Akira Returns to UK Screens on New 35mm Print

A brand-new 35 mm print of Katsuhiro Otomo’s 1988 cyber-punk classic “Akira” will open at BFI Southbank in London from Aug. 14–19, before touring selected cinemas across the United Kingdom and Ireland for the rest of 2026. The print, struck from the film’s 4K master, will be shown in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio with a stereo Japanese-language soundtrack and English subtitles.

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Earlier in 2026 the film enjoyed a record-breaking theatrical re-release, including an IMAX run that generated more than £1 million (? $1.3 million) at the UK and Ireland box office. That performance set a new high-water mark for classic anime releases in the region and prompted distributor Anime Limited to pursue a dedicated 35 mm tour.

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The print was produced in partnership with The Cinema Printing Company (CPC London) and ORWO Studios. Key Anime Limited staff quoted in the announcement include technical manager Robbie Duncan, U.K. and Ireland general manager Kerry Kasim, and the company’s corporate background: founded in Glasgow in 2012, Anime Limited is a subsidiary of Toho Global and distributes titles such as “Attack on Titan,” “Cowboy Bebop,” “Neon Genesis Evangelion,” and “Your Name.”

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Anime Limited emphasized that the new print offers audiences a chance to experience “Akira” as originally projected, positioning the tour as a continuation of the successful 2026 re-release strategy. The British Film Institute described the film as a “vital cornerstone of the cyberpunk genre,” underscoring its cultural significance. Both the distributor and the BFI highlighted the project’s role in revitalizing classic animation for contemporary cinema-goers.

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• “There’s something special about film going through a projector and there’s something special about ‘Akira,'” — Robbie Duncan, Technical Manager, Anime Limited

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• “I can’t wait for audiences to experience both and get a hint of what it was like to see back in 1988. I can’t thank our partners at The Cinema Printing Company (CPC London) and ORWO Studios enough for their expertise and going the extra mile to make ‘Akira’ look as good as it can.” — Robbie Duncan

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• “a vital cornerstone of the cyberpunk genre.” — British Film Institute

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