When someone watches Akira for the first time, there is a good chance that much of the film will be misunderstood. This isn't surprising, since Akira is indeed a confusing film. This doesn't mean it cannot be understood, however, only that there is a lot going on in the film at once. Unfortunately, it is possible for a viewer to dislike the film immensely, simply because he didn't put any effort into following the complex sequence of events. This "prologue" was written in an attempt to make understanding Akira easier for first-time viewers. It will explain much of the background info of Akira that simply isn't mentioned during the film. It will not make many references to Akira's main plot, therefore not spoiling the experience. The only reason one may not want to read this is if he or she wishes to figure these things out alone. Hopefully, by reading the prologue before watching Akira for the first time, one will be able to enjoy it much more easily and with a greater understanding. The story of Akira actually begins long before the events of the film take place. The story begins at the end of World War II, after the Allied Powers abolished Japan's ability to have any sort of armed forces or nuclear weaponry. This lead to the writing of the Japanese Constitution in 1946 which includes "The Renunciation of War." In the universe of Akira, however, the Japanese government was not truthfully as cooperative as it was in the real world. According to Akira, the Japanese government soon after began work on a top secret war project that focused on the use of human energy as a weapon. In Akira, everything that exists is governed by a supreme Power, the ultimate source of all the energy of the universe (it may be useful for readers to think of "the Force" of the Star Wars films). This Power is the energy of any chemical reaction and the energy of life. It is also a major component in evolution; as beings evolve, they gain more and more control of the Power. Humans, being the most evolved species on the planet, utilize the Power in the form of intelligence and the ability to reason. And as the human race continues to evolve, more and more of the Power falls under its control. Akira takes place during the very beginning of a giant step in human evolution, where a small number of individuals have more Power than the majority of others. The government tests are most successful with four of the subjects, all of whom are children. They are Kyoko (ID number 25), Takashi (26), Masaru (27), and Akira (28). Through the use of narcotic drugs, the project discovers that it can increase the amount of Power they are capable of utilizing. A side effect of the treatment, however, is a retardation of physical development; as these children age, their bodies will never grow beyond their current size. As the tests continue, Akira turns out to be the most powerful among them.* With it's newfound weapon, the Japanese government begins their first major test in July of 1988. Unfortunately for them, though, they don't understand the Power as much as they thought they did, and the results are disastrous. Basically, Akira explodes in a surge of Power that tears Tokyo to shreds. As a country, Japan is crippled by the accident. Society generally crumbles, setting the scene for the film, which takes place in the rebuilt Neo-Tokyo. As the years pass, the project continues with little success. The government looks for ways to refuel its economy, eventually deciding to host the 2020 Olympic games (for which they are building an enormous stadium). And all the while, the people are kept in the dark about what really happened in 1988. This brings us to 2017, where Akira picks up. And just to make things a little more clear, a quick rundown of the main characters: Kaneda: The film's protagonist, he's the leader of Neo-Tokyo's toughest street gang. Tetsuo: A long-time member of Kaneda's gang, he's always been on the bottom rung of the corporate ladder. Kei: She's a prominent member of the revolutionist group led by Ryu (Roy in the English dub). The Colonel: A hardened army commander with strong memories of the 1988 incident. He's loyal to Japan above anything else. "The Numbers:" Masaru, Takashi, and Kyoko are still alive and kicking. By now, Masaru has gained some political power of his own and Kyoko is an important governmental advisor. And finally, a disclaimer: Although I believe my prologue to be accurate, keep in mind that I am in no way whatsoever connected to Mr. Otomo or anyone else behind Akira. I could very well be completely wrong on every interpretation I've written here. If readers should have any questions or comments, they should feel free to email me. I hope you enjoyed this essay, and have fun watching AKIRA!by:Colin Wahlert xl3r2@rockpile.com
