Akira

Finally finished watching Akira.
A bit disappointed, if I'm being honest...

P.S.
I still find myself dipping into "Stand Alone Complex" every once in a while, though it feels like they took a cult classic and turned it into some cartoon series for kids...

Jamie Sanchez48> Finally watched Akira.
A little disappointed.

I’ve said it a thousand times, but I’ll say it again: Akira is BOOOORING!!11111111111one

I mean... I guess you have to give Otomo credit for a solid story, the setting, and the concept, but it doesn't really matter when the movie is just stretched out and slow.

Honestly, unless you're some kind of total freak who lives for cyberpunk, there's really only one reason to watch Akira... and that's the animation.

You could turn yourself upside down, but you aren't going to find animation this good and detailed anywhere else—especially considering it's an '88 release and a complete cell, without even a tiny bit of CGI.

As for the plot? You probably need to read the manga for that. *shrugs*

Anyways, if you didn't happen to dig Akira, maybe check out "Memories"... it's three standalone SF stories by Katsuhiro Otomo, and two of those three were directed by Koji Morimoto and Okamura Tensai.

If you want, I can send over the review I wrote for that masterpiece.

Jamie Sanchez48> By the way, I watch "Stand Alone Complex" every now and then. They turned a cult classic into a cartoon series for kids...

I've had GitS sitting at home for ages and I just... I CANNOT... force myself to sit through the whole thing.

I even tried reading the manga, but I gave up on that too... 🙄

I don't know, the animation is okay to me, even if it has that certain sterility that a lot of modern series suffer from... the music is killer, the story is fine, it's all that classic Masamune Shirow stuff, but I just can't get through all 26 episodes. 👎

Oh yeah, and you shouldn't mix up the GitS movie and the SAC series; they are two completely different worlds.

Now I'm just waiting for a decent version of Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence to pop up.

Adam Wright56 said:I’ve said it a thousand times and I’ll say it again: Akira is BORING!!11111111111one

Perfect, I was starting to worry I might actually get crucified for my opinion... :-)

Anyways, if you didn't quite vibe with Akira, maybe give "Memories" a shot... it's three standalone sci-fi stories by Katsuhiro Otomo, with Koji Morimoto and Okamura Tensai handling the direction for two of them.

I've seen them, and yeah, I actually enjoyed them.

I've had Ghost in the Shell sitting on my shelf forever, but I just... I CANNOT... bring myself to sit through the whole thing.

I just catch them on my phone, watching one episode a day whenever they pop up...

I'm just waiting for a decent version of Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence to drop.

Oh, thanks for the reminder, I think I'll go hunt for a copy tomorrow if I can find it...

Anyway, I know you've touched on this before, but would you be up for putting together a list of, say, 10 essential must see anime films?

Jamie Sanchez48> Great, I was actually worried I’d be crucified here :-)

Nah... *waves hand dismissively*

Jamie Sanchez48> I watch them on TV; there's an episode airing every single day...

What TV station???

Jamie Sanchez48> Oh, you reminded me, I'm going to check tomorrow if I can even find that for sale.

Man, I have no clue.

It's probably floating around somewhere on the internet for download, but I'm not positive. As for buying it, I don't think it's really available.

From what I know, it's actually the film that closes out the festival at Cannes.

Jamie Sanchez48> Anyway, I know you've written about this before, but would you be up for listing, say, 10 "must-see" anime films?

Hmm... yeah, I suppose I could, but the question is what exactly you mean by "must-see."

Because I could easily list 10 films that had massive historical significance to the anime industry but aren't actually that great to sit through, or I could give you 10 films that are genuinely worth watching and won't disappoint, even if they didn't necessarily change the face of art forever.

But alright, I'll put together a few things that are truly worth your time... from one perspective or another.

So, you've seen Akira, Ghost in the Shell, and Memories... nice. 👍 That's already three solid picks... though the first two carry much more weight.

Next, just watch anything from Studio Ghibli—specifically, anything where Hayao Miyazaki or Isao Takahata have their names on it.

I'd especially highlight:

"Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind" — the first film Miyazaki did for Studio Ghibli, with Takahata joining in as producer. (By the way, you'll see those two paired up quite often).

"My Neighbor Totoro" — Even though it's geared more toward kids, it serves as a textbook example of how to direct that kind of film. People often call it Miyazaki's "cute" movie.

"Spirited Away" — There isn't much left to say about this one. It hasn't shown up to a festival without walking away with the top prize, including an Oscar at the last ceremony.

The easiest way to describe it is basically "Alice in Wonderland, but the Miyazaki way."

