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* CrapsackWorld: Tokyo is a nuclear wasteland with roaming biker gangs, a corrupt near-facist government, food riots, and a rebellion that isn't all that far removed from the government in terms of morality. That's just the initial setting. It gets worse.
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* CrapsackWorld: The original Tokyo is a nuclear wasteland with while the new one has roaming biker gangs, a corrupt near-facist government, food riots, and a rebellion that isn't all that far removed from the government in terms of morality. That's just the initial setting. It gets worse.worse.
** Commented upon in the movie; Nezu compares the city to an "overripe fruit" while the Colonel calls it "a garbage heap made up of a bunch of hedonistic fools."
** Commented upon in the movie; Nezu compares the city to an "overripe fruit" while the Colonel calls it "a garbage heap made up of a bunch of hedonistic fools."
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Not to be mistaken with AkiraIshida, AkiraKamiya, AkiraToriyama (Author of ''Manga/DragonBall''), Creator/AkiraKurosawa (Japan's greatest film director), Akira Ifukube (the guy who composed the ''{{Godzilla}}'' theme) or AkiraYamaoka (who composed most of the SilentHill games). Or [[TetrisTheGrandMaster Arika]], for that matter.
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Not to be mistaken with AkiraIshida, AkiraKamiya, AkiraToriyama (Author of ''Manga/DragonBall''), Creator/AkiraKurosawa (Japan's greatest film director), Akira Ifukube (the guy who composed the ''{{Godzilla}}'' ''Franchise/{{Godzilla}}'' theme) or AkiraYamaoka (who composed most of the SilentHill games). Or [[TetrisTheGrandMaster Arika]], for that matter.
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got worse dewick
* FromBadToWorse: Happens to the citizens of Neo Tokyo in pretty much all of the second half of the manga after Akira destroys most of Neo Tokyo. By the end of the manga, things are only looking up slightly, the general attitude being that the survivors know how much worse it could really be (and on the whole they're better people and a bunch of jerks get what they deserve).
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* ItGotWorse: Arguably happens to the citizens of Neo Tokyo in pretty much all of the second half of the manga after Akira destroys most of Neo Tokyo. By the end of the manga, things are only looking up slightly, the general attitude being that the survivors know how much worse it could really be (and on the whole they're better people and a bunch of jerks get what they deserve).
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** Gigantor itself was a secret military weapon, just like Akira and they were both number 28. In fact Otomo himself stated that Akira was essentially a retelling of ''{{Gigantor}}''
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Not to be mistaken with AkiraIshida, AkiraToriyama (Author of ''Manga/DragonBall''), Creator/AkiraKurosawa (Japan's greatest film director), Akira Ifukube (the guy who composed the ''{{Godzilla}}'' theme) or AkiraYamaoka (who composed most of the SilentHill games). Or [[TetrisTheGrandMaster Arika]], for that matter.
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Not to be mistaken with AkiraIshida, AkiraKamiya, AkiraToriyama (Author of ''Manga/DragonBall''), Creator/AkiraKurosawa (Japan's greatest film director), Akira Ifukube (the guy who composed the ''{{Godzilla}}'' theme) or AkiraYamaoka (who composed most of the SilentHill games). Or [[TetrisTheGrandMaster Arika]], for that matter.
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* BlackAndGreyMorality: You know it's a CrapsackWorld when juvenile delinquents who take drugs, cause serious property damage for fun, and attack their enemies without remorse or mercy are who you're supposed to be rooting for.
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* CoolBike: Essentially every member of the biker gangs have cool bikes but special mention has to go to Kaenda's souped-up red bike that has glowing wheels. It's often displayed on merchandise. Honorable mention goes to the leader of the Clown Gang who apparently has a motorcycle with cruise control and auto-steering.
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* CoolBike: Essentially every member of the biker gangs have cool bikes but special mention has to go to Kaenda's souped-up red bike that has glowing wheels. It's suggested he stole it. It's often displayed on merchandise. Honorable mention goes to the leader of the Clown Gang who apparently has a motorcycle with cruise control and auto-steering.
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* CrapsackWorld: Tokyo is a nuclear wasteland with roaming biker gangs, a corrupt near-facist government, mass riots, and a rebellion that isn't all that far removed from the government in terms of morality. That's just the initial setting.
* CreepyChild: Kyoko, Takashi and Masaru. Made it creepier by their looks. Also, to some degree, Lady Miyako and her underlings Sakaki, Mozu and Miki in the manga. Akira himself.
* CreepyChild: Kyoko, Takashi and Masaru. Made it creepier by their looks. Also, to some degree, Lady Miyako and her underlings Sakaki, Mozu and Miki in the manga. Akira himself.
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* CrapsackWorld: Tokyo is a nuclear wasteland with roaming biker gangs, a corrupt near-facist government, mass food riots, and a rebellion that isn't all that far removed from the government in terms of morality. That's just the initial setting.
setting. It gets worse.
* CreepyChild: Kyoko, Takashi and Masaru. Madeit even creepier by their looks. Also, to some degree, Lady Miyako and her underlings Sakaki, Mozu and Miki in the manga. Akira himself.
* CreepyChild: Kyoko, Takashi and Masaru. Made
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** There are also numerous children's skeletons in the ruins of [[spoiler:Neo-Tokyo]].
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* CoolBike: Essentially every member of the biker gangs have cool bikes but special mention has to go to Kaenda's souped-up red bike that has glowing wheels. It's often displayed on merchandise. Honorable mention goes to the leader of the Clown Gang who apparently has a motorcycle with cruise control and auto-steering.
to:
* CoolBike: Essentially every member of the biker gangs have cool bikes but special mention has to go to Kaenda's souped-up red bike that has glowing wheels. It's often displayed on merchandise. Honorable mention goes to the leader of the Clown Gang who apparently has a motorcycle with cruise control and auto-steering.
** In the movie, anyway. In the manga the one riding his bike without hands is Tetsuo, and he's using his psychic powers to steer it.
** In the movie, anyway. In the manga the one riding his bike without hands is Tetsuo, and he's using his psychic powers to steer it.
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...this isn\'t a Development Blog. The news updates also quickly date the article, as they were all out of date since the production was shut down in January.
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A two-part Hollywood LiveActionAdaptation has been in the works. Early script reviews indicate a close adherence to the manga's storyline despite the CulturalTranslation, RaceLift and DawsonCasting. Website/{{Cracked}} claimed to have received the actual [[http://www.cracked.com/blog/the-actual-live-action-akira-script-worse-than-you-think/ script]], which did NOT sit well with the fans. After being stuck in DevelopmentHell for the longest time, it [[http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2011/10/19-1/live-action-akira-green-lit-by-warner-bros has officially been greenlit by Warner Bros.]] An official [[http://www.slashfilm.com/akira-casting-call-reveals/ casting call]] has been released, showing that Kaneda will be an adult bar owner rather than a teenage gang member. Garrett Hedlund of ''Film/TronLegacy'' has [[http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2011/11/03-1/variety-confirms-tron-legacy-star-garrett-hedlund-in-line-to-play-akira-lead officially been confirmed for the lead role of Shotaro Kaneda]], while KristenStewart is [[http://www.slashfilm.com/kristen-stewart-offered-akira/ in talks for the role of Kei.]] The role of the Colonel [[http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Gary-Oldman-Turns-Down-Akira-Ken-Watanabe-Offered-Role-Instead-28033.html was offered to Gary Oldman and, later, to Ken Watanabe]].
to:
A two-part Hollywood LiveActionAdaptation has been in the works. Early script reviews indicate a close adherence to the manga's storyline despite the CulturalTranslation, RaceLift and DawsonCasting. Website/{{Cracked}} claimed to have received the actual [[http://www.cracked.com/blog/the-actual-live-action-akira-script-worse-than-you-think/ script]], which did NOT sit well with the fans. After being stuck works since 2002, though it has spent much of that time in DevelopmentHell for the longest time, it [[http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2011/10/19-1/live-action-akira-green-lit-by-warner-bros has officially been greenlit by Warner Bros.]] An official [[http://www.slashfilm.com/akira-casting-call-reveals/ casting call]] has been released, showing that Kaneda will be an adult bar owner rather than a teenage gang member. Garrett Hedlund of ''Film/TronLegacy'' has [[http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2011/11/03-1/variety-confirms-tron-legacy-star-garrett-hedlund-in-line-to-play-akira-lead officially been confirmed for the lead role of Shotaro Kaneda]], while KristenStewart is [[http://www.slashfilm.com/kristen-stewart-offered-akira/ in talks for the role of Kei.]] The role of the Colonel [[http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Gary-Oldman-Turns-Down-Akira-Ken-Watanabe-Offered-Role-Instead-28033.html was offered to Gary Oldman and, later, to Ken Watanabe]].
with little progress made.
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* AccentUponTheWrongSyllable: '''A'''-kira, not A-'''ki'''-ra. And Ka-'''ney'''-da, not Canada.
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* AccentUponTheWrongSyllable: '''A'''-kira, not A-'''ki'''-ra. And Ka-'''ney'''-da, '''Kah'''-ney-da, not Ka-'''ney'''-da. Or Canada.
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Namespace, desu.
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Not to be mistaken with AkiraIshida, AkiraToriyama (Author of ''Manga/DragonBall''), AkiraKurosawa (Japan's greatest film director), Akira Ifukube (the guy who composed the ''{{Godzilla}}'' theme) or AkiraYamaoka (who composed most of the SilentHill games). Or [[TetrisTheGrandMaster Arika]], for that matter.
to:
Not to be mistaken with AkiraIshida, AkiraToriyama (Author of ''Manga/DragonBall''), AkiraKurosawa Creator/AkiraKurosawa (Japan's greatest film director), Akira Ifukube (the guy who composed the ''{{Godzilla}}'' theme) or AkiraYamaoka (who composed most of the SilentHill games). Or [[TetrisTheGrandMaster Arika]], for that matter.
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not impossible in the slightest.
