Customer Reviews

Akira Volume 2

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Second volume of six, 'Akira' moves into high gear in this volume.

Like the first volume, there are dire hints as to what will happen when Akira is released from his imprisonment - an event which happens in this volume, but one that we observe from some distance.

The pace of this volume is faster than the first - it seemed to go very fast, but then I realised how long I'd spent reading it. It is certainly more action-packed than the first, although this shouldn't be confused with having no story. This would have been easy to do, but the story is progressing, although slower than it might be expected by the pace of the action. I'm sure others may have been tempted to tell the story in less space, concentrating on action.

Several of the characters from the first volume are prominently on display, including several who were somewhat in the background last time. I expect that some characters will fade into the background, while others become more prominent.

Last volume, I suggested that I wasn't certain if I'd go the distance with this story. With this volume, I think it is more likely that I will.

This volume is much like the first volume if you look at the story-telling. Unlike most comic-books where they try to stuff as much information as possible in as little as possible pages, this is the complete opposite. Each tiny detail of information is spread out over several pages which makes it an easy to follow story, you won't miss out on vital details easily, and it isn't slow anywhere thanks to the 'animated' art.

About the story: After the agency, under leadership of 'the Colonel' catches up with Kaneda, Kei and Tetsuo (all in vol.1) each of them is taken with them to their test-base where Tetsuo's powers are quickly increasing. When Tetsuo learns there are more numbered subjects like him he goes looking for others. That's how he learns about Akira. With this new knowlegde Tetsuo goes out to find project Akira, determined that nobody is gonna stop him from doing so. The agency turns desperate because if Tetsuo should reach Akira, there is no way of telling what is to become of the world. Meanwhile Kaneda and Kei are also on their way to stop Tetsuo, only in a more brutal way. A race against the clock begins. The first half of this collection is really a big phase were you get to wonder "who is possibly enpowered and who's not". It's a very good read with enough twisting points to keep it on the edge. The second part is even better when the hunt for Tetsuo begins and we have to see who gets to Tetsuo first, or is Tetsuo himself the first to reach his goal ? We also get to meet Akira himself for the first time, which makes you look to each panel very curious to catch the first hints of what he might be capable of.

This second (from 6) books doesn't let you down at any point if you liked the first volume. The story stays action-packed and the style in which it is done stays the way you're accustomed to it. Fast but not revealing to much at once. For people who are interested in it, read the first volume first because reading it in order is a must. It won't be a disappointment. For people who have already read the first installment: the joy continues.

Katsuhiro Otoma's epic of post World-War III Japan continues in this full-throttle, non-stop-action chapter.

Akira Book 2 starts out with Kei and Kaneda in the clutches of the mysterious Colonel, while Tetsuo continues to test the limits (If there are any...)of his newly discovered powers. Meanwhile, under the crater at ground zero, Akira begins to awaken...

Akira is the Comic-Book equivalent of an epic action movie. The art is clear and crisp, and the amout of detail in every panel is staggering. I've never been a fan of "Manga" (Japanese Comics), but the work of Katsuhiro Otomo (The Akira books, and the amazing Domu) are winning me over. The opening of the book has an in-depth recap for new readers, and the first few pages are in color.The black-and-white art really looks great, and the book is a great value at 288 pages. Try it...you'll be hooked!

If you know of the Akira Anime this Manga should be of no surprise; however, there are some definite differences that will become evident upon reading. 1st off the anime is way way shorter and edited to such an extent that most casual watchers are left feelin confused. These books will clear up any problems you may have had with the movie and expand upon the foundation the movie laid out. Be aware these books not in color.

When my brother came bouncing in with this book, my first thought was 'you paid 23 pounds for that? are you mad?' I felt no interest in it, but after a bit of persuasion/arm-twisting, I was persuaded to read it. It didn't seem anything special...but somehow I couldn't stop reading. Now I'm on a quest to find Book 1, and nothing will stop me...
This book is a good story, well-drawn, and has this strange power to make you keep going back to it to spot more details. The other Akira book I've read is Book 6, and this one isn't as hard-hitting or powerful, but it's still a good read. If you've read Book 1, by all means buy this and keep going with the story. If you haven't, check it out anyway - you might be pleasantly surprised!

Tetsuo is one very angry teenager. Give him control of incredible mental powers and you have a very serious problem. This book show much less events that the first volume did, and is 50 pages shorter. While Volume 1 showed dozens of different things happening, this volume only really occurs over a period of two days or so. However, it shows those days in much more detail.

After the end of Akira 1, Tetsuo is taken to the secret military hospital where the Colonel's secret group of powerful children are kept. It's only a few hours before he freaks out, and with his powers increasing at an exponential rate this is a bad thing. Before he could just blow up peoples head and throw cars with his mind. Now he suddenly can read people's minds, heal from wounds incredibly quickly, and transport himself from one place to another. Hearing in the doctor's mind about the other children, he goes to visit them. There he begins a violent rampage as he sets off to find "Akira."

Meanwhile Kaneda and Kei are in the same hospital, and they escape with some help from an unexpected source. The main part of the manga occurs as Kei and Kaneda approach the Olympic games site, where Akira is hidden underground. Almost all characters who survived the first volume appear as the military makes a last ditch bid to stop Tetsuo from awakening Akira. As Tetsuo gets closer and closer to his goal, I reminisced on the 24th episode of Evangelion, as the 16th angel descends down the shaft to contact Adam and destroy humanity. The whole time you're thinking, "OH my god oh my god will they do it or will they get stopped!?!?!" As for Tetsuo, on whether or not he succeeds or is stopped by the sheer amount of firepower the military throws at him...I can't really remember. You'll just have to buy it for yourself.

A great manga series continues. The only reason I didn't give a perfect score is because this volume doesn't cover as much story as the first volume. It's more action oriented as opposed to being plot development oriented.

This is the 2nd collected TPB volume in Katsuhiro Otomo's science fiction epic masterpice. There are six volumes in total. All of which are essential to have the complete manga story. That, of course, goes without saying. If you are not familiar with manga, you should note that it is almost always produced in black and white. Such is the case with Akira. This may be a turn-off for some, but on a positive note, it allows the reader to pay more attention to the detail of the drawings, and to the depth of the script.

Wheather you're a fan of manga, comics, or sci-fi in general, Akira is a must.

Katsuhiro Otomo goes above and beyond. The detail in his first and second book really struck me. Don't get too excited though. There are four more volumes coming out! If you want a good long and intriging plot look no further than Akira!

Akira is the epitome of a great manga series. The story doesn't fail in vol. 2. This is a must own for anyone interested in manga or anime.

well akira 2 was spectacular i really enjoyed the anime and decided to give these giant editions of the manga a try, and to my delight the manga is much better. i recomend this manga to anyone who enjoyed the movie or to anyone who just enjoys science fiction because this is without a doubt one of the best science fiction graphic novels ever written enjoy!!