Monday, 6 July 2026
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Akira

Katsuhiro Otomo's 1988 film Akira is being re-broadcast on Japanese television and screened in 4K IMAX in North America, while Otomo himself has opened a new feature animation studio called Oval Gear that is already producing its first film.

Synthesized from 15 Yomimono stories · updated 8h ago

Katsuhiro Otomo's Akira remains a living property in 2026, with both the original film and its creator in active circulation. NHK E-TV announced a rebroadcast of the 1988 theatrical anime on July 18 at 2:00 PM, following a late-night broadcast on January 3. The broadcaster's choice of a Saturday afternoon timeslot suggests it sees the film as having broad, family-friendly appeal. Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment will release the film in select U.S. and Canadian theaters in 4K and IMAX on September 4, available in Japanese with English subtitles and with an English dub.

Otomo himself has moved into a new phase of his career. He launched a Tokyo-based animation studio called Oval Gear, which is already producing its first feature film. The studio is hiring animators and production staff. The announcement is the first official word on Otomo's projects since the 2019 reveal of the sci-fi film Orbital Era, which may now be in production at Oval Gear. Otomo has not directed a feature since Steamboy in 2004, and the permanent studio signals a multi-project commitment rather than a single return.

The cultural reach of Akira extends beyond screenings and Otomo's new studio. Director Travis Knight cited Akira as an influence on his upcoming film Masters of the Universe. The music unit MNNK Bro., formed by artist Takashi Murakami and rapper JP THE WAVY, released a single with a music video explicitly inspired by Otomo's manga. These references confirm Akira's continued status as a touchstone for creators working across different media and generations.

Key facts

NHK E-TV rebroadcast date
July 18, 2026, at 2:00 PM ↗
Previous NHK E-TV broadcast
January 3, 2026, at 10:00 PM ↗
North American 4K IMAX release date
September 4, 2026 ↗
North American 4K IMAX distributor
Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment ↗
Oval Gear studio founded
Katsuhiro Otomo opened Oval Gear, a Tokyo-based feature animation studio, with its first film already in production ↗
Otomo's last feature film as director
Steamboy in 2004 ↗

Timeline

Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every fact links the story it came from.

Facts

Release
movie · 1988 · 2026-07-06
Release
movie · 2026-09-04 · US/Canada · 2026-07-03
Announced
rebroadcast on NHK E-TV on July 18, 2026 · 2026-07-06
Noted
The music video, directed by New York duo BRTHR, connects the Shuto Expressway with the world of Katsuhiro Otomo's manga 'AKIRA.' · 2026-05-22

Connections

Writes
the cruel king i m marrying as a substitute bride is my first love
Directs of
katsuhiro tomo
Writes of
katsuhiro tomo
Produces of
oval gear

Structured graph also available as JSON at /public/entities/akira. CC BY 4.0.

Claim activity

When a claim about Akira was confirmed, debunked, or disputed against open-web sources. The record stays even after a claim drops off the facts list.

  • Confirmed oval gear produces akira May 28 · source
  • Confirmed katsuhiro tomo writes akira May 28 · source
  • Confirmed katsuhiro tomo directs akira May 28 · source
  • Confirmed akira writes the cruel king i m marrying as a substitute bride is my first love May 28 · source

All coverage

11h ago

Theatrical Anime AKIRA to Be Rebroadcast on NHK E-TV July 18

NHK E-TV announced a rebroadcast of the 1988 theatrical anime "AKIRA" on July 18, 2026, at 2:00 PM. The broadcast will air on NHK E-TV and will also be available for simultaneous and catch-up streaming on NHK ONE. The previous terrestrial broadcast of the film on NHK E-TV occurred on January 3, 2026, at 10:00 PM. The film is based on the manga by Katsuhiro Otomo, who also directed and co-wrote the screenplay. Animation production was handled by Tokyo Movie Shinsha, now TMS Entertainment. The production spanned three years with a budget of 1 billion yen, using approximately 150,000 cels drawn by 1,300 staff members. The film adopted a pre-scoring method for voice recording, with Otomo directing the voice actors. The announcement on X by the official NHK Anime account generated excitement, with fans posting reactions such as "What!?!?!?!?!" and "If you haven't seen it, you should." The film is set in Neo Tokyo in 2019 and follows Kaneda and Tetsuo as they confront the mysterious being known as Akira.

