Finally saw Akira

[AquaParade]

I've heard hype around this movie for quite some time. I've never been tooot into anime, but lately I've had a craving for it, so the other night I went out and rented Akira.. I was blown away. Maybe it's partly cause I have yet to experience everything anime has to offer, but geeze, I loved this movie. One of my favorite aspects was just watching tetsuo's(?) transformation through the movie, the whole metal arm thing was a nice touch, and I loved how he slowly became more and more insane throughout the whole movie, along with his whole inferiority complex. Sorry I'm rambling, but theres so much stuff to love in that movie. I'm gonna pick it up on dvd asap, does anyone know the best edition to get, that is, if they have special editions or anything like that? What are everyone else's thoughts on this movie?

[GK Punk]

Wow about 20 years late

Better late than never I say. God I haven't seen Akira since I was like 16. First time I saw it I was probably 11 or 12. I even still own one of the original pressings of the VHS.

That being said, I have a softspot for it, and always will.

[愛]

Akira is a film that should be in every anime lover's collection. It's one of those movies that after you watch, you say, "oh, Japan...you so crazy." It really doesn't make much sense until you read the manga, and even then it feels really obscure. For what it is, it's a really great movie.

[Time Mistress]

I never got what the all the fuss about Akira was. I've seen it, and while it's shockingly different than anything we'd seen in the west animation wise (so I can apreciate it on that level) story wise I just don't get it or most cyberpunk. For impressive movie anime I'd got with Vampire Hunter D or something by Miazaki. So while It's great that Akira opened the door for anime in the west, I don't like the film personally.

[GK Punk]

I think that's what a lot of it was. When I first saw it, was about 1991. There was very little anime out there at all at the time. So it was rather mind blowing back then. A lot of us that hold it in high regard will do so for that reason.

[Time Mistress]

Understandable. I get why other people like it and think that it's very relevant in film history so it deserves to be seen. It's just not my cup of tea story wise.

[RaphistheBest]

I haven't read the manga and a friend of mine slapped me once because I said that I haven't. It wasn't a big deal, gays don't slap that hard. I really liked the movie, it was just so... so... ah hell, it was just amazing. Honestly, the first time I watched it was just a couple of years ago. I had always heard about it from the gay that slapped me and some of my other friends but I just never said, "Hey, you guys think this movie is great so maybe we should watch it sometime." I loved it and all but it isn't my favorite.

[GK Punk]

Yeah that's why I don't shove it down people's throats. I know a lot of fans that do, but I think I've always realized that a large part of the appeal of that movie was how amazing it was at that time.

Like Ai said, For what it is, It's great.

[Mecha Cow]

Saw it a few years back, it left me with a weird feeling, mostly because it was just a really weird movie. Great animation, but I don't think I quite got it.

[RaphistheBest]

I don't think that a lot of people got it. I'm pretty sure that I didn't, but oh well. I liked it even though it was confusing. It's one of those awesome movies that you have to see a couple of times to get. Kinda like Donnie Darko.

[LogicDonny]

Ai is the top anime guru on this site, she knows everything!

Anyways, it's not late to watch old anime but hey good for you for watching it. great movie.

if you want a good anime series check out neon genesis evangelion and the end of evangelion movie.

[Mecha Cow]

Ai is the top anime guru on this site, she knows everything!

Ruh-roh...

[AquaParade]

Funny you mention that, I almost picked up this neo genesis evangelion dvd last week at borders because all the things I heard about it, but I was a little unsure as to where in the timeline the dvd takes place, because the back really didn't make it that clear and i have never seen the show so i didnt want to be lost. I picked up Appleseed instead, but fell asleep during it I just cant seem to get that into it, but hopefully I will next time i try and finish it. I asked before, but does anyone have any reccomendations on what version of Akira to get, and are there any other forms of Akira media out there besides the manga? I'm craving akira now haha.

[愛]

Originally Posted by LogicDonny

Ai is the top anime guru on this site, she knows everything!

I'm...a guy? I already told you this. And I haven't watched any new anime in a while, outside of Nana and Death Note.

And as far as I know, there's only the movie and the manga.

[DrSpengler]

I enjoy Akira mostly for the nostalgic value, as I first saw it back in the early 90's when the Sci-Fi Channel had it's Saturday "Japanimation" block (as anime was called back then). It blew me away as a kid and I still enjoy it to this day, despite how nonsensical it can be.

My only lament is that the original English dub with the awesome performance by Cam Clarke is not available on DVD in Region 1. I gotta track down an R2 release of the film which has the original US dub on it. THAT'S the version I grew up with and THAT'S the version I wanna watch over and over again.

That Black Ranger/Vash the Stampede guy couldn't scream "TETSUOOOOOOO!!!!" for s***.

[Roseangelo]

Never liked Akira...

But was very amused listening to "Leonardo" throughout the whole thing.

[愛]

Originally Posted by DrSpengler

My only lament is that the original English dub was the awesome performance by Cam Clarke is not available on DVD in Region 1. I gotta track down an R2 release of the film which has the original US dub on it. THAT'S the version I grew up with and THAT'S the version I wanna watch over and over again.

That Black Ranger/Vash the Stampede guy couldn't scream "TETSUOOOOOOO!!!!" for s***.

Oh man, I so know what you're talking about. I saw that version online and it really was better.

[RaphistheBest]

Originally Posted by LogicDonny

if you want a good anime series check out neon genesis evangelion and the end of evangelion movie.

I've seen only a couple of episodes of Evangelion and I didn't get it very well. Of course it's also one of those that you need to watch nearly every episode to understand. Most of the stuff that I've seen for it was some crazy ass hentai stuff which was honestly fine by me.

Originally Posted by Ai

And I haven't watched any new anime in a while, outside of Nana and Death Note.

I started reading Death Note the weekend that TMNT came out and I really liked it. Of course me being poor and all I can't buy the manga so I usually go and hang at Books-A-Million for a few hours to read different things. Unfortunately our BAM sucks and they only have a couple of the books and their numbers like 14 and stuff. I've seen the first episode with Spanish subtitles so I really don't have much of an opinion on it so far. Which sucks because I really want to watch that series without having to read... or at least read subtitles that I can completely understand.

[Time Mistress]

Cam was in Akira? Never knew that. Cool! Who did he play?

[Jo Dawn]

Originally Posted by Michi heavenly6

Wow about 20 years late

Better late than never I say. God I haven't seen Akira since I was like 16. First time I saw it I was probably 11 or 12. I even still own one of the original pressings of the VHS.

That being said, I have a softspot for it, and always will.

Yeah, my brother and I love Akira. Sadly, we had a VHS of it, and it got taped over. I think, heh.


... I remember that it was on TV all the time, and I taped over (accidentally!) the Turtles on Tour video when it was on TV once, because I didn't realize what tape was in the VCR.

...and I still feel bad about that. Funny, when Akira was on TV all the time, Turtles on Tour was always in the stores, haha. But after I taped over it? Couldn't find it again.

Conspiracy? The odds say yes.