apart from Ghost in the Shell, Akira is perhaps the most defining manga to ever risen from the land of the rising sun. my childhood fantasy about the future practically grew out from Akira, starting with Kaneda’s badass motorcycle. though i was, in part, disturbed by Katsuhiro Otomo’s depiction of the future, but what do expect? i was just a teeny weeny kid back then and as kids, we were all impressionable little things. anyway, when Akira transits from manga to the big screen, naturally, it went on to become a worldwide phenomenon and that was 25 long years ago. fast forward to today, this classic animation is reaping the rewards of today’s audio and visual technology and reenters into the lives of long time fans and sci-fi nuts in the form of the Akira: 25th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray + DVD Combo.
presented in both DVD and eye-popping Blu-ray formats, this special edition features both English dubs that have occurred since 1988, “hypersonic” 24-bit/192KHz Dolby TrueHD remaster of the original Japanese audio track, plus over 120 minutes of on-disc extras, including “Restoring Akira” documentary, as well as original storyboards. also included are interview with the Japanese director, Akira sound clip, original Japanese trailers, original Japanese commercials, plus a number of other trailers, including a 2013 U.S. trailer. the Akira: 25th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray + DVD Combo will be available on the November 12, 2013 (US time, obviously) for $24.99 a pop.
