Original production art used in the creation of Katsuhiro Otomo's 'Akira' (1988). (single link Tumblr) posted by Artw (9 comments total)
38 users marked this as a favorite
Having worn out the VHS as a teenager, I was able to see Akira in the cinema for the first time fairly recently. Powerful stuff. I remember being particularly struck on that viewing by how lovingly rendered the smoke was, and how much it added to the story's tone and scale. I imagine armies young artists hunched over drafting tables diligently inbetweening puffs of steam and clouds and debris. I don't think there was an easy way to do that at the time. It's a labor of craftsmanship on a huge scale.
I'm pretty sure it's been posted here before, but The Nerdwriter had some interesting thoughts on the film's use of light in its visual language. posted by Phobos the Space Potato at 4:43 PM on May 4, 2017 [6 favorites]
In terms of story, the manga is even more interesting. There is an English translation that is worth tracking down if you can find it. posted by My Dad at 4:57 PM on May 4, 2017
Well, yeah, the comic is going to be more interesting if only by default, because it contains the second half of the story. ; ) posted by DoctorFedora at 5:10 PM on May 4, 2017
Oh my god. I mean: Oh. my. god. Worth it just for the cloud treatments alone.
Absolutely fucking gorgeous stuff. One of my favourite animation works.
And Phobos, if you liked the smoke treatment on this one, Otomo makes fantastic special effects. It's a big staple of his. See Stink Bomb, Short Peace, Cannon Fodder. But specially stink bomb. Animated smoke in traditional animation is still a pain to make, and he's still the master. posted by _Synesthesia_ at 6:15 PM on May 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
Akira was the first anime movie I bought, special ordered from England through my local video story, the deluxe 2 VHS tape subtitled version with the making off documentary, for my 16th birthday. Rewatching it on blueray last year, it was still as good as I remembered.
A while back anime video blogger Digibro did a compilation of the work of all the Akira key animators since the movie came out, which is rather impressive.
I second the recommendation of Stink Bomb, which is available on dvd together with Cannon Fodder and Magnetic Rose as Memories, which can be had for two quid over on Amazon UK. Three very different pieces of animation, all based on Otomo short stories and with Satoshi Kon as script writer for Magnetic Rose. posted by MartinWisse at 12:13 AM on May 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
« Older Dog Day Afternoon | Just a Kitten and Bunny Playing Tag Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
¡°Why?¡± asked Larry, in his practical way. "Sergeant," admonished the Lieutenant, "you mustn't use such language to your men." "Yes," accorded Shorty; "we'll git some rations from camp by this evenin'. Cap will look out for that. Meanwhile, I'll take out two or three o' the boys on a scout into the country, to see if we can't pick up something to eat." Marvor, however, didn't seem satisfied. "The masters always speak truth," he said. "Is this what you tell me?" MRS. B.: Why are they let, then? My song is short. I am near the dead. So Albert's letter remained unanswered¡ªCaro felt that Reuben was unjust. She had grown very critical of him lately, and a smarting dislike coloured her [Pg 337]judgments. After all, it was he who had driven everybody to whatever it was that had disgraced him. He was to blame for Robert's theft, for Albert's treachery, for Richard's base dependence on the Bardons, for George's death, for Benjamin's disappearance, for Tilly's marriage, for Rose's elopement¡ªit was a heavy load, but Caro put the whole of it on Reuben's shoulders, and added, moreover, the tragedy of her own warped life. He was a tyrant, who sucked his children's blood, and cursed them when they succeeded in breaking free. "Tell my lord," said Calverley, "I will attend him instantly." HoME²Ô¾®¿Õ·¬ºÅѸÀ×Á´½Ó
ENTER NUMBET 0017 liequ5.net.cn www.minji3.net.cn lihe1.com.cn xunlianba.com.cn tukangltd.com.cn www.zkrcl.com.cn yaole7.com.cn www.tiebu5.com.cn hexue7.com.cn xiaqi5.net.cn
I'm pretty sure it's been posted here before, but The Nerdwriter had some interesting thoughts on the film's use of light in its visual language.
posted by Phobos the Space Potato at 4:43 PM on May 4, 2017 [6 favorites]