Akira Anime Movie Review

Akira

Pioneer (Geneon)

Movie - 125 mins. - 1 disc

$19.98 (2001)

$39.98 (2001) 2-disc w/tin

$24.98 (2002)

$19.98 (2004) Geneon Sig. Series

$49.98 (2009) Blu-Ray

$19.98 (2012)

ISBN 013023153899

Japanese/English Audio - English Subtitles

Director - Katsuhiro Otomo

Studio - TMS Entertainment

Synopsis: Neo Tokyo in the year 2019 is a sprawling metropolis built on the ashes of the original Tokyo which was destroyed in a massive explosion 31 years earlier.  On street level beneath the ultra-modern skyscrapers the city is experiencing a rash of civil unrest.  Protests and are happening more frequently in a class struggle by the disenfranchised masses. Covert revolutionary organizations with dubious political backers have appeared along with a strange cult worshiping an entity called Akira, who is expected to return and save the world.

Police move to stop a demonstration by the 'Akira' cult

Kaneda and Tetsuo grew up together as orphans and are in the same teen biker gang.  They mobilize for a brutal high-speed skirmish through the streets of Neo Tokyo against their rivals, the Clowns. Meanwhile a strange little boy is being led by a revolutionary agent on an attempted escape from government forces.  The boy appears advanced in age and possesses psychic abilities, but is completely terrified in the outside world.  Near the end of the motorcycle chase, Tetsuo crashes into the boy and is injured.

Tetsuo races after Kaneda to face off with the Clowns

Kaneda and the rest of the gang catch up to Tetsuo, but military forces descend upon them to snatch up both the boy and Tetsuo.   Taken back to the lab Tetsuo manifests powerful psychic abilities of his own and is compared to a previous test subject - Akira.  The little boy picked up with Tetsuo was part of a trio of espers who knew Akira and are still being held by the government.  Akira was part of a series of experiments to develop psychic abilities in humans, but his powers grew out of control and he was the cause of Tokyo's destruction 31 years ago.

Kaneda screeches to a halt in his iconic bike 

Now Tetsuo's powers rage out of control and he lashes out at the world.  First towards his former friends who are now nothing but ants to a burgeoning god and then across Neo Tokyo sparking massive revolution in the streets.  Meanwhile Kaneda has fallen for a young revolutionary girl named Kei and helps her infiltrate the government facility where the espers are located.  They join forces as the crisis of Tetsuo's powers escalates.

Tetsuo has a very bad dream in the hospital

Tetsuo wants to find and confront Akira about his growing powers.  All he knows is Akira is kept underneath the construction site of the upcoming Olympic stadium.  Tetsuo cuts through the military forces and Kaneda, armed with a handheld laser cannon, gives chase.  What is the secret of Akira that caused Tokyo's destruction many years ago and will Tetsuo's uncontrollable powers cause a second explosion?  Can Kaneda help his friend or will he be forced to end his life to save the city?  Is Tetsuo too powerful to be stopped and will the entire planet be consumed this time?  

Will this happen to Tokyo again?

Pros: Great hand-drawn animation (made in 1988 and still holds up pretty well) with legendary production values at the time, intensely detailed backgrounds, exciting story, mature themes, genre-defining cyberpunk adventure, epic scope, cool/horrific portrayal of psychic powers, brutal at times and heartwarming in others, a true classic/masterpiece of its time, Blu-Ray version is packed with extras/improvements (visual and sound)

Kei is spotted by a searchlight.  Run, Kei

Cons: Updated dub from the old VHS version from '90s (am I the only one who loved the old voices for the characters?), events differ considerably from the original manga (which was finished after the movie was made - huh?), the original manga is 2000+ pages and it gets distilled down into two hours of screen time

Kaneda takes aim at his best friend with a pilfered military laser weapon

Mike Tells It Straight: "Neo Tokyo is about to explode!" - I love that tag line from the Akira dvd promotions.  Needless to say, Akira is a classic anime film which defined the genre for a generation of Japanese and then Americans when it was introduced in the early '90s by Streamline Pictures.  It has remained a staple of every anime fan's dvd collection since then and is the example most often used to prove anime was not kid cartoons, but mature stuff to the uninitiated.  

The army brings out the big guns - orbital satellite laser cannons

The production values on Akira were record-setting in 1988 and produced an anime film showcasing the pinnacle of hand-drawn animation's capabilities.  An inspiration for countless creators and their works after its release, this film distills down Katsuhiro Otomo's massive epic manga.  Interestingly enough, Otomo directed the film prior to ending the manga series and the two differ considerably.  The manga is truly incredible in its own right and I highly recommend for fans of the movie to check out the trade paperback set released by Dark Horse Comics a few years back.

