Akira

The 1988 launch of Katsuhiro Otomo’s Akira revolutionised the popular concept of children’s entertainment by becoming the antithesis of Disney’s animated films. Akira introduced everything unsuitable for young viewers: sex, violence, mutant teenagers, motorcycle gangs and corrupt police officers. It soon attracted millions of young followers.

The action takes place in the ruins of Tokyo after World War III has devastated the city. The main characters are Kaneda, the leader of a motorcycle gang, and his friend Tetsuo, who becomes involved in a secret government operation named ‘Akira’. While searching for his friend, Kaneda encounters a series of anti-government activists, ambitious politicians, irresponsible scientists and a powerful military leader. In the process, he discovers Tetsuo has supernatural powers which are desperately needed for the final battle in Tokyo. Akira’s creator has been working as an animator since 1973 and has used the films Bonnie and Clyde (1967) and Five Easy Pieces (1970) as a source of inspiration.