The original English dub was also effectively gibberish half the time, so it really needed to connect without words. And it absolutely did.

[@MicahBuzanANIMATION]

Every frame explodes with detail. Feverish, creepy, weird, mind-bending detail.

[@The__Creeper]

And every line of dialogue makes you want to explode your brains to end the mind numbing tedium. Just watch Redline. Much better animation with a GASP! coherent story.

[@joxerrrrr]

Much better animation? Really dude?

[@The__Creeper]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pXO2q2N7es5of5I Yeah, you're right. Much better animation doesn't capture how much better it is compared to Akira. Spectacularly better animation. Superbly better animation. Amazingly better animation. Awesomely better animation. My point is that Akira sucks and only an idiot would praise it.

[@joxerrrrr]

Did Akira killed your family or something?I can understand not believing is the best shit ever especially talking about the plot but about the fucking animation? So because its shiny and more ''beautiful'' redline is better? Dont get me wrong still a very very well animated movie that is a shame people forget about but Akira has insane work and polish in its animation people should see and copy that shit not forgetting it.

[@The__Creeper]

Or maybe I just hate that people act like it's the best movie ever made when it's a truly awful movie with only a few interesting shots worth looking at. Redline is far superior in both story and aesthetics. Also, if you want to talk about "insane work and polish" then Redline destroys Akira in that resepct as well. Redline took 7 years of work and every frame is pouring with the creators' love for something amazing.

[@vicenteortegarubilar9418]

I was wondering why this channel never made a video essay about Akira. I really appreciate everything about this essay.

[@adventuringwolf8517]

Vicente Ortega Rubilar You don't have to call it an essay you know. Its a video with a script.

[@seratonous]

What, that Wolf's takeaway doesn't read into the deeper narrative at all? This has to have the most surface-level, ambiguous fucking thesis in any analysis I've seen. Calling it an essay is an insult to essays. You're probably still in high school, huh? Newsflash: this isn't how professional critics interpret art, because he's not trying at all. This video's much more probing about anime in the west than anything to do with Akira

[@PeterKnagge]

lol, millennials and their interpretation of the 80's. It's like what going out used to be like before the internet and you get 1001 camera phones stuck in your face. This magical mythical world where imagination runs wild. You can tell the commentator hasn't the foggiest clue what he's talking about, and going off second and third hand information. He left out what it was really like to live in the 80's, the political impact of the Cold War, and Western animation movies like 1981's Heavy Metal. But while he's interpretation is completely inaccurate it's all good, he's having fun!

[@AkiraSchwartz]

Yeah

[@jon-paulfilkins7820]

I'm 50 this year, UK based, got into anime in the late 80's via interest being grabbed at a sci-fi convention screening. I'm also a 3rd Gen Sci-fi buff and a table top gamer (at the Time of Akira, Mostly Runequest, Traveller and Twilight 2000! We almost never play D&D in our group, then or now!). To be honest, Heavy Metal was the other end of the 80's and a whole generation earlier. Its high certification and lack of video release meant I never got to see it in it's glory. I was old enough to be aware of it, not old enough to see it. After Heavy Metal, nothing. Before that? Ralph Bashki seems to be the lightning rod, but most of his output was visually interesting, but suffered from usually puerile writing (see Wizards, in my opinion, 6th form f*nw@#k wraped round an over long pun). The Whole idea of Animation for adults in the west just died under a sea of Transformers/GI Joe/He-Man product placement for the rest of the 80's. There was a near complete dearth of Sci-Fi to watch then as well. That is why I got into Sci-Fi. Star Trek next Gen had started, but it was not to everyone's taste. Other than a couple of failed series (Space above and Beyond) there was nothing. What was a 3rd gen Sci-Fi Fan to do? I latched onto Anime for that pulpy sci-fi action adventure fix. Robotech was the starting point (still love Macross to this day) but then there was Dirty Pair, Gundam, Patlabour, Dominion Tank Police etc. Yes we had the niggling fear of the bomb/cold war, we paid as much attention to it as most people pay to Global Warming a decade ago, that being not a great deal. Note that was before the youtube/facebook echochamber histrionics took hold, but yeah, we are still all going to die! It's almost like Mankind can't live without that feeling! I was one of the lucky ones who saw it at the Scala. Akira made adult animation mainstream again. Akira was a BIG DEAL. Then they followed it up with Fist of the effing North Star! And sent Adult Animation into the ghetto of being a cult genre again. DOH!

[@OpenSourceLowTech]

I saw this when it came out, on the big screen, at age ten. Everything since has borne the marks of that.

[@frogdog3600]

Maybe, but the fact is that Akira is nothing compared to the Taco Bell Fry Force commercial.

[@Noba46688]

Are you 43 years old, then?

[@MetalizedButt]

If you watched this at 10 you definitely didn’t understand what the hell was going on lmao this film is convoluted af.

[@Ostnizdasht206]

That's awesome. I was literally a baby when it came out so I wouldn't see it until a couple of decades later.

[@eveningwind2023]

I feel the inspirations many things share in this too. I just watched it for the first time and the notes that resonated with me were the similarities to Final Fantasy 7. The moogle playground slide, the sewers, the tank where Jenova was held....all very similar in art design.

[@SpinningTurtle66]

Knowing that the movie basically had to summarise 2/3 of the story in its second act really explains a lot, I assumed that Akira was just hard to understand but that obviously seems like a byproduct of this approach to adapting the manga. This was a great video!

[@tarushsingh1108]

That intro.... That intro man and the line that "Then there was Akira" is soo perfect as Akira is like the start of anime coming to the world.

[@Ellimist000]

"May Lord Akira return once again and with a burning fire cleanse us of our sins!" XD

[@TheLexiconDevils]

Well ... kind of. We had anime Saturday morning cartoons (cut and dubbed) in the early 80s so the style of Akira wasn’t completely foreign to us. Just the execution of the concept

[@drdoofenstock5559]

Fr fits the vibe so well

[@Ron322]

There are techniques Akira uses that most anime still do not even come close to scratching.

[@labratiam1]

Such as turning into a gaint testicle

[@cfalcon8342]

Such as turning into a giant testicle

[@omegasupreme5527]

Of course but nobody does cell anymore. It's all CGI now even in Japan. There was like a big argument over it at the time. A lot of animators considered cell to be more traditional and wanted to keep doing it but that was a long time ago now.

