Dark Horse is committed to bringing the finest comics from around the world to America. Now, in association with Kodansha Ltd. and Studio Proteus, ...
read full description
reviews
Feb 05, 2012
Greg
rated it: 
I recently bought this volume for my brother-in-law as a Christmas gift, then pulled the anime off my shelf for another go-around (it's been years since I last saw it), but after the first fifteen minutes decided it was time to re-read the graphic novels, and I am lucky enough to have a public library that has the entire series. I've read them once, but it's been long enough that most of the details of the story are a blur now, and as good as the film version is on its own, it is a mess compared
More...
Dec 01, 2011
Πέτρος
rated it:
VALUE SECTION: 10/10
Analysis: Historical Value 3/3, Rereadability 3/3, Memorability 4/4
Amongst the most classic manga titles of all times, Akira has passed in history as one of the best dystopian/apocalyptic titles of all times, not only because of its detailed artwork but also because of its themes, angst-ridden characters, and grotesque action/transformation scenes.
ART SECTION: 8/10
Analysis: General Artwork 2/2, Character Figures 1/2, Backgrounds 2/2, Readabili More...
Analysis: Historical Value 3/3, Rereadability 3/3, Memorability 4/4
Amongst the most classic manga titles of all times, Akira has passed in history as one of the best dystopian/apocalyptic titles of all times, not only because of its detailed artwork but also because of its themes, angst-ridden characters, and grotesque action/transformation scenes.
ART SECTION: 8/10
Analysis: General Artwork 2/2, Character Figures 1/2, Backgrounds 2/2, Readabili More...
Dec 01, 2010
Dale
rated it: 
I saw the animated movie adaptation of Akira in college and I thought it was pretty sweet. In the years since, I also gradually picked up on the fact that the original manga series was extremely significant in terms of the history of the medium's achievement. I'd always meant to read it someday, even though it's a somewhat daunting task involving thousands of pages collected in six phonebook-sized volumes. This year I resolved to at least start the series, and I recently finished volume 1. W
More...
Dec 01, 2011
Brad
rated it: 
If I hadn't seen the film version of Akira way back in the late eighties, at a midnight screening at our local Indy theatre (run by the crazy Swede my Dad hated for selling us a nicked table), and if I hadn't watched it repeatedly over the next twenty some years, I'd have read this manga this week with complete disdain. But the movie, luckily, is a masterpiece, and it is based on the full six part manga, so I have some sense of where Akira is going and what makes it worth while.
As a st More...
As a st More...
7 comments
like
(7 people liked it)
Jul 16, 2011
Hayden
rated it:
Akira vol. 1 is the first part of a sci-fi epic, telling the story of a teenage biker gang in a futuristic, post-apocalyptic Tokyo who get caught up in a huge government conspiracy involving an army of psycho-telekenetic individuals who are capable of blowing up any and everything in their paths. This apparently induces severe headaches, and their only sedative is a rare and powerful drug. When Tetsuo, one of the bikers, has a crash and discovers he has these powers, it leads to a war between th
More...
Feb 03, 2011
Jay
rated it:
Set in the post-apocalyptic city of Neo-Tokyo, Akira is a sprawling epic that centers around two childhood friends: a brash, loud-mouthed antihero named Kaneda, and his quiet second fiddle Tetsuo, who, through a series of clandestine government experiments, finds himself the wielder of vast and destructive psychic powers.
The book begins as a slick, cyberpunk style tale, and ends as a dystopian survival story in the shell of Neo-Tokyo’s ruins. Along the way, Otomo explores the issues More...
The book begins as a slick, cyberpunk style tale, and ends as a dystopian survival story in the shell of Neo-Tokyo’s ruins. Along the way, Otomo explores the issues More...
Nov 03, 2009
Jason
rated it:
This 360-page chunk of manga is obviously the start of something big - it's got all that room to play and although it hits a satisfying climax, it is also clearly only the start of something big. Otomo's art is also very interesting, looking neither western nor like the exaggeratedly rounded style that has come to dominate the manga that reaches America. He also manages some exceptionally cinematic layouts, often with extreme widescreen panels that span the top 1/3-1/2 of a two-page spread or
More...
Jan 31, 2010
Lionel
rated it:
A review of AKIRA by Katsuhiro Otomo.
Let’s get this out of the way first: I watched the animated AKIRA before I ever laid eyes on the actual manga that inspired it. And was blown away by the animation and the themes of teenage rebellion, power and greed. Though, understandably, there seemed to be a lot of loose ends and a lack of characterization in the struggle to remake the story from comics to film. Still, it blew me away.
And so I finally read the entire epic manga ove More...
Let’s get this out of the way first: I watched the animated AKIRA before I ever laid eyes on the actual manga that inspired it. And was blown away by the animation and the themes of teenage rebellion, power and greed. Though, understandably, there seemed to be a lot of loose ends and a lack of characterization in the struggle to remake the story from comics to film. Still, it blew me away.
