Akira

Metropolis addpermalink

Both films are amazing looking sci-fi action movies that feature sprawling metropolises filled with advanced technology, dangerous scientific experiments and both feature Katsuhiro Otomo as a key staff member. 

report Recommended by TVC15

If you have seen either Metropolis or Akira - you have seen one of the best animated movies ever made. So why stop? Watch the other one and see how good the animation can be. Akira and Metropolis expand the boundaries of animation, they show us the kind of visual art that we CAN create. And I've put the word 'can' in capital letters because there aren't many other anime that were done before or after those two shows, that were able to hold this high standard.

Also both shows are sci-fi, though while Metropolis deals with human-robot interactions, Akira is an anime about psychic powers. And while Metropolis is kid-friendly, Akira is not. read more 

report Recommended by sindarfrom

the art, the background and many more things, like some caracters, also there is some robot-way-of-thinking, in both movies 

report Recommended by Kakuneon

The events of both movies happen in a huge metropolis, filled wit buildings and advanced technology. The backgrounds that show the cities in both anime also look alike. Apart from the similar visuals, both anime have somewhat similar themes: they both feature youths running away from the authorities, and dangerous experiments to create superior beings, as well as their impact on society. Apart from these, both anime have a similar mood, cyberpunk elements, and Katsuhiro Otomo has been involved with both projects. 

report Recommended by BohemianRhapsody

both are sci fi themed stories with lots of philosophical stuff into it. 

report Recommended by Disapeared_Ghost

Freedom addpermalink

Freedom is basically Akira in Space. 

report Recommended by xMatronxMalicex

Mob Psycho 100 addpermalink

Mob Psycho 100 can be described as Akira's more wacky cousin.

Both feature non-adults that possess psychic powers, some innate (e.g. Shigeo and Akira himself), others the result of experimentation and it is the result of the heroes and companions to rescue children/teenagers who possess such power from being used for malicious purposes. 

report Recommended by Fortress_Maximus

Baoh Raihousha addpermalink

If you like one of them you may like the other one. The action is similar and both animes have some kind of organization who trying to make human superweapons by using weird power sources to dominate the world, parasites and "Akira" (psychic power).

I think if you like psychological animes you will like Akira more and BAOH if you like animes where the victim are on the good side and have a better personality. 

report Recommended by XzaR

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners addpermalink

Although Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is based on a Western cyberpunk video game, this anime is clearly inspired by Akira, which is one of the defining film of Japanese cyberpunk. The characters in both anime are parts of gangs that trace their attitudes and behaviours on the Japanese punk subculture. You can finally watch a new cyberpunk anime that isn't a detective anime.  

report Recommended by lancelot200

Mousou Dairinin addpermalink

 Paranoia and fear can lead to extreme cases of distortion and alienation; this is a statement that concurs with the worlds of Akira and of PA. In both anime a disorientating feeling of malign confusion completely capsizes the very fabric of reality. This is translated in visual terms through surreal images that confront the narrative structure with their own valid claims at living symbols. Paranoia Agent and Akira take the disturbing power of art to a whole different level as they abolish limits of anime as a medium and forcibly push the envelope, creating a gripping and highly stimulating experience in the process. 
 

report Recommended by Nocturnal

Serial Experiments Lain addpermalink

Akira and Lain explore the overwhelming consequences of absolute power. While  Akira is more violent on a physical level and Lain is more systematically philosophical, both are anime that force the viewer to think. Disturbingly surreal imagery sets the tone for both series as they twist the fabric of reality itself, uncovering the irrevocable connection between collective hysteria and individual alienation. 

