What is your favorite release of Akira: Streamline's 1988 or Pioneer's 2001? It is a simple question, but with a very complex answer, it always brings the inner Otaku from people.

In the summer of 1989, I came to San Diego to visit my aunt, and on one of the weekends we went to the local video store (that is right, I am talking about VHS tapes) to rent a couple of movies. I picked up Akira out of sheer curiosity.

I watched this movie about 10 times during those two days, and I even made a copy of it to take it back home. This was my baptism into the wonderful world of Japanese Animation.

I compare the Streamline version of Akira to my first kiss: it was kind of weird at some moments, it was not perfect, and I wish I could have it done differently; but, it was my fist kiss, and I will not change it for anything. (See full panel)