FUNimation is set to release Katsuhiro Otomo’s landmark anime, Akira (1988) on a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray.

On July 16, 1988, Tokyo was destroyed by what was believed to be a new type of bomb, triggering World War III. Thirty-one years later, in 2019, Neo-Tokyo has risen from ashes under Japan’s new political system; but the glittering city is built on foundations of poverty, ignorance, and despair. Kaneda and his friends, a bunch of juvenile delinquents, rumble with a rival group of bikers. While the police attempt to disperse a riot with tear gas, the rumble continues. Tetsuo takes the lead and, after disposing of his opponents, nearly runs down what looks to be a 100-year-old baby. Tetsuo’s bike suddenly explodes and he is taken prisoner by the top-secret Akira Project where he is subjected to a series of tests that unleash his latent psychokinetic powers. But he is really more powerful than anyone imagined and breaks out, creating a swathe of destruction across the city as he mutates into another life form.

It’s dark and violent but, because it is so creative, it is a really fun experience. It’s like Inception but way more trippy! Rachel Wagner — Rotoscopers

Release date: December 22, 2020

Genre: Sci-fi / Action

Director Katsuhiro Ôtomo Cast Mitsuo Iwata, Nozomu Sasaki, Mami Koyama Country Japan Production Year 1988 Discs 2 Blu-ray Discs Region 4K Blu-ray – Region Free / 2K Blu-ray – Region A Run Time 124 minutes Formats Color / 4K Ultra HD / 1.85:1 Audio Japanese / English Subtitle Japanese / English AKA Akira: The Special Edition / アキラ Studio FUNimation

Special features

NEWLY REMASTERED IN 4K AKIRA Sound Making 2019 AKIRA Sound Clip by Geinoh Yamashirogumi End Credits (From The Original 1988 Theatrical Release) Theatrical Preview —Trailer Collection (with English Subtitles) Storyboard Collection

Akira (1988) trailer