 

report Recommended by Nocturnal

Roujin Z addpermalink

The atmosphere of these two is the same, not to wonder since they're both works of Otomo Katsuhiro. Same style of graphics and the escape of a powerful character from the authorities. 

report Recommended by misterferrari

Both anime are written by Katsuhiro Otomo and are made around the same period. The art and character designs are also quite similar. Plot-wise, both anime focus on an experiment which goes wrong and destroys part of the city, which leads to the police and military also getting involved. Both anime also have unique sci-fi elements and provide some commentary on the issues Japanese society (delinquent gangs in Akira / elderly care in Roujin Z). The main difference between the two anime is that Roujin Z has more comedic elements, while Akira is more cyberpunk. 

report Recommended by BohemianRhapsody

Roujin Z takes place in a close future where the elders are a burden for the younglings. A private company convinces the Ministry to use their prototype Z-001, an automatic care machine for old people, doing everything a nurse could do, and more. The prototype is tested on Mr Takazawa, Haruko's patient. Of course, the prototype isn't as safe as it's supposed to be, and Haruko will do her best to save her patient, who, through the machine, sends a call for help. From there, things seem to be out of control.

While Akira is from 1988, Roujin Z is from 1991. The style is pretty similar, and both uses the ""brand new 3D technology"" for scenes. It's hand drawn all along, and very smooth. While Akira was pointed towards evolution, Roujin Z looks towards the AI and machines, and their moral implications in our lives. read more 

report Recommended by Scynati

Both movies follow a side character that due to an incident transforms into a greater being and the main character has to prevent it from happening.
They both have similar artwork and are both works by Otomo Katsuhiro.

Roujin Z is more comedic that Akira though. 

report Recommended by Great_King20

Ergo Proxy addpermalink

Both contain similar existential themes and rely heavily on events that occurred prior to the series to fuel it's main plot. Each contain a corrupt character who sees his world with a skewed perspective and tries to fix it through whatever means necessary. Similar cyberpunk/dystopian setting as well. 

report Recommended by Danish

Memories addpermalink

Has the same art style, and gives the same feeling as Akira. It is also made by the same people and the same director.  

report Recommended by dakotasapphire

Steamboy addpermalink

People from Akira worked some years on Steamboy, which you can recognize from the style and animation works.

These two films have alot in common, like the previously mentioned things like art and animation, but you can recognize some minor details in characters and settings which will remind you of Akira or Steamboy. I really recommend watching this, when you've seen that. And of course the other way around.

Be warned tho', Akira's from the late 80s and Steamboy from just a couple years ago. 

report Recommended by Ilyaoh

Wonderful Days addpermalink

Groundbreaking film.
Amazing storyline set in a post-apocalyptic Japan. As well as biker gangs and military action the film explores deeper psychological and philosophical themes.
The visual aspect of the animation is stunningly good even by modern standards.  A must see for any film fan.
Directed by Katsuhiro Otomo -1988 

report Recommended by Si

Youjuu Toshi addpermalink

It's a classic Anime from the 80s, extremely mature, and by that I mean it has tons of h-scenes... how it's 17+ and not 18+ is beyond me... 

report Recommended by kickass331

Bubblegum Crisis addpermalink

Both are 80's classic Cyberpunk gems that everybody should see. 

report Recommended by Sick_Bastard

Cowboy Bebop addpermalink

While the themes and the mood differ, the cyber punk setting is definitely prominent in both. 

report Recommended by BakedAsPotato

Venus Senki addpermalink

SOOOOOOO similar it's not even funny.  Motorcycles, teenagers, villains, and even fighting the army are all things these two have in common.   

report Recommended by Scoe90

Kaijuu no Kodomo addpermalink

Both series use a lot of allegories to explore themes like the birth of the universe, singularities and human nature. Also, both of them are a visual delight, using some psychedelic sequences at the final leg of the movie to illustrate their message.  

report Recommended by Creissonino

Ajin addpermalink

Both anime feature an organization which experiments on superhuman beings in a massive government conspiracy. The main protagonist in both anime possesses superhuman powers and are now being hunted by an evil organization. They both have plenty of action, violence, blood, and gore. If you like one, you should enjoy the other.  

report Recommended by Hellspawn28

Paprika addpermalink

 Akira and Paprika are both extremely strange; the sci-fi content of their skewed plot lines is extremely similar. These movies twist what the viewer is seeing and deliberately frustrate straightforward explanations. Shape shifting imagery invades the narrative and sets Akira and Paprika apart from linear efforts in the world of anime. A certain apocalyptic tone is present in both and the feeling of oddity that finds itself augmented as Akira progresses is deeply enmeshed in Paprika as well. 
 