Tetsuo in psychic battle

My only major gripe is the dvd version's new dub track (the subs are different too) compared to the original version from Streamline.  I originally watched this film on VHS back in the '90s and can't warm up to the new dub.  All I remember is Kaneda sounding like the biggest punk in the world and an endless stream of shouting "Kaaaneeeddaaa!!!" Teeetttssuuuooooooo!" throughout the movie.  So bad it was good and I would chomp a handful of capsules to get my hands on a dvd version with that dub.  The Pioneer dub is probably more accurate, but it's the pure nostalgia factor for that Streamline version (depending on how I first watch an anime I typically prefer that version to all others, i.e. dub vs. sub).

Tetsuo seeks to release Akira (test subject #28) from his slumber

If you're an anime fan you must watch Akira.  Simple as that.  Over the years it has been reissued over a dozen times and you can pick up a version for a decent price.  The latest Blu-Ray version is utterly spectacular and the visuals are perfectly clean-and-crisp.  You'll never see the original Streamline dub on an official digital version, but if you haven't heard it before then you won't know what you're missing (don't know if that's quite good or bad).  Maybe there are some digital bootlegs available out there via HK dvd or torrent file.  If you want it bad enough you can find it.  Regardless, the film is a classic and any mature movie aficionado will benefit from seeing it.

TO BUY and Recommendations:
  

Parasite Dolls Anime Review

Parasite Dolls
ADV Films
Complete Collection - 1 disc
95 mins. - 3 episodes
$29.98 (2004)
$19.98 (2012)
ISBN 702727095627
Japanese/English Audio - English Subtitles
Director - Yoshinaga Naoyuki/Nakazawa Kazuto
Studio - AIC

Synopsis: Genom City is the world headquarters of the Genom Corporation and the place where 90% of the artificial, humanoid Boomers are produced.  The streets and workplaces are filled with regular humans alongside synthetic machines which mimic human functions.  Boomer maids and even police officers form the backbone of modern society.  This next evolution of modern society is not without its dark underbelly and a special division of the A.D. Police called Branch is responsible for investigating the most gruesome, violent Boomer-related crimes.

The sprawling metropolis of Genom City

Lt. "Buzz" Nikvest was a disgraced cop who landed at Branch to avoid a police scandal.  Despite his past, he's an incredibly talented detective and his partner is a Boomer named Kimball.  They work with Reiko Michaelson who is a brash, young former-policewoman, the beautiful spy "Angel" Lynch, and Bill Myers, the genius hacker.

Lt. "Buzz" Nikvest rocking the five o'clock shadow like Miami Vice

This group is overseen by Koji Takahashi who answers to political heavy Sorime.  They start out solving a case of rogue Boomers malfunctioning every week during the same radio broadcast show.  One year later we revisit the team as Angel goes undercover to find a high-class Boomer prostitute and save her from a Boomer serial killer named The Crusher.

A berserk Boomer maid gets taken down

Five years later we return to Genom City where the Boomers have further insinuated themselves into society.  Humans are not just having sex with them, but falling in love and it seems cracks have appeared in the foundation of society (think Jerry Springer episodes, but with robots).  A revolution is coming and the entire Branch organization is in danger as the walls start tumbling down.  Can Buzz protect his team and help maintain order?

Cyber junkies get off on experiencing Boomer fatalities

Pros: Decent animation, mature storyline, bunch of nudity, highly reminiscent of Blade Runner, the time progression in each successive episode was interesting, dark version of A.D. Police, some extras including music video, promo pieces, and sketches

Michaelson shoots first and asks questions later

Cons: Not quite Bubblegum Crisis although set in the same universe, ending was a little too convenient, the Crusher was poorly designed and completely impossible (couldn't possibly be that size), too short at a meager 95 minutes

Angel works deep cover to uncover secrets

Mike Tells It Straight: I've actually never seen Bubblegum Crisis or any spinoffs before watching Parasite Dolls.  This show felt darkly noir and very cyberpunk.  It had mature themes (things can get mature when you have robot prostitutes getting their heads ripped off).  AIC presents some good animation - solid character designs and decent effects.  Nothing too flashy, but easy to watch.

The Crusher is ripping off Boomer prostitutes' heads

The story had many classic cyberpunk themes - robots converging toward experiencing human emotions, humans becoming too dependent on artificial 'helpers', abusing human-shaped robots to vent emotional frustrations.  All good stuff and reminded me of much older anime/sci-fi themes.

So that's why they call them Parasite Dolls

I thought this show (a three-part OAV cut into one three-chapter feature) was pretty solid and delivered a fairly decent storyline. Time jumped between each successive episode/chapter and the show pulled it off.  It explored the controversial aspects of human-shaped Boomers and made us care about the characters.  Better than I expected, but not highly memorable.  Worth a watch if you can get it cheap, but don't put this too high on the list (unless you absolutely love Blade Runner).

