Track Listing

1. Kaneda
2. Battle Against the Clown
3. Winds Over Neo-Tokyo
4. Tetsuo
5. Dolls' Polyphony
6. Shohmyoh
7. Mutation
8. Exodus from the Underground Fortress
9. Illusion
10. Requiem

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #187401 in Music
• Released on: 1994-03-10
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Import, Soundtrack
• Original language: English, French, Italian, Japanese, Spanish

Album Description
2019 neo-Tokyo is about to E.X.P.L.O.D.E and so begins 'Akira', the best-selling Japanese all-action animated drama.

Customer Reviews

Wait, read this before you buy!
The question is not whether you should own the soundtrack to the film -- the answer to that is a resounding YES. The question is, "Why would you purchase the import?"
I bought both the import and the domestic version to make sure that I wasn't missing out on something; the import - at least the edition that I just got from an Amazon seller - lacks the same booklet that comes with the domestic version. The domestic version includes several pages explaining the music behind the motion:

1) "The movie AKIRA and the background music the AKIRA OS," written by Katsuhiro Otomo, the director of the film.

2) "The path to producing the AKIRA Original Soundtrack."

3) "A few words on the music," which is more than a few words; it explains the culture behind the music of each track, and how this also fits in with the images on the screen.

4) "The Synopsis of Akira"

5) "Profile of the Yamashirogumi" -- about the voices that make this unlike any other OS.

The domestic version is also cheaper, so this decision is a no-brainer. The sound quality is equal in either release.
While it may be true that the opening track is probably the best (the masterpiece of the soundtrack), those who call this CD "half-good" need to open their minds up a little wider.

Probably one of the most original CDs ever made.
Hoo boy. How do you review a CD like this? It's the kind of thing that you force every friend you have to listen to, hoping that they'll become just as addicted as you (usually they don't). Here's the review, track by track... Kaneda is a fun little percussion-and-choir piece, somewhat similar to a synthed-up KODO. Battle Against Clown is a mix of some VERY unusual vocal work and the Kaneda theme. Winds Over Neo-Tokyo is probably the worst track... think of a synth version of "landscape" music. Tetsuo is scary, and easily one of the best and most varied tracks. Doll's Polyphony sounds bloody awesome with headphones. Shohmyoh is a personal favorite of mine... it's a choral chanting piece in four movements with some synth thrown in, getting progressively more ominous. Mutation isn't quite as listenable as Tetsuo, but is scarier. EftUF is a fun guitar version of Kaneda. Illusion is a cool (if nearly unlistenable) Noh performance. Requiem is... beautiful. And sad. In short, pick up this CD so you can place it proudly beside that 5th Element soundtrack that everyone else hates.

One of the most unique albums ever produced...
Geinoh Yamashirogumi apparently have a reputation in their native Japan for being a highly creative musical and artistic force. This soundtrack album they produced for the groundbreaking animated equivalent of "Blade Runner," Katsuhiro Otomo's "AKIRA," is truly in a class by itself. COmbining traditional Japanese musical techniques and instrumentations with modern equipment and technology, Yamashirogumi manages to create a sound that is ethnic in origin, but also mesmerizing and appealing to the foreign ear. This music can not be classified into any genre other than its own.

The opening track "Kaneda" is an upbeat opener to the album, the song that both introduced us to the violent cityscape of Neo-Tokyo in the film and gave us the exit to which the world enters into a new surreal destiny. Something to dance to, full of power and emotion, and above all my favorite track on the album.

"Battle Against Crown" is one of the more unique pieces, filled with heavy breathing and a pounding rhythm that captures the violence of the film. "Winds over the Neo-Tokyo" is a nice soothing piece that brings a sense of peace amidst the anarchy.

"Tetsuo" is truly a symphony unto itself. A violent, dark epic that portrays the chaos of the title character and the situations that surround him. Truly a great piece of music.

"Doll's Polyphony" is nothing to speak of. Like "Winds over the Neo-Tokyo" only with more vocalization, and certainly very serial. "Shohmyoh" is an erratic series of chanting that leaves the listener both confused and hypnotized. "Mutation" begins as a continuation of "Shohmyoh," but ends on a peaceful note, almost indicating the calm before the storm.

"Exodus from the Underground Fortress" is my second favorite track. Like "Kaneda," this is a very upbeat and danceable song with a screeching guitar that gives the exciting sensation of a battle in progress and the franticness of attempted escape. "Illusion" is probably the most out-of-place track. It begins as a newage synthesizer backdrop that makes good background music for a dream, but becomes a Japanese Noh theater piece that has seemingly little to do with either the film or the rest of the album.

Finally, "Requiem," a piece that captures all of the emotions and energy of the album and the film, and ending with a sad, but peaceful note that brings an excellent close to the album.

The music captures the film flawlessly. Reminiscent of Vangelis' score for "Blade Runner," this is truly an album for the ages. One of the great soundtrack albums of all time.