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Akira (1988)
Akira (1988) poster
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Akira (1988)

AKIRA

Animation, Science Fiction, Action • 2h 4m

Overview

A secret military project endangers Neo-Tokyo when it turns a biker gang member into a rampaging psychic psychopath that only two teenagers and a group of psychics can stop.

Director: Katsuhiro Otomo

Best English-Friendly Release

Japan 4K Blu-ray beats the other 4Ks and includes English subtitles

Best Video Release

Dynit IT Blu-ray

All 4K releases are upscales of the same master with a substantial amount of DNR.

Best Audio Release

1988 Pioneer JP LaserDisc for the original 1988 home video audio
2001 Dynit IT Blu-ray for the 2001 remix
2009 Bandai Visual JP Blu-ray / 2011 MHE UK Blu-ray for the Hypersonic remix

1992 Criterion US LaserDisc for the 1988 Streamline English dub

2013 FUNimation US Blu-ray the 2001 Animaze English dub

Due to budgetary constraints, the original theatrical mix was mono. It was replaced with Dolby Surround for all subsequent releases and was never re-released.

LaserDisc is the best souning version of the original home video mix, as all later releases attentuate bass significantly and lower dynamic range. Comparison

The Japanese audio was remixed in 5.1 twice, first time in 2001 for the DVD release, and second time in 2009 for the BD release ("Hypersonic" remix). While the 2001 remix remains mostly faithful to the 1988 mix, the 2009 Hypersonic remix is highly revisionistic. However, its fidelity is outstanding, and despite many changes made, it's a worthwhile alternative experience for fans of the film. The 4K release includes the Hypersonic mix, but with a tonne of unnecessary noise reduction and unbalanced levels.

Comparison between mixes, list of changes between mixes

Format

1080p Blu-ray

UHD Tiers

Superior Imports
Italian BD > The rest // Japanese 4K > everyone else:

Italian BD is by far the best encoded of all standard BDs
All 4K releases use the same DNRed master, but the JP has the original 1988 home video audio + English subs for the film itself

Worse Than BD
All 4K releases:

DNR applied to filmout of the 2001 HD restoration as opposed to original elements, as a result there is no real detail increase over the Blu

TSPDT

2026: #679
2025: #664
2024: #662
2023: #709
2022: #709

Length

124 mins

Type

Movie

Last Updated

2 months ago
Best English-Friendly Release

Japan 4K Blu-ray beats the other 4Ks and includes English subtitles

Best Video Release

Dynit IT Blu-ray

All 4K releases are upscales of the same master with a substantial amount of DNR.

Best Audio Release

1988 Pioneer JP LaserDisc for the original 1988 home video audio
2001 Dynit IT Blu-ray for the 2001 remix
2009 Bandai Visual JP Blu-ray / 2011 MHE UK Blu-ray for the Hypersonic remix

1992 Criterion US LaserDisc for the 1988 Streamline English dub

2013 FUNimation US Blu-ray the 2001 Animaze English dub

Due to budgetary constraints, the original theatrical mix was mono. It was replaced with Dolby Surround for all subsequent releases and was never re-released.

LaserDisc is the best souning version of the original home video mix, as all later releases attentuate bass significantly and lower dynamic range. Comparison

The Japanese audio was remixed in 5.1 twice, first time in 2001 for the DVD release, and second time in 2009 for the BD release ("Hypersonic" remix). While the 2001 remix remains mostly faithful to the 1988 mix, the 2009 Hypersonic remix is highly revisionistic. However, its fidelity is outstanding, and despite many changes made, it's a worthwhile alternative experience for fans of the film. The 4K release includes the Hypersonic mix, but with a tonne of unnecessary noise reduction and unbalanced levels.

Comparison between mixes, list of changes between mixes

Format
1080p Blu-ray
UHD Tiers
Superior Imports
Italian BD > The rest // Japanese 4K > everyone else:

Italian BD is by far the best encoded of all standard BDs
All 4K releases use the same DNRed master, but the JP has the original 1988 home video audio + English subs for the film itself

Worse Than BD
All 4K releases:

DNR applied to filmout of the 2001 HD restoration as opposed to original elements, as a result there is no real detail increase over the Blu

TSPDT
2026: #679
2025: #664
2024: #662
2023: #709
2022: #709
Length
124 mins
Type
Movie
Last Updated
2 months ago
Contributors

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Akira (1988) backdrop