Akira 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		4.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

Akira 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

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.

A new 4K HDR presentation far surpasses the original 4K.

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 

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).

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). A must-see for any and all anime fans.

The 4K UHD re-release is a superior presentation when compared to the earlier release from Funimation. The new edition includes a 4K HDR (high dynamic range) presentation. The first print did not provide HDR on the disc.

A disc replacement program was created but the program was botched by Funimation – perhaps, purposefully – to generate more sales for the re-release (as many buyers – myself included – were left out in the cold when asking repeatedly to be mailed a replacement disc with HDR). This is frustrating and an example of how Funimation (now Crunchyroll) is one of the most mis-managed companies in the entire anime industry. Nonetheless, the new 4K UHD is a vast improvement and offers a strong presentation (at last as it was intended to be seen). The only downside to the re-release is the loss of the extra bonus disc and the booklet. The new 4K Akira disc comes highly recommended.