“Akira” (アキラ), Original First Release Japanese Movie Poster 1987, B1 Size (71 × 103 cm) J12
This is an original Japanese B1 poster printed in 1987 for the first release of Akira (アキラ), Katsuhiro Otomo’s groundbreaking animated cyberpunk masterpiece. Ultra-rare in this large format, the B1 is among the most sought-after versions worldwide, highly prized by both Japanese and international collectors.
Akira (1988) is a post-apocalyptic cyberpunk action film directed by Katsuhiro Otomo, produced by Ryōhei Suzuki and Shunzō Katō, and co-written by Otomo and Izo Hashimoto. Based on Otomo’s own manga (first serialized in 1982), the film set new benchmarks for animation with its fluid motion, dense detail, and dystopian vision of Neo-Tokyo. Revered as one of the greatest anime films ever made, it helped introduce Japanese animation to a global audience and has become a cornerstone of cyberpunk culture.
This B1 “explosion” style artwork captures the cataclysmic energy of Neo-Tokyo: the city disintegrates outward from a dark, glowing epicenter, while the bold title AKIRA looms overhead with Tetsuo’s eyes peering through. Below, the Japanese tagline reads:
「もう始まっている、もう止まらない…」
(“It has already begun. It cannot be stopped...”)
The dramatic scale and stark colors make this one of the most powerful and iconic Japanese designs for Akira.
Condition
Very good to excellent, consistent with age. Please review the photos (front and back); they show the exact poster for sale. Please also review additional imagery provided.
It is over 37 years old!
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.
Certificate of Authenticity included.
