Despite talk among some fans over-familiar with this staple of cyber-punk anime, "Akira" is
not overrated. Though "Akira" runs a mere two-hours, it possesses a thoroughness usually found
only in long-running series and in franchises with many previous incarnations. The world of
"Akira" is rampant with corruption and degradation of pre-apocalyptic values, deluging the
characters with ubiquitous graffiti, vocal doomsayers, and defiant motorcycle gangs. In such
a world, it would be easy for creator Katsuhiro Otomo to squeeze the last vestiges of humanity
from this dynamic, jam-packed world and reflect little on the world of today. Instead creator
Katsuhiro Otomo focuses tightly on two central characters - Kaneda and Tetsuo - reflecting on the
nature of friendship and the toll extracted on the human psyche by social strife in the plausible
and holistically sound, post-apocalyptic world of Neo-Tokyo.
The characters of Kaneda and Tetsuo ably fuel the central drama of "Akira" in which a divisive
society rends the life-long friendship of its protagonists. Kaneda is strong and protective, while
Tetsuo is clumsy and dependent. They have been life-long friends, yet their relationship has never
been equitable. Both faced persecution at school in their younger years, but Kaneda grew stronger and
more capable while Tetsuo remained awkward and always secreted in his friend's shadow. Kaneda came to
see himself as the heroic leader of the gang, while Tetsuo felt overprotected in the gang's struggle
against The Clowns. Though Kaneda never recognized it, the incident in which the gang leader jokes that
Tetsuo could not handle the sleek red bike brings to light Tetsuo's longstanding jealousy of the gang's
leader. Because he feels weak, Tetsuo suppresses his feelings until they erupt with the awakening of his
psychic ability that pushes the conflict into the open. Tetsuo's acquisition of power turns their
relationship on its head making Kaneda feel hurt by what he perceives to be his friend's lack of loyalty.
Nonetheless, when Tetsuo's powers rage out of control, killing his girlfriend and morphing his body,
Tetsuo cries out for Kaneda's help, realizing that he needs his friend. Despite possessing enough power
to destroy Neo-Tokyo, Tetsuo is helpless against the drubbing fate that has been bestowed upon him.
Otomo's handling of the mystery of "Akira" is as exemplary as his handling of the conflict between
Kaneda and Tetsuo. During much of the film, the nature of Akira remains unclear. The Colonel and the
children speak of him as a person, Tetsuo inexplicably cries out his name as if Akira were a powerful
spirit, and revolutionaries yearn for Akira's appearance to wipe out the corruption of Neo-Tokyo. Otomo
hurls these contradictory bits of information at the viewer from all sides, making it difficult for the
viewer to see the whole picture. When the secret of Akira is finally revealed, the mystery is both
complex enough and cohesive enough to reward the viewer for the exertion. Further adding to Otomo's
masterful storytelling is the role that Akira plays in the explosive conclusion that heralds the
destruction of Neo-Tokyo and the creation of a new universe. All prophecies regarding Akira turn out
to be correct, as Akira is at once a boy, a messiah, and a devastating spirit.
Enhancing the drama and the mystery of "Akira" is the meticulous detail that went into
conceptualizing and realizing the city of Neo-Tokyo and its denizens on film. Every evening
cityscape has a breathtaking skyline, organically lit and crawling with life. The buildings on each
side of the road rise up like oppressive monsters ready to crush the life from the citizens. Even the
graffiti (translated through the DVD's special "capsule feature") speaks to the oppressive nature of
the city. Many of the protestors are young, recalling student protests that have shaken regimes across
our own world, but their leaders are more mature and carry stronger hints of the Japan that existed
before the third world war. One rebel in particular dresses like a Japanese noblewoman with shades and
has herself carried around on a platform. Also eerily well designed are the three experimental subjects
under the control of The Colonel. The story implies that all three of them pre-date the destruction of
Tokyo - their visages are withered and leathery yet their body frames and voices are child-like. Their
appearance attests to their unsettlingly abnormal condition, outside the normal flow of time and
condemned to a confused combination of youth and old age. This wide variety of character and architecture
complement the overall visual feast of "Akira."
With its dramatic characterizations, startling secrets and electrifying animation, "Akira" deserves
its place as a milestone in animation history. This new special edition, with its nearly flawless dub,
restored picture and plentiful extras satisfyingly reaffirms this.