Reviews

Akira, Vol. 5 by Katsuhiro Otomo

Only show reviews with written explanations

nolansmock's review

4.0

To me this volume brought a lot of the manga's best elements into perfect balance. It isn't just action or world-building like the previous volumes seemed to alternate between and all of the characters that've been introduced so far are fleshed out even if ultimately their roles are all the same, all barrelling towards the next volume. Instead of this book ending with the climax like the others it feels as if that's all being saved for the next, final volume. The way things ramped up at the end of this was a blast and I'm looking forward to the conclusion. The art in this manga is jaw-dropping too. I have no idea how these were made on a biweekly schedule. I've gone back and forth on this series but it really deserves all the hype for better or worse. I can't think of anything else quite like it except for Eden: It's An Endless World which still might be one of my favorite mangas, sadly unfinished in the west. The illustrations and cinematic storytelling of Akira is one-of-kind though and even if it's not the deepest story ever told it's one hell of a ride.

sethbodine's review

Go to review page

dark emotional tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

songwind's review

Go to review page

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.

almasitimii's review

Go to review page

adventurous dark informative mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes

3.75

easytocrash's review

Go to review page

dark tense fast-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? No

4.0

tinusreads's review

Go to review page

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

In the fifth volume of Akira military forces arrive. Kaneda has returned to the story after falling from a hole or time ripple from the sky along with some skyscrapers. But this is never explained. Kei searches for Chiyoko and runs into the colonel again. Meanwhile Tetsuo's Aide wants to destroy Lady Miyoko because she attracts more followers and Tetsuo just... doesn't really care about what's happening.

The special forces also join the storyline with a group of the best of the best scientists and researchers. But that part seems a little unnecessary. As they are utterly helpless against the forces at work here. The point being that in this world grown ups have become obsolete. Meanwhile the psychics of the project try to train Kei as quick as possible to battle Tetsuo. But Kaneda would like to finish Tetsuo himself. All the while Akira just observes the onslaught and chaos like a spectator waiting to act.

In the end Tetsuo slowly loses his grip. Makes a new crater in the moon that disturbs the forces of nature and makes the tides rise drowning a lot of innocent. But Tetsuo only cares about power. The only person he seems to care for is Kaori.

Volume 5 sets up everything nicely for the final volume of the series as Tetsuo slowly loses grip of his powers. With different forces all wanting to end it, who will actually succeed?