Akira (1988 film) - a podcast by Chris, Sean, Jeremy | Force Fed Sci-Fi

For this edition, we are taking a look at the anime movie Akira (1988 film). We'll discuss Katsuhiro Otomo and the many parts he played involving this movie, the Akira characters, try to explain the ending of Akira as it is a bit confusing, give our own Akira movie rating, and more.
Akira Quick Plot SummaryThe movie's main focus is about two young friends in a biker gang, Kaneda and Tetsuo, set in Neo-Tokyo (Tokyo was destroyed in an event only referred to as'the singularity'which seems very nuclear-like). Tetsuo is captured after a biking accident by the military/government, is experimented on, and develops telekinetic powers. He slowly loses control of his powers and threatens the city of Neo-Tokyo. All the while his friend Kaneda, the leader of the motorcycle gang, tries his best to find him and save him from himself. Both young men are thrust into the chaos and dirty politics that surround the city. As the mysteries of a being known as “Akira” slowly unfold, it becomes more and more difficult for Kaneda to save Tetsuo.
Director of Akira - Katsuhiro OtomoKatsuhiro Otomo is best known for writing and directing the film Akira, but he also created the manga of the same name that preceded the movie. He brought to life this controversial, but artistic manga that ended up being one of the most inspirational animes of all time. In addtion, Otomo added his critiques of Japan, it’s politics, and culture.

We enjoyed Otomo's visual imagery and the animation is still impressive even thirty-one years later. It paints a grotesque picture of what the near future could become. His depiction of Neo-Tokyo is really something - a grand city, vast in technology and civilization; however, the metropolis is riddled with crime, terrorism, and isolationism that many of the citizens experience.

The dystopian, cyberpunk styles with bright neon lights and colors all tied together with the soundtrack from Geinō Yamashirogumi and Tsutomu Ōhashi (Shoji Yamashiro) is so eerie that it’s almost impossible not to experience chills while watching the film. Particularly when Tetsuo finally begins to embrace his telekinetic powers and casts off on his brutal death rampage of the city.All-in-all, Otomo should be best remembered for introducing anime to mainstream audiences and having the courage to tell a brutally honest, yet, disturbing story of two young men.
Akira CharactersShōtarō Kaneda
The leader of the bike gang and protagonist. His character is a bit divisive to us. Kaneda’s character arch does take a long time to come to fruition in the story. His personality is abrasive and felt one dimensional for the majority of the film, until the end. His whole motivation was machismo oriented and it seemed his sole purpose for doing anything was to be cool and look cool. In addition, Kaneda is kind of a hot head, especially when things don't go his way.

It would have been nice to have seen a more in depth explanation of Kaneda and Tetsuo's relationship as a child, but the film didn't give that to us until the very end.  While Kaneda is very predictable and has a short temper, it does fit his character's background and age group (I guess we don't really know how old he is as the audience isn't told, but seems most likely he is a mid to late teenager).

While his character arch does not reveal itself until the end like we mentioned, it is a positive change for good and was nice to see when it finally came full circle. He is met with a decision of either trying to save his friend or risking further death and destruction to innocent people. Kaneda’s arch is a great reflection on human behavior and how people tend to not change until trauma or insight.Also a random side note, his Michael Jackson Thriller outfit deserves a 10, it is absolute fire!
Tetsuo ShimaTetsuo is the antagonist of the film. Early perceived as being the weak link of the bike gang and seemingly pushed around by Kaneda,

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