Review of Akira
I would like to begin with a very bold statement: Many people criticize this film because they do not understand it. Akira is A LOT more than just a quirky cyberpunk anime with nice art. Calling it a simple action anime would be like comparing the plot of Neon Genesis Evangelion to Gurren Lagann. While both shows are absolutely fantastic and fall into the Mecha genre, they absolutely cannot be compared since they take on completely different atmospheres and messages. That being said, let me begin. The story of Akira is very unique. For its time, it was absolutely revolutionary. It was one of the manyworks which introduced the cyberpunk and dystopian genre into the world of anime and film as a whole. The incredibly vivid colors and sounds presented throughout the story are greatly contrasted by the crushingly desolate and nihilistic feelings given by the characters and settings they find themselves in. The story, without spoiling, deals with much more serious issues than those just presented to the viewer in the anime. Sure, there are always the questions and problems the main cast must deal with at the moment such as the potential repercussions of their actions, but like with all works of art and media, there is usually a much deeper message rooted within their creation. Because of this reason, I cannot say much regarding the story, other than you would have to come to your own conclusions regarding the ending. But let me tell you at least this: Yes, the flashy landscapes and action-filled scenes are entertaining, but that isn't always the point.
The art is stunning. Even 30 years later, it still holds up better than most. The films aesthetics are what sparked the entire cyberpunk movement and setting we see today. All these neon towers, mechanical cities, and synthetic lives we see today are a result of what this film introduced. It was absolutely unique for its time... And it still is today.
Regarding sound... It's pretty eh. Not much else to say on it. Unfortunately, the music, isn't too fitting. Then again, it was 1988. There wasn't much else to go off of. For modern viewers, it most likely won't be too enjoyable.
Characters, like most people have said, are difficult to understand. To many, there isn't ANY character development... Which is very untrue. The film gives off the personalities and characteristics of the most important characters nearly right off the bat. What most people fail to consider is that the circumstances they find themselves in and how they got there add a significant amount to their personalities and character development. For example, the main character, Kaneda. He is introduced to us as the leader of biker gang which terrorizes their rivals on the abandoned streets of Neo-Tokyo. His biker gang are displayed as a very tightly knit group of teens just trying to survive in a very cruel world. So when something goes wrong for one of them, the rest are going to act on it. Further, surviving as a teenager in a dead world produces a specific kind of character, which explains why many of them act the way they do. Most people probably find this disappointing, since unlike most animes in the modern day, Akira presents a realistic portrayal of someone who has lost hope in the world around them and will do whatever they need to survive. Theres absolutely none of that "Friendship will save us!" and "My resolve will win me this fight!" type stuff. Long story short: The characters are the type of people you would expect to find in a dystopian slum. The anime stays very true to that.
Overall, this film is incredibly unique. It carries with it a very heavy bag of philosophical, existential, and confusing questions. For every person, their first time watching it will be a unique experience. And believe me, if you really wish to understand it, you will end up watching it more than once. However, like I have said repeatedly before, this film is a difficult one to understand. I understand that it isn't for everybody. But watch it with an open mind and look deeper than the flashy and violent scenes it presents.