[@MrGamelover23]

Well? At least give an example. Or two. Or several. Just one at least?

[@holdingsteadfast]

When there are seven organisations pooling their resources into one project, even scratching the surface of the output is difficult.

[@lukesweeneytv3970]

I started reading Akira when I was 13. While I was in awe of what I was reading, my interest for some reason kind of declined by around volume 4. I just recently turned 17, and made it my duty to continue where I left off and hopefully finish it. Turning the final page of volume 6 was a bittersweet moment. It didn't feel real. Here I was, after finishing a story that kept feeling longer and longer the more and more I put it off. To put it in short, Akira is a once in a lifetime read. I took for granted how lucky I was to live in a world where something like Akira existed. If you take anything from this, get out there, and buy yourself the 35th anniversary box-set. You won't regret it.

[@jjcoola998]

Wholesome kid here folks there is hope

[@nazzalafk8668]

@@jjcoola998 YESS

[@los__unicos2777]

I’m not really into films but I spend a lot of time listening to music i remember kayne saying this was his favorite anime I watched it a couple days ago and plan on rewatching in a little bit but really I’m glad I watched this before I really went into anime as a whole

[@anydaynow01]

@IONIZE That's cheaper than it was in the '90s for a good copy. I remember saving up for it and gave up and just bought a bunch of MtG cards instead! I'm still kicking myself for getting rid of the Kaneda figure I had with the laser rifle from back then because and ex said it was childish. Turns out those original figures are worth an insane amount these days!

[@DrOwn-hq9ot]

The Akira manga is definitely worth the read. The single massive void-obliterations are terrifying enough, but at the point in the manga where Akira triggers another one, and there's just page, after page, after page, of terrible, terrible destruction of such an immense and unholy capacity with such a terrible silence from the lack of dialog -honestly one of the most memorable and awesomely disturbing points in any manga ever.

[@KafkaDatura]

Read it back when I was 12, those double-page arts absolutely smashed my brain. They had all the volumes at my local library I sat there for entire afternoons reading them over and over. They actually were banned from borrowing (only one copy) so the kids just rotated with each other passing the books around. We were absolutely blown away.

[@philyates7670]

The detail in the animation, particularly the camera movement in the bike chase is absolutely stunning, particularly given that this was pre-CGI.

[@StarSalt]

@@SnailHatan Huh? They say right there, it's stunning. Especially since it was pre-CGI.

[@AlekseyMaksimovichPeshkov]

Is it possible to make realistic, detailed traditional 2d animation? Like hair for example? And I don’t mean a single shape representing hair I mean individual hairs…

[@darkbustergt8085]

@@AlekseyMaksimovichPeshkov no

[@AlekseyMaksimovichPeshkov]

@@darkbustergt8085 damn it. How do you know?

[@nemou4985]

@@AlekseyMaksimovichPeshkov The human eye doesn't even perceive individual hairs in a real-world scenario so animating hair strands looks more "realistic" than animating individual hairs...

[@cguvgvvhjv1348]

Producer: "Explosion, then a second explosion" Co producer: "how about another explosion after the second explosion" Pro: "great idea "

[@fokkusuh4425]

Michael Bay: WRITE THAT DOWN! WRITE THAT DOWN!

[@PeterKoperdan]

Spot on :-D The amount of hand-drawn explosions, smoke and steam in this movie is crazy!

[@JustinY.]

The artstyle is impeccable as well. The hand drawn aesthetic really differs from the digital animation nowadays, and it is leagues better than how CGI is *normally* used in anime.

[@christnn9020]

stop following me

[@MamiK00]

Justin Y. You are comparing a fucking movie to tv anime.

[@inbetweensharks]

I agree Justin

[@zefile]

i'd love to but i can't get into old-looking anime :/ it's a shame

[@SnowAnayathatweirdgirl]

I swear to god. Wherever I comment there you are. Justin Y. tell me... Are you an actual Ninja. Tell me your secrets. How did you master being everywhere, but nowhere?

[@nathanielmoody3656]

I SOOOOO appreciate you making this Akira tribute. In the early 90s, Akira had this mythical aura around it, as it was talked about in simultaneously excited and hushed tones. I ended up buying the VHS when I was probably around 16, and watched it alongside my brother and cousins. We were completely transfixed and blown away. I entered art school to study animation BECAUSE of this film, and still hold a reverence for it to this day.

[@gameforge7035]

its almost 2019, wheres my akira bike

[@Felipeezo]

I think that you want Kaneda's bike... Akira doens't have a bike. ^^ And as Kaneda has said: "Do you like it? steal one for you."

[@pineapplenector4425]

Jambock “YOU WANNA RIDE IT, TETSUO!?!” But seriously. I love Kanedas bike but what is even better is Tetsuo on it. Hahaha

[@WindiChilliwack]

You'll find it at "Neo" Tokyo.

[@gameforge7035]

@@Felipeezo that's my bad, but I think I meant to say it like "the bike in Akira" or something like that

[@davidhong1934]

It is 2019. Where's my bike?

[@arenkai]

BEST. INTRO. EVER.

[@theinkslicer]

0utta S1TE he has a list in the description

[@Saxhen]

This might just be my fan-self talking, but I highly recommend buying or at least listening to all of Dance With The Dead's songs btw-- especially if you like synthrock. The replay value of their albums is super high too haha!

[@Lordidude]

0utta S1TE he bought it?

[@jussafineface4364]

man just wish tetsuo's forehead didnt look like a front porch

[@kmcw8507]

Tetsuo is vegeta!

[@glipk]

Vegeta

[@DanielGaller123]

Vegetable

[@berntz]

Code Lyoko characters: *quickly puts on bucket*

[@user-kk2dw1eh5q]

He's psychic he got a big brain

[@vinyfiny]

I saw Akira when I was in elementary school and it shaped my entire perspective on the world. I watch it today at almost 40 years old and the effect is exactly the same. Probably my favorite movie of all time.

[@WritingOnGames]

It's really interesting that you note the compromises in the story/how that relates to the manga. I haven't watched the film in years and I could tell you in great detail about what happens at the start/end of the film (ie some of the most iconic moments in animation, well, ever) but can barely remember anything that happens in the middle. You've really been outdoing yourself with this stuff recently, by the way. Very, very cool to see.

