But despite its massive cultural influence, Hollywood has repeatedly failed to recreate the magic of this 1988 masterpiece in a live-action remake. The Legacy of Akira: More Than Just AnimationFirst released in 1988, Akira quickly cemented its place as a groundbreaking film in the anime genre. Hollywood’s Attempts to Remake Akira: Why It’s So DifficultHollywood’s obsession with remakes is nothing new. Credit: IMDBOne of the biggest hurdles is that Akira‘s story and setting are inherently tied to Japanese culture and political themes. Taika Waititi’s Near-Miss: A 2019 Revival That Fell ApartIn 2019, Hollywood came closer than ever to getting the remake right.