“AKIRA” (アキラ), Original Release Japanese Movie Poster 1987, B2 Size (51 × 73 cm) ZA412

This is an original Japanese B2 poster printed in 1987 for the first Japanese theatrical release of AKIRA (アキラ), the landmark animated feature directed by Katsuhiro Otomo, based on his own manga and distributed in Japan by Toho. A landmark of both anime and cyberpunk cinema, AKIRA helped introduce Japanese animation to a global audience and remains one of the most sought‑after Japanese posters of the 1980s.

Film background

Set in the year 2019 in the sprawling neon sprawl of Neo‑Tokyo, AKIRA follows teenage biker Kaneda and his friend Tetsuo, whose latent psychic powers are awakened after a mysterious military experiment. As Tetsuo’s abilities spiral out of control, the city teeters on the brink of another apocalyptic disaster linked to the enigmatic child known as Akira. On release the film was acclaimed for its unprecedented animation detail, adult storytelling and richly realised dystopian world. Today it is widely cited as one of the greatest animated films ever made and a cornerstone of the cyberpunk genre, credited with opening the door for anime and broader Japanese pop culture to break through in the West and influencing everything from Ghost in the Shell and Final Fantasy VII to The Matrix and Stranger Things.

Poster design

This original B2 showcases one of the most beloved pieces of AKIRA key art. Kaneda stands front and centre, clad in his vivid red jacket and combat gear, gripping the experimental laser cannon with power cables snaking away behind him into the depths of the city. The background is a dense, monochrome vision of Neo‑Tokyo’s crumbling high‑rises and industrial pipework, reinforcing the film’s themes of urban decay and uncontrolled technology. Along the top border a series of film stills captures key characters — including Tetsuo, Kei and members of Kaneda’s biker gang — giving Japanese audiences a preview of the film’s dynamic animation. The bold red 「アキラ」 logo slams across the lower third in heavy brush strokes, while the tagline along the bottom edge teases Neo‑Tokyo picking up a mysterious “signal”. This is a superb display piece that perfectly evokes the raw energy and attitude that made AKIRA a cult phenomenon worldwide.

This poster is in excellent condition, with only minor edge wear from handling (please refer to the imagery of the exact poster for sale).

It is over 38 years old.

It is not a reproduction or a reprint.

Certificate of Authenticity included.