10 Anime You Must Watch If You Loved ‘Akira’

Roujin Z (1991)

Katsuhiro Otomo wrote this, so his DNA is all over it. It hits the rogue technology theme of 'Akira,' but swaps the grim apocalypse for pitch-black satire. An automated hospital bed transforms into a runaway AI powerhouse. It is chaotic, incredibly animated, and criminally overlooked. The mechanical designs are top-tier, making it a mandatory watch for Otomo fans who want a lighter but equally wild ride.

Megazone 23 (Part I & II) (1985-1989)

Pure 1980s cyberpunk bliss. If the iconic motorcycle sequences in 'Akira' are a favorite, this delivers the goods. It mixes sleek bikes, massive corporate cover-ups, and a stellar simulation twist that predates The Matrix. The hand-drawn mechanical animation is stunning and captures that golden era aesthetic perfectly. It is the ultimate time capsule of Tokyo's neon-drenched sci-fi boom.

Texhnolyze (2003)

This is the darkest, most uncompromising dive into cybernetic body modification available. It takes the body horror and nihilism of Tetsuo’s mutation and stretches it across a bleak underground city. It is slow, brutal, and deeply atmospheric. Do not expect a high-speed thrill ride here. Instead, it offers a haunting psychological decay that sticks around long after the final credits roll.

Cyber City Oedo 808

A legendary three-episode OVA that screams 90s attitude. Cyber-criminals are forced into high-tech bounty hunting in a brutal dystopian city to reduce their life sentences. The aesthetic is immaculate, the action is gritty, and the synth soundtrack absolutely rips. It delivers that exact high-tech, low-life atmosphere that makes Neo-Tokyo feel so alive and dangerous.

Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade

Strips away the sci-fi superpowers but doubles down on the political unrest and military violence in 'Akira.' Set in an alternate post-war Japan, it follows an elite government soldier dealing with anti-establishment rebels. The animation is hyperrealistic, heavy, and entirely hand-drawn. The psychological tension replaces the cybernetics, creating a deeply grounded and tragic military thriller.

Redline (2009)

Took seven years to animate entirely by hand, and every single second shows on screen. It captures the sheer, jaw-dropping visual adrenaline of the Neo-Tokyo bike chase and cranks it to eleven. The plot is a wild, universal sci-fi race, but the kinetic energy is pure masterpiece territory. It is an absolute assault on the senses that any fan of high-octane animation needs to experience.

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

The modern spiritual successor to the high-tech, low-life vibe. It boasts the same neon-drenched street culture, corrupt mega-corporations, and cybernetic enhancements driving people completely insane. The pacing is breakneck, ultra-violent, and visually loud. It proves that the core themes of 'Akira' are still alive, kicking, and incredibly relevant in the modern anime landscape.

Memories (1995)

An incredible sci-fi anthology executive-produced and co-written by Otomo himself. The first short, "Magnetic Rose," is a undisputed masterclass in psychological space horror. The animation quality easily rivaled the massive budget and uncompromising standards of 'Akira.' It is a gorgeous, haunting trip through derelict spaceships and fractured minds that no sci-fi buff should skip.

Neon Genesis Evangelion

Apocalyptic stakes, rogue secret organizations, and teenagers pushed past their psychological breaking points. It perfectly mirrors the god-like power scaling and visceral body horror of Tetsuo’s climax. The world feels constantly on the brink of total collapse while dealing with ancient, cosmic mysteries. A monumental sci-fi classic that captures the same overwhelming dread.

Ghost in the Shell (1995 Film)

The definitive companion piece. While 'Akira' is a masterpiece of kinetic street rebellion, this is the absolute pinnacle of philosophical cyberpunk. The atmosphere is dense, the animation is legendary, and the impact on global sci-fi is permanent. It tackles the evolution of technology and human identity with a cold, beautiful precision that pairs perfectly with Neo-Tokyo's chaos.