"Grave of the Fireflies" — A cult classic by the author and director Isao Takahata. One of the best anti-war dramas ever made. You might want to keep a box of tissues handy when you watch this one. 😉

"My Neighbors the Yamadas" — Takahata's take on the life of a typical, modern, five-person family in the US. While it might not be among the most famous anime films, it's definitely worth a look. It's entertaining, and honestly, we can all see ourselves in it a little bit. 👍

Look, this is basically my personal shortlist from Ghibli. Obviously, you really should sit down and watch everything they've done, from Laputa all the way to Mononoke Hime. To be honest, I don't think I've ever come across one of their films that I actually disliked.

If you want to dig deeper into more info on Ghibli films, you can find it here: www.nausicaa.net

Let's get this show on the road...

"Arcadia of my Youth"—it’s easily one of Leiji Matsumoto's cult classics, and honestly, probably his best work. That being said, it's definitely not for everyone. I guess some people find it way too drawn out or just plain boring, but that's just how it goes.

Personally, I dig it because the atmosphere really works in tandem with the film's core message and its overall vision. It’s just one of those things where you have a hundred different people, all with their own quirks. A hundred women, two hundred breasts... that kind of thing.😁

"Metropolis" was actually based on Tezuka's manga of the same name, which obviously draws its inspiration from Lang's "Metropolis."
The script was written by Katsuhiro Otomo, while Rintaro handled the directing—he's the guy who frequently directs Matsumoto's films.

It’s a really solid mix of that classic Tezukin character design and modern CGI animation. I know some people are throwing shade at that choice, but personally? I actually thought it worked quite well.

Honestly, this is easily the best anime movie I’ve ever seen.

"Perfect Blue" is the debut from director Satoshi Kon. It’s a psychological thriller that doubles as a sharp critique of pop culture here in the USA.

"Wings of Honneamise"—that film from Studio GAINAX. It’s basically a drama about a guy trying to become the world's first astronaut. I know people are split on it; some swear it’s one of the best films ever made, while others think it's just a dragged-out drama filled with philosophical nonsense that doesn't actually go anywhere. Personally? I think it's alright. It's okay. 👍

Basically, we're talking about a movie that had a massive influence on how things turned out. Anime. You could honestly argue that it deserves to be treated as its own distinct art movement. If nothing else, that alone makes it worth checking out.

Let’s move on to some pure entertainment now...😁

"Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust"... hehe, yeah, this one actually hits the spot. 👍 So, there’s this movie about a half-vampire who gets hired to rescue some rich guy's daughter after she gets snatched by vampires. It's a pretty standard setup, I guess, but the whole concept is interesting enough to chew on. 😁

The atmosphere is just incredible—it’s got that perfect gothic vibe, tons of action, and the fight scenes are seriously impressive.

Since this is an American co-production, the movie is in English, but I have to say, the voice acting is actually really solid.

So, regarding "Cowboy Bebop: Knockin' on Heaven's Door"—it's that movie that actually takes place right in the middle of the series, specifically tucked between episodes 22 and 23.

Even though this stands on its own and there aren't any major plot spoilers, it’s still not exactly ideal if you haven't seen the original series first. *shrugs*

There’s plenty of action, the animation is solid, and man, that soundtrack is absolutely incredible.

Total garbage.

Well, here we go. We’ve finally reached this point.

If you're looking for some absolute trash, I’d suggest checking out "Ninja Scroll." Look, the artistic value is basically a negative ten, but man, the movie itself is legendary. The action hits that sweet spot of being right up there with the best trash ninja flicks out there, and honestly, even the plot isn't half bad.

Look, I guess we could say that’s a decent enough place to start.

There are definitely some good ones out there, but honestly, there are way more bad ones. 😁 There are a ton of movies, but I honestly don't feel like sitting here and listing every single one of them right now.

Ninja Scroll minus ten?!? Trash, seriously?!?! What??? That's straight blasphemy! 😁Just kidding, okay, sure, parts of it definitely lean into trash territory, but as a whole, it’s way more fun than something like 'Charles Bronson in the middle of nowhere 2'. Anyway, getting back to the main movie in this thread.
Akira really isn't dragged out or slow. Look, I'm not even a huge cyberpunk fan—never even read Neuromancer—but the movie is honestly a beautifully flawed masterpiece. It's kind of like the movie A.I. There are bits that are incredible and parts that are total misses, but the core message is what pushes it into greatness. Plus, once you hit the ending, it's hard to even call it a "cyberpunk" film anymore; it's more about the human race as a whole and the paths we might take next. Not saying it's groundbreakingly original, but they handled it pretty damn well. (Again, comparing it to A.I., but there the message was handled in a totally unique way)
The animation is king. I don't remember every single detail, but I doubt anyone could argue it isn't in the top 5 animated films ever. I'd almost want to hunt down whoever invented the computer. Ugh... 😠
When it comes to the end, what sticks with me most about Akira are those tiny moments—just quick shots or sequences that are so artistically stunning I actually want to make a remake just to keep those specific frames EXACTLY the same. 😁(for example: one second there are two guys in a hallway, then darkness, and the next frame their bodies are smeared across the ceiling and walls. Or that rabbit disintegrating... just gorgeous.)

