Akira

  • Akira - Akira Art History II Dr. Jennings Akira Toriyama Akira Toriyama is a...
  • Graphic Designer - for a number of influential animators who were to follow, including Katsuhiro Otomo...
  • The History Of Japanese Animation - In the late 80s a new animated film about a futuristic Tokyo hit the American screens called...

Submitted by freefortermpapers on 06/24/2008 03:00 PM

  • Category: History Other
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Akira

The animated movie Akira displays several science fiction themes in its plot. Being set in the near future, it shows the creator's view of society in the future. It also shows the advanced technology and even a small view of human evolution.

Although the setting of Akira is in the future, a utopia will not be found in this story. The movie is set in the year 2018, thirty years after what is thought to be a nuclear device, totally devastates the Japanese capital, Tokyo. Neo-Tokyo is then rebuilt on the ruins of old Tokyo and once again becomes the bustling metropolis that it once was. This all comes at a cost. Gradually the city becomes over-populated and over-crowded, corruption plagues the political ranks, the streets are filled with protesters and small cults, and at night, these protesters and cults make way for the motorcycle gangs which are constantly at war with each other. As more of the cityscape is discovered, it becomes more evident that it is nothing like the utopia we imagine the future to be, many of the buildings are run down and nothing is done to maintain or repair them. The city itself gives off a very dark and ominous feel to the setting. Order is maintained due to the powerful military force that enforces the laws of the city.

There are numerous scenes in Akira that show the advanced technology of Neo-Tokyo. The motorbike of one of the main characters ‘Kaneda' is very advanced when compared to the other motorbikes used in the anime. It has features that rival even a car e.g. abs brakes, traction control system, A reverse gear. The motor bikes don't seem to use fuel, they are electrically powered, and this is proved when a battery powered laser cannon requires recharging and one of the gang member's motorbike is used to charge it. Also, the motorbikes didn't make sounds like a combustion engine, which further proves that the engines were electrically powered. There is also a device, used as...

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