Akira (1988)

Akira is one of the better known Japanese animated movies outside of Japan.  It is a monumental work, combining a complex, epic story with incredible visuals.  The movie takes place in the future city of Neo-Tokyo, built upon the post-war ruins of Tokyo.  Tetsuo and Kaneda, two high school friends in a motorcycle gang, are separated under mysterious circumstances.  While Tetsuo is subjected to strange tests and experiments conducted by the army, Kaneda joins a resistance group to try and save him.

The animation is simply mesmerizing.  Beyond the visualization of a post-apocalyptic society, there are dreams and hallucinations that are strangely creative and surreal.  However, the story is fascinating but thoroughly confusing.  Originally spanning over 2000 pages of printed comics, the plot flies by at warp speed.  However, I think it is a testament to the compelling nature of the story that my first reaction was not to dismiss it, but to find out more about it.  There are numerous websites dedicated to resolving some of the questions raised by the story, but ultimately the answers lie in personal interpretations.  Any movie that can generate interesting discussion merits a viewing, and I think Akira fits the bill.

Posted: 10-22-1999

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