Anyway Adam Wright56, come on, convince me to dive back into MAMA. I miss you guys and I'm such an idiot for not leaving sooner. Such an idiot... 👋

I was actually just wondering today, "Man, where the hell is slyrider16?" I haven't seen any of his posts in at least a month. 😉

slyrider16 > Akira really isn't dragged out or slow. Personally, I’m not even much of a cyberpunk fan—I haven't even read Neuromancer—but that movie is honestly a beautifully flawed masterpiece. It reminds me a bit of the movie A.I. There are segments that are absolutely incredible, and then there are parts that are just straight-up failures, but I guess the core message of the film is what pushes it into that top-tier territory.

I mean, look, the core idea works, but I honestly feel like the movie could really use a shot of adrenaline to pick up the pace. It starts feeling a bit exhausting for me, and it happens pretty fast. I find myself just sitting there waiting for something—anything—to actually happen, but then nothing does. Just when you think the plot is finally gaining some momentum, it grinds to a halt again. It’s just this constant cycle of starting and stopping, and it gets tedious.

I don't know, maybe it's just my impression. *shrugs*

By the way, why does it feel like you compare every single animated movie to A.I.? 😁

Quote: slyrider16 > Honestly, once you get to that ending, it’s hard to even call this a cyberpunk movie anymore. It feels more like it's about the human race as a whole and the paths we might eventually take. I wouldn't say it's groundbreakingly original, but the execution is pretty solid. (I know, I'm doing it again with the A.I. comparison, but the message there was handled in such an incredibly original way.)

We could probably get ourselves sucked into a debate right now similar to that whole "Is Star Wars actually Sci-Fi?" argument.

It’s a cyberpunk setting, if you can even call it that... though honestly, it feels more like "punk" than anything else. 😁 So, cyberpunk.

I mean, Americans are usually known for being pretty straightforward, but when it comes to these filmmakers, they tend to play a different game. On the surface, a movie might look like one thing entirely, but once you actually dig into the subtext, there's something completely different going on underneath. It's almost like they hide the real message right under your nose.

slyrider16> At the end of the day, what’s really going to stick with me regarding Akira is those tiny, fleeting moments—just quick shots or sequences that are so incredibly beautiful, I honestly find myself wanting to make a remake just so I could keep those exact frames exactly as they are. (Like that one part where you see two guys in a hallway, then suddenly it's pitch black, and the next shot shows their bodies smeared all over the walls and ceiling. Or that rabbit disintegrating... man, it's just stunning.)

I mean, Otomo is just a master of detail. He really obsesses over every little thing. Honestly, I don't think I've ever seen a single movie he worked on that didn't have those layers of tiny details that just make everything feel so much more real.

Seriously, look at this guy... he’s just showing off now. My God, the level of detail in his drawings—it feels like it would be physically impossible for a normal human being to pull that off.

slyrider16> Look, Adam Wright56, you're gonna have to convince me to head back to MAMA again. Honestly, I miss you guys, and I’m such an idiot because I just can't seem to stay away. Just a total fool, I guess.

Hmm... yeah, sorry I haven't really kept you in the loop. It’s not like there was much of a lineup this year, anyway. I mean, there were some fun little things here and there, but nothing that truly felt "special." To be honest, I barely even showed up to the screenings.

Anyway, I’m bummed you missed the Trash night with Go Nagai, but don't sweat it—there'll be more of those.

You should definitely try to make it tomorrow, though... it should be pretty awesome. I doubt I'll be able to show up because I've got some stuff to take care of in Chicago, but I did promise I might swing by for the first 20 minutes or so of the screening. Apparently, they're prepping something special. 😉

Oh, and it would probably be worth stopping by the weekend after that, too, since they're showing those giant robots again. 😁

P. S.

I managed to get my hands on a scanned version of the Nausicaä manga. 😁

Adam Wright56 said:On which TV...?

http://www.animax-asia.com

It’s likely floating around somewhere on the internet if you're looking for a download, though I can't say for certain... As for actually buying a copy, I don't think that's an option...

Look, you're starting from the assumption that I actually live in the States and have any intention of hunting down a legitimate retail copy... 😉

Alright, fine, I suppose I'll write down a few things that are actually worth watching... from one perspective or another...

Adam Wright56,
Much appreciated... Much appreciated... this basically serves as my shopping list for Saturday...

To me, Akira is phenomenal. Part of it is being a fan of both the manga and that incredible animation, but I just love it. GitS feels empty to me—both the manga and the anime. I just can't get into Masamune Shirow's work.