report Recommended by Nocturnal

Shinsekai yori addpermalink

Children with psychokinesis powers play a major role in both shows and the danger those powers pose to the society is a common theme between these shows. 

report Recommended by Nifrigel

Ai City addpermalink

Both are oldschool movies with esp thematics. Some sort of secret organization create people with esp abilities. Battles between espers, monsters and deciding the fate of mankind.  

report Recommended by Gokudo-kun

Anime: Kidou Keisatsu Patlabor 2 the Movie

Kidou Keisatsu Patlabor 2 the Movie addpermalink

Both takes place in the not too distant future and both have a story that makes you actually believe that such a future is not too far fetched.  Both have a solid story that makes you think about the world the characters live right now and how you can relate to the world now. 

report Recommended by Jmac

Spriggan addpermalink

*Both movies have psychic powers
*Similar main charracters ,Yu vs Macdougall and Kaneda vs Tetsuo
*Both movies talks about conflict and power struggle 
*Similar art style  

report Recommended by Mizzo

Redline addpermalink

Both are focused around vehicular combat  competition and have a punk like feel to them in story,atmosphere and characters and both especially share an animation and artstyle that still holds up really well to this day.  

report Recommended by Disapeared_Ghost

Blade Runner: Black Out 2022 addpermalink

both are cyberpunk themed anime with phiolosophical stuff in it especially ones rebelling against a certain power that be in respective stories and also nice art and visuals.
 

report Recommended by Disapeared_Ghost

Kenpuu Denki Berserk addpermalink

Both are intense, beautifully animated, brutally violent, and are seen by many as masterpieces. Definitely recommend if you liked one of these 

report Recommended by mushroomcloud

Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica addpermalink

Both Akira and Madoka Magika get cataclysmic at the end.
This is when a new world is created, with one of the protagonists as a god.

If you want to see the boundaries of space and time transcended, both titles can be recommended. 

report Recommended by Estefan

Genma Taisen addpermalink

This is an often overlooked work of Rintaro and Katsuhiro Otomo. Otomo was the director of Akira, and many of the concepts and visual styles of Harmageon show up in Otomo's later works (including Akira). Harmagedon is considerd by many to be the building block of Otomo's later accomplishments. If you want to see where it all started with Otomo or with his style, Harmagedon and Akira are worth doing a comparison viewing. 

report Recommended by Mr_Panda

Tekkon Kinkreet addpermalink

-Both films take place in a bleak dystopian rendition of Tokyo, in which the police are powerless, and which has fallen into the hands of gangs.

-Both stories follow groups of orphaned child gangsters, fighting for dominance over their cities from rival Yakuza groups. Each with a strong, pre-developed leader; and a headstrong ward whom he loves and protects, often from themselves.

-Both stories contain a greater plot, which forces the young gangsters to fight for the future of their beloved cities. 

report Recommended by trevb0t

Zankyou no Terror addpermalink

You have to watch both to understand the connection ... but once you do or if you have, it reveals the power behind both plots.  The characters drive the story which tells what human character will do in times of crisis to prove a point. 

report Recommended by Moon_River

Durarara!! addpermalink

They both have gang-type moments and they are set in a city area. Most of the characters are boys, and some of the characters are really strong in both. 

report Recommended by ecimer

Gyo addpermalink

My personal reaction when thinking of both of these series is mental vomit, yet not in the manner one might be expecting. I'm not talking about a poorly made piece, but the mental vomit one gets in regards to the horror genre. Both series delve into the horrors of man kind, but also abandoning of all hope. Well, it is horror after all. 

report Recommended by Yemi_Hikari

Angel Cop addpermalink

Both series climax with a very powerful psychic going on a rampage; fighting an all-out battle against the protagonists. 

report Recommended by Mr_Panda

Perfect Blue addpermalink

Has similar disturbing stories.
Sometimes you don't know if that is happening is real or just a dream.
The stories are adults and the styles are similar. 
Full of violence and nightmares.
 

report Recommended by Arabelo

Robot Carnival addpermalink

We've two anime which were released within about a year of each other which use a very dark, gothic style and delves into the depravity of humanity and tragedy in a way that really draws the viewer in. 

report Recommended by Yemi_Hikari