AKIRA Edition Comparison: Marvel/Epic Comics vs Kodansha 35th Anniversary Hardcovers 

Thrilled to hear it, cheers!

Thank you!

Thanks, so glad you enjoyed it! If you're interested in Asterix, I recently did another translation comparison, after many years, in this video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-wipG9U2zaOs.html 😁 Cheers!

Much much appreciated! Welcome to the channel and hope you find lots to enjoy here!

Thank you, glad you liked it!

I can see that!

John Paul Berthold Indeed, shockingly long without such an edition. But I think it was worth the wait! 😀

I'll spend for it. The German Anniversary Box from 2017 has only the colored Western Style Version.

How interesting - and odd! I would have thought the whole idea would have been to celebrate the original! This was definitely worth it for me. But it weighs a lot, so watch out for shipping if you're not going to be transporting it yourself!

Mh, I am for the original Original^^

Exactly the same as standard US comics - a little over 6.5 inches wide and 10 inches long, just with more pages and squarebound instead of stapled.

There's some interesting stuff with greys that translates a bit differently, but I don't recall any other major variations. I should do a deeper analysis of the translation, but I don't think people have equal access to the earlier English script, so maybe it's not that useful?

Oh wow, I've only seen the Graphitti editions online but they look handsome! Are they as large as the Kodansha volumes? Larger?

@@ftloc roughly the same height but the Kodansha volumes are much thicker. The paper stock they used is thicker. This was my most expensive buy after stalking trading sites for a year. I got all 5 volumes in NM condition for 1400$. Wish they finished the series tho.

@@ftloc I'll take some comparison photos in a few hours

@@ftloc i.imgur.com/L0Bq7Zh.jpg I didnt take a detailed photo as this set is on the very top of my shelf and I don't wanna lug that heavy bastard down. As you can see the GD books are a bit slimmer and feature a rounded spine where as the Kodansha books are THICC and feature a flat spine.

Ah the link had gotten blocked and was held for review and I only saw this comment now! Thank you!

A worthy goal indeed! I have all but 36-38 of the Epic series, but the prices of those last 3 has always kept them out of reach. So this set was a no-brainer for me. I think you should definitely think about this set - not only will it take up a goodly portion of your Akira shelf, but the original format is just a treasure! (Naturally, I am a bit biased). Good luck and let us know how it goes!

I got kind of lucky because i got a pretty cheap set of 1-37, and just got 38 for $110 some of the earlier volumes look kinda ragged, i might try to sell the copies and buy nicer once after i read them the first time

I know I’m really late lol hopefully you respond. Which version/option do you think is the best, the single volumes of the 6 volume set, 38 volume collection, or the 35th anniversary?

No, at least not as far as I know. The omnibuses were from Dark Horse, and in black and white.

Oh wow, that is weird. In what ways is the Kodansha paperback different?

This is from the 35th Anniversary Edition published by Kodansha which I talk about it here, in the very first video I ever made! 😋 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE--W4bEUW1_zY.html

No, it goes all the way to the end, taking 38 issues!

For the Love of Comics im aware of that haha, but does issue 1 end earlier than the hardcover #1, im guessing yes, because theres 38 issues. i have akira 2 the paperback and decided to get the epic version and didnt know if meets up with the paperback.

None that i know of, unfortunately, but maybe the 45th or 50th anniversary edition may consider it! 😁

About 10.2 inches tall, 7.4 wide. The thickness varies by volume, naturally.

For this set or in general? Check the copyright page..

@@ftloc what on the copyright page tells you? Not sure if my #1 epic is first or second printing.

@@drewmoore2584 there are usually a string of numbers on the copyright page. Sometimes two strings, one in the opposite order (ascending or descending) from the other, like 1 2 3 4 5 10 9 8 7 6 or similar. Whatever the lowest number there is, that's the 'impression' or the number of the printing. So if you see a 1, it is the first printing. If the lowest number you see is a 2, then it is the second printing. Of course sometimes it could clearly simply say 'Third printing' 😁 Hope this helps!

I quite like the colors and the look of the Marvel edition for sure, but I love the sound effects of the Japanese version. Also, I slightly prefer the translation in the black and white version - it seems to do less of the 'spelling things out' I note here. Still, that's a very slight difference and I would love to see the colour edition given the deluxe hardcover treatment!

Yes, there is a comparison. Did u watch his video or does he need to SPELL IT OUT FOR YOU (like they did in the Marvel colored edition)?? Lol...To each his own, but don’t try to say “no comparison” or “superior version” when clearly he explains the differences in the video & why one could prefer the original over the Marvel edition.

@@GoldenAgeSk8Video Nah. The colored version is the SUPERIOR version. Besides, one can only speak for oneself. So, when I say the Marvel version is the superior edition, it's implied that is my own personal opinion about it. Or are you just salty that you do not own the colored edition and you have to console yourself in getting the much cheaper and more accessible reprints?