Based on director Katsuhiro Otomo‘s landmark dystopian manga of the same name, this enduringly popular work of Japanime is a visual feast, featuring epic, hand-drawn cityscapes as a backdrop for a sexy, violent cyberpunk adventure that takes place in the post-apocalyptic city of Neo-Tokyo (in… 2019!). The story follows a teenaged boy who is exposed to a mysterious energy source, and develops telekinetic powers that place him at the center of a conflict that may destroy the world.

“‘Akira’ is distractingly bloody and violent, but its phenomenal animation and sheer kinetic energy helped set the standard for modern anime.” (Rotten Tomatoes)

“An impressive achievement, often suggesting a weird expressionist blend of 2001, The Warriors, Blade Runner and Forbidden Planet.” (Time Out)

“A phenomenal work of animation with all the hallmarks of an instant cult classic.” (New York Times)

“Easily the most breathtaking and kinetic anime ever made.” (Village Voice)

Wednesday, March 15
Doors 9:00 pm |Movie 9:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.
Advance tickets HERE

Saturday, March 25 Final Screening
Doors 10:00 pm | Movie 10:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.
Advance tickets HERE

*Minors OK. Must be 19+ w/ID for bar service.
*Rio Theatre Groupons and Rio Theatre passes are OK for any single film screening only. Please redeem at the box office.
*Online sales end an hour before showtime; unless otherwise noted, tickets are always available for purchase at the box office prior to showtime. All Rio Theatre tickets are final sale. Our box office is typically open 30 minutes before showtime. All seating is General Admission; please arrive 20-30 minutes prior to showtime to ensure great seats and time for treats.
*If you are looking to redeem either a Rio Theatre gift certificate or Groupon to any regular Rio Theatre screening: You can either email us in advance <[email protected]> and give us a “heads up,” or do it at the box office prior to showtime. (We seat 400+ people and our regular screenings are very rarely at capacity – you should not have issues being admitted.)

AKIRA (Katsuhiro Ôtomo, 1988 / 124 mins / PG / Japanese with English subtitles) In 1988 the Japanese government drops an atomic bomb on Tokyo after ESP experiments on children go awry. In 2019, 31 years after the nuking of the city, Kaneda, a bike gang leader, tries to save his friend Tetsuo from a secret government project. He battles anti-government activists, greedy politicians, irresponsible scientists and a powerful military leader until Tetsuo’s supernatural powers suddenly manifest. A final battle is fought in Tokyo Olympiad exposing the experiment’s secrets.