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Summary: The first volume of a modern Epic.
Review: A lot of people are familiar with the film version of Akira. Readily available in the US, it's become a keystone in many American anime collections and is revered by many as one of the best Anime films ever made.Of course, along with the praise comes the obvious (and, in many cases, justified) complaints regarding the movie's plot and pacing. As wide in scope as the movie is, it's also exceedingly vauge on many topics, and it seems like it only offers a glimpse into something much larger as opposed to being a singular narrative in and of itself. Well, Akira fans, your boat has come in. The original Japanese Mangas (comics) are now available in the US, and to those unfamiliar with the works of Mr. Otomo, brace yourself. This is the world of Akira as it was originally concieved, and the result is simply breathtaking. If you thought the movie lacked scope, wait 'till you get ahold of these books. The futuristic story of Akira revolves around several factions - government, anti-government, spiritual, political, and more - all struggling against each other in an attempt to unearth a secret that started the third world war. That secret is a child, Akira, subjected to tests and adjustments by a government project to bring his latent psychic abilities to their full potential. Now, he is gifted with a complete attunement to the ebbs and flows of all the energies in the universe...And the ability to control them. He is the ultimate evolution of humanity, and the most dangerous and uncontrollable weapon ever unearthed by science. After an unleashing of his energy sets off World War III, he is locked deep underground at absolute zero, kept asleep until modern science can figure out a way to deal with him. I won't get into the story for anyone who doesn't know it (it's significantly expanded and altered when compared to the movie version). For anyone expecting a graphic novel version of the events in the movie, however, you're going to be surprised. Many of the characters that made simple cameo appearances in the film, such as Joker or Lady Miyako, are now key characters who play major roles in the unfolding plot. Other principles, such as Tetsuo, are altered slightly in order to fill their original roles. Tetsuo is not the runt of the biker group, as he was in the movie. In fact, he's much more agressive and dark in the comics, and the deep friendship between Kaneda and Tetsuo that was evident in the final scenes of the movie is replaced with an intense sense of rivalry. You get the impression that, rather than Kaneda defending Tetsuo in the early years, they've been bucking heads for a long time. For his part, Kaneda seems to have lost some intelligence and gained some coarseness, but since the focus of the story no longer rests on his shoulders alone, this fits very well (though you do want to smack him sometimes.) Kei is similar to her movie counterpart, at least in the first novel, though Ryu is much more prominent in his role. The Colonel has a fantastic charatcer development that was only hinted at in the movie, but you'll need to get the books that come later in the series for that. The first book follows the plot of the movie pretty well, and while it has several additions added in, those who have seen the movie will feel right at home. The second book in the series is the same way. It's starting with book three that things become radically different from anything in the movie, but the first two are important in that much is clarified, and after reading them you can go back to the movie and notice things that you might have missed the first time around. A note on the artwork and translation: The artwork is top notch, but in the first book the style is quite different than the later installment. The characters look fairly rough to begin with, Kei and the Colonel in particular, though they fall into their usual forms fairly quick. Otomo's astounding attention to detail shines through from the very first panel, however, and the cityscapes are simply breathtaking. The artwork is flipped to accomodate english readers, and it's sometimes a little weird as the flow gets interrupted in spots. The translation is also pretty accurate. The dialouge isn't the greatest prose ever written or anything, but it's a far better translation than one might expect. It's worth noting that the books have not been edited in any way, as should be expected. Still, this regulates it to the 13 and up crowd, at least. The violence is quite bloody and frequent (the Akira series is known for frequent exploding heads), so concerned parents might want to pass this series up. There's also rampant profanity throughout the book, which (oddly) gets more prominent as the series progresses (by book 5, the F-word is thrown out on a regular basis, in book 1 it appears once.) There is also a fair amount of nudity, mostly upper female but some male as well, so if that sort of thing worries you, take note. It's a series meant for mature readers, and while Kudos should go to Dark Horse for not butchering it, don't fall under the common American assumption that, because it's a comic, it's therefore kiddie stuff. This series is a true landmark in science fiction storytelling, and I highly reccomend it to anyone who's ever wanted to read a thought provoking, action packed, and genuinely startling story that will keep you turning the pages until you hit the back cover. This is only the first book, and chances are, once you read this one, you'll wind up buying the other 5. I did!
