KnockBack, Episode 34: Akira (Patreon)

In the late '80s, Katsuhiro Otomo changed animation forever with the release of Akira, the film adaption of his manga series of the same name. His Akira manga began in 1982, and wouldn't conclude until 1990, two years after the movie was released. But one thing was true then, and remains true now: Akira, as a film, is one of the most impressive and important pieces of long-form animation ever created, and continues to inspire artists around the world to this day. So let's delve into all things Akira, why it's important, why it's awesome, and why it's still so relevant today, not only through the lens of a fan, but through the eyes of a professional animator who was deeply influenced by it as a teenager, and remains influenced by it today.