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Akira
Metascore
76 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 4 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
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  1. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Elvis Mitchell
    80
    Violent as it is on the surface, Akira is tranquil at its core. The story's sanest characters plead for the wise use of mankind's frightening new powers, lending the whole film the feeling of a cautionary tale.
  2. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Richard Harrington
    80
    The most expensive animated feature ever made in Japan (over 1 billion yen) and it's easily the most impressive, as well.
  3. New Times (L.A.)
    Reviewed by: Luke Y. Thompson
    80
    One of the few unanimously acclaimed classics of Japanese animation.
  4. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Michael Atkinson
    70
    Some kind of fever-dream masterpiece, easily the most breathtaking and kinetic anime ever made and one of the most eloquent films about atomic afterclap.
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User Reviews

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User Score
8.9 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 53 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. Kadeemluvmusic
    10
    It may not be your average violent movie, but Akira is the epidemy of Japanese animation. Not only it was the first anime to receive an R-rated version, but it shows how good an anime needs a lot of gore, a lot of bloodshed, and a lot of sex (or hentai/fanservice for that matter). I remembered watching Akira on the Sci-Fi Channel when they showed anime movies just the same as Cartoon Network did. But after almost 25 years, I could still think of movies that inspired the movie. From The Matrix to Johnny Mnemonic, and video games like Final Fantasy VII and Metal Slug, it shows no matter what it takes place in a virtual world of drugs, war crimes, and corruption, every time when there's an action scene, you can even pause and use slow motion on the explosions and mayhem. I think Adult Swim could be thinking on airing the movie on Toonami because when I heard the news that the block is coming to Adult Swim's Saturday (Sunday) anime block, fans and tweets are asking the same thing "when is Toonami coming back on TV?" It was no April Fool's joke and so they did. I hope Adult Swim could air this movie as soon as possible, TV-MA style! But bar none, Akira is a classic example of why we still and always love anime. Akira is one of the best anime movies before Ghost in the Shell and Ranma 1/2.… Full Review »
  2. lunchboxxx666
    10
    Every detail is brilliant; the music, the art, the story, everything is beautiful. As with all anime, the English dub is appalling, but watched in the original Japanese, this epic sci-fi saga should indeed be regarded as one of the best films of all time.… Full Review »
  3. SeanS.
    10
    Though it may not have the saame scope as the manga, the film AKIRA is still head and shoulders above any other animated film ever. Using some 160,000 animation cels, AKIRA is brought to life by highly detailed, fluid animation. This backed by a phenomenal plotline with nearly a dozen themes ranging from juvenile deliquence to the birth of the universe, AKIRA is not a film you will soon forget. Many aspects of the film, such as the outraged youth, which may be commonplace in modern film, were prototyped in AKIRA. No AKIRA, no Matrix, it's that important. AKIRA is one of the few animes that will appeal to non-anime fans, even anime haters because of it's exceptional quality. Even despite it's age, it still is one of the best looking animated films ever, and the story is easier to understand thanks to the new 2001 dub. Regardless of your personal taste, AKIRA is a film nobody should miss, it's that good.… Full Review »
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