Fans of the classic anime movie Akira can get the recently released Steelbook Edition 4K Blu-ray for only $20 at Amazon and Walmart. This special-edition printing of Akira released on March 4 for $35, and if previous editions in the same vein are any indication, it probably won’t be available indefinitely. The regular 4K Blu-ray edition of Akira costs $18.64 (was $30) at the moment, so the deal on the Steelbook Edition likely won’t be up for grabs for long.
Widely regarded as one of the best anime films of all time, Akira debuted in 1988 and remains popular nearly three decades later. The steelbook case is emblazoned with Katsuhiro Otomo’s incredible art against a striking red backdrop.
$20 (was $35)
Like previous 4K releases, Akira’s Limited Edition Steelbook is loaded with special features that go behind the scenes of the movie, like documentaries focused on the groundbreaking animation, a closer look at Akira’s soundtrack, and several other archival materials.
- Akira: Sound Making (2019 documentary)
- Akira sound clip by Geinoh Yamashirogumi
- End credits from the original 1988 theatrical release
- Trailer Collection with English subtitles
- Storyboard collection
The two-disc set contains the 4K Blu-ray and standard 1080p Blu-ray discs.
Akira is set in an alternate and dystopian future version of Tokyo that is still reeling from a mysterious event that destroyed most of the city and triggered a new world war.
From the ashes rose Neo-Tokyo, but with the metropolis plagued by corruption and gang violence, it’s not the best place to call home.The film focuses on Shotaro Kaneda, leader of a motorcycle gang, who finds himself at odds with his childhood friend Tetsuo after gaining psychic powers and evolving into a new being who threatens all of Neo-Tokyo.
$126.47 (was $220)
Akira fans should also check out Amazon’s deal on the Akira 35th Anniversary Manga Box Set, which drops the price from $220 down to $126.47. This beautiful collection includes Katsuhiro Otomo’s complete series across six hardcover volumes. Originally published from 1982 to 1990, the Akira manga naturally has much more story to offer than what could possibly be told in a single film. If you love the film but haven’t read the source material, it’s definitely worth reading. The manga also helps contextualize plot threads and the world of Neo-Tokyo in general.
The 35th Anniversary Box Set comes with a hardcover Akira Club art book and an exclusive pill patch. All told, the box set clocks in at 2,532 pages. The books are stored inside a clamshell display box with double doors. The artwork on outside and inside of the display box depicts the world of Neo-Tokyo and characters from the manga/anime.
If you aren’t ready to commit to the complete box set, you can save on individual paperback volumes of the Akira manga at Amazon. Just keep in mind that if you were to buy all six volumes at current prices, you’d spend roughly the same amount as you would on the hardcover collection and its bonus content.
Akira Manga Paperbacks
Akira has been a major influence on Hollywood over the decades. In the video game industry, Naughty Dog studio head Neil Druckmann cited the anime as one of major influences on the upcoming game Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. Druckmann also mentioned Cowboy Bebop, another classic anime, as an influence on The Heretic Prophet.