TO BUY and Recommendations:

Parasite Dolls/A.D. Police Bundle - $4.99

Gasaraki Anime Review

Gasaraki
ADV Films
Perfect Collection - 8 discs
650 mins. - 25 episodes
$169.98 (2002) w/Artbox
$49.99 (2012) Nozomi/Right Stuf
ISBN 702727029127
Japanese/English Audio - English Subtitles
Director - Ryousuke Takahashi (main)/Goro Taniguchi (asst)
Studio - Sunrise

Synopsis: The Japanese Self Defense Force (JSSDF) in conjunction with the Gowa Corporation develop bipedal weapons systems called Tactical Armors (TAs).  These weapons systems will change the face of modern ground warfare and the Gowa are an old, powerful family with an ulterior motive.  Centuries ago they were empowered by a seemingly metaphysical entity called Gasaraki to pilot demonic armors and functioned as the shadow enforcers of the Japanese emperor.

The TA squad prepares for an aerial drop

Basing their TA technology on the ancient secrets of Gasaraki the first son of the Gowa family plots a new rise to power through another communion with their god.  The ancient armors were called Kugai and piloted by individuals called Kai.  Yushiro Gowa is the modern day Kai and primary test pilot for the TA program.  He possesses enhanced mental and physical abilities allowing him to eventually enter a trance state and call forth the extra-dimensional Gasaraki entity.

One of Japan's TAs gets some minor repairs in the field

The Gowa's attempt the ritual of Gasaraki with Yushiro, but his trance state is interrupted by the psychic interference of a girl named Miharu.  She is the 'Emulator' for the shadow organization Symbol and implores Yushiro to turn back from summoning 'the terror'.  Subsequently a war breaks out between the United States and Belgistan in the Middle East.  Conventional US ground forces are unexpectedly defeated by an unknown weapons system which can only be another version of the TAs.  The JSSDF's TA squad is called in by the United Nations to investigate and a confrontation between the two TA forces leads to face-to-face meeting of Yushiro with Miharu.

The enemy TAs are spotted in Belgistan

The two appear to have a special bond, but are merely tools of two powerful opposing groups - Gowa and Symbol.  Can they possibly break their psychic chains and regain some individual freedom?  A massive political drama unfolds with Japan on one side and the US on the other.  The fate of world politics hangs in the balance as all signs point to war!  Will Yushiro and Miharu be the catalyst for bringing back the destructive force of Gasaraki?  What is the secret of Gasaraki - will it change humanity forever or merely burn us all to ashes?

Yushiro and Miharu on the run from their organizations

Pros: Impressive depiction of how real-world mecha would probably operate, intense political drama, really great opening and ending theme songs (among the best I've heard), lots of dvd extras, the Kugai were cool/creepy demonic armors which seemed almost alive

In the past the Gowas ride into battle with their Kugai

Cons: Yushiro and Miharu are somewhat bland characters (particularly Miharu) and it was tough trying to identify with or like them, ending is a bit metaphysical which may throw some viewers (especially after all the realistic portrayal of mecha and political intrigue), the US is the political bad guy in this story which may turn off highly patriotic Americans

Yushiro awakens the Kugai in the present time

Mike Tells It Straight: Gasaraki was a mecha show released after the genre-redefining Neon Genesis Evangelion in the late 1990s - a tough act to follow, but I found this show to be pretty interesting.  The TAs are some of the most realistically depicted mecha I've seen in an anime thus far.  The plot is both firmly rooted in reality (politics, military, mecha depiction) and completely on another dimensional plane (literally, the Gasaraki entity lives in extra-dimensional space).  These two vastly different themes can easily cause the viewer to step back, scratch their head, and decide to walk away.

Political intrigue abounds as the upstart eldest son of the Gowas
meets with a powerful dissident to discuss a major coupe d'etat

The major theme of political intrigue and economic disparity between natives/foreigners created a complex storyline as Japanese and US forces squared off.  How far one will go to support one's political ideals was a powerful image.  At this point I've seen enough media painting America as the international, _____ bad guy to accept their portrayal here without a second thought.  The political maneuverings made several episodes drag on as characters spouted idealistic speeches.

The TA support team feeds the pilots information during live combat

Action came second in Gasaraki, but was well-portrayed and exciting when it happened.  Sunrise is a quality studio known for solid technical depictions, but the character designs were a little angular/simple for my taste.  The metaphysical aspect of the show was adequately creepy and weird.  I loved the Kugai episodes and wished there were more.  The ending with the big Gasaraki reveal is pretty weird.  It kinda made sense, but was the complete opposite of the realistic, political plot to that point.  A lot of people will not like the ending and just start shouting "WTF! WTF!" at the screen repeatedly.

The US 'Fake' squadron unleashes a powerful weapon in the
final battle - a rail gun

Definitely a mixed bag of themes and genres, Gasaraki would have been more successful if it stuck to the realistic/political theme with the TAs and international economic crisis, or the metaphysical/supernatural angle with the Kugai and Gasaraki entity itself.  I loved the opening/ending theme songs and could dig the different parts of the show.  I give it an overall recommendation, but with pretty significant disclaimers based on the opposing plot themes.  


TO BUY and Recommendations:

Right Stuf/Nozomi official publisher link (preferred): Gasaraki Complete Collection