Akira

[Guest]

The anime movie Akira has been released at least four times on DVD and I was just wondering, what is the best version released, like the one with the best extra features?

[Guest razazteca]

I have the Pioneer Special Edition 2 Disc Tin release, and the extras are sweet.

 

Extras include:

 

AKIRA Production Report 48 min

 

AKIRA Sound Clip feature by Geinoh Yamashiro Gumi, 20 min

 

Director Katsuhiro Otomo interview 30 min

 

4500 still images

 

tv spot trailers

 

Restoration feature 14 min

[Guest]

Watch out for a few of the "Special Editions" as they have really crappy English dub's with new voices et al. The first copy I ever owned was a VHS of the original english dub (with Cam Clarke as Kanada... I think that's who it is. Well, he did Leonardo on the Ninja Turtles cartoon.) and I'm VERY partial to it (even though I prefer sub-titles). I dunno. I'm just stubborn like that, and hearing the voice of Vash the Stampede (Jonny Yong Bosh) as Kanada, didn't sit too well with me.

[Guest razazteca]

the restored edition which I own is still a good movie, the new voice dubs are not as bad as the DBZ Cartoon Network voice changes which are apperant between the seasons.

 

If you must have the Streamline Orion release, I think there is a laser disc with some extras.

[Guest The Man in Blak]

Watch out for a few of the "Special Editions" as they have really crappy English dub's with new voices et al. The first copy I ever owned was a VHS of the original english dub (with Cam Clarke as Kanada... I think that's who it is. Well, he did Leonardo on the Ninja Turtles cartoon.) and I'm VERY partial to it (even though I prefer sub-titles). I dunno. I'm just stubborn like that, and hearing the voice of Vash the Stampede (Jonny Yong Bosh) as Kanada, didn't sit too well with me.

I gotta second Mach here - though I'm not especially picky on dubbing vs. sub-titling, I actually prefer the much-maligned "Leonardo" dubbing that Akira originally had over the stiffer delivery in the "new and improved" edition.  

 

One thing about the Special Edition, though - the animation has been tweaked and really cleaned up.  It literally makes it look like Akira could have been released in the last two years.