Why the Akira Movie is a Timeless Anime Classic

For the numerous fans who love to watch Japanese animation, many already know that the anime movie Akira directed by Katsuhiro Otomo was the first of its genre not only to reach audiences worldwide, but also go beyond the boundaries of its time. It is visually mind-blowing; I could not say it better than that. There were several moments in Akira that made this such an exceptional film. One of those points being the level of energy a person can possess and the potential of that energy to grow exponentially reaching dangerous heights. As seen in the movie, Akira was a boy who was able to tap into this inconceivable force. This energy which was found in all living creatures was the essence of life itself. But as we come to see in the film, it can be highly unstable. Akira was unable to control this power, which led to the destruction of Tokyo in 1988. Now 30 years later, the energy is re-awakened in Tetsuo. Like Akira, Tetsuo's power grew rapidly reaching critical levels that will cause the destruction of Tokyo again if he is not stopped. The purpose of this article is to focus on three visually epic scenes which demonstrate the devastating power Tetsuo wields and reminds us why this anime is a must see.

In the first scene Takashi, Kiyoko and Masaru challenged Tetsuo by invading his mind, but their failed effort only angered Tetsuo as he grew more vicious. Tetsuo used his psychic powers to find where the aged children were hiding. Shortly after this he broke out of his room and the guards were alerted. Upon their arrival they discovered a disturbed Tetsuo in the hallway. They tried to escort him back to his room but Tetsuo obliterated them leaving only their remains plastered against the walls. This scene was significant in the film because for the first time you saw the devastating potential of Tetsuo's power. A rage developed in that moment when the guards approached and his thoughts became action. He wanted them to go away and they were instantly destroyed. There was no remorse for the lives he took which represented him going over the brink of insanity. Another scene that illustrated Tetsuo's devastating potential was the ascension of the Akira chamber.

Tetsuo's exponential growth in power was witnessed in this scene by his telekinetic abilities. He rampaged through town slaughtering soldiers and anyone in his path until he reached the location of Akira, the mysterious void eating away at his own curiosity. As Tetsuo used his telekinetic abilities, the ground broke away revealing the huge metal fortress. Tetsuo's mind power was astonishing in this scene as he levitated this citadel of incredible size effortlessly. Continuing his destructive path, Kiyoko used Kai as a medium to attack him. They engaged in a psychic battle once more but their powers ricocheted which resulted in the destruction of buildings, bridges, and innocent spectators. In the end, Kai was easily overcome by Tetsuo. The significance of this scene not only showed the viewers a visually epic battle of pure brilliance but also notes the magnitude of Tetsuo's telepathic and telekinetic abilities. The final and most visually epic scene of all is when Tetsuo lost control of his power.

Towards the end of the movie, Tetsuo's power reached critical levels. His girlfriend Kaori and the General tried to help him but his body transformed into a grotesque organism. Anyone or anything caught in its path was consumed by it. His girlfriend Kaori fell victim to this. Tetsuo realized he no longer had control and he cried out to his friend Kaneda for help, but it was too late as this infinite growth of telepathic energy continued to devour all matter around him. Takashi, Kiyoko and Masaru had no choice but to summon the entity of Akira in order to stop Tetsuo. This caused another fatal explosion. Kaneda and the General were transported to safety; they watch from a far as the city of Neo Tokyo was destroyed once more. At the end of the film there was a big bang from outer space and moments later the words "I am Tetsuo," were heard. This represented Tetsuo's ascension into a god like being. This was the best segment of the film because it encompassed not only the themes of death and destruction but rebirth and creation as well.

In conclusion, there are multiple visuals in the Akira movie that make this anime classic a must see. From creation to complete and utter destruction, this movie does not skip a beat. The three scenes discussed in this article capture it all which makes Akira not just an anime, but an experience. Whether you are a veteran to anime or a rookie, Akira is worth watching.