And so I finally read the entire epic manga ove More...
Jun 16, 2009
Tony
rated it:
(my review here concerns all six volumes of AKIRA, not just the first...for all intents and purposes, I give every volume 5 stars and consider them among the best of the best)
An epic 2,000+ page graphic novel that is acclaimed and has been for years, rightfully so. Katsuhiro Otomo created a truly original and entertaining look at a possible future for Tokyo, one that is eye-opening and horrifying. To summarize it is pointless, just go into this bad boy knowing that Tokyo was destro More...
An epic 2,000+ page graphic novel that is acclaimed and has been for years, rightfully so. Katsuhiro Otomo created a truly original and entertaining look at a possible future for Tokyo, one that is eye-opening and horrifying. To summarize it is pointless, just go into this bad boy knowing that Tokyo was destro More...
Nov 04, 2011
ηicolε
rated it:
Nothing like a good head implosion to brighten up my day.
I don’t know how many times I’ve read this series; there just seems to be something about it that makes me continue to pick it up time after time instead of expanding my literary range and picking up something new for a change. I’ll get right to the point (seeing as you may not want to read the rest of this review, in case it gets lengthy): this piece is absolute genius. For any graphic novel fans that have been contemplating c More...
I don’t know how many times I’ve read this series; there just seems to be something about it that makes me continue to pick it up time after time instead of expanding my literary range and picking up something new for a change. I’ll get right to the point (seeing as you may not want to read the rest of this review, in case it gets lengthy): this piece is absolute genius. For any graphic novel fans that have been contemplating c More...
Jan 10, 2012
Michael
rated it:
Katsuhiro hits the ground running. This first volume introduces us to the major characters and swings us rather quickly into the story. As a result, the characters do not have much of a chance to develop. Of course, this is rectified over the course of the series but it may throw off new readers. That said, Katsuhiro's storytelling through art is simply magnificent. The dialogue is sparse but effective.
For first time readers, a tale of rebel teenagers in Neo-Tokyo getting caught up More...
For first time readers, a tale of rebel teenagers in Neo-Tokyo getting caught up More...
Aug 25, 2011
Jo
rated it:
Kaneda is a disaffected rebellious teenage boy growing up in dystopian 2030 Neo-Tokyo, a city built around a crater of destruction from the massive detonation that exploded in the heart of Tokyo at 2.17pm on December the 6th 1992. He leads his gang of anarchic motorcyling teenage delinquents breaking into the zone of destruction and his friend Tetsuo is badly wounded as they crash trying to avoid a mysterious wrinkled faced child who disappears. Tetsuo is taken away by mysterious forces and re
More...
Nov 25, 2010
Steve
rated it:
Usually, I'm not into manga (or anime) at all, but at the suggestion of a friend, I checked out volume 1 of the famed Akira series, and I'm glad I did. As Kaneda, head of a local youth biker gang in dystopian Japan, nearly loses his best friend Tetsuo a motorcycle accident, he quickly learns that there are more powerful forces at work in the world than he ever imagined. When Tetsuo awakens with latent psychic abilities now ravaging his mind, a series of events is kicked off involving secret gove
More...
Sep 06, 2011
Evan
rated it:
Holy crap! I was given the first issue of Akira as a gift in Japanese when I was a kid, and was compelled by the art, but unfortunately unable to translate any of the dialog. I picked up a few issues when it was published in America, but remained happy enough with the movie to never really pursue the comics series. I'm not sure what compelled me to buy the TPB's, but I haven't been more amazed at a series since Bone. Otomo had created an entire universe that I was completely ignorant of. Pi
More...
Dec 31, 2010
Sakura
rated it:
I saw the anime first and loved it. Since the manga contained more details than the anime, I decided to give it a try. If you're a fan of the anime, definitely check out the manga since the anime was completed while the manga itself was still ongoing (therefore there are more details not mentioned in the anime).
Even if you're not a big fan of the anime, if you're usually into sci-fi series, give it a try. I've known some people who didn't like the anime as much but enjoyed the manga More...
Even if you're not a big fan of the anime, if you're usually into sci-fi series, give it a try. I've known some people who didn't like the anime as much but enjoyed the manga More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Sep 08, 2009
Jason
rated it:
For those who know a bit about graphic novels, you'll know that this is one of the most famous series of all times. It's a bit intimidating to be honest when you look at the thickness of one volume and realize how many there are! But I found myself glued to the pages the minute I started reading. The art is simple yet complete. The story line is very engaging. And the character development is strong. You actually want to see good things happen to the protagonist. Otomo has crafted out quite a na
More...
