Celebrate 30 Years of AKIRA With Synthspiria’s Tribute Album

On July 16, 1988, Toho released Katsuhiro Otomo’s Akira, a feature-length anime based on Otomo’s manga of the same name. While wildly different from the manga, the film was exceptional in its own right and has gone on to become one of the most acclaimed Japanese anime films of all time, not to mention one of the most regarded animated films ever made. Its impact is still felt to this day and attempts to make a live-action version have been going on for nearly 20 years. While we may never see a live-action adaptation, our love of the film doesn’t have to be relegated to enjoying what was already released. That’s where Synthspiria comes in.

Originally a French website dedicated to the resurgence of synthwave music, they’ve since created their own digital label. As a way of celebrating their own love of Otomo’s film, 14 artists have come together to create a tribute album that sees them reimagining music from the movie in their own unique styles, all fueled by neon drenched synths, pulsating pads, electrifying harmonies. With music from artists like Wolf Arm, Speed Machine, neon shudder, Carbon Killer, and more, the album is set to come out July 16 but you can hear a few tracks below.

What’s your first memory of Akira? Let us know in the comments what this movie means to you!

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