This '80s Body Horror Anime Paved the Way for 'Akira'

Story by Jerome Reuter

Image from MovieWeb

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A cult '80s anime thriller that blended cyberpunk, tech-noir, and the supernatural, paving the way for the breakout success of the classic 'Akira'.

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Released in 1987, 'Wicked City' was a gritty, mind-bending anime that combined dark, mature themes with cutting-edge animation - a genre-blending precursor to 'Akira'
Director Yoshiaki Kawajiri's 'Wicked City' featured a noir-ish detective story and shocking body horror sequences that influenced a wave of later Japanese animation hits.

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Yoshiaki Kawajiri, Wicked City, Akira