Jun 25

HiGH&LOW THE New World Announced as Final Film Chapter, Set for 2027

The final chapter of the HiGH&LOW film series, "HiGH&LOW THE New World," was announced on June 24 at a 10th anniversary event in Tokyo. HIRO, the series' planner and producer, surprised attendees with a teaser video and confirmed the film will release in 2027. The story takes place several years after the 2017 film "HiGH&LOW THE MOVIE 3 / FINAL MISSION." Returning cast members include AKIRA as Kohaku, NAOTO as Jesse, and Alan Shirahama as Bernie, all reprising roles after nine years. Kazuma Kawamura and Hokuto Yoshino also join the cast. Directors Norihisa Hiranuma and Motoaki Kuba are helming the project. Hiranuma stated that the film will feature overseas artists and cast members. The teaser video, now on YouTube, shows hand-to-hand combat and armed groups, suggesting a harsher world. The series has drawn 6.21 million cumulative viewers and earned 8.9 billion yen at the box office. A live event, "HiGH&LOW 10th ANNIVERSARY FEVER," will be held at K-Arena Yokohama on September 22 and 23, featuring LDH artists including EXILE THE SECOND and THE RAMPAGE.

Jun 24

DCXforce Think Tank NSI Proposes Fandomain Capital for AI-Era SNS Marketing

DCXforce has established a think tank called New Strategy Institute by DCXforce (NSI), led by CSO Akira Amano. Its first report introduces the concept of Fandomain Capital, which treats brand-fan relationships as a form of capital for SNS marketing in the AI era. The report targets CMOs and brand managers, offering frameworks to measure and leverage this capital.

Jun 22

Wonderplanet Founder Tomoki Tsunekawa Steps Down as President, Akinori Sato Takes Over

Wonderplanet announced on June 22, 2026, that founder Tomoki Tsunekawa resigned as President and CEO due to health reasons, becoming Director and Founder. Akinori Sato, formerly Director, COO, and CFO, succeeded him as President and CEO. Sato outlined three focus areas for the next three years: expanding major IP collaborations, restarting original title development, and refining the hybrid casual platform SEED.

Jun 17

Magic Repo Man Anime Cast, Staff, and October Premiere Revealed in Promo Video

TV Asahi unveiled the first promotional video for the Magic Repo Man anime, revealing the cast, additional staff, and an October television premiere. The series adapts Masakichi and Shingou Iijima's manga about a boy who can loan magic points and later collects debts with interest. The anime premieres in October on TV Asahi and affiliates.

Jun 14

Dragon Ball Fried Rice Plates and Chinese Spoons Launch at Jump Shops

Nine types of kitchen goods and accessories inspired by the DELICIOUS Restaurant from the Dragon Ball anime will go on sale June 19 at Jump Shop locations and online. Items include melamine fried rice plates, Chinese spoons, can-shaped glasses, hand towels, clear pouches, and acrylic keychains featuring Goku, Bulma, and Shenlong.

Jun 4

Travis Knight Reveals Japanese Culture Influences in Masters of the Universe

Director Travis Knight discussed his love for Japanese culture in a new interview for the upcoming film Masters of the Universe, citing influences from Hayao Miyazaki's Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind and Katsuhiro Otomo's Akira. Knight, CEO of Laika Studios, said his early works were shaped by Akira Kurosawa, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, and the manga Lone Wolf and Cub.

May 31

Trigger Adds All-Night SSSS.GRIDMAN and SSSS.DYNAZENON Screenings in Shinjuku

Studio Trigger announced additional all-night marathon screenings of the TV series SSSS.GRIDMAN and SSSS.DYNAZENON at Cinemart Shinjuku in Tokyo. The SSSS.GRIDMAN event will take place on February 28, 2026, and will screen all 12 episodes plus the Anime Mirai short "Denkou Choujin Gridman: Boys Invent Great Hero." The SSSS.DYNAZENON event is scheduled for March 14, 2026, and will show all 12 episodes along with the live-action short "Gridknight Fight." Both screenings will include talk shows featuring director Akira Amemiya, producer Tomoyoshi Asou from Tsuburaya Productions, and MC Naoki Koyama from Pony Canyon. Tickets cost 4,500 yen each, excluding tax. Attendees will receive exclusive illustrated postcards: one by Akira Amemiya featuring Akane Shinjo for the Gridman event, and one by Masaru Sakamoto featuring Gauma for the Dynazenon event. Random finger puppet FIXER BEAM color variants will also be distributed. Online ticket sales begin on February 13 for the Gridman event and February 27 for the Dynazenon event.

