Get 25% Off the Hardcover Edition of Akira Manga!

Any list highlighting the best in anime will undoubtedly feature Akira, and for good reason. The 1988 film set a new standard for animation and is often credited with bringing the medium to mainstream audiences outside of Japan. However, the anime is just one part of the story. Like many other anime adaptations, Akira is based on a longer, though less widely known, manga series. The Akira manga has been in print for decades, but a new Hardcover Edition launched in early 2025, providing the most authentic experience of Katsuhiro Otomo’s groundbreaking sci-fi narrative. If you’re eager to dive into the complete Akira saga, this is one of the best ways to do it—and you can snag these premium hardcover editions at a discount. Four of the six volumes are currently available on Amazon, typically priced between $30 and $40, but you can find them for up to 25% off. Volumes 5 and 6 are set to release soon, and preorders are open. While the hardcover editions are fresh reprints, you can also grab all six volumes in the Akira 35th Anniversary Manga Box Set. This bundle includes the hardcover Akira Club art book and an exclusive pill patch. Although it’s currently sold out, it gets restocked periodically on Amazon, so keep an eye out for availability.

Set in a dystopian future, Akira first began its run in 1982 and spans 120 chapters. The story unfolds in the post-apocalyptic city of Neo-Tokyo, exploring the aftermath of a catastrophic explosion that nearly obliterated the city. Thirty years later, teenage biker gang leader Shotaro Kaneda finds himself embroiled in a conflict involving militant revolutionaries, psychically gifted individuals, military forces, and his childhood friend, Tetsuo Shima, who is developing dangerously powerful psychic abilities. The Akira manga was lauded for its mature themes, well-crafted characters, and compelling storylines, along with Otomo’s stunning artwork. Over the years, it has become a cornerstone of the emerging Cyberpunk sci-fi subgenre.

As previously mentioned, the manga was adapted into a film, which Otomo wrote and directed while the manga was still being serialized. Although the film has gained more popularity than the manga, it presents a condensed and altered version of the expansive story. Both versions share a similar foundation, but the manga delves deeper into plot elements like the military coup and the rising resistance, allowing for richer character development for both Akira and Tetsuo. This makes the manga essential reading for fans, but the film remains deserving of its acclaim. It’s still celebrated as one of the greatest anime films of all time. If you haven’t experienced it yet, you can pick up Akira on 4K Blu-ray in either a standard or steelbook edition. Both versions come packed with bonus content from the original DVD release, including featurettes on the music, world, and style of Akira, an interview with Otomo from the vintage laserdisc release, a feature on the film’s restoration, and archival promotional materials from the ’80s.