When it comes to anime and manga, few properties hold as much weight as the classic Akira. Sure, there are modern stories that really hit the mark, from Naruto to One Piece to One-Punch Man. But Akira had a gravity to it that stands the test of time.
It influenced other anime, manga, music, as well as Western pop culture. After so many decades, even Akira aficionados do wonder how it still permeates throughout the consciousness of the geek realm. Well, that's so for a few key reasons.
What Was the Anime Film Akira About?
Akira Dissected Themes of Rebellion, Politics & Destiny
- The Akira movie was directed by Katsuhiro Otomo.
- It ran for 124 mins.
- It was released in 1988 by Toho.
- It made $49 million on a $7 million budget.
Akira made key changes to the source material, but it still managed to tell a very cathartic story. It dealt with rebellion, as Kaneda and his gang, the Capsules, found themselves as part of a bigger war. Initially, they were wrapped up in a fight against the Clowns, but an accident led to one of their own, Tetsuo, being hospitalized. He developed telekinesis and became an esper — a psychic who was considered a weapon.
The government, through Shikishima, had espers of their own and thought that Tetsuo would become a weapon of mass destruction and destroy Neo-Tokyo. Shikishima contemplated killing Tetsuo to stop another cataclysm, as another esper, Akira, destroyed Tokyo years back in 1988. Shikishima wanted to protect their cyberpunk region and ensure lives were saved, even if he had to become a monster for it. Basically, it was him hedging bets as any politician would. He couldn't have Japan descending into more gang violence, especially as Neo-Tokyo was plagued by corruption, anti-government protests and domestic terrorism.
Tetsuo ended up escaping, but he became drawn towards a resistance. These rebels, which included Kaneda's friend, Kei, had ideas on changing an oppressive society and an iron-fisted style of governance. Tetsuo didn't want to be part of a larger picture, though. He just wanted to flee with his beloved Kaori. But Tetsuo's psyche was breaking. He was hallucinating, killing people, and turning into a bomb.
One of the espers, Kiyoko, who warned Shikishima of the trauma to come, told Tetsuo the only way out was to find the cryogenic remains of Akira. The government held Akira at a storage facility, but once awakened, Akira could help Tetsuo with his powers. In the process, Tetsuo stood up to the authorities. It was a statement about anti-establishment, which was ever-present throughout Asia in the 1980s. This is why Akira won fans over in the West as well. Whether it be protesting wars, or questioning how governments used science, this was a message that grew even in the 1990s and 2000s.
Once technology and the digital age kicked into high gear, Akira became staple viewing for anyone who embraced individuality and non-conformity. It had the vibe of Blade Runner, which came out over a decade before, and would help inspire franchises like The Matrix. It was now part of a pantheon of stories that dissected Chosen Ones, anti-heroes and super-powered messiahs who had to decide if to live as slaves in a tortured existence, or liberate themselves and everyone around. Tetsuo wanted freedom and Akira was the key to this internal peace, as well as external order.
What Happened to Tetsuo and Akira in the Anime Film?
Akira Stopped Tetsuo From Creating a Full-Blown Apocalypse
- The original manga was written and drawn by Katsuhiro Otomo in 1982.
- It was published in Japan by Kodansha.
- It ran from Dec. 20, 1982 to Jun. 25, 1990.
Sadly, Tetsuo got consumed by rage. He was literally losing his mind as his abilities dominated him. Kaneda had no choice but to betray his friend for the greater good. Shikishima's forces kept their pursuit up as well, which maddened Tetsuo. He felt isolated, alone and like no one understood him. Tetsuo's rampage culminated with him turning into a monster.
Unfortunately, the collateral damage was high. Kaori died in the battle to save his soul. Luckily, the other espers revived Akira to stop the growing mass that was Tetsuo. Reuniting with his esper friends, Akira created a singularity, sucking Tetsuo and Kaneda into another dimension. The espers teleported Shikishima to safety, while the singularity tore Neo-Tokyo apart.
This played on the theme of predestination and begged: how much could humanity control fate? Even with precognition and prediction at his fingertips, Shikishima couldn't stop the inevitable. The espers went into the chaotic dimension to save Kaneda, accepting this was their higher calling. Inside the singularity, Kaneda experienced Tetsuo and the espers' childhoods. He saw his and Tetsuo's friendship, the espers' psychic training before Tokyo's destruction, and what strung them together like family.
