Ultra Rare | Official Non‑Sale Promotional Item (非売品) | B2 Size (c. 51.5 x 72.8 cm) | Young Magazine 15th Anniversary Commemorative Publication
An exceptional and genuinely scarce mid‑1990s promotional poster created by Kodansha / Young Magazine in 1995 to celebrate the deluxe art book Akira Club and Young Magazine’s 15th anniversary. Issued as a non‑sale promotional display item, it is understood to have been produced in small numbers—for book‑store display and via a limited mail‑in questionnaire campaign—and is notably harder to source than the standard 1988 Japanese B2 theatrical poster, which appears on the market with far greater regularity. Japanese market research suggests only a handful of recorded sales over many years, frequently described as “super rare” by local sellers—underscoring its standing as a true Otomo-era rarity.
AKIRA—both the 1982–1990 manga and the 1988 feature film—is widely regarded as one of the most influential works in modern science fiction and animation: a defining landmark of Japanese cyberpunk whose vision of Neo‑Tokyo helped reshape global perceptions of anime and accelerate the international rise of Japanese popular culture. More than forty years after its debut, Akira’s cult following, constant reissues and new editions continue to expand its audience—making this scarce 1995 “Akira Club” promo a particularly compelling and increasingly difficult piece of period‑correct ephemera.
Design
The B2 composition is a dense, electrifying collage that reads like a visual history of Akira. Panels and vignettes from across the manga burst from a concrete‑grey backdrop: Kaneda with his iconic red imagery, Tetsuo in various stages of psychic awakening, the Espers, explosions tearing through Neo‑Tokyo, military hardware, pills, psychic eruptions, and quieter character moments. Finished colour art, rougher inks and partially uncoloured line work are layered together, evoking the feel of an artist’s wall covered with reference clippings and narrative beats.
Toward the lower centre, a stark black silhouette of a child ringed by flying debris anchors the composition, overprinted with the English line: “AKIRA is Epic Comics’ entry into the world of Japanese comics, adapting the works of Katsuhiro Otomo.” Just below sits the familiar AKIRA logo in red—an unmistakable nod to the manga’s international reach. Along the right side runs a vertical stone‑textured band with bold 「アキラクラブ」 titling and the red callout 「ヤングマガジン創刊15周年記念出版!!」 (“Young Magazine 15th Anniversary Commemorative Publication!!”), tying the artwork directly to the special volume. At bottom right, the bright sales block announces 「定価3500円(税込)／オールカラー264P／講談社」, highlighting the all‑colour 264‑page book priced at ¥3,500. The result is both celebratory and archival—an intense visual shrine to Otomo’s world‑building and Akira’s cross‑media legacy.
Condition
Overall good/very good condition - consistent with its age. Once framed, it will display very well. (see photos). We have taken the condition into consideration when pricing.
Key Details
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Title: Akira Club (アキラクラブ)
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Publisher: Kodansha / Young Magazine
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Date: 1995
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Size: B2 (approx. 51.5 x 72.8 cm)
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Purpose: Non‑sale promotional poster (非売品) for Akira Club / Young Magazine 15th Anniversary
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Format: Folded, as issued
Rarity & Significance
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Far rarer than the standard 1988 Japanese B2 theatrical poster
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Issued in small numbers for promotional display and limited campaign distribution
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Genuinely hard to find with only a handful of recorded sales over many years
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A scarce, period‑correct artifact from Akira’s enduring cultural dominance—an essential companion piece to serious Otomo / Akira collections
Please refer to the detailed images provided — this is the exact poster for sale.
It is 30 years old.
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.
Certificate of Authenticity included.
