AKIRA (1988) – FILM STUDY –
SYNOPSIS: Akira is the story of Shotaro Kaneda and his best friend Tetsuo Shima, two young bosozoku
gang members living in the dystopian city of Neo-Tokyo in 2019. Kaneda tries to save his friend from a
secret government project while battling anti-government activists, unsavoury politicians, hubristic
scientists, and a military leader bent on claiming the city.
PART ONE: THE OPENING SEQUENCE (/2)
PART TWO: CHARACTERIZATION (/20)
Kei:
Colonel Shikishima:
The ESPers:
PART THREE: THE METAMORPHOSIS OF TETSUO SHIMA
2 – His contradictory thoughts and emotions involving Kaneda: (/2)
3 – His relationship with his girlfriend Kaori: (/2)
4 – How his backstory impacts his present actions: (/2)
5 – How he represents the destructive potential of power in the wrong hands: (/2)
PART FOUR: THE DYSTOPIAN SETTING (NEO-TOKYO)
2 – What is the political turmoil presented in the film? (/2)
3 – How does the character of Akira becomes a messianic figure in the film? (/2)
PART FIVE – CRITICAL LENS THEORY
Psychoanalytic/Archetypal Lens: (/3)
2 – Explain how Colonel Shikishima functions as a father-figure in this film despite his many
contradictions in character. Consider his role as head of the military, caretaker of the ESPers, and
role of in the corrupt city government.
Feminist Lens: (/3)
BONUS – How is the audience meant to interpret the final line of the film?