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Kanye West Still Loves Akira, Says It's 'Greatest Animation Achievement in History'
posted on by Lynzee Loveridge
Rapper Kanye West is no stranger to anime, but if he'd have to pick one as it favorite, it'd definitely be Akira. The Ye creator reaffirmed his love of Katsuhiro Ōtomo's feature film on Twitter last week, proclaiming the movie as the "greatest animation achievement in history" and a frequent inspiration for his own works. He even sent a Otomo a pair of his very own YEEZY sneakers.
Katsuhiro Otomo the creator of Akira This movie is my biggest creative inspiration pic.twitter.com/mbOK9u8u23
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) August 27, 2018
Every stage show I've ever worked on Every video not just Stronger every product even when I was in the hospital I would think… oh shit this is like Akira
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) August 27, 2018
This is not only the greatest animation achievement in history the subject matter is so relevant to the current state of the world
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) August 27, 2018
Kanye's song "Stronger" from his album Graduation also payed homage to Akira. The track's music video included several scenes inspired by Otomo's film and was filmed in Japan. A non-functional replica of Kaneda's iconic motorcycle was created by Customs by Eddie Paul for the video, although it wasn't used. The bike was eventually put up for sale in 2011.
Television star and entrepreneur Kim Kardashian West has turned to anime characters for beauty inspiration. West dyed her hair pink earlier this year and credited her "anime obsession" as inspiration. She later revealed it was DARLING in the FRANXX's Zero-Two that pushed her to go pink.
Source: Kanye West's Twitter account via Cartoon Brew (Amid Amidi)
