ON CHILD-GOD-PSYCHIC, ANGSTY MOTORCYCLE-RIDING TEENS, GREEN-CHILDREN, AND EXPLODING MEATBALLS: WTF DOES AKIRA ACTUALLY MEAN?
A nuclear bomb had been dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, killing forty thousand people. Three days later, a second bomb was launched on the city of Nagasaki, which killed hundreds of thousands of people over the course of several years. While the United States was occupying Japan after the country's surrender, any criticism of the bombings was strictly forbidden. Alternatively, Godzilla (or Gojira) films became a focal point of Japanese commentaries, along with other artistic expressions and various forms of literature that were critical of the bombings. These classic monster-themed movies share specific themes or elements with Katsuhiro Otomo's groundbreaking anime movie and manga, Akira. These elements include the cynicism towards science, critiques of the military or security forces, and skepticism of the government in general.
The theme of Akira is closely tied to various social ills which make it still relevant to this day. While we do not have some powerful god-like child psychic lurking around, Akira has transcended the surface level form of entertainment for many people. Historically, it provided an important outlet for people to express their frustrations in its own unique manner. Today, it serves as an illustration of the lessons to be learned from the atrocities of the past while inspiring us toward a societal introspection for a better future…here, and not in an alternate universe. Well that intro was two paragraphs long but in this article, we will be talking about the not-so-hidden meaning behind the Akira movie with particular regard to it being a depiction of Japan’s post-war society.
MIRRORING JAPAN POST WORLD WAR
Neo-Tokyo is currently embroiled in a battle between new religious zealots and evil capitalists, as well as careless, angsty teenagers, depicting Japan as a dysfunctional nation following the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Tetsuo symbolizes postwar Japan; his psychic abilities and weird mutations are suggestive of the deformities that the Japanese people endured as a result of radioactive fallout. Furthermore, his transformation from being an ordinary adolescent member of a gang to a super-powerful being and his rise to power are reminiscent of Japan's miraculous economic turnaround from national collapse back in the 1980s. As horrifying as his new appearance is—with all that exposed meat and steel veins and stuff, Tetsuo’s immense power suggests that Japan is both proud of and terrified by its rising global standing. From being a poverty-stricken and war torn nation to a rising global power in terms of modern industrial technology, they worry that if they don't keep in touch with their heritage, they'll become the next international bullies.
After everything was said and done, in the end of the film, Tetsuo was whisked away to a parallel world, which represented a fresh start for Japan. To a new reality of being unburdened by its historical baggage (a.k.a. their war crimes and other atrocities). As a result, the film Akira serves as a metaphor for Japan's difficult transition from a war-torn nation to a globally respected one. Tetsuo, then, stands to symbolize the difficulty of maintaining a balance between honoring a nation’s identity and striving for the future while at the same time recognizing the danger of taking that newfound power too far.
THE BODY HORROR SUB-GENRE
Akira was an early example of "body horror," a subgenre that combines natural and artificial imagery. It exemplifies the deep impact that technology has on people. In these kinds of movies, it is shown that some entities (usually some sketchy government-related organization) literally invade people's bodies without their consent for some science stuff. The rapid industrialization that helped Japan become an electronics superpower after the war led to a submergence of the country's national ethos. This predicament, being torn between upholding tradition and pioneering the future with science and technology, has been a dilemma for the Japanese. In turn, it is reflected in the prevalence of body horror themes in Japanese pop culture such as this film. This causes a feeling of unease for the Japanese, making them grapple with the idea of an invasion of their physical selves. The introduction of body horror elements into Japanese films and media, then, becomes a tangible representation of the societal conflict between the need to adhere to traditional values, while also attempting to push technological boundaries.
Akira has proven, yet again, that it goes beyond the blinding lights or the unusually aesthetically pleasing environment of a dystopian world. Akira has challenged viewers to explore and question the very fabric of our society, while at the same time offering a unique and thrilling cinematic experience. Understanding all these symbolisms makes us—the viewers—see the film in a new light. With such intricate and detailed layers, it comes as no surprise that Akira has been universally acclaimed for its attention to detail, and that's just why we love it. In the end, we'll leave you guys with this fun fact: the Japanese name Akira carries the meaning of wisdom, intelligence, and truth, and in light of Katsuhiro Otomo's use of the name "Akira" for the work, its alternative meaning of understanding the truth also seems likely. We sincerely hope that we will be able to pull this off successfully. Paying homage to such a great masterpiece is one thing, but being able to capture its essence is much more challenging. That is why we hope you guys appreciate this entire collection, especially if you share the same amount of admiration for Akira. Tell us more about it in the comments below!