Few anime films have had as much cultural impact as Akira. The 1988 cyberpunk masterpiece shaped the sci-fi genre and influenced countless filmmakers, animators, and storytellers. Based on Katsuhiro Otomo’s groundbreaking manga, the anime was an ambitious adaptation that showcased breathtaking animation, a gripping narrative, and an unforgettable futurist vision of Neo-Tokyo.

A scene from the 1988 sci-fi masterpiece Akira. | Credit: Tms Entertainment

However, the man behind Akira, Otomo himself initially feared the anime would be a failure. This belief might surprise modern-day anime fans, given the film’s legacy, but Otomo’s reaction was rooted in the challenges of adapting his own sprawling manga into a feature-length movie.

Otomo’s initial disappointment with the Akira movie

In a revealing interview with Forbes, Otomo recounted his first impression of the movie, his influences as a creator, and how time changed his perspective on the film’s success. Oromo recounts that when...