Katsuhiro Otomo’s Akira manga is one of the most well-known and widely read series out there, thanks in no small part to the landmark anime film adaptation that was released in 1988. The original manga ran in Weekly Young Magazine from 1982 to 1990, and …Read more »
You’d think voice actors would just have to sound good. But these days, Japan’s seiyuu increasingly appear at events and on TV, meaning there’s increasing pressure to look good too. Is this fair? The latest person to weigh in on the question is Mitsuo Iwata, …Read more »
Like many businesses, cinemas have been hit hard during the COVID-19 pandemic. In Japan, with the recent lifting of the State of Emergency, entertainment businesses are finally coming back to life along with the second stage of the country’s economic reopening. Among them is the …Read more »
This week saw the Japanese government cancel the State of Emergency early in 39 prefectures throughout Japan, with the exception of Tokyo Capital Region, Osaka, Hyogo, Kyoto, and Hokkaido. Just prior to that, select movie theaters in 11 prefectures announced plans to reopen, and there …Read more »
The 4K remaster of Katushiro Otomo’s Akira anime film was previously planned to be the opening movie at this year’s Tokyo Anime Award Festival, but all programs were eventually canceled as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns. Folks in Japan can still look forward to …Read more »
The history of the live-action Hollywood adaptation of Katsuhiro Otomo’s Akira has been a tumultuous one. Back in May, it seemed the closest to reality yet, with director Taika Waititi’s take on the material set for a May 21, 2021 premiere. Then script troubles forced it to be pushed …Read more »
Taika Waititi, the director of Thor: Ragnarok and Jojo Rabbit, is set to direct a live-action adaptation of the classic manga Akira. But with a new Thor movie in the works, Akira was pushed down the road — to the point where some speculated the project might be over and done for, at least with …Read more »
Until yesterday it actually kind of seemed as if Warner Bros.’ live-action Akira movie might be on track. After Thor: Ragnarok‘s Taika Waititi was announced as director, the film was officially lined up for a May 21, 2021 opening. Comic-Con brought with it the news that Waititi will be returning …Read more »
As much as we’ve seen the live-action Akira movie pop up in the news over the years, it’s tempting to think nothing will ever end up happening. It’s one step closer to being real now, though, because Warner Bros. has officially locked in a premiere date for …Read more »
Nathan Micay, the artist formerly known as Bwana, is best known ‘round these parts for his 2016 album Capsule’s Pride, a loving EDM-flavored tribute to the music of Akira. Now Micay is back with Blue Spring, and while the music this time is all original, the album owes …Read more »
Just when you thought you were safe from live-action Akira movie news, producer Leonardo DiCaprio steps back into the spotlight. The latest update on the Warner Bros. production comes from the California Film Commission, which announced Akira as one of 18 tax credit allocations for filming in the state. …Read more »
Tetsuo!—Er, Tokyo! Tokyo Reborn, an upcoming NHK special about how Tokyo is changing in the lead-up to the 2020 Olympics, is getting some help from the creator of Akira, Katsuhiro Otomo. The man behind that legendary manga and anime (set in the fictional Neo-Tokyo of …Read more »
Do you like Katsuhiro Otomo’s classic Akira, often forget what day it is and have a lot of wall space? If so, this giant calendar may be for you. Modeled after the Akira mural on display in Shibuya, Tokyo (which we showcased in a video …Read more »
What happens when you give passionate and talented Akira fans enough time to work on a painstakingly-animated homage? Awaken Akira happens, and the minute-long results from Ash Thorp and Zaoeyo are mighty impressive. It may just be creative new takes on shots from Katsuhiro Otomo’s …Read more »
Wes Anderson’s stop-motion-animated film Isle of Dogs opens in Japan on May 25, and a big-name manga and anime creator got in on some of the promotional action. Akira author Katsuhiro Otomo illustrated a poster for the occasion, capturing the spirit of the film with …Read more »
Joseph Luster
Matt Schley
Josiah Shoup