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* {{Badass}}: Chiyoko. [[ImprovisedWeapon She uses bazooka rockets as clubs.]] And as bazooka rockets, of course. [[BeyondTheImpossible Without the bazooka.]]
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* {{Badass}}: Chiyoko. [[ImprovisedWeapon She uses bazooka rockets as clubs.]] And as bazooka rockets, of course. [[BeyondTheImpossible Without the bazooka.]]
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* DueToTheDead: Kaneda ritually crashes [[spoiler:Yamagata]]'s bike, sending it to the afterlife after him, immediately after learning of his death at the hands of Tetsuo.
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* DueToTheDead: Kaneda ritually crashes [[spoiler:Yamagata]]'s bike, sending it to the afterlife after him, immediately after learning of his death at the hands of Tetsuo.Tetsuo, in a possible ShoutOut to ''Film/{{Stunts}}''.
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->'''''NEO-TOKYO IS ABOUT TO EXPLODE'''''
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There is an anime movie version and a manga version, both widely different sans the above mentioned premise and with varying reputations. The movie is primarily known for its great animation. It was one of the things that helped disprove the AnimationAgeGhetto, at least for Anime in the West. It has been dubbed twice into English -- once in 1989 by StreamlinePictures and again in 2001 by Animaze via Pioneer (later known as {{Geneon}}). It is also known for its MindScrew plot, as it primarily focuses on the first third of the manga, while simultaneously removing plotlines and incorporating plot lines from later in the manga and so on.
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There is an anime movie version and a manga version, both widely different sans the above mentioned premise and with varying reputations. The movie is primarily known for its great animation. It was one of the things that helped disprove the AnimationAgeGhetto, at least for Anime in the West. It has been dubbed twice into English -- once in 1989 by StreamlinePictures and again in 2001 by Animaze via Pioneer (later known as {{Geneon}}).Creator/{{Geneon}}). It is also known for its MindScrew plot, as it primarily focuses on the first third of the manga, while simultaneously removing plotlines and incorporating plot lines from later in the manga and so on.
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A two-part Hollywood LiveActionAdaptation has been in the works. Early script reviews indicate a close adherence to the manga's storyline despite the CulturalTranslation, RaceLift and DawsonCasting. {{Cracked}} claimed to have received the actual [[http://www.cracked.com/blog/the-actual-live-action-akira-script-worse-than-you-think/ script]], which did NOT sit well with the fans. After being stuck in DevelopmentHell for the longest time, it [[http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2011/10/19-1/live-action-akira-green-lit-by-warner-bros has officially been greenlit by Warner Bros.]] An official [[http://www.slashfilm.com/akira-casting-call-reveals/ casting call]] has been released, showing that Kaneda will be an adult bar owner rather than a teenage gang member. Garrett Hedlund of ''Film/TronLegacy'' has [[http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2011/11/03-1/variety-confirms-tron-legacy-star-garrett-hedlund-in-line-to-play-akira-lead officially been confirmed for the lead role of Shotaro Kaneda]], while KristenStewart is [[http://www.slashfilm.com/kristen-stewart-offered-akira/ in talks for the role of Kei.]] The role of the Colonel [[http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Gary-Oldman-Turns-Down-Akira-Ken-Watanabe-Offered-Role-Instead-28033.html was offered to Gary Oldman and, later, to Ken Watanabe]].
to:
A two-part Hollywood LiveActionAdaptation has been in the works. Early script reviews indicate a close adherence to the manga's storyline despite the CulturalTranslation, RaceLift and DawsonCasting. {{Cracked}} Website/{{Cracked}} claimed to have received the actual [[http://www.cracked.com/blog/the-actual-live-action-akira-script-worse-than-you-think/ script]], which did NOT sit well with the fans. After being stuck in DevelopmentHell for the longest time, it [[http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2011/10/19-1/live-action-akira-green-lit-by-warner-bros has officially been greenlit by Warner Bros.]] An official [[http://www.slashfilm.com/akira-casting-call-reveals/ casting call]] has been released, showing that Kaneda will be an adult bar owner rather than a teenage gang member. Garrett Hedlund of ''Film/TronLegacy'' has [[http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2011/11/03-1/variety-confirms-tron-legacy-star-garrett-hedlund-in-line-to-play-akira-lead officially been confirmed for the lead role of Shotaro Kaneda]], while KristenStewart is [[http://www.slashfilm.com/kristen-stewart-offered-akira/ in talks for the role of Kei.]] The role of the Colonel [[http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Gary-Oldman-Turns-Down-Akira-Ken-Watanabe-Offered-Role-Instead-28033.html was offered to Gary Oldman and, later, to Ken Watanabe]].
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Added a licensed game.
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* LicensedGame: An adventure game / visual novel was created in 1988 for the [[NintendoEntertainmentSystem Famicom]]. It was translated by fans in April 2012.
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Updated due to Apocalypse How reorganisation.
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* ApocalypseHow: Class 0
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* ApocalypseHow: Class 0Regional catastrophe.
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* LiveActionAdaptation: According to {{Wikipedia}}, In the early 1990s, Kodansha Ltd. was in negotiation with Sony Pictures to produce a live-action remake of the film. Talk circulated again a decade later, but the project has yet to materialize. Rumors circulated that the project was canceled in both instances when the projected budget for the film was upwards of $300 million. Talks began again as WarnerBrothers signed on to produce the movie with Stephen Norrington (writer) and Jon Peters (producer). Akira was to be developed into two live action films; the first was to be scheduled for a summer 2009 release. Warner Brothers and Appian Way planned to adapt the two movies from the manga, with each one covering three volumes. Ruairi Robinson signed on as director, Gary Whitta wrote the script and Andrew Lazar, LeonardoDiCaprio, and Jennifer Davisson were to produce the film. Andrew Lazar has stated that the film is not dead and is in fact a priority project for Warner Bros. Pictures and when it does go into production, it will be very high budgeted. Screenwriters Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby are currently working on the script. Gary Whitta has revealed that he has no idea whether they are re-working his script or starting from scratch. The film is still on course to be released in 2011. NY Magazine has recently stated that Warner Brothers is in negotiations with the Hughes Brothers to direct the film. On June 17, 2010, Lazar said that a new writer had been hired and that the movie was being fast tracked. He also stated that the first movie would be based on volumes 1–3 and a second movie would be based on volumes 4–6.
to:
* LiveActionAdaptation: According to {{Wikipedia}}, In the early 1990s, Kodansha Ltd. was in negotiation with Sony Pictures to produce a live-action remake of the film. Talk circulated again a decade later, but the project has yet to materialize. Rumors circulated that the project was canceled in both instances when the projected budget for the film was upwards of $300 million. Talks began again as WarnerBrothers signed on to produce the movie with Stephen Norrington (writer) and Jon Peters (producer). Akira was to be developed into two live action films; the first was to be scheduled for a summer 2009 release. Warner Brothers and Appian Way planned to adapt the two movies from the manga, with each one covering three volumes. Ruairi Robinson signed on as director, Gary Whitta wrote the script and Andrew Lazar, LeonardoDiCaprio, and Jennifer Davisson were to produce the film. Andrew Lazar has stated that the film is not dead and is in fact a priority project for Warner Bros. Pictures and when it does go into production, it will be very high budgeted. Screenwriters Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby are currently working on the script. Gary Whitta has revealed that he has no idea whether they are re-working his script or starting from scratch. The film is still on course to be released in 2011. NY Magazine has recently stated that Warner Brothers is in negotiations with the Hughes Brothers to direct the film. On June 17, 2010, Lazar said that a new writer had been hired and that the movie was being fast tracked. He also stated that the first movie would be based on volumes 1–3 and a second movie would be based on volumes 4–6. 4–6.
** The film is cancelled as of January 2012.
** The film is cancelled as of January 2012.
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YMMV sinkhole
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* LiveActionAdaptation: According to {{Wikipedia}}, In the early 1990s, Kodansha Ltd. was in negotiation with Sony Pictures to produce a live-action remake of the film. Talk circulated again a decade later, but the project has yet to materialize. Rumors circulated that the project was canceled in both instances when the projected budget for the film was upwards of $300 million. Talks began again as WarnerBrothers signed on to produce the movie with Stephen Norrington (writer) and Jon Peters (producer). Akira was to be developed into two live action films; the first was to be scheduled for a summer 2009 release. Warner Brothers and Appian Way planned to adapt the two movies from the manga, with each one covering three volumes. Ruairi Robinson signed on as director, Gary Whitta wrote the script and Andrew Lazar, LeonardoDiCaprio, and Jennifer Davisson were to produce the film. Andrew Lazar has stated that the film is not dead and is in fact a priority project for Warner Bros. Pictures and when it does go into production, it will be very high budgeted. Screenwriters Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby are currently working on the script. Gary Whitta has revealed that he has no idea whether they are re-working his script or starting from scratch. The film is still on course to be released in 2011. NY Magazine has recently stated that Warner Brothers is in negotiations with the Hughes Brothers to direct the film. On June 17, 2010, Lazar said that a new writer had been hired and that the movie was being fast tracked. He also stated that the first movie would be based on volumes 1–3 and a second movie would be based on volumes 4–6. YourMileageMayVary.
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* LiveActionAdaptation: According to {{Wikipedia}}, In the early 1990s, Kodansha Ltd. was in negotiation with Sony Pictures to produce a live-action remake of the film. Talk circulated again a decade later, but the project has yet to materialize. Rumors circulated that the project was canceled in both instances when the projected budget for the film was upwards of $300 million. Talks began again as WarnerBrothers signed on to produce the movie with Stephen Norrington (writer) and Jon Peters (producer). Akira was to be developed into two live action films; the first was to be scheduled for a summer 2009 release. Warner Brothers and Appian Way planned to adapt the two movies from the manga, with each one covering three volumes. Ruairi Robinson signed on as director, Gary Whitta wrote the script and Andrew Lazar, LeonardoDiCaprio, and Jennifer Davisson were to produce the film. Andrew Lazar has stated that the film is not dead and is in fact a priority project for Warner Bros. Pictures and when it does go into production, it will be very high budgeted. Screenwriters Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby are currently working on the script. Gary Whitta has revealed that he has no idea whether they are re-working his script or starting from scratch. The film is still on course to be released in 2011. NY Magazine has recently stated that Warner Brothers is in negotiations with the Hughes Brothers to direct the film. On June 17, 2010, Lazar said that a new writer had been hired and that the movie was being fast tracked. He also stated that the first movie would be based on volumes 1–3 and a second movie would be based on volumes 4–6. YourMileageMayVary.
