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Celluloid
AnimationSci-Fi Annecy 1988 · Out of Competition

Akira

Directed by Katsuhiro Otomo · 1988 ·

Short answer

Is Akira worth watching?

Yes. Akira (1988) earns an 83% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one. See the 4 inputs.

83%
Celluloid Score Recommended

4-input transparent breakdown

90% Editorial Rating
91% Audience snapshot · excluded
77 Metascore
★★★★☆ Letterboxd 4.3
8 IMDb /10
0
Watch Trailer
Released
Runtime
2h 4m
Age rating
R (US) · 12 (UK)
Cast
Mitsuo Iwata , Nozomu Sasaki , Mami Koyama
Streaming
Crunchyroll
Country
Japan
Language
Japanese

Also known as 아키라 阿基拉 อากิระ คนไม่ใช่คน Chúa Tể Akira أكيرا

🏆 1 award win — Won Special Award, Japan Academy Film Prize 1989

Where to watch

  • Crunchyroll

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Fandango at Home

Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Fandango at Home

Where to watch Akira by country

Country Streaming on
Japan Netflix, Hulu, U-NEXT
South Africa Crunchyroll
South Korea Netflix, TVING
United Kingdom Netflix, Disney+
United States Crunchyroll

Subscription availability, refreshed from TMDB. Rental and purchase options may differ.

Why this score?

  • Celluloid's editorial rating is exceptional (90/100).
  • Audiences widely enjoyed it (91%).
  • Metascore is generally favorable (77/100).
  • Letterboxd diarists rate it highly (4.3/5).
  • IMDb users score it 8/10.

Best for

  • Viewers who want a well-regarded animation, sci-fi pick

Not ideal for

    Scores reflect data indexed at build time. Component sources are shown on this page; Celluloid Score is our composite, not a third-party trademark. Scoring policy

    Streaming availability, artwork and title metadata courtesy of TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.

    Is Akira worth watching?

    Yes — Akira earns an 83% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. It suits viewers who want a well-regarded animation, sci-fi pick. Read our full review (4.5/5).

    Celluloid verdict

    Otomo's cyberpunk landmark reshaped anime aesthetics and still influences sci-fi worldwide.

    , Founder & Editor

    Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one.

    What is Akira about?

    A biker gang member in neo-Tokyo develops destructive psychic powers amid government conspiracy and urban collapse after World War III.

    Watch the Trailer

    Critic Reviews

    Short review 4 min read English Akira

    Akira (1988) Review: Neo-Tokyo Still Burns Brightest

    Akira is Katsuhiro Otomo's cyberpunk anime landmark about bikers, psychic power and a city on the brink, and its hand-drawn spectacle is still breathtaking.

    Yes. It is one of the most important animated films ever made and a thrilling ride, ideal for science fiction fans who can handle graphic violence and a dense, rushed plot.

    Kaiser Khan Founder & Editor

    Akira stills

    Official production imagery supplied through TMDB, kept with the movie instead of split into a thin gallery page.

    Akira production still 1
    Akira production still 2
    Akira production still 3
    Akira production still 4
    Akira production still 5
    Akira production still 6

    Images courtesy of TMDB. TMDB does not endorse or certify Celluloid.

    Reader takes

    No reader takes published yet. Send yours and we may publish it after editing.

    Akira: frequently asked questions

    Is Akira worth watching?

    Yes. Akira (1988) has a Celluloid Score of 83%, averaged from the available Celluloid editorial, Metascore, Letterboxd and IMDb ratings. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Audience sentiment is shown separately and does not change the score.

    Where can I watch Akira?

    In the United States, Akira streams on Crunchyroll with a subscription, and you can rent it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Fandango at Home or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Fandango at Home. Elsewhere: Netflix, Hulu, U-NEXT in Japan; Crunchyroll in South Africa; Netflix, TVING in South Korea; Netflix, Disney+ in the United Kingdom. Availability changes; the where-to-watch table on this page is refreshed from TMDB.

    How long is Akira?

    Akira runs 2 hours 4 minutes (124 minutes).

    What is Akira rated?

    Akira is rated R in the United States and 12 in the UK. These are the official classifications as recorded on TMDB; check your local classification board for content advice.

    Who stars in Akira?

    Akira is directed by Katsuhiro Otomo and stars Mitsuo Iwata, Nozomu Sasaki, Mami Koyama.

    What is the Metascore for Akira?

    Metacritic's Metascore for Akira is 77 out of 100. It is one of the inputs to the Celluloid Score.

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