[@UponThisAltar]

Writing on Games Just found your channel last week thanks to a friend, you make some excellent content. Cheers from Canada!

[@bobbyzamora6389]

This is outdoing himself? Yikes..

[@manhphuc4335]

Writing on Games Holy shit please do a collab or a podcast.

[@DeathBringer769]

Movies can rarely fit a whole book or an entire series of books into one film adaptation, lol. It's a well established and known compromise. I think Akira still did it pretty damn well for the length they had to work with. And yea, when I say "books" here I obviously mean manga books, so try not to pick on me for my phrasing ;)

[@xN0XvRVLEZx]

@@bobbyzamora6389 Yikes? Can you do better? No, you can't.

[@rakaipikatan8922]

Funfact: The percussion that used throughout the soundtrack are not Japanese traditional instruments. It was in fact Indonesian bronze instruments called gamelan, which you can hear carefully by the sound of metallic thumps it generates. Amazing video nonetheless

[@Spark_Plug17]

Yeah i also think it was gamelan. You have source for that info ?

[@rakaipikatan8922]

@@Spark_Plug17 Here's my dude garage.vice.com/en_us/article/paw5bg/akira-30th-anniversary-anime-metrograph-kanye-approved

[@Spark_Plug17]

@@rakaipikatan8922 thank you

[@rafinasrullah8533]

Thanks fyi

[@or6144]

Well if you watched the video there's a clip showing Indonesians playing the gamelan. They definitely were not Japanese maybe Javanese hehe!

[@THG3]

One of my favorite parts is when the colonel and scientists goes to verify Akira is still stable, the frozen doors and it even shows their breath. Most people don’t even remember the part but it shows how incredible the movie is. Such detail. I rarely see breathes in cold scenes in live movies.

[@guttercruiser]

I watched Akira last year for the very first time and fell in love with it. Everytime I get the chance to show it someone else, by god I'll take it. It's an unforgettable masterpiece!

[@ChaohsiangChen]

Just saw Akira yesterday and my mind is totally blown. And I have watched anime for many, many years.

[@mee091000]

ChaohsiangChen It's been four months so I am not sure if that have seen it. But if you want to watch another trippy anime check out Serial Experiment Lain.

[@keeppunching.1]

Same i just saw it today

[@larsrodriguez9404]

Visuals were good but the story was meh.

[@floofydoofy5524]

@@larsrodriguez9404 so true. I don't get why everybody loves this so much. I mean, it looks AMAZING, and the world and characters are pretty cool, but the story is so....bad. I thought most put the story ahead of visuals a lot of the time.

[@rogsu2281]

@@Surteronarto I already read the manga and the story is not that masterpiece. Its good, but not the best thing of the world that leaves all modern animes in a trashcan.

[@mitsuh.9168]

Wow. This is the most accurate, profound and passionate analysis of Akira and Japanese anime I've ever watched or heard. Great job! I can feel your love for Akira from every second of this video which was beautifully edited.

[@ShinoSarna]

While the manga didn't have as big of an impact, it's a veritable masterpiece of sequential art, and everyone - and I mean everyone - who is interested in comics and/or manga - should read it. Several times.

[@spacesailor8701]

Who Am I to desagree?

[@iliveinsideyourhouse1367]

I read hell alots of manga but still didnt read akira yet.

[@MrRikeazevedo]

Perfect statement. For me tha manga is one of the great pieces of arte of all time.

[@user-kg4li5ge1c]

I have all 6 volumes of the manga. They are a treasure to me =)

[@Severian1]

The manga is fucking mind blowing! The pacing, characters, philosophy, analyses of consciousness, and sheer massive scale... absolutely fantastic!

[@AnyMotoUSA]

This film got me into bikes 20 years ago. I've been riding ever since, and the core message of the film stuck with me. That brotherhood is bittersweet and we are all responsible for each other, and that there is still mystery and awe in this world. That we are to be careful with the power we are given, and must confront those we love when they go wrong. Also be like Kaneda, he's pretty cool. Oh yeah, and bikes. Mostly bikes.

[@fourmoyle]

Well said.

[@Oriol-oo7jl]

30 years later, i'm still waiting for scientists to invent those supercool persistent-trace lights that was mind blowing

[@fire.smok3]

Haha the film also made me love motorcycles, and even red leather jackets lol

[@marcjustinpascasio9955]

I honestly watched the movie since I saw a clip of the iconic bike slide on youtube. And boy was I given more than I asked for.

[@HookHandHank]

I’m 44. I remember when Akira had it’s impact in the states. I remember the sheer AWE of it. It was like a deaf person finally hearing for the first time. It’s impact can’t be overstated. And it’s STILL the greatest looking Anime ever, to the point it doesn’t even have a close rival. The weakness is, or course, the truncated adaptation of a very long, VERY complex manga. BUT…honestly, it doesn’t bother me. It’s like a fever dream. Would I prefer an honestly faithful adaptation done in series form? Sure…but it couldn’t exist. For that reason I’m glad it just exists. It’s frustrating that as a society we lose appreciation for things that came before, the things built the foundations of the contemporary things we enjoy. But Akira will always stand tall in History.

[@matthewmammothswine4395]

I wouldnt go that far, Miyazaki films are easily on par with it. And have a better plot. The cinematography is what really stands out in Akira. Its top notch, and mind blowing when you realize it was done with essentially no computers.

[@TheSwartz]

Akira is when Anime became serious. However, nowadays, I believe we take all this for granted.

[@kakashihatake8277]

We really do

[@peetsaman8889]

Fr. Watch Devilman Crybaby it’s a great return to form for that brutal era

[@barrygol7146]

it was a shitty movie back then, and it still is

[@ChooChooTrainny]

@@barrygol7146 you sound like you have really good opinions

[@donaldtusk2678]

@@peetsaman8889 ironically the main characters called akira

[@grendelum]

I was 12 years old when I saw *Akira* at a small art house theater in the east village... it was only meant to be shown the one time there but at the end the projectionist came out and asked if we wanted to watch it again and of course we did, two more times. It was a seriously magical day that really did change the course of my life.

