Rating summary
| Movie |  | 5.0 |
| Video |  | 4.0 |
| Audio | | 5.0 |
| Extras | | 4.0 |
| Overall | | 4.0 |
Akira 4K Blu-ray Movie Review
One of the most acclaimed anime films of all time receives a 4K UHD presentation.
Reviewed by Neil Lumbard May 18, 2021
One of the most acclaimed anime films of all time, Akira is a science-fiction masterpiece that has managed to withstand the test of time.
A non-stop adrenaline-rush of frenetic energy, Akira is a must-see anime production on an epic scale. Produced by Shunzo Kato (Space
Cobra, Cat's Eye) and Ryohei Suzuki (One Room, Maken-Ki! Battling Venus), Katsuhiro Otomo's Akira remains
groundbreaking and complex.
Neo-Tokyo is a futuristic metropolis on the verge of tomorrow. Kaneda (Mitsuo Iwata), a bike gang leader on a mission, is tossed in to a
dangerous world when his friend, Tetsuo (Nozomu Sasaki), is injured. After the injury, Tetsuo becomes a test subject experimented on in a
government facility. Gaining unexpected telekinetic powers, Tetsuo becomes a force of evil to be reckoned with. Can Kaneda help Neo-Tokyo to
survive?
The animation remains one of the biggest highlights of the production. The scope of the production is enormously massive and every frame has
impeccable craftsmanship. The background art is thoroughly detailed throughout the production. The character designs are well-designed and
complex. Akira has a unique visual style enhanced by the cinematography of Katsuji Misawa (Future Boy Conan, Five Star
Stories). The efforts of the team of animators are outstanding and bring a sense of wonder to the entire experience.
An anime masterpiece.
Akira has a number of impressive components. Not only is Akira beautifully animated, the filmmaking benefits from the expert
production design by Kazuo Ebisawa, Yuji Ikehata, and Koji Ono. Alongside art direction by Toshiharu Mizutani (Space Adventure Cobra,
The Perfect World of Kai), Akira has numerous elements that demonstrate the collaborative nature of the production – and the
way the components mesh together for an unforgettable epic.
At the heart of the epic production is the electrifying score composed by the great Shoji Yamashiro. The effort is brilliant and on a massive scale.
Every sequence is heightened by the epic soundtrack composed by Yamashiro. The score crescendos and the epic journey of the film unfolds.
Adapting his own manga, Katsuhiro Otomo (Steamboy, Memories) directs Akira.and co-wrote the screenplay alongside
Izo Hashimoto (Fuja, The West Tako Cheerleaders). The film has a unique stylistic approach that is unlike anything else ever
produced in anime. The direction is absorbing, compelling, and energetic: showcasing the visual finesse of Otomo. Edited to perfection by Takeshi
Seyama (Tokyo Godfathers, Princess Mononoke), Akira is a rare anime gem that never seems to lose any steam. An epic
production that can be a great entry point for the anime medium, Akira is one of cinema's most compelling masterpieces. Don't miss it.
Akira 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality
Arriving on 4K UHD from Funimation Entertainment, Akira is presented in HEVC / H.265 in 2160p in native 4K. The presentation benefits
somewhat from the 4K resolution bump. Although the release has unnecessary DNR on the image, the scan still looks remarkably clean and dynamic.
The encoding was sufficient and never struggled with presenting the action scenes. The disc is flawed, though: Akira has no HDR (high dynamic
range) on the presentation (despite being available on the English-friendly 4K UHD edition released in Japan).
Funimation noted in a press release that replacement discs would be offered to buyers wanting the HDR version of the 4K presentation. The
replacement discs were expected to be shipped in February, 2021. Yet several months later, the replacement discs have yet to be shipped to many
buyers – and a HDR disc was unable to be obtained for the review. Buyers should consider this to be a significant caveat to an otherwise decent
release.
Akira 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality
The release includes a selection of lossless audio options: English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD (2001 dub), English 2.0 Dolby TrueHD (1988), and Japanese
Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (24 bit). The release has impressive dynamics. The audio clarity impresses throughout the entire 4K presentation.
The music score is robust sounding and dynamic (though the track is not as impressive as the superb 24 bit, 96 khz "Hypersonic mix"
previously released on the Blu-ray format). The surrounds are actively engaged and the experience is significantly enhanced by the impressive sound
mixing.
English subtitles are provided.
Akira 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras
40 page booklet featuring essays on Akira and interviews with cast & crew involved in the production of the feature-film.
Blu-ray:
Akira Sound Clip (1988): By Geinoh Yamashiro Gumi
(With optional English narration.)
Music for Akira (SD, 1:46)
Kaneda's Theme (SD, 2:59)
Exodus (SD, 2:33)
Ethnic Meets Hi-Tech (SD, 2:02)
Awakening (SD, 1:21)
Mutation (SD, 2:52)
Requiem (SD, 5:46)
Director Interview (SD, 29:11) features a discussion with Akira filmmaker Katsuhiro Otomo. The interview was conducted following the
completion of the film and was previously released on the original Akira LaserDisc.
Storyboard Collection (HD, 30:58)
The Writing on the Wall is a click-through slide-show gallery of English translations for Japanese writing featured throughout the feature-
film.
Original Trailers (HD, 3:11)
Original Commercials (HD, 1:22)
Restoring Akira (SD, 11:01) is divided into three segments: picture (SD, 4:02), English voice-over (SD, 3:13), and English 5.1 audio mix
(SD, 3:25).
Glossary is a text-based glossary of terms.
U.S. Trailer (2013) (HD, 00:55)
Trailers are provided for Aquarion Evol (HD, 1:27), Eureka Seven AO (HD, 00:43), Michiko & Hatchin (HD, 2:05),
Lupin the Third: The World Called Fujiko Mine (HD, 1:25), The Future Diary (SD, 00:35), Appleseed XIII (HD, 2:02),
Wolf Children (HD, 2:27), and Funimation.com (HD, 00:32).
Bonus Disc:
Akira Sound Making 2019 (HD, 39:57)
Akira Sound Clip by Geinoh Yamashirogumi (HD, 19:07)
End Credits (From The Original 1988 Theatrical Release) (HD, 4:03)
Storyboard Collection is a click-through gallery of the original
storyboards for Akira.
Theatrical Preview – Trailer Collection (HD, 5:10)
Akira 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation
Akira is an anime masterpiece. The sci-fi spectacle has outstanding animation, breathtaking visuals, and an electrifying music score.
Katsuhiro Otomo made an anime essential (adapting the work he created with his original manga). The 4K UHD release features a decent presentation
but the release doesn't include HDR and replacement discs containing HDR have been poorly distributed by Funimation Entertainment. The set comes
loaded with supplements. With caveats noted, the release comes recommended.
