Fanart Friday's topic this week was selected by my good friend,
Jacob Wyatt.*
Having not seen Akira since probably 1996, I thought I'd give myself a little refresher. It was a heck of a lot more violent than I remember. The animation is as keen now as it was then--a true feat to behold--and stands the test of time. You'd be hard pressed today to find draftsmen who could accomplish the things they were pulling off 25 years ago. Those camera moves are astounding.
But somewhere between 1996 and now, I became a papa (twice over); and my tastes have changed...which is to be expected, I suppose. Which is to say, I lean unabashedly towards whimsy. Given these leanings, and especially considering that today I spent the greater portion of my day at the doctors office, rocking feverish children, wiping up puke, and chasing down prescriptions--got me thinking how Kaneda and the Capsules could have put their hobby to better use...you know, without the brandishing of so much blood-stained piping.
All joking aside though, I have to hand it to Otomo: he predicted 2019 fashion trends, like, 40 years in advance.
*
His image is infinitely more faithful to the dystopian vibe of Otomo's masterwork.
