C&C - Akira [12/20]

[Gatomon41]

The political details of the setting is rather inconsequential to the plot. What Kei is fighting for isn't really important, other than the fact that she opposes the Government.

And it's quite clear why there would be an opposition in the first place - Neo-Tokyo is a nightmare. Crime is rampant, street gangs rule the night, riots and explosions are a everyday thing. The government is ruled by corrupt bureaucrats, the citizens apathic, and cults are arising. Violence is the norm. The Colonel puts it perfectly: The place is a garbage heap.

Part of the appeal of Akira comes from this satire... and the very real plausibility that it could happen. (The social collapse, not the mutant-superhuman thing).

 

[Lord Dalek]

The Marvel Epic run of Akira is for the most part nearly identical to the Dark Horse/Kodansha TB reprints (they had the same editor and translator) outside of the fact that its in color (which Otomo actually liked) and there's a lot less swearing.

Spoiler

 

[Light Lucario]

The political details of the setting is rather inconsequential to the plot. What Kei is fighting for isn't really important, other than the fact that she opposes the Government.

And it's quite clear why there would be an opposition in the first place - Neo-Tokyo is a nightmare. Crime is rampant, street gangs rule the night, riots and explosions are a everyday thing. The government is ruled by corrupt bureaucrats, the citizens apathic, and cults are arising. Violence is the norm. The Colonel puts it perfectly: The place is a garbage heap.

Part of the appeal of Akira comes from this satire... and the very real plausibility that it could happen. (The social collapse, not the mutant-superhuman thing).

While it's true that it's inconsequential to the plot, I think that it isn't as fleshed out as it could be, particularly with the rebels. Yes, the government is run by corrupt bureaucrats and the entire city is full of criminal gangs, but the rebellion is used more as an excuse to have Kei meet with Kaneda than anything else to me, which I think is ultimately my main issue with how they handle the politics. It shows how terrible the city is, right down to its core, but I think it could have been addressed a bit more by providing an actual character to Kei or maybe explain more about what they planned to do after they overtook the government. I don't think it was the biggest problem in the movie, but I do think it is a legitimate issue. I was honestly more bothered with how Kei was nothing more than a plot device for the three kids to fight Tetsuo and to provide pretty stupid exposition than how the politics were handled. That's a pretty weak way to write a character in my opinion.

 

[Nobodyman]

Part of the appeal of Akira comes from this satire... and the very real plausibility that it could happen. (The social collapse, not the mutant-superhuman thing).

What satire do you speak of? That is, what exactly is the movie satirizing?

 

[Lord Dalek]

If anything Akira's social political climate is more of a reference to the state of Tokyo circa 1964 when they were hosting the Olympics for the first time. This came after living 20 years under the shadow of the A-Bomb, and there were gangs of bikers running around high on methamphetamines.

 

[Gatomon41]

Edit:

While it's true that it's inconsequential to the plot, I think that it isn't as fleshed out as it could be, particularly with the rebels. Yes, the government is run by corrupt bureaucrats and the entire city is full of criminal gangs, but the rebellion is used more as an excuse to have Kei meet with Kaneda than anything else to me, which I think is ultimately my main issue with how they handle the politics. It shows how terrible the city is, right down to its core, but I think it could have been addressed a bit more by providing an actual character to Kei or maybe explain more about what they planned to do after they overtook the government. I don't think it was the biggest problem in the movie, but I do think it is a legitimate issue. I was honestly more bothered with how Kei was nothing more than a plot device for the three kids to fight Tetsuo and to provide pretty stupid exposition than how the politics were handled. That's a pretty weak way to write a character in my opinion.

The major failings of the movie is with the characters. Other than the Colonel, Tetsuo, and Kaneda, most were either caricatures or plot devices.

What satire do you speak of? That is, what exactly is the movie satirizing?

Like most satires, human failings.

The movie has an undercurrent of dark comedy - the politicians are grotesquely bureaucratic and selfish, the violence over the top yet played for laughs at times, and many characters are unfazed by the everyday violence. It's all taken to the level of a nightmarish joke.

If anything Akira's social political climate is more of a reference to the state of Tokyo circa 1964 when they were hosting the Olympics for the first time. This came after living 20 years under the shadow of the A-Bomb, and there were gangs of bikers running around high on methamphetamines.

The explains the historical context. Thanks.

 

[The Talon]

I think the political elements are probably as relavant as ever with all the political violence around the world today (Syria, Brazil, etc). It did disappoint me that we never got more details about the rebellion in the movie, but I hear that the manga focuses a bit more on that. Speaking of which, thanks to all of you for giving me some more info on the Akira manga. I'll try to see if I can get that & the 25th Anniversary Blu-Ray off Amazon for Christmas this year.

 

[Light Lucario]

The major failings of the movie is with the characters. Other than the Colonel, Tetsuo, and Kaneda, most were either caricatures or plot devices.

I agree and that definitely weakened the movie for me. Even those three weren't particularly interesting to me for a good portion of the movie. They weren't boring, but until his power started to corrupt him, Tetsuo wasn't too interesting. The Colonel seemed like a typical military leader, although played fairly well, and Kaneda was mostly a jerk. He came off like he genuinely cared about his friends, especially with scenes like destroying that bike to send them to that friend who Tetsuo kill or all the instances where he was concerned for Tetsuo, so he has layers, which is better than simply being a jerk in my opinion, but he was still more of a jerk than anything else for me. The characters ranged from okay/interesting to boring obvious plot devices/caricatures for me.

 

[Tristan McClark]

I saw Akira years ago, so Saturday wasn't my first time. It's as intriguing as the first time I seen it. You're pulled right into what seems to be a basic story with biker gangs and military, then bam! Espers, organs, telekinesis. I wish I could add more to the discussion, but I've seen some of the themes mentioned and questions asked. Like a lot of great stories, this one has its audiences raise questions. Reminds me of The Matrix.

Now, the moment of truth...I could not watch the Revenge of Teddy Bear and Friends nightmare sequence again. LOL! The first time was enough. That is just way too weird and uncomfortable for me. Was looking forward to seeing the gigantic blob of flesh at the end, though.

 

[The Man in Black]

Well those 2 versions of the manga definitely seem different..

 

[Lord Dalek]

Its just a cherrypicked example. I'd say about 90-95% of the two is identical

...unlike the Streamline dub which just made a bunch of crap up vs. Animaze's straight dub of the movie.

 

[Daikun]

Thread bump a year later! This movie is airing again as part of the Month of Movies for 2014.

Enjoy the encore presentation of one of the greatest animated films of all time tonight at 1.5AM. Only Toonami.