Rating:
Summary: Even better than the Anime!
Review: A year ago I rented the movie AKIRA, hearing from friends that it was awesome, visually and plot wise. After renting it I was very confused and felt let down after hearing how this movie was such a culture sensation. I never gave up anime though and continued to rent and buy animes. On Amazon I discovered that the Akira comic book was being releasd in the US. Knowing that this comic started all the Akira craze, and knowing that the author/artist won nummerous awards for his work I thought I would take a longshot and see what it was all about. This time I was not dissopointed... I was amazed by the artwork and level of detail, and this made more sense than the anime. Since buying the first book I have purchased book 2 & 3. I'm hooked. The story has tons of plot, scenes, and characters the movie missed! I find the comic to be more indepth with more character development, and beautiful visual sequences. If you liked the anime you will live this book, and if you didn't like the anime you will probably like this book more!
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Summary: I finally got to read it!
Review: After I read Akira Books 2 and 6, I was really looking forward to Book 1 - and when I did read it, I was initially a little disappointed.
Then I read it again...and loved it.
The thing about the Akira books is that you really have to read them more than once. The first time you don't engage with the story so much, and parts of it may seem confusing - especially anything involving explosions. DOn't worry. Just reread the book, and it all becomes clear.
Another thing I would say is that, if you can, try and get hold of this (or any of the books) in colour. I've read it in both colour and black-and-white, and the colour version is so much more enjoyable - not to mention it seems to make the story easier to understand.
I loved the way Otomo links so many characters together and this book does a brilliant job as a beginning to the series. It's probably my favourite because of all the characterisation woven into the narrative (plus I prefer to read apocalypse stories before the apocalypse has happened...) I would definitely recommend borrowing this book from your local library, because (a) it's quite different from Western comic books e.g Marvel, yet still enjoyable (b) it's a good story, and (c) it may just convert you to Akira...in which case you have 5 other books to read!
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Summary: Best Comic Ever
Review: Akira is a legend in its own right. It spurred the very idea of the future post-apocalyptic world (at least, it was the first to do it right). It's hard to define the story; there is no true main character; each is important in his or her own right. While the story alone is enough for a best-selling novel, the artwork is superb. Not your run-of-the-mill Manga art, Akira has a unique style of realistic people and, as friends put it "ugly girls" (a rarity in the Japanese comic book market). I recommend this to people everywhere.
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Summary: And I Thought Nukes Were Dangerous
Review: Akira is definatively one of the best anime ever made, only closed matched be Princess Mononoke. Akira is a classic in today's anime world, although gory at times (not necessarily a bad thing) it is a wonderfully thought of story. Otomo truly knows how to make a great and addicting sotry, with awsome and mostly belivable characters (with only some exeptions), and an involving plot. Although the movie is good it cuts a lot of the original story out, it's about a 2 hour outline of a 2000 page plus manga.Now, however, thanks to Dark Horse those who do not own or saw the original Akira manga will finally get another chance. This here is the first volume out of the six. Although a little slow at first it gets to action fairly quick. In this first volume you mostly get to know the main characters, and some of the plot. During the comic Tetsuo (bad guy) gets taken away by the military and they run several tests on him, ending up making him a child with a killer mind with psychokinetic abilities. By the end, one of Kaneda's (good guy, may you call him so) friends gets killed by an ex-comrad of Kaneda, Tetsuo. And that's exactly where it stops. In the end, this comic is entertaining even if it is only a fraction of a colossal epic manga classic. I recomend this book to anyone who watches anime (real anime, that means Pokemon and stuff like that doesn't count), and just about anyone who likes a good get-ya-thinkin' type of story. However, due to some gore and some offensive language I suggest parental advision to parents of 11 year-olds down. But for other people of other ages that cares about this I say go for it, it's an exelent manga, and you won't regret it. Son Akira
Rating:
Summary: Wow.