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'''''Akira''''' (sometimes spelled '''''AKIRA''''' to differentiate between the work and the title character) is the name of a post apocalyptic sci-fi manga first released in 1980 and its movie adaption released in 1988. The most recognizable of KatsuhiroOtomo's works.
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'''''Akira''''' (sometimes spelled '''''AKIRA''''' to differentiate between the work and the title character) is the name of a post apocalyptic sci-fi manga first released in 1980 and its movie adaption released in 1988. The It is the most recognizable of KatsuhiroOtomo's works.
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Sinkhole of a subjective trope. Opinions don\'t go in main pages
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* JawDrop: Kaneda and the Colonel each have noticeable, drawn out ones upon witnessing [[spoiler: [[NightmareFuel Tetsuo's mutation]].]]
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* JawDrop: Kaneda and the Colonel each have noticeable, drawn out ones upon witnessing [[spoiler: [[NightmareFuel Tetsuo's mutation]].mutation.]]
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A two-part Hollywood LiveActionAdaptation has been in the works. Early script reviews indicate a close adherence to the manga's storyline despite the CulturalTranslation, RaceLift and DawsonCasting. {{Cracked}} claimed to have received the actual [[http://www.cracked.com/blog/the-actual-live-action-akira-script-worse-than-you-think/ script]], which did NOT sit well with the fans. After being stuck in DevelopmentHell for the longest time, it [[http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2011/10/19-1/live-action-akira-green-lit-by-warner-bros has officially been greenlit by Warner Bros.]] An official [[http://www.slashfilm.com/akira-casting-call-reveals/ casting call]] has been released, showing that Kaneda will be an adult bar owner rather than a teenage gang member. Garrett Hedlund]] of ''Film/TronLegacy'' has [[http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2011/11/03-1/variety-confirms-tron-legacy-star-garrett-hedlund-in-line-to-play-akira-lead officially been confirmed for the lead role of Shotaro Kaneda]], while KristenStewart is [[http://www.slashfilm.com/kristen-stewart-offered-akira/ in talks for the role of Kei.]] The role of the Colonel [[http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Gary-Oldman-Turns-Down-Akira-Ken-Watanabe-Offered-Role-Instead-28033.html was offered to Gary Oldman and, later, to Ken Watanabe]].
to:
A two-part Hollywood LiveActionAdaptation has been in the works. Early script reviews indicate a close adherence to the manga's storyline despite the CulturalTranslation, RaceLift and DawsonCasting. {{Cracked}} claimed to have received the actual [[http://www.cracked.com/blog/the-actual-live-action-akira-script-worse-than-you-think/ script]], which did NOT sit well with the fans. After being stuck in DevelopmentHell for the longest time, it [[http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2011/10/19-1/live-action-akira-green-lit-by-warner-bros has officially been greenlit by Warner Bros.]] An official [[http://www.slashfilm.com/akira-casting-call-reveals/ casting call]] has been released, showing that Kaneda will be an adult bar owner rather than a teenage gang member. Garrett Hedlund]] Hedlund of ''Film/TronLegacy'' has [[http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2011/11/03-1/variety-confirms-tron-legacy-star-garrett-hedlund-in-line-to-play-akira-lead officially been confirmed for the lead role of Shotaro Kaneda]], while KristenStewart is [[http://www.slashfilm.com/kristen-stewart-offered-akira/ in talks for the role of Kei.]] The role of the Colonel [[http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Gary-Oldman-Turns-Down-Akira-Ken-Watanabe-Offered-Role-Instead-28033.html was offered to Gary Oldman and, later, to Ken Watanabe]].
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None
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A two-part Hollywood LiveActionAdaptation has been in the works. Early script reviews indicate a close adherence to the manga's storyline despite the CulturalTranslation, RaceLift and DawsonCasting. {{Cracked}} claimed to have received the actual [[http://www.cracked.com/blog/the-actual-live-action-akira-script-worse-than-you-think/ script]], which did NOT sit well with the fans. After being stuck in DevelopmentHell for the longest time, it [[http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2011/10/19-1/live-action-akira-green-lit-by-warner-bros has officially been greenlit by Warner Bros.]] An official [[http://www.slashfilm.com/akira-casting-call-reveals/ casting call]] has been released, showing that Kaneda will be an adult bar owner rather than a teenage gang member. Garrett Hedlund]] of ''Film/TronLegacy'' has [[[[http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2011/11/03-1/variety-confirms-tron-legacy-star-garrett-hedlund-in-line-to-play-akira-lead officially been confirmed for the lead role of Shotaro Kaneda]], while KristenStewart is [[http://www.slashfilm.com/kristen-stewart-offered-akira/ in talks for the role of Kei.]] The role of the Colonel [[http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Gary-Oldman-Turns-Down-Akira-Ken-Watanabe-Offered-Role-Instead-28033.html was offered to Gary Oldman and, later, to Ken Watanabe]].
to:
A two-part Hollywood LiveActionAdaptation has been in the works. Early script reviews indicate a close adherence to the manga's storyline despite the CulturalTranslation, RaceLift and DawsonCasting. {{Cracked}} claimed to have received the actual [[http://www.cracked.com/blog/the-actual-live-action-akira-script-worse-than-you-think/ script]], which did NOT sit well with the fans. After being stuck in DevelopmentHell for the longest time, it [[http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2011/10/19-1/live-action-akira-green-lit-by-warner-bros has officially been greenlit by Warner Bros.]] An official [[http://www.slashfilm.com/akira-casting-call-reveals/ casting call]] has been released, showing that Kaneda will be an adult bar owner rather than a teenage gang member. Garrett Hedlund]] of ''Film/TronLegacy'' has [[[[http://www.[[http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2011/11/03-1/variety-confirms-tron-legacy-star-garrett-hedlund-in-line-to-play-akira-lead officially been confirmed for the lead role of Shotaro Kaneda]], while KristenStewart is [[http://www.slashfilm.com/kristen-stewart-offered-akira/ in talks for the role of Kei.]] The role of the Colonel [[http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Gary-Oldman-Turns-Down-Akira-Ken-Watanabe-Offered-Role-Instead-28033.html was offered to Gary Oldman and, later, to Ken Watanabe]].
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* JawDrop: Kaneda and the Colonel each have noticeable, drawn out ones upon witnessing [[spoiler: [[HighOctaneNightmareFuel Tetsuo's mutation]].]]
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* JawDrop: Kaneda and the Colonel each have noticeable, drawn out ones upon witnessing [[spoiler: [[HighOctaneNightmareFuel [[NightmareFuel Tetsuo's mutation]].]]
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* ManipulativeBastard: [[spoiler:Nezu]]. This is more apparent in the manga, where he [[spoiler:betrays both Kaneda and co, Lady Miyako, and Ryu in order to get Akira]]. His plans backfire quite spectacularly in both versions, with the manga version having him [[spoiler:unsuccesfully trying to kill Akira so no-one else can use him.]]
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* ManipulativeBastard: [[spoiler:Nezu]]. This is more apparent in the manga, where he [[spoiler:betrays both Kaneda and co, Lady Miyako, and Ryu in order to get Akira]]. His plans backfire quite spectacularly in both versions, with the manga version having him [[spoiler:unsuccesfully [[spoiler: unsuccessfully trying to kill Akira so no-one else can use him.]]
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No critical reception stuff in descriptions
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The original manga version is universally loved by critics and fans alike, often being dubbed the "pinnacle of graphic storytelling." Being over 2000 pages in six hefty volumes, the story it tells is much longer than the film, more violent, more political, and more comprehensible. Critical plot developments in the film are often {{Late Arrival Spoiler}}s in the manga. Despite their differences, fans usually agree that the two versions are of equally good quality, and which one is better is a major case of YourMilageMayVary.
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Not to be mistaken with AkiraIshida, AkiraToriyama (Author of ''Manga/DragonBall''), AkiraKurosawa (Japan's greatest film director) Akira Ifukube (the guy who composed the ''{{Godzilla}}'' theme) or AkiraYamaoka (Who composed most of the SilentHill games). Or [[TetrisTheGrandMaster Arika]], for that matter.
to:
Not to be mistaken with AkiraIshida, AkiraToriyama (Author of ''Manga/DragonBall''), AkiraKurosawa (Japan's greatest film director) director), Akira Ifukube (the guy who composed the ''{{Godzilla}}'' theme) or AkiraYamaoka (Who (who composed most of the SilentHill games). Or [[TetrisTheGrandMaster Arika]], for that matter.
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Adding yet another famous Akira.
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Not to be mistaken with AkiraIshida, AkiraToriyama (Author of ''Manga/DragonBall''), AkiraKurosawa (Japan's greatest film director) or Akira Ifukube (the guy who composed the ''{{Godzilla}}'' theme). Or [[TetrisTheGrandMaster Arika]], for that matter.
to:
Not to be mistaken with AkiraIshida, AkiraToriyama (Author of ''Manga/DragonBall''), AkiraKurosawa (Japan's greatest film director) or Akira Ifukube (the guy who composed the ''{{Godzilla}}'' theme).theme) or AkiraYamaoka (Who composed most of the SilentHill games). Or [[TetrisTheGrandMaster Arika]], for that matter.
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* {{MIB}}: Practically the quintessential definition of this trope appears briefly to intimidate the Capsules when Kaneda is being taken away a second time. Black suit, black tie, white shirt, black opaque glasses, mute, and seemingly 7 feet tall.
