Akira (Japan, 1988)

Kaneda is a bike gang leader whose close friend Tetsuo gets involved in a government secret project known as Akira. On his way to save Tetsuo, Kaneda runs into a group of anti-government activists, greedy politicians, irresponsible scientists and a powerful military leader. The confrontation sparks off Tetsuo's supernatural power leading to bloody death, a coup attempt and the final battle in Tokyo Olympiad where Akira's secrets were buried 30 years ago.

A landmark in animation. Akira influenced a whole generation of film-makers and would come to be one of the movies that popularized anime outside of Japan. Based on a manga, Akira is set in a dystopian Neo-Tokyo, 2019. The story focuses on the young biker Kaneda, and his friend Tetsuo who gains destructive psychic powers.

Filled to the brim with glowing neon cyberpunk and sci-fi, this movie is gorgeous every second. Fluid animation and solid sound-effects makes this a masterpiece that still outshines many anime movies made today.

Genre: Action/Animation/Sci-Fi