Neo Tokyo is about to E-X-P-L-O-D-E… into your Face in 4K at a Cinema Near You!

Manga Entertainment have confirmed that the new 4K restoration of Akira will screen in cinemas across the UK and Ireland from October 7. Katsuhiro Otomo’s towering 1988 classic has been given the 4K treatment for 2020. It will undoubtedly look better than ever. The film will screen in over 200 locations, including selected IMAX venues. There are previews taking place October 7 and 8, with the full opening on October 9. All screenings will be in the original Japanese with English subtitles.

Darcy Giles, Manga’s PR and Social Media Manager says:

 Prepare your eyeballs! We’re thrilled to announce that Akira is coming to IMAX this October for a very limited time only. Grab your tickets as soon as possible – you don’t want to miss this.

Need help finding your nearest screening? The majority of locations are on the website now, and expect the rest to be made available shortly. Over in the US, Funimation will be showing in selected locations from September 24, with a 4K UHD Blu-Ray release this December. Find your nearest screening here.

Akira is the one of the world’s most treasured and revered animated movies. Its post-apocalyptic, cyberpunk outline of a world-away-from-ours in 2019 is one of animation’s most iconic productions. It tells the story of Kaneda, a leader of a bike teenage bike gang whose childhood friend, Tetsuo Shima, acquires escalating telekinetic powers after a motorcycle accident. In a world already ignited by chaos and violent protests, Tetsuo’s untapped power threatens to destroy it all.

Akira was the movie that kicked off the western Anime revolution of the 90’s. In the United Kingdom, it was the basis for the Manga Video brand, Manga Entertainment in its current UK form. Over 30 years later, Akira still remains their most important asset, with Manga ensuring each of its restorations reach UK shores. It remains the benchmark Anime movie, and, for my money, the greatest of all time.

Will you be seeing Akira in its latest restoration? Will this be your first time seeing Akira? Let me know your views!