[@boydebrook]

Hmm, was it the FIlm Forum? Actually they were able to extend the showtimes, luckily, so I was able to catch it after school. :-)

[@jacksonstichter1123]

The editing at the beginning of this video is too good. I’ve watched it dozens of times, looping it. I come back to it every few months since it came out. It got me into the genre that music. It set the music theme for the next 2 years of my life.

[@Ash-Bun]

Scandroid is freaking amazing. Such a fun artist. The particular song playing is Neo-Tokyo (Dance with the Dead remix)

[@gregkiepal7682]

Akira needs a whole series to better reflect the full story of the manga, all with the same quality of the film. That would be excellent :)

[@anthonydelarosa]

There’s a series coming from sunrise the people who made Cowboy Bebop.

[@TheAnomaly00]

@@anthonydelarosa You mean Studio Bones? Because Sunrise no longer exists, but basically the entire staff founded Bones

[@ahnafahmed4951]

@@TheAnomaly00 wdym studio wunrise doesn't exist? They are the mecha studio right? That created gundam. They are still around bro

[@TheAnomaly00]

@@ahnafahmed4951 So we are both kind of right. Sunrise Studio went bankrupt in the early 2000s and got scooped up by Bandai Namco. The staff of studio 2 who made Bebop specifically then left and formed Studio Bones.

[@ayonbasu1632]

Akira with a 5+ season anime would be insane fr

[@brandonsanoguet1709]

"DISCIPLINE! *slap*, DISCIPLINE! *slap*, DISCIPLINE! *slap*, DISCIPLIIIINE!!! *big slap*, DIIIIIIISMISSED!!!!!"

[@elizavetafortova3415]

OMG YES

[@nfspbarrister5681]

Summary of my grade/grammar school in those days. Corporal punishment are all over education systems. Not it was all bad. But sonetimes, it went too far.

[@boiledelephant]

@@nfspbarrister5681 There's a sociological argument to be made for it having far-reaching damaging effects on family life, in that kids disciplined with the cane might internalize the idea of violence as a means to stability and order, resulting in more domestic violence, fear, intimidation and coercive dynamics in relationships and parenting styles of the time.

[@obear11]

ThANK You VEry MUCH SIrrrrr...

[@cyberdelicxp9125]

In the version I saw he was yelling SHUT UP! SHIT UP! SHUT UP! As he hit the kids

[@Buledoyanmotor]

as a motorcycles lover, Kaneda's bike is still a dream to come true , Honda with the NM4 Vultus came very close to it, i loved that movie

[@roundhead7895]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5bPaJqBhdxreKM They made the bike

[@tbxvividos]

I can unironically say that seeing Akira for the first time, on scifi channels Saturday Anime block, changed my life. And as much as I still love anime to this day, there really is something special about late 80s/early 90s anime that we will never see again. Both in their aesthetic hard drawn beauty, as well as their tone.

[@Movie_Games]

Watched for the first time the other day. I wish I knew the characters were more general and part of the narrative. I don't know why. Maybe the box art? I kept waiting for Kaneda get into a crazy boss battle fight with Tetuso using his bike.

[@heberrodriguez3310]

Read the manga/comic

[@condorX2]

Not interested in any of those animes. The reasons are: To much talking, this mean reading subtitles if you aren't Japanese. To many things happened on the screen that get very confusing. Avater the last air bender is the only anime that I enjoyed watching because they have a great story that's easy to follow and I love their characters build up.

[@RobertSchley]

@@condorX2 avatar isn't technically anime. It's VERY well done which is it of the confusion. Anime is technically Japanese explicitly; or was. I think the lines are being blurred. Avatar is American made, I think. Just like WakFu is good but French. Not technically anime by definition but it is by style. Short version: watch what you want and don't worry about classifying it or apologizing for liking/disliking anything. I can read faster than I listen and watch subtitles on english film just because. I like more literal subtitles that don't try to americanize the meaning of characters words. It makes a difference in nuanced stuff like the Kenshin OAV. You feel differently. All good. 😁

[@condorX2]

@@RobertSchley 😘👍

[@eliahaj6503]

@@condorX2 hehe an american uncomfortable with subtitles,you should see how foreigners watch american movies with no disturbance what so ever from substitles.

[@KermisVoyager1997]

One of the very most phenomenal films to ever exist. Having a flourishing economy and low demand allows for the creation of masterpiece like this.

[@kiichikuboshima9110]

KermisVoyager1997 If animators intended to create a whole new international culture and market, then Akira was the best business decision ever.

[@TheLexiconDevils]

Market and culture was always there. This took anime videotapes from back street Asian grocery stores to being a section at blockbuster

[@Imgema]

"It doesn't look like modern anime, it doesn't move like modern anime, it doesn't feel like modern anime" GOOD.

[@WalterLiddy]

Well, it kind of calls into question his assertion that Akira is so influential. It's SO influential that stuff that followed doesn't look, move, or feel like it?

[@jacobottesen5279]

@@WalterLiddy Supereyepatch Wolf is referring to how Akira impacted the Western World's view on Japanese Anime. It was one of the biggest lynchpins to introducing the medium to the west as a niche thing, which evolved into the globalized industry it is today.

[@WaterKirby1994]

To be fair Akira is the main reason why anyone from Generation X in the west would like anime. They weren't raised on anime as children like later generations would be. Akira wasn't even all that popular in The States, it's always been a cult film. 4kids ironically contributed more to anime taking hold in The States than Akira thanks to Pokemon & Yugioh. Toonami & Studio Ghibli paved the way for anime here far more than Akira ever did. As for Akira being influential, all I can think of it's influence are psychic powers like Akira had becoming way more mainstream & as a longshot Yugioh 5Ds 1st Season. I can't think of any other things influenced by it, unless Akira was influential as an example of what not to do. Really Akira shouldn't be considered as modern anime. All it was is an R-rated movie that didn't change the anime industry all that much unless it caused guidelines to be placed because of how controversial the movie was.

