Akira Makes Its Theatrical Comeback in IMAX and 4K This Summer

If you missed the chance to catch the 4K remaster of Akira in theaters back in 2020, you’re in luck this summer! It’s been announced that Katsuhiro Otomo’s groundbreaking anime film will make a return to theaters for one day only, showcasing it in stunning 4K and IMAX this September.

Akira will hit screens in the United States and Canada on September 4, featuring both the original Japanese audio with English subtitles and an English dub. This re-release is a collaboration between Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment, bringing Otomo’s cyberpunk masterpiece back to life for fans old and new.

Originally released in 1988, Akira is set in a dystopian Tokyo in the year 2019, three decades after the city’s destruction. The film, adapted from Otomo’s manga, follows Kaneda, the fearless leader of a biker gang, as he navigates a chaotic world where his childhood friend, Tetsuo Shima, gains terrifying telekinetic powers following a near-fatal accident.

For those unfamiliar with Akira, here’s a brief overview: Kaneda leads a group of rebellious youths, racing through the urban ruins on their motorcycles. One fateful night, Tetsuo encounters a mysterious boy—an outcome of human experimentation—and is injured in a crash. Soon after, military forces arrive to capture both the boy and Tetsuo, whisking them away to a secret research facility. Determined to rescue his friend, Kaneda infiltrates the lab, only to discover that Tetsuo’s newfound abilities have spiraled into madness…

Details on ticket sales for the September re-release of Akira are still pending, so keep an eye out for updates.

And what about that Akira TV series? Where is it?

The legendary anime will always have a place in our hearts.