Apr 29, 2009
Sophie
rated it:
I absolutely adore the film Akira, and always wanted to read the manga. Thank goodness for good bookshops! =) The artwork in this book is absolutely superb, you have to really spend a good deal of time taking it all in. The plot is fantastic and in so much more depth than the film, which, while I love it, had to cut out much, including much of Kei's plot development. A masterpiece, really, and something that makes me irritated that I can't draw. Otomo is a genius, and this work is superbly well-
More...
Mar 05, 2011
David
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Mar 24, 2008
Eric
rated it:
(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 the More...
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 the More...
Oct 29, 2011
Vicky
rated it:
I recently re-watched the Akira movie and came to the conclusion that the movie seems to leave a lot of questions unanswered and some really ambiguous. I'm sure some of this is completely intentional on Otomo's part, but with almost 2000 pages of graphic novel, I'm sure much of the story had to be left out and rearranged. So... I decided to read the original manga.
I'm giving this particular volume 3 stars because it didn't really exceed my expectations and was mostly set-up. I suspec More...
I'm giving this particular volume 3 stars because it didn't really exceed my expectations and was mostly set-up. I suspec More...
Oct 28, 2011
Andy
rated it:
One of the masterpieces of the graphic novel genre. Akira deftly illustrates (no pun intended) how in some instances, the combination of images and words in sequential art results in something that is greater than it could be either as single panel artwork or as a standard novel. Akira is many things: terrifying, funny, exciting, haunting, and beautiful. Katuhiro Otomo has produced a work of science fiction that is truly one of the greatest works of the late 20th century.
Oct 25, 2007
Vitamin AK
rated it:
What I learned from this book: Psychokinesis is rad, but don't do drugs in a vain attempt to control your burgeoning powers: it'll only make things worse.
This ...I can't even call it a comic book--its 6 books take up more than a foot of my shelf space--this epic tome is almost too much to write about. It encompasses at least two Apocalypses, it grapples with huge themes and issues, leaves the reader to do much of the heavy lifting, demands multiple readings, and is just insanely More...
This ...I can't even call it a comic book--its 6 books take up more than a foot of my shelf space--this epic tome is almost too much to write about. It encompasses at least two Apocalypses, it grapples with huge themes and issues, leaves the reader to do much of the heavy lifting, demands multiple readings, and is just insanely More...
Mar 20, 2011
Justyn
rated it:
This was a really engaging story that was surprisingly complex plot for relatively sparse dialogue. The reasons it didn't get a five was because the narrative was a bit hard to follow at times as Otomo's transitions left me scratching my head quite a bit. Also, this book basically introduced a lot of questions and ended on a cliffhanger so there was no real sense of closure. However, I will continue with volume two as soon as my dealer gets it for me:-)
Nov 26, 2010
Andrew
rated it:
I'm not a huge manga reader, but I am interested. I figured Akira would be a great intro into this genre...and I was right.
Not only is this volume well written and action packed, but it also starts to answers a heck of a lot of the questions that I had while watching the anime.
I'm very excited to start volume 2. I recommend this to everyone, even if they aren't huge manga fans.
Not only is this volume well written and action packed, but it also starts to answers a heck of a lot of the questions that I had while watching the anime.
I'm very excited to start volume 2. I recommend this to everyone, even if they aren't huge manga fans.
Nov 20, 2008
Meredith
rated it:
If you like amazing illustrations and dystopian stories, Akira's for you! Seriously, read the graphic novels. There is so much more depth to the story than they show in the movie. I can't find the ones I read on here, and it's just as well, since there were 40 issues. I was lucky enough to have access to the full-color version.
Apr 06, 2010
Gaelen
rated it:
I read this immediately after watching the movie for the first time. In such a situation, it's hard not to judge the movie instead of the book -- I will simply say that the movie is very faithful to the book (volume 1, anyway), not surprising since the author of the book wrote and directed the movie. I haven't read a lot of manga, so a lot of the style is still a bit unusual to me. Enjoyable, though... I will read more.
Jun 11, 2009
Sunflower
rated it:
My first exposure to Manga. I know this is a classic, and we had it in my sons' left behind bookshelf, so thought I would read it as part of my preparation for my trip to Japan! (And it won't hurt the book challenge either) Probably not going to seek out the rest of the series, though.....favourite new word from this one: blorch.
Mar 17, 2011
Found this book on a list of 20 essential works of Japanese literature. Made this list in Goodreads here.
Sep 13, 2011
Brandy
rated it:
Post-apocalyptic only in that we're in a post-apocalyptic world, but the story is less about that than the sci-fi/fantasy elements, with supernatural/psychokinetic powers and all that.
Will probably watch the movie; not super-inclined to read the rest of the series right now. Sad but true.
Will probably watch the movie; not super-inclined to read the rest of the series right now. Sad but true.
Aug 25, 2010
Kaliq
rated it:
this book is the beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt ever
