Meaning Of Akira Is Mind-Blowing
If you were to ask ten die hard anime fans what was the best anime film ever, you'd probably get ten different answers. But I can guarantee, at least one of them, would say, Akira, because of it's next level animation and mind-blowing themes.
The ideas behind Akira are difficult to get your head around. I watch it about every six-months, and I can't stop thinking about what this or that might mean. I'm constantly trying to decipher the hidden meanings in all of it.
Akira poses a question. Many people in our world live in broken and corrupt societies, and they make the best of a bad situation. It's not uncommon for people under extreme duress to rely upon less than moral decisions. In fact, most places that are impoverished, or corrupt in some way, are full of criminals, and things such as the black market. It's actually considered the norm.
Many people under these situations dream of a Robin Hood sort of character to swoop in and save them, and many of these cultures have created them to help ease the suffering just a little bit.
Suppose you were a part of a culture like this, and one day, you were taken away to some government facility, injected with a serum, and after a few days, you realized you had acquired powers that could reshape the world. What would you do?
What's The Story?
The movie is about a young man named Tetsuo, who belongs to a biker gang called the Capsules, although he's kind of on the weak side. He's always needing help from the leader of the gang, named Kaneda. The world has eroded a great deal since the city of Tokyo suffered nuclear devastation during World War III, but it's been rebuilt, and more corrupt than ever.
Biker gangs rule the streets, while the government tries desperately to regain control using any means of science they came come up with. Tetsuo, after a crash, is abducted by government agents, and the experiments begin.
Who Is Akira For?
This is one of the most epic anime films of all time. It contains mature material and situations. There's bloody violence, language and content that's best viewed by adults. But more so than that, the messages of this film would be lost on anyone not mature enough to understand corruption.
Akira is a movie full of ethical questions, that take a closer look at the different types of people, and how they might respond under conditions that are less than friendly. It's a world where being a young man means belonging to a biker gang, if only for protection. And being a young girl means being tough enough to take a beating, or finding any man strong enough to protect you.
It's Not Easy To Compare Akira
Akira was once considered unmarketable to North America, by both George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, but it's gained a great cult following. Many people have learned to love it, because of its message and brand of story telling. It's wild, and there are parts that don't make a whole lot of sense, but the message at its essence is very true.
The movie best to compare it with is Chronicle, which depicts two young men, who've gained super powers. One good and one evil, and they do battle over the city. Akira is believed to be the inspiration for this movie.
It's not for everyone, but if you think Akira might be for you, why not give it a try?