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* {{MIB}}: TheMenInBlack: Practically the quintessential definition of this trope appears briefly to intimidate the Capsules when Kaneda is being taken away a second time. Black suit, black tie, white shirt, black opaque glasses, mute, and seemingly 7 feet tall.
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* ShoutOut: When Tetsuo [[spoiler:attacks the moon itself]], one of the citizens of the Empire screams out "Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks!", a reference to ''Theatre/KingLear''.
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* ShoutOut: When Tetsuo [[spoiler:attacks the moon itself]], one of the citizens of the Empire screams out "Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks!", a reference to ''Theatre/KingLear''.
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* SplitScreenReaction
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[[quoteright:320:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/movieposter.jpg]]
->'''''NEO-TOKYO IS ABOUT TO EXPLODE'''''
'''''Akira''''' (sometimes spelled '''''AKIRA''''' to differentiate between the work and the title character) is the name of a post apocalyptic sci-fi manga first released in 1980 and its movie adaption released in 1988. The most recognizable of KatsuhiroOtomo's works.
In July of 1988 (or at 2:17 P.M. on December 6th, 1992), a mysterious black-domed explosion destroys Tokyo and sets off World War III. Thirty-one (or thirty-eight, depending on whether it's the manga or the film you're dealing with) years later, the rebuilt city, now known as "Neo Tokyo" has fallen into decay.
Two rival biker gangs, the Capsules and the Clowns, are having a turf war one night, when one of the youngest Capsule members, Tetsuo, almost literally runs into an escaped government test subject. Moments later, the test subject is taken back into custody by the army. However, they also decide to take Tetsuo with them. He then becomes the newest test subject for the "Akira Project." But when Tetsuo's powers awaken, the combination of an inferiority complex harbored since childhood with power beyond Tetsuo's wildest dreams [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity waste no time in driving him insane]]. He escapes the lab and goes on a super-powered rampage through Neo Tokyo, killing and destroying everything in his path. It falls to a handful of people, including Capsule leader and Tetsuo's friend Kaneda, to put a stop to the destruction.
There is an anime movie version and a manga version, both widely different sans the above mentioned premise and with varying reputations. The movie is primarily known for its great animation. It was one of the things that helped disprove the AnimationAgeGhetto, at least for Anime in the West. It has been dubbed twice into English -- once in 1989 by StreamlinePictures and again in 2001 by Animaze via Pioneer (later known as {{Geneon}}). It is also known for its MindScrew plot, as it primarily focuses on the first third of the manga, while simultaneously removing plotlines and incorporating plot lines from later in the manga and so on.
The original manga version is universally loved by critics and fans alike, often being dubbed the "pinnacle of graphic storytelling." Being over 2000 pages in six hefty volumes, the story it tells is much longer than the film, more violent, more political, and more comprehensible. Critical plot developments in the film are often {{Late Arrival Spoiler}}s in the manga. Despite their differences, fans usually agree that the two versions are of equally good quality, and which one is better is a major case of YourMilageMayVary.
A two-part Hollywood LiveActionAdaptation has been in the works. Early script reviews indicate a close adherence to the manga's storyline despite the CulturalTranslation, RaceLift and DawsonCasting. {{Cracked}} claimed to have received the actual [[http://www.cracked.com/blog/the-actual-live-action-akira-script-worse-than-you-think/ script]], which did NOT sit well with the fans. After being stuck in DevelopmentHell for the longest time, it [[http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2011/10/19-1/live-action-akira-green-lit-by-warner-bros has officially been greenlit by Warner Bros.]] An official [[http://www.slashfilm.com/akira-casting-call-reveals/ casting call]] has been released, showing that Kaneda will be an adult bar owner rather than a teenage gang member. Garrett Hedlund]] of ''Film/TronLegacy'' has [[[[http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2011/11/03-1/variety-confirms-tron-legacy-star-garrett-hedlund-in-line-to-play-akira-lead officially been confirmed for the lead role of Shotaro Kaneda]], while KristenStewart is [[http://www.slashfilm.com/kristen-stewart-offered-akira/ in talks for the role of Kei.]] The role of the Colonel [[http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Gary-Oldman-Turns-Down-Akira-Ken-Watanabe-Offered-Role-Instead-28033.html was offered to Gary Oldman and, later, to Ken Watanabe]].
Not to be mistaken with AkiraIshida, AkiraToriyama (Author of ''Manga/DragonBall''), AkiraKurosawa (Japan's greatest film director) or Akira Ifukube (the guy who composed the ''{{Godzilla}}'' theme). Or [[TetrisTheGrandMaster Arika]], for that matter.
----
!!Examples
[[foldercontrol]]
[[folder:General]]
* AbsurdlySpaciousSewer: Neo-Tokyo's sewers are spacious enough to patrol them with flying craft.
* AccentUponTheWrongSyllable: '''A'''-kira, not A-'''ki'''-ra. And Ka-'''ney'''-da, not Canada.
* AfterTheEnd: We start with "old" Tokyo already nuked, then Neo-Tokyo gets nuked again but the story continues anyway.
* AlternateContinuity: Though they have similar beginnings and underlying themes, the movie and the manga diverge rather early and become two different stories. Character origins, deaths, and sometimes personalities are different. And while the endings look the same, [[spoiler: the manga implies Tetsuo is gone for good, having been consumed by Akira, while the movie leaves it open to interpretation.]]
* [[AmbiguouslyGay Ambiguously]] {{Gayngster}}: Kaisuke is a short biker punk who tosses rival gang members twice his size through restaurant windows and dodges KillSat beams on his motorcycle. He's also one of the less scruffy-looking characters, has no girlfriend, and seems to be very concerned about the lives of his fellow Capsules. In both manga and anime, he actually glomps Kaneda upon learning he's still alive before Kei can get her hug in.
* AnimalMotifs: Mr. Nezu (Japanese for "rat"), a small, greedy, cowardly man with big teeth.
* ApocalypseHow: Class 0
* ApocalypseWow
* BlackComedy: From time to time...
* BodyHorror: Tetsuo's horrific mutation scene. And ''how''.
* CaptainErsatz: Tetsuo gets a nice ton of [[ShoutOut shoutouts]] in most media. For example, [[{{Naruto}} Gaara]] and [[VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters K9999]] (so much so that K9999 was [[SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute substituted]] out of continuity.)
* ClippedWingAngel: The mutation scene at the end.
* CoolBike: Essentially every member of the biker gangs have cool bikes but special mention has to go to Kaenda's souped-up red bike that has glowing wheels. It's often displayed on merchandise. Honorable mention goes to the leader of the Clown Gang who apparently has a motorcycle with cruise control and auto-steering.
* CrapsackWorld: Tokyo is a nuclear wasteland with roaming biker gangs, a corrupt near-facist government, mass riots, and a rebellion that isn't all that far removed from the government in terms of morality. That's just the initial setting.
* CreepyChild: Kyoko, Takashi and Masaru. Made it creepier by their looks. Also, to some degree, Lady Miyako and her underlings Sakaki, Mozu and Miki in the manga. Akira himself.
* {{Cyberpunk}}: A TropeCodifier.
* DeadlyUpgrade: Tetsuo's psychic powers.
* DramaticChaseOpening: The story starts with Kaneda's gang chasing the Clown Gang through Neo-Tokyo.
* EverythingIsBetterWithExplosions: The movie ''starts'' with the mother of all kabooms, and it's not the last one.
* FlashBack: Tetsuo gets to experience ones from his own. Kaneda sees the Espers' points of view during the endings; this is the only real way we get their BackStory.
* ForScience: The reason why the government started experimenting with psychic powers in the first place.
* FriendlyTarget: Yamagata
* GoalOrientedEvolution: The movie relegates this idea to a {{handwave}}.
* GovernmentConspiracy: The government engineers children with psychic near-godlike powers.
* GrayAndGreyMorality: Most characters are at least a little sympathetic, even though they are all violent gang members, psychotic monsters, or militants.
* JapaneseDelinquents: The biker gangs.
* KillSat: SOL
* KillTheCutie: Poor, ''poor'' [[spoiler: Takashi]] and [[spoiler: Kaori]]...
* LaResistance: Kei and Ryu's rebellion.
* LighterAndSofter: The theme of a rebellious biker living in a gritty technological area who ends up in opposition to the government and military, including characters who look much like those from ''Akira'', would be revisited in the miniseries ''FreedomProject''.
* LiveActionAdaptation: According to {{Wikipedia}}, In the early 1990s, Kodansha Ltd. was in negotiation with Sony Pictures to produce a live-action remake of the film. Talk circulated again a decade later, but the project has yet to materialize. Rumors circulated that the project was canceled in both instances when the projected budget for the film was upwards of $300 million. Talks began again as WarnerBrothers signed on to produce the movie with Stephen Norrington (writer) and Jon Peters (producer). Akira was to be developed into two live action films; the first was to be scheduled for a summer 2009 release. Warner Brothers and Appian Way planned to adapt the two movies from the manga, with each one covering three volumes. Ruairi Robinson signed on as director, Gary Whitta wrote the script and Andrew Lazar, LeonardoDiCaprio, and Jennifer Davisson were to produce the film. Andrew Lazar has stated that the film is not dead and is in fact a priority project for Warner Bros. Pictures and when it does go into production, it will be very high budgeted. Screenwriters Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby are currently working on the script. Gary Whitta has revealed that he has no idea whether they are re-working his script or starting from scratch. The film is still on course to be released in 2011. NY Magazine has recently stated that Warner Brothers is in negotiations with the Hughes Brothers to direct the film. On June 17, 2010, Lazar said that a new writer had been hired and that the movie was being fast tracked. He also stated that the first movie would be based on volumes 1–3 and a second movie would be based on volumes 4–6. YourMileageMayVary.
* LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters The Movie wasn't exactly light on the amount of characters. The manga however takes the cake. Even minor movie characters have a greatly expanded role. On top of that, all are very much relevant to the overall plot and integral to how things work out.