Regarding best-of lists:
Pretty much anything from Studio Ghibli. Has anyone seen Porco Rosso? It might be my favorite. The story takes place somewhere around the Gulf Coast in the early 1900s. An absolute must-watch. The animation is stunning.
Jin-Roh was impressive. Solid story and great execution.
Metropolis is a halfway successful project for me. Visually, the CGI felt a bit forced (especially toward the end), but it's still among my favorites in the collection.

As far as series go, I grew up on the old robots (Mazinger, Grandizer, Getter Robot... mostly Go Nagai) alongside Gundam and Robotech (did anyone catch the original Macross that somehow inspired Robotech?).
For newer stuff, my top picks would be Serial Experiments Lain, FLCL, Ranma, Inuyasha, Lupin (especially that first series partially directed by Miyazaki), and Conan (also Miyazaki).

D

Kevin Morales65> Has anyone seen Porco Rosso? It might be my favorite.

A cynical pig...🙄...is a bit out of character for Miyazaki.

The animation is great, sure, but the movie still feels like one of the weaker entries in Miyazaki's filmography.

Kevin Morales65> They say it takes place somewhere in the islands off the Gulf Coast in the early 1900s.

The Gulf Coast, to be more precise. 😉

And we see that same vibe used in Kiki's Delivery Service.

Kevin Morales65> Jin-Roh was really impressive to me. Great story and amazing execution.

Jin-Roh is excellent... it's just a shame there are other films out there that hit you so hard that Jin-Roh doesn't feel like much after watching them.

The animation is top-tier, though. 👍

Kevin Morales65> Metropolis was a halfway successful project for me. Visually, the CGI felt a bit forced (especially at the end), but overall, it's definitely one of my favorites in the collection.

It's crazy how everyone complains about the CGI. That was literally the whole point—blending classic Tezukin designs with modern tech.

Anyway, watched Nausicaä tonight... on DVD this time. (Shout out to slyrider16 for lending me the disc 🙏).

I don't really feel like writing a ton since there's been so much talk about this film already, but I'll just say this is arguably one of Miyazaki's best movies ever. 🙏

Kevin Morales65> Among the first series that really stood out to me were the old robots (Mazinger, Grandizer, Getter Robot... in the main Go Nagai stuff)

Well, obviously... everyone from the old school geeks about Go Nagai. 😁

They were showing "Shin Getto VS Neo Getto!" at the local AMC today.

My favorite comments were things like:

"Did anyone actually count the explosions?"

or

"Here's something that could never be a live-action movie because of these pyrotechnics." 😁

P.S.

slyrider16, I hope you made it through to the end and had fun. 👍

I’m not against mixing classic animation with CGI. I just found the execution in Metropolis (especially toward the end) to be somewhat mediocre and a bit forced.

I agree that Nausicaä is probably Miyazaki's best film (personally, my favorites are that along with the Future Boy Conan series). Does anyone know when Howl's Moving Castle will be available? And circling back to Otomo, when is Steamboy coming out? I'm genuinely curious how that'll turn out.

So, a question for the group. Does anyone have recommendations for series or feature films that haven't been mentioned yet? I'm always interested in seeing what people enjoy.

"So, watched Nausicaä tonight... on DVD this time. (shoutout to slyrider16 for handing over the disc).

Don't really feel like typing much since everyone's already talked this thing to death, but honestly? This might just be Miyazaki's best work, hands down."

Hear hear! And hey, don't mention it. I'd probably make this required viewing for middle schoolers. 😁 Phenomenal. Anyway, what's the bonus content like on that other DVD?

As for those robots... man, I can't even. 😁 I swear I've never seen a movie (or series) with this much exaggeration and over-the-top nonsense. It kicks off crazy, second episode is solid—mostly thanks to Texas Mack—then the third one kind of drags and gets exhausting, but that finale... the last episode was a total miracle. Just when you think, 'okay, they can't get any wilder than this,' boom, new scene with even more insanity. Fantastic. 🙂 Sure, the critical rating is still pretty low—trash is trash, after all—but the series is one of a kind, a real little hidden gem for anyone into guilty pleasure subgenres.

The movie is good, really solid...

One reason I actually dug it so much is that it feels way less like a typical anime than most other films out there. Honestly, the colors and the whole vibe reminded me more of something by Bakshi rather than that whole giant-eyed aesthetic people usually associate with the genre...

The animation is great, and the story holds up (though I think this is one of those movies you just watch rather than try to follow closely—kind of like The Odyssey), plus the fight scenes were just visually stunning. It’s probably the first time I’ve seen a brawl animated properly, you know? With natural jitters and quick drops instead of that annoying slow-motion stuff they always throw in...

I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised, which doesn't happen for me all that often 😛

Just a random thought, though—why does the villain look like he was designed by Akira Toriyama???????????????????

Even Otto’s manga wasn't really your typical style; he was actually leaning much more into that classic American comic book vibe.