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steveatwaywords's review
fast-paced
3.5
This review is the same one I am writing for all six volumes of Akira, since they comprise a single story and reading any single volume is not recommended.
First, I need to say that I appreciate fully the historical weight of Otomo's contribution to the manga genre, both for his vision of the future and many of the conventions that will later become staples of the genre. Its popularity and import is cemented in the history of its fans.
So I am writing as a relative newcomer to the genre, a real noob I admit, having read and viewed a fair amount of anime, but not really investing in manga directly.
Some observations. The work totals over 2100 pages, mostly of non-dialogue action panels, which reveal a plot that might have been told in far fewer (and has since been repeated by later science fiction movies almost ad nauseum in 60 or 90 minute episodes). Otomo spends about 90% of his time with explosions, onomatopoeia, and characters screaming their dialogue. Don't worry. Despite all of the drama (the Earth itself is, of course, in jeopardy) and pyrotechnics (nothing less than falling skyscrapers and explosions reminiscent of Hiroshima), and despite how close our characters are to these cataclysms, most everyone will survive with nary a scratch.
There is some talk of timelines and cosmos, of evolution and metaphysics, mostly in the brief downtime between battles. Unfortunately, none of these stakes--no matter how high, cosmic, spiritual, engulfing, or worthy of reflection--really matter when it comes to the next fights which are combinations of explosives and psychic blasts. (Volume 3, by the way, is the most satisfying in the actual development.)
Okay, so I will just come to my own issues, and I mean this sincerely: please, somebody, help me understand what I'm missing. Where is the meat of this? What is the reason it is well-crafted? What, beyond lots of volume and bigger explosions, is the draw? I understand some stories can just be exciting plots, but even at this level, Akira is wanting, substituting the number of characters and "sides" in the battle for complexity of situation. Volume after volume, the plot hinges on little more than who will win the next fight.
It's not that I hate this work. My rating suggests that I appreciate its place in the manga canon and its artwork, its vision of the future and its tracking of these across its sheer girth. But none of these are enough on their own for this level of fandom, so I must be missing something. Please leave me a kind comment of assistance so I can better appreciate what I experienced!
First, I need to say that I appreciate fully the historical weight of Otomo's contribution to the manga genre, both for his vision of the future and many of the conventions that will later become staples of the genre. Its popularity and import is cemented in the history of its fans.
So I am writing as a relative newcomer to the genre, a real noob I admit, having read and viewed a fair amount of anime, but not really investing in manga directly.
Some observations. The work totals over 2100 pages, mostly of non-dialogue action panels, which reveal a plot that might have been told in far fewer (and has since been repeated by later science fiction movies almost ad nauseum in 60 or 90 minute episodes). Otomo spends about 90% of his time with explosions, onomatopoeia, and characters screaming their dialogue. Don't worry. Despite all of the drama (the Earth itself is, of course, in jeopardy) and pyrotechnics (nothing less than falling skyscrapers and explosions reminiscent of Hiroshima), and despite how close our characters are to these cataclysms, most everyone will survive with nary a scratch.
There is some talk of timelines and cosmos, of evolution and metaphysics, mostly in the brief downtime between battles. Unfortunately, none of these stakes--no matter how high, cosmic, spiritual, engulfing, or worthy of reflection--really matter when it comes to the next fights which are combinations of explosives and psychic blasts. (Volume 3, by the way, is the most satisfying in the actual development.)
Okay, so I will just come to my own issues, and I mean this sincerely: please, somebody, help me understand what I'm missing. Where is the meat of this? What is the reason it is well-crafted? What, beyond lots of volume and bigger explosions, is the draw? I understand some stories can just be exciting plots, but even at this level, Akira is wanting, substituting the number of characters and "sides" in the battle for complexity of situation. Volume after volume, the plot hinges on little more than who will win the next fight.
It's not that I hate this work. My rating suggests that I appreciate its place in the manga canon and its artwork, its vision of the future and its tracking of these across its sheer girth. But none of these are enough on their own for this level of fandom, so I must be missing something. Please leave me a kind comment of assistance so I can better appreciate what I experienced!
itsdoroo's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Misogyny, Slavery, Gun violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, War, Drug use, and Addiction
nolansmock's review
4.0
Compared to the action of prior volumes this is a murky dive into the psyche and societal disorder. I haven't seen the movie yet (reading this first) but I'm pretty sure none of this makes it in there. That's not to say there's no action because there is and Akira constantly reminds me of why it's so well-regarded. The artwork and pacing is still probably the closest experience to a movie that I've read in manga. I was also reminded of Eden: It's An Endless World reading this, maybe my favorite series, sadly unfinished in the west. Like Eden, it lingers in the nonstop chaos of proxy warfare in a sci-fi setting and often shocks you with its intensity. I was surprised that volume four of Akira nearly matched that series in violence because it's brutal. Finally, the ending calls back to the end of volume three in a way that doesn't feel rehashed, literally flipping the premise upside down. I look forward to the next entry.
mrgriffit's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Impressive art and an interesting turn in the story. Liked getting to spend some quality narrative time with Tetsuo.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Gun violence, Sexual harassment, Murder, and War
songwind's review
4.0
(I read Akira in one huge go over a weekend, so I will be cutting and pasting this review for all 6 volumes)
Akira is an epic work of science fiction sequential art. The storyline is complex and consistent. There is social commentary, ethical musing, and morality woven through an action packed storyline of science gone wrong. The "romance" portion of the story is believable as well. The two characters are drawn to one another over time, and the world doesn't stop for them to wallow in their newfound twitterpatedness.
The art is beautiful, especially the detailed cityscapes and technical drawings. The main characters were easy to recognize, regardless of their circumstances or outfits, which is not true of many manga.
My complaints about the work are small. The placement of speech bubbles, particularly when characters are shouting, was not always clear. The foreign characters were really just Japanese with funny hats on. The difference between Akira and Tetsuo at the height of their powers is never really explained.
I first became aware of the manga because I was a fan of the anime. The manga is far more complex and satisfying.
Akira is an epic work of science fiction sequential art. The storyline is complex and consistent. There is social commentary, ethical musing, and morality woven through an action packed storyline of science gone wrong. The "romance" portion of the story is believable as well. The two characters are drawn to one another over time, and the world doesn't stop for them to wallow in their newfound twitterpatedness.
The art is beautiful, especially the detailed cityscapes and technical drawings. The main characters were easy to recognize, regardless of their circumstances or outfits, which is not true of many manga.
My complaints about the work are small. The placement of speech bubbles, particularly when characters are shouting, was not always clear. The foreign characters were really just Japanese with funny hats on. The difference between Akira and Tetsuo at the height of their powers is never really explained.
I first became aware of the manga because I was a fan of the anime. The manga is far more complex and satisfying.
almasitimii's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
easytocrash's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0