“Steamboy” is just as much a masterwork as “Akira” — only with better technology and a stronger sense of morality. It’s truly a shame to think of how this feature has somehow eluded the attention of Western viewers for so long.

| Original Score: 4/5 | May 25, 2022

This film has steam but it generates no heat.

| Jan 25, 2018

The rendering of the characters and backgrounds is so rich and precise, that at times, it skirts into the third dimension.

| Original Score: 9/10 | Dec 14, 2017

Animated film is too violent for younger kids.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Dec 15, 2010

Works more than it fails.

| Apr 29, 2009

| Original Score: 2/5 | Aug 7, 2008

| Original Score: 2/4 | Dec 27, 2007

The film's extended debates on the ethics of science, government and personal responsibility would recommend it to critics of a medium that too often panders to audiences.

| Feb 22, 2007

| Original Score: 3/5 | Apr 1, 2006

Visually impressive, but I thought it was never going to end.

| Original Score: C | Mar 7, 2006

It may be one of the most expensive anime features ever, but there isn't a wealth of entertainment on offer in Steamboy.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Dec 6, 2005

It's a sensationally designed piece of work.

Full Review | Aug 19, 2005

In the movies, action doesn't necessarily equal a reaction.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Jul 29, 2005

...techno-fetishism at it's worst.

| Original Score: 1/5 | Jun 28, 2005

The movie never transcended its elaborate production work to achieve an independent reality. It's simply pictures of what never happened.

| May 20, 2005

Its problem is not a lack of things to look at. There's plenty of them, and they're all cool. It's just that, in this world of clanking, hissing machines, even the people seem like robots.

| May 20, 2005

While Steamboy lacks the emotional resonance and psychological complexity of Akira, it is state-of-the-art anime made by one of the masters.

Full Review | Original Score: A- | May 13, 2005

When massive bursts of steam are frozen into giant flowers of jagged ice, Otomo gives us a literal Cold War, to remind us of the folly of the arms race.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | May 4, 2005

I'm all for anime getting wider release here domestically, but not if it's top heavy with the Explodo and half-baked philosophy.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Apr 17, 2005

...for a fun drinking game, take a sip every time steam loudly hisses out of something

Full Review | Apr 8, 2005