Review of Akira

Akira is one of the most influential anime’s of all time. Inspiring not just eastern media like Neon Genesis Evangelion and Ghost in the Shell. But also Western media. Rian Johnson’s Looper was heavily inspired by the story for Akira. As was as shows like Stranger Things. So I my expectations were high going into this film. Akira isn’t a bad film, It has a lot of redeeming qualities. Especially the end sequence which is a harrowing experience to watch. However I don’t believe it’s great either. Right off the bat, none of the characters are likeable. Everyone acts spoilt and selfish. Our protagonist Kaneda,and antagonist Tetsuo are both just insufferable. For the latter, the film makes it clear we are meant to sympathise with him. At how power can easily corrupt the mind. Except right of the bat we see Tetsuo is just as power hungry as he is at the end. It’s not a development in character. Kaneda is the leader of the bike gang. And the only redeeming quality about him is that he is loyal to his friends. Everything else, the selfish, sexist, stubborn part of him is unbearable. Probably the only characters I liked were the colonel and the telekinetic children. Although for the latter they aren’t really explained.

And that’s a running theme throughout the film. Why did that one child try to escape at the beginning? How did Tetsuo get these powers? What is the purpose of the rebellion? I get it, the film wants to play it vague. However I have a rule when it comes to storytelling. If a mystery directly affects the characters or audience it must be explained. For an example take the original Star Wars films. We don’t need Palpatine’s backstory because it does nothing for the characters or us. We get Palpatine is a power hungry man, and an explanation wouldn’t change how the characters view him either. Vader on the other hand did need an explanation. Because his reveal changes the way not only we view Vader, but how Luke views him too. That’s why these things need to be explained. Each one affects the plot and characters.

The only reason I gave Akira a 6 was because the animation and sound design are simply incredible, even to this day. Supposedly at the time it had the biggest budget to an anime film in history. And it truly shows. Overall Akira isn’t bad, but it’s disappointing.