Konichi-wa, otaku! ROBOGEEK here with some bakuretsu muteki news for ya!

AKIRA's going into over-time!

Way back in January, we first heard about Pioneer's million-dollar digital restoration of Katsuhiro Otomo's seminal 1988 anime film AKIRA for a spring theatrical re-release and summer DVD release.

Needless to say, we were plenty excited - even more so when our own Harry Knowles was invited to introduce the premiere of the restored film last month in New York.

Since then, we've had a couple of reviews, which you can read here and here.

However, we've been waiting to hear the results of the single-screen New York digital projection engagement at the AMC Empire (where it now screens in 35mm at 7:30 & 10:15pm), which would determine whether or not the film's theatrical release would be expanded to other markets.

Finally, this weekend, there was cause for much rejoicing, as Pioneer announced they would expand the film's release! Sugoi!

Next Friday (4/27), AKIRA will open in San Francisco (AMC 1000 Van Ness) and Burbank (AMC Media Center North 6) - where it will be screened in digital projection. Pending the film's success in these markets, the theatrical re-release will hopefully be further expanded.

(And, as if that wasn't cool enough news, our friends at McFarlane Toys are planning to release a new series of AKIRA action figures this September!)

For more details, check out the Reuters wire report that broke the story.

Also, be sure to check out the official AKIRA web site, akira2000.com!

Enjoy,

- Robogeek

P.S.: And yes, in response to a Talk Backer, Warner Bros. now looks even more pathetic by comparison. I mean, Pioneer can figure out a way to handle a theatrical re-release of a niche title like AKIRA, but Warners couldn't do the same for SUPERMAN - one of the most famous and successful films of all time? Sigh... Check out this link for a glimpse of what might have been.