Akira is one of the most complicated anime movies that i have ever seen but it is also one of the most beautiful to the eyes.
The plot, as far as i can figure out, starts off in the 21st century in Neo-Tokyo, rebuilt after it was destroyed in World War III. A biker gang runs afoul of a government experiment, a small disfigured child with incredible telekinetic powers. Tetsuo, one of the bikers, is taken by the government because he came in contact with the child. It is discovered that Tetsuo has more power within him than any of the government's experiments (which include two other children besides the one Tetsuo ran into).
Meanwhile, it is also learned that there is political unrest within the government, as well as hateful feelings from the public. The people of Neo-Tokyo wait for the return of Akira, who was apparently a being of great power.
Well, so as not to give away the rest of the movie, I'll sum it up quickly. Kaneda, another kid from the biker gang, ends up involuntarily joining a resistance movement in order to save his friend Tetsuo. However, by this time, Tetsuo has learned to use his power and becomes quite insane. The ending of the movie gets very strange as we are finally introduced to Akira.
Although I have not been able to completely understand this movie, it still remains one of my favorites of all time. The animation is most spectacular and has been rated one of the best animated movies ever. I would definitly recommend that you buy this for your collection, or at the very least watch it once.
This movie is rated for mature audiences, as it has quite a bit of blood and gore, some nudity, and the ending is...well, let's just say it should not be viewed by children (it tends to give me the creeps sometimes as well).