* MeaningfulName: Nezu. [[spoiler:It means "rat"]].
* ManipulativeBastard: [[spoiler:Nezu]]. This is more apparent in the manga, where he [[spoiler:betrays both Kaneda and co, Lady Miyako, and Ryu in order to get Akira]]. His plans backfire quite spectacularly in both versions, with the manga version having him [[spoiler:unsuccesfully trying to kill Akira so no-one else can use him.]]
* MindOverMatter: The source of Tetsuo and Akira's powers.
* MindScrew: The story is highly disturbing with many elements left up to interpretation.
* NewNeoCity: Neo-Tokyo.
* NoCommunitiesWereHarmed: "Neo" Tokyo. Except for the fact that in order to build "Neo" Tokyo, original Tokyo must be obliterated. And oh, how it is.
* NoFEMAResponse: Justified as, by the time major humanitarian aid efforts are on their way to Neo-Tokyo, Tetsuo and his followers have already organized the survivors into a militantly isolationist nut cult who attack the relief workers.
* NoNewFashionsInTheFuture: It's 2019, but the fashions of most people still look like they did in TheEighties; the girls with the legwarmers come to mind in particular. Not so bad with the business suits and military outfits, as those ''[[TruthInTelevision have]]'' been relatively unchanged, as they have been for a much larger timeframe than the gap between when ''Akira'' was made and when it takes place.
* ParentalAbandonment: Tetsuo; no doubt also Kaneda and the others.
* PowerGlows: Anything/anyone that makes things blow up tends to glow just before it happens.
* PstandardPsychicPstance: The three children more than Tetsuo or Akira.
* PsychicPowers: Akira, Tetsuo, and the three mutant children. Kei turns out to be a medium capable of channeling the powers of other psychics through her (younger and healthier) body.
* ReallySevenHundredYearsOld: Takashi, Kiyoko, and Masaru. Closer to NeverGrewUp, but with shades (wrinkles?) of this.
* SayMyName: "KANEDAAAAA!" "TETSUOOOO!"
* SceneryPorn / SceneryGorn / TechnologyPorn: [[DoingItForTheArt Well,]] [[UpToEleven indeed.]]
* SchrodingersCast: Takashi lives in the movie, but dies in the manga. Meanwhile, Akira is alive in the manga but is dead in the movie ([[BackFromTheDead though he briefly gets better]]).
* ScienceIsBad: If it weren't for government scientists deciding to give people psychic powers, the story would not have happened.
* SealedEvilInACan: The military's perception of Akira. Fairly accurate.
* ShoutOut: Kaneda's full name is the same as the KidHero from ''{{Gigantor}}''.
* SmugSnake: Nezu and Tetsuo's Aide.
* SphereOfDestruction: The black dome that wipes out Tokyo.
* StrappedToAnOperatingTable: All of the psychics get this treatment during their experimentations,
* SuperSerum: The military uses drugs to kickstart the development of psychic powers, but they ultimately prevent the user from reaching their full potential (partly as a safety measure).
* TheTokyoFireball: Provides the page image.
* TronLines: From the bikes.
* TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture: It is set roughly in the early twenty-first century (it was made in 1988).
* ViceCity: Neo-Tokyo is filled with crime and corruption.
* YourHeadASplode: Generally, a lot of people.
* {{Zeerust}}: Chunky computers without touch screens are still in use in 2019. ''Partially'' justified by technology being held back by TheTokyoFireball and subsequent conflicts. Also, no digital cameras. Ryu at one point gives Nezu a roll of film to develop.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:1988 Movie Only]]
* AGodAmI: Akira and Tetsuo to some degree; [[spoiler: at the end, possibly A Universe Am I.]]
* AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence: Ending possibility.
* BattleAura: Tetsuo sports a red one during his battles.
* BerserkButton: "Grrr, [[MaamShock Don't ever call me old man you little punk! You listen here kid; I'm only 25 years old, I'm not even married yet]]! So watch your mouth, get out of here!"
* BrickJoke: While Kaneda and his gang are at the police station, a fanatical member of LaResistance tries to bomb the place with a grenade. The grenade fizzles, and the resistance member gets beat up by police. After Kaneda leaves the station with Kei, the grenade goes off.
* CyberpunkIsTechno: Next to ''Anime/GhostInTheShell'', quite possibly one of the biggest-ever aversions of this trope. While a few pieces contain synths and a techno-ish sound, most consist of traditional percussion instruments and prayer-like chanting. The soundtrack was composed by the musical collective Geinoh Yamashirogumi who has a repertoire of this style of music (though not just this style of music).
* [[spoiler:DeadAllAlong: Tetsuo digs up Akira's cryogenic capsule only to find out that he's nothing but preserved organs.]]
* DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment
** From the Animaze dub: "Those are army helicopters! It's the army!"
** And Kaori's "we're slowing down, we're stopping now, we've stopped." Though it is kinda cute the way she says it.
* DemotedToExtra
** Lady Miyako, a big key player in the fight against Tetsuo in the manga, gets roughly ten seconds of screen time in which she ''praises'' Tetsuo as the new Akira. And she has a man's voice... And then she's killed...
** The Joker gets this as well. Though he appears in one of the film's most memorable scenes battling Kaneda and his gang, that's the ''only'' scene he appears in, whereas in the manga he becomes a fairly major character, being forced to deal with Tetsuo's antics when the latter usurps control of the Clown gang so he can get drugs and towards the end of the series becomes a valuable ally of the heroes.
* DiesWideOpen: [[spoiler:Nezu and Ryu.]]
* DueToTheDead: Kaneda ritually crashes [[spoiler:Yamagata]]'s bike, sending it to the afterlife after him, immediately after learning of his death at the hands of Tetsuo.
* EarlyBirdCameo: Kaori shows up along with the girls dating the rest of Kaneda's Capsule gang in this version; she and Tetsuo are already together.
* EverythingsWorseWithBears: Giant, killer teddy bears in this case... and [[HairRaisingHare giant, killer plush rabbits]], too. And killer toy cars, but we don't have a trope for that.
* {{Foreshadowing}}: If you look carefully during the scene where Tetsuo first begins to hallucinate you can see a series of events that happen later in the movie like [[spoiler: Tetsuo's rampage on the city, his fight with Kaneda, Tetsuo's mutation, Kaori's death, and his flashbacks to when he first met Kaneda]].
* IronicNurseryTune: The jingling toy bells and squeaking as the killer toys attack.
* JawDrop: Kaneda and the Colonel each have noticeable, drawn out ones upon witnessing [[spoiler: [[HighOctaneNightmareFuel Tetsuo's mutation]].]]
* LipLock: The film's MouthFlaps are unusually well animated for a Japanese cartoon, which has caused translators no shortage of grief. The original version went with a HongKongDub, while the later dub made a valiant attempt at following the animation more closely, resulting in some slightly awkward dialogue in places.
* NeoclassicalPunkZydecoRockabilly: The film's soundtrack combines ancient Buddhist chants and instrumentals with futuristic techno. [[CrowningMusicOfAwesome It works]].
* NonSerialMovie: A sequel was never made even though the manga continued long after the events of the anime.
* {{MIB}}: Practically the quintessential definition of this trope appears briefly to intimidate the Capsules when Kaneda is being taken away a second time. Black suit, black tie, white shirt, black opaque glasses, mute, and seemingly 7 feet tall.
* MoodWhiplash
** ShowWithinAShow example:
-->'''Newsreader:''' ''(over clips of protestors being beaten by police officers amidst burning vehicles)'' A skirmish has broken out between student protestors and riot police. There appear to be some casualties. Next!\\
'''Happy Cartoon Dog:''' Woof! ''(a cheery and bright-colored dog food commercial plays)''
** And then a juxtaposition back to the two snarling and vicious looking police dogs chasing the rebel down the street.
* OminousLatinChanting: The soundtrack, though technically it's Ominous Japanese chanting. There's some latin lyrics in [[http://www.animelyrics.com/anime/akira/requiem.htm "Requiem"]].
* OvertookTheManga: The movie came out in 1988, but the manga was not finished until 1990. Then again, the movie was only based on the first 2 parts which were already finished by then.
* PragmaticAdaptation: Depending on who you ask, but, like the dubs, [[InternetBackdraft it's better you don't.]]
* RRatedOpening: Within the first ten minutes, we get cursing, drug references, and plenty of blood from the gangs or the rebel that gets gunned down in the opening by [[NoKillLikeOverkill a handful of soldiers with machine guns]]. In fact, Tokyo explodes before the credits are even finished.
* ReluctantMadScientist: Dr. Onishi. He ignores an order to shut down his work if Tetsuo's vital signs get out of hand. Tellingly, nobody ever blames him for [[PersonOfMassDestruction the outcome]].
* RecurringRiff: Tetsuo's {{leitmotif}} begins with a few hard notes, and develops into something way more {{Badass}}.
* RevealShot: The police station where the biker gang is being held looks like one corridor and one questioning room. As they go to leave, the camera pans out revealing that there are dozens of interrogation rooms where suspects are being questionned or beaten.
* RocketRide: The hovercrafts in the sewers
* SayMyName: [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4COLV6CleU "KANNNEEEEDDDAAA!!" and "TETTTTTSUUUUOOO!!" make up most of it,]] but [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3KJnhcfSNo there's plenty of name-calling in it.]]
* SnowyScreenOfDeath: The TV coverage of the military's takeover of Neo-Tokyo.
* SoundtrackDissonance: The end credits in the 2001 edition feature the song "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nC_jf6FUh-U Tokyo Shoe Shine Boy]]" (briefly heard in the background during one scene in the movie) over the second portion of the end credits.
* SpaceIsNoisy: Averted.
* TheyCallMeMisterTibbs: "That's ''Mister'' Kaneda to you, punk!"