Review: Amazing? Yes, definitely. I got this book only a few short days ago, and I've read it three times and am already into the fourth reading. It's quick paced, proves that automotive chases can work in the comic medium. It's funny, intelligent, awestriking. If you've seen the anime and liked it at all, you owe it to yourself to see the entire (or the beginning at least) story. If you've seen the anime and didn't like it, pick the book up and give it a try. I'm sure you'll be amazed at it.
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Summary: Dystopia through street-biker goggles
Review: Amidst the flotsam and jetsam of former pop-culture sensations, there are a few items of media that, through sheer visceral creative force, transcend the 'cool one moment, cliché the next' element of disposable entertainment. The Japanese manga/movie _Akira_ is among these rare and dignified. Although the movie version is cluttered and convoluted, an epic mess-and what can one expect from the effort of reducing 2000 pages into two hours?-there still remains a power and presence to it that is at once unnerving and captivating. I "got" Akira upon my first viewing, but like many others found the movie unsatisfying on a basic level. Characters and concepts popped up out of nowhere, seemingly important to the overall arc, yet remaining undeveloped. It felt as if an enormous amount of back-story was left untold. Thankfully, Dark Horse has decided to give the manga version of _Akira_ the definitive publishing it deserves, to fill in the gaps and give us a deeper and far more gratifying glimpse into Katsuhiro Otomo's astonishing vision of dystopia. And what a glimpse it is! Biker gangs roam the concrete byways of Neo-Tokyo, seeking a score or a scam or a healthy does of ultraviolence...Meanwhile, the top brass of the military attempts to keep an experimental group of growth-stunted paranormals under control. A chance run-in between these disparate tribes eventually leads to cataclysmic results, as something disturbing and long-hidden begins to stir in the bowels of the earth...Akira...and, as the movie-posters state, 'Neo-Tokyo is about to E X P L O D E.' This first volume, at 360-pages, introduces us to the shell-shocked environment of Neo-Tokyo, sets up the numerous character conflicts, and gives us a few premonitions of what is to come. The relationships between Tetsuo and Kenada, Ryu and Kei, are given greater detail than in the movie, and the story, though paced slowly, is far more smooth and lucid in the manga format. Otomo's art is masterful and, in places, astounding-the level of detail given to a cityscape or motorcycle shows this as truly a labor of love on the creator's part; the many hours devoted to each pages is a figure I cannot begin to contemplate. The drawings are clean and crisp and always consistent, at times cinematic in presentation. _Akira_ should be read at least twice, the first in order to digest the story, the second to fully appreciate the skill of the artist. Well worth the rather steep price. And if you like _Akira_, I would suggest investigating Hiroaki Samura's _Blade of the Immortal_ and Hayao Miyazaki's _Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind_, both further examples of manga at its mature best.
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Summary: Cool Manga
Review: Awsome book that started my favirtie movie Akira. The book is better than the movie because the charactor's are better. This is a really fun book to read. If you like this I would also recomend the movie.
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Summary: AKIRA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: Best manga out there?? I think so!!!! Akira is over-stuffed with action and excitment! This book takes you into a whole different world! Where drug using bikers and paraonrmal physics rampage through out the town. Akira is considered to be one of Thee best anime/manga ever created. Creator Katushiro Otomo really did his best on this series. The story tells of a bike gang lead by Kaneda, a 16 year old boy who you do not want to cross paths with. One night a member of his bike gang, Tetsuo, crashes into a small, wrinkled kid. The military takes Tetsuo and somehow unleashes an amazing physic power that was hidden deep inside him. But Kaneda has a problem when Tetsuo starts leading their rival bike gang, the clowns. So he decides to get all the bike gangs together and gang up on the clowns. The ending of this volume is great! You don't want to miss it!! This volume has very good drawings and amazing action scenes. The plot thickens as you get further along. AKIRA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Summary: Otomo is a king in the manga world and AKIRA is his sceptre
Review: Classic manga at its best. This story is so huge when you read it for the first time, you will end up wishing that the now classic AKIRA anime was seven hours long. Must read for any fan of the japanese comic world.
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