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Akira 4K Restoration

4 May 2025

In the Playhouse

Cinema

Japan | 1988  | English | Anime | M

With a new 4K restoration, Katsuhiro Otomo’s landmark cyberpunk classic returns to the big screen. This ground-breaking film remains a masterpiece of animation today, with scale and ambition that can only be truly appreciated on the big screen.

A groundbreaking anime masterpiece

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The cyberpunk anime classic, newly restored in 4K

Katsuhiro Otomo’s landmark cyberpunk classic turned global audiences on to anime with its release in 1988, and influenced generations of anime and science-fiction films in the decades that followed.

Exceptionally remastered in 4K, the iconic and ground-breaking film remains a masterpiece of animation today, with scale and ambition that can only be truly appreciated on the big screen.

Based on the classic manga series, Akira follows two young biker gang members, Kaneda and Tetsuo, through Neo-Tokyo in 2019, as they stumble across a secret government project that endangers the entire metropolis. Kaneda is forced to battle against anti-government activists, greedy politicians, irresponsible scientists and a powerful military leader, in an attempt to save both his friend, and the future of mankind.

Based on the graphic novel AKIRA by Katsuhiro Otomo. First published by Young Magazine, Kodansha Ltd.

©1988 MASH・ROOM / AKIRA COMMITTEE All Rights Reserved.

Presented by Sydney Opera House

Credits

Katsuhiro Ôtomo
Director

Katsuhiro Ôtomo and Izô Hashimoto
Writers

Cast

Mitsuo Iwata
as Shôtarô Kaneda

Nozomu Sasaki
as Tetsuo Shima

Mami Koyama
as Kei

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