The espers returned Kaneda to Neo-Tokyo, while Akira achieved his purpose and took Tetsuo to safety. It culminated in Tetsuo triggering the creation of a new universe. He transcended the limitations of human existence and achieved the godhood that he and Akira were meant for. They were truly apex espers. Neo-Tokyo was left to recover after the singularity disappeared. There were no dangerous alpha espers left, but the imprint of Tetsuo was ever-present.
Kaneda left with his friends, including a Kei who developed psychic powers too, all while Shikishima watched the sunrise. He soaked in the aftermath of the havoc and the rebuild to come. Tetsuo lived on in another plane of reality, but he was grateful for his time on Earth. This narrative left an indelible footprint that many mediums would try to imitate. Jet Li's The One had that superhero-biker vibe, as well as different dimensions, coming into play. Other movies like The Creator would dissect the idea of an innocent person having the potential to destroy the planet if they weren't kept in check. Shows like The Gifted, Supacell and such, further dealt with the concept of rogue psychics as well. Like Akira, they all hinged on the next step in human evolution: the conceot of superhumans that will always mistify and indulge patrons.
Tetsuo and Akira Shaped a Mutant Message That Inspired Creators Globally
Tetsuo & Akira Showcased the Power of Focused, Streamlined Art
In the end, Akira resonated as a mutant story. Many X-Men tales spoke about how Jean Grey and Professor Xavier were feared due to their telepathy and psychic talents. They even had dark sides, as seen with the Phoenix and Dark Phoenix. It was all about power in the right hands, or sometimes, the wrong ones, as seen with how the espers program backfired in Shikishima's face. The X-Men mapped out stories like this, as well as other mutants with abilities, since the 1960s. Thus, they influenced Akira. But Akira wasn't necessarily about spectacle or fitting into a larger tapestry with many moving parts like the Marvel Universe.
It was a streamlined character portrait of someone frightened, and scared about how others misjudge, perceive and want to harm them. That is, the concept of 'the other.' To this point, Akira walked on its own two feet and reflected a mirror to many societies, indicating not to treat those who were different too rashly. Outliers and outsiders need compassion and empathy, not xenophobia. This is why folks connected with the outcasts and pariahs in comic books, and why Asian culture, especially Japan, claimed Akira as their response to mutants, and sci-fi in general. Toho's Godzilla was a statement on war, but Akira deconstructed the human condition and mankind's lust for weapons even more.
It was a condensed tale about how those with power often fear what they do not understand. But what makes Akira stand atop the pedestal is that it's quality — something that outdoes the quantity of today. It had amazing animation, untouchable chases, immaculate fight choreography, and an emotive spectacle that mixed substance and style. It was art, not product, which is why so many artists, to this day, homage that rad cover of Kaneda going towards the iconic red bike. Akira knew how to balance bombast with a heartfelt story. Action didn't need to be sacrificed. It's something few franchises, on a global level, can capture. And it's testament to how, when creators needle down into a strong core that viewers can resonate with, they create magic that will hold up for audiences decades later.
Akira pulled no punches, which is why critics lapped it up, and why the entertainment industry tries to mimic the bike slide whenever it can — from Batman adaptions to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to Jordan Peele's Nope. It was a landmark anime film that had so many watershed moments, paving the way for other anime properties like Pokémon and Dragon Ball, among the many, to become global phenomena. They all knew Akira's aesthetic was the one to follow. That's why Michael and Janet Jackson, Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco and so many more homaged it in their music and videos. Akira was genuine about its war theme, unapologetic about its take on politics, and, in the end, influenced culture by reminding the world of the worth of outsiders. Doing it with such a slick, cool look was just icing on the creative cake; something fans are hoping the live-action remake can copy if it ever gets made.
Akira is streaming on Hulu.
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Akira
R
AnimeAction
DramaSci-Fi
11 9.1/10
- Release Date
- July 16, 1988
- Runtime
- 124 Minutes
- Director
- Katsuhiro Otomo
Cast
-
Mitsuo Iwata
-
Nozomu Sasaki
WHERE TO WATCH
Streaming
A secret military project endangers Neo-Tokyo when it turns a biker gang member into a rampaging psychic psychopath who can only be stopped by a teenager, his gang of biker friends and a group of psychics.
- Writers
- Katsuhiro Otomo, Izô Hashimoto
- Budget
- $5.7 Million
- Studio(s)
- Tokyo Movie Shinsha Co. Ltd
- Distributor(s)
- Toho
