Reviews

Akira, Vol. 1 by Katsuhiro Otomo

lacommunarde's review

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challenging
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

It's the graphic novel the famous anime movie is based on. And the graphic novel goes even harder on all the themes. It is magnificent.

tonatyuh's review

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4.0

4.5*
That ending was insane. I can't wait to continue this series.

nolansmock's review

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5.0

I'm amazed at how this managed to live up to the hype surrounding it for me. That almost never happens, especially in a medium geared towards young adults. Getting back into manga this last year has been an exercise in restraint putting off reading what is probably it's most well-known import in the US, but buying all the volumes can be expensive, so it took a while until I found the 35th anniversary box for under $100. It can be done! I put it on the shelf for a while, was still holding out. I mean, could it really be that good? Yes, it is. I've never seen the movie because I'm actually not that into anime. Manga is something else entirely, a collection of still images, similar to what attracts me to photo books, but I've ended up with a VHS and blu-ray copies somehow over the years and once I finish the series, I'm looking forward to seeing the adaptation. Plenty has been said about the series already, so I'll just leave it there.

spectracommunist's review

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4.0

The symphonic suite of Yamashirogumi added much grit to the vibes of neo-Tokyo in the adaptation and due to some other factors and scenes, I think the movie was better. Nonetheless, the adrenaline rush here.

cultneophyte7's review

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5.0

Forever a classic.

jerrypants's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

4.0

alexander5_'s review

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adventurous funny lighthearted tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

in_my_mind's review

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adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes

4.75

bimbum's review

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

The first volume in the Akira collection is a phenomenal start to a heart pounding series. The story is tense, and the mystery of Akira even more so. Not to mention the rowdy characters surrounded in a dark, dangerous post WW3 world that add to the overall chaotic, thrilling ride. It immediately lets you know why Akira is held as one of the greatest animated stories of all time and a genre defying piece for not only animation, but entertainment as a whole.

samypants35's review

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dark mysterious fast-paced

5.0