Akira creator Katsuhiro Otomo engaged on anime sequel collection
After years of false begins, Hollywood is lastly making strikes on a live-action Akira adaptation. Leonardo DiCaprio and Andrew Lazar are set to provide with Taika Waititi on the helm, all concentrating on a Might 21st, 2021 launch date. It seems followers of the traditional manga and anime could have much more to sit up for within the coming years, as Akira creator/director Katsuhiro Otomo has introduced he’s engaged on a sequel anime collection.
The information got here throughout a panel at Los Angeles’ Anime Expo (by way of The Hollywood Reporter). Apart from the truth that Bandai Namco’s Dawn shall be producing, few different particulars have been mentioned. Nonetheless, the very concept that Otomo is again on the planet of Neo-Tokyo is thrilling information.
What’s extra, a 4K remaster of the unique 35mm print was additionally introduced. It’s due out in April 2020, which is considerably felicitous timing for these acquainted with Akira lore. Although dates have been modified for the American launch, the Japanese plot is about in 2019, 37 years after Tokyo is destroyed by a nuclear explosion that sparked World Conflict III. The town has since been rebuilt as Neo-Tokyo and the motion takes place as its residents put together for the 2020 Olympics. In fact, Otomo wrote all this 30 years earlier than the precise Tokyo was chosen as the actual host for the 2020 Olympics — fortunately, with out the WWIII decimation to precipitate the selection.
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Otomo wrote and illustrated the Akira manga comedian from 1982 to 1990. He additionally wrote and directed the 1988 feature-length anime adaptation, a landmark movie within the style. Budgeted at $9 million, the manufacturing was the costliest anime of its time, however the expense ended up being effectively price it. Over a collection of rereleases, the movie has introduced in $49 million from the worldwide field workplace and $80 million in residence video gross sales. It’s now thought to be one of many defining anime and cyberpunk motion pictures, serving to to unfold the affect of Japanese fashion and tradition to the Western world.
There’s no phrase but on when precisely the follow-up collection may debut, however followers will probably need to be affected person. At Anime Expo, Otomo additionally revealed that he’ll write and direct his third anime function, Orbital Period. The movie is his first since 2004’s Steamboy, which took him a decade to finish. Orbital Period takes place “within the close to future on an area colony below development” and can give attention to “some boys on this peculiar setting and society who preserve residing their lives whereas they’re being tossed about by destiny.” Watch a teaser beneath.
