Why is this so good?

[Mr.s]

Why is Akira so good?

[iwakura]

It's OK. I think it's a bit over-rated.

It got significant play since it was one of the first anime to get wide viewing. But there is better stuff out there.

[Pengi_Ken-Ohki]

I'd agree its overrated. I saw it after NGE though. So it had more competition by then. I'm sure that when it first came to our shores, most anime was not getting a wider audience, hence the "wow!" factor. No doubt the same applies to NGE. (In fact I often wish NGE wasn't my first anime, so that I could see it with an anime fan's eyes)

[iwakura]

NGE is much superior to Akira. When I visited Akiba a couple years ago, NGE was still well represented at the shops. Not much of anything for Akira. NGE isn't my favorite though :)