[@WaterKirby1994]

@Deku The Hero Using the soulless anime of today (2018 & 2019) as a comparison just isn't fair. I could go into detail for why said anime of today feel soulless, however I would prefer to start by saying there were a few handdrawn masterpieces that looked better than Akira. While the only 90's example I can think of for where the handdrawn animation clearly surpassed Akira in quality was Gundam Wing, the 2010s series Gundam Unicorn & Fate Zero greatly surpass Akira as well. I admit Akira had a lot of work put into it's animation for its time, although really it feels like wasted effort considering the movie's content itself. I mean Akira wasn't made for people who want to consume artwork, it was made for an insanely violent part of Gen X. I mean you can tell the movie had themes to reignite strong AntiAmerican feelings that existed from the postwar era. The video itself even suggests it was made to be enjoyed by those who are wrathful based on the commentary. What I'm saying is they didn't want impressive framerate or high quality animation, the audience just wanted blood & destruction. All to sync up with their stored up rage.

[@WaterKirby1994]

@Laguna Mudembei Have you seen Season 3B of My Hero Academia & how awful it was? I mean it's like a repeat of Bleach after Aizen if All Might was Ichigo & keep in mind this is still relatively early series for MHA. Season 3 killed whatever potential that series had. Then we have Black Clover which was always an inferior Naruto Clone. Which leaves us with the need for obscure short series to satisfy ourselves with, although then we have the problem of finding 1 of those that stands out as being good out of literally dozens. Boruto series had promise, although it's kind of in a complicated place right now where it can either recover or sink further. Only time can tell & I'm deliberately trying to avoid talking about One Piece for the same reason as Pokemon in that it's a series that will just go on forever regardless of quality. Although to be fair Pokemon itself pretty much lost its footing completely starting Gen7. Yeah the quality of Japanese products has decreased in recent years for some reason & it's not exclusive to anime as videogames & even Yugioh's card game have suffered. Part of me worries that Japan may be westernizing & losing their sense of craftsmanship they had for centuries.

[@vridrich99]

When I had finished watching Akira for the first time, I was stunned and overwhelmed, because I had seen something which I had ever seen or even imagined before. An incredible feat!

[@boiledelephant]

I especially love the drawing style on human characters in Akira: all in proportion, with an emphasis on realism rather than style. Particularly noticeable in how women were drawn: they actually look like normal people, rather than being hyper-sexualized and cartoonish. It reminds me of Hergé's art style in Tintin, which similarly stands alone in its time as a drawn medium that took a uniquely realistic approach to drawing people. edit - this may not be a coincidence. Roger Ebert claims that Hergé was influenced by 17th century Japanese graphic artists.

[@MaruNievas]

Excellent.

[@tayk-47usa41]

major facts women are so over sexualized in some animes. like for no reason lol

[@canobenitez]

@@tayk-47usa41 Target audience plays a key role there

[@burritoindisguise7960]

@Osman Yousif vegeta was heavily inspired by tetsuo

[@Bawrabawla]

@@tayk-47usa41 at this point I would say most anime.... everything is exaggerated, men over masculinized women over sexualized. If either are toned down it is to communicate something else (like to contrast add some super whiney men). I just wish they would make a few animes every year which would keep things realistic... damnit. I mean there are some good once where sexualization is kept to a minimum just to keep things interesting but majority are just an overload (maybe I am under-sampling idk).

[@Th3SlipKnoT]

So, i just finished watching Akira for the first time and it has blow my mind. The visuals and animation are something out of this world.

[@doublep1980]

Even more mindblowing,when you consider,that this is all done with hand-drawn animation and no computers.

[@epicmomo]

Imagine how fucking mind blowing it was when it came out

[@r-saint]

Now read manga for the story (the film doesn't have any)

[@uchihamoon943]

Akira Toriyama mentioned that Otomo Katsuhiro's arts have been his biggest influence in drawing. He also implied that he got the idea of kamehameha from Akira. No doubt that the design and character of Vegeta was inspired by Tetsuo. Akira was also the reason why Kishimoto got into drawing manga. The character of Gaara in Naruto is also inspired by Tetsuo just like how Vegeta in Dragon Ball.

[@montajedelespectador]

Sung Moon curious

[@willemjohannes9007]

the similarity between Vegeta and Tetsuo's hairlines is undeniable

[@gc3k]

The "ha" at the end of Kamehameha came from the Hadouhou laser in Space Battleship Yamato. The Hadouken from Street Fighter is based on the same SBY reference

[@pukeko85]

kamehameha = kaneda? makes sense.

[@neggit2063]

No.Kishimoto got into drawing manga because of Toriyama(Dragon Ball)

[@RyanLBrown9396]

Those of us who grew up on Toonami owe Akira a gigantic thank you

[@VinchVolt]

The way you describe what the 1980's were to anime reminds me of what 1998-2006 was to video games: an era when the full potential of the medium was finally being explored by producers/developers, and audiences/players saw a massive amount of incredibly creative/experimental titles that saw massive success regardless of genre or target audience.

[@gc3k]

I agree but I'd place the window at around 1993-2006, the mid 90s were a very creative time period as developers experimented with 3d and high quality music and different control schemes

[@LiquidDIO]

I agree, and may even stretch it to around 91ish, as the 8 bit era was coming to a close, and the 16 bit era began to really allow developers and studios to flex their creative muscles.

[@libertyprime9891]

Aaaand now we have lootboxes, Microtransactions and predatory corporations who only want to squeeze the customer, A real fucking shame.

[@LiquidDIO]

Yeah, my main memories of gaming come from the PC market, matter of fact. First "PC" was a Vic 20 with some really low tier ports, but when we got our first PC compatible, and PCs finally started to catch up to consoles, I think the 91-early Oughties era was probably prime, because of PC pushing the boundaries of new genres, like the ones you mentioned.

[@LiquidDIO]

I deliberately chose '91, due to the inclusion of the 16 bit era kick off. That said, the 8 bit era did have quite a bit of experimentation of new genre ideas and mix and match gameplay, even early mini games, but I'd still say that 91-06ish timeline is still probably the best in terms of classic games.

[@GodModNinja]

The intro sold me... I'm rewatching Akira today

[@gregnubody3871]

Aniki Tony how'd ya like it?

[@GodModNinja]

greg nubody even better the 4th time watching

[@The__Creeper]

Or you could just watch Redline and realize that you can look good *AND* have a good story.

[@nicolasvollmer8424]

This intro is so dope. It just fits perfectly with the visuals and music. Definetly one of the best Intros to a video i've seen.

[@skyrimsniper]

I've heard about Akira for years, but never watched It. That intro was why I did. So awesome.

[@Neocodex]

Any idea what song starts the video. I peeked at the song list he posted and can't figure what one it is.

