Akira is heading back to the big screen, and it’s never looked this good before. The legendary cyberpunk anime film locks in its 4K and IMAX re-release date.

Akira sets 4K & IMAX reelease date with new trailer

Crunchyroll revealed plans to bring Akira back to theaters in 4K and IMAX across the United States and Canada on September 4, 2026. The company released a fresh trailer and key visual alongside the announcement. Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment will handle distribution in Japanese with English subtitles and English dub.

Katsuhiro Otomo helmed the original Akira anime at Tokyo Movie Shinsha Co., Limited, now operating as TMS Entertainment. Meanwhile, Toho served as the distributor when the film debuted in Japan in 1988. The 4K restoration first screened in Japan during May 2020 before this wider theatrical rollout.

Additionally, Crunchyroll highlights the film on its platform with the following description:

“Iconic and game-changing, AKIRA is the definitive anime masterpiece! Katsuhiro Otomo’s landmark cyberpunk classic obliterated the boundaries of Japanese animation and forced the world to look into the future.”

The movie draws from Otomo’s acclaimed manga, first published by Kodansha in 1982. As a result, Akira established a benchmark for sci-fi and cyberpunk storytelling upon its original release. Its visual and narrative ambition went on to shape creators across film, art, and animation globally.

Separately, Warner Bros. acquired live-action adaptation rights to the property back in 2002. Subsequently, Taika Waititi signed on to write and direct a live-action take in 2017. However, Warner Bros. Discovery ultimately relinquished those rights back to Kodansha in 2025 following prolonged development issues. The story centers on gang leader Shotaro Kaneda navigating a futuristic Neo-Tokyo landscape. His companion Tetsuo undergoes extreme military experiments that unleash a terrifying new ability.

Crunchyroll presently offers the Akira anime film for streaming on its platform.

Originally reported by Anubhav Chaudhry on SuperHeroHype.com.