Must-see movies are futuristic classics that shouldn’t be missed. Of course, not every must-see is perfect. That’s why we’ve rated them 1-5 on the patented “crunchy goodness” scale.
Title: Akira
Date: 1988
Vitals: In a post-apocalyptic Neo-Tokyo populated by monsters and mutants, a superpowered child may be able to save the world – or may be the cause of its ultimate demise.
Famous names: Katsuhiro Ôtomo
Crunchy goodness: 4
Sight you’ll never unsee: A teddy bear that mutates slowly into an atomic monster, managing to combine ultra-cuteness with ultra-horror in a visual paradox that will have you freaked out for days afterwards.
Design breakthrough: One of the first anime flicks to make a critical splash in the United States, Akira taught US audiences that animation could be very grown-up. It influenced a generation of animators who were enchanted by Akira’s gorgeous, disturbing images of war and post-apocalyptic future cities.
The shit: Akira’s soundtrack is packed with haunting mashups of techno and traditional Japanese music, creating a post-apocalyptic atmosphere tinged with myth.
