AKIRA

East Asian classic Akira, the second of two animated films on ranking, is a gigantic and otherworldly adventure of turmoil (in the most beautiful, neon-kissed way). Katsuhiro Otomo's magnum opus is set in a dystopian Neo-Tokyo in 2019, a metropolis devastated by another global war and governed by wild motorcycle gangs. It begins with a furious bike pursuit through the glistening, futuristic, cyberpunk streets, filled with explosions aplenty and dynamic directing.

Following an accident at the conclusion of the chase, one of the major protagonists gains telekinetic abilities, igniting the complex and intelligent story that develops unexpectedly and refers to themes of world conflicts, collective anxieties of the public, nuclear armament, and more. Perhaps the most astounding aspect of Akira is its complex world-building; it's difficult to imagine another dystopian dystopia being presented as vividly on film as Akira, maybe only rivaled by Blade Runner (1982). Akira draws inspiration from films like this one, yet it never feels derivative, and as a result, it became one of the most influential works in both the animation and science fiction genres. This is mature East Asian animation at its finest.

Detailed information:

Director: Katsuhiro Ôtomo

Writers: Katsuhiro Ôtomo & Izô Hashimoto

Starring: Mitsuo Iwata, Nozomu Sasaki, Mami Koyama, Taro Ishida, Mizuho Suzuki, Tetsusho Genda
Release dates: July 16, 1988
Running time: 124 minutes