“Neo-Tokyo 2019: biker Kaneda faces government as friend Tetsuo awakens psychic powers threatening apocalypse.”
Akira
AKIRA(アキラ)
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Based on your preference for character-driven stories with layered emotional arcs, this title's exploration of identity and belonging would deeply resonate. The pacing mirrors series you've rated highly, and its thematic depth aligns with your appreciation for nuanced storytelling...
However, the slow initial episodes might test your patience given your history of dropping shows that don't hook you early. The art style shift in the middle arc could also be a concern...
Synopsis
Neo-Tokyo 2019: biker Kaneda faces government as friend Tetsuo awakens psychic powers threatening apocalypse.
Japan, 1988. An explosion caused by a young boy with psychic powers tears through the city of Tokyo and ignites the fuse that leads to World War III. In order to prevent any further destruction, he is captured and taken into custody, never to be heard from again. Now, in the year 2019, a restored version of the city known as Neo-Tokyo—an area rife with gang violence and terrorism against the current government—stands in its place. Here, Shoutarou Kaneda leads "the Capsules," a group of misfits known for riding large, custom motorcycles and being in constant conflict with their rivals "the Clowns." During one of these battles, Shoutarou's best friend Tetsuo Shima is caught up in an accident with an esper who finds himself in the streets of Tokyo after escaping confinement from a government institution. Through this encounter, Tetsuo begins to develop his own mysterious abilities, as the government seeks to quarantine this latest psychic in a desperate attempt to prevent him from unleashing the destructive power that could once again bring the city to its knees.
What people say
Community consensus
Derived from 272 sampled reviews
What 272 viewers settled on.
Polarized
σ 2.10 · split reception
5.6 pts
Recommenders 8.8 · others 3.3
↑ 0.82
Running avg · Jul 2007 → Jan 2026
- 9 “This is one of the greatrst anime movies ever. but it depends what dub you watch. Streamline does the best dub i ever heard. while pioneer dub seems so lazy to me. but great animation and story and...”
- 10 “It has been some time since I watched Akira. However, I still remember this feeling of confusion that I felt at the end pretty well. There are many series similar to Akira in terms of its topic....”
- 7 “While this anime achieves an epic scope that has earned it classic status, it suffers from a terrible beginning and ending that make it difficult to endure. The experience becomes even worse on...”
Watch Order & Related
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- Format 1 × 124′ eps × min
- Total runtime 2h 04m all episodes
- Aired Jul 1988 – ongoing
- Source Movie media type
- Rated R+ Mild Nudity
- Ref. BS-0029 catalog
Produced by
- Mainichi Broadcasting System Producer
- Kodansha Producer
- Pioneer LDC Producer
- Bandai Producer
- TOHO Producer
- Sumitomo Producer
- Hakuhodo Producer
Licensed by
- Funimation Licensor
- Bandai Entertainment Licensor
- Geneon Entertainment USA Licensor
- Bandai Visual USA Licensor
- Streamline Pictures Licensor