Revisiting Neo-Tokyo

The recent Blu-ray release of Katsuhiro Otomo’s Akira prompted me to return to the manga for the first time since my early teens. Unsurprisingly, I was reminded how stunning Otomo’s artwork is but what really struck me this time around was the way in which his art translates so effortlessly to screen. His panels have so much energy and timing, they act as perfect storyboards. It’s nigh on impossible to look at the sample above and not ‘hear’ the sound effects play over in your head.