Review of 'Akira'

Akira by Katsuhiro Otomo

Years ago I discovered the Japanese animated film Akira and was fascinated with it's almost poetic beauty of destruction and conflict and also intrigued in it's narrative depth with interesting characters and an amazing premise. I have always wanted to read the manga on which the film was based but the six-volume epic was, and is, quite expensive never mind requiring a certain amount of dedication to go through the 3,000+ pages but I finally decided to go for it, ordering each volume as I read it's precursor over the course of several months. Of course, I read the English version of the manga which was originally published as a serial in Kodansha's Young Magazine from December 20, 1982, to June 25, 1990, then in six “tankabon” volumes by publisher Kodansha between September 21, 1984, and March 23, 1993. The edition I read was the softcover set of six volumes published by Kodansha Comics from 2009 to 2011 through Random House. Each volume has the comic in black and white with a few pages at the start in full colour that covers this epic story.

The narrative is such that it makes little sense to review the volumes separately so this review covers the entire series. Each volume picks up pretty much immediately from the previous.

In volume one (“Tetsuo”) we are introduced to the world of “Neo-Tokyo” built on top of a devastated landscape that suffered from a massive cataclysm destroying the original city. The city is plagued by gangs and religious fanatics. In one gang, when riding their motorcycles through the city gang leader Kaneda's best friend Tetsuo crashes into a telepathic “esper” child. Taken away by the military Tetsuo develops volatile psychotic powers while Kaneda joins a resistance group alongside Kei to attempt a rescue. Volume two (“Akira I”) sees a military facility levelled with Kaneda, Kei and Tesuo taken into custody by the military. During the chaos Kei escapes having become possessed by another esper Kiyoko but Tetsuo, now struggling to control his escalating powers, breaks free. In volume three (“Akira II”) the action continues to ramp up with Tetsuo going on destructive rampage across the city but seemingly lost in a massive explosion caused by a military struggling to maintain control. Kaneda and Kei find the mysterious, quiet, child Akira who appears to have been the cause of the original destruction of Tokyo. Volume four (“Kei I”) sees the Japanese military team up with the Americans to take control of the city but they discover two separate groups: A cult led by esper Lady Miyako and the fanatical “Great Tokyo Empire” created by the gangs with Tetsuo as their leader and “Akira” as a rallying figurehead. Volume five (“Kei II”) sees Kaneda returning to the city to rally a new gang to assault Tetuo's empire but this attracts the attention of the military who send warships that threaten to completely destroy the city. In the final volume (“Kaneda”) the story reaches it's climax with Tetsuo's power, now no longer controlled by drugs, spinning wildly out of control as he destroys vast areas of what remains of the city. Determined to put a stop to it, Kaneda comes face to face with his old friend…

Yes, it is quite a story and there is a load of nuance that cannot be relayed in this single review. There is a richness to the story and characters that is compelling and keeps the reader engaged throughout though it is relatively easy to follow, perhaps more so than the film which tended to leave me with more questions than answers (never mind being quite different from this full version of the story). Here there is room to fully explore the story and characters so we understand more fully, for example, the relationship between Kaneda and Kei which in the film is hostile but here much more nuanced and one of genuine affection. Here also the role of the cult led by Lady Miyako plays a much more pivotal role (in the film she appears in one scene of destruction but that is about it) as she struggles to protect the people of the city. The action switches between different groups as the story unfolds with revelations that continue to surprise. The art is extremely visceral and dynamic, as the action steps up, the pages are full of dramatic single-page images that are quickly turned as the reader takes it all in and wants to see how it all turns out. The detail is astonishing with each panel meticulously drawn that bears stopping to take it all in. It has to be said that this is a “comic” certainly not intended for young children with explicit violence, nudity and swearing, but this also brings the story to life and makes it far more impactful.

An incredible epic of modern Science Fiction that deals with issues of morality and friendship but, ultimately, is an amazing piece of action brought vividly to live by a master of manga Katsuhiro Otomo.

Rating: “I have absolutely no complaints”

Review Date: 2026-06-21

Genre: Science Fiction

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Publication Date: 2009

ISBN: 1935429000