[@nicolasvollmer8424]

@@Neocodex Scandroid - Neo Tokyo (Dance with the Dead Remix) kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5zKg2OJrdKAgdE This one is it.

[@Khotetsu]

@@Neocodex It's the Dance With The Dead remix of Neo-Tokyo by Scandroid. First song in the list, but it's the remix specifically, not the original version.

[@tekknojunkie]

This is far and away the best Akira review I have ever seen, it's fully encompassing, well summarized and articulated, amazing, thank you.

[@sifatshams1113]

I finished reading the manga over the past 3 days and I was on issue 33 when I suddenly remembered/realized that the entire story takes place in 2019. Chills.

[@kennypu]

@@nippohippo7553 the English version takes place in 2030, original jp manga is still 2019

[@kalexis6484]

Wait my manga took place in 2030

[@DeviantDeveloper]

A dystopian Tokyo still often looks nicer and cleaner than most other cities at their best.

[@ytyoungrichnhigh]

after watching Akira, I became mildly disappointed with downtown Houston, Texas, because of how pathetic it looks compared to New Tokyo. Houston, Texas is top 5 largest cities in the US lmfao.

[@j_eezus_christ_bro_chill]

"looks" "cleaner"

[@jjcoola998]

Right

[@Mainz_1901]

@@ytyoungrichnhigh Houston is known for having a pretty small metro area, maybe better comparisons are Chicago or New York in the US

[@ytyoungrichnhigh]

@@Mainz_1901 yep.. did a bit more research after seeing Akira like 2 - 3 years ago and I concur New York and Tokyo are literal life-size comparisons of New Tokyo. And yeah Houston’s downtown may be compact but our Uptown is massive. I hop on South Post Oak road taking the ramp and going left at the fork, and Tanglewood’s entire scene is right there

[@theindiegamedude]

I know I'm late to the party. But, this is a great overview of both the manga set and the movie. And, how it sort of brought anime to the west. Akira was also the very first movie I watched as a child, at around 7 or 8 years old. It's still easily in my top 3. The anniversary set of the manga set is really nice too. Japanese Animation is certainly not afraid to push the boundaries. And, highlight so many things. From the far out Sci-Fi like FLCL, to the human experience like Kino's Journey, and then over to psychological thrillers like Psycho-Pass. From dark to light topics. Light and heavy topics. Covering a huge range of story genres.

[@EddyDurden]

I watched Akira in 1991 when I was 12 years old. About 5 of us had sleepover and one friend kept saying you need to see this. Vividly remember my friends and I being blown away by it. As American kids we had never seen anything like it. I will never forget.

[@mikeshoults4155]

I had a similar experience. It was like a religious experience. After watching i was changed. I became aware of this thing called "anime" that was just on a whole other level than what all my friends were watching. None of them could even comprehend what Akira was.

[@harleypeterson2433]

For a long time, whenever someone would ask me what my favorite movie was, I would hesitate before I answered because I never really had a "favorite" movie. I loved everything from classics like The Godfather to nostalgia flicks from when I was young like South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut, but I didn't have that undoubtedly favorite movie of all time; one that was strangely enough always in the back of my head though, was Akira. I remember the first time I watched Akira, and I was maybe 7 or 8 at the time. My dad and my mom were going through a rough patch, so everything in the house was kind of tense. Two of my older brothers had brought home a movie, so I wanted to go watch it with them but my mother told me that I was too young to and wasn't allowed to (they introduced me to South Park when I was learning to talk so she never really trusted them around younger me after I picked up a few choice words lol). I couldn't tell what the movie was, but I remembered the DVD case; the lettering, the red and white, I beleive it was on a metal embossed case. It was beautiful. I snuck into their room the next day when they weren't home to watch it alone. I figured it was something really bad if she wouldn't let me watch it, but I put it in the DVD player anyways and it just blew my mind. I didn't understand the complicated plot back then, the gravity this movie had, how remarkable it was for a late 80's movie (which still is unbelievable to me), and even though I still barely understand it now lol, all I knew was that it was so beautiful. The animation, the colors being vibrant and powerful but not happy, the lighting and motion, all of it was so appealing. 8 or so years later, and I'm not really a huge fan of movies; I like them, I can appreciate them, but that's about it. My parents have been divorced for many years now, but I'd always had Akira in the back of my mind whenever I'd have nostalgic thoughts or be asked my favorite movie. I didn't remember what it was called, but then I saw that cover again one day. It wasn't the exact same one my brothers had, but it was unmistakable. I took it, and watched it again, and since then, I love the question, "What's your favorite movie?" Wether it's the memories, the beauty of the film, or the fact that Akira is such a polarizing movie, now I feel like I have the best answer. Akira.

[@javicasi69]

Harley Peterson such a deep answer. Love it. Akira had a different yet equally as profound imprint into my childhood that to this day tugs at heartstrings and memories like few other events. Cheers

[@chinuaalibatya7345]

@@javicasi69. I love the Godfather. I suggest watching this incredible analysis on it called "The Path to Self Destruction" (I can't exactly remember the name lol). But its good!

[@iliveinsideyourhouse3943]

I highly recommend reading the manga.

[@harleypeterson2433]

@@iliveinsideyourhouse3943 that's a great name you've got there

[@twosetz239]

The real question is, why is tetsuo's forehead so big? Like I'm genuinely curious.

[@SirAnthony214]

Two Setz it’s cos he needs big thoughts for big thots.

[@Jstar95175]

Brutha was born that way, don't make him feel bad!

[@adlerdrahms758]

Big brain energy

[@dirkdiggler8093]

Psychics have more space in their brains to contain their powers

[@sjh5465]

because he's Jacksfilms

[@kennan10101]

Princess Mononoke was my Akira. Watched it at my childhood best friends' house when we were 9 or 10 and it rocked my world. Something about anime's devastating depiction of brutal reality mixed with simple humanity, mind-bending strangeness, and a reverent twist on Lovecraftian spiritual beings... the shit is insane (in a good way of course). It's no wonder it's taken over the world. Even today, it's rare to see a Western movie or show that can convey that kind of intensity. I'm sure there's more out there than I'm aware of, but all I can think of is Annihilation and The Matrix (at least when The Matrix first came out).

