The anime classic that changed science fiction. Visually explosive, wildly imaginative and as relevant as ever, Katsuhiro Otomo’s cyberpunk masterpiece returns to the big screen in a stunning new 4K restoration.
Genre: anime, science fiction, cyberpunk
Language: Japanese, subtitles: English
Length: 2 hrs. 4 mins. (1988)
Neo-Tokyo, 2019. Thirty-one years after a mysterious explosion destroyed Tokyo and triggered World War III, teenage biker Kaneda and his gang race through a city of neon, protests and political unrest. When his friend Tetsuo is taken into a secret military project after an accident, he develops telekinetic powers that rapidly spiral out of control.
Beneath the motorcycles, explosions and body horror lies a darker story about unchecked power, military control, scientific experimentation and a generation growing up amid social unrest. Akira channels fears of nuclear destruction and authoritarianism into a vision of the future that remains startlingly relevant - and enormously influential.
Directed by Katsuhiro Otomo and based on his own manga, Akira became a landmark in animation and helped introduce anime to a worldwide audience. Its extraordinary hand-drawn detail, kinetic action and distinctive score still feel radical almost four decades later. This new 4K restoration brings Neo-Tokyo back to the cinema in all its overwhelming visual intensity.
As one member of the the SG Student Film Committee recalls: “I still remember where I was when I first saw Akira. My first introduction to anime, and boy (girl): what an introduction! First thing I did was buy all the manga-comics.”
Awards
In 1992, Akira won the Silver Scream Award at the Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival, awarded to director Katsuhiro Otomo.
Reviews
“If you were to draw a family tree of the anime genre, Akira would definitely be right there in the, well, trunk.” Filmkrant (Dutch Review about 2026 release)
“It’s a towering achievement of imagination.” Time Out
“A bold, brash film that is impossible to look away from.” Love Horror
“The film keeps piling up sequences that manage to out-astonish the last.” ★★★★ Empire
Rotten Tomatoes: 88% critics / 90% audience - reviews
SG & ITEC registration for bachelor’s students
Please register for SG & ITEC by scanning your student ID card after the screening at the venue. More information about SG & ITEC can be found here.
Ticket information
This film will be shown at Filmhuis De Zwarte Doos.
- Tickets must be purchased online in advance and can be bought by clicking the black “Order” button on this page.
- Cash or card payments are not accepted at the ticket counter.
For more information about tickets, refund policies, and other details, click here.
Please be on time
The screening of the film begins promptly at 19:30 (with a bare minimum of pre-film advertisements), and the cinema hall will open at 19:10. We kindly request that you arrive at the ticket counter at least 10 minutes before the start of the film to ensure a smooth and timely experience for all.
The Studium Generale film program is created in collaboration with the Student Film Committee and Natlab.