* ViewersAreMorons: Handy instant exposition by Kaisuke for those viewers who weren't really paying attention; while sitting outside the interrogation room with the gang:
--> '''Kaisuke:''' So, the army's working with the police... To hunt down anti-government groups, or so it seems. ''(beat)'' yeah, that's it. ''(nobody responds)''
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Manga Only]]
* ActionSurvivor: Kaisuke lacks the fighting skill and grit of most other characters, but is one of the few characters to survive the entire story.
* ApologeticAttacker: [[spoiler:Takashi, as he kills Mozu in self-defense.]]
-->"I'm sorry, but you don't leave me another choice..."
* AttemptedRape: Kei is ambushed by Empire soldiers, who immediately try to rape her. Emphasis on ''attempted''. It takes [[ActionGirl Kei]] and [[BadAss Chiyoko]] less than five minutes to take them out.
* {{Badass}}: Chiyoko. [[ImprovisedWeapon She uses bazooka rockets as clubs.]] And as bazooka rockets, of course. [[BeyondTheImpossible Without the bazooka.]]
* BigGood: Lady Miyako
* BlindSeer: Miyako
* DecompressedComic
* DefaceOfTheMoon: To impress his empire, Tetsuo blows a hole in the moon. The tides are affected, as in not every case of this trope.
* {{Determinator}}: Chiyoko. The lengths she goes to save the esper children...
* [[DividedStatesOfAmerica Divided Empire of Japan]]: After Tetsuo takes over Neo Tokyo, he tries to establish it as the "Great Akira Empire." At the very end, [[spoiler:Kaneda tries to establish the city as the Great Tokyo Empire.]]
* {{Doorstopper}}: Six volumes the size of phone books, a collective 2182 pages.
* ExtraordinarilyEmpoweredGirl: Sakaki, Mozu and Miki. [[spoiler: Later, Kei.]]
* ForScience: The Juvenile-A team study the events in Neo Tokyo mostly out of scientific curiosity.
* GenreShift: The second half goes from cyberpunk to [[spoiler:post-apocalypse]].
* GeniusBruiser: Joker
* InfantImmortality: Averted during the attack on Miyako's Temple, when one of Tetsuo's followers shoots a young boy trying to protect his mother.
* ItGotWorse: Arguably happens to the citizens of Neo Tokyo in pretty much all of the second half of the manga after Akira destroys most of Neo Tokyo. By the end of the manga, things are only looking up slightly, the general attitude being that the survivors know how much worse it could really be (and on the whole they're better people and a bunch of jerks get what they deserve).
* JigsawPuzzlePlot
* KickTheDog: Tetsuo taking young and pretty girls to be his sex slaves, and encouraging them to take drugs that will most likely kill them.
* NothingIsTheSameAnymore: The second half of the story. Ignoring the ''numerous'' changes in the individual characters, [[spoiler:the conflict has become a post-apocalyptic showdown between the followers of Lady Miyako and Akira. Also of note is foreign involvement]].
* MamaBear: Chiyoko
* MauveShirt: George Yamada, leader of the U.S Marines sent to assassinate Tetsuo and Akira.
* {{Mooks}}: The Great Tokyo Empire.
** EliteMooks: Tetsuo's telekinetic {{Mooks}} such as Birdman and Eggman.
** FacelessGoons: The non-psychic {{Mooks}}.
** TheStarscream: Tetsuo's Aide, who stages a coup toward the end of the story. Justified due to Tetsuo's AxCrazy-ness.
* PathOfInspiration: The Akira cult. It's only there so Tetsuo can rule the city.
* PietaPlagiarism: [[spoiler:Tetsuo carried Kaori's lifeless body around after she's shot to death.]]
* PsychoSerum: A drug that either kills or awakens psychic powers, but also [[spoiler:holds them back from developing too far, as Miyako reveals to Tetsuo. He quits them.]]
* PutOnABus
** [[spoiler:Kaneda after the timeskip. He is assumed to be dead after falling into Akira's psychic blast at the end of volume 3, but at the end of volume 4 he is transported back along with various other buildings that had fallen into the blast as well.]]
** Also happens to Tetsuo in Volume 3. [[spoiler: After getting his arm shot off by the SOL satellite at the end of the second volume, Tetsuo flies off and is not seen again until the end of Volume 3.]]
* RoaringRampageOfRevenge: Tetsuo's reaction when [[spoiler:Kaori]] was shot by his own {{Mooks}}.
* SleepCute: Subverted. Yes, [[spoiler:Kaori]] looks sweet and peaceful when she sleeps with her head on [[spoiler:Tetsuo]]'s lap, but then we see that [[spoiler: Tetsuo is in ''extreme'' pain and his arm is mutating again.]]
* ShoutOut: When Tetsuo [[spoiler:attacks the moon itself]], one of the citizens of the Empire screams out "Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks!", a reference to ''Theatre/KingLear''.
* SpiderTank: The government deploy a number of small robotic spider tanks to enforce martial law after Akira is released.
* TeamMom
** Miyako is a quite dark example.
** Kaori tries to be one as she becomes [[spoiler:Akira]]'s caretaker per Tetsuo's orders.
* TheManBehindTheMan: Tetsuo was really the one performing Akira's "miracles".
* WhamEpisode: Volume 3 ends with [[spoiler:Akira destroying Neo-Tokyo the same way as the original thirty years before]].
* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: In the first volume of the manga, Nurse Hoken tells Kaneda she might be pregnant, and then is never seen again. It's possible (if not probable) she was killed at the end of Volume 3, but it's never specified.
[[/folder]]
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->'''''NEO-TOKYO IS ABOUT TO EXPLODE'''''
'''''Akira''''' (sometimes spelled '''''AKIRA''''' to differentiate between the work and the title character) is the name of a post apocalyptic sci-fi manga first released in 1980 and its movie adaption released in 1988. The most recognizable of KatsuhiroOtomo's works.
In July of 1988 (or at 2:17 P.M. on December 6th, 1992), a mysterious black-domed explosion destroys Tokyo and sets off World War III. Thirty-one (or thirty-eight, depending on whether it's the manga or the film you're dealing with) years later, the rebuilt city, now known as "Neo Tokyo" has fallen into decay.
Two rival biker gangs, the Capsules and the Clowns, are having a turf war one night, when one of the youngest Capsule members, Tetsuo, almost literally runs into an escaped government test subject. Moments later, the test subject is taken back into custody by the army. However, they also decide to take Tetsuo with them. He then becomes the newest test subject for the "Akira Project." But when Tetsuo's powers awaken, the combination of an inferiority complex harbored since childhood with power beyond Tetsuo's wildest dreams [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity waste no time in driving him insane]]. He escapes the lab and goes on a super-powered rampage through Neo Tokyo, killing and destroying everything in his path. It falls to a handful of people, including Capsule leader and Tetsuo's friend Kaneda, to put a stop to the destruction.
There is an anime movie version and a manga version, both widely different sans the above mentioned premise and with varying reputations. The movie is primarily known for its great animation. It was one of the things that helped disprove the AnimationAgeGhetto, at least for Anime in the West. It has been dubbed twice into English -- once in 1989 by StreamlinePictures and again in 2001 by Animaze via Pioneer (later known as {{Geneon}}). It is also known for its MindScrew plot, as it primarily focuses on the first third of the manga, while simultaneously removing plotlines and incorporating plot lines from later in the manga and so on.
The original manga version is universally loved by critics and fans alike, often being dubbed the "pinnacle of graphic storytelling." Being over 2000 pages in six hefty volumes, the story it tells is much longer than the film, more violent, more political, and more comprehensible. Critical plot developments in the film are often {{Late Arrival Spoiler}}s in the manga. Despite their differences, fans usually agree that the two versions are of equally good quality, and which one is better is a major case of YourMilageMayVary.
A two-part Hollywood LiveActionAdaptation has been in the works. Early script reviews indicate a close adherence to the manga's storyline despite the CulturalTranslation, RaceLift and DawsonCasting. {{Cracked}} claimed to have received the actual [[http://www.cracked.com/blog/the-actual-live-action-akira-script-worse-than-you-think/ script]], which did NOT sit well with the fans. After being stuck in DevelopmentHell for the longest time, it [[http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2011/10/19-1/live-action-akira-green-lit-by-warner-bros has officially been greenlit by Warner Bros.]] An official [[http://www.slashfilm.com/akira-casting-call-reveals/ casting call]] has been released, showing that Kaneda will be an adult bar owner rather than a teenage gang member. Garrett Hedlund]] of ''Film/TronLegacy'' has [[[[http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2011/11/03-1/variety-confirms-tron-legacy-star-garrett-hedlund-in-line-to-play-akira-lead officially been confirmed for the lead role of Shotaro Kaneda]], while KristenStewart is [[http://www.slashfilm.com/kristen-stewart-offered-akira/ in talks for the role of Kei.]] The role of the Colonel [[http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Gary-Oldman-Turns-Down-Akira-Ken-Watanabe-Offered-Role-Instead-28033.html was offered to Gary Oldman and, later, to Ken Watanabe]].
Not to be mistaken with AkiraIshida, AkiraToriyama (Author of ''Manga/DragonBall''), AkiraKurosawa (Japan's greatest film director) or Akira Ifukube (the guy who composed the ''{{Godzilla}}'' theme). Or [[TetrisTheGrandMaster Arika]], for that matter.
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!!Examples
[[foldercontrol]]
[[folder:General]]
* AbsurdlySpaciousSewer: Neo-Tokyo's sewers are spacious enough to patrol them with flying craft.
* AccentUponTheWrongSyllable: '''A'''-kira, not A-'''ki'''-ra. And Ka-'''ney'''-da, not Canada.
* AfterTheEnd: We start with "old" Tokyo already nuked, then Neo-Tokyo gets nuked again but the story continues anyway.
* AlternateContinuity: Though they have similar beginnings and underlying themes, the movie and the manga diverge rather early and become two different stories. Character origins, deaths, and sometimes personalities are different. And while the endings look the same, [[spoiler: the manga implies Tetsuo is gone for good, having been consumed by Akira, while the movie leaves it open to interpretation.]]
