AKIRA fans finally have some good news as the anime classic returns to theaters. The Japanese animated cyberpunk action film will screen across the U.S. and Canada this September in 4K and IMAX.
Tickets are now on sale for the September 4 release. Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment are bringing Katsuhiro Otomo’s 1988 film back to theaters. Screenings will include the original Japanese version with English subtitles and an English dub.
The theatrical return comes as Hollywood’s live-action plans have hit another roadblock. Warner Bros. had let its film rights expire in 2025 after more than two decades of development. The rights then reverted to Kodansha, the publisher of Otomo’s original manga.
How does Katsuhiro Otomo’s classic still shape sci-fi nearly 40 years later?
AKIRA remains a major influence on anime, cyberpunk, and science fiction. Otomo directed the film and adapted it from his own manga. Its detailed animation helped change how audiences outside Japan viewed Japanese animation. It also brought darker themes and adult storytelling to a wider international audience.
AKIRA story takes place in Neo-Tokyo after a devastating explosion. Teen biker Kaneda gets caught up in events after his friend Tetsuo encounters a mysterious child. The military takes Tetsuo to a research facility, where experiments awaken powerful abilities. As his powers grow, Kaneda tries to stop his friend from losing control.
AKIRA’s futuristic city, cyberpunk style, and visual ideas have influenced movies, animation, and video games. Its impact can be seen in works ranging from The Matrix to Stranger Things.
The original movie premiered in Japan in 1988 and runs for 124 minutes. Its influence has continued long after its initial release.
The new 4K and IMAX screenings give longtime fans another chance to see Otomo’s work in theaters. New viewers can also experience the film that helped shape modern anime and sci-fi.
