Japanimation 3-D

Manufacturer
MacFarlane Toys
Year
2000
Materials
Plastic
Height
6.5 inches

Japanimation wave 2: Akira

By otaku_kei
14th Nov 04

Height: 3 5/8 inches tall (Throne height: 7 ½ inches tall)
Points of articulation: 11
Mold: Plastic & soft-molded rubber cape.

MacFarlane Toys have been one of the markets consistently better producers of comic/animation/horror/movie/sports toys for many years now. The level of sculpting that goes into their releases is always of a high quality and really captures the look of the subjects but also seem to imbue them with an energy and dynamism.

Akira, the walking psychic A-bomb, that was the center of Katsuhiro Otomo's sci-fi epic, was part of the second wave of MacFarlane's Japanimation series. Akira stands at 3 5/8 inches tall, but the throne that he comes packaged with stands at just over 7 inches tall. Clearly the design is inspired from the manga, not the anime. The throne is a recreation of the throne that is carried through the ruined streets of Neo-Tokyo on the way to the grand convocation at the old Olympic site. Akira sculpted in his lordly robes is also dressed in a soft-molded cape draped around his shoulder. The face sculpt is also particular good as it captures Akira's trademark blank expression! Like most of the Japanimation lineup this looks as it has been drawn straight out of the page/screen and given form.

The throne is also a good re-creation of the throne from the manga. The mangled construction of pipes, lighting rigs and neon lit piping spelling out the god-child’s name are authentically lifted straight from the pages of Otomo’s epic. It also makes for a very sturdy base for Akira.

For such a small model Akira is loaded with points of articulation, 11 in all. For one of Macfarlane’s sculpts that is a surprising mount as they have almost always run by a motto of form over function! Akira is the most articulated figure I have from Macfarlane in fact. The look of Akira is taken right from the page even down to his royal cloak (removable, soft-molded rubber). As always with all Macfarlane releases accessories are at a minimum but with these releases you’re buying them for the quality of the sculpt really pandering to the collector’s market.

I am really impressed with this model and he takes pride of place on my shelving unit surrounded by my other MacFarlane figurines. A fantastic representation of one of anime and manga’s most iconic characters! This whole range is class, and the diminutive Akira does not disappoint. Just a shame that MacFarlane drew to a close this series at wave 2. Just speaking for the anime fans here but we could have done with some Eva!

-- otaku_kei 14th Nov 04