Akira: Transcendental Filmmaking

Kathryn joins Melvin to discuss one of the most pivotal anime-film releases to ever grace the silver-screen; Akira! This 1988 film not only pushed the genre of animation to its limits, it also introduced anime to the west as a serious new genre of entertainment! Does it still hold up? Spoilers: absolutely it does!

Topics:

• (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 18-minutes discussing the ins-and-outs of the cyberpunk aesthetic, what makes it distinct from other sci-fi settings, and whether its our preference. (PATREON EXCLUSIVE)
• The vibes are strong with Akira.
• The quality is strong with Akira.
• When Melvin first saw the film he liked it but wasn’t impressed. This time around? He thinks its incredible.
• Although the characters aren’t profoundly deep, they are a clever, complicated mix of different figures amidst a chaotic, epic story.
• Every 10 minutes something crazier than the last happens on screen.
• Kathryn wasn’t totally wowed by Akira but she totally understands its titan-status in filmmaking.
• Discussing Building, Rebuilding, and Destruction.
• Talking about Kaneda.
• Discussing the line, “Time isn’t clear, and there ought to be a future we can choose.”
• Getting into that absolutely insane ending.

Recommendations:

• The Thing From Another World (1951) (Anime)
• Steins;Gate (2011) (Anime)

Akira is Rated R for graphic violence and brief nudity. It features Mitsuo Iwata, Nozomu Sasaki, Mami Koyama, Tarou Ishida, Kusao Takeshi, Masaaki Ookura, Yuriko Fuchizaki, Fukue Itou, and Mizuho Suzuki. Directed by Katsuhiro Ôtomo. Akira is available here.

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Melvin Benson is the Founder, Editor-In-Chief, and Lead Host of Cinematic Doctrine. Whether it’s a movie, show, game, comic, or novel, it doesn’t matter. As long as it’s rich, he’s ready and willing to give it a try! His hope is to see King Jesus glorified as far as the east is from the west!

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