Review of Akira

I find it quite ironic and surreal that I am writing a review in 2019 about an anime classic that considered 2019 to be a sci-fi future where lawlessness runs wild and the fall of society was all but complete when we have regressed in so many ways as a society in real life (too dreary to discuss so we'll just ignore it). So let's talk Akira, the quintessential anime sci-fi film that made several thematic references to the apocalyptic lores across real-world religions. There also happens to be equally as many horror plot elements that makes this anime gem quite riveting. With that I'llsurvey five key aspects where I thought this film shined: plot, art/animation, music, characters, and personal enjoyment.

Plot: It revolves around a war-torn Tokyo where most people have succumbed to their libertine impulses and the military has the largest foothold over this dystopia. The dynamic between the government and the military was particularly interesting in the former half of the film as Tokyo's imminent end drew nearer. The horrifying incident that befalls Tetsuo kept me at the edge of my seat. I thought the pacing was particularly good and how the scenes transitioned between the Kaneda and and the military. The supernatural elements like esper abilities were great plot devices to raise the stakes in climactic moments throughout the film. The plot gets a score of 8/10.

Art: If you say it's 2019 so obviously the artists have to be criticized for their slipshod work, then you are just stupid. I will view it from the lens of quality art from the late '80s and say that as a fan of that kind of artstyle I could very much appreciate the consistency in style shown throughout the film. Other than some minor oddities in facial expressions from time to time, there weren't any jarring mistakes made by the artists. So, art gets a solid 8/10.

Music: Simply put the music was bloody amazing that in some cases chills went down my spine! I particularly liked the music playing when Tetsuo was powering up and getting revenge against those he thought who slighted him. Yamashiro-san's music definitely set the mood for the opening scenes of the film and continued to stir up a variety of different emotions based on how far along the plot we got. Music was an 8/10.

Character: This is, in my opinion, the strongest suit of the film so much so that some characters like Kaneda and Tetsuo jumped off the screen as people that I have come across in my life. I love how diverse the cast of characters are, considering the film released in the late '80s. Also, the mounting tension between Tetsuo and Kaneda and their respective developments were also a pleasure to witness. The characters overall were so well-written and relatable that I never once got bored of listening to their struggles and very intently watched how they change later in the film. Finally, a brilliant display of revealing a character's inner motives. That said I give this is a 9/10.

Enjoyment: After all I have said, I will give this film a 8/10 as the beginning was a slightly slow burn to actually appreciate. I really enjoyed the journey, albeit tragic, Tetsuo took as well as those of Kaneda and co. The apocalyptic theme as well as the supernatural elements kept undivided attention towards the film for its entirety without exception. I can really understand why this classic was a gateway for a lot of anime in the future as far as the cues they took for plot devices and tropes.

Overall I humbly give this timeless masterpiece an 8/10.