[@nahrululum9824]

Correction 10:46 its called “gamelan” that’s Javanesse/ Balinesse tradisional instrumentals from Indonesia

[@SpikeykoaLa44]

Also it should be noted that the instruments and performance shown at 10:45 are not at all associated with traditional Japanese music but are instead indicative of a form of Indonesian gamelan music called jegog. This style of music is utilized in the cue "Kaneda" on the soundtrack and therefore Indonesian traditional music plays arguably the largest role in the soundtrack.

[@bierbuikje1604]

The clip used in the video also showed traditional Indonesian clothings.... ouch someone didn't studied his cultural homework making this vid.

[@tetsuoshima2314]

Glad someone else noticed too.

[@NitroRonin23]

Akira is easily one of my all time favorite movies, anime or otherwise.

[@travislee6032]

Rank any among Akira level there would only be 3 or 4 others, so I guess top 5 of all time categorie exists.

[@farazhuq5568]

A movie rarely holds my full attention as I believe I have some form of ADHD. Only 3 movies have had me completely engrossed to the point I only saw the screen and nothing else, one of them being Akira. It is breathtakingly beautiful. Along with the visuals, another aspect of the film I feel doesn’t get the attention it deserves is the soundtrack. It is bone-chilling and unnerving and played at exactly the right moments. The writing as well, absolutely brilliant. Can’t say enough good things about this classic.

[@gazzarover]

I remember when manga/anime used to banned in Australia and I also remember skipping school twice to watch this at the theatre as a young teen, good times and mind blown!

[@Superphilipp]

What, banned?? Why?

[@gazzarover]

@@Superphilipp because we are not allowed to have nice things in australia aka shitsville.

[@JOHN-kc1pw]

@@gazzarover I know right.

[@dankpepe2110]

@@gazzarover lmao. 80's was harshed eh?

[@gazzarover]

@@dankpepe2110 yup. :'(

[@Em-xq7kx]

When I read akira I was like damn now I know where stranger things got their ideas

[@liberpolo5540]

Shamone, Stranger Things is a rip-off of literally every successful thing in hollywood ... no disrespect to the show itself, ofc, it pulls it off in a way it made itself successful.

[@zachcarter3186]

@@liberpolo5540 Almost every 80s hit plays part in stranger things. Especially goonies lol

[@baronobeefdip1119]

if anything, stranger things ripped off elfen leid

[@denj4s]

Fate/Zero definitely is heavily "inspirated"

[@milomessina9742]

@@baronobeefdip1119 i think they just used the old concept of the psionic, instead of ripping off some anime

[@NarraJoker12]

Watches Akira at 9 *Doesn't get perpetual PTSD*

[@mushfek]

12 high-five!

[@megakidz13]

I saw the texas chainsaw remake at 8

[@Izzatrising]

What is PTSD?

[@megakidz13]

@@Izzatrising post traumatic stress disorder

[@KattKratz]

Watches Akira at 17 *Does get it*

[@JesterCerberusGaming]

Akira was the 1st anime movie I watched with my dad when I was 7. This is what started my path on anime and I tell everyone you need to watch this work of art! It was not until I was 24 did I realize I was missing so much with the manga which is incredible! Akira stands as an amazing piece of work that people stop talking about because of time.

[@CC3GROUNDZERO]

7 is waaaay too young for Akira though. That film is genuinely scary.

[@JesterCerberusGaming]

Haha I mean now I relize I was way to young. But 7 year ikd ne was blown away with what a cartoon could be. That shapped me for anime as I got older and what pushed me into the unknown to give everything and anything a try.@@CC3GROUNDZERO

[@TheLongBallofTheLaw]

I'm an older fan. Thank you, not only for highlighting Akira, but Wicked City, Fist of The North Star, and Urotsukidoji as well.

[@Shinkada]

Hell yeah Urotsukidoji, ahahah, I got a giggle at that one. "Is that?- yeah that's Overfiend."

[@Sheep-ui4ri]

I'm obsessed on the *cyberpunk* genre!

[@adolfhitlerssingleballsack7682]

Same, also nice profile pic, berserk is my fav

[@jimbomclimbo7467]

@@adolfhitlerssingleballsack7682 .

[@iliveinsideyourhouse3943]

Then I recommend Blame by tsutomo nihei and Pluto by naoki urasawa

[@calebdonaldson8770]

@@iliveinsideyourhouse3943 Blame was such a weird yet awesome film. So glad I saw it!

[@iliveinsideyourhouse3943]

@@calebdonaldson8770 The manga is even more weirder and confusing.

[@classicmetal101]

I saw this early one Saturday morning on Sci-Fi Channel as a kid of seven or eight years old. I thought it was a hallucination for years.

[@LG-vc2ln]

I know exactly what you mean. I watched it with my sibling at a young age and to this day I am still terrified of it. I had to close my eyes and scroll down to the comments so I could watch the video!

[@SuzakuX]

Yep, the Sci Fi Channel's Saturday Morning Anime is what turned me on to anime in the early 90s when I was just a wee lad. I still vividly remember the lipsynching in Akira blowing me away. I had never seen animation like that before.

[@The__Creeper]

I thought it was terribly made garbage that made Sailor Moon look amazing by comparison.

[@yesterdayschunda1760]

God the art in this film is amazing, first time viewing it today and i was blown away by not only the art but the freaking story, jesus this is one of if not the best movie i have watched in over a decade.

[@thefool2884]

Akira *the anime is great Akira *the manga is a MASTER PIECE

[@HamboneWilson]

I'm doing it wrong, I still haven't read it :( But I tell you what, I will make a point of reading it soon if you guys read the Nausica Manga, which is also an epic masterpiece.

[@jamesbryant8133]

God damn I'm gonna have to read it ain't I. ......OK 😃

[@andrewoverhere8525]

@@HamboneWilson judging by your other comment(s) here, just read it my dude. Much love. Just open up google and type "read akira manga online". Or torrent the books and put them right on your phone. Or hey, buy them. Im not judging, you just gotta read em. I swear the movie is only the first half of the first book and the last half of the last book.

