079 Akira (1988)

Retro Grade Podcast

“LEAVE ME ALONE!”

Due to recent events in the film industry, Retro Grade Podcast decided to take a different approach to the movies we will cover on the podcast until the strikes are over in support of the unions. We will be covering films that are not under the companies being struck, starting with one of the greatest anime films of all time: Akira, directed by Katsuhiro Otomo, from 1988. We talk about how this very strange, at times confusing, violent and beautiful film fits in the conversation of nuclear power in the minds of film goers today with Oppenheimer’s success at the summer box office. While Nolan’s film tells the story from the perspective of the man that invented the bomb, what about the perspective of the people that survived it? Through the cyberpunk, alternative future of a post-WW3 Neo-Tokyo, perhaps Otomo offers that through Akira.

This is the third animated film we’ve talked about on the podcast, and the second anime film after our Totoro episode. Fun fact, Totoro also came out the same year Akira did! We talk about how this film uses extreme detail, slow motion, violence, sound, and silence to give us a unique, enthralling experience. Starting with a high octane motorcycle chase, and ending with one of the most disturbing images we’ve seen since our Hellraiser episode.

We talk about what makes Kaneda a different kind of protagonist. One that might not fit the hero archetype laid out by Joseph Cambell. We talk about the ensemble cast of characters whose individual actions (and even their names) are unknown to each other, despite them having so much screen time. Does Akira even have a main character? We don’t really agree on this one, but maybe the underlying issue is part of Akira’s DNA.

What is Akira’s DNA? Well, the film that was released in 1988, was based on the manga, (also created by Katsuhiro Otomo) that started in 1982 and ended in 1990. Yes, you read that right, the film came out while the manga was still in production. Although the film is a compromised version of the manga, Otomo was the one in charge of both. He chose what to change for the film, and in that process, likely changed how the manga would then end. We give a few examples on what the differences are, and maybe that might help us all understand what the film was trying to say.

Interpretation of film is a fun, and enriching exercise that we love here on Retro Grade Podcast. Given the setting of a post-war Japanese government rebuilding a city that has been destroyed by an atomic force, a militaristic police force violently suppresses protesters while Bosozoku gangs of disgruntled teenagers battle on motorcycles.. It’s safe to say this film is sort of about the reconstruction era of Japan post World War 2. However, there may be other things going on, and only looking at it through the lens of ‘post war trauma,’ might be selling Akira short. We go through some think pieces on what Akira was about, and then provide our own analysis of what it means to us!

Music is from Triune Digital and audio clips pulled from movies we will be reviewing in other episodes.

Artwork by @jannelle_o