Akira (1988)

Rediscover Katsuhiro Otomo’s 1988 anime classic *Akira* in our Cinema, in a stunning restoration!

In July 1988, after a new type of weapon of mass destruction was deployed in Japan’s Kanto region, the Third World War broke out. 31 years later – 2019. Amid preparations for next year’s Olympic Games, occasional glimpses of the glory days of Neo-Tokyo – the megalopolis built on Tokyo Bay – can be seen. Kaneda, the leader of a bōsōzoku motorbike gang, leaves a trail of destruction in his wake as he rides through the desolate streets of Neo-Tokyo. One evening, Tetsuo, one of the gang members, bumps into a peculiar test subject from a government experiment. Stunned, Kaneda and the gang watch as Tetsuo and the mysterious boy are taken away to a military laboratory. To rescue Tetsuo, Kaneda attempts to break into the military facility, where he discovers that Tetsuo has developed supernatural powers. Meanwhile, one of the test subjects in the special nursery predicts the awakening of the top-secret AKIRA. Tetsuo tests his new powers during his journey through the underworld where AKIRA slumbers.

Melkweg often hosts different types of programmes at the same time, such as concerts, club nights and films. Please note that there may occasionally be some noise pollution from other programmes during the screening.