[@andrewoverhere8525]

it's not nice to be not nice

[@fritzk.6463]

Absolutly

[@WalkingGirlKoi]

Yes, the 80's had a booming economy and we saw a lot of great anime and OVA's from it. Anyway, I love how Akira portrays its post-apocalyptic world, down to the bright lights on the nightlife in Japan with bikers being delinquents to the run-down school Kaneda and Testuo attend. It has life with its towering buildings, but when you think about it all this is a sign of society trying to piece itself together. Very fun stuff to look at for art inspiration.

[@TheSamgo]

WalkingGirlKoi Cyberpunk my friend, one of the best genre

[@The__Creeper]

I love how Akira makes you feel like you just took acid by having an incoherent badly written story with bright flashing colors to distract you from how terrible the movie itself is.

[@TheSamgo]

The Creeper No the movie and the story is great, no idea where you coming from

[@The__Creeper]

Sam has clearly never seen the movie. Sam also thinks Killing Joke is the best American comic of all time. Sam is an idiot.

[@TheSamgo]

The Creeper Jesus that came out of nowhere

[@cgstadler]

One additional thought about the manga vs the anime: Akira is an actual character in the manga, while he is a bunch of jars in the anime. That part always felt like a baffling let down in the movie.

[@hunnahunnahunnas]

He was a character in the movie, but you only see him for a little bit

[@QuantumElectricians]

Yes! This drove me crazy in the movie! I guess it's because there was so much with him in the story in the manga that it would take more time in the film. They had to keep a certain runtime.

[@clementinelives]

coming from someone who watched the film first, I thought the idea of the 'person' the film is named after being more of a concept than an actual character was fascinating, but after consuming the manga I have to agree

[@AFSienko]

Just got back from watching this film in 4k at a 35th anniversary theater showing here in Poland. It's probably been two decades since I've seen it. Remember watching this as a kid on sci-fi channel anime Saturdays and being blown away. Had a huge impact on me creatively and my worldview in general (for better or worse) even though I didn't entirely understand it at the time. With the advent of computer animations & now AI, we probably will never get a film like this again. I'm incredibly grateful to have been given the opportunity to watch this piece of art as it was intended!!

[@Krystalmyth]

Wow, your piece on 80s anime brought a tear to my eye. I love that era so much. It influenced my entire life. It really was a special time. Thank you for that tribute. It really was - beautiful. ~♡

[@hadtomakeachannel]

Rewatched Akira lately after seeing it a couple of times in the 90s. back then I thought the animation was excellent, with lots of memorable parts, but the story was just kindof weird and lots of it was disjointed and didn't make sense. This time, on the rewatch, 20 years older and after read/watched/whatever a load of scifi and other stories, I really appreciated it a whole lot more. I just wasn't ready for it back then. it's not a film that handholds you and overexplains everything like you're a noob. It presents a scattered but detailed view of a place and time that is fully coherent and understandable. The characters motivations and psychology make perfect sense. I nothing but respect for probably the best Scifi film I've ever seen, and it's probably in my top ten of favourite movies of any genre. Truly ahead of it's time.

[@Bucwildx26]

Dan Nguyen It's a 6 volume manga series squeezed into a 2 hour movie. It's a visually stunning movie but apart from that, nothing special about it.

[@AKAdaJoker14]

SJK I thought they handled it pretty well all things considered, never read the manga, but just about everything is clear to me. The manga just expands upon details that the movie incorporates a mystery factor to save time. It’s a basic version but still manages to stay surreal and thought provoking

[@dxp96]

well the manga wasn't finished before the movie came out, i believe they only had Vol.3 out when the movie was already being developed, also this movie was expensive as hell to make for an anime movie in it's time or today, the animation's so fluid and polished that it beats out most modern day animations by a long shot, and dont get me started on the 25th Anniversary remake.

[@Krystalmyth]

This matches my experience exactly. I had this same effect with Blade Runner.

[@NicoB]

Okay, I can't stop laughing at that intro. "There was everything else... And then there was Akira." BOOOM!!

[@memecrusader5824]

perhaps

[@mambaregime]

Coulda sworn Harmageddon and Venus Wars were looong before Akira...but lets let this 20 year old kid lie to you all and sound like he knows anime.

[@BathoryQueen]

DAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH

[@loconnolly7474]

Oh nico!!!! I love your videos!!

[@cluelesskouhai]

HELLLO NICo what are you doing here??? Picky Penguin here lol

[@RayMak]

I remember this was a really amazing film

[@phylarious4352]

I watched a slime tutorial and it brought me back here.

[@abdullahceka3613]

Phylarious lmaoo same, watched the whole 2 hours

[@fluffyssj2693]

@@abdullahceka3613 lol i watched the whole thing on hulu witch i pay for and then found the slime tutorial and was like wtf?!

[@abdullahceka3613]

@@fluffyssj2693 if u want to watch anime for free with no ads go to twist.moe it's hd too

[@fluffyssj2693]

@@abdullahceka3613 thanks the website i was using before had hd but it takes FOREVER to load. thanks again!

[@abdullahceka3613]

ssj m1cah np g, but it only has subbed anime if u don’t mind

[@HarlotBug3]

I’m honestly kinda choked up to see someone, younger than me even, do such an amazing summary not just of this film, but its significance.

[@stormbreaker6630]

most of the clips you showed are INSANELY better than modern animation

[@AlekseyMaksimovichPeshkov]

Is it possible to make realistic, detailed traditional 2d animation? Like hair for example? And I don’t mean a single shape representing hair, I mean individual hairs

[@olliek8235]

why does it matter ? why does realism have to be held up as the pinnacle of art ? like, yeah, with insane time and dedication, someone could probably render by hand a 2d animated photorealistic head of hair flying in the wind. but like, why. we have video cameras for that.

[@Syndiate__]

@@olliek8235 Why are you making the fringe "counterargument" against the commenter's opinion about realism not mattering the most in art? Does Akira, the basis of the commenter's statement, try to look like the most realistic cartoon ever?

[@olliek8235]

@@Syndiate__ i was trying to reply to that alesky person in this reply chain. for some reason youtube didn't put their username as an @ in my comment when i replied

[@KarlMagnusBlindheim]

Brilliant production, mate! Akira was my first as well, back in 1989. I used to collect the colorized manga albums from Dark Horse and I still have a large inlay poster from a triple album box set hanging on my wall, thirty years later. Thanks for some excellent musings around our favourite anime/manga, you bring up some very interesting points and new perspectives. Here’s a sub with bells on, well deserved.