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Akira-Tetsuo
Reviews
Hotaru no haka (1988)
Hit Play, Rewind, Hit Play, Rewind, Hit Play...
I consider myself an Otaku, and own a drawer of Anime and Manga, most of which is considered great. I wanted to look for another Anime, so I went on IMDb, and found this at the top of the list. I went out and rented it, not knowing what to expect. However, when I saw it, it was better then any movie I've ever seen, Anime and Live-Action alike.
It had beautiful animation, especially the extremely detailed backrounds, but unlike other Anime titles, the characters' mouths just opened and closed, unlike other Animes where the mouth movements are based on how the voice actors' mouths move.
"September 21, 1945. That was the day I died." You see a young soldier, Seita say this, and then you see his lifeless, barely breathing body lying against a pillar in a subway station. Several people just walk past making comments, but one stops, looks, and gives him a bag of food. He slumps to the side and dies. A Rail worker sees him, and tosses a candy can he was carrying to a field. In the field, you see him rise, in uniform, and then you see Seita's sister Setsuko pick up the can, and take his hand. Then you see thousands of Fireflies rise from the field. You then see Seita and Setsuko on a train, while Setsuko eats candy. The movie then switches to a flash back, where Seita and Setsuko's village is in panic, and you hear people yelling, "Air strike!" as they pack up struff to take with them to a shelter. Seita sees his Mama, and tells her to bring her medicine. She then leaves, and Seita carries his sister while he packs things in a bag like a picture of his father, and other things. Him and Setsuko leave towards a shelter, but the bombing begins, as the fiery sticks down pore. it then begins to rain from all He gets to the school, after the bombing, where everyone has been stationed, and finds his girlfriend who takes Setsuko and tell Seita to go see his mother. His mother is sleeping, heavily wrapped in bandages from severe burns. He then finds that they were unable to find her heart medicine. Later, when he thinks she is being transfered to a hospital, he finds that she passed away. He deciedes to withhold this from Setsuko for the time being, and they set off for their Aunt's house in another village. For the next 45 minutes or so, they must overcome lacks of food supply from the constant bombing, which cannot be smothered out because the oil spreads, along with dealing with people. This is where there story begins from the rest of the movie.
Excellent animation, touching, sad, angering, and something you want to watch over and over. 10/10.
Ao no roku go (1998)
Big Expectations, but No Cigar...
Although visually beautiful and stunning, the characters were too basic, and you really just didn't care about them. Also, the underworld creatures were a tad silly. Now, I know this isn't the creator's fault, but when the main character was smoking a cigarette, they made it a toothpick on Toonami, and smoke was still coming out of it!
Just don't bother with this film.
Kôkaku kidôtai (1995)
So, where does the newborn go from here?
Ghost in the Shell was the third Anime I ever saw where computer graphics were combined with Animation (The first two being Dragonball Z Movie #13, and Blue Sub #6). This proved for an amazing picture, and the direction was very much like that in "Blade Runner". However, people who have also seen this that didn't like it didn't seem to know what the plot was, which is why Ebert says what he says about this film. "Ghost in the Shell" is the second greatest Anime ever, with "Akira" being the first, and "Princess Mononoke" being the third. However, it was just too darn short.
When a man who calls himself the Puppet Master unleashes a virus among cyborgs, a lone ghost in a shell is to stop him.
So what does "Ghost in the Shell" mean? Well, after having their genetics inputed into a new body, a person's soul and mind still exists... Or are they just, "Ghost in Shells"?
Shadow Skill (1995)
Interesting...
In a war-torn world, a martial art called "Shadow Skill" exists, and you must fight to survive. Although interesting, pretty boring characters and a very hard-to-follow story line with several plot holes (I'm not kidding, and I fully understood "Akira"). However, the bit of story line that does make sense is pretty good, and the fight sequences are excellent.
Gau and his sister, Elle, set off in a journey to his parents' grave, as they have done each year for four years. However, it is in Elle's blood to fight, even if it isn't in Gau's. But Elle will teach Gau the ultimate art: the art of... "Shadow Skill"!
Macross Plus (1994)
Greatness + Trash = Huh?
While episodes 1 + 2 were excellent, 3 + 4 were awful.
Two past friends, now rivals, must fight over the love of their lives, and a mission which can't be turned down.
Episodes 1 + 2 are excellent, and realistic, while 3 + 4 reveal a ridiculous ending.
In other words:
1 + 2, you've just won a million dollars!
3 + 4, you are the weakest link!
Akira (1988)
The Best Anime Film Ever Created
As of April 1, 2001, I witnessed the greatest Anime ever on a digital surround-sound screen at the AMC Empire in New York: Akira. The animation far surpassed that of any Disney film, and the sound track was unique and intriguing (Hey, that's a first!). But it wasn't only this; complex characters and an ultra-realistic plot (Well, with certain exceptions). However, its one drawback is that the movie isn't for the weak-hearted or children who will try to imitate it. Even though it may not be rated, this film would definitely get an "R": Graphic Violence, Strong Language, Nudity, and Drug Content.
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NOTE: Before you read this, although not a spoiler, is a very detailed outline of the plot, and should not be read if you want complete surprises when seeing this film.
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It all starts in the year 1988: A blast in Tokyo by Akira is which supposedly began World War III.
31 years afterwards, in 2019, Neo-Tokyo has risen from the ashes, and is now a dark, dangerous metropolis.
After the kidnapping of Takeshi (No. 26), a powerful psychic, a military action is launched. Takeshi, although just a child, appears elderly, due to drugs, which were given to enhance his powers. When found, he is almost hit by Tetsuo, a friend of Ken and Kaneda's, a small biker gang. In the mess, Tetsuo is injured and taken to a hospital.
The next morning, scientists study Tetsuo, to find that he has amazing psychic abilities, and he is given drugs to enhance them. However, after feeling uncomfortable, Tetsuo wakes up to find every thing in his room destroyed, and escapes. He finds his girlfriend, but is quickly captured again, and put in the hospital.
While in the hospital, Tetsuo is given the enhancing drugs, and begins dreaming of voices telling him that people as strong as him don't deserve his power.
While, Kiyoko (No. 25), makes a prediction that the city will crumble, and falls asleep, Takeshi and Masaru (No. 27).
Then, suddenly, Tetsuo loses control, the drugs taking over his brain, and his psychic abilities ridiculously powerful. He seeks the one who can help him overcome all of his enemies, and he must destroy the city to get there. This person is the last person to have destroyed Tokyo... Akira! What follows is an incredible ending, that makes you laugh, cry, feel joy and anger, yet love the plot all the same.
But keep in mind: "Tokyo is about to E. X. P. L. O. D. E.".