* [[AmbiguouslyGay Ambiguously]] {{Gayngster}}: Kaisuke is a short biker punk who tosses rival gang members twice his size through restaurant windows and dodges KillSat beams on his motorcycle. He's also one of the less scruffy-looking characters, has no girlfriend, and seems to be very concerned about the lives of his fellow Capsules. In both manga and anime, he actually glomps Kaneda upon learning he's still alive before Kei can get her hug in.
* AnimalMotifs: Mr. Nezu (Japanese for "rat"), a small, greedy, cowardly man with big teeth.
* ApocalypseHow: Class 0
* ApocalypseWow
* BlackComedy: From time to time...
* BodyHorror: Tetsuo's horrific mutation scene. And ''how''.
* CaptainErsatz: Tetsuo gets a nice ton of [[ShoutOut shoutouts]] in most media. For example, [[{{Naruto}} Gaara]] and [[VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters K9999]] (so much so that K9999 was [[SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute substituted]] out of continuity.)
* ClippedWingAngel: The mutation scene at the end.
* CoolBike: Essentially every member of the biker gangs have cool bikes but special mention has to go to Kaenda's souped-up red bike that has glowing wheels. It's often displayed on merchandise. Honorable mention goes to the leader of the Clown Gang who apparently has a motorcycle with cruise control and auto-steering.
* CrapsackWorld: Tokyo is a nuclear wasteland with roaming biker gangs, a corrupt near-facist government, mass riots, and a rebellion that isn't all that far removed from the government in terms of morality. That's just the initial setting.
* CreepyChild: Kyoko, Takashi and Masaru. Made it creepier by their looks. Also, to some degree, Lady Miyako and her underlings Sakaki, Mozu and Miki in the manga. Akira himself.
* {{Cyberpunk}}: A TropeCodifier.
* DeadlyUpgrade: Tetsuo's psychic powers.
* DramaticChaseOpening: The story starts with Kaneda's gang chasing the Clown Gang through Neo-Tokyo.
* EverythingIsBetterWithExplosions: The movie ''starts'' with the mother of all kabooms, and it's not the last one.
* FlashBack: Tetsuo gets to experience ones from his own. Kaneda sees the Espers' points of view during the endings; this is the only real way we get their BackStory.
* ForScience: The reason why the government started experimenting with psychic powers in the first place.
* FriendlyTarget: Yamagata
* GoalOrientedEvolution: The movie relegates this idea to a {{handwave}}.
* GovernmentConspiracy: The government engineers children with psychic near-godlike powers.
* GrayAndGreyMorality: Most characters are at least a little sympathetic, even though they are all violent gang members, psychotic monsters, or militants.
* JapaneseDelinquents: The biker gangs.
* KillSat: SOL
* KillTheCutie: Poor, ''poor'' [[spoiler: Takashi]] and [[spoiler: Kaori]]...
* LaResistance: Kei and Ryu's rebellion.
* LighterAndSofter: The theme of a rebellious biker living in a gritty technological area who ends up in opposition to the government and military, including characters who look much like those from ''Akira'', would be revisited in the miniseries ''FreedomProject''.
* LiveActionAdaptation: According to {{Wikipedia}}, In the early 1990s, Kodansha Ltd. was in negotiation with Sony Pictures to produce a live-action remake of the film. Talk circulated again a decade later, but the project has yet to materialize. Rumors circulated that the project was canceled in both instances when the projected budget for the film was upwards of $300 million. Talks began again as WarnerBrothers signed on to produce the movie with Stephen Norrington (writer) and Jon Peters (producer). Akira was to be developed into two live action films; the first was to be scheduled for a summer 2009 release. Warner Brothers and Appian Way planned to adapt the two movies from the manga, with each one covering three volumes. Ruairi Robinson signed on as director, Gary Whitta wrote the script and Andrew Lazar, LeonardoDiCaprio, and Jennifer Davisson were to produce the film. Andrew Lazar has stated that the film is not dead and is in fact a priority project for Warner Bros. Pictures and when it does go into production, it will be very high budgeted. Screenwriters Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby are currently working on the script. Gary Whitta has revealed that he has no idea whether they are re-working his script or starting from scratch. The film is still on course to be released in 2011. NY Magazine has recently stated that Warner Brothers is in negotiations with the Hughes Brothers to direct the film. On June 17, 2010, Lazar said that a new writer had been hired and that the movie was being fast tracked. He also stated that the first movie would be based on volumes 1–3 and a second movie would be based on volumes 4–6. YourMileageMayVary.
* LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters The Movie wasn't exactly light on the amount of characters. The manga however takes the cake. Even minor movie characters have a greatly expanded role. On top of that, all are very much relevant to the overall plot and integral to how things work out.
* MeaningfulName: Nezu. [[spoiler:It means "rat"]].
* ManipulativeBastard: [[spoiler:Nezu]]. This is more apparent in the manga, where he [[spoiler:betrays both Kaneda and co, Lady Miyako, and Ryu in order to get Akira]]. His plans backfire quite spectacularly in both versions, with the manga version having him [[spoiler:unsuccesfully trying to kill Akira so no-one else can use him.]]
* MindOverMatter: The source of Tetsuo and Akira's powers.
* MindScrew: The story is highly disturbing with many elements left up to interpretation.
* NewNeoCity: Neo-Tokyo.
* NoCommunitiesWereHarmed: "Neo" Tokyo. Except for the fact that in order to build "Neo" Tokyo, original Tokyo must be obliterated. And oh, how it is.
* NoFEMAResponse: Justified as, by the time major humanitarian aid efforts are on their way to Neo-Tokyo, Tetsuo and his followers have already organized the survivors into a militantly isolationist nut cult who attack the relief workers.
* NoNewFashionsInTheFuture: It's 2019, but the fashions of most people still look like they did in TheEighties; the girls with the legwarmers come to mind in particular. Not so bad with the business suits and military outfits, as those ''[[TruthInTelevision have]]'' been relatively unchanged, as they have been for a much larger timeframe than the gap between when ''Akira'' was made and when it takes place.
* ParentalAbandonment: Tetsuo; no doubt also Kaneda and the others.
* PowerGlows: Anything/anyone that makes things blow up tends to glow just before it happens.
* PstandardPsychicPstance: The three children more than Tetsuo or Akira.
* PsychicPowers: Akira, Tetsuo, and the three mutant children. Kei turns out to be a medium capable of channeling the powers of other psychics through her (younger and healthier) body.
* ReallySevenHundredYearsOld: Takashi, Kiyoko, and Masaru. Closer to NeverGrewUp, but with shades (wrinkles?) of this.
* SayMyName: "KANEDAAAAA!" "TETSUOOOO!"
* SceneryPorn / SceneryGorn / TechnologyPorn: [[DoingItForTheArt Well,]] [[UpToEleven indeed.]]
* SchrodingersCast: Takashi lives in the movie, but dies in the manga. Meanwhile, Akira is alive in the manga but is dead in the movie ([[BackFromTheDead though he briefly gets better]]).
* ScienceIsBad: If it weren't for government scientists deciding to give people psychic powers, the story would not have happened.
* SealedEvilInACan: The military's perception of Akira. Fairly accurate.
* ShoutOut: Kaneda's full name is the same as the KidHero from ''{{Gigantor}}''.
* SmugSnake: Nezu and Tetsuo's Aide.
* SphereOfDestruction: The black dome that wipes out Tokyo.
* StrappedToAnOperatingTable: All of the psychics get this treatment during their experimentations,
* SuperSerum: The military uses drugs to kickstart the development of psychic powers, but they ultimately prevent the user from reaching their full potential (partly as a safety measure).
* TheTokyoFireball: Provides the page image.
* TronLines: From the bikes.
* TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture: It is set roughly in the early twenty-first century (it was made in 1988).
* ViceCity: Neo-Tokyo is filled with crime and corruption.
* YourHeadASplode: Generally, a lot of people.
* {{Zeerust}}: Chunky computers without touch screens are still in use in 2019. ''Partially'' justified by technology being held back by TheTokyoFireball and subsequent conflicts. Also, no digital cameras. Ryu at one point gives Nezu a roll of film to develop.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:1988 Movie Only]]
* AGodAmI: Akira and Tetsuo to some degree; [[spoiler: at the end, possibly A Universe Am I.]]
* AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence: Ending possibility.
* BattleAura: Tetsuo sports a red one during his battles.
* BerserkButton: "Grrr, [[MaamShock Don't ever call me old man you little punk! You listen here kid; I'm only 25 years old, I'm not even married yet]]! So watch your mouth, get out of here!"
* BrickJoke: While Kaneda and his gang are at the police station, a fanatical member of LaResistance tries to bomb the place with a grenade. The grenade fizzles, and the resistance member gets beat up by police. After Kaneda leaves the station with Kei, the grenade goes off.
* CyberpunkIsTechno: Next to ''Anime/GhostInTheShell'', quite possibly one of the biggest-ever aversions of this trope. While a few pieces contain synths and a techno-ish sound, most consist of traditional percussion instruments and prayer-like chanting. The soundtrack was composed by the musical collective Geinoh Yamashirogumi who has a repertoire of this style of music (though not just this style of music).
* [[spoiler:DeadAllAlong: Tetsuo digs up Akira's cryogenic capsule only to find out that he's nothing but preserved organs.]]
* DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment
** From the Animaze dub: "Those are army helicopters! It's the army!"
** And Kaori's "we're slowing down, we're stopping now, we've stopped." Though it is kinda cute the way she says it.
* DemotedToExtra
** Lady Miyako, a big key player in the fight against Tetsuo in the manga, gets roughly ten seconds of screen time in which she ''praises'' Tetsuo as the new Akira. And she has a man's voice... And then she's killed...
** The Joker gets this as well. Though he appears in one of the film's most memorable scenes battling Kaneda and his gang, that's the ''only'' scene he appears in, whereas in the manga he becomes a fairly major character, being forced to deal with Tetsuo's antics when the latter usurps control of the Clown gang so he can get drugs and towards the end of the series becomes a valuable ally of the heroes.