May 27

Dragon Ball Daima Streaming Guide: Where to Watch the New Series

Anime Anime has compiled a guide for streaming Dragon Ball Daima, the new TV anime from Akira Toriyama. The series is available on DMM TV, U-NEXT, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, d Anime Store, Lemino, and TSUTAYA DISCAS, but not on Disney Plus. DMM TV is recommended for its low price and free trial.

May 24

Uchi no Otouto-domo ga Sumimasen Anime Adds Cast, Theme Songs, Second Promo

The television anime adaptation of Akira Ozaki's manga "Uchi no Otouto-domo ga Sumimasen" has revealed additional cast members, theme song performers, and a second promotional video. The series is scheduled to premiere on July 4 at 12:00 a.m. on Tokyo MX, Gunma TV, Tochigi TV, BS11, and other stations, running for two consecutive cours. Voice actors Daisuke Ono and Aya Endou join the cast as Isao Narita and Saho Narita, respectively. The opening theme "Aikotoba" is performed by the band DISH//, while singer-songwriter Reira Ushio performs the ending theme "Clover." Both songs are previewed in the new promo. Hitoshi Nanba directs the series at studio Lay-duce, with Megumi Shimizu handling series composition, Shiori Hiraiwa designing characters, and Gin composing the music. The manga began serialization in Shueisha's Bessatsu Margaret in January 2020, and its 14th volume was published in July last year, with the 15th volume due June 25.

May 19

Akira Creator Katsuhiro Otomo Opens New Animation Studio Oval Gear

Katsuhiro Otomo, creator of Akira, launched a new Tokyo-based animation studio called Oval Gear. The studio is already producing its first feature film. The announcement is the first official word on Otomo's projects since the 2019 reveal of the sci-fi film Orbital Era, which may now be in production at Oval Gear.

May 16

Manga UP! Global Licenses The Cruel King I'm Marrying as a Substitute Bride

Square Enix's Manga UP! Global service added an English simulpub of The Cruel King I'm Marrying as a Substitute Bride is My First Love?! on Wednesday. The series adapts Aoi's web novel of the same name, with art by Akira. The story follows Kanae Yano, a 28-year-old woman summoned to another world. A duke and his daughter, who looks identical to Kanae, ask her to act as a body double and marry King Eugene Eistalotte, a ruler known as the Cold-Hearted Wolf. Unable to return home, Kanae agrees. When she meets the king, she discovers his true identity, setting up a fantasy romance about reuniting with a first love. Akira began the manga on Square Enix's Japanese Manga UP! platform in March 2025. The third collected volume shipped in Japan on April 7. Aoi first published the web novel on the TellerNovel platform in October 2021. The Fandom Post notes Aoi has nine works to their name since debuting in 2007, while Akira has seven works since 2020.

May 16

Katsuhiro Ōtomo Opens Feature Animation Studio Oval Gear

Director and manga artist Katsuhiro Ōtomo has founded a new animation studio called Oval Gear. The studio will focus on feature-length work. Its first project is already in production. The company is hiring animators and production staff as it builds out its team. Ōtomo is best known for the 1988 film Akira, which he directed and wrote based on his own manga. His other directing credits include the anthology Memories, the steampunk feature Steamboy, and the science-fiction story Roujin Z. He also contributed to Perfect Blue, the psychological thriller directed by the late Satoshi Kon. The formation of Oval Gear marks a return to feature animation for Ōtomo, whose last full-length directorial work was Steamboy in 2004. The studio name and its immediate hiring push suggest a permanent production base rather than a one-off project team. No release window or title for the first film has been shared.