Christmas is the only holiday that’s also a movie genre. Sure, there are a lot of horror films and romance flicks that get released close to Halloween and Valentine’s Day, since those are what people are in the mood for, but usually their stories take place at different times of the year.
Christmas movies, though, don’t just come out at Christmas, they’re about Christmas too. And not only is there a new crop of them every year, each December also doubles as comeback time for hits from previous Christmases, like "Home Alone" and "It’s a Wonderful Life."
That’s great if you can’t get enough of the yuletide spirit, but if you’re feeling sick with Santa saturation, you can watch a classic film of a completely different sort, as "Akira" is now free to watch on YouTube.
The landmark 1988 anime film directed by Katsuhiro Otomo, who also created the manga it’s based on, suddenly appeared on the Full Anime TV YouTube channel on Christmas Eve.
While the timing makes this a welcome palate cleanser for those whose cinema taste buds are tired of saccharine Christmas fare, the real reason for the gift of free "Akira" is to celebrate the upcoming release of the Complete Works of Katsuhiro Otomo manga collection, which will go on sale January 21.
The free "Akira" will be available until December 28. And while the film is in its original Japanese-language version, its amazingly detailed animation and one-of-a-kind art design remain amazing require no translation, nor do the conversations that consist of the two main characters shouting “Tetsuooooo!” and “Kaneeeedaaaa!” at each other.
Source: YouTube/フル☆アニメTV via Otakomu
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14 Comments
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Suretto
"This video is not available"
tokyobakayaro
I could watch the video without any problem. I watched it on JT page and also directly on youtube website. No problem. No commercials during watching. It might be a regional lockout. I am in Japan.
BackpackingNepal
Better watch on 60" plus screen at minimum 4K to feel the power of one of the Greatest anime of all time.
Sindhoor GK
@blue
Eva franchise better than 2001 the space odyssey
Strangerland
I watched it when I first came to Japan, as I was told that if I was only going to watch one Anime (I wasn't into them), it was Akira. I ended up watching it multiple times, though I still never got into anime. Very interesting movie both visually and in story.
TokyoLiving
And the nobel prize goes for......
PerformingMonkey
Saw this in in the cinema, twice.
One of the things that brought me to Japan.
Johnken6
I like this anime. Have for years. I shudder that (as usual) Hollywood is remaking it.
Yikes.
Iron Lad
Great classic.
The manga is even better.
jay
oh no I am in canada. I have the VPN working. But the only subtitles I can enable are Japanese. How do I get English subs? Thanks
smithinjapan
Curses... why'd I wait until the 29th to read this? Akira is a classic. Glad I have a copy I can watch besides, but still would have been nice to easily flick to it on YouTube.
Steve Conrad
Hulu has it
Vudu has it to rent or buy (or, if you are lucky you got it free when you bought the DVD)
Funimation says they have it
Tubi has it (with ads)
Not sure if this is true but I heard Netflix has it