* DiesWideOpen: [[spoiler:Nezu and Ryu.]]
* DueToTheDead: Kaneda ritually crashes [[spoiler:Yamagata]]'s bike, sending it to the afterlife after him, immediately after learning of his death at the hands of Tetsuo.
* EarlyBirdCameo: Kaori shows up along with the girls dating the rest of Kaneda's Capsule gang in this version; she and Tetsuo are already together.
* EverythingsWorseWithBears: Giant, killer teddy bears in this case... and [[HairRaisingHare giant, killer plush rabbits]], too. And killer toy cars, but we don't have a trope for that.
* {{Foreshadowing}}: If you look carefully during the scene where Tetsuo first begins to hallucinate you can see a series of events that happen later in the movie like [[spoiler: Tetsuo's rampage on the city, his fight with Kaneda, Tetsuo's mutation, Kaori's death, and his flashbacks to when he first met Kaneda]].
* IronicNurseryTune: The jingling toy bells and squeaking as the killer toys attack.
* JawDrop: Kaneda and the Colonel each have noticeable, drawn out ones upon witnessing [[spoiler: [[HighOctaneNightmareFuel Tetsuo's mutation]].]]
* LipLock: The film's MouthFlaps are unusually well animated for a Japanese cartoon, which has caused translators no shortage of grief. The original version went with a HongKongDub, while the later dub made a valiant attempt at following the animation more closely, resulting in some slightly awkward dialogue in places.
* NeoclassicalPunkZydecoRockabilly: The film's soundtrack combines ancient Buddhist chants and instrumentals with futuristic techno. [[CrowningMusicOfAwesome It works]].
* NonSerialMovie: A sequel was never made even though the manga continued long after the events of the anime.
* {{MIB}}: Practically the quintessential definition of this trope appears briefly to intimidate the Capsules when Kaneda is being taken away a second time. Black suit, black tie, white shirt, black opaque glasses, mute, and seemingly 7 feet tall.
* MoodWhiplash
** ShowWithinAShow example:
-->'''Newsreader:''' ''(over clips of protestors being beaten by police officers amidst burning vehicles)'' A skirmish has broken out between student protestors and riot police. There appear to be some casualties. Next!\\
'''Happy Cartoon Dog:''' Woof! ''(a cheery and bright-colored dog food commercial plays)''
** And then a juxtaposition back to the two snarling and vicious looking police dogs chasing the rebel down the street.
* OminousLatinChanting: The soundtrack, though technically it's Ominous Japanese chanting. There's some latin lyrics in [[http://www.animelyrics.com/anime/akira/requiem.htm "Requiem"]].
* OvertookTheManga: The movie came out in 1988, but the manga was not finished until 1990. Then again, the movie was only based on the first 2 parts which were already finished by then.
* PragmaticAdaptation: Depending on who you ask, but, like the dubs, [[InternetBackdraft it's better you don't.]]
* RRatedOpening: Within the first ten minutes, we get cursing, drug references, and plenty of blood from the gangs or the rebel that gets gunned down in the opening by [[NoKillLikeOverkill a handful of soldiers with machine guns]]. In fact, Tokyo explodes before the credits are even finished.
* ReluctantMadScientist: Dr. Onishi. He ignores an order to shut down his work if Tetsuo's vital signs get out of hand. Tellingly, nobody ever blames him for [[PersonOfMassDestruction the outcome]].
* RecurringRiff: Tetsuo's {{leitmotif}} begins with a few hard notes, and develops into something way more {{Badass}}.
* RevealShot: The police station where the biker gang is being held looks like one corridor and one questioning room. As they go to leave, the camera pans out revealing that there are dozens of interrogation rooms where suspects are being questionned or beaten.
* RocketRide: The hovercrafts in the sewers
* SayMyName: [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4COLV6CleU "KANNNEEEEDDDAAA!!" and "TETTTTTSUUUUOOO!!" make up most of it,]] but [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3KJnhcfSNo there's plenty of name-calling in it.]]
* SnowyScreenOfDeath: The TV coverage of the military's takeover of Neo-Tokyo.
* SoundtrackDissonance: The end credits in the 2001 edition feature the song "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nC_jf6FUh-U Tokyo Shoe Shine Boy]]" (briefly heard in the background during one scene in the movie) over the second portion of the end credits.
* SpaceIsNoisy: Averted.
* TheyCallMeMisterTibbs: "That's ''Mister'' Kaneda to you, punk!"
* ViewersAreMorons: Handy instant exposition by Kaisuke for those viewers who weren't really paying attention; while sitting outside the interrogation room with the gang:
--> '''Kaisuke:''' So, the army's working with the police... To hunt down anti-government groups, or so it seems. ''(beat)'' yeah, that's it. ''(nobody responds)''
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Manga Only]]
* ActionSurvivor: Kaisuke lacks the fighting skill and grit of most other characters, but is one of the few characters to survive the entire story.
* ApologeticAttacker: [[spoiler:Takashi, as he kills Mozu in self-defense.]]
-->"I'm sorry, but you don't leave me another choice..."
* AttemptedRape: Kei is ambushed by Empire soldiers, who immediately try to rape her. Emphasis on ''attempted''. It takes [[ActionGirl Kei]] and [[BadAss Chiyoko]] less than five minutes to take them out.
* {{Badass}}: Chiyoko. [[ImprovisedWeapon She uses bazooka rockets as clubs.]] And as bazooka rockets, of course. [[BeyondTheImpossible Without the bazooka.]]
* BigGood: Lady Miyako
* BlindSeer: Miyako
* DecompressedComic
* DefaceOfTheMoon: To impress his empire, Tetsuo blows a hole in the moon. The tides are affected, as in not every case of this trope.
* {{Determinator}}: Chiyoko. The lengths she goes to save the esper children...
* [[DividedStatesOfAmerica Divided Empire of Japan]]: After Tetsuo takes over Neo Tokyo, he tries to establish it as the "Great Akira Empire." At the very end, [[spoiler:Kaneda tries to establish the city as the Great Tokyo Empire.]]
* {{Doorstopper}}: Six volumes the size of phone books, a collective 2182 pages.
* ExtraordinarilyEmpoweredGirl: Sakaki, Mozu and Miki. [[spoiler: Later, Kei.]]
* ForScience: The Juvenile-A team study the events in Neo Tokyo mostly out of scientific curiosity.
* GenreShift: The second half goes from cyberpunk to [[spoiler:post-apocalypse]].
* GeniusBruiser: Joker
* InfantImmortality: Averted during the attack on Miyako's Temple, when one of Tetsuo's followers shoots a young boy trying to protect his mother.
* ItGotWorse: Arguably happens to the citizens of Neo Tokyo in pretty much all of the second half of the manga after Akira destroys most of Neo Tokyo. By the end of the manga, things are only looking up slightly, the general attitude being that the survivors know how much worse it could really be (and on the whole they're better people and a bunch of jerks get what they deserve).
* JigsawPuzzlePlot
* KickTheDog: Tetsuo taking young and pretty girls to be his sex slaves, and encouraging them to take drugs that will most likely kill them.
* NothingIsTheSameAnymore: The second half of the story. Ignoring the ''numerous'' changes in the individual characters, [[spoiler:the conflict has become a post-apocalyptic showdown between the followers of Lady Miyako and Akira. Also of note is foreign involvement]].
* MamaBear: Chiyoko
* MauveShirt: George Yamada, leader of the U.S Marines sent to assassinate Tetsuo and Akira.
* {{Mooks}}: The Great Tokyo Empire.
** EliteMooks: Tetsuo's telekinetic {{Mooks}} such as Birdman and Eggman.
** FacelessGoons: The non-psychic {{Mooks}}.
** TheStarscream: Tetsuo's Aide, who stages a coup toward the end of the story. Justified due to Tetsuo's AxCrazy-ness.
* PathOfInspiration: The Akira cult. It's only there so Tetsuo can rule the city.
* PietaPlagiarism: [[spoiler:Tetsuo carried Kaori's lifeless body around after she's shot to death.]]
* PsychoSerum: A drug that either kills or awakens psychic powers, but also [[spoiler:holds them back from developing too far, as Miyako reveals to Tetsuo. He quits them.]]
* PutOnABus
** [[spoiler:Kaneda after the timeskip. He is assumed to be dead after falling into Akira's psychic blast at the end of volume 3, but at the end of volume 4 he is transported back along with various other buildings that had fallen into the blast as well.]]
** Also happens to Tetsuo in Volume 3. [[spoiler: After getting his arm shot off by the SOL satellite at the end of the second volume, Tetsuo flies off and is not seen again until the end of Volume 3.]]
* RoaringRampageOfRevenge: Tetsuo's reaction when [[spoiler:Kaori]] was shot by his own {{Mooks}}.
* SleepCute: Subverted. Yes, [[spoiler:Kaori]] looks sweet and peaceful when she sleeps with her head on [[spoiler:Tetsuo]]'s lap, but then we see that [[spoiler: Tetsuo is in ''extreme'' pain and his arm is mutating again.]]
* ShoutOut: When Tetsuo [[spoiler:attacks the moon itself]], one of the citizens of the Empire screams out "Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks!", a reference to ''Theatre/KingLear''.
* SpiderTank: The government deploy a number of small robotic spider tanks to enforce martial law after Akira is released.
* TeamMom
** Miyako is a quite dark example.
** Kaori tries to be one as she becomes [[spoiler:Akira]]'s caretaker per Tetsuo's orders.
* TheManBehindTheMan: Tetsuo was really the one performing Akira's "miracles".
* WhamEpisode: Volume 3 ends with [[spoiler:Akira destroying Neo-Tokyo the same way as the original thirty years before]].
* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: In the first volume of the manga, Nurse Hoken tells Kaneda she might be pregnant, and then is never seen again. It's possible (if not probable) she was killed at the end of Volume 3, but it's never specified.
[[/folder]]
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